There are a whole host of different ships sailing under the Princess Cruises banner, visiting ports of call all over the world and serving up a scintillating range of onboard facilities.

Let’s start with the destinations on offer. Princess Cruises travels all around the world, so there’s always an itinerary to suit even the fussiest of holidaymakers. With Princess, you can explore the Caribbean, visit the coastal states of the U.S. and enjoy such far-flung exotic shores as Hawaii and the South Pacific. Or, for something closer to home, Princess takes wide-eyed guests to such beautiful locations as the Western Mediterranean, the Greek islands and Western Europe.

Onboard, Princess ups the luxury stakes with a fantastic range of facilities and entertainment options. There are cinemas for those quiet nights ‘in’, a nightclub to keep you dancing until the early hours, a casino, and all manners of different bars, pubs and lounges. You’ll also find stacks of different stage and theatre productions, and by day, you can burn your energy off in the fitness centre, on the jogging track or by enjoying a leisurely few holes on the mini golf course.

If you want to travel like a princess on your next cruise jolly, a jaunt with Princess Cruises could leave you feeling like royalty…

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Unfortunately, travel does have its down sides, and that means waiting around, tiredness and stress in some cases. Thankfully, there are ways to zap stress levels, alleviate tiredness and even save money at the same time.

What is this wonder cure? I hear you say!

Airport extras.

There are a few little extras that can be added to your travel plans, at such a minimal cost in the grand scheme of things, you’ll be wondering why you never did it before. The first time I used airport parking, I booked with Holiday Extras and thought I’d found the next best invention to the hoover!

Last month I used east midlands airport parking and can’t fault the service I received. The convenience of being able to set off when I wanted, stop off at the services on the way to grab a coffee and make a treat of the day, load my own suitcases how I wanted to do it, and the knowledge that my car was safe and looked after, ready for me to collect – it was a reassuring and stress-free experience I’ll repeat time and time again.

Most large UK airports offer a service, such as heathrow, for flights out of the capital, so be sure to check out the services available from your airport, and keep those saved pounds in your pocket, where they belong. I find this is the perfect way to spend guilt-free in duty free shops! You can also double up with a hotel stay and make great savings – I stayed at the Sheraton Heathrow through Holiday Extras and had a great experience.

To really kick start a holiday, and even better if you have an early flight, why not check out the great range of airport hotels? You can even combine airport parking with your hotel, all for a fantastic price. Check out the wide range of gatwick hotels with parking included, and you’ll be starting your break relaxed and rested, instead of wide-eyed and bleary!

Travelling is a necessary evil.

There’s no way around it, at least until someone invents a way to click your fingers and be at your destination, which sadly doesn’t look like it’s coming on to the market any time soon.

My argument is that if it’s part of your holiday, necessary or not, you should make it as fun and stress-free as possible, because after all, that’s what holidays are about – fun and relaxation!

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Gran Canaria serves up a thrilling combo of sandy beaches and scorching temperatures, stunning landscapes and bubbly beach resorts, big nights out and laid-back retreats. It’s an island of contrasts and it’s packed with diversity, so if you’re planning a holiday to Gran Canaria, get ready to dive in and experience a fantastic holiday with a difference!

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The island is peppered with resorts that range in size and style. If you’re after a non-stop break that’s packed with big nights out and 18-30s fun, Playa del Ingles will be right up your street. It’s lively by day with a cracking golden sandy beach and a bustling resort, and by night, the tempo really hots up with stacks of different bars, clubs and discos that spring into action as the sun goes down.

Neighbouring Playa del Ingles is Maspalomas. This large, popular resort is home to the famous sand dunes – a protected nature reserve and a vast ocean of golden sand that resembles something of a mini Sahara. Explore it on foot or, even better, by camel – and grab some memorable photos for the mantlepiece back home! If you’re after a holiday to Gran Canaria that’s got a bit of life without going overboard, Maspalomas is a great resort with a bustling vibe that offers plenty of great shops and boutiques, not to mention a lively ambience by night thanks to its selection of bars and restaurants.

Photo Credit: Creative Commons

Whether you’re after loud and lively fun or something laid-back and lazy, you’ll find stacks of holidays in Gran Canaria through major tour operators like Thomas Cook. Choose from a wide range of resorts and holiday experiences along with plenty of great deals and money-saving discounts to help make things a little bit easier.

Summer is on its way. When will you experience a great getaway in Gran Canaria?

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When it comes to the most popular casino to visit in that country, there is no question that the Crown Casino in Melbourne holds that status. Indeed this is actually listed as the single most popular tourist attraction in the country – putting it ahead of the likes of the Sydney Opera House – thanks to the 10.9 million travellers who go there every year. Clearly the Crown must be doing something right to be attracting millions each year, although some quibble with the exact figures for visitor numbers, and this is certainly one of the first casinos that any gambler visiting Australia will want to check out.

However, although the Crown should be the first port of call for any casino fan visiting Melbourne, for those who are spending their stay Down Under in the more scenic environs of Sydney, the top casino will be the Star. Again the rumoured visitor numbers per year of 9 million put that city’s world famous Opera House in the shade, as a mere 7.4 million attend this hallowed home of culture each year. Finally, for those visiting another of the country’s tourist hot spots – the Gold Coast – the top casino to check out in this part of the country is the Jupiter Casino. Again this has visitor numbers which speak for themselves (10.6 million a year), competing only with online casinos like LuckyNugget, and those travellers of a gambling persuasion might find themselves spending their entire stay there.

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 Take a Gondola Ride

 No matter which part of Venice you happen to be in, you’ll see the famous gondolas sailing along the canals. There are few things more romantic to do in Venice than to take a gondola ride along the labyrinth of canals and taking your ride at sunset is, of course, one of the most beautiful times to do so. Try to take a ride that will pass under the Bridge of Sighs as legend has it that any lovers who kiss below the Bridge of Sighs at sunset will enjoy eternal love.

Visit Saint Mark’s Square

 The city’s main square is the busiest part of Venice, but it’s no wonder that so many people want to see it as it is a beautiful spot to be. The Golden Basilica is the main attraction with its 8,000m² of gold, bronze and stone mosaics. The church really is a symbol of Venice’s past wealth and backs onto the square.

The Clock Tower, Doge’s Palace and the Columns of San Marco and San Theodoro are also popular with tourists who pack the square day after day.

Get an aerial view of Venice

 See Venice from above from the top of the Campanile, the city’s tallest building. At just under 100 metres this is the best place to see the whole city. And with a lift up to the top you don’t even have to worry about climbing up.

Originally built in the 9^th century, the Campanile fell to the ground in 1902. The new version was built exactly as the original so you’ll enjoy the exact same view as those visiting a century ago would have enjoyed too.

Explore the islands of Venice’s Lagoon

 There are other islands in the Venetian Lagoon worth visiting other than the 118 that make up Venice itself. Murano, for example, is an island famous for its expert glass-making. With little cafes, restaurants and glass-making on show, this is a fascinating place to visit.

Torcello Island is another of the islands worth the short trip. This is a quiet yet beautiful island so is the perfect place to get away from the packs of tourist in Venice and to enjoy a stroll. Burano is another cool island with canals like Venice, but much more colourful houses. The government actually decides what colours the residents can paint their houses and the result is a rainbow of colours on every street!

Eat Gelato

 A trip to Italy wouldn’t be complete without trying some top gelato. The city’s gelato offering doesn’t get much better than that sold by the Boutique del Gelato. But be warned! The queues don’t get longer anywhere else either!

And now that you are fully convinced of the need to visit Venice, get planning today! Book a flight to Venice Marco Polo Airport and book some Venice accommodation through sites such as GowithOh. You’ll be exploring the canals in no time!

This post is written by Barcelona-based Euan McTear

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Starting out in Dublin is ideal because there are several scenic locations along the way. You will see The Devil’s Bit which is one of the mountains that you come across as you head into Thurles. It was named so because the locals believe that the devil took a bite out of it and then spat it out to make the Rock of Cashel which makes for a scenic view as you approach Cashel. When you get to Cashel you will get a chance to rest and enjoy local cuisine at some nice cafes.

The Cahir castle is another great sight that you will encounter while road tripping in Ireland. It is a large and impressive castle; you should take photographs of this beauty. You can choose to leave the Dublin Cork main road and take a left turn before getting to the castle onto the Vee is a road which is very scenic. The views that you will come across as you drive along the Vee corkscrew road are nothing but spectacular. Lismore is another great place where you will see the Lismore castle, you are allowed to take photos of it but you cannot go inside as it is private.

If you have never seen a pottery center, you should consider stopping at the Youghal. You can choose to skip this town because you will come across another pottery center ahead. The Stephen Pierce Pottery Workshop is another great pottery center where you can buy eccentric pottery works. Kinsale is another scenic location that you will come across on your road trip. If you get hungry, you will be in luck because Kinsale has great gourmet restaurants. For a nice fish and chips meal, you can visit Fishy Fishy which serves the best fish. For some live music, check out The Wharf Tavern for a fun night. If you feel the need to shop around you can do so in the little shops in Kinsale town.
When taking an Ireland road trip, you should drive through Glendalough. It makes for a picturesque trip because it has scenic valleys and serene lakes. Glendalough is a renowned Christian sight that has many points of architectural importance. To better experience all the wonders of road tripping in Ireland, renting a car from Dublin or other main Irish cities is highly recommended!

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The only thing that bugs England is the unfair popularity of its capital, while there are dozens of other interesting cities that should be visited. So you don’t get cut by “London calling”, I suggest you one very unusual and very English Chester City.

Founded more than two thousand years ago, the Romans Chester is certainly among the most interesting cities of the UK. The origin of the city can be seen in (approx. 3.5 km) of the ancient city wall, the ruins of the amphitheater and the remains of an old bridge. The city mixes all cultures that existed here. If you want to learn English history, this city will help you out. It started with Romans then was ruled by Saxons and finally Normans. It is interesting that Chester city was the last to be conquered in most of the cases.

So you get a full picture of history and glory, imagine the ruins of a Roman amphitheater overlooking the cathedral built in the Gothic style. There are also the Saxon buildings, dating back to the mid-seventh century, located at the intersection of Northgate Street, Eastgate Street, and Bridge Street. A major focus of interest is Watergate Street High Cross, firstly mentioned in 1377. The cross welcomes guests in summer herald. It has a long theatrical tradition that is highly appreciated by tourists.

The city boasts with a number of monuments that keep the spirit of history and many cultures. Among other historic sites is a Chester Castle, which was built in the mid-13th century by the orders of Henry IV. A walk through the ancient streets of Chester will also be a fascinating thing to do in the city as there are a lot of half-timbered houses, which today are converted to fancy shops, attractive cafes and restaurants in Chester.

Miniature English town is famous for its unique cultural traditions that bring a lot of nice memories to all travelers. Gourmets from all over the world known Chester city because of its delicious local cheese. Every year the city hosts a large-scale Food Festival, which is visited by guests from all over the world, and opens up a large-scale gastronomic feast is one of the most unusual events – Skating Championships cheese.

For those who wish to explore the city’s history in more detail, it will be interesting to visit the National Museum of Grosvenor. It has amazing collection of historical artifacts and jewelry.

This post is by Vera Petryk, an author for England.net

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The Statue of Liberty

Everyone wants to see the statue of Liberty, at least once in their life. Did you know there are two ways to see Lady Liberty? When someone goes to New York everyone back home will expect to see a picture of the Statue of Liberty. Most first time visitors to New York take about one half day to take a tour to the island where Lady Liberty stands. Unfortunately, if this is how you expect to get a great picture of the statue yourself, you are going to be quite disappointed. The tour boat approaches the statue from the rear side. When you are on the island, you cannot stand back far enough to get a full frame picture of the statue. Sure, the tour is great but it takes quite a while for everyone on the tour to go up and back down from the top of the statue. That takes a lot of time which you could be spending somewhere else. If you want to get that picture proof for the folks back home, take the Staten Island Ferry. Stay on the ferry both ways and you will be in a perfect position twice to get magnificent photos of the Statue of Liberty.

Central Park – Strawberry Fields – Horse and Buggy Rides

No family trip to New York is complete without a trip to Central Park. Have the kids do some Internet research on the amazing history of the park. Offer a prize for the one that can find out where the one hidden statue stands, rarely visited by anyone coming to the park. Take the kids to see Strawberry Fields across from the building where John Lennon of the Beatles once lived.

American Museum of Natural History

New York has one of the best Natural History Museums in the world. Our kids love the giant blue whale. There are an amazing number of displays with different animals of the world. You can easily spend more than one full day in this museum. It is a great item to put on your list if you’re in town during bad weather.

Photo credit: Creative Commons

Observation Floors at the Top of the Rock

Top of the Rock is a great way to see the layout of the city. You will get a super view of the Empire State Building and Central Park. This observation point is very popular and often not as crowded as over at the Empire State Building.

Kids Lunch at Peanut Butter and Company

In Greenwich Village is a restaurant especially dedicated to children and food with peanut butter as a main ingredient. Every kid loves peanut butter sandwiches. At this place they can try some variations they never thought of before. There are many other great things to see and do in New York. We always ask our accommodation concierge for advice on the latest happenings in town. A good concierge always has a way to get things done, like tickets to a basketball or football game. They are also a great help when you need last minute reservations at some well-known restaurant. This restaurant even sells many unique kinds of peanut butter blends. Your kids will love the food and be excited to tell all their friends about this unique place to eat.

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South Coast

Travelling along the south coast will take you through a variety of beautiful scenery. You go past beaches, piers, ports and beach huts, the 1066 country of Hastings and through the beech woods of Friston Forest where you might want to get out and stretch your legs – there’s a carpark and numerous walking trails. Cutting inland a little there is also the Long Man of Wilmington near Lewes – a strange chalk image outlined on a hillside. There’s a carpark and walking routes available for the curious.

Cornwall

The warmest place on the UK mainland, Cornwall is popular for lovers of the outdoors and nature. A great place for a family road trip, the Eden Project in Cornwall is a massive indoor rainforest created in bubble-like domes near St Austell. Travelling along the coast there are plenty of beaches to enjoy.

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Wales

The A470 runs all the way through Wales, taking in the mountains of Snowdonia and the Cambrian Mountains and the valleys between them, plus the spectrum of human intervention from mediaeval ruins to industrial wasteland. There are many beautiful and historic towns along the way – the perfect weekender.

North

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Though motorways are hardly scenic, the Angel of the North is a sculpture that should definitely be seen at least once. Towering above the highway, it’s an impressive work that also makes a great pause in a long journey as you can pull off and take a break. Amongst many other places to explore, Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland is incredibly scenic, with the A69 being the best road for accessing historical Roman sites.

A great way to get the family out for a change of scene, driving around the UK also means you can appreciate many parts of the island otherwise inaccessible. Whether you want to travel to historic sites or appreciate natural beauty, there are many reasons to take to the roads to explore Britain.

Vivienne Egan writes for GEM Motoring Assist, who provide breakdown cover to give you peace of mind while on your road trips.

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British PM and author Winston Churchill called Uganda “The Pearl of Africa” when he travelled through it in 1907. Many still believe him to be correct – with mountains, wildlife, lakes, rainforest, friendly people and the source of the Nile, there are many reasons to visit Uganda.

Gorillas

To get to the primate population of Uganda, you will have to travel through deep and incredibly dense jungle (The Bwindi forest, where many of the gorillas live, means “impenetrable” for a good reason). These primates are tracked due to small numbers – and when you do it is a rare and precious experience.

Safari

Overland safaris are generally undertaken in the form of small group departures or tailor-made private safaris – private safaris are designed around your interests, availability and budget. As Uganda offers many opportunities for big game viewing and side activities, arranging a tour guide with plenty of experience and local knowledge will be invaluable asset to your trip.

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Water

For adventure seekers, Jinja is one of the greatest white water rafting experiences available anywhere in the world. It happens to be at the source of the Nile – there is rarely a more exhilarating destination (it’s said to be on a par with the better-known Zambezi rafting experience).

For those searching for a less daredevil water experience, there is also Lake Bunyoni and the surrounding terraced mountains, called the Swiss Alps of Africa because of its peaceful setting. It’s free of dangerous animals too, so swimming is permitted.

Birding

Uganda is also an incredible birding destination, with well over 1000 species found across the country, including the rare shoebill and many Albertine Rift endemics, so bring your binoculars!

People

Creative Commons: Neil Palmer

Uganda can boast some of the friendliest people in the world. Warm and welcoming, you can expect the people you meet to be willing to assist and happy to show off their beautiful nation.

Uganda has had some bad press in the past, but as a nation it is moving towards a stronger economy, more stable politics and better quality of life for all its citizens. Making a journey and assisting this country by spending time there and helping support the industry that employs Ugandans and helps create sustainable income that’s not reliant on funding from the developed world is one of the best ways to establish a better life for locals.

Tourism also supports wildlife protection efforts and will ensure that the gorilla population and other endangered species will continue to thrive in their natural habitats.

Vivienne Egan writes for Safari Consultants

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