With a stunning fleet of ships and one of the most praised reputations in cruise holidays, Costa Cruises will provide you with an escape like no other company.

The vast range of destinations that they offer is sure to appeal to any type of traveller. As well as the popular Mediterranean, Indian and Caribbean cruises, they also cover Norway and the Fjord Highlands, the Middle East and transatlantic routes.

Costa is the largest cruise operator in Europe and has some really impressive vessels to its name. One of the  highly sought after is the Costa Classica, which boasts the Piazza Navona and the Puccini Ballroom, as well as a two-storey theatre. It has 1,690 bedrooms and a crew of 590. The Costa Luminosa has a 4-D cinema and the ever-popular golf and grand prix simulators to keep everyone entertained on the voyage.

Of course, it has some pretty luxurious restaurants and bars on board, as well as the relaxing Samsara Spa. The Luminosa is easily one of the biggest in the fleet, with over 2,000 bedrooms and just under 1,000 crew.

If you are a first time cruiser and are unsure how to prepare for a cruise holiday, you can rest assure that Costa will look after all your needs. As always, newcomers will be best suited to the cruise and stay options available, and Costa can provide a wealth of destinations for you to choose from. They will also run special offers and late cruise deals, so it will always be better to hold out until something that suits becomes available.

With a plethora of budget flights to Belfast being offered by various airlines, it’s no wonder that this magnificent city has become a popular tourist destination for not only UK residents but the rest of Europe as well.

With only a small city centre Belfast is easy to navigate on foot, but for those wanting to take it easy or for the less mobile there are plenty of public transport options, so there is no reason not to enjoy all that this popular city has to offer.

Buses are a popular choice to get around the city and surrounding areas, the Metro as the bus network is known, operates between the hours of 6am and 11pm. The bus routes are colour coded making them simple to use.

All of the bus services pass through, or start from Donegall Square, where there is also an information kiosk where tourist passes are available to buy. The bus service covers an extensive area, but is fairly unreliable and can be expensive.

For a traveller wanting to see many sights in a short space of time then the ‘Belfast Sightseeing’ open top bus tours could be a perfect solution. The tour costs around £10 per person, it lasts for approximately 2 hours and includes many sights including the Harland and Wolff shipyard, famous for building the Titanic. The tour also travels through the Falls Road area in the suburbs of Belfast, where you can see the murals painted on the walls of the houses during the time of the troubles.

Taxi tours are becoming more popular, and these can also be arranged by the tourist information kiosk and again these tours last about 2 hours. Shared taxi routes which began during the troubles, still operate today and cost around £1. There are set pick up points around the town and taxis will queue until they have a full cab (4-5 persons).

Belfast is a culturally diverse city and it is recommended that you try to visit as many attractions as possible before you depart on your cheap flight home.

The resort of Bonneval sur Arc sits right on the France-Italy border, this was originally an ancient village situated on a mountain; it allows easy access to the slopes. Being primarily a place for ski holidays for beginners – just over half of the slopes are green – one-quarter are intermediate blue runs and the remainder are advanced (single black diamond). The slopes have no gondolas or trams and eleven lifts.  There is cross country skiing available on eighty kilometres of pistes.

You can access the resort via the TGV train that gives connections to Paris and other regions. The Chambery and Geneva airports are within a few hours of the area. There are two lodges and three hotels on the slopes, and a number of bars and restaurants. A bakery provides local cuisine and there is also a cheese dairy.

The ski resort of Brides-les-Bains is an old spa town; it has one of the largest spas in the French Alps.  There is a high-speed gondola for access to the slopes.  There are 336 runs; the vast majority are for beginners and intermediate skiers.  There are two nightclubs, a casino, and several bars for holidaymakers to enjoy.  You can also try ice diving, ice climbing, dog sledding, and a number of other enjoyable activities on your ski holidays.

There are also children’s clubs and ski schools for children; you will have to take the gondola to reach the latter. You can obtain ski lessons for children older than the age of three.  There is also childcare for small children aged from 18 months to eight years. 

Access to the area is most convenient by plane; the Lyon and Geneva airports are both within two hours of the community.

The vast continent of Asia can offer a diverse range of cruise holiday itineraries that are sure to appeal to any taste. From the bustling cultural cities to the unrivalled heritage and stunning landscapes, there will be plenty of Far East cruises to choose from. From the vibrant atmosphere of Hong Kong to the paradise islands off the coast of Thailand, a cruise in Asia will certainly be rich in variety.

One popular destination for discovering the breathtaking scenery of Asia is the My Yangtze River cruise, which runs through China and is operated by Viking Century Sky. Of course, easily the biggest attraction on this route is the Great Wall of China, one of the great wonders of the world. Another major attraction, which can be found in Xian, is the Terracotta Army.

The bustling Chinese city of Shanghai is also part of this trip, but another incredibly popular port in the Asia region, is Singapore. Here this peaceful and oasis-like city will offer an experience like no other.

The cost of Far East cruises will largely depend on the destinations offered. Big cities, like Hong Kong and Singapore, being the most popular and easily accessible, are usually in the higher budget range, but you can save a substantial amount on your ticket if you wait for last minute cheap cruises.

With such a rich and contrasting range of cultures and heritage across the continent, there will is no better way to experience it all than to take a cruise.

Glasgow is one of the biggest cities in Scotland and is only just behind London and Birmingham in terms of being the most populated area in the United Kingdom. Glasgow accounts for 41 per cent of the Scottish population.

The city is situated next to the River Clyde the banks of which were once the centre of the Scottish shipbuilding industry. The city also has a rich and traditional history with the University of Glasgow being a centrepiece of the United Kingdom’s educational institutions.

During the Victorian era the city was widely regarded as the British Empire’s second city behind London. Today, it is listed among the top 20 cities in the world for financial businesses, attracting many entrepreneurs to the area to develop new enterprises.

The reason for the boom in Glasgow’s population is due to the strong transatlantic trade links with America and the growth spurts of new towns and suburbs that emerged during the 1960s.

The Glasgow City Council Chambers building is one of the most valued in the whole of the United Kingdom.

The area should also be visited for the splendid architecture that was created in the 12th and 13th century and also for a number of distilleries that make some of the finest whisky in the whole of Scotland.

There are good transport links into the city with train services from many UK cities as well as the M8 motorway being heavily used. It is also easier than ever before to get a flight into the city from a number of popular UK airports.

Forward-thinking leadership, amazing natural beauty, ancient history and friendly locals make the tiny nation of Jordan one of the most interesting destinations in the Middle East. 

Visitors to Jordan usually enter the country through Amman, the capital and home to more than a million people. A progressive city, Amman has shops, nightlife, cafes, museums, theatres and all the amenities you’d expect of any modern metropolitan destination. Exciting, vibrant and with easy access to most other major destinations in the country, Amman is the perfect base for travellers who want to explore the rest of the country. Apart from the shopping, fine dining and culture, one of the main attractions in is the Roman Theatre, in the city centre. Built in the 2nd century, the theatre is still used for live performances today.

Other important archaeological and historical sites in Jordan include Petra and the ruins at Jerash. History aficionados hop on flights to Jordan by the thousands, each year, to visit the ancient city of Petra, once the capital of an Arab dynasty in the 3rd century BC. Made famous in the 1980s, in the movie, “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,” Petra is now a major tourist attraction and draws thousands of visitors every day. The Roman ruins at Jerash are surprisingly well preserved. Built more than 7,000 years ago, the site features churches, a synagogue and a cathedral with beautifully detailed mosaics.

Flights to Jordan offer amazing access to a growing, energetic country, rich in history and tradition, with a bright and promising future.

There are many different mortgages on the market today spanning a wide range of purposes, but expat mortgages are a field on their own and do require that anyone considering looking at the various expat mortgages take advice from a specialist in this field. There are a number of reasons why you should always look to someone who specialises in the field of expat mortgages as they are not something that you should just go down the high street to the nearest bank to find.

One particular reason for choosing a specialist in this area is the minefield that can be encountered when looking for finance for a buy to let property, a favourite with people who may be living or working abroad. Naturally they want to keep a foothold on the property ladder for when they return to the UK, increase their capital investment and have some income from the property whilst away from the UK.

An example or where a specialist in expat mortgages can help is pointing you in the right direction when it comes to taxation. Whether you are non resident or non-domiciled, but want to buy in the UK property market, you need to bear in mind tax and currency considerations in everything that you do. Similarly, if you intend to let the property in your absence, you will need tax advice about the implications of receiving income which arises in the UK.

The unofficial capital of the north of England, Manchester has culture and an energy that rivals its southern sister city of London.  Flights to Manchester deliver lucky visitors to one of the most dynamic and interesting locations in the UK.  From hip bars and posh boutiques to funky neighbourhoods and historic sites, there’s something for everyone there.

The Manchester town hall building is a striking Victorian Gothic structure that houses the city’s main administrative offices.  Dominating Albert Square, the town hall boasts stunning architectural details including gorgeous sculptures and intricate ornamentation.  The building’s exterior features an imposing 85 metre-high tower.  It is possible to tour the town hall on your own, but a guided tour gives more behind-the-scenes access.  Tours depart from the tourist office located just inside the main entrance.

Immediately behind the town hall is Manchester’s Central Library.  This graceful Roman structure was constructed in 1924 and remains the largest municipal library in England.  Spend an afternoon—or two—browsing through the library’s more than 32 kilometres of shelves.

Another stunning structure is the John Rylands’ University Library at the University of Manchester.  Perhaps the city’s most lovely building, the Victorian Gothic library was commissioned by Rylands’ widow in honour of her husband.  The extensive collection of print and electronic materials makes this an important research library as well as an impressive architectural gem.

Flights to Manchester allow visitors to see all kinds of other attractions, from museums and galleries to historic sites and interesting shops.  Take some time to discover everything that makes this city so special.

P&O Cruises is one of the most recognisable names in cruise holidays. They boast a long and respected history and they are easily the first choice for many travellers.

Throughout the year they offer a wide variety of destinations to suit any taste and now that cruise holidays are becoming more popular with younger generations, can offer a wealth of exciting and adventurous destinations that are sure to appeal to all ages.

Of course, P&O will offer plenty of spacious rooms and luxurious comfort for your holiday and they have one of the most enviable fleet of ships. The Oceana will be especially suited to first-time cruisers and she boasts a stunning range of entertainment; 12 glamorous bars, the famous Monte Carlo casino and many other fantastic attractions. There are also plenty of family facilities and activities on board.

Their latest edition is the captivating Arcadia and as well as having a Gary Rhodes restaurant on board, there is also a three-tier theatre.

If you are choosing P&O for your cruise holidays this year, you can rest assured that you will not find a better variety anywhere else. They even offer child-free cruises for those looking for less active and more adult atmosphere. P&O Cruises have a variety of cruise and stay options and will offer some attractive last minute cruises for all group sizes.

From the white-sands of the Sri Lanka beaches to the icy snow-capped mountains of Alaska, P&O can offer the right destination to suit your tastes. However, if you are looking for a particular destination, it will be wise to book early as they can often sell out quickly.

The best way to get around Tel Aviv is by walking or taxi. Many of the major tourist destinations are well within walking distance of each other and most are situated in the city centre. 

The city’s public bus service is vast, but does not run on Saturdays, which can cause problems for non-Jewish travellers who don’t observe the traditional Jewish Sabbath and want to see the sites. Bus fares are consistent throughout the city, you won’t have to pay more in different districts and you can buy ten ride tickets or unlimited monthly passes at a discount.

Sheruts are also popular modes of transport for visitors arriving on flights to Tel Aviv. These privately owned minibuses run the same routes as the public buses and can seat up to seven passengers. You’ll have the freedom to get off and on at any point along the designated route, which means more flexibility. Sheruts run more frequently than public transport and operate on Saturdays, though you’ll pay slightly higher fares.

Taxis are all over the city and are easily hailed. On entering, be sure the driver turns on the meter or you could end up paying more than you should for your trip. Expect to pay higher fares at night.

Traffic in Tel Aviv is nightmarish and hiring a car is not recommended unless you are a true thrill-seeker. From aggressive drivers to confusing intersections to harsh parking laws, driving yourself is more hassle than it’s worth.