Anyone who thinks that a cruise is strictly for the sedate and middle aged or the well off and fancy free should think again; contrary to popular misconceptions, cruises today can provide a fabulous holiday for most budgets and all age groups. 

There are some fantastic cruise deals on offer from some of the big players, such as Thomson Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruises and P&O Cruises, to name but three. And, for the novice cruise holidaymaker it’s important to remember that the cost – which can be as little as £70 a day on the cheaper cruises – includes accommodation in an en suite cabin, meals, evening entertainment and unlimited access to an exciting variety of superb onboard facilities, which increasingly include attractions for younger travellers. If reading a book on a deckchair lacks appeal, you might want to try an onboard internet café, a rock climbing wall, an ice-rink, or a water park instead. You can also go to the cinema or boogie the evening away at a disco.

Sometimes the best deals can be found on a whim – last minute cruises can be very economical as well as hugely enjoyable. And, as most ships (especially those specialising in Mediterranean cruises and Caribbean cruises) have a daily stop at a port, you can explore the world during your cruise, too. It’s even possible to combine a cruise with a holiday on the beach by taking one of the many “cruise and stay” options available. If you’ve never considered a cruise holiday before, why not take the plunge and book one now?

It is Ireland’s timeless traditional side that continues to draw so many visitors each year; in addition to the gorgeous countryside and coastal scenery which almost makes one’s jaw drop in awe.  It is a very picturesque country and worth every effort you would have to make to explore every corner of it.

Some of the more popular places to visit include Dublin, the country’s capital; the stunning landscapes of County Derry, the beautiful lakes of County Roscommon, the County Waterford villages as well as Killarney National Park and Connemara.  Only 26 of the 32 counties in the country are known as the Republic of Ireland.  The others are part of what is now known as Northern Ireland and are still part of the United Kingdom.

In order to get to Ireland, you will need to have a passport and/or visa.  And depending on where you’re travelling from, you can get there by air or water.  As with most International travel, it tends to be a little expensive, so the farther in advance you book your ferry trip or airfare, the better off you’ll be, and the more you’ll tend to save.

The accommodation available in Ireland includes hotels of all star ratings, guesthouses (many managed by family run businesses) bed and breakfast establishments, and self-catering properties of all standards.  Whenever or however you decide to visit Ireland, thorough planning and research – and lots of it – is always important and will pay dividends.

These days, cruises can be of long or quite short duration, but if you can take two, three or even four weeks off over a summer it’s a great way to pack in lots of different experiences into one trip. It can also be relatively cost effective as most of your onboard costs, such as food and activities, are included in your package price.

Modern cruise ships are a world away from the stereotypes of yesteryear with many being comparable to five star hotels, with an ever-changing view from the windows. Giving yourself a longer break opens up the possibilities for travelling further afield. Some cruises are round trips, starting and finishing in the UK, but you will fit more in if you fly out to join your ship, fly back from it, or fly both ways.

For example, a month’s cruise from Singapore to Southampton might include the tropical beach resorts of Thailand and Mauritius and vibrant South African cities such as Durban and Cape Town. You might take in the natural beauty of western Africa, and visit fascinating Mediterranean islands on your way. 

Why not cross the Atlantic, travel through the Panama Canal, perhaps see San Francisco and Hawaii on the way to your New Zealand destination? If there’s a part of the world you’ve always wanted to visit, there’s bound to be a corresponding cruise to give you the full experience. Cruise holidays will take you around the Mediterranean, Canada and New England, the islands of the Caribbean or the Scandinavian fjords.

With so many visitors travelling in from other countries on cheap flights, Brussels is an international hub of activity. While it is definitely important because of its position as the headquarters of the European Union, there’s much more to the city than just modern day politics. The shopping opportunities, for example, bring thousands of travellers in on cheap flights every single year. It is important to understand, however, that shops in Brussels operate on a slightly different timetable than many travellers may be used to. Most rarely opening before 10:30 or 11am and almost all are closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Brussels is home to the world’s first shopping mall, the Galeries Saint Hubert-Sint Hubertusgalerijen, which opened in 1847. There is also the Marche aux Puces-Vlooienmarkt, which is open every day from 7am to 2pm and is one of the best flea markets in Europe. While you can easily head out to other cities on flights to London or flights to Damascus, for example, there’s much more to see and do in Brussels than just the shopping.

Belgium beers and cuisine are rated around the world at some of the best available and there is no better place to sample the finest wares on offer than in Brussels. There are plenty of tours available at the various breweries and no matter which restaurant you choose to eat in you are sure to find something to suit your palette.

It’s fair to say that once upon a time, cruise holidays were confined chiefly to a select, and usually very well heeled, group of people. The rest of us took package holidays to Benidorm or Magaluf. Happily, this is no longer the case – just about anyone can enjoy cruises now, and with the numerous excellent cruise deals perennially available; you certainly won’t need to be a millionaire to afford one.

Big companies such as Royal Caribbean Cruises, Princes Cruises, Thomson Cruises and Costa Cruises all run a range of ships, from the small and modestly priced to the lavish and spectacular. If you’re a younger traveller or a parent with small kids, the larger vessels may be well worth the extra cost. There are often fabulous onboard activities available, such as water skiing rock-wall climbing, ice skating and even water parks and golf courses. Children will love the numerous pools and there are kids clubs and babysitting services to give mum and dad a break.

Whilst longer Mediterranean cruises and Caribbean cruises include virtually daily ports of call to let you explore the local culture, cuisine and beaches, you can also combine a resort vacation with a cruise by opting for one of the many cruise and stay holidays available. Whether you’re planning ahead or choosing last minute cruises, opting for Baltic Cruises or Red Sea cruises, the sheer choice available is dizzying. Wherever there’s a sea route, there’ll be a cruise with your name on it.

When people think of Seattle, Washington, they often think of rain.  But for a couple of months a year (August and September), this area is actually one of the driest in the United States.  Rent a holiday apartment or villa to truly enjoy your stay and give yourself a home away from home.

Seattle, much like San Francisco, is a city built on seven hills – and very steep hills in some places.  If you’re looking for an activity location, this is it.  You’ll see people bicycling even in the winter, walking, kayaking on the lakes and rivers, water skiing, and jogging.  In the winter, snow skiing is very popular at several nearby destinations like Snoqualmie and Crystal Mountain.

Nestled between the Cascade Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Seattle offers activities for everyone.  Take a cruise on a Washington State Ferry up to the San Juan Islands for some stunning natural scenery and whale watching.  Head east to the Cascades for skiing, hiking, or mountain biking.  In the summer, ride the chair lifts up to the top of the mountain with your mountain bike and ride down. 

Downtown Seattle has every cultural amenity you could wish for.  The Seattle Symphony is world-renowned and plays a full schedule, including Beethoven’s 9th every holiday season.  The Seattle Opera puts on one of the best productions of Wagner’s ring cycle in the world, and the Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Nutcracker has the famous “growing” Christmas tree. 

And of course, there is shopping downtown.  Buy everything from fresh-caught salmon at the Pike Place Market to designer dresses from Vera Wang’s store on 5th Avenue. 

One trip to Seattle guarantees you’ll be back.

Beginning skiers do not need to feel intimidated when more advanced athletes schuss past. Here is a short list of some of the best beginner-friendly ski resorts throughout Europe.

The purpose-built resort of Valmorel in Le Grande Domaine, France, is a relatively quiet area that is just right for beginning and intermediate skiers. Valmorel is also ideal for families. Les Deux Alpes in the southern region of the French Alps is known for their nursery slopes and the variety of difficulty of slopes for all levels of skiers.

In Italy there is Passo Tonale, another purpose-built resort, where the spacious beginner slopes offers a challenge while building confidence. Families and even school groups enjoy the slopes of Passo Tonale.

Beitostolen in Norway is a friendly resort where the slopes are free from heavy crowds. The resort is hailed for its efficient lift system that makes its lifts practically queue free.

Katschberg in Austria is ninety minutes from Salzburg. The resort has ski in/ski out convenience and is highly recommended for beginning and intermediate skiers.

Eschenlohe in the Garmisch-Partenkirchen district of Germany is a small resort served by one ski lift. However despite its size and lower altitude compared to other resorts, these factors make Eschenlohe a very good choice for new skiers.

Sitting in the Rhone Valley of Switzerland is the resort of Villars-Gryon. One of the features that beginning skiers will benefit from is the Modern Ski School  that utilises the Gradual Length Method, a technique invented by the late skier and inventor Clif Taylor that trains beginning skiers on ski holidays that gradually increase in length as their skills progress.