Without a doubt, Italy remains a must visit destination for most tourists and it is easy to see why. Italy is blessed with spectacular art, a rich cultural heritage, fantastic food, excellent shopping and picturesque natural scenery that have been drawing millions for decades. 

Tuscany is undoubtedly one of the most famous regions in Italy, but Gothic and Medieval Siena, spanning over three hills, is an often skipped destination.  The city, founded by Senius son of Remus in mythology, offers a surprisingly good time for people who stop here.

The majestic Campo is the heart of the city and is the site of the Palio, held during July and the first half of August, which features costumed jockeys riding horses in a three lap race.  The race is preceded by a spectacular and pompous display of flag throwing and a parade.

The Civic Museum, on the Campo, is richly adorned with early Medieval frescoes create by Siena’s early artists and pays tribute the city‘s past as one of the major cities of Europe between the 12th and 15th centuries.

Siena’s stunning Duomo has a bell tower dating to 1313 and is an example of high Gothic art, with half finished walls and etched floor mosaics and a delicate black and white facade. 

At the Enoteca, be sure to sample some Tuscan wines from a selection of over 1,200 varieties.  At the nearby Pinacoteca, works by Siena’s greatest 13th and 14th century painters are on display.

There are cruises for single people and cruises for families.  You can also go on cruises to various parts of the world for anything from five days to several months.

But whatever type of cruise you decide to opt for, there will always be a social side to the experience that you can look forward to.  For example, some cruise ships have various types of entertainment and dancing on board.  This is a superb way to meet new people and get to know some of your fellow travellers.  And the good thing is that if you feel you want some time alone to simply enjoy the peace of cruising, you can do that too.  Every ship has various areas in which you can do exactly what you feel like doing – whether that is relaxing, chatting with other people or watching the entertainment.

Obviously you need to look and see what kinds of facilities are available on the particular cruise you are thinking of taking.  Most of the ships will have bars on board where you can sit and enjoy a drink while chatting with some other passengers.  Of course, if you try out the swimming pool or the spa you can meet up with other passengers there as well.  There are endless opportunities to get social on a cruise to any part of the world.

Many people don’t consider the social side when they first think of going cruising, but it can be a very large part of the overall experience.

Travelling without travel insurance is an unnecessary risk even for the brave of heart. For skiers, having proper insurance coverage is doubly important, and if skiing in France, consider taking on the country’s Carré Neige holiday insurance or Carte Neige annual insurance policy.

Carré Neige is easily purchased at all ski lift pass offices and at some ski schools. To cover individual holidays, the cost is approximately €3 per person per day, or there is the option of purchasing 10 or 21days for about €30. Or, for preference, there is an annual policy, the Carte Neige, for individuals and families.

Main points of coverage include rescue and transport, legal assistance, refunds for ski passes and lessons, reimbursement for various medical and hospitalisation costs, damaged skis, and repatriation. Should repatriation be required, the Carré Neige is good for residents throughout Europe.

A short list of what the policy does not cover include: complications with pregnancy, accidents during professional sport competitions, accidents caused by motor sports. Claims on the policy need to be filed within eight days of the event.

Be sure to carry the policy at all times in case there is an accident. Showing the Carré Neige or the Carte Neige card will immediately inform medical staff that coverage for treatment should not be a problem.

Some travellers may balk at the idea of paying extra and being over insured. But considering the dangers inherent with winter sports where conditions could require the use of much more rescue personnel, the extra cost seems worth it.

For a real taste of Spanish culture, take a trip to Barcelona and choose a hotel that fits your holiday style.  Whether you choose to stay inside the city or just outside for quieter fare, there are many fantastic hotels available in beautiful Barcelona. 

AC Diplomatic
To stay in the city’s centre, the price can be very expensive.  The AC Diplomatic offers an affordable price only one block from the Metro, the Passaig Gracia shops, and Casa Mila—a great location!  Experience the day and nightlife of Barcelona, mingle with the locals, and have quick access to all the best tourist spots.  During your stay, you can also enjoy the AC Diplomatic’s pool and lounge area as well as a rooftop gym.

Casa Camper
For something truly unique, stay at the Casa Camper hotel in the city.  The rooms are “funky” and fun, with a lounge area in each room as an added benefit.  Designed by the Camper shoe-wear company, this hotel has a little higher price tag.  In this case, you are paying for a unique experience, the outstanding hotel service and staff, and the convenient location.

Condado Hotel Barcelona
To enjoy something a bit quieter, this smaller accommodation is an ideal choice.  Located about a 10-15 minute walk from a Metro station, you are still close enough to enjoy the city while getting a peaceful night’s sleep.  The rooms are modern in design, clean and comfortable, offering a small courtyard for relaxation.  Even though it is a bit removed from the city centre, there are still plenty of small shops and cafes to explore nearby.

The capital of Egypt, Cairo is well known for its ancient history, Pharaoh’s tombs and monuments were built in honour of these early kings and queens. Flights to Cairo are becoming more accessible to the budget conscious with the introduction of many low cost airlines. Cheap flights can be booked online very easily and direct flights are available from London. Those coming from farther afield may need to take flights to London then change over for direct flights to Cairo. This can sometimes mean long delays in the airport, but a travel agent will be able to advise the best course of action under these circumstances.

Once in Cairo, there are many things to see and do in the area, obviously a trip to the pyramids will be on the top of most people’s lists and it is worth bearing in mind that the Pyramids of Giza are the only remaining structure of the seven wonders of the ancient world, along with the Sphinx they are completely awe inspiring.

For those looking for something else to do then a visit to the Egyptian Museum is a must. On display here is King Tutankhamen and a whole host of treasures recovered from his tomb. It is worth bearing in mind that photography inside the building is not allowed and heavy security guards the building and artefacts.

For those who enjoy a little shopping Khan Ali-Kalili is worthwhile popping along to. Cairo’s biggest open air market offers the tourist perfumes, jewellery and spices along with the usually souvenirs, and prices can be greatly discounted depending on bartering skills. Haggling is expected and is a perfect way to pick up a bargain.

If you have never been on a cruise before you might be wondering whether it is going to be the kind of holiday you would enjoy.

If you are in this situation the best thing to do is to go online and look for some cruise deals so you can see what is included in the itinerary.  You will typically find that each cruise is listed with a day to day run down of what will be happening.  It will give you the port the cruise will be leaving from, then tell you how long you will be at sea for before you arrive at your first destination, and so on.

You can also find out more about the cruise ship you would be travelling on.  Many of them offer luxury surroundings that you can start taking advantage of as soon as you are on board. 

Of course you could be on board the ship for a few days before you reach your first destination.  Some people find this appealing as it means they are away from land for a while.  If you really want to get away from it all, this could be the ideal way to do it.

You are also likely to enjoy a cruise if you want a holiday that is fully inclusive.  Cruises like this mean you don’t have to worry about the additional costs that come with other types of holidays.  Instead you can arrive at the cruise ship and look forward to a great time that is all planned for you.

When you mention skiing one of the associated activities that comes to mind is snowboarding. Nowadays they kind of go hand in hand. In fact many skiers can also snowboard and many snowboarders were originally avid skiers. On the other hand, in some cases there is also some rivalry between the snowboarders and the skiers. Some people that ski are not big fans of the snowboarders, perceiving them as somewhat juvenile.

One reason for this rivalry is because the techniques for both sports are very different. When someone is learning how to snowboard they tend to fall a lot and it can be hard for others to predict which direction they are going to travel on the slope. Furthermore, beginner snowboarders and even intermediate level snowboarders are well known for sitting down on the mountain to take a break, causing a potential hazard for others. It is obvious beginner skiers have their problems, too, and also irritate the snowboarders; the result is the ongoing rivalry between the two sports.

If you are a skier that feels snowboarders get in the way the majority of the time, your solution is a skiing holiday where snowboarders are not allowed on the slopes. There are a number of these resorts. Speak with a travel agent or perform an internet search and a range of options will be available to choose from. There are also some resorts that are just for snowboarders; if you wish to segregate the sports you can certainly do so.

Fringe theatre is a popular form of theatre in London that has become increasingly popular among local residents as well as visitors and tourists interested in unique theatre productions.  The term originates from the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, created by Robert Kemp.  Kemp noticed a shift in private theatre companies creating grander, more widespread productions.  Since then, fringe theatre has been used to describe ‘festival-centric’ theatre, with a focus on smaller production values, shorter run times, and far cheaper ticket prices. 

Since the birth of this “alternative theatre”, it has become a popular choice among those looking to view a shorter production for a lower price.  Fringe theatre is comparable to New York’s “off-Broadway” or “off-off-Broadway” productions.  Theatre elements often take place in shared venues with limited set-up time.  One person shows and small scale comedy productions are common in fringe theatre, sights that would never be seen at the more prestigious and upscale productions of London’s West End.

All in all, the lower ticket prices and shorter run times allow customers to view multiple productions in a single evening, with shows often running one after another at the same venue.  It is because of this spontaneous nature that theatre patrons select and book their hotel rooms as soon as they find a fringe production they are interested in.  While there are many hotels in London not all will be close to a specific fringe theatre production, and it can be difficult for foreign visitors to easily navigate around the city.  Taking a taxi is often the easiest option to reach the more obscure venues.

Les Deux Alpes is the second oldest ski resort in France. It is one of the most affordable resorts for skiing holidays in France; it is lively and has a very friendly atmosphere. With slopes that offer the ideal skiing conditions for all levels of skier, it is actually the largest skiable glacier in Europe.

The resort of Les Deux Alpes sits at an altitude of 1650m and covers a massive skiable area. There are 76 runs with 8 of those on the glacier itself. 63 lifts are available to take skiers to their chosen ski point, and views from the top are stunning.

Approximately three quarters of the runs at Les Deux Alpes are for intermediate skiers and it is also an area popular with snowboarders. Advanced skiers are recommended to try the village of La Grave and other nearby resorts also offer top class ski runs for the expert skier.

For those new to skiing holidays in France, Les Deux Alpes is an ideal resort to visit and there are many ski deals to be found by contacting travel agencies or having a search on the Internet. Beginners should take advantage of the resort ski instructors as having lessons from an expert will help to boost confidence on the slopes.

Of course not everyone enjoys skiing, and for those holidaying with a partner who loves to ski but who are worried about being bored and alone, Les Deux Alpes offers non skier activities such as snow shoeing and tobogganing. For those who are not keen to be out in the snow, the town also offers a cinema, bowling and a sports complex.

There is more to booking cruise holidays than simply deciding where you want to go. In addition, there is the question of when to book the cruise. Booking early can sometimes mean lower prices or more discounts. However, for those who are prepared to take a risk, booking last minute cruises can be the way to secure a great deal.

If you book early, you will be assured of getting the ship of your choice, the cabin and the sailing date. Many cruise ship brochures offer cruise deals with up to 45 percent discounts for early bookers. On the other hand, if you are going to book last minute cruises, you will need to be more flexible in your choices. Deciding to wait for a last minute cruise can result in some great prices, but it can also mean that there is no space on the particular cruise that you want. You could end up paying more because all the early booking deals are sold out.

Knowing when to book a cruise requires judgement. One important consideration is your cruise destination and how popular it is. Other factors to consider are the number and size of ships that cruise in that region, the type of ship and cabin category.

The best advice is that if you are determined to have a specific ship, sailing date or accommodation, then book early to avoid disappointment.

If you decide to risk a late booking, find out as much as you can about your cruise destination. Caribbean cruises tend to sell out first, particularly around Christmas or New Year, Easter Week, July or August and during school holidays. The best times to find bargains are in September, October, November and early December. Post-holiday sailings in January are also a good bet. On the other hand, for Far East cruises, summer (May to September) is the off-season.