Part of an archipelago situated in the south west Indian Ocean, Mauritius provides a carefree luxury holiday destination ideal couples, families or the single traveller. Protected by the surrounding coral reefs, the coastline has pristine white sands and crystal-clear azure-blue waters. Offshore, dolphins and turtles can be found.  The interior boasts contrasting scenery of mountains and rainforest, containing waterfalls, tropical fruit trees and exotic flowers; deer, tortoises and monkeys can also be spotted here.   

Mauritius holidays offer more than relaxing beach getaways – the popular Pereybere Beach boasts lively shopping, bars and restaurants overlooking the ocean.  With its world-class hotels and resorts, coupled with the romantic charm of the island, Mauritius is an exclusive luxury holiday destination for honeymooning couples.

Mauritius has a rich multicultural heritage, resulting from European, African and Asian influences throughout its history. Visitors are able to appreciate the diverse religious festivals by exploring the capital, Port Louis, and other towns. 

Mauritius Holiday Choices

Mauritius holidays will appeal to discerning travellers looking for adventure such as water sports, diving or deep-sea fishing, hiking, trekking on horseback or cycling.  Mauritius is the place to relax, whether on one of the island’s pristine white sandy beaches or by the hotel pool soaking up the sun with a traditional cocktail.
 
Leisure Activities Include:

•    Golf or tennis.  
•    Snorkelling the coral reefs.
•    Inland activities include zip-lining, skydiving and quad biking.
•    Spa and pamper.

Mauritius Features:

•    Market at Flacq.
•    Blue Bay glass-bottom boat.
•    International cuisine from world-class chefs.

Located in South America, Uruguay has much to recommend it as a travel destination.  Those who appreciate traditional holiday activities will enjoy Punta del Este, which might well be called the “Riviera of South America” due to its miles of beautiful beaches and party atmosphere.  This area comes alive in the summer when hordes of visitors descend to enjoy the all-night clubs and never-ending beach activities. 

Just five minutes away from the Punta del Este zone is the Casa Pueblo, where the masterpieces of Carlos Vilaro are on display.  

To continue enjoying a more artistic atmosphere, travel to the city of Montevideo to admire the art deco architecture constructed by both Spanish and Italian expatriates.  Between February and March, however, the party atmosphere arrives here as well, with people actually dancing in the streets. 

For a trip back in time, a visit to Colonia del Sacramento is recommended.  This city overlooks the famed Rio de la Plata (Silver River). Visitors should take the chance to stroll down cobblestone streets on their way to the historic lighthouse, drawbridge, and bullrings that formed much of the culture during colonial days.  The historical museum in Colonia del Sacramento brings the city’s rich past to life.

If you like the idea of going on a ocean cruise but would also like the chance to do some proper exploring and sightseeing on shore, a Cruise and Stay holiday could be a great option.  Days at sea are interspersed with longer stops at various ports, allowing passengers to fully experience the local area and culture. 

Many people choose this kind of trip because of the variety it can provide.  Rather than being restricted to a ship for days on end, guests have the opportunity to go out and explore a range of fascinating destinations, while still having the experience of staying and sailing on a cruise liner.  It is also possible to take part in a much wider range of activities than would be available on a regular voyage, while still being able to come back on board at the end of the day to relax in style. 

Cruise and Stay holidays are available all over the world, with plenty of exciting places just waiting to be explored.  Try a week long cruise from Alaska to Canada, followed by a tour of the Rockies, or you could go for a voyage around the cultural hotspots of the Mediterranean; the choice is almost endless.

The best way to ensure you are paying the very lowest price for your cruise is by snapping up a last minute cruise deal.  Great deals like these tend to be gone within hours of posting so, to grab your bargain, keep on top of what is on offer and check daily so you do not miss out.

Whether you are looking for 2012 cruises or are hoping to grab a late bargain for this year, you will not be disappointed when you choose to cruise.  No-fly cruises, Cruise and Stay, Mediterranean cruising or somewhere further afield, whatever you enjoy doing on holiday, you can be assured you can do that, and more, on a cruise. Many cruises now offer extreme sport activities, climbing and ice skating – where else can you skate open-air in the morning and sunbathe in the afternoon – only on a cruise!  Cruising is also a fantastic way to keep the family happy; kids don’t have time to get bored on a cruise.

With many complementary features and all-inclusive terms, a cruise is not as expensive as you might think and in reality costs no more than the average European family holiday but with a cruise you get so much more.  So don’t miss out!   Check out those last minute cruise deals today!

Situated midway along the eastern Caribbean chain, St Lucia is a tropical island rich in natural beauty.  Spectacular twin peaks rise 2,000 ft from the sea, with white sandy beaches to the north and black volcanic sands to the south.  St Lucia is a perfect luxury holiday destination for couples, families or the single traveller.

With the Caribbean to the west and the Atlantic to the east, the island’s interior combines lush green rainforest and fields of banana, mango, coconut and papaya. St Lucia boasts the world’s only drive-in volcanic crater. St Lucia is steeped in history, influenced by French and British culture, dating back to the early 17th century.

St Lucia holidays offer the visitor opportunities to explore its strikingly diverse landscapes and tour small villages with open-air markets, experiencing first hand the island’s warmth, high standards of hospitality and excellent cuisine. Luxury holidays in St Lucia offer many prestigious hotels and resorts.

For divers, St Lucia has many colourful reefs, underwater mountains and caves to explore. Other offshore activities include windsurfing and deep-sea fishing, while inland adventures include hiking, cycling or island tours on horseback.

St Lucia Holiday Choices

St Lucia luxury holidays will appeal to the most discerning of travellers seeking luxury holidays, such as wedding or honeymoon packages, spa and pamper treatments, water sports or simply quiet relaxation.

Leisure Activities Include:

•    Golf at one of three courses.
•    Water-skiing.
•    Diving or snorkelling the coral reefs.
•    Turtle, whale and dolphin watching.
•    Island cruises.
•    Duty-free shopping.

St Lucia Features:

•    Soufriere volcano.
•    Castries yacht basin.
•    Diamond mineral baths.
•    Cape Moule à Chique.

For travellers looking for the ultimate in luxury holidays, the island of St Lucia in the Caribbean is the ideal destination. Known as one of the most scenic islands in Caribbean, St Lucia is also one of the most mountainous, with numerous volcanic peaks giving way to valleys of lush, green jungle. Stunning beaches can be found in St Lucia, as well as pretty coastal villages and banana and coconut plantations.

Until the recent tourism boom in St Lucia, the economy of the country was heavily reliant on the exportation of bananas. With heightened competition in the banana industry, tourism has become crucial to St Lucia, and a greater number of luxury resorts have appeared in recent years.

Luxury holidays in St Lucia are often beach-focused, although there are plenty of other activities to entertain visitors to the island. The capital city of Castries is a port of call for cruise ships and hosts an impressive duty-free shopping centre in the harbour, as well as lively markets held regularly in the city. Landmarks such as the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and Fort Charlotte can also be seen here.

Other sites to visits during holidays in St Lucia include the Pigeon Island Museum, Sulphur Springs; the site of one of the only drive-in volcanoes in the world, and the West Indian town of Soufriere. Cape Moule a Chique boasts one of the most impressive views on the island, where it is possible to see the island of St Vincent on a clear day.

Visitors to the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina may find themselves wondering what attractions to visit.  Aside from the many traditional tourist sites, the city is filled with picturesque neighbourhoods, delicious restaurants, and spectacular shopping.

For a traditional night out, make your way to El Niño Bien.  Although there are many tango shows for tourists around Buenos Aires, this particular place is where residents go for some homegrown entertainment.  A night filled with graceful dance, El Niño Bien is not a tango place, but an authentic Milonga salon, where locals can be found drinking and dancing.

For the traveller with a large appetite, a visit to Cabaña Las Lilas is essential.  This famous steakhouse has been serving the public since 1905, and is known worldwide for providing patrons with the nation’s best beef.

A visit to Museo Evita will add a touch of history to your day as you stand before the Casada Rosada.  It is here that Evita Peron addressed the crowds.  You can also see the tomb where she was buried at the Recoleta Cemetery.  To get her full life’s story, visit the Museo Evita, where many of her personal possessions are on display.

There are several great shopping districts in the city.  One is Calle Florida, which is filled with quaint boutiques and shops.  The San Telmo Antiques Fair in Plaza Dorrego, which is held every Sunday, is a good location for smaller crafts and antique finds.  Spend the day wandering through the stalls as you enjoy live music and tango dancing.

For a truly unique holiday experience, tourists may want to try the most populous city in the world.  With over 18 million residents, Shanghai is simply packed with people.  The unusual history and culture of this city make it a top destination for travellers.

Unique History

Shanghai is an ancient city, but it is the more recent past that makes it special.  In the early 20th century Shanghai was divided between China, Germany, Italy, France, Russia, Austria, Japan, and the U.S.  The result of that divide is that the city has a number of different European-style neighbourhoods and a very cosmopolitan feel.

The French Concession

One of the nicest parts of the city is the former home of the French.  The tree-lined streets of the French Concession offer a refreshing getaway from some of the more bustling areas of Shanghai.  On a walking tour visitors can see the many examples of Art Deco architecture in this neighbourhood.  Fuxing Park, designed in the French style, has several nice shops and restaurants popular with locals.

The Old City

For a taste of pre-Westernised Shanghai, a visit to the Old City is in order.  Found behind walls, this part of the city remained under Chinese control and as a result retains a feeling of true Shanghai culture.  Here visitors can see lovely old temples such as Chenxiang Ge Temple and the Temple of the Town Gods, and enjoy tea at one of the traditional tea houses.  The Fuyou Antique Market and Xiliupu Fabric Market are fun places for tourists to shop and take in the sights.

There are some really great cruise deals out there that you and your family can avail of no matter where you are from, what your interests are, where you would want to go, or what you like to do. The best thing about cruises is their wide variety of itinerary and activity to choose from. There are so many different itineraries it can be hard to even imagine.

But one of the best cheap cruises out there is going on one of the repositioning cruises.  These are cruises that are done when a ship has to change from one location to another to begin life on a new itinerary. For example, the Alaska cruising season runs from about May to September. But what about the other months of the year? The cruise lines don’t just let the ship sit around. So they move that ship to go do an itinerary elsewhere.

In fact, during the winter months when it’s not possible to cruise through Alaska because it is too cold, demand for ships in the Caribbean often goes up because people want to escape the cold weather from home. Therefore, many of the ships will head for the Caribbean. They will only do this once a year (and once a year in the opposite direction), so it can pay to keep your eye out to catch it when it does. You may even end up getting two cruises for the price of one, as you will get to stop in a few of the ports from the Alaska portion as well as a few of the ports in the Caribbean portion.

Canada’s natural wonder of the world, Niagara Falls, offers more than just the beauty of the Falls themselves.  The city of Niagara Falls offers entertainment suitable for the entire family, from souvenir hunting to dining in family style or elegant restaurants.  Adult visitors might want to try their luck at Fallsview Casino, dine at the Skylon Tower or visit the Niagara Botanical Gardens for an afternoon of smelling the roses.  Guests to this city will find a wide variety of attractions and interesting spectacles to keep them busy.

The Falls Attractions

Guest may view the Falls from either the Canadian or American side, from viewing platforms or along sidewalks running parallel to the water.   For more adventurous guests, Journey Under the Falls takes visitors for a unique view of the water from the caves underneath the Falls.  The Maid of the Mist boat ride brings visitors into the whirlpool area at the base of the Falls: so close that visitors feel the spray of the water.  Niagara also has helicopter rides for an aerial view of the river and Falls and the surrounding area.

Family Attractions

Attractions the entire family can enjoy include Marineland.  This is an amusement park filled with rides and marine animals for the family to enjoy.  Fallsview Indoor Water Park is also a highlight, with twisting water slides and lazy rivers right across from the Falls themselves.  Clifton Hill has unique and fun museums, Ripley’s Believe it or Not and Nightmares – a haunted house that dares its visitors to last the entire tour.