Cruise holidays can be the perfect way to get away from it all and relax for a week or more.  But a standard cruise holiday means you will be on the ship visiting various ports for the duration of your holiday.  What do you do if you also want to enjoy staying on land for a few days or more?

The answer lies in cruise and stay holidays.  These are ideal if you want to experience both types of holidays, because you can have one week on a cruise ship (or longer if you wish) and a week or more on land as well. 

If you like the sound of this you should think about where you would like to go in the world.  Picking the region of the world you want to visit is the best way to start because you will be able to consider different countries you might like to stay in for the land based part of your holiday. 

This should make it easier to find the right cruise and stay holiday for your needs.  You can select a cruise and stay holiday that will end up exactly where you want to be.  Many cruise lines give you a great choice of holidays in this respect, so it might be easier to book your holiday than you think.  If you cannot find the exact cruise and stay holiday you want, most operators will assist in creating just the right holiday to suit your needs.

Villa rentals on the outskirts of Cape Town are situated in the sumptuous South African landscape and offer memorable locations.  These self-service villas are elegant and stylish homes, set in gorgeous surroundings with swimming pools, easy access to the town centre and tourist locations and plenty of sunny weather in this southern hemisphere equivalent of a Mediterranean climate.

Cape Town has spectacular views of its iconic Table Mountain and the Twelve Apostles Peaks. The modern multicultural city centre has a wealth of sites to visit; the V & A waterfront is a dynamic and energetic place full of trendy bars, tasty restaurants and interesting curio and craft shops.

In the centre of the bay is Robben Island made famous for holding Nelson Mandela during his many years in prison. Nearby there is also the diverse natural landscape of Cape Hope with its nature reserve, seal pups and vast collection of bird life and plants, while the Camps Bay area has some of the country’s most popular beaches and surf.

Visitors can take informative tours inland to the Dutch styled town of Stellenbosch, the second town founded in South Africa and the centre of the country’s wine making industry. You can also travel eastwards along the wonderful green landscape of the Garden Route, which starts not far away in Mossel Bay. This is an area of beauty and tranquillity in the shadow of the Outeniqua Mountains and the shores of the Indian Ocean.

The Alps have many top name ski resorts, beautiful villages and amazing views, and there is something in the Alps to suit all levels of skier. Ski deals to resorts in the Alps should be easy to find as there is so much choice. Searching the internet will produce many good results, or alternatively requesting help and advice from a travel agent, who can also advise on last minutes bargains, may be an ideal way to find an affordable ski holiday in the French Alps.

Possibly the most famous of the ski resorts in the French Alps is Val d’Isere. This will most likely not be a suitable resort for those on a budget as it is one of the most expensive in the whole of Europe. The Val d’Isere resort can cater for all levels of expertise and has many activities for the non-skier.

Chamonix is another extremely popular place for skiing holidays in France. Chamonix lies at the foot of the highest peak in the Alps, Mont Blanc, and again is a very expensive resort to visit.

Lesser known resorts such as Aussois or Serre Chevalier are smaller and therefore much more affordable places to holiday for those with families or who are just looking for cheap ski deals.

One of the largest resorts in the Alps is L’Alpe d’Huez. It is thought to be one of the best for family based skiing holidays and has a relaxed but lively atmosphere. Again, there are options for all levels of skier and some beautiful off-piste trails for the more advanced skier to try.

Thanks to the fact that there are now so many low cost airlines operating, you are almost guaranteed that no matter where you wish to fly in the world for a holiday you will be able to grab a bargain. Low cost airlines also ensure that the bigger airlines keep their prices competitive, that means less spent on the ‘getting there’ and more spent on the ‘while you are there’.

This has opened the world up to many people who would not consider long haul at one time due to budget constraints. A quick search of the internet shows it is just as cheap for a couple to holiday in San Francisco for a fortnight as it is for some holidays in the UK, and indeed in the rest of Europe.

Booking last minute can often mean getting some really cheap flights, complete bargains, but there is also the risk that the destination wanted on the departure date needed is not available. If you have flexibility on travel dates then this might be the best way to book cheaper flights.

Booking well in advance of travel assures you of the required holiday destination and date, but as there is no urgent incentive for the holiday company to sell the holiday then these are usually at the top price.

For those with no children booking outside of school holidays will also be much more cost effective. Cheap flights are available all year round, but during school holidays there are not so many bargains to be found.

With 650 km of interlinked ski piste, the ski and snowboarding is limitless whilst the variety of local French and Swiss mountain towns makes the summer a haven for walkers and mountain bikers. Essert-Romand is one of the satellite villages dotted around the main resort town of Morzine. Set in idyllic surroundings the town is mostly residential, with many business owners and local people choosing to live here rather than Morzine itself.

Morzine is a traditional Savoyard town, superbly situated in the Portes du Soleil, one of the largest linked international ski areas in the world. The ski resort is set in a picturesque valley, and has a distinct charm with its traditional chalet style architecture. Convenient links in the Portes du Soleil allow easy access to the nearby Swiss resorts of Morgins and Champéry, and the French resorts of Châtel and Les Gets, or over into Avoriaz for some more testing runs.

If you have never been on a cruise holiday, then there are probably many questions that you will have.

In the past cruise holidays have been associated with older travellers, but today there are cruises to suit everyone, whether you are young and single, a family, or an older person. It is important to choose the type of cruise that suits your interests. Most of the major cruise lines, such as Costa Cruises, Carnival Cruises and Thomson Cruises have cruises that are particularly geared towards families, providing children’s clubs and a host of family-oriented activities. Other cruises are geared more towards adults, with cultural tours and activities. They will often have guest speakers who give lectures on a variety of topics, from local history, to wine, to archaeology.

Sea-sickness could ruin a cruise holiday. However, this is rarely a problem with cruise liners, as they have modern stabiliser systems, and they generally cruise in calm waters.

Another common concern is feeling trapped on a ship, which could become boring. Modern cruise liners come equipped with many facilities, including shops, casinos, libraries, cinemas, sports facilities and games equipment. Cruise lines also frequently run activities for children on board, including quizzes and competitions, so it is unlikely that you would ever be bored on a cruise. There are also frequent opportunities to get off the ship and explore on land. Pre-booked excursions are available, or you can choose to explore on your own.

Accommodation is an important part of a holiday, so a common question is what will the cabin be like? Cabins on cruise ships fall into various categories. All of them will have an en-suite bathroom, TV, telephone and hair dryer. Some will have a sea view and others have balconies. Higher grade cabins will be more spacious and often they have lounge areas where you can relax.

For lovers of history, the prospect of setting foot in the ancient birthplace of democracy will draw you to Athens like a bee to pollen. But the Greek capital has much else to justify its hard-won recent stature as a premiere holiday destination for all. Yes, of course, all the treasures of the ancient world are there for all to see and marvel at – the Acropolis with its stunning Parthenon temple peering loftily at the buzzing metropolis below will make even the most history blind speechless with wonder. But it’s the pedestrian promenade at the heart of the city which will leave everyone enthralled. The banning of cars a few years back has turned this once rumbling and congested area into a spellbinding fusion of the ancient and the modern. Effectively, it’s a vast archaeological park, but those ancient monuments are no longer icons of a long departed civilisation – once again, they’ve become the centre of Athenian cultural and social life in what is undoubtedly Europe’s longest and most architecturally astounding promenade.

Athens is, of course, the oldest city in Europe and the fabulous architectural remnants on display will remind you constantly of this fact. But it’s also one of the most modern: an ancient city in flux and transition, boldly embracing the cutting-edge and the new whilst refusing to compromise any of its cultural treasures in the process. The lifestyle of contemporary Athenians may be relaxed and easy-going but they clearly enjoy a voguish and dynamic street life, with night clubs to take your breath away and keep you dancing till the wee hours. There are also innumerable stylish restaurants and little eateries to keep hunger at bay. Don’t miss it.

The city of Venice is one of the world’s most romantic cities. However, underneath the romance is a city built on sheer nerve and artistry. An engineering marvel, the buildings of Venice are supported by pine and slender oak posts that are driven deep into the mud banks for stability, creating a solid foundation.

Venice was founded more than 1,500 years ago on 117 different islands, which are joined by meandering links of over 150 canals, 400 bridges and many ancient pavements.

The city houses some of the world’s greatest masterpieces, and is still one of Italy’s centres of industrious artisans and craftsmen. Four-star meals are cooked on a single burner, musicians lug enormous instruments to baroque concerts and master shoemakers pound out a staccato rhythm as they fashion shoes into the shapes of swans. There is nothing like the chic bohemian style of Venice, with its wines, Venetian-red paintings and baroque music.

Venice is not a city of genteel decay, but one preciously being restored by wealthy benefactors and enhanced by contemporary architecture and back-alley galleries.

Completing the picture are the gondoliers piloting their boats through the bustling city; ferrying couples in love through the towering edifices of Venice’s alleys and canals.

A modern city with fabulous food, friendly natives, and marble churches, Venice is more accessible than ever before and is very affordable. After an evening spent rubbing elbows with the locals in the authentic pubs and restaurants, you may never want to return home again.

Cheap flights to Venice are available from most international airports.

There is so much to do and see around the state of Florida that the easiest way to make sure you get to see everything is to rent a villa. With its tropical, perpetual sunshine, you will want to get a holiday villa rental so you have a base from which you can visit the many theme parks and adventure playgrounds on offer.

If theme parks are your special interest then Orlando is the ideal location to rent a villa; most of the parks including Epcott Centre, Walt Disney World and Universal Studios are within easy reach of the city.

For those who thrive on the open air there is nothing more exhilarating than a ride around the Everglades. This area is a vast wilderness covering much of the south of the state that is a maze of lakes, rivers and canals. You can explore its waterways in canoes, hovercraft, and speedboats or simply cycle through it. There are plenty of opportunities to view the shy manatees and avoid the alligators.

Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Tampa are some of the other main population centres around Florida, each with its own unique quality and style. The islands of Key West provide an ideal destination for the culture vultures. These palm lined streets and botanically diverse islands are creative, friendly centres that have a lot to offer tourists looking for the arts, crafts and world cuisine.

Florida has one of the largest ranges of entertainment available anywhere, from intensely commercialised adrenaline rides to tranquil moments of back to nature.

The Red Sea lies between Africa and Asia. Its northernmost point forms the Sinai Peninsula, and from here it stretches over a thousand miles to join the Indian Ocean between Yemen and Djibouti. The Red Sea is world-famous for its pristine beaches, clear blue waters and abundant marine life. It has long formed the trade route between East and West. On the African continent it is bordered by Egypt, Eritrea, Sudan and Djibouti, whilst on the Asian continent it borders Israel, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Jordan.

Red Sea cruises are the ideal cruise for someone who wants a first-time cruise outside the Mediterranean. There are often fantastic deals on Red Sea cruises, and they are a perfect way to soak up some winter sun, whilst visiting some of the most fascinating archaeological sites in the world. The great pyramids of Egypt and the lost city of Petra in Jordan number among the great wonders of the world. Enjoy a camel ride, quad bike safari or surf at Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt.

In addition to its archaeological treasures, the Red Sea itself has much to offer, from the spectacular diving at Dahab, to the resort towns of Hurghada, Eliat and El Gouna. Snorkel in pristine waters off the shores of Makadi Bay, go on a liveaboard diving safari, or visit the beautiful dive sites off Lahami Bay and Marsa Alam in the Southern Red Sea.

More adventurous explorers can head off the beaten track in Sudan, where the coast has many reefs, or to Saudi Arabia where diving is becoming increasingly popular. Jordan is another country that offers exceptional diving opportunities at Aqaba in the far south of the country.

Red Sea cruises are offered by many cruise lines, including P&O Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Thomson Cruises and Princess Cruises.