Wednesday, 25 January 2012
That's Christmas: Head East for your Valentine's Day romantic break
That's Christmas: Head East for your Valentine's Day romantic break: Car hire comparison engine eRentals.co.uk has announced a surge in bookings for unusual destinations in Eastern Europe this coming Valenti...
Sign up to new travel community website and win a cruise to Iceland
The in-depth itinerary of its cruises appeals to adventurous travellers who value the educational value of benefitting from the knowledge of expert guest speakers and tour guides as they journey to fascinating places which are often a little off the beaten track.
Noble Caledonia cruises travel to so many different varieties of destination – maybe you would like board an exploration cruise of Antarctica or perhaps follow in Marco Polo’s footsteps and journey in style along the Silk Road from Moscow to Beijing?
With so many choices, it is always good to consult friendly fellow travellers so that you can make an informed decision about where to plan your next educational and enjoyable journey.
Noble Caledonia’s newly-launched Travel Post community website is one such platform where adventurous explorers can re-live their travels, stay in touch with friends they have met on cruises and make new friends.
The site is also a wonderful resource for those researching travel options. Travel Post website has so many inspiring travel articles, photo galleries, video clips and regularly-updated blogs from Captains and expert field staff.
Of course, adventurous travellers would rather board a cruise ship than read about cruises. Which is why Noble Caledonia are marking the launch of the site with a new Explorer’s Competition.
A few clicks of the mouse to register as a Travel Post member and enter the competition could result in you setting sail on a journey to a land of ice and fire.
The competition winner will receive a cruise for two aboard the MS Caledonian Sky’s Passage North cruise – a cruise which takes in the UK’s dramatic North Coastline before heading to the Faroe Islands and Iceland.
To enter the competition register by clicking here or visiting http://travelpost.noble-caledonia.co.uk/competition
Entering the competition gives you the chance to experience the thrill of adventurous travelling first-hand.
If you do win, you can always write about your travels on Travel Post!
Tuesday, 24 January 2012
Düsseldorf Carnival Countdown: February 20 Brings “Rose Monday”: Miles-Long Parade and a Million Revelers Taking Over the City
The city’s once-yearly, one-day climax of carnival season falls on Monday, February 20, (called “Rose Monday”) this year: A city known for its cosmopolitan character and sophisticated living (Düsseldorf ranks No. 5 on a list of global cities in quality of life – Source: Mercer Quality of Living Survey) lets its hair down, unleashes its wild side, and transforms into a place where rip-roaring behavior is suddenly acceptable.
The Rhine region is known as Germany’s center of carnival festivities, or Rhenish Carnival, and Carnival in Düsseldorf is one of the strongholds. More than 300 carnival sessions and costume balls take place during Carnival season, also called Fools’ season, which kicks off on November 11 and ends on Ash Wednesday (the beginning of Lent: February 22, 2012). The season culminates in Rose Monday, its highlight. The city has no fewer than 60 carnival clubs, and their members are among the 5,500 parade participants who also make up the 45 bands and 70 floats.
One million people, many dressed up in costumes and called fools, line up to watch the Rose Monday parade, shout “Helau” (the local carnival greeting), and catch the candy (called “Kamelle”) that is thrown into the crowds from the floats. The parade is over a mile and a half long.
Because of Düsseldorf’s 260 bars, pubs, and restaurants in the city’s historic Old Town, the city is also known as “the longest bar in the world.” And these venues become the backdrop for the extended festivities as the parade spills into the entire city and the revelers take over.
In addition to the parade there is “Altweiberfastnacht” on the Thursday before Rose Monday (February 16, 2012). Extremely popular with Düsseldorf’s women, it’s a time for them to storm the town hall, a custom developed in previous ages to show the town fathers who’s boss. Revelers cut men’s ties off – not just in the town hall, but also from any man on the street. In anticipation of the big parade, Sunday, the day before, has an almost Venetian atmosphere. On Düsseldorf’s famous shopping boulevard Königsallee, partiers in costume meet to dance, sing, or simply have fun.
Miraculously, the city is back to its civilized self two days later, on Ash Wednesday, when Lent begins, and with it the long wait until the Carnival season kicks off again the next November.
For more information about Carnival in Düsseldorf, please visit http://www.comitee-duesseldorfer-carneval.de.
Düsseldorf International Airport, Germany’s third largest, offers several non-stop flights from US & Canadian cities (Atlanta, Chicago, Ft. Myers, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Newark, Toronto, San Francisco, Vancouver), as well as convenient connections to many European cities and beyond. Find fair week specials for hotels and air fares at www.visitduesseldorf.de and www.fly2dus.com
Düsseldorf Tourism & Marketing GmbH is the visitors and convention bureau of the city of Düsseldorf. Its responsibilities include tourism and city marketing, as well as conference and meeting marketing, hotel reservation services, fairs and convention services, city event ticket sales and advance ticket reservations. For more information visit www.visitduesseldorf.de.
Be That Writer: Native Foreigner Announces Digital-only Magazine f...
Be That Writer: Native Foreigner Announces Digital-only Magazine f...: A new, interactive resource for international travelers returning home. Native Foreigner, an online community for travelers returning from...
Sunday, 22 January 2012
Romantic Retreats For 2012
Coastal sun-kissed Greek villa for two
Pelagia Cottage, Messinia, Greece
What could be more romantic than sitting in a hot tub overlooking the Greek coastline as the sun sets across the Gulf of Messinia. CV Travel’s Pelagia Cottageisa beautifully restored villain a superb setting on the edge of a low headland on the Peloponnese.
The property has two outdoor dining terraces, one dappled by shade and the other with a private jacuzzi on the headland with rock bathing just below and within walking distance of beautiful sandy beaches, local shops and tavernas in the Greek village of Stoupa.
A 7 night stay in Pelagia Cottage costs from £1680 - £1925 per week including car hire, maid service and food hamper, based on 2 guests sharing. Contact CV Travel on 020 7401 1026,www.cvtravel.co.uk
http://www.cvtravel.co.uk/en/destinations/europe/greece/peloponnese/stoupa/accommodation/pages/pelagia-cottage.aspx
Just a diamond’s call away
The Draycott Hotel, Kensington, Great Britain
Romantics and lovers of tradition will enjoy the afternoon tea and biscuits, champagne at six and bed-time hot chocolate at the 5* Draycott Hotel, a red-brick house in the heart of Kensington and Chelsea, close to Sloane Square and temptingly close to London’s high end shops.
The Draycott recalls an era of Edwardian grandeur in style, with high ceilings, period antiques and theatrical memorabilia and is set around a peaceful private garden square. 24-hour concierge service ensures that a call for a large diamond at 2am will at least be answered.
Those falling for the hotel’s charms, and each other, can also book a wedding reception there at a future date.
A two night stay at the Draycott Hotel costs from £318 per person in 2012 (based on a standard double bedroom), including breakfast, available through CV Travel, 020 7401 1086, www.cvtravel.co.uk
http://www.cvtravel.co.uk/en/destinations/europe/great-britain/england/london/accommodation/pages/the-draycott-hotel.aspx
`Wedding cake’ villa above the sea
La Ventana, Siesta, Ibiza
For those with nuptials on the mind La Ventana in Ibiza is a real `wedding cake’ of a whitewashed Spanish villa, tucked up in a private location on the cliffs above the small town of Siesta. Its immensely intimate setting, with wide-open sea views from its raised private terrace and its own hexagonal swimming pool make it a very special romantic retreat. The villa is private, but within a romantic stroll of a spa, lovely beaches and the bars and restaurants in the town.
La Ventanacan be rented through CV Travel from £2,170 per week between April and October 2012. Sleeps up to 4.
Contact CV Travel on 020 7401 1035 or visit www.cvtravel.co.uk
http://www.cvtravel.co.uk/en/destinations/europe/spain/ibiza/siesta/accommodation/pages/la-ventana.aspx#/
Centuries of love
The Cockloft, Cotswolds, Great Britain
Stroll in the grounds of Wiltshire’s oldest inhabited manor house, with its 13th century porch and 15th century chapel, and amid the ancient yews, stumble across a love folly and pluck a bloom from the profusion of old fashioned rose species that fill the gardens in May and June. This historic manor house has witnessed centuries of romance and modern-day romantics can enjoy a week’s stay at `The Cockloft’ in the grounds of the manor house, a heavily-beamed, ancient, stone-built house with traditional polished wood floors, furnished with antiques.
A week’s stay at The Cockloft can be booked with CV Travel (020 7401 1086, www.cvtravel.co.uk) costs from £600 for two.
http://www.cvtravel.co.uk/en/destinations/europe/great-britain/england/cotswolds/accommodation/pages/the-cockloft.aspx
Villa for two on the island of Corfu
Villa Akrothalassia, St Spiridon, Corfu
Akrothalassia on the North east coast of Corfu is a very romantic, secluded property situated deep within a private olive grove, just a few steps away from the sea. The property’s romantic charm includes a Jacuzzi bath which has superb views of the sea with an eye-catching silhouette of an offshore island.
A week’s stay starts from £1415 based on 2 people sharing and includes car hire maid service and food hamper. Contact CV Travel on 020 7401 1026 or visit www.cvtravel.co.uk
http://www.cvtravel.co.uk/en/destinations/europe/greece/corfu/kalamaki-st-spiridon--perithia/accommodation/pages/akrothalassia.aspx
A tower for two in rural Umbria
`Renato's Tower', Borgo San Biagio, Umbria
This quirky, restored medieval tower in a hilltop Umbrian hamlet with a hot-tub on the roof terrace, is absolutely perfect for a romantic weekend or honeymoon retreat. From the rooftop terrace couples enjoy beautiful views of the undulating countryside while the tower offers rustic and comfortable accommodation on 4 floors and is in close proximity to historic towns and places of interest for plenty of romantic excursions.
Renato’s Tower can be booked for two from £995 per week. Call CV Travel on 020 7401 1039 or visit www.cvtravel.co.uk
http://www.cvtravel.co.uk/EN/Destinations/Europe/Italy/Umbria/Umbria--Tuscany-Borders/Accomodations/Pages/Renatos-Tower.aspx
Wake up to the waves
`La Trasita', Positano
Wake up to the sound of the waves and the scent of the sea in a 14th century Saracen tower, perched on the headland on a coastal path leading away fromPositano, making it a unique venue, with its own roof terrace, galleried double bedroom and sitting room with balcony. Sea views are, naturally, unrivalled.
La Trasita is available to book through CV Travel from £1445for two to share per week. Tel 020 7401 1039 or visit www.cvtravel.co.uk
http://www.cvtravel.co.uk/en/destinations/europe/italy/campania/amalfi-coast-sorrento--ischia/accommodation/pages/la-trasita.aspx
Town house on Sicily’s coastline
Casa Cefalu, Sicily Coast
Wander through the streets and squares of Cefalu with its palazzi, churches, old fashioned bars and a sandy beach, before returning a short stroll to Casa Cefalu, a pretty town house in the medieval centre of Cefalù, on the north coast of Sicily.From the house’s two terraces magnificent views over the roofs of the medieval town, the twelfth-century Norman cathedral and out to sea can be seen.
Casa Cefalu can be booked through from CV Travel from £895 for two to share per week. Call CV on 020 7401 1039 or visit www.cvtravel.co.uk
http://www.cvtravel.co.uk/en/destinations/europe/italy/sicily/sicily-coast--countryside/accommodation/pages/casa-cefalu.aspx
Charming rural retreat, inland Mallorca
Son Siona, Mallorca, Spain
Son Siona is a traditional cottage with plenty of rural atmosphere and secluded countryside for a very peaceful and romantic stay. The local village of Buger is a short walk away and is one of the smallest municipalities on the island of Mallorca and one of the most attractive. Bursting with character and cosiness, the house has its own private pool and large private gardens, making it perfect for seclusion and romance.
Son Siona is available to rent through CV Travel (020 7401 1035, www.cvtravel.co.uk) from £805 to £1565 per week.
http://www.cvtravel.co.uk/en/destinations/europe/spain/mallorca/bay-of-pollensa--surrounds/accommodation/pages/son-siona.aspx
Town house a deux in one of France’s most beautiful villages
La Petit Gordes, Gordes, France
Take a leisurely stroll together through the stone paved streets of one of France’s most beautiful villages, Gordes, a picturesque hillside town with spectacular views overlooking the hills of Luberon, and a place where film stars and local artists have made their home. Visitthe Saint-Firmain Palace cellars, the Sénanque Abbey and the Village des Bories. CV Travel’s La Petite Gordesis a charming two bedroom stone town house with a large private pool, just 5 minutes walk from the centre ofGordes, and driving distance fromthe beautiful town of Bonnieux and the city of Avignon.
La Petit Gordes can be booked through CV Travel (020 7401 1044,www.cvtravel.co.uk) A 7 night stay in La Petite Gordes costs from £2,360 to £3,655 per week including villa hire and maid service, for up to 4 guests sharing. Return flights, transfers and car hire can be arranged on request.
http://www.cvtravel.co.uk/en/destinations/europe/france/provence/goult--surrounding-areas/accommodation/pages/la-petite-gordes.aspx
That's Health: Altitude Sickness and the older traveller
That's Health: Altitude Sickness and the older traveller: According to over 50s travel review and advice site, Silver Travel Advisor, when travelling to destinations at high altitudes it is crucial ...
Oceania Cruises' To Offer Four Ex-UK Cruises In 2012
UK guests will also be able to disembark in the UK following a 12 night sailing on board Marina from Copenhagen to Dover, boarding in Denmark's capital on 31st August and calling into Norway, the Shetland Islands, Scotland, three port calls in Ireland, including an overnight in Dublin on 8th September, and returning to Dover via Falmouth (Cornwall) on 12th September.
Oceania Cruises' 650-guest, luxury cruise ship `Nautica' will offer two ex-UK sailings, a magnificent 21 night round trip from Dover, departing on 3rd July, that calls into Scotland, Shetland Islands, Faroe Islands, Iceland, Greenland, the Isle of Sky, Belfast and Dublin, Falmouth, Chergourg and Zeebrugge (Belgium), before returning to Dover. Nautica will also be sailing a 12 night cruise around the British Isles, departing from Dover on 24th July and calling into Scotland, the Orkney Islands, Sky, four port calls in Ireland, Fowey and Le Havre.
Two return-UK cruises on board Nautica are being offered in 2012, with two magnificent sailings of the Baltics, Russian and Scandinavia, embarking in Stockholm on 19th June, spending two nights in St. Petersburg on 21st and 22nd June, continuing via Tallinn, Riga, Sweden, Poland, Denmark and Germany, through the Kiel Canal to Amsterdam, on to Zeebrugge and returning into Dover on 3rd July. The same itinerary operates on 16th September, with two overnights in St. Petersburg on 18th and 19th September.
Details of all ex-UK and return-UK cruises can be found at www.oceaniacruises.com and at the links below, or call 0845 505 1920
Oceania Cruises are renowned for exceptional cuisine, a relaxed on board ambience and their four ships’ exceptional standards of comfort and service. Cruises include all meals, with no supplement for the ships’ superb speciality restaurants which rival the finest on shore dining, and fares include complimentary soft drinks and bottled water. In April 2012 the larger of the four ships, Marina, will be joined by an identical sister ship, Riviera.
To find out more about Oceania Cruises, visit OceaniaCruises.com or call 0845 505 1920.
Ex-UK and return-UK cruises are detailed below:-
British Isles Legends
6th June, London to London, 12 nights on board Marina, from £2183
http://www.oceaniacruises.com/findcruise/balticandscandinavia/mna120606/default.aspx
Northern Interludes
18th June, London to Copenhagen, 14 nights on board Marina, from £1973
http://www.oceaniacruises.com/findcruise/balticandscandinavia/mna120618/default.aspx
Scandinavian Splendours
19th June, Stockholm to London, 14 days on board Nautica, from £2462
http://www.oceaniacruises.com/findcruise/balticandscandinavia/nau120619/default.aspx
Viking Expeditions
3rd July, London to London, 21 nights on board Nautica, from £4196
http://www.oceaniacruises.com/findcruise/balticandscandinavia/nau120703/default.aspx
British Isles Legends
24th July 2012, London to Le Havre, 12 nights on board Nautica, from £2168
http://www.oceaniacruises.com/findcruise/balticandscandinavia/nau120724/default.aspx
Nordic Dreams
31st August, Copenhagen to London, 12 nights on board Marina, £2213
http://www.oceaniacruises.com/findcruise/balticandscandinavia/mna120831/default.aspx
Scandinavian Splendours
16th September, Stockholm to London, 14 nights on board Nautica, £2628
http://www.oceaniacruises.com/findcruise/balticandscandinavia/nau120916/default.aspx
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