If you are thinking about taking a cruise holiday but would like to keep your fitness up whilst away you can find plenty of activities to do that will burn those extra calories you will be enjoying eating. Sport on cruise ships used to mean deck quoits and shuffleboard. But these days cruise lines offer a far wider range of activities.

Boxing – Some Royal Caribbean ships now have full-size boxing rings, however the nearest you get to a real punch-up is hitting the coach’s training pads, sparring with a punch bag or mirror boxing.

Gym – You will find that many cruise ships have their own on board gym fitted with the latest exercising equipment and fully qualified trainers. Some also have jogging tracks on deck however the gigantic new Oasis of the Seas has a track almost half a mile long, and Royal Caribbean offers running routes in port.

Water sports – On the Royal Caribbean’s biggest vessels they offer ‘Flowrider’ surf machines where you can get fit whilst surfing onboard the cruise ship. Smaller ships often have platforms from which you can swim, windsurf, waterski or kayak in port.

Lawn sports – Some cruise lines like Cunard and Celebrity still offer more traditional sports onboard their ships such as croquet or boules or shortened tennis on their all-weather sports courts.

So if you enjoy holidaying on cruises you can still keep fit and healthy on board with plenty of activities to help shift and weight you may put on, on board.

With airline prices going up to combat environmental damage from air travel now has never been a better time to holiday in the UK so for your 2010 holiday why not enjoy a ‘Staycation’ right here in the UK. There are many things to enjoy some maybe right on your doorstep some further afield but never more than a car or train journey away.

If you want to enjoy a romantic weekend away then look no further than an exciting city break, places like Edinburgh, Manchester, Liverpool and London offer a whole weekend pack full of things to see and do, from local history, art galleries and museums to shopping, spa days and fine dining. With so much to see and do you will defiantly want to stay longer.

 Picture courtesy of Mikecolvin82

If city visiting is not your thing and you would like a longer break somewhere a bit more quiet then consider a break in the countryside with so many places to choose from you are spoilt for choice. Some great places to visit are Wiltshire, which is known as ‘The gateway to the West Country’ which has some fabulous scenery to take in and a great variety of places to visit like world heritage sites to beautiful gardens and historical stately homes.

Picture courtesy of PhillipC

For a relaxing or exciting break take a look of the map of the UK and see where you can go.

Most people just think of ski resorts when they think of Canada especially as the 2010 Winter Olympics are being held there, however there is so much more to see and do in this beautiful area of North America.

If you take a East Canada cruise holiday you will experience some of the most spectacular natural beauty on earth as well as stop in some of the most charming places in the US and Canada. Many people suggest taking the cruise in autumn because during this time of year you get to see some vibrant colours among the landscape. During the cruise you will visit the delights of the New England region and ports like Cape Cod and area known for its fishing heritage and on to the excitement of Halifax which has flourished as a prominent ports as well as the world’s second largest natural harbour. Then moving on to Canada’s French region, Quebec where you can enjoy the classic architecture and old fashioned buildings and fortifications before moving on to the rugged terrain of Nova Scotia and Saint John to try your hand at some exciting water activities such as white water rafting.

There are some great cruise deals offered by the major cruise lines for trips around Eastern Canada, so you can enjoy an interesting and awe-inspiring holiday n the lap of luxury.

Canada

Picture Courtesy of Kamal H.

Not everyone can afford the luxury of the Après Ski culture that you find at some of the top European and American ski resorts, their prices can be very hefty for the most simple and essential things such as a hearty meal however there are some resorts who focus more on the skiing and offer a great skiing holiday at a great price.
Bansko, Bulgaria
The number 1 ski resort in Bulgaria, Bansko is one of the most modern ski resorts in the country thanks to recent multimillion euro investment to modernise the area and add a new ski area by Yulen, the company which has the licence to run the skiing area of the resort. You can find great ski deals for the area, which is becoming more popular with Brits. Bansko also offers excellent tuition with many beginners learning the ropes here, you will also find that there is no posh expensive restaurants here instead food and drinks take a back burner to the skiing ideal for those who wish to go on a skiing holiday and enjoy most of your time doing just that.
Soldeu, Andorra
The busy Pyrenean village of Soldeu is set in the heart of Andorra deep in the Pyrenees Mountains, in 2002 the resort joined forces with its neighbour, Pas de la Casa, to create the Grandvalira mega-area, offering now an impressive 120 miles of pistes, spread out across a series of high and undulating hills. Although you will find five-star hotels and a vast four-storey spa, you do get far better value for money plus the resort is far less snobby than its other European rivals. As with Bansko, Soldeu is also a great place for learner skiers, the ski school is run by an Englishman and you will find a good flattish plateau halfway up the slopes offering snowsure nursery areas to practise on.

Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland and it is also the largest city that has a substantial history from disruption, conflict, and destruction called the Troubles. Now it has undergone sustained period of calm, free from the intense political violence of former years, and substantial economic and commercial growth. The past history and current arts, entertainment and attracts make it a great cultural city to visit as well as easy to get to from mainland UK with flights to Belfast International Airport.

When visiting Belfast you will never be short of things to do and if you’re only going for a weekend break you may find yourself wanting to spend more time there. You can go to world class venues such as the Waterfront Hall and the Odyssey Arena and enjoy lots of exciting concerts, plays and exhibitions and take in the historical and cultural to the scientific and literary in the city that inspired Narnia. You can also take in some great architecture such as Belfast Cathedral/St Anne’s Cathedral or enjoy the natural beauty at one of many parks in Belfast such as Falls Park which is popular with families, children and sports teams and Groveland’s which is popular with gardeners due to its wide variety of trees, shrubs, conifers, heathers, bedding displays and lawns which provide interest and colour throughout the year.

Belfast also has an abundance of restaurants, bars, pubs and clubs where you can sample the best of what Belfast has to offer from smart and stylish restaurants to historical hostelries and from gastro pubs and bars to funk and happening nightclubs there is something for everyone.

If you fancy a fun break away for the weekend you can get some great deals on cheap flights to either Belfast International Airport or George Best Belfast City Airport, both which have excellent transport links.

Belfast City Hall

Picture courtesy of pawelbak

Off piste skiing also known as ski touring, backcountry skiing or ski mountaineering is a little different from what you may normally do on your skiing holiday. Off piste skiing is skiing in a rural region over unkempt slopes or pistes either within the ski resort’s boundaries or in the backcountry among trees and undergrowth and on freshly laid snow also known as powder snow. These areas are generally not monitored, patrolled or maintained and usually there is no access via ski lifts so a lot of the time you have to make your own way there. You can get guided tours at some resorts that can involve single or multi-day trips through the snow and camping or using mountain huts if available.

The types of off piste skiing, ski touring, backcountry skiing or ski mountaineering can vary from country to country and resort to resort, some resorts offer off piste skiing a few metres away from or between controlled trails and slopes where as some resorts offer ski touring or ski mountaineering which is not near marked slopes at all, or cannot be accessed by ski-lifts. All types of off piste skiing requires a good level of ability and knowledge of the area and some survival techniques if you get into trouble, you will also need a good level of fitness as because many places will have to be reached on foot and you can encounter dangers such as avalanches, exhaustion, and changing mountain weather, as well as cliffs, rock fall and tree wells.

If you are a competent skier and wish to try off piste skiing you need to check whether your resort will permit it so it’s worth when looking for ski deals to check before booking.

One of the world’s most recognisable ports, with world famous features such as The Harbour Bridge and distinctive Opera House Sydney is a vibrant, happening city and a great place to start your journey. On an Australasia cruise holiday you get to experience a whole range of place, people and cultures from the magnificent Opera House, lively streets and beautiful beaches in Sydney to the croc` infested Kakadu wilderness which is reachable from Darwin. You can also enjoy the Great Barrier Reef which is a diver`s or snorkeler’s paradise. Full of colourful fish and coral, this underwater world is as exciting and varied as you’ll find anywhere and is also world renowned.

After exploring the majestic sights of Australia the cruise will then take you onto New Zealand which offers some of the most stunning scenery and natural beauty you will ever see. Like the mud pools of Rotorua or the abundant marine life at Bay of Islands where you can also learn about New Zealand’s colonial history. New Zealand also offers a vibrant city life with Auckland New Zealand’s largest, most pulsating city with plenty to see and do.

If you fancy a cultural and exciting cruise where you will learn and see a lot you can find great cruise deals to Australasia.

Sydney Opera House

Picture courtesy of Linh_rOm

North Americas largest ski resort, Whistler is home to this year’s Vancouver Winter Olympics, the resort which has seen many major improvements recently including the impressive Peak to Peak gondola linking Blackcomb and Whistler Mountains which opened last season.

Whistler is also one of North Americas top ski resorts repeatedly in the top groups from around the world, it has a linked network of 39 lifts making it the closest North America has to a mega resort. It also has a varied terrain to suit all sorts of skiers from novices to Olympic level skiers a run for groups of mixed ability is the Burnt Slew trail from the top of Harmony Express chair all the way down to the village.

Whistler is an ideal ski resort for anyone who wishes to experience the most from their skiing holiday as it offers the closest thing to Alpine skiing in North America as well as there being no language barrier as well as a Canadian high level of service. You can also experience the European style après-ski culture missing from most North American resorts with its wide variety of bars and clubs not to mention top notch restaurants.

If you’re looking for good ski deals then Whistler will suit you, there are many bargains to be found as well as during your stay you won’t be overspending as the food and refreshments in the resort as you do get value for money.

Whistler Village

Picture courtesy of Joe Shlabotnik

Manchester’s newest development is The Quays, once the Salford Quays and Trafford Wharf which shipped cotton goods to the world, the redeveloped waterfront now offers architecture, art, culture, drama, sport and shopping to peoples from across the globe. It’s a 10 minute drive from Manchester Piccadilly Station and is also easy to get to from Manchester airport.

Manchester has a reputation to be a party culture city filled with lively bars, pubs and clubs but beyond that there are many great things to explore and The Quays is one of those great places. Its main feature is the multi award winning Imperial War Museum North which was designed by Daniel Libeskind and shows the story of the effects of war from 1914 to the present on ordinary people from across the former commonwealth. The museum also offered visitors the chance to take part in supervised handling of items from the collection there are plenty of interactive exhibits and the hourly audio visual shows.

At the other side of the Manchester Ship canal opposite the Imperial War Museum North is The Lowry Centre which two theatres that provides a diverse visual arts programme from opera, West End shows and ballet to panto, live music and stand-up comedy, while the studio provides space for staging innovative and daring theatre from new and emerging companies. As well as an arts programme The Lowry is also home to a free to enter gallery showcasing an impressive collection of L S Lowry’s industrial landscapes, film and information on the Salford artist.

Along with great places to visit there are also plenty of places to eat and drink across the Quays and many places to shop if you want a break from taking in all the history. There are also many hotels scattered across the area so you will easily find somewhere to stay and you can find great deals on flights to Manchester.

Lowry Theatre

Picture courtesy of jlcwalker

When it comes to Valentine’s Day you may find the idea of another year of Valentines flowers, tacky cards and bland chocolates doesn’t quite cover what you want to say, now is time to do something really special and a change from your norm, a Valentine’s Day holiday for just the two of you. This year you can treat yourself and the love of your life to an unforgettable Valentines break somewhere quiet and secluded, where you can both just spend some much needed time together, away from the distractions of home and work.
There are many holiday destinations around the world which are simply perfect for a romantic Valentine’s Day break no matter what your budget. Surrounded by beautiful scenery in far flung places or somewhere that is closer to home, where you can relax and share some special moments for the Valentines break.

Flowers