Russia is an enormous country.  Covering a staggering one-sixth of the world’s landmass, and straddling both Asia and Europe, it covers eight time zones.  It has a mighty reputation, dominating much of 20th century international politics, and two of its most well known cities, St Petersburg and Moscow, offer much to the visitor to scratch beneath the surface and understand the country’s recent history. 

St Petersburg is a testament to its Tsarist past, which looked to emulate the predominant European powers at the time in its architecture and establish a name for itself in its own right as a cultural hub.  In fact, the whole city was lauded to be the ‘Paris of the East’.  The Hermitage museum is a fine example of just that, bearing more than just a passing resemblance to the Palace of Versailles and containing works of great masters such as Van Gogh and Matisse. 

On the other hand, Moscow, though now fully westernised – with the obligatory McDonald’s restaurants spotted here and there, although the signs are written in Cyrillic – still retains an air of the beating heart of communism, housing iconic and awe-inspiring buildings such as The Kremlin and St Basil’s Church.  The Lenin Mausoleum is a major tourist attraction and draws huge crowds every morning, both tourists and Russians alike.

Russia was somewhat of an enigma in recent history.  However, as time heals the rifts of the Cold War this is a fascinating country to discover, on the doorstep of Europe.

For those who like to escape the UK when they go on holiday, why not try a cruise holiday? Cruise holidays are no longer reserved for retirees or those with lots of money, in fact many cruise lines are actively focusing on families, couples and even solo travellers now. There are so many different cruise holidays available now, you will be able to find something to suit your travelling needs.

Those looking for love: If you want to spend your holiday with the one you love, whether it’s for your honeymoon, anniversary or just because, then you cruise holiday on a smaller ship maybe what you’re looking for. Even the major cruise lines offer cruises on smaller, more intimate lines that visit destinations all over the world. On-board you will receive a more personal service and won’t feel overwhelmed by a large number of travellers, perfect for a romantic holiday.

A Family affair: Over recent years, major cruise lines have also started reaching out to families as a target audience; larger vessels such as Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas have found a way to target all travellers including families, by providing a whole range of activities on board to keep everyone, of every age happy. Full childcare programmes are also offered on board many ships so if parents want a break then they can have one safe in the knowledge their children are being looked after by trained personnel. Other lines, such as the Disney Cruise line specifically look towards providing entertainment for families and are ideal for younger children and even adults, enchanted by the magic of Disney.

Cruise holidays aren’t only defined by the cruise ship, thy are also defined by the destinations they go to, no other holiday offers you the opportunity  to hope around country to country with such ease, visiting top destinations. When docked you jump back onto dry land and explore the ports, you can also enjoy guided tours provided by the cruise line, where you can enjoy learn about the area you have stopped in, enjoy exotic cuisine, and interact with people of different ethnicities. You can enjoy all this without having to worry about how you get there and back, and how you get around, because with a cruise holiday all this is done for you.

You would think that a cruise holiday would be an expensive affair, considering all you get, however there are lots of great cheap cruises available, so you don’t have to stretch your wallet if you don’t want to, however if you do have the cash to flash, well then that opens up a whole another cruise holiday experience………

When embarking on a family holiday, the most popular destination once you arrive is likely to be the beach. The sight of golden sand and refreshing blue sea is alluring enough, but it is important to understand that the children’s initial excitement will soon fade and once this happens you need to be prepared with a host of games and activities.

A bucket and spade may appear to be a very simple and traditional idea, but they enable children to dig large holes to play in and give them the chance to flex their creative muscle building sandcastles and other structures (and burying Dad in the sand, of course).

Buying a bat and ball game upon your arrival is cheap and might just provide many highlights to look back on from your holiday. The wooden bats and small ball are ideal for use on the beach, allowing children and parents to play together at low cost.

If you arrive at the beach without a lilo or rubber ring you might consider this for your next purchase.  They are relatively cheap, easy to inflate and can be used to sunbathe on as well as their main purpose of lying on to float in the sea.

The beach is an excellent environment for children and if you are prepared with a few simple games and activities it will keep them entertained for the duration of your holiday.

Cunard is a name famous for luxury cruising, which is not surprising considering  its luxurious ships have be sailing across the Atlantic and around the world for 180 years.

The world’s newest fleet of ships follows in the wake of the greatest ocean-liners including: Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth and her successor the QE2. There is debate as to whether or not the new line-up can compare against the elegance and success of its spectacular ancestors. There is no doubt however, that cruising with Cunard still matches up to that original quality. This is probably why cruise holidays are gaining popularity year on year.

The three ships (150,000 ton Queen Mary 2, 90,000 ton Queen Victoria and 92,000 ton Queen Elizabeth) are modern ocean liners which capture practically as well as all of today’s state-of-the-art comforts and amenities. Cunard favors expensive, classy décor and most definitely cannot be described as ‘tacky’ unlike some of the other modern ships from other cruise companies.

Cunard still upholds the classic traditions of the grand ocean voyage. Believing that the journey should be even more magnificent than the destination, Cunard provides a wide range of comfortable and spacious rooms, all with flat screen TVs and tea-making facilities, as well as all the other technologies which you would expect.  The boats provide a huge variety of dining options, with restaurants allocated according to cabin grade.

Cunard also pushes the boat out when it comes to entertainment, with activities ranging from exiting shows to nightclubs, lounges and pubs with karaoke- for those excellent singers amongst you. Children are no longer a hassle as Cunard also ensures that the kids are well catered for. The dress code varies from smart casual to black tie emphasizing the classiness of the trip.

In conclusion, Cunard provides Elegant days, glamorous nights. On a typical seven-night cruise you can expect three formal evenings, two semi-formal evenings and two elegant casual evenings. The cruise is suited for all ages and if a relaxing night is what you’re after, why not leave your children with are top nannies, sit back, let your hair down and relax? There are a variety of destinations that the ships travel to including: Mediterranean, Baltic and Norwegian Fjords, Caribbean, transatlantic and world cruises. Most ships sail out from Southampton, located in the UK.  There are a lot of cruise deals available, so all of this can be provided to you from prices as low as £399 ranging to around £131,499! What a bargain!

Cunard Fleet

When planning a holiday, booking it is the easy part, but ensuring you pay the best possible price can be much more difficult.

If you have decided on your destination and located your ideal accommodation already then you will discover that your options are a little more restricted, however if you are able to book and pay as far in advance as possible you are likely to receive an early booking discount. 

If you do not have the funds available to do this you can attempt to book your holiday the week before you travel for a lower price, but you will need to appreciate the fact that popular destinations are likely to be fully booked and you are may be left disappointed if you cannot get the hotel you preferred.

A different option is to remain open minded with regards to your destination and accommodation.  Use the internet to identify as many late package deals as possible and be prepared to pack your suitcases and travel within the next seven days. This option can be a little more stressful, but it can also be very exciting and allow you the opportunity to visit a country you had never previously considered whilst saving you money.

You should avoid booking your holiday during the busiest periods as travel operators will be more heavily booked which will result in fewer discounts being provided. However, booking 12 months in advance or immediately after Christmas can be an ideal opportunity for a discount due to operators being relatively quiet but still required to sell holidays.

This country very much deserves its nickname of the ‘Land of Smiles’.  And visitors would smile, too, if they lived here. 

In Bangkok, there is always something to keep you amused.  The touristy Khao San Road and its surrounding areas are sometimes hard to escape.  However, there is much to see here – the beautiful reclining Buddha in Wat Pho is the largest in the country, and Wat Phra Kaew is home to not just the Emerald Buddha, but also the opulent and stunning Grand Palace.

Thailand has a formidable reputation as a tropical paradise, with hundreds of white, sandy beaches on its many islands.  Many of these islands have become iconic – Koh Pha-Ngan is the ultimate party destination, to the completely stunning Ko Phi Phi, the location for the film The Beach.  Due to the sheer number of islands that abound in Thailand, each one will offer something for everyone. 

Koh Chang, on the east coast, is a perfect destination for families, while Koh Lanta, on the west coast, retains the infamous chilled atmosphere that made Thailand so popular with backpackers in the first place. 

The beaches around the Krabi area offer some of the best climbing opportunities in the world, scaling the soaring limestone formations that are so synonymous with Thailand.

Further north, the city of Chiang Mai is a food lover’s Mecca.  In fact, northern Thailand itself is abundant with treasures to discover – treks through the mountains to discover numerous hill tribes and peer into their way of life is one of the best cultural experiences this country has to offer.  It simply is wonderful.

For a second time in a year tourists have been banned from visiting Tibet, with exclusion thought to last until at least August. The ruling from China comes around the 60th Anniversary of their controversial rule of the area.

Hannah Methven of the specialist tour operator Explore said: “Tibet tourist permits are not being granted for travel between 25th June and 25th July 2011, marking the 60th anniversary of Tibet’s incorporation into the People’s Republic of China. As a result, Explore has had to cancel one of its tours scheduled to visit Tibet during this time. Customers have been given the option to join alternative trips or receive a full refund.”

Also a French media agency also suggested that the ban may even go on for much longer, Agence-France Presse reported claims in Chinese newspaper the Global Times that said tourists will not be allowed into Tibet until mid-August, due to ‘safety concerns’. The same agency also published comments of an employee at the travel agency China Travel Service, based in the Tibetan capital Lhasa, who admitted that: “At the moment, we are not admitting foreign tourists.”

It’s no surprise that tension in the country are running high as 2011 marks the 60th anniversary of China’s rule in the area which over the years has provoked unrest and protest since the Chinese took control in 1951 following military conflict. In March 2008 violent anti-government riots broke out in Lhasa which then triggered similar demonstrations in surrounding Tibetan provinces. During that period, tourists were also excluded from Tibet for over 12 months.

This recent ban is the second one this year, back in March one was in place as the third anniversary of the demonstrations approached, however it was lifted between April and June.

When preparing for a holiday abroad it is important that you do not allow your excitement to influence your ability to pack a suitcase. Pool, beach and evening attire is likely to dominate your thoughts, but if you neglect the essentials it could result in a holiday you wish to forget.

If you are travelling to a new country with a warmer climate, you will need a special body spray containing a scent to discourage mosquitoes from targeting you. Mosquito bites should not cause you severe pain but the fewer you receive the less discomfort you will experience during your holiday.

Sun cream will be a vital addition to your suitcase. Do not avoid purchasing it in the UK in favour of when you arrive at your destination as the bottle labels are unlikely to be English which will present you with the awkward task of trying to identify the most appropriate sun cream for your skin.Bottles also tend to be a lot more expensive in resorts as well, up to 3 or 4 times more than the UK.

Different people respond in different ways when adapting to a new environment and a warmer climate and your immune system can often take several days to adjust. Travelling with a small supply of headache tablets will provide you with immediate access to pain relief should you experience any mild ailments during your holiday. If you require prescription medication be sure to check legal guidelines for carrying these before travelling.

An overseas break is always exciting, but do not neglect to pack the essentials because having them will form the foundation of an enjoyable and stress-free holiday.

Going on any type of holiday now can be very expensive, so to get the best deal you should always be prepared to do some research first, the same applies to cruise holidays. Many people think that cruise holidays are expensive, only something that the rich or retired can afford to do, however you will find that many cruise lines have affordable cruise holidays available no matter what your budget.

Like other types of holidays, if you search around on the internet, there is a good chance you will be able to find the best cruise deals, it’s not always best just to book through a travel agent as the prices in store are normally a lot higher than they are online. Booking online now is also a lot easier and safer, plus many cruise lines have help lines in place, to help you with any queries you may have.

There are other ways to also get a better deal for your cruise holiday; firstly booking at the right time of year high season tends to run around school holidays and bank holidays so it’s advisable to steer away from these times if you can to save money. Some destinations further afield tend to have warmer temperatures out of season, so if you want a sun holiday then destinations such as the US, Asia and Caribbean are places to look out for. If you just want to experience a cruise and are not too bothered about stopping off at numerous ports then you could always book onto a repositioning cruise, which is where a cruise ship moves from one destination to another at the end of season. Repositioning cruises tend to spend most of the time at sea and you need to get to the departing destination, however you will still get to experience the full cruise experience at a fraction of the cost.

Whatever cruise holiday you fancy embarking on, one thing is for sure, if you shop around you will find the best deals, for what may be for some a holiday of a lifetime.

As we have mentioned before, P&O have a new addition to their fleet, the Adonia, which was recently christened by Dame Shirley Bassey, which brings their number of ships to an impressive seven. All offer a wide range of different facilities so you can easily find a cruise holiday to match your travel needs.  P&O have been offering cruise holidays to destinations all around the world for more than a hundred years and they offer a more traditional style of cruising for the discerning passenger.

The P&O ships offer varying cruise experiences, whether for families, couples or solo travellers however one thing they all have in common is an exceptional service and attention to detail.  They also offer plenty of activities, which seem to be standard now on many modern cruise ships, such as; theatres, nightclubs, casinos, swimming pools, libraries, shops, cinemas, internet cafés and spa experiences. It’s not just entertainment that scores high when it comes to passengers’, the choice of food available on the P&O ships is also second to none, with celebrity chefs offering a hand in the dining experience, like Marco Pierre White, Gary Rhodes and Atul Kochhar.

All the ships vary in size, from the Adonia which holds, 710 passengers to the Ventura which can hold 3,078 passengers, which means if you like small and intimate cruise holidays, or busy bustling cruise holidays, or somewhere in between, P&O have plenty of choice for you.