The Antrim Coast

Ireland is famous for beautiful countryside and its friendly people who offer all visitors a warm welcome. In fact, the Irish word “Failte”, meaning welcome, is the name given to the tourist board:  Bord Failte.

The north-eastern corner of the island of Ireland is perhaps less well-known than other parts of the country such as Kerry, Galway, Sligo or Cork. Yet the Antrim coast road offers visitors to Northern Ireland a spectacular journey in itself and provides access to a string of treasures along the way.

If you travel from Scotland, you can start your trip as soon as you disembark from the Cairnryan–Larne ferry. Heading north on the A2, the road will wind around the coastline, with steep red sandstone cliffs to your left, and the sea to your right. On a clear day you can see the coast of Scotland in the distance, in winter months in isolated spots you might witness majestic waves crashing beside you on the shoreline.

The villages along the route are small and self-contained; besides hotels and guesthouses, there are occasional caravan parks peopled by visitors who are fond of spending weekends or holidays by the sea. Waterfoot, Cushendun, Cushendall, all are named for the rivers that run down to the sea. At Waterfoot you can gain access to the Glens of Antrim, a beautiful haven of peace and tranquillity. Abundant in lush greenery, the glens offer many delightful walks to suit all abilities, with occasional shelters for resting and viewing the spectacular waterfalls.

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Cruise holidays around the British Isles

When it comes to taking a cruise holiday many people think of far off destinations and exotic locations such as the Caribbean, America or Asia, for some even the Mediterranean is too close to home. However there can be some advantages to taking cruises that are closer to home, and that’s exploring the best of the British Isles.

When you take a cruise holiday around the UK there are so many different places you can visit, it’s one of the best ways to see all the major cities and sights of the UK including Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland. You are also never too far away from the shore line so unless it’s really foggy, then you should always have something to look at, plus because the UK isn’t that big you will find that unlike other cruises you won’t actually be spending that much time travelling by sea.

Many of the larger cruise companies do offer cruises round the British Isles, however you won’t be stuck on a massive liner like you would be to other destinations, and many run their smaller more intimate ships for these types of cruises so you shouldn’t feel swallowed up by a large number of passengers on board.

So if you want to make the most of Scotland and take ion the sights of Edinburgh and Glasgow, or enjoy a Guinness in Dublin and visit the Tower of London then a British Isles cruise may be just for you.

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The Sun Sets Over the Great Serengeti

The vast expanse of the Serengeti National Park, stretching from northern Tanzania into a part of southern Kenya, is one of the greatest places to experience the magnificent wildlife of Africa.

As a UN World Heritage Site, the Serengeti is carefully managed to ensure that visitors are able to get a real safari experience without intruding on the natural world, very definitely red in tooth and claw. At the appropriate time of year the main event is the annual migration of vast numbers of animals looking for fresh grazing. Hundreds of thousands of wildebeest, zebra and Thompson’s gazelle pound the plains in search of food, shadowed by the ever-present predators. Lions, leopards and cheetahs, the majestic big cats, vie with jackals, hyenas and others for prey on the hot, dusty land.

Meanwhile, all through the year can be seen elephants, herds of buffalo, giraffes, eland and impala on the ground, with black eagles and hundreds of other bird species soaring in the blue skies above.

Accommodation in the Serengeti is in lodges, luxury tented camps and a range of campsites. All safaris are staffed by experienced guides, well versed in the ways of the African wilds and fountains of information about the wildlife and terrain.

Travelling to the Serengeti can be done by flying initially either to Nairobi in Kenya, which is closer, or Tanzania’s capital Dar es Salaam. Interior flights are then available to Arusha or Mwanza followed by a drive to the park itself.

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Fashion meets accommodation

There are quite a few places where you fashion has been mixed with accommodation, such as the Armani Hotel in Dubai, Versace Hotel in Australia and the Missoni Hotel in Edinburgh. Now highstreet fashion too is getting in the mix, and there could be some fashion competition for the Missoni Hotel in Edinburgh, now that Topshop plan to join force with budget hotel chain Travelodge.

A deal has been struck with the retail giant, Arcadia Group to open a hotel that will incorporate a branch of Topshop on the ground floor. Travelodge has announced plans to open a new hotel on Princess Street in Edinburgh and the joint venture with the Acadia Group will see a Topshop situated in the ground floor on the Capitals famous shopping street.

The Travelodge will have 96 and will be companies 13th in the city including one that is currently under construction on Queen Street another on of Edinburgh’s prime shopping streets.  Both of the new hotels are scheduled to open in the summer of 2012, with the creation of at least 40 jobs.

According to Travelodge they have agreed a 35 year lease with Arcadia Group Ltd, which represents a £10m investment. Travelodge’s other hotel on Queen Street which has 85 bedrooms, is being funded by Standard Life Investments and is being built in a vacant office block owned by Standard Life’s UK Property Fund.

The hotel on Princess Street is a Category B listed building and was Scotland’s very first steel frame building. So there is a lot of history there.

Guy Parsons, Travelodge chief executive, said: “Growth in Edinburgh has been one of our major priorities. We have committed around £60m to new hotels in the city in the last few years. The demand for low cost, good quality accommodation in Edinburgh is a growing market and we are still looking to further invest in Scotland’s capital. Arcadia forward funding our new hotel in one of the most prestigious locations in Edinburgh just demonstrates how flexible the Travelodge development model is.”

The new hotel is great news for fashionistas, who will barley have to get out of their beds to go shopping in their favourite highstreet store. Plus it’s a great idea for those staying in the city and find themselves without the right outfit to wear on a night out in Edinburgh. If they are staying in the hotel you will be able to go and get a new frock whilst you’re getting ready, all without leaving the hotel.

However it all could prove too much of a temptation for some and you could find that your cheap room at the Travelodge comes with a heft hidden cost……. Clothes!

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A Cruise Through Miami

Known as ‘Gateway to the Americas’, Miami is a city that attracts people of all ages and persuasions. With its 15 miles of golden beaches and Biscayne Bay, Miami is a sailor’s delight just waiting to be explored.

Miami is home to one of the largest cruise ports in the US and is referred to as the cruise capital of the world. If you are contemplating a cruise, Miami is the perfect destination. The city offers visitors sunny days, thousands of forested acres, beaches and small islands just waiting to be explored.

Miami’s Miracle Mile may be one of the first places visitors will head. Located in Coral Gables, the Miracle Mile is one of the city’s major shopping districts. Do not miss out on seeing the Freedom Tower that was built in 1924 and remains an important landmark. If you have children with you, your holiday should include a day at the Metrozoo, which is one of the best wild animal parks around.

The entire family may enjoy a day at the Seaquarium. This 38-acre park includes majestic killer whales, sea lions, manatees and porpoises. If you still have room for adventure, add the Everglades National Park to your list. The Everglades are in a category of the world’s largest parks that will take you through marshes and swamps. They are home to countless wildlife, including alligators.

Sun worshippers will want to head straight to North Miami Beach where they will quickly discover more than 7 miles of parks and beaches. This area of Miami consists of four small communities, Bal Harbour, Surfside, Sunny Isles, Haulover Beach and Golden Beach.

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Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean International has always been a cruise company with big plans. The company has released two new ships: Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas and nothing can compare to be bigger than these.

They both weigh a whopping 225,000 tons and can easily carry up to 5,400- They are currently the largest cruise ships afloat.

Royal Caribbean Cruises has also pushed the boundaries of cruise innovation over the past 25 years, being the first to introduce atriums which are found on most modern ships today. Not to mention the huge variety of entertainment features such as ice rinks, water parks, rock walls, zip line, and carousels. The Night time entertainment is also spectacular!

Cruising with Royal Caribbean isn’t the best for the faint-hearted; however, due to their size, you should be able to find a quiet corner somewhere without a problem.

The cabins on the newer ships are incredibly spacious and are continuing to grow, with most fitted with large sliding windows and even balconies!

The food, is mouth-wateringly good and has numerous venues across the ship ranging from dress-up to dress-down so you are sure to find something that fits your tastes.

Even though the cruises on offer are spectacular, you still need to do your homework to ensure that you pick a cruise to suit you!

Royal Caribbean International strives to produce fun-filled and entertainment-focused cruises, suited to all ages; however specifically more suited to those in the 30s to 50s age range. The type of vacation it offers fits everyone from: families and couples to singles looking for an affordable, value for money get away. The cruises have a variety of destinations including: the Caribbean and Alaska from North America and Europe and Canary Islands accessible year round from Southampton on

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Russia

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.

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Why choose a cruise holiday

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………

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How to Entertain Your Children on the Beach

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.

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Cunard Cruises

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

Cunard Fleet

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