One trip that offers an amazing experience, with spectacular natural scenery, is a voyage around the Arctic Circle.  You will have the opportunity to spot polar bears as you sail amongst icebergs, beneath the breathtaking Northern Lights.  Ports of call often include fascinating destinations in Norway, Greenland or Alaska.

If the cold does not appeal, another option is to sail around South America. Possible tours include seeing the unique culture of Argentina, partying in Rio de Janeiro and sailing around Cape Horn.  It is even possible to begin your voyage in Europe and stop in at Mediterranean cruise destinations before crossing the ocean to Brazil.

Cruise holidays to Vietnam can also be very rewarding, offering magnificent scenery in the Halong Bay area near Hanoi.  Adventurous travellers can immerse themselves in a completely different culture and explore the sights and sounds that this part of the world has to offer; the experience is sure to be extraordinary.

Options include the public bus, although this is predominately in Vietnamese, or taxis, which are plentiful and very cheap.  Other alternatives include taking a motorbike taxi called a XEOM or hiring a cyclo.

To avoid being overcharged travellers are encouraged to take one of two taxi companies.  Vinasun and Mai Linh are generally more reliable and are less likely to bump their prices up to tourists.  Be aware that there are several taxi companies with names that look remarkably similar.  Sometimes drivers speak English, but in most cases they do not, so be sure to have the destination written down.

A fun way to traverse the city is to take a XEOM, which is a motorbike taxi.  They are easily recognised as they hang around on street corners and often approach visitors.  Negotiate the fee first and be fair and enjoy the ride.  They usually provide a helmet, but if you wish to buy your own, they are readily available and cheap.

A cyclo is like a tricycle where the passenger sits in the front seat, so they have a prime view of all that goes before them.  Be sure to bargain with the driver before sitting down and be clear about where you are going.  They are a fantastic way to experience the sounds and views of the city.

The concept is simple; take part in one of the many global projects that need volunteers.  It’s a similar idea to the backpacking trips, gap year breaks and sabbaticals that many people already take, but with the addition of being involved in something that can help others and the environment.  One of the best ways to find out more is through the Ecoteer organisation.  Their website provides a wealth of information on what kinds of projects are available and how to get involved.

There are many different placements, including guides at ecotourism resorts, working on conservation and humanitarian projects, teaching assignments and much more.  “Travel with a Cause” is the motto of Ecoteer. They provide a gateway whereby prospective volunteers can get an idea of what’s out there and register to join the organisations that they are interested in working for.

Volunteers need to be over 18 with people of all backgrounds and experiences welcome.  They have to cover their own travel expenses to wherever their placement is based as well as travel insurance and spending money, but accommodation and food are generally provided.  For cheap holidays with a difference and an exciting challenge offering the chance for self-discovery, this could be just the ticket.

Baden-Baden’s World Famous Spas

Baden-Baden’s spas have been popular since ancient times. The Romans were the first to appreciate the health benefits and healing powers of the thermal springs and established the first baths in 69 AD.  Today there are twelve thermal springs in the town.  Each with therapeutic powers that remains unchallenged. The water that bubbles up from 2,000 meters below the ground is rich in minerals such as lithium, caesium, boric acid, and manganese, magnesium with traces of cobalt, zinc and copper.

Visitors bathe in the hot waters, which have been proven to be effective in alleviating the symptoms of illnesses such as joint, heart, metabolic, respiratory and muscle disorders. The water from Baden-Baden is also used in a variety of drinking and inhalation therapies. The town has won awards for the high quality of its drinking water.

Other Places of Interest

There are other interesting places to see in Baden-Baden, such as the Old Castle ”Hohenbaden,” Sammlung  Frieder  Burda, the ruins of the old Roman baths. Karlsruhe offers other destinations as well such as the Kleine Kirche, Grand Ducal burial chapel, Rondellplatz and the Museum of Natural History.

New Zealand does not require visitors to produce vaccination certificates to enter the country.  Visitors who bring medications with them when visiting New Zealand should bring a doctor’s certificate so as to avoid any problems at Customs.  
 
New Zealand’s international airports are located at Christchurch, Wellington, and Auckland.  Flying time from the United Kingdom will be approximately 23 hours. 

There are numerous accommodation options to be found in New Zealand.  These include the international tourist hotels found in all of the major cities, as well as locally owned and run country hotels and pubs found in the provincial areas.  Most self-catering apartment accommodation found in New Zealand is located in freestanding complexes.  Motels and motor inns are also widely available throughout New Zealand, as are bed and breakfasts, guesthouses, country lodges, holiday homes, hostels, motor camps, holiday parks, and farm-stays.

Aruba

Aruba is the birthplace of Caribbean stud poker and the island is ripe with a vibrant mature casino scene with spectacular facilities.  The casino at the Riu Resort and the Crystal Casino at the Renaissance Aruba are the islands finest.   The Stellaris Casino at the Aruba Marriott is the country’s largest.   A few of Aruba’s casinos are open 24 hours for gaming excitement.

Bahamas

Reserved only for tourists, Bahamian casinos are open during gaming hours only, except for the opulent Crystal Palace Casino on Cable Beach, which features 400 slots and 40 tables.   The island’s best-known casino is the masterpiece 50,000 square foot Atlantis Paradise Island – it includes more than 1,000 slots and 90 tables.

Curacao

No stranger to the gaming industry, the luxurious island operates a few well-known casinos, including the 29,000 square feet Venito Casino.  The Hill Ross Casino turns into an entertainment complex on the weekends.  The 15,000 square foot Breezes Curacao resort is the only place on island where gamblers can play 7 card stud poker.

Dominican Republic

Operating over 100 casinos on the island, the Dominican Republic houses many outstanding casinos that are open late into the evening, including the Playa Dorada Casino and the Renaissance Jaragua in Santo Domingo, the island’s largest casino.

When booking a Caribbean cruise, you can choose from cruises that will take you to the Eastern Caribbean, Southern Caribbean or Western Caribbean.  An Eastern Caribbean cruise will take you to the Bahamas, the West Indies and possibly down to Antigua.  This will depend upon which cruise line you book your holiday with.

A Western Caribbean cruise will have you heading for Jamaica and the Grand Cayman Islands.  Panama is another destination that has recently been added to many cruise ships’ itineraries.

A Southern Caribbean cruise is typically a longer cruise and will take you to St. Lucia, Dominica, Trinidad and Tobago.  Some cruise lines are now going north towards Venezuela.

For anyone wishing to take a longer trip, it is possible to book a cruise that circles the Caribbean.  This area is beautiful all year round, but most cruises only sail this area between November and April.   Summer in the Caribbean is normally the time when hurricanes spring up and humidity levels are at their highest.

No matter when you choose to take your Caribbean cruise, your cruise line will take care of you and will always re-route in case of inclement weather.

Paris is just a short flight away from the UK, or alternatively why not travel by train?  Small children often love the experience, and the train has the benefit of more space, more opportunities to stretch your legs and fewer luggage constraints.  Departing from St Pancras station in London, the Eurostar high-speed train can whisk your family away to the French capital in around 2 hours 15 minutes.

Once you are there, Paris has a plethora of family friendly small hotels or B&Bs happy to accommodate you and your offspring, or you could choose a small apartment; well-known apartment chains Citadines and Adagio both have a number of locations in Paris and there are many privately owned rentals too.

What to do?  For a start, there are parks and playgrounds all over Paris, so you will never be far from a place to play.  The Jardin Des Tuileries, next to the Louvre, is free of cars and offers a range of fountains, sculpture and meeting places including an impressive children’s carousel and a little pond for toy boats.

Taking a ride on the Batobus enables everyone to have a rest from walking whilst seeing some of Paris’s amazing sights, as well as proving an efficient way to get around with a buggy or toddler.

Just standing underneath the Eiffel Tower is an amazing experience, and there is a trail around (and up) the Tower designed just for 6 to 10 year olds.  Every evening, the Tower is lit up in a sparkling display for five minutes every hour on the hour.

As a short haul, short break destination, Paris has much to recommend it to families with children of all ages.

The Men at Sea Monument

The internationally recognised symbol of Esbjerg, the Men at Sea Monument, was initially erected to celebrate 100 years of city history. A tribute to the many Danes who have made their living on the local waters of this seafaring nation, the monument is comprised of four enormous statues of seated figures staring out to sea.  

Nearby stands the Fisheries and Maritime Museum. It clearly demonstrates to visitors how the sea has been important to Esbjerg and Denmark over the course of the nation’s history. Together, these two sites make up one of the most visited places in southern Denmark.

The Esbjerg Museum

Also of interest to visitors is this museum, which displays artefacts from the age of the Vikings. One of its hallmark attractions is its amber collection; some specimens date back more than ten millennia.