The Culture Bank

When planning a cruise, one of the first steps is to decide on the kind of holiday that you want.  Cruises are available to hundreds of exciting destinations, so it is a good idea to consider your options so you can book your perfect break. 

The first thing to think about is the kind of things that you would like to do and places that you would like to see.  Maybe you have a specific destination or area in mind already, or maybe you want a holiday that will give you the chance to do something like rock climbing, adventure sports or to visit cultural sites. 

Next, consider the format of your break.  Maybe you would like to spend more days at sea, allowing you to enjoy the onboard facilities and the open ocean.  You might alternatively like to have several port calls in different areas, so that you can experience many places and see plenty of the area, or you could go for a Cruise and Stay option, where you spend several days on shore at a port to get a real experience of the area. 

Consider how long you want to go for and how you will get to your starting point.  Many people choose cruises where they do not have to fly to reach the port, especially if they are going for a shorter time period such as a week or less. 

Making these decisions will make it much easier to select and book your holiday.  Whether you decide to go for a Cruise and Stay in the Caribbean, or a two week tour of the Mediterranean, you will be able to check which cruise lines offer the type of holiday you want and then you can choose a suitable ship to sail on. 

For many divers, the Great Barrier Reef remains one of their top “must do” destinations.  This natural wonder of the world stretches for 2,300 km along the east side of Australia, and offers some of the most impressive and accessible underwater landscapes in the world.

It is not just for experts either; many amazing dives are doable by beginners.  For example, Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays offers ample opportunities for novices to snorkel or scuba over reefs, with crystal clear waters allowing stunning visibility at all depths.

Heron Island, which caters to resort guests only (no day trippers) is quiet compared to some other islands and includes the Heron Bommie which the famed Jacques Cousteau suggested was one of the top ten best dive sites in the world.

Lady Elliot Eco Island Resort, at the bottom tip of the reef, offers a laid back ecology-friendly approach, with a natural lagoon offering calm waters for beginners as well as more adventurous dives out in the sea for the experienced diver.

Be sure to take your PADI certificates with you, and a whole new world of underwater adventure awaits.

The whole world wants to be in London between 27th July and 12th August 2012. This is when London hosts the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the ultimate global sporting event.

There can be no doubt that the added influx of visitors attending the Olympic Games will mean competition for hotel rooms will increase and prices may rise accordingly.

Limit the chance of this happening by staying in an area of London slightly away from the Olympic action. The main focus of the Olympic competition will in be in the Stratford area of London where the main stadiums and arenas have been built. 

Why not consider staying in the Kings Cross and St Pancras area of London?

Kings Cross hotels? St Pancras Hotels? Why is it a good idea to stay on the other side of the river from where all the olympic action is taking place?

Because Kings Cross and St Pancras is centrally located and well served by all major transport modes, it is far enough away from the Olympic Village to avoid the crowds but conveniently placed for reaching all parts of London.

To reach Stratford from Kings Cross and St Pancras, all you do is hop onto the underground tube at Kings Cross and St Pancras (take the Metropolitan Line- purple) and travel to Liverpool Street where you change for Stratford (central line – red). This journey is very simple and only takes around thirty minutes to complete.

Some Olympic Events are scheduled to take place in other areas of London such as Horse Guards Parade, Hyde Park and St James’ Park, all of which are easily accessible from the Kings Cross and St Pancras area.

The Kings Cross and St Pancras district has hotels offering a variety of accommodation from modest bed and breakfast establishments to five star luxury hotels, so there really is a room for everyone.

Situated just a few miles from the south coast of the UK, the Isle of Wight offers a wide range of entertainment and attractions for all the family, with a wealth of history thrown in.

Initially colonised by the Romans, the Island was visited many times by Vikings, and during the Middle Ages enjoyed a very brief period as an independent Kingdom.

The Roman Villa at Brading offers visitors a fascinating view of the remains of a 3rd Century villa complete with many beautiful mosaics.  The medieval Carisbrooke Castle – once a prison to Charles I – is well preserved and offers children the chance to dress up as Norman soldiers or civil war troopers, whilst parents enjoy the beautiful gardens.

Children will also love the islands’ long sandy beaches, as well as more modern entertainments such as the large amusement park at Alum Chine, whilst the rich dinosaur finds in the area often fascinate all the family.

Reached by a short ferry ride, the Isle of Wight is more accessible than many think, and a perfect summer holiday destination.

If you are seeking an exotic holiday destination this season, try Kenya. This African country is rich in indigenous wildlife. The natural beauty of endless plains, powerful waterfalls and animal parks are only some of the attractions that await you.

Kenya does have a well-deserved reputation for being the land of safaris, but there is much more to Kenya than zebras and 4×4 tours. Having said this, safaris are an exciting activity to participate in at least once during your Kenyan visit.

Head to one of the many naturalist wildlife parks. Tsavo, the largest in the country, covers more than 21,000 square kilometers and is home to many of Africa’s exotic creatures. Here you will see lions, baboons, elephants, cheetahs and hyenas in their natural habitat. There are also Kora, Meru, Samburu and Nairobi National Parks to visit, all of which are a little less touristy.

If you are looking for something a little different, why not try a safari with a twist? Sambura and Turkana Parks offer safaris on camel back. It is also possible to enjoy your next safari with a view, drifting above the plains in a hot air balloon. What better way to get those one in a lifetime panoramic photos?

Very few people associate Africa with sandy beaches, but unbeknown to many, Kenya has some of the most spectacular beaches in all of Africa. Not only are the Kenyan shorelines comprised of white powder sand and beautiful waters, they are also an ideal place for open water sailing and off-coast diving.

Mount Hutt

New Zealand contains a number of excellent skiing facilities, and they don’t come much better than the free-riding terrain around Canterbury on the South Island.  Mount Hutt offers the largest skiable area on the South Island, and attracts skiers of all levels from all over the world.  Many top-level skiers train here, and the snow season usually runs from June to October.

The Mackenzie Basin

The Mackenzie Basin, which is located between Christchurch and Queenstown on the South Island, should be a must-ski stop on any New Zealand ski tour.  Mount Dobson offers slopes particularly suited to family excursions, and there is a team of international instructors ready to tutor beginner and intermediate level skiers.  Expert level trails are also available.

North Island

The prime location for downhill skiing north of the Cook Strait is undoubtedly Mount Ruapehu, even though this is actually an active volcano!  The slopes here are far less crowded than what you will find on the South Island, although the terrain is just as exciting and varied.

An Overview of Lake Garda

Northern Italy offers many an idyllic holiday retreat, but few resort areas capture the region’s warm atmosphere better than Lake Garda.  The area surrounding this 60 kilometre-long stretch of water is bustling with charming villages filled with some of the friendliest people in the world.  Visitors can bask in the alpine sunshine while enjoying chilled wines, coffees, or ice cream sundaes overlooking Italy’s largest lake.

While there will be ample opportunity to enjoy the excellent cuisine, the more adventurous holidaymaker can also take advantage of Lake Garda’s many water sports opportunities.  There is also a theme park next to the lake called Gardaland.  If you would like to visit a major urban centre to take advantage of shopping and entertainment venues during your holiday, the city of Verona is just a few kilometres away.

Lake Garda Hotels

There are many hotels to choose from around Lake Garda.  The Hotel Leonardo da Vinci is ideal if what you are looking for is an all-inclusive family break, and the hotel is close to the beach.

Another excellent accommodation option is the Le Palme Hotel.  Centrally located, this hotel is a mere 500 metres from the lake’s shores and 15 kilometres from Gardaland.  The Le Palme Hotel is also located a mere 45 minutes away from the nearest international airport.

Other Accommodation

Obviously hotel costs will vary tremendously depending on the quality and location of the hotel you choose, but there is sure to be an attractive option to suit any budget.  Self-catering chalets and apartments are also available in the Lake Garda area, and may provide a more affordable option for some travellers.

Paris is very easy to travel to from the UK, with cheap flights from budget airlines or a trip on the Eurostar taking just a few hours.  The culture is greatly different to that of London or Manchester.  There are many different regions of Paris – arty Montmartre; the food-orientated Latin Quarter; the upmarket Champs-Elysées and of course, the tourist havens of the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower areas.  Practically in every corner of Paris you will come across tea rooms, quaint bars, cute cafes and very inviting bistros.  Other regular stops are “crêperies” that sell pancakes, patisseries and of course, plenty of shops where you can buy clothing and accessories or a unique piece of art.

The museums, such as the Museum of Modern Art and Le Louvre, will take you at least a day each to appreciate, so, if you are only going for a long weekend then plan in advance.  Also, buy your ticket for Le Louvre in advance online else you will find yourself queuing up for hours.  From Le Louvre, you can walk through picturesque parks until you reach the “Arc de Triomphe”, and of course, featuring on the horizon throughout the city you will see the Eiffel Tower.  The iconic tower must be experienced by all those not afraid of heights, but, beware of long queues in the busy season.  At night you have more luck of avoiding large crowds and also to experience the full glory of the Tower lighting up and shining on the surface of river La Seine.

Guided tours or a hop-on-hop-off bus are good ways to get around the main tourist areas of Paris quickly.  However, you will see more interesting and are more likely to discover hidden away places on foot with a little help from a map and a book of “Métro” tickets; ask for day tickets that can get you to places for a whole day.  For example, venture past “Père Lachaise” Cemetery and you will find the final resting places of Chopin, Oscar Wilde, Proust or Jim Morrison.

Maldives holidays offer visitors a chance to try different activities such as snorkelling, scuba diving and surfing.  These types of luxury holidays have a great appeal due to the fact that visitors do not require previous experience in order to indulge their curiosity.  The warm sunshine, clear blue seas and accommodating beaches make instruction in these activities possible most of the time.

The Maldives is able to offer visitors a chance to see a spectacle of wonder: the underwater coral garden.  The Maldives is home to three quarters of the world’s coral reefs, meaning that the sight of exotic fish is almost guaranteed.  The clear blue waters facilitate optimum viewing conditions.   

Visitors can select from a number of different ways to enjoy the coral reef, including by submarine.  The 120ft Whale Submarine is one of the recommended vessels to travel in.  This submarine leaves from the Tear Drop Reef, which lies between Male and Villingill.  The passenger submarines do a variety of dives both day and night, enabling the visitor to experience how the reef, and its inhabitants, change at different times of the day.   Alternative ways of visiting and viewing the underwater coral gardens are through snorkelling and scuba diving.

Maldives holidays offer a chance to see exotic sights common in the underwater coral garden, which include schools of yellow boxfish, common lionfish, turtles, reef sharks and many other common sea creatures that call this coral reef home.

What makes one of England’s smallest cities such a cool place?  Two words: history and culture.  Dotted across the Bristol landscape, you’ll find a record of its rich past.  John Cabot, who discovered North America aboard his boat The Mathew, set sail from Bristol, and the replica of his vessel still proudly does the rounds of the harbour now.  Also seen in the city is the ever-present engineering legacy of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, from the majestic SS Great Britain to the iconic and beautiful Clifton Suspension Bridge.

Bristol is a hotbed of creativity.  There is an edgy urban arts community known as the Stokes Croft People’s Republic, a must-see if you are a fan of graffiti.  One of the city’s most famous sons, Banksy, and his art still dominate many urban buildings in the centre, and makes for an interesting arts trail.  Bristol boasts one of the most vibrant and eclectic music scenes in the country.  Big names hail from this fair city – Massive Attack, Roni Size and Portishead give it a musical pedigree not to be sniffed at.

Bristol has the perfect riverside setting to celebrate all this wonderful culture, so it is no surprise there are countless festivals that take place here.  From the sedate kite and balloon festivals, to the lively Brisfest and Harbour Festival, this is the place to visit of a summer weekend. If food and drink is your thing, Bristol caters for all tastes, from sushi bars, cider barges, chocolate cafés, exquisite fine dining to everything else between.

There is always something for someone going on in Bristol.  It is a place where it is impossible to become bored.