The Culture Bank

When most people picture cruise holidays, they are likely to imagine two weeks sailing in the Caribbean or a tour of the Mediterranean Sea.  While these voyages can be wonderful experiences, there are other more unusual options to be found off the beaten track.  These alternatives can be worth considering for your next holiday.

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.

To the unsuspecting visitor, trying to cross the road in Vietnam is fraught with challenges as the traffic never seems to stop and, although it is getting better, the lights at pedestrian crossings mean little, therefore those on foot need to be on high alert.  Here are some tips for first-time travellers to Vietnam:

The best way to cross the road is to take it easy.  Always look both ways as traffic, especially motorbikes, often travel down the wrong side of the road. 

Wait for a small gap in the oncoming traffic and move slowly but confidently onto the road. 
Keep your eye on the oncoming traffic and walk slowly but surely and the vehicles will move around you.  Motorbike drivers are more forgiving than cars, buses or trucks, so it is best to wait until they have passed. 

In some areas, such as around the Ben Thanh Market, the guards in a green uniform are there to help visitors get safely across the road.  Vietnamese are a caring, sharing society and they somehow make room for everyone.

Although it is easy to walk to many of the key attractions in Ho Chi Minh City, sometimes it is simpler and more comfortable to use public transport.

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.

Attaching yourself to skis for the first time is going to be scary. This is a natural reaction as you begin to realise that you are limiting your ability to run and get yourself out of trouble as you normally would. Most people will feel constrained, and some may feel unable to enjoy their very well planned ski holidays. Therefore, you will need to work past this feeling of helplessness in order to take control of your situation.

Take your time with this. Getting used to the idea of a new way of getting around is like learning how to walk all over again. Think how daunting it was when you first got on a bicycle and you should expect the same levels of anxiety when you first learn how to ski. Once you become comfortable with the idea of skiing, the mechanics of it will start to become intuitive.

The first few things your instructor will take you through on the snow will be:
•    Warming up: you will be shown a few techniques. Remember them. Warming up is very important in order to help avoid injury.
•    Walking: this is done by sliding first one ski forward, and then the other.
•    Side stepping: this is done by shifting one ski up the hill followed by the other and making sure your skis are at right angles to the direction of the slope. This is tricky and will be awkward at first, so have fun with the situation and remember to laugh!

This is a lot of work to do before you even start to ski, so make an allowance for the time this will take when planning your ski holidays.

For most people, holidays are a chance to put the everyday stresses and strains of life behind them for a while, or visit parts of the world their lives don’t normally take them to.  They can be expensive, of course, but one alternative if you’re on a tight budget or looking for something different, is to volunteer for a working holiday.  It may not quite as relaxing as the usual week in the sun and often hard work. However, it can be more interesting and rewarding as well as a great way to experience different places and people.

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 has long been considered the grande dame of German spas.  The town lies at the base of the Black Forest, along the banks of the Oos River in Karlsruhe.  Karlsruhe is a city located south west of France. It was founded in 1715 and its churches and chapels are favourite destinations among visitors.

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.

Tens of thousands of visitors flock to Egypt each year to visit the Sphinx, the Pyramids, the Tombs at Luxor, or to sail the Nile from Abu Simbel to Dendera, and the country is home to a unique and vibrant history.  Travellers do not come to Egypt to just see the ancient monuments, however.  They also come to experience the golden beaches along the coastline.  Many visitors enjoy the diving and snorkelling, and the opportunity to see the diverse and vividly coloured marine life that can be found just below the surface of the Red Sea.
 
The best times to visit Egypt when it comes to the weather will be during autumn (from September to November) and springtime (from February to April).  At these times the weather is usually quite warm but will not be uncomfortably hot.  The busiest times at the major tourist sites in Egypt are between Christmas and New Year, in February, during the Easter holiday, and during October.  The quietest months are May and June.
 
Flying to Egypt from the United Kingdom is relatively easy; there are direct five-hour flights from Heathrow Airport to Cairo offered by British Airways, BMI, or Egypt Air.  Flying from a regional airport such as Glasgow, Newcastle, or Manchester will necessitate a stopover in either London or on the continent.

Travelling to New Zealand is fun and exciting no matter what time of year one chooses to go.  The warm summer months last from November through to April, while the best time for skiing in the country is July and August, and the further south one goes, the colder it will get.  During the summer months it is important to wear a good sunscreen, as the rays of the sun can be quite strong; insect repellent will be needed for mosquitoes during the summer in most parts of the country. 

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.

Gaming is widely accepted and promoted in the Caribbean and the most upscale resorts feature casino grounds for guests to immerse themselves in luxurious games, shows and nightlife.   Bask in the balmy Caribbean breeze by day and join the high-stakes atmosphere by night.  For distinguished travellers looking for the lights of Las Vegas combined with the salt air of the islands, here are a few of the top casino picks for high-stakes Caribbean holidays.

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.

Caribbean cruises are very popular:  who would not love to see beautiful sandy beaches and gorgeous blue seas?  In fact, Caribbean cruise deals are the most widely sought-after cruise destination.  Most cruises will leave from the United States from Miami, Houston or New Orleans.  Places like Barbados and Jamaica are also being added as starting points for these cruises.

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.