Sunshine, crystal waters and beautiful beaches abound in the Greek Isles and with so many Greek cruises available there’s never been a better time to visit this paradise on earth. Conveniently, many cruises depart directly from the port in Athens before embarking on a journey through the Mediterranean. Trips can range from a short three-day highlight tour of the isles to 7, 10 or even 12 day relaxing cruises showcasing every angle of the varied islands.

Each island possesses its own unique history, scenery and twist on Greek culture. Many are home to some of the most famous ruins from Ancient Greece, and cruises offer shore excursions at each point of interest, allowing guests to learn about and explore their beautiful surroundings. Excursions are a great way to view the Greek Islands, that is, if you can pull yourself away from the boat. Modern cruise ships sailing the Mediterranean today offer amazing amenities like swimming pools, cinemas, gyms and spas.

Greek cruises, both short and long, visit a seemingly endless combination of islands, but there are a few highlights that are not to be missed. The first is Santorini, the most iconic of the Greek isles. Staggering cliffs dropping down into the Aegean Sea dotted with iconic white washed homes are the hallmark of Santorini. Visitors can explore the villages of the island or choose to board a smaller sailing boat to get a closer look at the water. Mykonos is another island frequented by Greek cruises that should not be passed over. It possesses warm sandy beaches and strings of trendy resorts, spas and restaurants. Drop into Zante for a slow pace of life and visit it’s most famous site, the shipwreck.

Those interested in exploring the ruins of ancient Greece should choose cruises calling at Crete, Rhodes and Katakolo, the latter of which holds the Temple of Zeus and many amazing Greek statues.

The area’s temperate and sunny weather throughout the year make Greek cruises a perfect retreat for relaxing, exploring and enjoying the local nightlife. Cruise ships are comfortable, luxurious and the most convenient way to visit so much in such little time.

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If you are looking to go away for a romantic weekend with your loved one you can not go wrong with the city of Lisbon. The capital of Portugal has much to offer everyone. There is plenty to see and do and it is quick and easy to get to from the UK.

How to get there

Lisbon is one of the most easily accessible cities in Europe for travellers from the UK. The flying time is only about two and a half hours from London. There are three airlines operating direct flights to Lisbon from the UK. Low cost flights are available, but for a romantic getaway you might want to splash out on one of the more luxurious airlines.

Where to stay

There are many beautiful hotels in Lisbon that are perfect for a special weekend. There is accommodation to suit every budget. If you would like a picturesque or interesting view from your window why not try one of the hotels that overlook the Nature Park and Aqueduct.

Food and drink

A romantic meal in a great restaurant could really enhance your trip. There are many different places to eat and drink in Lisbon and many of them serve traditional Portuguese meals. For the best eating experience check out restaurant reviews and make a booking before you go, although there are plenty of great places for a spontaneous meal as well.

Things to do

Just walking around this beautiful city will give you an amazing holiday. Along the way you can take in some culture at one of the museums or gardens. Lisbon is great for shopping so you might like to treat your loved one to something special to remember your weekend by.

photo credit: _vtcl_

Liverpool is an exciting city in itself, but even better is the range of interesting destinations within easy reach for the day tripper:

Parkgate

This appealing village on the west coast of the Wirral Peninsula, just half an hour away from the centre of Liverpool, is popular with locals and tourists alike. Once a thriving river port, it is now an unhurried place, allowing visitors plenty of time for a stroll along its impressive promenade and to admire the half-timbered architecture. There are fine views out across the Dee Estuary, perhaps best appreciated while eating one of the famous local ice creams; these are available from from the shop across the road from the Ship Hotel.

Delamere Forest

The largest area of woodland in Cheshire is a great destination for families, offering adults the opportunity to get away from the daily grind of everyday life, while children will love the chance to stretch their legs in a natural playground. The forest is home to many species of wildlife, ranging from colourful butterflies like the Small Tortoiseshell to handsome woodland birds like the Siskin. Despite its secluded feel, Delamere is only 30 miles from Liverpool city centre, making it straightforward to reach.

Llangollen

For a complete change of scene, take an hour’s pleasant drive to this beautiful town in north-east Wales. Car hire in Liverpool is easy and affordable, so the relative isolation of the Welsh countryside should present no problems. Llangollen is world famous as the home of the International Musical Eisteddfod: every July the town plays host to stars like Katherine Jenkins and Bryn Terfel. At other times the area is more peaceful, offering the chance to enjoy a relaxing ride on a preserved steam train at the Llangollen Railway.

This was a guest post for National Car Hire UK

The town of Portes du Soleil is a beautiful area in the Chablais Alps, or the Northern French Alps. The area is composed of 12 ski resorts, each of which offers incredible scenery, a friendly local population, a quaint and inviting town life and amazing ski trails for beginners and experts alike. Here are some tips for getting to Portes du Soleil, as well as some basic information about skiing in the area.

Getting to Portes du Soleil
Accessing the area by car is common, and the trip is a mere hour from nearby Geneva International Airport. British Airways, Jet2 and Easyjet amoung other run flights to Geneva from the UK. Most residents of Switzerland or France opt to arrive by personal car, with both the A9 and the A40 passing close to Portes du Soleil. Of course, there are also options to take the train to the nearby stations of Thonon-les-Bains, Cluses, where shuttles can available to bring you directly to the resort.

Skiing in Portes du Soleil
The entire skiable area is truly huge. Many people can accomplish the circuit but will require a full day to do so. There are over 650 kilometers of ski runs in total, with over 200 lifts to accommodate guests. Most families and average skiers opt to stick in one resort, with minimal travel between their accommodations and the ski slopes. Note that the area crosses international borders, with some resorts in France and others in Switzerland. It is entirely possible to ski back and forth across the two nations without ever even realizing it.

Air travel is the fastest method of traversing long distances. Almost 90,000 flights take off and land each day in the United States alone. Worldwide, that number is about 80,000 as of 2008. Business travellers and tourists know well the rigors of a long, tedious flight.

Keeping yourself occupied and entertained during a six, eight or 12-hour flight is a challenge. Whether for business or pleasure, traveling to far off lands invariably involves long hours sitting on-board a plane. Here are some fun ways to entertain yourself during a long flight.

Using Electronic Gadgets

Plenty of people will tell you the way to handle a flight is to bring a laptop computer that can play DVDs. Bringing along two or three favorite movies and a pair of headphones can take care of boredom, right? Wrong, actually. Most electronic devices do not have enough battery power to last for an entire flight.

The average laptop battery only lasts four hours. Even charging the battery overnight does not extend it for very long. With laptops out of the picture, you can still bring devices that don’t need a lot of power, like mp3 players. On really long flights, sleep is inevitable, and times when you’re awake can be spent listening to music.

Reading

Books are indispensable on long flights. Reading stimulates the mind and keeps it occupied. Paperback books do not weigh much and take up less room in carry-on luggage. As to the subject matter, bring something interesting to keep you hooked, like a good mystery or thriller novel.

For people who love to read, taking along ebooks can work much better than physical books. Digital readers like the Amazon Kindle have revolutionized reading. All the books you could possibly want are stored on a device the size of a small paperback.

Solving Puzzles and Playing Games

You’re only as bored as you think you are. Bringing puzzles like Sudoku or crossword puzzles can help pass the time. While getting that engrossed for long periods of time is not a good idea underground, it works well in-flight. Aside from intellectually challenging puzzles like Sudoku, games such as Scrabble, chess, checkers and other entertaining diversions help relax and keep the mind free from stress.

Since these games are hard to play in their traditional forms, take along portable versions. Mattel makes a pocket Scrabble set with a magnetic board and pieces, lessening the chance of losing any. Drueke makes a portable magnetic chess set with very strong magnets. According to their advertising, you could turn the set upside down or even throw it without missing a move.

A company called Educational Insights makes a magnetic checkers game. The board folds in two like a book, and the pieces stay in their positions. These travel editions are great fun and conveniently portable.

Window Gazing

The most stunning part of the flight is always the view. From your vantage point, the world looks like a sea of blue and white. Beholding the cloud formations floating across a sea of blue can be very relaxing. A fun way to occupy the time is to try and see shapes in the clouds.

An ethereal landscape can be transformed into an imaginary playground filled with pirate ships, triangles, spacecraft and animals. Use your imagination to create a story about the cloud shapes. You might be more entertained than you ever thought.

Ireland

The person who loves breathtaking scenery, folklore, old castles, and a large selection of authentic and personable pubs will have a fantastic time exploring Ireland. Speckled with spectacular moors and beautiful bluffs, Ireland will thrill any person who loves the outdoors.

Florence, Italy

Anyone who appreciates art will have found a slice of sublime joy in Florence. Located in Italy’s Tuscany region and surrounded by Renaissance influence, Florence will take a traveler back in time to experience art at its best and a laid-back, casual environment.

Barcelona, Spain

The capital of Spain will please the senses of a traveler who enjoys ancient buildings and fine dining. Featuring cuisine at its best, Spain is filled with small, intimate bistros offering luscious wines and mouth-watering entrees. A fast-paced city along the Mediterranean coast, Barcelona is home to a wide variety of museums and historical landmarks.

Athens, Greece

One of the oldest cities in the world will appeal to the person who is intrigued and stimulated by history and amazing architecture. The Parthenon attracts millions of tourists each year who flock to see the historical monument.

Istanbul, Turkey

The hectic lifestyle in Istanbul will trigger and appease the senses of a traveler who loves to explore out-of-the-way shops and delightful hand-crafted goods. A mesh-pot of cultures provides a flair few other destinations can compete with.

South of France

Lazy rivers, quaint villas, amazing yachts, and divine food make the South of France a leading contender in Europe travel destinations. Intimate cafes and sprawling vineyards send Southern France to the top of vacation and holiday ideal trips.

Rome, Italy

Rome provides a holiday rich in site-seeing, history, and culture. Few other countries can compete with its historic and culinary appeal. The amazing Colosseum and the Vatican are at the top of the list for site-seers.

London, England

Strong in commerce and trade and filled with enjoyable pubs, London offers an eccentric array of nightlife and touring opportunities. Buckingham Palace and Piccadilly Circus offers top-notch tourism activities.

Berlin, Germany

Berlin is home to some of history’s heaviest times. Featuring WWII monuments and museums, Berlin will create unique chances for the history-lover to learn. The ruins of the Berlin Wall will also provide additional opportunities for the educational tour and exploration.

Sweden

Swedish spas and lush scenery combine to make this destination an extraordinary one. Filled with beautiful mountains, Sweden is a photographer’s dream.