Basic Descriptions About Riverboat Cruises That Can Be Found In Italy

Tours by boat are generally available throughout Italy, from the popular canals of Venice to the less known La Spezia area located in the north-east of Italy. Taking a boat will provide a beautiful and different experience from driving, and a few Italian vacation destinations will be accessible only by water, like island caves from the Ligurian Sea. Depending on your schedule, you will be able to find various boat tours which may last only a few hours to even more than seven days.

Liguria

The La Spezia's province on the Ligurian Sea will feature beautiful coves as well as cliffs, woodland or beaches. Try and get a closer look of this wonderful landscape on a 5-hour boat trip by Consorzio Barcaioli Protovenere. You may also travel by motorboat to the islands of Tino, Tinetto or Palmaria. Various highlights will include the dramatic cliffs of Palmaria as well as portoro marble quarries, and World War II fortifications or Tino's lighthouse.

Venice

Venice is famous for its romantic gondola tours on its beautiful canals, and it will include boat tours by motorized water taxi. Discover what Venice has to offer by taking a 4-hour boat tour in the northern lagoon which will include the islands of Burano, Torcello or Murano. This last island is very popular for its glass blowing, and tour passengers may visit the local glass museum and the Church of Santa Maria e San Donato as well, with its twelve-century mosaics. Torcello is popular for its medieval Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, and Burano's streets will be lined with picturesque houses.

Amalfi Coast

Take a relaxation sail tour to the south-west part of Italy on a 8-day trip with Italy Bike & Boat. The first 2 days will include a visit to Sorrento as well as a bike ride to Pompeii, which will be followed by a quick tour of the Amalfi Coast. Other various highlights will also include the islands of Procida, where you may take a waiting tour, and Ischia, where you may bicycle through small Italian villages. The final stop is Naples, with its combination of historic architecture, modern shopping gallerias and bustling streets.

Cilento Coast

Italy Bike the Acciaroli's fishing village which has been visited by Ernest Hemingway; the beautiful port town of Maratea; and Palinuro with its natural caves close to the water. Meals on this boat tour will be featuring the cuisine of seaside communities along the way.

If you want more related information, you can read at Best Cruise Line For Kids and also see more reviews at Best Cruise Line For Families.

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Cruises From the Italian Port of Genoa

Port Location: Genoa - one of the three cities that makes up the industrial triangle in Northern Italy with Turin and Milan - is located on the north-west coast of the country. Indeed, it acts to service the most northerly parts of Italy in the same way the Rome does to the central regions.

Transport: When you get to the city, for cruises from Genoa, you will find that the transportation network is fairly easy to navigate and use. In fact, the main train station for the city - the Stazione Principe - is located a short distance from the port itself and serves the whole city as well as destinations further afield. Ask your cruise liner about a shuttle service and be warned that getting a taxi can be rather difficult from the port due to passenger congestion however it will cost less than 20 Euro's to get to the city centre.

Description: Cruises from Genoa will depart from the port located in the west of the city and an estimated 58 million tonne's annually pass through the busy system. Indeed, it is a massive complex that spans some 20 kilometers up the coast and over 4 millions passengers pass through its waters every year.

Sightseeing and Excursions: Genoa is sometimes overlooked as a tourist destination in favor of more popular locations such as Rome and Milan. However, cruises from Genoa allow visitors to see some truly brilliant sights. The San Lorenzo Cathedral is a 13th century building that boasts a black and white marble facade while the Aquarium in the city is the 2nd largest in the whole of Europe.

The Old Town is a beautiful rustic feel to it however it can be easy to get lost in the many narrow passages and streets and The Renaissance and Baroque Rolli Palaces are now UNESCO World Heritage Site's and date as far back as the 16th century.

Beaches: Genoa is not a natural beach city however it does feature some decent beaches including the Bagni Maddalena however your best bet is to travel up the coast to the likes of Camogli or Rapollo and they can be reached easily by train.

Shopping: Again, the city is not renowned for its shopping experiences however that does not mean that there isn't any shopping to be done and Genoa is considered by some to be the best shopping city in the Liguria region. It is famous for its specialty goods including silvers and ceramic pottery and these types of items can be found on the Via Soziglia. Like any Italian city it features some designer and high end boutiques (although not as frequent as Rome or Milan) and they can be located on the Via Luccoli and Via XX Settembre.

Alicia writes for Cruise Holidays Guide, an online cruise holidays resource with news, videos and articles including All Inclusive Cruises.

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Cruises From the Port of Barcelona

Port Location: The Port of Barcelona is found on Spain's Mediterranean coast in the North East of the country. Indeed, there are actually 7 cruise terminals available for cruises from Barcelona, however they are all fairly close together and transport to each port and from each port to the city centre is readily available and frequent.

Transport: Walking from the port to the centre of the city isn't really recommended as you have about a 2.5km journey; however transport services in the form of buses and taxies are easily accessible. The cruise shuttle bus can get you straight to the Columbus Monument - a couple of minutes walk from La Rambla or you can jump in a taxi. A cab will normally take about 10 minutes to get to the city centre at a cost of 8.00 Euro's.

Description: Giving you a gateway into Catalonian culture and heritage, the port of Barcelona is situated just outside of the city centre. Indeed, the port itself houses the Maremagnum, a large shopping mall with nightlife as well as a multiplex cinema and Europe's largest aquarium - so you can still enjoy the city without venturing into the centre.

Sightseeing and Excursions: One of the most attractive things about cruises from Barcelona is the vast array of culture and history that can be soaked up from sightseeing and excursions. Witnessing the architecture of Antoni Gaudí is a must for any visitor to the city - la Sagrada Família especially - as is the old Gothic Quarter of the city. A trip to the Camp Nou - home of FC Barcelona - is also highly recommended for anyone even remotely interested in football.

Beyond the city and an excursion to Sitges will give you an experience of the wealthy inhabitants of Catalonia with its combination of affluent elegance and the white quaintness of the old town. Indeed, an tour to Montserrat - which houses the Black Madonna (a statue of the Virgin Mary reportedly brought to Spain around 50 AD) - is always recommended for its cultural and religious significance.

Beaches: The nearest beach to the port of Barcelona is the Nova Icaria which is located just east of the port.

Shopping: Cruises from Barcelona give you the chance to experience some excellent shopping facilities. The La Rambla offers one of the most extensive and fashionable shopping districts in Europe with all the top designer brands as well as a few local ones present. Beyond this, the districts of Passeig de Gracia and the Bulevard Rosa also offer a broad and widespread range of shops and malls with a variety of outlets.

Alicia writes for http://www.cruiseholidaysguide.com/ an online resource with news, videos and articles including Mediterranean cruises.

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5 Top Destinations For Luxury Short Break Cruises

If you are looking to experience a short cruise in style, here is a list of ideas for luxury breaks which are sure to appeal to those with a taste for exploring the world in real comfort. So why not read on, to see if any of these take your fancy.

A roundtrip to Nice in France is a great way to enjoy several of Europe's most beautiful sights. Many cruises make day stops in Corsica, as well as the Isle of Elba and Portovenere in Italy. Fine architecture, fascinating medieval towns and a stunning landscape all feature on this trip.
A trip starting from Egypt's Suez will also be one that you are sure never to forget. After enjoying the comfort of your cruise, you will be able to take in a number of the country's famous highlights, including the pyramids, and a unique opportunity to visit Cairo's Tahrir Square. This cruise could also take you to stops in the beautiful Greek island Santorini, and the ancient town of Itea.
There are also many opportunities to take short breaks in which you can see several different European cities in one trip. You could, for example, embark on a cruise that in less than a week will take you through Amsterdam, Hamburg and Copenhagen.
Taking a cruise through Norway will allow you to experience this beautiful country at a relaxed pace. You get the chance to see the Northern Lights at Batsfjord or Hammerfest, enjoy the incredible hilltop views from Alesund and explore the vibrant yet quaint city of Bergen. There are many cruises available through Norway, each offering a different way to see one of Europe's best destinations.
With a short trip from Athens to Malta, you can experience Greece's - and perhaps Europe's - most architecturally important city, before moving on to Valletta, Malta's beautiful capital. Whilst making your stops, you will get the unique opportunity to see the Acropolis, the legendary Kerameikos Cemetery and be able to relax with a full body scrub in the luxurious Hammam baths.

There are literally hundreds of luxury cruises to choose from, which take in all manner of different destinations. Regardless of where you sail to, however, getting there in comfort is just as important. With a luxury cruise, you will be able to enjoy a short getaway that will prove the perfect opportunity to relax on your way to visiting some of the continent's most amazing cultural and beauty highlights.

This article was written by Thom Sanders, on behalf of City Break Cruises, who offer a great selection of Cruises from Southampton including a range of Luxury short breaks.

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Cruises From the Port of Newcastle

Port Location: The port of Newcastle, also known as the Port of Tyne, is the only cruise port on the eastern side of the UK and is situated between Harwich and Leih on the River Tyne. The port area is in North Shields.

Transport: Newcastle International Airport is about 9.7 kilometres from the Port of Newcastle. The city's Metro runs from the airport to many parts of the city. Taxis and bus routes can get you anywhere you want to go in Newcastle, including the port. Large parts of the city of Newcastle are generally free of a lot of traffic, making it easy to explore on foot.

Description: The Port of Newcastle is considered to be the gateway to Northumbria. This is England's most northern region and is know for the dramatic coastline and its many castles. Cruises from Newcastle are a great way to experience some the most beautiful views in England and appreciate the history of Northern England.

Sightseeing and Excursions: Before and after cruises from Newcastle you can find plenty to do to keep you busy. Probably one of the most popular areas in Newcastle is the renewed downtown Quayside area. Set right along the banks of the River Tyne, this area is full of restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. The beautiful backdrop of Quayside is made up of seven picturesque bridges that date from 1849. Probably the one that stands out the most is the Tyne Bridge.

In the North Shields area of the port is the Tynemouth Priory. This was at one time one of the biggest fortifications in the United Kingdom with battlements extending over the beaches to the North Sea.

There are excursions that offer tours to places like historic Durham. This tour includes a visit to a Norman castle and cathedral in ancient Durham. Another excursion is perfect for lovers of art. It goes to the Bowes Museum that has one of the most expansive collections of fine art found anywhere.

Beaches: If you want to experience the beaches here before departing on cruises from Newcastle, a short Metro ride or drive can get you from the Port of Newcastle to Whitley Bay, an old-fashioned English seaside resort. Only 20 minutes from the city you can find Tynemouth Long Sands, a golden beach with the cliffs as a backdrop. This beach is famous for surfing.

Shopping: There are plenty of large shopping centres in Newcastle. One of the biggest in the UK is the Eldon Square Shopping Centre. Besides the mall, there is more eclectic shopping opportunist down the many side streets in the area. The busiest street for shopping is Northumberland Street. The Newcastle side of Quayside also includes an array of interesting shops.

Alicia writes for http://www.cruiseholidaysguide.com/ an online resource with news, videos and articles including cruise travel insurance.

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Discover the Mediterranean Cruises

One could explore the older civilizations in Greece and Turkey, visit the Holy Land, and be drunk in the coastal splendor of Spain, Italy and France. There are a few less famed destinations for cruises in the Mediterranean region like Bulgaria and Croatia. Everyday one wakes up to find a new place with new sites to watch. There are a lot of ports from which one could opt to begin the Mediterranean cruises and also port of call all through the cruise. There are plenty of cruises that begin from Athens and sail around the islands of Greece. On the other hand the smaller luxury ships could stay in the islands or with bigger ships the cruise could also include larger ports in places like the Rome.

The port of Civitavecchia and Rome are the popular places to start a cruise. Enjoy in Rome for a day or two and later take the 1 hour bus trip to the port to start the cruise. Almost all the major cruise lines operate in and out of Rome for the Mediterranean. The cruises of Venice also go about every place in the Mediterranean and give one the chance to cruise through Giudecca Canal. This is believed to be one among the best incidence of cruising. About a million people start their cruises in Barcelona every year and enjoy the shopping, food architecture and night life of Barcelona before leaving for the Mediterranean.

The possible excursions while in Port and the Ports of call while on the Mediterranean cruises includes places like Cadiz, Seville and Spain. The Southern Spain's cultural capital is one more must see tourist place. The colorful streets, architecture and inspiring display of landmarks would certainly make a long-lasting impression. Athens in Greece is gateway to very ancient sites like the Acropolis and Hadrian's Arch. Istanbul in Turkey has its own lengthy history. It has been known as Constantinople and Byzantium. Vacations here could help one in viewing things like the amazing Blue Mosque and the Topkapi Palace where the Ottoman Turks resided.

Dubrovnik in Croatia is a World Heritage site and is partially surrounded by ancient walls. A probable shore outing will include a visit to the country side of Croatia and tour of the city. A majority cruise lines offer Mediterranean cruises, they include MSC cruises, Carnival, Holland America, Princess, Celebrity, Cunard, Crystal and many others. The Windstar Cruises presents cruises to the islands of Greek on tall-masted ships that can transport only three hundred passengers. It wouldn't matter which cruise line one would choose as long as the destinations are interesting as they are on these cruises. Therefore, every individual has to go on a Mediterranean cruise to live a full life.

Art Sarkissof
http://seatourism.net/ - Your ultimate guide to Sea Adventure!

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Several Tips Regarding Around The World Cruises

Although an around the world cruise could cost you more than $100,000, you will be able to move into your cabin and use it as a home base instead of dealing with busy air terminals, flight delays, luggage restrictions and other travel concerns which can ruin a holiday. Here is a step-by-step instruction in around the world cruises:

Decide exactly what cruise trip you want to have - Even world cruises won't get you to every possible destination, so you will need to evaluate many in order to select the stopovers you most would like to go to. You must also take into consideration the departure location. Call early in order to book your passage - You are not going to be able to get special discounts by waiting around up until the very last minute, when the cruise line drops the price in order to fill vacant cabins. However, you may see some discount for making your reservation in advance.

Acquire insurance to recover your losses in the event something happens and you are not able to make your cruise trip - You may not get most of what you paid for given back to you, so you'll have to obtain trip insurance. You should also look at your medical insurance plan and acquire extra insurance to cover you while you're on your cruise. Do your research before packing - Although you might leave Florida in warm, sunny weather, the ports of call you might go to could be having cold or wet weather. Make sure to bring warm clothing, overcoats as well as rain gear. This is especially essential if you happen to be traveling to the Southern Hemisphere, where the seasons are reversed.

The traditions in a few places may dictate just what outfits you could don. Some might not permit donning shorts in public places, while others have laws prohibiting particular items of dress, especially for females. Don't discover too late that you must remain on board because you do not have suitable clothing. The majority of cruise ships have formal dinners which require evening gowns as well as tuxedos. There may be other events at which certain dress is necessary.

When selecting which around the world cruise to have, compare the duration of the cruise to the number of stopovers. If the cruise is one hundred days and you merely visit 50 stopovers, then you'll waste 50 days on the cruise ship with nothing to observe but water. A shorter cruise might be a far better deal since the ship is a lot faster and so will spend less time on the open sea. Take into consideration getting an international cell phone plan if staying in touch with friends as well as loved ones back home is essential. You can bring your laptop on the cruise and make phone calls online after you get back to the ship. Remember that there are a lot of things you'll have to pay for aside from your passage. You will need to pay for your own beverages, sightseeing tours as well as tips to ship's staff, among other things.

Around The World Cruises from different cruise lines have their own specific style and can offer features that are unique to them. Whatever criteria exist, how you choose your Around The World Cruise means making decisions that will provide you with your vacation of a lifetime.

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UK Cruises Set to Keep Growing in Popularity

UK cruise departures saw an increase of 10 percent in 2010 - and are set to grow even more in popularity. In fact, it's been predicted that 2012 is going to be the best year yet, as more and more people choose to sail from the convenience and ease of a UK cruise port.

According to the Passenger Shipping Association (PSA), a staggering 835,000 people will set sail from a UK port in 2012. This makes an increase of an impressive 28 per cent - and that's just over the last two years! And, if this increase wasn't enough, it's thought that UK cruises' popularity is set to grow even more.

With 20 departure ports in the United Kingdom, cruise popularity certainly comes as no surprise. Rather than catching a ship abroad, you simply sail directly from the UK - no airport involved. There's none of that hassle of having to lug heavy luggage around, no worry that your flight might be cancelled or delayed nor is there the threat of the airline deciding to go on strike. Sailing to destinations like Russia, Scandinavia, the Norwegian Fjords, Iceland, the Mediterranean, America, Ireland and the coast of Britain, cruising from the UK offers a smooth sailing experience from start to finish.

The major cruise lines are well aware of the demand for UK cruises - and with many having launched large ships in the UK in the last few years; they all want a slice of this flourishing market. In April 2010, P&O launched the Azura - which has a guest capacity of 3,000 - in Southampton, the UK's largest cruise port. Cunard's Queen Elizabeth and Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Eclipse are also based in Southampton. Dover, the UK's second largest cruise port, has its fair share of cruise liners too, including Fred Olsen's Black Watch, Holland America's Eurodam and Saga's Saga pearl II.

The Cruise lines are more than confident that this popularity in UK departures will continue for the foreseeable future, with even more cruise ships set to be launched over the next couple of years. P&O Cruises will be launching the 3,611-passenger vessel - the largest in their fleet - from the UK in early 2012. The future's looking very bright indeed for UK cruises.

As well as sailings from the UK being sought after, cruises in general are a popular holiday choice with many. With all-inclusive fees, accommodation, entertainment and food all thrown in, a cruise holiday really does offer value for money. And, not forgetting the main selling point, the fact that you get to see a number of different places and attractions - all in one single trip. That's another great thing about UK cruises; you get to visit incredible destinations around the world - without the need to fly. It's an adventure of a lifetime - made easy.

With a great choice of ships and a selection of delightful destinations, is there any longer such a need to sail from anywhere else?

Find an amazing selection of UK Cruises and holidays at http://uk.cruises.com/.

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Best Time and Place to Find Those All Important Cheap Cruises?

Many people will still argue that cruising is not cheap and looking at the upfront price of a cruise they would be correct. However when you add up what's included in the price, the exceptional value of cruising then comes to the fore. With the boom in the cruise market the product does seem to be speaking for itself.

So the main and important question is where are the best places to get these all important cruise deals and the best time of year? The cruise industry has two main sales dates. The first is just after the New Year and this period is called WAVE. All of the cruise lines like car dealers offer discounts and incentives for you to purchase their goods. These incentives could include, FREE Upgrades, onboard spend, Car Parking and some cruise lines will even offer free children's places. During Wave period the cruise lines will go all out to get your business with multimillion dollar advertising in National papers, online and now some of the big players such as P&O and Royal Caribbean are advertising on TV.

The other big time to get the best prices is when their new season is launched. Cruise lines like to get beds sold early and like the WAVE period they will offer incentives to encourage you to book often up to two years in advance. Some of the cruise lines also say launch prices are the best prices that you will ever pay for this cruise. Invariably this is correct apart from when they have sailings that are not selling very well. If these are not selling on the required weekly rate to fill the ships the cruise lines will then put these cruises into what they call the late market. Here the prices will be reduced but the customer will not know their cabin number and could be situated anywhere on the ship.

Late markets normally come out 12 weeks before departure and if you are not fussy when and where you go this is when the best time is to bag yourself a bargain.

So where do you find these late deals? Searching around the internet is always a good place to start but some of these deals are exclusive so you won't often find the website where they are being advertised. Many of the best deals end up on Travel zoo which is a website aggregator and checks the validity of the deal to make certain it is the best in the market.

Adore Cruises are specialists in sourcing Cheap Cruises and finding the best cruise deals. ABTA and ATOL Bonded.

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Cruises From Alicante Port

Port Location: The port of Alicante lies in the east of Spain just south of Valencia. Indeed, the port itself suffered during the turbulent 1980'sand lost much of its commercial business to the port of Valenica however it still holds importance to Madrid being the closest port to the capital and is heavily connect by rail, road and air to the city. Alicante's port is situated in the center of the city - near the Paseo de Canalejas and nearly 1500 vessels pass through it every year.

Transport: Transport from the port to the city is simple enough and an efficient tram service is available - Puerta del Mar is the port stop and it takes you to Sangueta where you can connect to anywhere in the city. Also there is the usual abundance of taxis however with cruises from Alicante your cruise line should provide transport to any of the sights and tourist attractions.

Description: The port itself is full of life and vibrancy. There are many modern and stylish café's and bars lining the marina and El Puerto Complex is home to several traditional Spanish seafood restaurants meaning that you don't have to venture all the way into the centre of town to experience traditional Spanish cuisine.

Sightseeing and Excursions: Cruises from Alicante benefit from having many great sightseeing and excursion opportunities. The Turibus stops at all the popular tourist sites and you can just hop on and off as you please.

The pick of the bunch has to be the impressive and imposing Santa Barbara Castle that sits overlooking the city. Built in the 10th century by The Moors it offers a rare glimpse into Spain's troubled and fascinating past. Furthermore, there are several museums present in the city that showcase both its enthralling history - the Bullfighting Museum - and its stylish modernism - the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Beaches: The closest beach to the port of Alicante is the Playa de Tabarca although the Playa de San Juan and the Playa del Postiquet are close by.

Shopping: While Alicante isn't world renowned for its shopping facilities it does offer an extensive range of both local and modern outlets. The Avenida Maisonnave and Rambla de Mendez are the places to go for fashion and designer boutiques while the daily market on the Explanada offers the chance to view and purchase some local goods such as handicrafts, ceramic's and pottery.

Written for http://www.cruiseholidaysguide.com/ an online resource with news, videos and articles including Mediterranean cruises.

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