Breaking Blue : Helping you explore the world!

When you’re fretting over what to do for the next summer holiday, why not try taking a cruise holiday for a change. Many people who have never considered cruise holidays are very pleasantly surprised. After hearing tales of wall-to-wall entertainment they may have thought that a cruise holiday would be like an over-organised holiday camp, but they couldn’t be more wrong.

There is indeed a great deal of entertainment available aboard the modern cruise liners, but you don’t have to take an active part in any of it. There’s certainly no Hi-de-Hi wakeup call first thing in the morning, and there are no redcoats either. Everything is modern and geared towards satisfying your every whim.

Many cruise liners have restaurants designed by top chefs like Gary Rhodes, and the cuisine on offer is equal to that served up in the Savoy. Entertainment is there in many forms if you want to take advantage of it, and there are special kids’ activities to keep the young ones fully occupied.

A cruise liner is a vast, floating hotel, a safe and secure environment where the kids can get on with their thing whilst you take a welcome break and enjoy the bars, restaurants, bistros, cinemas and live entertainment on offer throughout the ship.

There’s nothing quite like a cruising holiday to unwind in style, being taken to different exotic locations every day and being attended to by a professional crew who place your enjoyment as their top priority.
 
Think about cruising next time you’re stuck for a holiday idea.  

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If you can’t find what you require in one of the many London markets then maybe the only other option is a shopping centre. There are so many shopping centres in London and the surrounding areas that it is easy to find any item you are looking for.

The Westfield shopping centre is the ultimate in luxury shopping. Not only does it have a vast array of shops and services, there are also many added extras that truly make this shopping centre special.  At The Westfield there are people to park your car for you, and if you need it, to carry your shopping. There are even personal shoppers available to help you find those perfect items. You can even book hotels in London at the Centre (or any destination required). All in all a shopping trip that is easy and very memorable.

The markets of Covent Garden should not be missed on any trip to London. Apple Market is popular for those looking to buy antiques, jewellery and clothing, while Jubilee Market offers arts and craft wares. Most people visit Covent Garden for the atmosphere, it is friendly and vibrant and a fun way to pass the time.

The Plaza on Oxford Street is more than just a shopping centre. It houses many shops but also has a gym for those needing to let off steam after a hard day at work. It is packed with restaurants and coffee houses and is a perfect place to shop and relax.

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Majorca has long been a popular destination for those who desire plenty of sun on their holiday. With its sandy beaches and busy nightlife Majorca draws huge crowds every year. Its many British themed bars and restaurants allow visitors to relax in familiar surroundings while experiencing the local cuisine and nightlife.

There are many holiday apartments and hotels to cater for the massive influx of tourists that Majorca receives every year, especially in the summer months.  However, if you prefer to stay outside the busy resort areas, there are plenty of villas in Majorca available for rent.  These are to be found away from the crowded areas and offer a quieter and generally inexpensive solution for those who dislike the evening disturbances often common in the main resorts.

Majorca has many attractions to visit such as the castle of El Diablo and the Coves del Drac (Dragon Caves).  The caves (can be very busy) are open all year round and you can explore them for a small entrance fee.  Your guide will explain the various stalactite formations and the tour will end with a violin concert on Lake Martel.  You can even take a boat ride on the lake during the concert.

To appreciate the real beauty of the island you must visit Puig de Galatzo.  Tourists can admire the panoramic view of Majorca from the highest peak in this area of natural beauty; from this vantage point the view is breathtaking and provides some great opportunities for photographs.

If you need to shop, then Majorca has plenty to offer, from large shopping precincts to local stores selling handmade goods.  If you are staying close by, in one of the self contained villas in Spain, then there are supermarkets full of fresh produce; cheese made from ewe’s milk, with honey and nuts, is highly recommended and is a local delicacy.

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Carnival Cruise Lines is one of the world’s most popular cruise providers. Carnival Cruise Lines have a fleet of 19 ships, all of which are family-friendly floating cities offering loads of activities to keep the kids happily occupied and plenty of entertainment for adults in the evenings.

The atmosphere on Carnival cruises is relaxed and informal, and there’s everything you could possibly want from a cruise holiday, with the added bonus of constantly changing views. Carnival cruises have spacious cabins for families, couples and singles alike, and there are child-friendly menus in all the restaurants as well as kids’ clubs and great excursions ashore. Or just stay on board and take advantage of the many facilities on offer.

Carnival cruises offer all the advantages of a traditional holiday, with lots of group activities thrown in as the vessel moves from one exotic destination to another. There are wine-tasting classes, trivia quizzes, and even volleyball and professional golf coaching to keep you stimulated and occupied.

With many bars, bistros, restaurants, stage shows and cinemas available across the decks, you’ll never be short of something to do, and late in the evenings with the kids safely wrapped up you can enjoy a bottle of wine on your own balcony and watch the world drift by.

The kids probably won’t want to come home after experiencing the rich variety of foods and entertainments available on a Carnival Cruise Lines break, and you’ll wonder why you’d never thought of cruise holidays before.

Try a Carnival cruise the next time you’re looking for a fun holiday.

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Every now and again we all feel like we just need to get away, and what better place to do it than London. Booking hotels in London is really easy; a simple search of the internet or browsing through Teletext pages can often yield good results.

It doesn’t even have to cost a lot of money. For those who live further away from the capital, booking train tickets in advance can often offer some massive discounts.

There are many London hotels to suit all budgets; the cheapest are not necessarily too far out of the city. There are some bargains to be found closer to the city centre, but these may take some time to find as London is one of the most popular city destinations in the world.

Booking into a London hotel that has breakfast and evening meal included also saves money as this means no additional food costs while out exploring, but it may mean being tied to certain mealtimes.

Many of the museums in London have free admission; this allows you to explore numerous venues, without spending any money. If you are physically able, walking from place to place instead of using public transport is another way to keep costs low.

There are so many London hotels that there is bound to be something to suit your budget and with some forethought and careful planning, you can ensure costs are kept to a minimum.

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So you want to expand your horizons and venture off to faraway places, or just new places, and you want to make it a memorable, enjoyable trip. One of the first things you consider is going to your local bookshop or Googling some guidebooks. Of course, this is the logical thing to do. The overwhelming amount of guidebooks available may shock you if you haven’t done much travelling before. Before you dive in to this task unprepared, there is an alternative holiday guide you should consider first…experience.

Talk to someone who has been there before; what better way is there to get a down-to-earth, reliable and easy-to-understand description of the place you want to go? Now the big catch, of course, is finding someone who has been to your planned destination. But if you talk with family, relatives, friends, and co-workers, you will be amazed at how many places people you know have been. Firsthand reviews from personal contacts can provide invaluable insights to a new destination. They may have found a restaurant that is off the beaten track or a local store with unbeatable prices.

If you really can’t find anyone who has been to your holiday destination, another option is to do an online search for blogs about your planned destination. These blogs usually contain firsthand experiences from travellers and many  supply the writer’s email. You can email the writer and ask any questions and indicate any concerns you may have; most writers are obliging and will possibly give you some great suggestions on what to do and see on your trip.

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If you’ve never been on a cruise holiday before then you don’t know what you’re missing. Cruise liners these days are like vast, floating hotels that use all their many modern resources to provide you with a brilliant holiday experience.

From the moment you step aboard you’ll have all your needs catered for, with a comprehensive range of entertainments and activities that you can take or leave as you desire. If you have kids, this will be a godsend, as there’ll be no need to find things for them to do. First thing in the morning they’ll be up and off, taking advantage of the many activities arranged for them and looked after so you’ll never have to worry about where they are or what they’re up to.

Teenagers, notoriously difficult to please, can make new friends at the discos and other venues, and you’ll be free at last to concentrate on what interests you the most.

Singles and couples also are well catered for on cruise ships, and indeed these floating hotels often attract those looking to meet someone special as well as having a good time.

There’s nothing better than being taken from one exotic port to another, with different experiences on hand every day, new places to explore, and in the meantime having all your needs catered for on board.

There are a great many cruise deals on offer, with all the main players in competition for your custom and wanting you to come back, so there’s never been a better time for looking into cruise holidays.

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According to Doyle’s stories, Holmes and Watson occupied rooms in a Victorian boarding house on Baker Street between 1881 and 1904.  The Sherlock Holmes Museum is housed in a structure built in 1815 and is protected by the British government due to its architectural and cultural significance.

The interior has been faithfully restored and maintained just as Doyle described it in his stories.

The first floor study overlooking the street sits at the top of a long flight of stairs.  Visitors can rest in Holmes’ armchair by the fireplace, pose for photos in his bedroom just off the study, or browse his personal possessions including his magnifying glass, pipe, deerstalker hat, violin, slippers, chemistry instruments, personal notebook, and many disguises.

Doctor Watson’s bedroom is located on the second floor and overlooks a small garden at the back of the house; Mrs. Hudson, the housekeeper, has her rooms at the front.  These rooms contain more of Holmes’ personal belongings and private papers, along with a variety of evidence from his various cases.  Doctor Watson’s hand-written diary contains passages sure to be familiar to readers of “The Hound of the Baskervilles.”

On the third floor, the museum has an extensive collection of wax figures representing scenes from several of Doyle’s stories.  The attic lumber room, where lodgers stored their trunks, is also open to visitors.

The museum shop on the ground floor sells a variety of unusual and interesting items. 

Located at 221b Baker Street, the Sherlock Holmes Museum is easily accessible from most hotels in London.  It’s open daily from 9:30am to 6pm.  Admission is £6 for adults and £4 for under-16s.

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New York is one of the most visited cities in the world, receiving over 45 million tourists every year. It has a wide range of popular attractions and there are a number of bus and boat tours available that allow visitors to explore the city. New York was also home to the World Trade Center, which was a prominent tourist destination before being destroyed on the 11th September 2001 in the terrorist attacks.

New York is home to the Empire State Building, a stunning skyscraper that is famous for its involvement in the 1933 movie “King Kong”. Tourists can view the breathtaking sights of the city from the tower on the structure’s popular motion simulator and enjoy a light snack or main meal in one of the building’s eateries, which includes a sushi bar, two main restaurants and three cafes.

In addition to its stunning architecture, New York also offers a variety of fascinating museums and theatres, making it an ideal holiday destination for those who love art, history and culture, and entertainment. The city also has a variety of attractions that are suitable for families, including the Botanical Garden and the Bronx Zoo. Times Square is also worth a visit, particularly during special events such as Christmas and New Year.

New York offers a thriving nightlife and has plenty of bars and restaurants to suit older tourists. Those looking for a family fun day out may wish to visit Six Flags, one of the world’s most popular amusement parks. 

Whether you are looking for a location that offers plenty of culture and history or for plenty of fascinating attractions, you are sure to find everything you need to make your stay in New York a memorable one.

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While the Mediterranean coastline has a reputation for over commercialism and package holidays, hiring a holiday villa in Spain’s interior will give you a totally different appreciation for the country and add to your holiday experience.

Many of the holiday homes in Spain come equipped with their own swimming pool and large gardens and there are always spectacular views of mountains, forests and hillsides. There is typically a local village nearby, where even the smallest will contain a tapas bar and grocery store where you can obtain all you need during your stay.

Holiday villas in Spain are quite often converted farmhouses or refurbished country houses. These have large rooms, with high ceilings and thick walls that help keep the hot Spanish sun at bay. Traditional heavy doors and shutters with oak beams provide visitors to these villas with a cosy ‘home away from home’ sensation unusual for holiday accommodation. They are always generously equipped with modern fittings and fixtures and all bedrooms tend to be on-suite with large communal, living rooms, normally with a stone fireplace at the centre.

Spain offers a host of interesting attractions to visit, Gaudi’s architecture in Barcelona is world famous, while the hill top Alhambra fortress in Granada is a must. Madrid is a cultural necessity for those who love to walk around museums and galleries, Dali and Picasso are both well represented here along with Goya, Velazquez and El Greco.

Visitors should try all the traditional Spanish cuisine; from the simple snacks on offer at tapas bars to paella. Spain is also famous for its excellent wines, especially a good bottle of Rioja.

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