Tips For Arrangement A European Cruise

Sailing on the high seas can be a truly exciting experience especially when you have so many different ships and itineraries to choose from. Traveling to Europe is even more exciting as it is not as common as cruising the Caribbean, and many people think of this as a trip of a lifetime. There are three main areas to consider when selecting your cruise. The Mediterranean which includes ports of calls such as Spain, France, Italy, Turkey, and Greece. Northern Europe which includes Britain, Scandinavia, the Baltic’s and Russia and a Transatlantic cruise which travels from Europe to the Americas.

Some may wonder where to start when thinking about taking a European cruise.

Travel agents are very helpful in assisting you when planning your vacation. There are many travel agencies who are very familiar with the wide array of cruising options available. If you decide not to use a travel agent, you can also book directly with the cruise line or through a reputable travel company over the internet.

Here are some ideas to consider when selecting your European cruise vacation:

1. Decide which length of cruise is for you by looking on the internet or through a brochure for your cruise options. You will find a great selection of cruise lines and itineraries ranging from 7 days to 16 days. Remember if you’re a first time cruiser then it’s best to choose a 7 day cruise just so you can get used to the idea of cruising. Nothing is worse than being on a 16 day transatlantic cruise with very few ports of call when you don’t have good sea legs.

2. Travel to Europe can be tiring and due to the different time zones and jet lag, you might want to take full advantage of your trip by staying a few extra days before or after your cruise. There will be many hotel options available to choose from. It will be far more economical for you to book and pay for your extra nights in your home country than to try and change your travel plans when you get there.

3. Establish what month you want to travel. Most if not all European cruises run from April to October. There is no specific month that can guarantee 100% perfect weather, but if you don’t like the heat then avoid the Mediterranean in the summertime as temperatures can reach as high as 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

4. Determine if you’re selecting a cruise for the ship or the itinerary. If you are a veteran cruiser then the ship could be the most important element, as you cherish the service and the amenities of the ship. If you are first time or limited cruiser then the itinerary will be most important. Select ports of calls that are of the most interest to you. Once you narrow down your top two itineraries then you can look at the ships that match them.

5. Research the cruise line and ships that you have selected. Determine if they cater to the type of cruising you would like to do. Are all of the amenities you want available on the ship you’re looking at? Since you are sailing the Mediterranean is it important to have a putting green or an ice skating rink on your ship? Also look at the size of the ships, they vary and although large ships offer more to do on board they can be intimidating and tiresome. Generally the smaller ships sail the Mediterranean more often than the larger ones, because the larger ships are still being used in the Caribbean during the same time period.

6. Research shore excursions. All cruise lines offer shore excursions at each port. When you travel so far it’s important that you research each location and review the highlights. You want to make the best of your trip to Europe. Spend the money on the excursions because with the limited time you have in each port, and the difficulty to get around, it would be too time consuming for you to try to tour on your own.

7. Ensure that you are aware of what you are booking. If you select “cruise only” that means you have to find your own air transportation and transfers to your port of embarkation. Most prices shown in the brochure and on the internet are listed as cruise only prices. In all cases adding airfare to Europe can change the cost of your trip significantly. Therefore think carefully when you decide which port of embarkation you want to use. Does it cost more or less to fly into Spain, England, or Italy. Keep in mind that if there is a flight delay on the airline you have selected and you miss your cruise, you or your travel agent are responsible to get you to the next port of call or you will have to forfeit your trip.

8. If you select the “air sea program” with the cruise line it means that they will provide transportation and transfers for you. The bonus to this is if the flights they select are delayed they will find a way to connect you with the cruise. The disadvantage could be that they will not always select non-stop flights. You may have to travel via one or two other countries before you arrive at your final destination.

9. When selecting cruise ports keep in mind that on most European cruises the time spent in the ports of call are can be short. Therefore you need to carefully choose your options prior to leaving the ship to tour. Visiting historic sites and architecture are the highlights of a European cruise. There is also a lot of walking involved, be prepared for this. Pack good walking or running shoes in your luggage so you are ready to tour well in advance.

10. Passports are required for all European cruises for Canadian and U.S citizens. There are however some locations such as Russia where visa’s will also be required. Clarify this information with the cruise line or with your travel agent way in advance.

11. Currency what do you bring on your cruise? It is suggested that you change your money into Euro’s when you take a european cruise. All on board purchases and room charges will be paid for or charged to your account in Euro’s.

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Fuengirola’s History

If you are considering renting a holiday villa or apartment in Spain this year why not visit the ever popular Costa Del Sol and rent one of the many apartments in Calahonda. You do not need to drive too far from the airport, one of our favourite spots is Calahonda which is only 25 minutes from Malaga Airport. Not sure where to stay? We highly recommend visiting Las Palmeras de Calahonda. Set high on a hill the luxurious apartment complex has stunning views of the countryside down to the Meritterraneon Sea.

There is plenty to do and see in the area and as an example Calahonda is only minutes away from Fuengirola. For those interested in history Fuengirola is packed full of it. Fuengirola is a major tourist resort, with more than 8km of beaches, and has its own medieval Moorish fortress, now known as Sohail Castle. Entrance to the Castle costs 3 Euros, the price also includes entrance to 2 museums.

The castle contains remains of an early Ibero-punic or Phoenician settlement, later used by the Romans. Indeed in 1961 Roman baths were discovered, close by, the remains of a Roman villa containing two sculptures, one is known as “Venus of Fuengirola”

Over centuries the settlement changed from Suel to Suhayl, which became the name of the castle and surroundings during the Moorish era. Suhayl transformed into a fairly large settlement, which included farmland and small villages. Most of the surrounding area seems to have been used as pasture for the Moorish rulers’ camels.

In the early Middle Ages the town was set on fire and its inhabitants fled to Mijas. Suhayl became a mound of ruins, and even its name was altered to the Romanised Font-Jirola, after the spring arising at the foot of the castle, according to historian Alonso de Palencia..

In the 17th century, a new urban settlement developed, once the threat from Turkish and
Moroccan pirates disappeared, and at the beginning of the 18th century, an inn was opened near the beach, offering accommodation to travellers, muleteers and seafarers. A few huts were built nearby, forming a small village.

The Battle of Fuengirola took place in the area during the Peninsular War, on October 15, 1810, when approximately 200 Polish soldiers of the Duchy of Warsaw overcame a mixed British-Spanish force numbering some 3,000 soldiers under Lord Blayney.

In May 1841, Fuengirola was administratively detached from Mijas; at the time its inhabitants were mainly engaged in fishing, agriculture and trading with ships that dropped anchor in the bay. For over a century, fishing and agriculture remained the main activities.

Interested in history? Stay at one of the many Calahonda apartments and visit the famous castle of Feungirola.

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Fleming Island – An Excellent Place To Live And A Great Vacation Spot!

My family moved from Maryland to the Jacksonville, Florida area approximately 6 years ago due to an employment change. Jacksonville itself, due to its acreage, is one of the largest cities in the world. Needless to say our search for a home covered a large area with many options. We were looking for a place where our 4 year old could grow, in an established neighborhood, with kid’s her age, and be able to attend an excellent rated school close by. In addition we were looking for an area with amenities and activities that would provide a vacation type life style with many things to do. We found this type of atmosphere on Fleming Island.

Fleming Island is located just outside of Jacksonville, Florida. There are times where I think I would never need to leave the island, other than to go to work, because of all of the conveniences and things to do. There are a wide variety of retail stores, services, and restaurants located throughout the island, along with various neighborhoods and activities. Retail stores include department stores such as Target, Stein Mart, Kohl’s, and Wal-Mart. Food stores on the island include two Publix and a Winn Dixie. There are also a variety of restaurants, services, and specialty type stores as well. As far as activities, they are endless, and include Golf, Tennis, Cycling, Boating, Fishing, Camping, and the list goes on.

Water around the island includes Doctors Lake, Black Creek, Swimming Pen Creek, and the St. Johns River. Doctors Lake provides an excellent place for swimming, and boating activities, such as skiing or fishing, as does Black Creek. Doctors Lake is approximately 13 square miles and Black Creek winds through many miles of back Florida nature. The St. Johns River is one of two rivers in the world that flows north. You can travel from Fleming Island via boat north, up through Jacksonville, all the way to the Atlantic Ocean with excellent fishing along the way.

The surrounding Jacksonville area, if you choose to leave the island, also provides many things to see, places to go, and things to do.

Jacksonville has become known a Florida’s First Coast, and more recently “Where Florida Begins”. Unlike most of Florida the many miles of “First Coast” beaches are unspoiled and unfenced. The variety of beaches offer many vacation resort type amenities as well as more remote beach experiences where you can drive your car, or SUV, onto the beach, pull out your beach chairs, and fishing rods, and just relax.

The hub of Jacksonville’s growing entertainment district in the Downtown area, The Jacksonville Landing, is a cool place to dine and shop on the St. Johns River. From North Florida and around the United States, millions of people enjoy the Jacksonville Landing’s festive mix of shops, restaurants and eateries and its hundreds of entertainment events annually.

The Jacksonville Zoo is also located just north of downtown Jacksonville and is a natural wonderland growing and changing daily, with more than 1,000 rare and exotic creatures. Covering about 70 acres along the St. Johns River, the zoo has the only walking safari in Northeast Florida.

Jacksonville is also home to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jacksonville Municipal Stadium is the centerpiece of the city’s sports complex. In February 2005, the stadium played host to Super Bowl XXXIX. The stadium is also the site of two annual college football events — the Gator Bowl Classic and the annual Southeastern Conference matchup of Florida and Georgia. Occasional concerts and other special events are also held at the stadium.

The Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville, home of the Jacksonville Suns, and The Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena are also located in the Sports Complex.

Just to the north of the city you will find a popular tourist vacation destination called Amelia Island Plantation and just to the southeast lays the tourist/vacation destination of St. Augustine.
Additional information associated with Fleming Island and the Jacksonville area can be found at

http://flemingislandonline.net

Fleming Island and Fleming Island Restaurants

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