Cruise Resort & World Travel, Inc

Dubai, the Red Sea and Middle East

Nancy — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 13:56:36 +0000

I just returned from seeing the treasures of Jerash and Petra in Jordan and the pyramids and Valley of the Kings in Luxor, Egypt. I cruised down the Suez canal and the Red Sea from Athens to Dubai.Two weeks of amazing ports of call. The differences between Cairo and Dubai were astonishing. While Cairo and Jordan hold some of the world’s greatest treasures, Dubai is a newly built up country rich in oil with no poverty. Lunch at the Burj al Arab hotel, famous for it’s look like a sail (it actually is a ship on its side coming from the ground) offered the best views of the city and of the new “world creation” where they have made land formations of the globe out at sea. They have a mall with all the name brand high end stores and a giant ski slope inside, including ski lifts and a sledding run for kids. Surreal!

They are also building Dubailand which will be miles of theme parks from all over the world and will employ and house 2.5 million people. It is like a fairy tale land. We took a safari in the desert with a 4×4 and had dinner under the stars with the sand as our scenery. Quite cool, but the ride up and down the dunes did me in! Too fast and too much motion for me to enjoy dinner.

Most things are about 30% more expensive than in the US, except gold which is a bargain. They have a gold market that is a shopper’s paradise! A trip to this part of the world is an amazing experience.
Nancy Yale, Cruise Resort & World Travel 203 254-3339 www.bookavacation.com

Cruising the Blue Danube on a River boat

Nancy — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:50:12 +0000

We took a Viking River Cruise from Budapest to Nuremberg, Germany. What a wonderful way to see Europe. With only 140 guests on the river boat, we stopped at small towns in Austria and Germany along the way. Every port began with an informative walking tour including a major historical sight for a few hours. We were then given free time to walk around the town and explore on our own. It was a great way to enjoy small alleys and beautifully preserved medieval cities. One of the most interesting parts of this cruise was going through the many
locks (over 15) on the Danube.

While onboard, the cabins were comfortable and the staff pleasant and always able to assist with maps and directions in every city. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were included on the ship, but many times it was great sampling the local cuisine for lunch.

I am going to try other itineraries on this line such as the Russian River cruise on the Volga. That would be amazing as well. Experiencing the small towns on a river boat really gives you a flavor of the country you are visiting without the crowds of a large ship.

St. Bart’s; an Oasis in the Caribbean

Nancy — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 13:37:41 +0000

A short 15 minute flight from St. Maarten lies the French Island of St. Bart’s.
It has the best restaurants and standard of living of most of the islands in the Caribbean.
The hotels are small, charming,and elegant. Many of them on the beach; some perched on a cliff overlooking the sea with walking paths to a beach.I stayed at the Hotel St. Barth Isle de France and Hotel Le Toiny. I visited Manapany (a series of cottages on the beach), Hotel Guanahani (which is great for families) and the Eden Rock hotel. Any of these wonderful properties would complete a superb Caribbean holiday. Lodging rates vary depending on how luxurious the hotel.
The euro is the currenc of the island, so be prepared to spend some serious money on restaurants.The French eateries are similiar to a fine French restaurant in the states.
Renting a car is easy and is advisable. The shopping is great and the views are unmatched. There are also many villas to rent on the island from 5 bedrooms for a group of friends or family to a honeymoon hideaway for a couple. Most are hidden on a hillside with the best views in the Caribbean.

Geoff Thompson’s Hawaiian Experience

Nancy — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:46:16 +0000

Maui’s scenery and landscapes are superb. The island’s sunny western coast is lined with gorgeous white-sand beaches, and in winter one can see many humpback whales. You can explore jungles and waterfalls, windsurf with the pros or enjoy a drink at Lahaina’s historic taverns. Maui is known as the “Valley Island” because of its two large extinct volcanoes divided by a tropical central valley. It’s the second-largest of the Hawaiian Islands and the most developed of the Neighbor Islands. Its windsurfing and surf spots are some of the best in the world. Near the coast, daily temperatures average a high of about 83F and a low of around 68F. Winter is between December and March, when abut twice as much rain falls as in summer. A great way to see the majority of this island in one day would be to start at the top of Haleakala, the volcanic peak that gave rise to Maui. Watching dawn paint the sky in fiery hues as the world’s largest dormant volcano emerges into view is an awesome experience. For more survivable thrills, rent yourself a board and head to Kanaha Beach Park where steadfast winds whip windsurfers and kite boarders across the bay. Then mellow out with a stroll along Wailea Beach Walk, a jagged coastal path that’s one of the best places in Hawaii for spotting humpback whales. Top off the day with a sunset dinner at one of Lahaina’s famed waterfront restaurants – seared ahi (tuna), anyone? And if you’re up for a little club crawling, Lahaina offers a sizzling night scene.

Joan Martin’s Latest Travels

Nancy — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:41:46 +0000

I just returned from a trip to Milan and the Italian Lakes. Upon my arrival I was fortunate enough to stay at the Grand Hotel Villa D’Este on Lake Como. A boat ride around Lake Como revealed homes owned by George Clooney and Versace’s estate. We had lunch at a small island in the middle of Lake Como, that is only reachable by boat. We travelled by water taxi to the town of Como and the following day, travelled to the Swiss Lake side town of Lugano. We then went on to Milan, the fashion capital of Europe, where we visited the La Scala Opera House as well as the Last Supper. After this, we went on to Bergin, one of Italy’s most beautiful cities, where we stayed at the Villa Aminta on Lake Magiore.

Israel, the land of milk and honey turns 60

Nancy — Mon, 05 May 2008 14:10:59 +0000

What better time to visit Israel than to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the creation of this tiny state which has a rich history that can appeal to everyone. All we think about is what we hear on the news or read in the papers. Israel is a vibrant country where the people are happy and productive and very proud of their country. Tourism is booming and the sites and biblical history are well worth the long flight there.

My son is spending a semester of college abroad at the University in Jerusalem so I went for a week to visit him. We rented a car and traveled from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv and to the north. We stayed in wonderful hotels on the beach in Tel Aviv, visited Moshavs growing oranges and avocados and stayed in wonderful bed and breakfasts in those moshavs called “zimmers” from the German name for rooms. Most people speak English and we always felt safe. The young people all spend 2 years in the army after high school and before college and learn a lot about life and war before they are even 21. Their pride in their country is wonderful.

From Israel, visiting Turkey, Jordan and Egypt are easy add ons. Don’t forget this wonderful little country and all its jewels.

Turkey, still a great travel value

Nancy — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 17:50:54 +0000

I just spent 6 nights in Turkey, Istanbul and Cappadocia. It was wonderful and after not being there for about 10 years, I had forgotten how vibrant, safe and interesting a destination it is. Because it is not part of the Euro zone, it is less expensive than other EU destinations. They use the Turkish Lira, and that is a better exchange to the dollar than the Euro. It is certainly not as cheap as it was previously, but definitely exotic and affordable. Hot air ballooning was the highlight of our trip on Cappadocia with the natural rock formations dotting the sky. We stayed in a hotel built in Caves for which Cappadocia is famous for. Our Cave hotel was called the Museum Hotel which was full of antiques and every room was different in size and rooms. They are all built in caves where the village people used to live. Absolutely unique and worth the short 1 ½ hr. flight from Istanbul. The Turkish Bath, Grand Bazaar and Spice Market were highlights in Istanbul as were Topkapi Palace and the Blue Mosque. The food was very exotic with a mixture of Mediterranean flavors and wonderful spices. Nonstop flights from the US are available and I recommend it for families as a destination by itself or in combination with a Greek Isles cruise or another Mediterranean or European city.

How to get the best rates during school vacations

Nancy — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 18:40:53 +0000

Calling 3 weeks prior to when you want to travel is not the way to secure the best rates! The earlier your reserve a vacation, the better, especially for the air. If you can swim, drive or walk to your vacation, then time is not a problem in terms of price. Airfare to the Caribbean for this spring for last minute bookings is as much as $1300 per person for a coach seat! The hotel and resort rates remain the same, just availability may change. If you are willing to leave mid week during a holiday and returning on a Monday (taking the kids out of school for a day won’t delay their graduation),then you can find better rates. The trick is to book early, this should be easy because school vacation calendars are usually out the year prior, or at least in September. Don’t be behind the eight ball and call a couple of weeks before to then be surprised….. be prepared and organized so you can travel when and where you want.

Looking to vacation on a budget?

Nancy — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:08:25 +0000

If increases in gas prices and home heating costs have you wondering if you can afford to
go on vacation this year, rely on your travel agent to find the best value for your vacation dollars. We can find great rates on Caribbean, Mexico or S. America vacations and make the most of your hard earned vacation time. Want to get away with your family after school is out? How about $250 a night for an all inclusive resort for 2 people? Try South America where the US dollar can still afford one a great vacation. With the Euro and British pound at an all time high against the dollar, we have to find new destinations that we can enjoy without taking out a loan. You can search the net, however you will not get the best value as you will not have access to the best properties at the best rates. Every week,we get new specials from the suppliers who have excess rooms and want to promote their latest seasonal deals. Don’t think you can’t vacation if you don’t have an extra $10,000.00. Give us a call even if you only have $2,000.00! We’ll make it work for you.

Iceland, a hidden Gem in the North Atlantic.

Nancy — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 15:23:38 +0000

With only 300,000 inhabitants, Iceland has every activity imaginable. Iceland offers an array of
activities from riding the beautiful and infamous horses, to trekking across the glaciers or snowmobiling, ice fishing and even golfing. This country is a great travel destination for all types of vacationers. The history is alive with Viking stories and sagas about the elves and trolls, “little people”, as they are often referred to. The people are very warm and hospitable.

After the last 5 years of relatively no snow and warm winters, this winter has had it’s share. I think it has snowed daily on and off during my 6 day stay here. It is beautiful, but not any colder than the Northeastern US. Life goes on here as events and schools are not just canceled for reasons of a few inches of snow.

Swimming in one of their 300 outdoor swimming pools heated by geothermal waters generated by the natural hot springs while snow is falling on my head was definitely a highlight! Swimming is the most popular year round sport here as this is probably why Icelandics have a longer life expectancy than most other nations. The beautiful glacier lagoons, where the latest James Bond movie was filmed, the midnight sun in the summer, makes this one of my favorite active vacation destinations. Can’t wait to bring my family!