After working hard all year, everyone looks forward to their holiday time and it is often anticipated for months prior to departure. To really add to the excitement it is now possible to create two breaks out of one with cruise and stay holidays.
The idea is a simple, and yet effective one, and can be as flexible as you want to make it.
What could be nicer than part of the time enjoying the luxury of a cruise whilst also having a traditional hotel holiday to look forward to? In addition, there is the added bonus that this style of holiday generally works out much cheaper than trying to arrange them separately.
For those unfamiliar with cruise holidays they are an ideal way to travel extensively through a region without having to constantly pack and unpack as you change location. There are so many available that you can choose an option that will take you to as many, or as few, islands, towns and countries as you like, with little effort on your part.
After a busy day sightseeing you can then relax and watch the constantly changing scenery as the ship moves onto the next destination. However, there are plenty of other activities available if you want to become involved. But if you want to just sit back and be entertained there are many first class shows, classical concerts, comedians etc. to help while away an evening, or just enjoy a delightful meal in one of the many excellent restaurants.
For the hotel based part of your trip, you can either opt to stay in a hotel at the beginning, or at the end of your cruise. Some people even decide to take a break at either end, especially when the cruise starts and finishes in very different locations. For those lucky people this then becomes a three part holiday.
To give you a little more insight into the benefits we can look at cruise and stay holidays in Egypt. No trip to Egypt is complete without a gentle and leisurely cruise down the world’s longest river, the Nile. This is an amazing river, which actually starts in Burundi, Africa before passing through Egypt and finally reaching the Mediterranean Sea some 6,695 Km later. Part of cruise and stay holidays on the Nile will take you through some incredible scenery and give you a real insight into the day to day life of Egyptians as you pass farms and small holdings that are scattered around the area. What better way to gain a real understanding of the area and knowledge of Egypt whilst enjoying the luxury of your ship. It is essential to remember to pack your camera as the chances of capturing a passing crocodile are high and it will certainly be a snapshot you want to show friends and family back at home.
Egypt also boasts numerous of fabulous hotels for the remainder of your holiday. Whether you want a beach based resort with time to visit the relics of the Pharaohs and enjoy the endless sunshine, or to really immerse yourself in the local culture and sample the amazing street life and numerous bazaars, there will be an option that meets your needs.
However, it should be remembered that the Mediterranean Sea is vast, covering an area of 2.5 million square kilometers. There are around 120 ports and each has its own unique feel and traditions.
An alternative destination, and certainly an area worth considering, are cruise and stay holidays in Greece. Here the options for variety are endless. There are so many islands, which can range from uninhabited ones such as Evia, right through to larger islands like Corfu and Crete.
The cruise stage of your holiday allows time to visit many of these beautiful islands and soak up some of the history and traditions that are numerous. Greece is known for its archaeology, which many say is unsurpassed, and there will certainly be plenty of opportunities to sample the ancient and the new. Some of the islands are completely unspoiled, even down to the lack of any motorized vehicles! This would therefore be the perfect time to try horse riding or get out your hiking boots to explore the area.
However, if peace and quiet is more to your liking the beaches are incredible and the perfect place to lay back and enjoy a good book. If you choose to cruise around the islands you really do get a sense of the ‘real Greece’, in all its forms, and once you reach the hotel stage of the trip you will have many happy memories to consider whilst you watch the sea rolling in. In short, cruise and stay holidays are the perfect way to combine extensive travel around the destination of your choice, with the bonus of a hotel based break at the beginning or the end.
