Mediterranean and Caribbean cruises
sergiy
April 13, 2022
about cruises in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean with a child
You can see the prices and rating of cruises on the website cruisecritic .
Wednesday, April 13, 2022
Tuesday, April 12, 2022
cruise time
sergiy
April 12, 2022
Traveling on cruise ships every year is becoming more and more popular not only all over the world, but also in Ukraine. Cruise companies offer more and more interesting routes. But like any tourist product, cruises have their own seasonality. So, we propose today to determine the best time for a sea voyage. To do this, it is important to know the sailing region, because each of them has a high season and low dates when liners are not represented in the region, due to the change of seasons they change the sailing region. Also, the best time for a cruise is determined by the climate of a particular region, the likelihood of storms, excursion opportunities. 
The best time to sail on the French Riviera The Côte d'Azur has a typical Mediterranean climate. The high season lasts from late April to early October. Summer here is hot and dry, the maximum temperature (+35°C) is observed in July and August. Winds in the French Riviera during the summer are usually weak. However, sometimes, for 1-2 days, a strong northwestern mistral blows.
Yacht routes in Italy may include the Amalfi Coast, Naples, Portofino, Sardinia, Capri, Sicily, Venice, the Tuscan archipelago. During the trip you will enjoy the crystal clear sea and the untouched landscapes of the Aeolian Islands, the rocky coasts of the Gulf of Naples, the emerald green of the Costa Smeralda.The best time for yacht tours in Italy Continental, alpine, oceanic and Mediterranean climates merge in this region, creating favorable conditions for sea voyages. The best time for a yachting holiday in Italy is from June to early September. The maximum air temperature in the high season reaches +31°C, and water - +26°C.
Sea cruises are an unforgettable experience, a white liner, comfort and the opportunity to visit several countries in a short period of time. Modern liners are five-star hotels on the water, on board of which you will plunge into the atmosphere of excellent service, high-class cuisine, various entertainments, while being close to the mighty sea element. Cruises are a very profitable type of vacation, they are organized according to the "All Inclusive" system, which means that meals and entertainment on board (excluding alcoholic drinks and procedures in the SPA complex) are included in the tour price.
The Mediterranean is one of the most popular destinations for summer holidays. Greece, Italy, Turkey, French Riviera, Monaco, Spain - all these countries have access to the Mediterranean Sea. It is here that a huge number of marinas are concentrated. The yachting infrastructure in Europe is second to none. Therefore, if you crave new experiences, be sure to take a trip on a yacht in the Mediterranean. This area covers a large number of countries, cultures and landscapes. You can rent a yacht with a professional skipper or buy a ready-made tour - it all depends on your capabilities and preferences. Bohemian French Riviera
Azure water, stunning architecture and luxurious villas on the coast - all this is about the French Riviera. Here are the real pearls for a holiday on a yacht: Saint-Tropez, Cannes, Nice, Antibes. These cities are associated with luxury, pleasure and exclusivity. Traveling through the sea is the best way to enjoy the picturesque landscapes and the wide range of entertainment on offer.
The landscape of the Côte d'Azur consists of many bays where you can anchor. In these places, unique islands with almost untouched nature have been preserved. One of the largest and most beautiful is the Ile de Porquerolles.
Colorful routes of Italy
Italy is a fabulous Mediterranean state with a rich history, culture, stunning nature and hot temperament. The country is located on the Apennine Peninsula, and its coastline goes directly to four seas: the Adriatic, Tyrrhenian, Ionian and Ligurian, which are part of the Mediterranean. One of the best ways to enjoy the beauty of this country is to go on a yacht cruise.
You can see the prices and rating of cruises on the website cruisecritic
Friday, February 18, 2022
cruise for two
sergiy
February 18, 2022
A small prefaceRecently, cruise vacations have become increasingly popular, and this is not surprising. The cruise provides an opportunity not only to have a great rest, constantly being in the fresh air, but also to get acquainted with interesting tourist sites and natural attractions. It can be considered as the most comfortable form of sightseeing tour. Formally, we can say that a cruise is a group excursion tour in which a ship is used as a means of transportation. In fact, this main feature leads to great differences between cruises and bus tours.
1. Sea cruises
• Movement along the tour route is carried out by sea on large cruise ships. Your ship is both a means of transportation and a hotel, so you don’t have to carry things along the route and move from hotel to hotel - this is very convenient.
• All transitions between ports are carried out in the evening and at night. You return from an excursion at the end of the day, have dinner, walk on the deck, breathe the sea air, visit bars, restaurants and show programs, go to bed, and wake up in the morning and find that you are already at the next point of your route and everything is ready for new ones. excursions. Thus, moving along the route is carried out without any effort and is almost invisible to you.• The cost of a cruise is largely determined by the comfort and prestige of your ship (and cabin) and varies quite a lot. It should be noted that even not the largest cruise ships have a sufficient level of comfort and correspond to the level of 3-4 * hotels. At the same time, the cost of a weekly cruise on such a ship is quite comparable to the cost of staying in a hotel on the shore. • Meals on cruises are usually all-inclusive, excluding alcoholic beverages. In this regard, when mooring in ports, it makes sense to return to the ship at lunchtime to have a bite to eat and at the same time relax a bit.
• Usually the ship spends one or two days at sea during a cruise. On this day, you can sunbathe on the deck and swim in the deck pool. If you wish, you can sunbathe and swim at any free time.
• In the evenings, there are usually shows on the ships, which for the most part are quite nice. Their visit is free, but it is good practice to order one or two alcoholic drinks (which, unfortunately, cost money) while viewing them.
• On cruises, it is customary to dress in evening wear towards the end of the day, and events such as the captain's dinner may have even stricter dress requirements. The severity of these requirements is very dependent on the class of your cruise ship. In any case, you will need to bring some extra clothing with you. Of course, you can try to ignore these requirements, but being a black sheep is not always pleasant.• It is good practice to spend a week on the beach either before or after the cruise in an area close to the start or end of the cruise itinerary. Rest after the cruise is optimal, because during intensive excursions you can get a little tired, and a week of rest at the sea will be very useful.
2. River cruises
River cruises are in many ways similar to sea cruises, but they provide the opportunity to make excursions in the inland territories of countries and at the same time have several significant differences: • River cruise ships are quite small, which is due to the size of the rivers and the low height of the bridges under which you have to swim. In this regard, they do not have premises for holding shows and accommodating a large number of various bars and restaurants.
• Since usually the zone of excursion interest is directly the area of the ship's parking, there is no urgent need to purchase centralized excursions, and sightseeing can be done independently on the basis of pre-stored guidebooks.
You can see the prices and rating of cruises on the website cruisecritic
Wednesday, February 16, 2022
travel by sea
sergiy
February 16, 2022
about the mediterranean cruise
Going on vacation, we opted for a Mediterranean cruise. In part, our choice was this, because my husband went to sea for 10 years before and wanted to feel like a passenger on a luxury liner. Plus, a good promotion turned up on the MSC Splendida liner. We were very glad that our journey began with the eternal city of Rome, which you need to get to at least once in your life!From the trip, first of all, we expected rest. And I'll tell you that on the liner it's still a vacation! During the day you go sightseeing, in the evening and at night you have fun in the theater, bar and with animators. Secondly, I wanted to visit a cruise ship for the first time. This is a pool, a buffet, a restaurant and passengers in elegant dresses and suits, every evening a chic performance in the theater and constant luxury around!We got from Fiumicino airport to Rome by bus, which stops at Roma Termini station. Our hotel was located almost near the station, where we got on foot from the bus stop. Check-in to the hotel went quickly, without delays and complaints. I have already been to Italy several times and noticed that breakfast is usually early and not heavy. But regardless, delicious! There are absolutely no problems with food on the liner. If you want, go to a restaurant, the truth is there on time, if you want - to a buffet, where nothing is limited by time, as well as the amount of food on your plate. During the week on the cruise, we tried everything!Rich Mediterranean cruise program
The service during the cruise was great! The cabin was always tidy, clean and tidy. In general, we have long wanted to go on a sea cruise. Relaxing in a huge five-star hotel with full board, which also moves - what could be better? In each of the ports, we tried to walk as much as possible on our own. In Rome, we were insanely impressed by the Trevi Fountain. Unfortunately, we did not get to the Vatican, as it was scheduled for the return trip, and the liner was delayed, as I described earlier. In Genoa we really liked the Galata Museum and the submarine nearby. In Marseille, the weather let us down - there was just a crazy wind and it was not possible to walk in such weather for a long time.Most of all I remember visiting the Cathedral of Our Lady. In Barcelona, we walked along the main street and devoted a lot of time to La Sagrada Familia. We got to the local market - it's very interesting there! In Tunisia, it was interesting in a different way, after all, a different culture, different sensations. We ended up in the town of Sadi Bou Said, where there are beautiful white and blue houses and a continuous bazaar along the streets. We got to the ruins of Carthage, it's really not as interesting there as in the ruins of Rome. We went on a cruise in winter, +12 degrees and the sun against -20 and ice still wins in any case. In Tunisia, in general, it was almost +18. A breath of summer in mid-January! Overall, we enjoyed the cruise. Moving between ports is very comfortable and exciting. The only disadvantage seemed to us to be the limited time spent in each port, but after all, this happens every time you go on vacation - you want to spend more and more time in an interesting place. But most of all I remember Barcelona! We want to go back there again!
I want to say that if you have children, then this type of trip is definitely for you! We looked at passengers with children - insanely convenient. They play with animators, everywhere there is an opportunity to drive a stroller or change a diaper. And be sure to take a few days on top before or after the cruise to see the city where you originally arrive. You will get double the pleasure! I hope you enjoyed my review of the Mediterranean cruise. I recommend to go on a Mediterranean cruise to all friends and acquaintances!You can see the prices and rating of cruises on the website cruisecritic
How to travel on foot
sergiy
February 16, 2022
How best to route
Keep in mind that the average walking speed is 4-6 km per hour. Before planning a trip for a longer route, determine your walking speed, as well as assess your fitness. Never go hiking in new and unworn shoes, it is better to put on old boots. As much as you can - walk along the seashore with bare feet. This is useful. If you plan a long hike in one direction and the direction is not so important, go "downwind". So save your energy and go much more.
Don't go back the same way.Walking the other way, you will see and learn much more.
Don't sleep long in the summer.
The best time to hike is at sunrise, when the air is clean and fresh and overflowing with bird calls. And it's not so hot, and it's easier to walk.
Rest during the day, and continue your journey in the evening.
Walk at a goose step along narrow paths and off-road. If you can't feel yourself in a goose-skin, go like wolves - trail after trail.
So you leave fewer traces in nature.
Arrange with the owner of the rural house or with friends to take your bag to your destination. What to take with you
The season doesn't matter when it comes to hiking.
Just the right clothes and the desire to get out of the house.
Even in the Latvian gray autumn and endless winter, hiking will be a better alternative than many other everyday things.
Do not take a heavy bag filled with groceries and carbonated drinks with you. It is better to shop in local shops or from local farmers.
A heavy backpack will spoil the mood and will not allow you to go far.
Leave your tent, sleeping bag and warm night clothes at home.
Calculate how much it all weighs.
Make the most of local accommodations.
However, if you sleep in a tent, then remember that this is a specially protected natural area, and you can only stay overnight in specially designated places. If there is no such place, talk to the local owner to allow you to set up your tent in his meadow.
Buy the offered products from him.
For a half-day or full-day hike, be sure to bring a waterproof jacket, a pair of dry socks, a map of the area, a phone, a small bottle of water and food at a time in a small bag so that your stomach does not rebel. Sometimes a compass is also useful.
When traveling in a large group, honestly divide the joint things equally, depending on the carrying capacity and portability of each.
Review the list of things from the previous trip so that nothing is forgotten.
Don't have such a list? Do it, because next time you won't have to puzzle over what to bring with you.
Where to go for advice
Before you go hiking, seek advice from local experts. If you do not see a local connoisseur, ask the seller. They are usually well aware of what is happening in the area. If you are interested in local history and the history of some object, visit the village library. Librarians are usually local enthusiasts who know a lot about what to say. Always greet the person walking towards you. A village is not a city where they do not know each other and pass by without saying hello!
Travel safety
If you are walking along a highway, keep to the side of the road and walk towards traffic. If you are walking in a group, follow one after the other, not in a chaotic crowd all the way Those territories where private property is "sacred and inviolable" are best avoided. In these cases, as a rule, you will not prove your case, but at best spoil your mood. Never turn your back on a threatening and angry dog. Cover yourself with a bag or some other large object. Wait for the moment and evaluate the plan for further action. You can move freely in state and local government forests, observe nature, pick mushrooms, berries and nuts.
You can see prices for hotels, flights and car rental here airfarewatchdog .
Tuesday, February 15, 2022
travel free
sergiy
February 15, 2022
How to travel the world almost for free
If you are not rich, you have an average salary, but you really want to travel, I see 3 options:
If you want to travel not only in Russia, it is advisable to know English at least at a basic level. There are many free lessons and courses on the Internet, so if you still don’t know English, you didn’t really need it. Even if you are going to travel by free methods, I think it is the height of stupidity not to save at least $ 1,000 just in case. If you have not known Zen, this will save you a lot of nerves. You want to travel, not survive.
1.Accumulate.
2.To work remotely.
3.Learn to travel for free or almost for free.
This article will talk about point 1 (in short), and the main focus will be on point 3. Remote work requires at least a separate article, although you can write a whole book. The main thing you need to understand is that you don't have to be rich to travel. There are other possibilities as well. About money To go on my first trip, I saved up. I simply put aside a certain amount after receiving each salary, I lived without frills on the remaining money. No going to the cinema - you can watch at home, no fitness club - you also have dumbbells at home, practically no cafes - I know how to cook, almost no new clothes, only if I really feel like it. It wasn't easy, but it wasn't hard either. I was warmed by a dream, so I could be patient. I made travel a priority, and after getting paid, I saved for my dream first.
This is a very important point, because you will not be able to save the required amount of money if you do not make your goal a priority, giving up various pleasant little things every day in favor of a dream. All that year I did not have enough money for new clothes and gadgets, going to the cinema and cafes, taxis, etc. because at the beginning of the month I put aside most of my salary and lived on the rest of the money.If you are also going to save and need advice, let me know in the comments. Then I will write a detailed article on accumulation and share my experience more fully. In the process of accumulation, you will have to deal with your budget. If you want to travel the world on your own, the ability to keep track of income and expenses is paramount. Without it, there is simply no way, it is better to get used to it in advance.If you want to travel not only in Russia, it is advisable to know English at least at a basic level. There are many free lessons and courses on the Internet, so if you still don’t know English, you didn’t really need it. Even if you are going to travel by free methods, I think it is the height of stupidity not to save at least $ 1,000 just in case. If you have not known Zen, this will save you a lot of nerves. You want to travel, not survive.
How to spend the night for free in any country
To avoid paying rent, stay with the locals. Especially for this purpose, there are many services that bring together travelers and hospitable people. Using these sites, you will never pay for housing in other countries.
Sometimes you will be given a separate room, sometimes a free sofa, maybe even an air mattress. You do not have to pay for housing, but there is one feature - you should not abuse hospitality. You can live for free, but not for long. Usually no more than a week and you need to look for a new home. Fortunately, there are plenty of couchsurfers around the world, even in Russia. Another feature is that you will save money on the roof over your head, but in Couchsurfing it is customary to treat the host, take them to a cafe or buy food and cook some kind of Russian dish. The CS has a strong emphasis on cultural exchange. The history of your travels will be expected from you, often with beer or other strong drinks. So free accommodation for tourists turns into a small drinking bout.
Volunteer programs for free travel
At this point, there will be no large volunteer programs to rescue sea turtles or anything else where you will have to shell out $ 200 for participation. I have a friend who volunteered in Bali, paid to work for free. I don't mind, but there are other options. Help with the work of local residents, for example. If you are ready to work 4 hours a day for food and a roof over your head, then this option will suit you.
Exchange travel – Home Exchange
Have you ever watched the comedy "The Vacation"? It was filmed just about the phenomenon, which in English is called "house swap" or the exchange of houses. Recently, the idea of sharing has become popular in the west. She came to us in the form of carsharing. The essence of the idea is simple - you register on a specially trained site and look for a partner who would like to exchange housing with you for a while. You live with him, and he with you. Everything is wonderful.
How to save even more
I think the housing issue is closed. Now you know how to live in another country for free. It remains to close the issues with transport, excursions and meals.
Hitch-hiking
A free way to move around the world with the help of passing cars. This phenomenon is popular and relatively safe in civilized countries: America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and even in Russia.
Cook your own food
The best way to save money when traveling is to cook yourself. I was spending about $50 on food a week while in Stockholm. Compare with the average check of $15 for a dish in a cafe or restaurant. This simple rule saved me $150. Many hostels, guesthouses, campuses and couchsurfing will provide you with a kitchen. No kitchen? Prepare sandwiches. You don't have to have a stove to be full.
It is not necessary to constantly go to restaurants if you are traveling. Your trip to Paris won't get any worse if you decide to cook for yourself for the day. There is no need to spend a lot of money in catering. The recipe for low-cost travel comes down to 3 ingredients: an inexpensive way to get around, a place to stay and save on food. All this will turn your travel dream into reality.Monday, February 14, 2022
Junk food or traveling on a minimal budget
sergiy
February 14, 2022
No wonder they say that if a person really wants something, he will do everything for this. The rest of the options are just excuses. Nowadays, going on a trip without having the proper funds is quite realistic. Moreover, there are unexpected life hacks on how to survive. And sometimes survive with special comfort in the most expensive countries in the world.Today we decided to dwell on a few of them and get your opinion on this matter. After all, stereotypes in our minds sometimes close in front of us the very doors behind which there is a dream.
However, food makes up a huge percentage of the cost of any trip. Where it is impossible to take enough food with you, the method chosen by the freegans has become popular. Namely, food from the garbage. Of course, it is difficult for the Russian contingent to adequately perceive this way of eating. Since our dumps are somewhat different from foreign ones. But the very possibility of not buying food on a trip will save you a lot of money.For those who dare to live in another country, you can find detailed instructions on where you can and where you do not need to take food in different countries. It should be mentioned that the delay, including for several hours or goods with a broken wrapper, are disposed of in special packaging and placed in clean plastic bags. Sometimes displayed in boxes. So, with proper preparation, you will already know where, how and when to get the food you need. You can even create a menu.
So, how can you save on trips without having money or counting on minimal costs. The first rule of budget travelers is to prepare in advance. In one of the articles we wrote about travel on credit. In this case, special preparation is not necessary, but if not immediately, but the funds will be spent. Therefore, you should pay attention to the resources where information is provided on preferential flights. You may have to pay some amount here. To save time and find a flight that will cost you several times cheaper. However, there are a number of bloggers and travel enthusiasts who share their experiences for a regular subscription or repost.
In addition to good advice from experienced people, you can save a certain amount if you decide to travel in a rented car. Of course, car rental is not cheap, and you can hitchhike to travel long distances. But for those who cannot deny themselves independence, you can use the car rental aggregator. This will reduce the price by thirty forty percent, as well as purchase profitable insurance that will take care of the safety of you and your wallet in the event of an accident. By the way, earlier booking a car will allow you to choose the desired car.Try to avoid additional paid options by downloading maps of the area in advance.
And having planned a trip and knowing the distances covered, it will be easier for you to decide on the choice of cars. If you need to travel far, then it is better to take a car with the condition of unlimited mileage, since surcharges for kilometers in excess of the daily limit can make travel much more expensive. We also recommend that you familiarize yourself with the rental rules and traffic rules of the country you are visiting. For fines in their size can quickly nullify your savings. No matter how trite it may sound, but knowledge in this case will help you a lot.In a bit of contrast, after the desire to save on car rentals, we turn to the global savings on food on a trip.
If you still disdain to eat from the garbage, then on the same resources you can find out where in the backyard of restaurants you can talk with chefs and ask for food from them. And do not forget about the discount on cooking in the evening. For those who prefer hostels and camps to hotels, there is an option to get "free food". This is what previous travelers did not have time or did not want to eat. For the most part, these are pasta and long-term stored products. What you usually take with you on a trip. Here you can leave your surplus, if any.
Another point of a budget trip is the use of services that provide cashback.
It's nice when a certain percentage of the funds used will return. Let's go over other points that allow you to save money. This is using free wifi. Now almost everywhere there is this opportunity. Hotels, cafes, shopping centers and other public places provide this service. A local SIM card is often more profitable than universal roaming, and a tourist card, sometimes free, will give good discounts. For excursions, too, it is not always necessary to pay. Try looking for free options. Often there are sightseeing tours for transit passengers.Therefore, for sociable travelers, it is worth asking about this guest network. This is a real opportunity to make your dream come true for less money. And going on a trip for a long time, you can stay at the hotel for a couple of days in order to find cheaper accommodation on the spot. Find out about discounts for long stays - since you have decided to stay for more days, why not pay less for it. Many recommend in this case to take apartments. Returning to the implementation of their own desires, we can summarize. The impossible may well become reality. If you approach the realization of the aspiration wisely and use the amazing amount of information available in our time. Your dreams are in your hands. As well as the safety of your funds. Save what you can just by spending a little time.
