Cruising Ideas for People Who Hate Cruises
I can’t say that I hate cruises – I’ve never been (at least on a proper cruise, enormous-boat style). I’d love to try it so at least I could make my mind up on the issue. Meanwhile, though, I’ve satiated my taste for cruising on the water with some of these fantastic mini-cruise options. You’ll still get the wind in your hair and enjoy some time away from dry land. But if you don’t like it, you aren’t stuck out at sea for days on end.
Finger Lakes Canal, New York
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Vietnam at a Glance
Humidity, an agricultural society, a third world economy, humidity, millions of motorbikes, communism with capitalistic tendencies, humidity, a friendly population, beautiful scenery. Did I mention the humidity?
What’s your impression of Vietnam? Do you dream of exploring the Southeast Asian country on an off-the-beaten-path journey? To truly understand the complex country, first you need to visit iconic Vietnam.
My introduction came via several daylong excursions from a cruise ship that sailed the Vietnamese coast. A cruise ship? Yes, that’s right. A cruise visit to Vietnam can provide the basis for discovery that will lead to more in-depth future visits. Let’s travel more to Vietnam…
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Cruising with Royalty: the Queen Mary II
She is absolutely majestic, beautiful, with classic lines. She’s long and slender. A frontal view shows her upturned head, the image of confidence with a regal bearing. No wonder she is so admired and adored. Her presence commands awe and respect. If she were human, she would be the envy of many. If she were a living monarch, her countrymen would love her. As it is, the Queen Mary II rules more than one country. The most amazing ocean liner ever built, her following is international. After a recent transatlantic crossing, I am another devoted subject, and devoted to my friend Joanne for inviting me to join her.
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Artic Exploration, Luxury Style
The heroic Arctic and Antarctic explorations of Roald Amundsen are legendary. The stories of his long, arduous treks are climaxed by his tragic disappearance in June 1928. He was on a rescue mission and probably crashed in the Barents Sea. He and his crew endured unbelievable hardships exploring the unknown Arctic.
Amundsen’s adventures were fantastic, but I prefer to travel somewhat differently. Enduring miserable freezing conditions, starvation, and frostbite is just not my idea of an ideal trip. For years I had wanted to experience the Arctic, particularly the Norwegian area of the Svalbard archipelago, generally Sptisbergen , but was always deterred by either the cost or my desire to avoid extreme discomfort. Then suddenly an amazing opportunity opened up, a chance to travel more and visit this wonderland of pristine beauty and fabulous wildlife aboard one of the world’s finest exploration ships.
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Photo Essay: Boats
Feeling inspired by the shorelines of the Basque Country, today’s photo essay subject is boats and harbours. Once you’ve browsed these photos for inspiration, check out our sailing super specials and get out onto the open waters yourself.
boats in Lake Bled, a charming and romantic area in Slovenia
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