Worlds most popular cruise destinations

THE world's leading cruise reviews site, Cruise Critic and its online #cruise community, has announced the winners of its third annual Cruisers' Choice Destination Awards, naming the world's most popular cruise #destinations, based entirely on consumer ratings submitted with reviews on Cruise Critic. The awards name the top cruise destinations across 18 regions worldwide. New in 2018, the awards also highlight the best cruise lines to visit each region.

The Eastern Mediterranean port of Kotor, in Montenegro, came out as the number one destination hotspot for UK cruisers. The Baltic Sea port of Talinn, capital city of Estonia, secured second place in popularity, and the Aegean island of Santorini proved third favourite overall, for UK cruise travellers.

Highlighted Awards:

Glacier Bay in Alaska was named the Most Popular Cruise Destination in 2018 – It's one of the best Inside Passage locations for glacier and wildlife viewing, with its Margerie Glacier considered one of the most photogenic glaciers.

Edinburgh secured the top destination award in the British Isles & Western Europe category – for the very first time - beating Barcelona, Rome and Venice, among many others. 

Cuba's capital city of Havana was named the Best Cruise Destination in the Western Caribbean & Riviera Maya for the first time. While international cruise lines have long visited Cuba, U.S. travelers were only able to begin visiting the island once regulations were eased in 2016.

Dubrovnik has been named the Top-Rated Eastern Mediterranean Destination for the past two years, and has done it again this year to score a hat trick.


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Tips for a yacht charter in Turkey

THE Turquoise Coast is one of the top sailing destinations in the world, known for the richly hued and crystal clear waters, smooth pebble and white sand beaches and interesting mix of lively resort towns and quiet fishing villages. If you’ve decided to take spend your holidays in #sailing along the Turkish coast this year then you’re sure to have a fantastic experience but there are a few thing to bear in mind to get the most out of your #holiday and here are the top 5 tips.

Consider Your Options - There are a lot of options from private yacht charter to cabin charter and many reputable agencies to choose from. Private charters are usually for one week or more are ideal for groups who desire the freedom to roam the Mediterranean and Aegean sea. 

All Inclusive or Self Catering - You should check with your specific yachting agency but usually food and drinks are not included in the standard charter fee. 

Research your Route - It’s a good idea to have a little background information on the area you’re planning to be sailing through and while your yachting agency will have recommendations and can point out the ‘top spots’, it’s also worth doing a your own research. 


Choose the Right Yacht - If you’ve ever strolled along the promenade in the harbours of Fethiye, Marmaris or Kas then you will know that #Turkey has no shortage of gulet sailing boats. Most have berths for 12 to 16 passengers although smaller and larger are also available, most also have sun beds, sound system, deck shower as well as cabins with ensuite bathrooms and some yachts are also fitted with air conditioning and equipped with fishing and snorkelling kits to use at your leisure.

Disconnect - By far the best way to enjoy your yacht charter in Turkey is by disconnecting from the stress and hassles of everyday life and engaging with the magnificent scenery of the Turquoise coast as well as enjoying the company of your fellow crew mates. 

www.alaturkaturkey.com

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Aegean adventure

SAIL the seas, discover the culture and history of the Dodecanese archipelago, snorkel in the warm waters or simply relax on deck on an eight-day family #cruise in #Greece, led by experts and based aboard a traditional hand-built gulet.

Discover the mysteries of ancient Gods and tales of giants and monsters as expert guides bring the region’s vibrant past back to life. An amazing adventure being offered by Peter Sommer Travels Departing July 22, 2017 Cruising the Aegean: A Family Adventure.

www.petersommer.com

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Aegean hide-aways

copyright David Kernek

JUST off the Greek mainland in the Aegean, the Sporades is an off-the-beaten-track archipelago, largely preserved from mass-tourism. The islands of Skopelos and Alonissos are rated among the greenest in #Greece with aromatic pine forests stretching down to pristine beaches. The islands are crisscrossed by walking trails.

The Thinking Traveller has five Sporades #villas available for the 2016 season. They can accommodate from 4 to 14 guests, and have superb sea views, infinity swimming pools, whirlpool baths, and easy access to beaches. 

The agency’s bookings in the Sporades islands run from Friday to Friday. The nearest airport is on the island of Skiathos, and prices include free transfers from there to Skopelos and Alonissos.

www.thethinkingtraveller.com

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A second Colossus for Rhodes?

Rhodes harbour then

ARCHITECTS have produced a plan to build a new Colossus of #Rhodes, the original having been by brought down by an earthquake that struck the ancient Greek island port more than 2,000 years ago. The new Colossus would be five times larger than the original.,. or one-and-a- half times the size of New York’s Statue of Liberty. 

Straddling the two outer piers of the harbour and facing the Aegean, it will clutch a beacon in its raised right hand which will be visible not only to passing ships, but as far as the Turkish coast, 35 miles away. Ships would sail between the statue’s legs. 

Costing €250 million (£183 million), the statue will rise more than 443ft above the harbour. The project’s promoters estimate that the Colossus, which will house a library, shops, and a museum, will generate an annual income of €35 million (£25.6 million).

The statue’s skin would be made of solar panels, providing power for the lighthouse and the facilities inside.

Rhodes port now

It is hoped that the plans for the statue – which have been announced against the backdrop of the Greek financial meltdown – will be seen as a sign of the country’s determination to emerge from its continuing economic crisis.

‘We want to show that #Greece can get back on its feet again; that it has the power and people to do so, and that the economy here can recover,’ Aris A. Pallas, the project’s head architect, told The Times in London. ‘We’re not out to replicate the ancient Colossus. We want to revive the symbolism it imbued, pooling human and financial resources together from across the globe, making it an emblem of globalization while reviving the historical and cultural significance traditionally attached to the Colossus of Rhodes.’

One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Colossus of Rhodes was a statue of the Greek titan-god of the sun Helios, built in 280 BC to celebrate Rhodes’ victory over the ruler of Cyprus. It was one of the tallest statues of the ancient world, at approximately 98 feet. It was destroyed when Rhodes was hit by an earthquake in 226 BC. In 654 AD, Saracens ransacked the island and sold the statue’s relics.

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Island on the move

THE Aegean #island of #Chios is to get a 5-star, 700-room resort complete with a museum and an educational institute. It will also have a holiday apartment block, thalassotherapy and conference centres, a paleontological theme park, and a yacht marina.

Under a deal approved by the Greek government, the developers will offer two scholarships to Greek university honours students, internships in the hospitality sector for young people, and contribute to the operating costs of a charitable organization within the municipality of Chios.

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/13513171@N05/9721250056">Port of Chios</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">(license)

Greek ferry fares cut

THE price of tickets on many Greek ferry routes has been cut – on government orders – by 2.6 percent.

The cut applies to state-subsidized ferry lines with fewer than 300,000 passengers a year.

The maximum economy class fare for the 197-mile Piraeus–Crete journey – one of the longest in the Aegean – is now €28.42 (£20.38).

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Picture Credit: KERAMOTI HARBOUR. GREECE. The ferry which takes you to and from Thassos Island.by Ronald Saunders from Warrington, UK Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons 

Escape to the Aegean

LOOKING for a secluded bolthole in the Aegean? Kea (also known as Tzia) is part of Greece's Cyclades islands group but less well-known than Mykonos and Santorini. Following the lead of savvy Athenians, the 50-square mile island has recently started to interest foreigners looking to buy holiday homes with a difference.

Inaccessible directly from Athens, the unspoilt location is the current get-away of choice for well-heeled Greeks. With a population of just under 3,000, its relaxed, sleepy way of life, authentic cuisine, and tranquil beaches, are some of the factors luring those looking to set up a base in the Greek Islands.

Unlike the familiar white sugar-cube architecture of neighbouring islands, the island’s capital – Ioulis (Khora, locally) – is a pretty village of Mediterranean-style terracotta-roofed villas built on a hillside. It's a peaceful place too, since cars can't be driven into the centre. With high season from May to October, second-homeowners have a six-month hiatus in which to escape life in the outside world.

There has been a revival in traditional construction methods – unpainted natural stone and raw timber – and sensitive integration with the natural surroundings. With planning permission restricting hilltop development, residential properties are being carved into the landscape lower down, but still having panoramic ocean views.

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