Luxury small ship cruising – just the term conjures up a wonderful image of sailing close to home and the far reaches of the globe. Exploring new destinations or returning to those areas much loved. Be pampered while your luxury hotel on water roams the oceans and the rivers of our world, hop off in exotic ports and explore on your own or join a small guided excursion to find out more about your destination.
I have been fortunate to sail on several luxury vessels in recent years and I would be delighted to share my knowledge with you. These ships are not all the same and one thing is important when booking a cruise is to make sure you are on the right ship for you! I am sure you have noticed recently that everyone seems to claim the ‘luxury’ label – it really is overused. However, in the case of river cruise specialist Uniworld and the recent ocean cruise line Explora Journeys this term is apt. These fabulous vessels will be a treat to anyone who sales on them.
Explora Journeys launched about a year ago, owned by one of the world’s largest shipping companies, this was the personal dream of the Aponte family to create a wonderful experience at sea for their guests to enjoy. Exquisitely designed ships Explora I & II are spacious and relaxed offering the traveller an elegant, joyous way to travel. Sail the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, Hawaii and the Pacific. Be welcomed into the smaller, less busy ports to immerse yourself in the culture and history of your destination.
Explore the colourful ports of the Caribbean, dance to the rhythm of the steel drums, enjoy a rum punch overlooking the crystal clear waters and wander the back streets of Martinique, the silicon white sands of Barbuda, the laid back British Virgin Islands or swim with the turtles off Antigua. Sail the Adriatic coast of Croatia and her many islands, explore Sicily’s history and culture, wander past the Trulli houses that line the cobbled streets of Perugia, explore the idyllic Greek islands of Crete and Paros; visit the antiquities and palaces of Istanbul or visit a family owned orange grove outside of Valencia. Sail through the Panama canal and onto the Pacific coast of Mexico and North America, swim with manta ray off the Big Island of Hawaii, kayak through the waters of Victoria on Vancouver Island, airboat through the Florida everglades or sip margaritas in Mazatlán Mexico. Join us to find out more about this wonderful, new, luxury cruise line.
River cruising burst onto the scene around 25 years ago and now is one of the hot destinations for travellers globally. Using the highways of old, the rivers and canals of Europe wander through beautiful countryside, deep valleys carved by waterflow over millennia, and the history of the Western World. Uniworld have developed a style of their own, each vessel is unique in décor and reflects the region you are travelling through. Each day you are in port and exploring. Perhaps one day visit the Valrhona chocolate factory, join the locals in a game of Boulle, enjoy wine tasting in Bordeaux, the tulip season in the low countries, or stroll the colourful streets of Burano in the Venetian lagoon.
Perhaps you would rather visit more exotic river destinations. Discover the breathtaking mystique of India as you sail down the Ganges, visit the exquisite Taj Mahal or savour a delicious curry. Exploring the ancient temples and tombs that line the Nile is amazing, steeped in history and mythology Egypt is a fascinating destination. Glide through the Amazon jungle and combine this with a journey to the Inca ruins Macchu Pichu and wonderful Cuzco. Closer to home combine verdant Vietnam with a cruise along the Mekong to visit the 12th century Angkor Wat temples lost and rediscovered in the Cambodian jungle.
Exploring our world by ship really is a marvellous adventure!
JOIN US TO FIND OUT MORE
Both Explora Journeys and Uniworld River Cruises is visiting the mountain.
When Wednesday 8th May at 530pm
Where Travelling Places 24 Main Street
RSVP travel@travellingplaces.com.au or P: 55451600
