Christmas Market Cruise on the Rhine

Escape from the turmoil and discover the season of Advent in a completely new way by taking an atmospheric cruise, visiting the very best Christmas markets along the Rhine. For 5 days in Advent you can store up pleasurable anticipation for the prettiest festival of the year, and no doubt think back to your childhood when you became more and more excited as the day for the giving of presents drew closer.

MS AMADEUS ROYAL

Launched in 2005 and completely renovated for 2015, is a premium passenger vessel fitted out with all imaginable refinements. The cabins on the Mozart and Strauss-Deck, for instance, feature generous French balconies providing incomparable views of the breadth of the river.

The superiority of the AMADEUS Royal is discernible down to the smallest detail – be it in the gastronomic delicacies that appear from the kitchen or in the fine wines emerging from the ship’s cellar in the appointments of the luxurious Panorama Bar or in the enjoyment of a relaxing massage or the sipping of a gloriously cream cocktail accompanied by the tinkle of mood-matching piano playing.

ITINERARY – Round trip Cologne – Cologne

1. COLOGNE – Departure 22:00, Check-in from 16.00,Welcome Cocktail (incl),

2. MAINZ – Arrival 14:00 Departure 22:00, City walk Mainz with Christmas Market, Welcome Dinner (incl)

3. SPEYER – Arrival 06:00 Departure 20:00, City walk Speyer, Excursion Heidelberg with Christmas Market,

4. STRASBOURG Arrival 08:00 Departure 21:00, City tour Strasbourg with Christmas Market, Wintry Alsace & Obernai

5. RUEDESHEIM – Arrival 11:00 Departure 20:00, City walk Ruedesheim with Music Museum and Christmas Market, Captain’s Gala Dinner

6. COLOGNE – Arrival 04:00, Disembarkation after breakfast

MS AMADEUS SILVER

The new flagship for the innovative AMADEUS fleet, namely the MS AMADEUS SILVER, was launched in 2013. Extending the traditional 110-m length of the AMADEUS ships to 135-m creates not only space for more cabins but allows for quite a number of innovative new features.

The AMADEUS SILVER has a total of 78 enlarged standard cabins (16m²). Those on the Mozart and Strauss decks will have an innovative form of French balcony offering the option of making the panoramic window front (which extends across the whole cabin width) automatically drop-down so that the cabin becomes a balcony in itself. The 12 AMADEUS Balcony Suites (24m²), moreover, have ‘walk-out’ exterior balconies with their own seating groups, enormous panoramic windows and comfortable bathrooms with bath, separate WC and separate shower.

Itinerary

Day 1 London – Basel
Titan’s VIP Home Departure Service® collects you from home, for your journey to London Heathrow Airport and a direct, scheduled British Airways flight to Basel. On arrival, our coach will transfer you to MS Amadeus Silver for an afternoon embarkation with time to settle in before a welcome cocktail, dinner and concert on board this evening.

Day 2 Strasbourg
We arrive in Strasbourg this morning and enjoy a city tour to explore the attractive city centre – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – with its narrow streets and half-timbered houses and the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Strasbourg, an outstanding example of Gothic architecture. We will also take in a special organ concert in St Thomas church.

Day 3 Speyer
Enjoy an included city tour of Heidelberg this morning, with its beautiful setting on the Neckar river. The afternoon is free to explore Speyer’s historic highlights which date back to Roman times.

Day 4 Rüdesheim – Koblenz
Enjoy an optional city tour of Rüdesheim this morning, which includes a visit to Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Museum. On return to the ship, you will be treated to a musical tea party on board as the ship gently sails on. We have an afternoon arrival in Koblenz, situated at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle, where you can join an optional tour, exploring the narrow streets, historic squares and fountains in the old quarter.

Day 5 Koblenz – Cochem
We arrive in Cochem around midday, where there is the option of joining a city walk to explore the architectural attractions of this city, its narrow alleys and half-timbered houses, before enjoying a wine tasting of local wines from the Moselle region. This evening we return to the ship and enjoy an evening concert on board.

Day 6 Bonn – Cologne
We have an early morning arrival in Bonn, where we visit the house of Beethoven and enjoy a piano concert before returning to the ship. We have an afternoon arrival in Cologne, for a walking tour of a city that is one of Germany’s most important trade centres and home to one of the largest cathedrals in Europe. This evening, enjoy the Captain’s gala dinner on board.

Day 7 Amsterdam
We spend this morning in Amsterdam, the capital city of the Netherlands. Admire the beautiful 17th and 18th century buildings and during our city tour we will enjoy an included concert as well as seeing Dam square, the Royal Palace and the museum quarter, home to the renowned Rijksmuseum. This evening, enjoy a farewell concert on board.
Day 8 Amsterdam – London
After breakfast on board this morning we disembark and transfer to Amsterdam airport for a British Airways flight to London Heathrow. On arrival you will be met and guided to your Titan vehicle, for the journey home.

Castro Marim Golfe & Country Club, Algarve

Castro Marim Golfe is only 30 minutes away from Faro Airport or an hour from Seville airport.  A car hire is highly recommended as it is very affordable.  Only 8 kms from the beach, Castro Marim is superb for families and golfers.  Golfers have a choice of 3 x 9 hole golf to choose and combine their game.

It offers fantastic accommodation within a hotel and villa users have full access to the hotel gym as well as full wifi in the villa.

The Village Houses share a nearby large pool and tropical pool with snack bar and terraces. The village way of life is great for families who want to meet other people and make friends.

The properties are built to very high specifications and offer a choice of two or three bedroom houses. They are smaller than our linked villas, but have the advantage of being detached.

Lovely Castro Marim Golfe & Country Club

Norwegian Fjords from Southampton

30th April 2015 (8 nights)

Ocean View Hotel is the perfect place for a family beach holiday. The hotel overlooks the Arabian Gulf and the Palm Jumeirah, every room and suite has sunny sea views. Access the beach directly from the pool level or alternatively, take the hotels free shuttle service to the award-winning sister hotel Jebel Ali Golf Resorts private beach. Pamper yourself in the health club with jacuzzi, sauna, steam room or the spa while the younger guests play in the childrens pool and the kids club.

Celebrity Constellation

Celebrity Constellation has just been revamped. She boasts a spectacular, new look and ambience. From the minute you enter the magnificent Grand Foyer or savour a flavourful steak in the sophisticated Tuscan Grille or sip your favourite vodka at the ultra-cool, ice-topped Martini Bar you will feel pampered and transformed, too. Sumptuous suites and staterooms offer stunning new décor and flat-screen TVs, yet the level of personal service remains unparalleled and meticulous. It is a highly enhanced experience.

Selected excursions for Greek Isles 7 night Cruise

Athens excursions

Explore two of ancient Athens’ most remarkable sites: the legendary Acropolis and the Temple of Poseidon. The Acropolis, an ancient citadel built during the Golden Age of Pericles, contains the remains of several ancient and historic buildings, the most famous being the Parthenon. You’ll have time to explore the ruins before enjoying a delightful Greek buffet lunch. Afterwards, you’ll venture to the southernmost tip of Cape Sounion to discover the impressive Temple of Poseidon.

Highlights:

•View the remains of several ancient Athenian monuments, including the Theatre of Dionysus, the Propylaea, and the Erechtheum.

•Discover the sanctuary of the Greek sea god, Poseidon. Its stunning Pentelic marble columns still retain their original luster.

•Dine like the Gods at a luxurious hotel, with a buffet lunch of traditional Greek delicacies.

Venice Excursions

Discover the romance and beauty of Venice on an evening gondola tour accompanied by the soft sounds of local musicians. No guide will regale you with tales of the city on this journey. Instead, you will board a sleek, black gondola and relax to the soft sounds of a vocalist and accordion player as you navigate the magical canals of the city. Glide past charming Italian buildings and famous landmarks as you travel in 16th century style.

Montenegro Tour Kotor

Enjoy a scenic drive through Montenegro near Lovcen mountain, see King Nikola’s Palace Museum, Budva’s Medieval fortifications, and experience an exclusive walking tour through Kotor’s cobblestone streets.

Ancient Olympia and Archaeological Museum Katakolon, Greece

Take a brief scenic drive through the countryside before your narrated walking tour of Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games. Relive the glory of ancient Greece as you stand in the original Olympics Stadium and pose before its ancient marble marathon-race starting blocks. Next, wander the ruins of the Temple of Zeus, which once housed a towering gold-and-ivory statue of the Greek King of Kings, before returning to port.

The Akrotiri Excavations – Santorini, Greece

This educational tour will take you to the excavation site of Akrotiri and then to Fira, where you can explore the romantic streets, visit a café, or shop. A volcanic eruption in 1450 BC buried a Bronze Age village from the Minoan Era. Walk the cobblestone streets of this Minoan town to discover houses and shops preserved from this time period. At the nearby village of Akrotiri, you’ll explore one of five fortified medieval settlements.

Volcano Hiking & Swimming in Hot Springs Tour – Santorini, Greece

Sail to the volcanic island of Nea Kameni, where you’ll hike on the Daphni lava flow and then swim in Palea Kameni’s mineral hot springs. Enjoy some time at the summit of Nea Kameni for breathtaking photo opportunities and views of the lava field, before descending back down to sail to Palea Kameni’s beautiful green sulfur springs. Your last stop is a cable car up to Fira for more spectacular views and sights.

Come and visit Harry Potter at Warner Bros Studio Tour in London – tickets available for most dates including some Easter dates

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London is a behind-the-scenes walking tour that immerses guests into the world of film-making. The Studio Tour will initially focus on the Harry Potter film series which has made the Studios its home for over 10 years. Warner Bros. Studio Tour London is designed to take you on a magical journey letting you into some closely guarded secrets that made Harry Potter the most successful film series of all time.

During the Studio Tour you will see:

The original Hogwart’s Express & complete Platform 9 3/4 recreation

The Great Hall at Hogwarts

Professor Dumbledore’s magnificent office

Distinctive props from the films including the Nimbus 2000, Knight Bus and Hagrid’s motorbike

The cobbled streets of Diagon Alley, including Ollivanders Wand Shop, the Weasleys’

Wizard Wheezes, Flourish and Blotts, Gringotts Bank and Eeylops Owl Emporium

Original sets including the Gryffindor boys dormitory, Gryffindor Common Room, the potions classroom and Hagrid’s Hut and find out how the films creatures were brought to life using green screen technology and animatronics.

Getting to the Harry Potter Studio Tour – Warner Bros London

The Making of Harry Potter is located in Leaves den just 20 miles North-West of London and is easily accessible from central London, Watford and Kings Langley train stations. With a great range of hotels on offer from hotels in nearby Watford to hotels in the heart of London, there is plenty of local accommodation to choose from.

When booking your hotel accommodation and Harry Potter Studio Tour tickets you can add rail travel to London and Watford onto your stay, making your journey from home hassle free. With regular public transport links to the Harry Potter Studio Tour and a shuttle bus service from Watford Junction train station getting here couldn’t be easier.

The shuttle bus will run every 30 minutes from Watford Junction to the Studio Tour, with a journey time of approximately 15 minutes. It is advised that you arrive 45 minutes before the time stated on your tickets and have your ticket or booking confirmation ready when boarding the shuttle bus. The bus will leave from Watford Junction 20 and 50 minutes past the hour with the last bus at 5.20pm. Return buses leave the Studio Tour at 25 and 55 minutes past the hour with the last return bus leaving at 9.35pm. The shuttle bus will cost £2 for a return journey and £1.50 for a single payable locally.

If you are travelling by car, the Harry Potter Studio Tour are less than 3 miles from the M1 and M25 motorways and offer ample free parking onsite. Be sure to arrive at the Studio Tour 20 minutes before your tour allocated timeslot. On arrival, take your booking reference number to the ticket kiosks outside of the attraction. All tickets must be bought in advance.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, Aerodrome Way, Hertfordshire, WD27 7GA

5 Residence resort and spa Zanzibar

Nightlife, cruising, gaming, people watching, adrenalin rushes, eating …..

And of course what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas ……..

Sitting directly on a secluded beach, backed by rolling hills and with fabulous views, this resort enjoys an idyllic location. The lively resort of Patong is a short distance away by the hotel’s complimentary shuttle bus and yet this luxurious resort is self-contained and away from the hubbub for those desiring some peace and quiet.

For families there’s a waterpark with lazy river whilst for those who want complete relaxation there are plenty of quiet areas around the four swimming pools. The Cove Restaurant serves Asian and international fare throughout the day and invites you to dine al fresco. Mare Italian Restaurant serves Italian cuisine and boasts an award-winning wine list. For those not always wanting to eat in the hotel there’s a good beach shack nearby and plenty of restaurants within a short taxi ride.

All 262 rooms have sea views. The hotel has tennis courts and fitness room and also boasts an award winning spa.

The Voyage Torba Hotel is located in a lovely position on the beach at Torba Bay only a few km from the unique town of Bodrum. In Bodrum you can enjoy the vibrant nightlife or visit places of amazing cultural interest such as the medieval fortress built partly with stones from the Mausoleum (one of the seven wonders of the ancient world). The hotel has a somewhat contemporary feel and offers stylish accommodation for a range of budgets.

The modern 5-star hotel offers an all inclusive service combined with luxury rooms and modern facilities.

Guests have access to water sports, superb dining and a genuine Turkish experience

The Airport is 30 km from the Hotel.

About the Hotel

Guests have access to 6 restaurants providing a wide range of different meals from Italian to Greek, Turkish, Chinese, Japanese or even Mexican dishes available.

There are 7 bars available and also a range of live music shows, discos and events on every night.

Facilities include:

– An Aqua-park

– Main swimming pool and pools associated with the deluxe rooms

– Two swimming pools have areas for children

– Private beach with Parasols, etc

– Wellness centre

– Treatment rooms

– Turkish bath

– Jacuzzi

– Water polo

– Sauna

– Swimming pool activities during the day

Complimentary canoeing is available, and windsurfing (with certificate). Other paid for services include parasailing, water skiing and the diving school.

For the children, there is a Mini Club available with trained staff for children between the ages 4-12, from 10.00 until 18.00. There is a sand pool unit, consisting of climbing towers and slides, a buffet where lunch and dinner get served. There is also an ice cream kiosk, T-shirt colouring, sand colouring, face colouring, various games, and a mini disco in the evening.

Additional:

– Reception is available 24 hours a day

– Shopping arcade

– Car Hire

– Medical

– Tours desk

– Dry cleaning

– Hair Salon

– WiFi

– Special added value for honeymooners (wine and fruit basket in room)