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A Guide To Shanghai – The Truth About Travelling In A Communist Country

So you’ve headed to the waterfront and stared out at the stunning skyscraper studded skyline of Shanghai… now what though? This bustling city with over twenty one million inhabitants is perhaps best known for being a booming centre of business but it’s definitely not just a city of suits! With more and more tourists heading to Shanghai each year to see the beating metropolitan heart of mainland China, what should you expect to see and do in this vibrant city? Slightly Overwhelmed By The Hustle And Bustle? If you’re initially overwhelmed by the hectic atmosphere of the busy city then you should definitely head to some of its more tranquil spots. These hidden sanctuaries make you forget that you’re in such a large city and can often transport you to another time completely. Yuyuan garden (pronounced yew-yun) is probably the best example of this escapism. Built during the Ming Dynasty in 1577, this building was home to a famous government officer Pan Yuduan. The five acres of land is split into different gardens and houses for entertaining guests, old living quarters for the owner and homes for his concubines. Walking through these gardens makes you feel as though no time has even passed, with the buildings having been so well preserved or restored you’d think it was still 1577! As a bonus you can see exactly how people of...

Top Tip: How To Cruise The Med With Children For Just £1

Holland America are offering a twelve night family cruise – for which children pay just £1. You can sail around the Mediterranean beginning in Venice and visiting Greece and Turkey before heading back to Italy. Children still have to pay for their flights but regional departures are available. Highlights of the cruise include a visit to Santorini, the Greek island of Kefalonia and Istanbul. If you’ve never been you can learn what to do in Santorini here. Another stop includes Kusadasi in Turkey, home to the magnificent ruins and temples of Ephesus. The trip ends with an overnight stay in Venice. As well as these excursions families will be entertained by the children’s entertainment on-board which is suitable for all ages. You can enjoy activities, tournaments and games as well as kid’s cooking classes as demonstrated by professional chefs. The best thing about Club HAL is that it’s also free! You can find out more about Holland America Cruise Line here. Have you considered a cruise for your family this summer? Do kids prices put you off? Let us know in the comments...

117 Migrants Rescued by Princess Cruises off Greek Coast

The Greek coast guard has reported that 117 migrants have been rescued off the west coast of Zakinthos after issuing a mayday call. The rescue operation was launched Saturday night after receiving the mayday call. A military plane found the boat in the Ionian Sea – it is currently unclear what the emergency was. A lifeboat helped move the distressed passengers from the boat and onto the Island Princess cruise ship, which was heading towards a port on the Greek mainland. Local authorities have had an overwhelming amount of migrants arrive in Greece, mainly from the nearby Turkish coast. Princess Cruises have released this statement… At approximately 8:00 PM local time (Ionian Sea off the coast of Greece) the Island Princess, while en route from Venice to Istanbul, received a mayday call from the Greek Rescue Coordination Center (RCC) to divert course to assist a vessel. Island Princess arrived on scene to find a 25-meter boat underway making 5 knots with no apparent distress, carrying 117 Syrian nationals including men, women and children (92 adults and 25 children). Island Princess was requested by the Greek RCC to stay on scene and await arrival of a small Greek Navy vessel. At approximately 1:45 AM local time, the boat started to roll heavily in the prevailing winds and seas and became distressed. Island Princess immediately launched tender rescue boats to deliver...

The Essential 2016 Cruise Bucket List

So it might seem a bit early in the year to be planning 2016’s holidays, but believe us when we say there’s a lot to get planning for! 2016 will see brand new ships, new itineraries, fabulous destinations and so much more on the horizon. So, before you get booking next year’s cruise take a quick look at these must-see suggestions… Hello, Tokyo! Mt. Fuji, Shibuya, Akihabara, Edo Castle, Meiji Shrine… Japan plays host to a huge amount of the Far East’s most incredible and essential sights. Whether you end up visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka or any of Japan’s cities you’re guaranteed a fantastic stay with some precious memories to take home – and some souvenirs, if you see anything that catches your eye! We suggest taking a stroll over to the Meiji Shrine in Shibuya, Tokyo. This grand and elegant Shinto Shrine his dedicated to the spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shōken. The shrine began construction 100 years ago – quite impressive! New Royal Caribbean Ships! A new ship is always a cause for celebration – maybe even a cause for booking a cruise – but it’s an even bigger deal when that ship happens to be the largest in the world. Harmony of the Seas will be Royal Caribbean’s latest Oasis-Class vessel, weighing in at 227,000 Tons and prepared to accommodate an...

The Azores Moves to the Mediterranean

If you’re a fan of cruising to exotic locations then you’ll be thrilled by the latest announcement from Cruise and Maritime Voyages (CMV). The British cruise operator revealed it will be adding a series of Mediterranean fly-cruises to its itinerary. The announcement came shortly after CMV revealed it would be introducing a new ship, called Magellan, to its fleet in March (as we reported here) In September and October this year, CMV’s Azores vessel will embark on five sailings between Genoa and Venice, with the first voyage departing from Bristol on September 8th. One nine-night sailing will include stops at La Coruna in Spain, Lisbon, Gibraltar and Malaga, before arriving in Genoa. Passengers will then return to the UK by plane. Two fly-cruises onboard Azores will also begin on September 17th and October 9th. The 11-night voyage will include the option to go on an excursion to Rome, Santorini, Mykonos and Kusadasi. Other scenic islands that Azores will call at are Samos, Athens and Katakolon – close to Olympia. Corfu and Croatia are also on the agenda before the vessel reaches Venice. Mike Hall, head of marketing at CMV, said: “We are delighted to add these cruises in the Mediterranean with the opportunity to visit a wide range of interesting and scenic places. “Those CMV cruises involving Venice, Piraeus for Athens and Civitavecchia for Rome are bound to be...