Entries Tagged 'Budget Travel' ↓

Can you really cruise for free?

I am sure many have seen the ads. Cruise the world for free! Like many of you I was skeptical. I mean it sounds great but really what is involved? Well I broke down and actually bought the ebook. I have to say that I am not disappointed by what I got. This ebook explains in detail the step by step course you need to take in order to take cruises for free.

There is one caveat that you must be able to do in order to really be successful at this type of travel. You must at least like public speaking. For many speaking in public is worse then death but that can be overcome by taking some local courses at your community college or even joining your local Toastmasters if you should have one available in your area.

When I downloaded this ebook and read what was inside I found that pretty much anyone can be a speaker on cruise ships. Many of the larger cruise ships have many entertainment options for their guests and because many of the clientele are highly educated they want to learn something on their vacation. You can provide that by offering your skills you have learned in a hobby or at your current employment. Everyone has something to offer the world and this program that the cruise line offers lets those that are willing to share their expertise some free time on their cruise ships.

Now the cost of this ebook is pretty steep however when you compare the cost of cruising then this ebook will pay for itself after your first cruise. Just imagine being able to cruise whenever you wanted and not having to pay for any of it. Now you will have to pay for your shore excursions but Daniel Hall has you covered as he includes a guide that will save you money on your planned shore excursions.

If you want to be able to save money and cruise the world while sharing what you know to others then please buy this ebook. It is well worth the price and will give you what you need in order to be a successful speaker on the cruise lines. Just imagine all the places you can see. Go and buy this ebook and find out for yourself.

Dubrovnik - A Croatian Port Town Worth visiting

Dubrovnik is an ancient city located on the Adriatic sea. Now part of modern day Croatia this town has seen its turmoil’s. This town certainly is one of the most predominant tourist attractions on the Adriatic. Since ancient times the wealth of the city has been dependent on its maritime activities.

The name of the city has varied over the years. However the modern name of the city was given it by the Austro Hungarian empire that adopted the name in 1909. Before then this city was known in Italy and other western nations as Ragusa.

In 1991 the republics of Croatia and Slovenia broke away from what was then Yugoslavia. This led to the conflict that was named as the siege of Dubrovnik which lasted 7 months. Many parts of the old town suffered from shelling during time period but much of the town has been restored according to guidelines outlined by UNESCO.

When you visit this city it is best to come when they are holding the Dubrovnik Summer Festival. At that time all of the artists who come to the city are given keys to the city and the town just breaks from its usual routine and becomes something more then it was intended. If y ou cannot make it during this time period the city also celebrates the Sveti Vlaho (Saint Blaise) on February 3rd. This celebration is marked by parades and other outdoor festivities.

While the conflict and tension may still exist Dubrovnik is still worth getting off the ship to visit. It is like stepping back into a time machine in many respects as much of the town is still standing from the old days.

Genoa - Truthfully Italian!

Genoa is the city of ancient Ligurians and is probably named after their word for knee. Of all the cities in Italy Genoa is perhaps one of the most predominantly Italian. Much of the population perhaps close to 95% is Italian. This gives the city a unique feel that makes the city worth visiting.

The history of Genoa goes back to the Ligures which was an ancient Italian tribe. What is known is that a ancient cemetery occupied by the Greeks that date back to the 5th and 6th centuries prove that this city has been around for quite a while. Much of the ancient times for the city saw the city ransacked and later rebuilt time and again. The war with the Carthaginians in 209 B.C. was one of the more famous wars when the city was destroyed.

Later on the city of Genoa became a lesser known fishing port which seemed to have spared it further conflict with other nations. Also this city is notable in that this is one of the first places where the Italian citizens received rights under feudal law.

Modern times have seen the slow and steady decline of the city however as its importance as a trade and economic power diminish over the years. This does not mean the city has not been crucial in some of the world’s history. Now rather it is just that as more cities have gained prominence Genoa has seen a steady decline in influence.

The main attractions of the city are centered around Piazza de Ferrari which contain the Opera house and the Palaces of the Doges. Another interesting sight to see is St. Lawrence Cathedral which was founded in the 5th or 6th centuries A.D. and is devoted to St. Sirus bishop of Genoa. For those that like aquariums this city has you covered with the Aquarium of Genoa which is one of the largest in the whole of Europe. Like something out of the port town of Alexandria this town has an ancient lighthouse called Torre della Lanterna or the tower of the latern.

Either way you cut it the city of Genoa is definitely worth visiting on your cruise around the Mediterranean as it seems to have something for everyone.

Alexandria - One of the better sights to see!

The city of Alexandria is a very well known port in the Mediterranean sea and is the second largest city in Egypt. Historically this town is known to contain two of the seven wonders of the world and those are the lighthouse of the Alexandria and the library of Alexandria.

As you might imagine the city was actually founded by Alexander the Great in 332 B.C. however the cities expansion can be accounted to Cleomenes who was left behind to take care of the city as Alexander moved east ward to conquer more of the world. What is really interesting of the history of this city is that this was once home to one of the largest Jewish communities in the world. Not only that the Greek Septuagint, was produced here.

If you plan on visiting ancient Alexandria you may be disappointed as much of the city sank into the city due to earthquake subsidence and then the more modern city was rebuilt on top of the ruins. So from an archeological perspective much of the city is buried under what you see in modern times. However that is not to say that there are not remants of the ancient city existing today. Pompey’s Pillar is one of the best known examples of the architecture that existed during the rule of Alexander the Great.

Many tourists however do not come to the city of Alexandria to see ancient ruins. Rather there are some really great beaches in this town and the most famous one is Maamoura Beach. This beach is well known for its clear waters and well kept beach which attracts many tourists from Egypt and the surrounding countries. This is perhaps one of the most frequented tourist areas in the Middle East.

Bari - A Real Italian Port

The town of Bari is the second largest economic center in southern Italy as is one of Italy’s better known ports and university towns. However the economic importance of Bari seems to be a more modern occurrence as in ancient Roman times this was a town of lesser importance.

Today the city of Bari is a modern industrial port town with a proud people. The dialect is a bit rough when compared to other regions in Italy. Many of the towns traditions are centered around Saint Nicolas which is the town saint. When you travel around the Mediterrian many ports have some sort of statue erected to honor Saint Nicolas which is the saint of sailors and fishermen.

One of the sights of Bari is called Barivecchia which is the old part of Bari and is comprised of a sprawl of streets. Until recently this area was considered off limits to many of the local residents however with a new resurgence of new pubs and bars into the area this part of town is becoming a better place to visit and can be frequented by tourists as well.

If you are more into seeing churches and the like then you will not be disappointed as with all of Italy the town of Bari has their fair share. The most notable places to see in this town is the Basilica di San Nicola which is the church of Saint Nicolas. This church was founded all the way back in 1087 to receive the remains of the saint. The next most frequented church is the church of St. Sabinus which is the towns Cathedral. This Cathedral was started in 1034 then later destroyed in 1156. The building we see today was built between 1170 and 1178 and was inspired by the church of Saint Nicolas.

One of the best times to visit this city is when the Fiera del Levante takes place. This is one of the largest trade fairs in the Adriatic sea and is held in the month of September. It is more like a mini world’s fair that takes place in this part of the world. Certainly that should be of interest to just about everyone.

Alanya a port town to see!

Alanya is a sea side resort town located on Mediterranean side of the country of Turkey. However since this is a strategically located town this whole area has been under rule of many governments over the years. The Roman, Byzantine an d Ottoman empires have all at one time or another claimed this area as part of their own. This makes for a very interesting and diverse area to visit when on vacation. With all the cruise ships offering various shore excursions tourism has become the predominant industry for this town.

Sine this town has changed hands many times over the years the name of the city has changed with each passing empire. During the Roman times this place was called Coracesium and during the Byzantine Empire it was known as Kalon Oros.

Alanya is part of the Turkish Riviera and is situated between the Taurus Mountains and the Mediterranean Sea which makes for great weather and beautiful scenery. One of the more striking features of the city is the rocky peninsula that separates the city into two.

There are many cultural events in this area due to the high amount ot tourism which attracts a wealthy population. Notably is the Jazz festival that occurs here each year. When I think of Turkey I never think of Jazz so this kind of caught me by surprise.

Many tourists frequently visit this area from areas like Scandinavia, Germany, Russia and Norway. The main attraction for these tourists is the relatively cheap housing and warm climate which makes this area idea for the budget conscious tourist. However recently this area has suffered from a economic downturn since some outbreaks of the bird flu virus as well as some violent outbreaks due to the Mohammad cartoon published in the western world.