Cruise holidays have being growing steadily in popularity over the last few years and 2012 is predicted to be a bumper year. And no wonder with large luxurious liners with every modern convenience on board, fascinating local destinations to discover along the way and of course fabulous food, drink and entertainment 24/7.
Many travellers in the UK choose to depart on cruises from Southampton, a port in the south of England that offers easy access and an abundance of choice of destinations.
One such location to explore is the Norwegian Fjords; serene and beautiful yet also offering an amazing array of activities once there. Stops in the quaint ports along the way offer a great choice of adventures to warm you up such as kayaking, hiking, cycling and skiing. And if that all sounds far too strenuous then there are plenty of small cafes and boutique shops to explore instead. If you get the opportunity to visit the city of Bergen, which is known as the Gateway to the Fjords, then make sure you check out the Bryggen Hanseatic Wharf, the famous Fish Market and the fascinating Edvard Grieg Museum.
Another option when sailing from Southampton is to discover the Baltic capitals; Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius. Tallinn in Estonia draws travellers from all over thanks to the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, hanseatic merchant’s houses and the medieval Town Hall building. Riga is the capital city of Latvia and here you can explore quaint streets, ancient churches and the canal district, after all Riga is bursting with 800 years of history! And finally on to Vilnius in Lithuania which will have architecture enthusiast enthralled with a heady mix of Western European architectural styles such as Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Classical. All three countries also have picturesque country landscapes which you can discover by cycle or simply walking the popular sites.
And finally, if you’re looking for a warm climate and great culture then head to La Coruna in Spain’s Galicia. Somewhat a hidden gem, La Coruna is a world away from the beach resorts with an abundance of museums, galleries and attractions. La Coruna is ideal for the whole family with plenty of child-friendly restaurants, shops and activities. Go on, what are you waiting for, make 2012 your year to take a cruise.
