In the last ten years, luxury Alaskan cruises have become one of the most popular types of vacations for many different kinds of travelers. From retirees to young families, Alaska cruises are becoming one of the most requested types of travel for many travel agencies. And when you look at all the reasons to choose such a vacation, it is not very hard to see why this destination has become number one.

The Sights

Alaska is one of the few untouched wildernesses left in America. The top three reasons that people wish to go on a luxury Alaska cruise are for wildlife, glaciers and mountains. With less than one twentieth of the land inhabited, this state has the most protected land than any other, with over 65% federally held for the preserving of Alaskan wilderness. It is common to see grisly bears, bald eagles, moose, and elk from the comforts of your cruise ship. The ship also takes you closer than other tours to glaciers, and provides you a waterside view that can be replicated no where else. And your cruise line will sail right past the most amazing and picturesque mountains. An Alaskan cruise helps you catch a glimpse of the greatest sights Alaska has to offer.

The Price

Alaska has paved the way for cheap luxury cruises. Alaska sailings are relatively inexpensive. They offer travelers a way to visit a luxury destination at a budget price. With seven day Alaska cruises starting as little as $400 per person, this price includes the chance to sail into different ports and explore Alaska on your own time. Not to mention that this price includes all your food and on board entertainment. With such a good deal, it is no wonder that travelers are choosing to see Alaska on a luxury cruise.

The “Add Ons”

In addition to offering fabulous costal sights, most luxury Alaskan cruises are offering amazing “add ons” to their already great itineraries. For example, the majority of Alaska travelers wish to see the great Denali National Park. Cruise lines, such as Princess Cruises, now offers to combine your Alaska cruise with an exclusive land extension that will take you to the Alaskan interior to see the sights of Denali. When you add on to your cruise, the price is relatively small, and a number of Cruise lines offer exclusive lodges for their cruise guests who want to extend their stay. For travelers who have the need to see a more detailed version of Alaska, combining a cruise and tour with the cruise lines is a great way to get the most value out of your money.

No matter how you slice it, Alaska is best seen through the eyes of a cruiser. On a luxury Alaska cruise, you will most definitely get your fill of wildlife, mountains and glaciers. And with pricing often starting for as little as $400 per person, covering drinks, transfers and on board activities, it is an incredible deal for all travelers. And should you desire to see even more of this last American frontier, you can add on extra tours and interior extensions that will let you take full advantage of great cruise line pricing. So whether you plan to make Alaska your only stop, or if you wish to include it as part of your luxury world cruise, make sure you truly experience the sights of Alaska.

Article Source: http://www.travelarticlelibrary.com

Virginia Morgan writes travel articles for AMT American Express Travel, a premier Internet resource for American Express Vacations. Serving customers online since 1996.

On Monday 19 January, AIR FRANCE KLM was announced winner of the Best Short-Haul Travel Provider category at the Business Travel World Awards 2009. 

The Business Travel World Awards were launched in June 1995 to celebrate those companies and individuals delivering excellence in the corporate travel space. Every year the event is a sell-out because it is a fabulous networking opportunity full of industry peers. 

Fourteen hundred people attended the legendary black-tie gala dinner and award ceremony at Grosvenor House in London last week. AIR FRANCE KLM UK and Global Accounts representatives were in the attendance with key clients and VIPs and were delighted to win the award. 

This year’s short list for the Best Short-Haul Travel Provider included AIR FRANCE KLM, British Airways and Eurostar. 

In the UK & Ireland AIR FRANCE KLM operates over 1000 flights per week from 21 airports, offering the customers a perfect choice for their business and leisure travel needs. In addition to the extensive network offered from the regions in the UK and Ireland, there is a substantial schedule of services from both London Heathrow and London City airports. 

In February 2007 the short haul network product aimed at business travellers, CityJet for Air France was launched at London City. Throughout 2008, the airline continued to develop and expand its large city-to-city network of about 150 daily flights to 8 destinations (including 2 UK domestic routes). The introduction of an enhanced, optimised schedule together with increased capacity, allows for improved day returns and greater flexibility for business travellers. 

In addition, the recently announced purchase of VLM Airlines strengthens a more influential position at this strategic UK airport adding one of Europe’s leading regional business carriers to the group. 

AIR FRANCE KLM wins the award for best short haul travel provider for the second time as it was named best short haul business airline at the Business Travel World Awards in 2005. 

Christine Ourmières says “receiving the award in such a challenging time for the industry has a greater value than at any other time as it shows that the industry recognizes and endorses our work, priorities and achievements. You will no doubt have noticed that the trend for consolidation initiated by Air France KLM is now being used as a benchmark by other carriers, which confirms that our vision had longevity and is resilient. At times like this our customers, clients and partners’ support and recognition are our greatest assets.” 

Visit the Air France website

Hawaii, with its magnificent blue sea, stunning beaches, and wild mountain scenery, is not surprisingly one of the world’s most popular honeymoon destinations. A Hawaiian honeymoon, at one of the hundreds of resorts, hotels and condos that cater especially for newlyweds, is the perfect way to create that special post wedding bond and provide special memories for years to come. 

Set in romantic surroundings, there are properties in all price categories, from super luxury to budget. And should you decide to have the wedding in Hawaii as well, you can choose a wedding/honeymoon package that includes a chapel or beach service, a delicious wedding banquet complete with music, and honeymoon accommodation at the island destination of your choice. 

But Hawaii weddings do not need to be lavish affairs and you may decide a simple civil ceremony in a romantic setting, say on a sandy beach or in a tropical garden. Then your honeymoon can be the focus of this happy time of your life.

The Princeville Resort, on Kauai, is an excellent luxury resort, or you might prefer the more intimate surroundings of a small condominium resort such as The Whalers Cove, in the Poipu area of Kauai, with its spacious units set on a secluded cove that is perfect for water sports such as snorkeling and diving. On the island of Maui, if you crave seclusion and luxury service, consider the smaller Hotel Hana Maui, with its plantation-style cottages complete with hot tubs. You can horseback ride along the Hana Coast, and relax afterward in their wonderful spa. Golfing honeymooners could try the Kapalua Resort on the West Coast of Maui, where three championship golf courses will satisfy the keenest golfers.

Couples looking for privacy should consider the secluded Four Seasons Lanai, at Manele Bay. Located right on the beach, on the pristine private island of Lanai, the resort borders a marine preserve, has exceptional ocean and coastline views, and offers an exclusive spa and fine dining. Less expensive accommodation options include The Outrigger Royal Kahana, with full kitchen facilities, at Kaanapali Beach on Maui, and the moderately priced and well located Miramar, sited just a few blocks from the beach at Waikiki, surrounded by shops and restaurants, with good public transportation. 

A Hawaiian island honeymoon can be as diverse as your interests. You can spend a passionate time on a secluded beach, or experience the passion of shopping, dining and nightlife. The best time to visit Hawaii depends more on the location than any particular season. The leeward sides, the western and southern parts of the islands, have the calmest waters and the driest and sunniest conditions. 

The rainy season is from November to April, although rainfall is common throughout the year. The winter months, December to February, are often a time of stormy weather, although rain usually falls in short spells during daytime. Peak travel seasons, when the hotel rates are higher, are between January and March, June and August, and during the Thanksgiving and the Christmas holidays.

Article Source: http://www.travelarticlelibrary.com

Rod Ritchie, a travel writer and editor, writes for many publishers including AA Publishing and Fodors. Go America offer cheap flights to Hawaii plus great deals on Hawaii car hire and hotels.

When you see Lake Titicaca you can be forgiven for thinking someone has stuck a medium-size sea right in the middle of the Andes! It is massive, covering 8,000km² and is the highest navigable lake in the world, forming most of Peru’s border with Bolivia. Many people fit a visit to Lake Titicaca into their Peru holidays and it’s definitely a location you should consider trying to visit on your holiday in Peru

It is an incredibly tranquil place, and is home to some of the most ancient of the Peruvian peoples. Many speak Quechua (the language of the Incas) as a first language and maintain a very traditional way of life. The lake itself played a prominent part in Inca creation myths and there are many items of historical interest both in and around the lake!

The Uros are floating islands made entirely out of the reeds which go all round the lake. The largest have several hundred people living on them and one great thing to do on your holiday in Peru is to take a boat trip out to visit some of the smaller islands. The trip out to these remarkable homes amid the tranquility of the lake is definitely something to remember!

Of course, if you don’t fancy trusting to reeds, then a trip to Taquile and Amantani – two of the ‘real’ islands further out in the lake is perhaps a better idea! Both islands are absolutely beautiful and have a rich heritage of both Inca and pre-Inca ruins, and both have a famous tradition of handwoven textiles. For the more adventurous, it is also possible to stay overnight on either of these islands with a local family and sample some real Andean hospitality as part of your holiday in Peru.

The main town on the lake is Puno and this is most people’s base when visiting Lake Titicaca during their Peru holidays. It is a centre for traditional music and is a great place to buy llama and alpaca gear – much cheaper than in Cuzco or Lima! There is a large daily market in Puno and you can find it just by walking towards the lake from the town itself, along Avenida Los Incas. If you are arriving by train from Cusco, the very last stage of the journey actually goes through it!

There is also a great vantage point behind the town which you reach by following a path symbolising the stations of the cross. The views across the town and out over the lake are well worth the walk!

Outside Puno itself, there are several sites of interest within easy reach, of which the most important is Sillustani. This village has an astonishing congregation of Inca and pre-Inca funeral towers. It is still unclear exactly how they were constructed and they are defying archaeologists attempts to re-create them. There is a small museum at the site (although the exhibits and displays are all in Spanish) and the location is beautiful so if you find yourself with a few hours to spare then it’s definitely worth a trip. A taxi from Puno should cost about $25 and won’t take more than 45 minutes – a worthwhile addition to any holiday in Peru!

Lake Titicaca should definitely be on your Peru holiday checklist so make sure you don’t get carried away thinking about Cusco and Machu Picchu and forget about when you’re looking to book your Peru holidays this year!

Article Source: http://www.travelarticlelibrary.com

Dan Clarke works for www.therealperu.co.uk , the UK specialists in tailormade Peru holidays. He also maintains the Peru Holidays Guide at www.peruholidays.somee.com to give you even more advice on holiday in Peru!

Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic is an extraordinarily beautiful city. Standing on the banks of the river Vltava (the locals generally use the German name for it the Moldau). Few wars or natural disaster ever reach here and the architectural heritage has been beautifully preserved. It is also know as the “Hundred Spired City” due to the many churches that adorn the city streets.

Much of the street plan, in as much as there is one, is medieval. And will come as a surprise (hopefully a pleasant one) to anyone used to living in a grid pattern North American city.

The city still boasts many beautiful buildings dating from the baroque period; a sight lost to much of Europe, that suffered so much in the devastation of two world wars. The canter of the city is a pleasure to walk around. Much of it is dating from the 14th century, when Charles IV started the university and built the “New Town” area of the city.

Prague only established itself as the capital in 1918 with the creation of Czechoslovakia. It remained under Soviet control until 1989, when the “Velvet Revolution” gently broke the grip of the failing Soviet Union.

Nowadays the city has thriving cafes, clubs and shops, where the newly wealthy and the inspirational window shopper can keep themselves amused for hours on end. The boulevards contain everything from traditional Czech souvenirs to the latest hi tech modern electrical gadgetry.

Must See Prague:

• Charles Bridge: built in the 14th century, it was believed at the time, that odd numbers were lucky. The builders started work at 5:31 on the day 9/7/1352 very odd, but maybe effective, as the bridge is still standing today!

• St.Nicholas Church: When building work finished in 1756 Prague had one of the finest Baroque churches in Europe and it still retains that position today. There is a huge painting of St. Nicholas in the nave and a wonderful bell tower. Mozart gave a recital here and there are still frequent classical concerts throughout the week

• Prague Castle: Now the home of the president, it was previously the seat of the Czech royal family. It is surrounded by palaces and features an army museum. The changing of the guard takes place every hour and, as with some other European Capitals it is quite a spectacle. Bring a camera.

• The Old Town Square: Built before the 12th century this is the oldest and most historic square in Prague. It is made up of many interesting buildings including many from the baroque period. Many of the buildings are brightly colored and there are many pavement cafes, where you can relax and watch the world go by. 

• The National Technical Museum: Although unimaginatively (though accurately) titled, this is a fascinating collection of all things technical. With everything, from a railway carriage belonging to the Archduke Ferdinand, (whose assassination sparked the outbreak of the first world war), to a working reconstruction of a working coal mine.

• Vhsyrad Castle: Over a thousand years old and a former home of the Czech nobility, this castle has an impressive pedigree. Take a stroll on top of the ramparts for a great view of the city and river. There is a wonderful gothic church, a museum and a cemetery, where the composer Dvorzac the Author of the “New World Symphony” is buried.

• Petrin Park: One of the hidden gems of Prague There is a rose garden, a maze and a gate to a well cultivated garden, but the real sight is from the tip of the hill. Take the short cable car ride to the top and there is the Petrin tower, basically a smaller copy of the Eiffel Tower. It is an outstanding viewpoint and well worth the effort.

Food and drink in Prague are both hearty (as you would expect in Eastern Europe) and affordable. You must try the dumplings and the beer is some of the finest on the continent. It is also the original home of Budweiser and they still make their own, some would say superior version. 

The hotels are more expensive than they used to be, but are still affordable. Look around for the best bargains. The transport, mainly buses and trams, is very good. Although English is not as common as in many parts of Europe, a lot of the locals speak a few words. It is always worth asking directions, as they are polite and friendly people. A visit to Prague will not disappoint but don’t go in winter unless you have a good coat.

Article Source: http://www.travelarticlelibrary.com

Gerry Mason loves to travel and visit new places and pass his experience on to others. To receive free air travel please visit: www.flyfreeasacourier.com