Cruise Holidays - Attheta Travel

Belize, a small Central American country, has more than its share of coastal beauty. The reefs and cayes (small islands) that line its 150-mile coast are part of the Western Hemisphere’s largest reef system. Inland, more than half of Belize is covered with dense forests and nature preserves. Cruise ships call on Belize City, the country’s commercial capital. Ships dock just outside of the harbor, and guests board speedy tenders for the short trip to the docks at Tourist Village. The city has some charming remnants of the days when Belize was a British colony, especially around the Fort George area. City tours are available, but many cruise guests choose excursions to dive sites, Mayan ruins, ziplines and other outdoor adventures. There are many wonderful dive sites along the barrier reef, and some of the best are just off Ambergris Caye. The barrier reef is home to hundreds of species of hard and soft corals, fish and other sea life. (Note that the famous Great Blue Hole is fo...

If you’re looking for vacation options that are environmentally friendly, look at cruising. Most cruise lines operate in compliance with extensive international guidelines for environmental stewardship, and many do even more. After all, part of the appeal of cruising is the opportunity to enjoy beautiful stretches of water and the healthy marine life within. In addition to the recycling programs that have become common during the past 20 years, ships are being built or retrofitted with solar panels, cooking oil-to-biodiesel fuel conversion systems, and energy-efficient lighting and fixtures. Here are some other green trends in cruising: ·        Onboard environmental officers whose full-time job is to ensure the effectiveness of all environmental operations at sea, in port and on private islands. ·        “Zero discharge” for recycling or incinerating all solid waste, either onboard or in appropriate in-port fac...

Fairy-tale castles, magnificent palaces, deep forests, sunny vineyards and medieval city centers can all be seen on a cruise of Germany’s Main River. The Main (pronounced like “mine”) is sometimes overlooked by travelers eager to cruise one of Europe’s major rivers, like the Rhine or Danube. However, the Main provides a delightful cruise experience, winding through some of the most beautiful scenery in Germany. Cruise ships can navigate the 240 miles between Frankfurt and Bamburg, perfect for a 6- or 7-day cruise. The Main also connects to the Rhine near Frankfurt and to the Danube via the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal, so it can be part of a longer cruise, too. Cruises of the Main often begin in Frankfurt, a center of commerce and culture since the days of Charlemagne. The city was bombed during World War II, but some historic structures were spared or have been reconstructed. These include the home of Germany’s most famous writer, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, which contains his wri...

Whether you’re a master gardener or simply enjoy pretty flowers, a cruise can take you to some of the world’s most spectacular gardens. Late spring and summer tend to be the best time to take a cruise with a garden excursion, but tropical gardens can bloom all year; gardens in four-season areas can be gorgeous in the fall, too. Monet’s Garden at Giverny, France . Impressionist painter Claude Monet painted his famous Water Lilies series from life in his garden at Giverny. The garden, which contains much more than water lilies, is truly awe-inspiring: the artist spent years creating a living version of his watercolor paintings, even diverting part of the Epte River to create a perfect water garden. You can also tour part of the beautiful house where Monet lived from 1883 until his death in 1926. Giverny is an excursion on some Seine River cruises and ocean cruises that call on Le Havre. Madeira Botanical Gardens, Funchal, Madeira, and Palmetum of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary I...