Travelogue… with Bob Nicolaides

The Lure of Dalmatia, with 99 co-passengers-and Venice too!



The Corinthian



From the deck of your elegant ship, the Corinthian, islands appear-evolving forms held in bright sunshine above impossibly clear, royal blue seas. As the ship rounds bleached cliffs, forest mounds and pebbled beaches, a port comes into view: a medieval walled town, perched like a captain on the prow of his ship, virtually unchanged through six centuries or more. It’s crenellated walls, campaniles and patrician villas speak of a rich past. At night,  moonlit pools on the ancient flagstones. This is Croatia and Montenegro, renowned for their physical beauty, the splendor of the ancient towns and villages that have preserved their character and architecture through the centuries, the magnificence of their monuments, the elegance of their customs and traditions and the vitality of the friendly inhabitants.

 

This superb corner of the Mediterranean has a long and proud maritime tradition. As in bygone ages, Croatia’s Dalmatia and Montenegro are best appreciated when accessed from the sea. But on which ship you cruise matters a lot. This is not an area for today’s mega cruises ships. The small islands, ancient towns and villages cannot accommodate large crowds of tourists. When traveling in such large groups, people miss the essence of what these places are all about, Travel Dynamics International’s Corinthian is the ideal cruise ship for the voyage. More like a private yacht than a cruise ship, Corinthian accommodates only 100 guests in 50 suites. The limited guests capacity, fine facilities and distinctive style of operation like-minded travelers who return again and again to enjoy its custom-crafted itineraries and a style of cruising that is rarely found today.

 

All Corinthian suites face outside, providing views of the sea and landscape. Several have a private balcony. There are expansive open deck areas and attractive facilities, including a gym, spa, library (with internet access,) beauty salon, two lounges, a sun deck with Jacuzzi and an outdoor café. An elegant restaurant accommodates all guests in an open, unassigned seating. An elevator serves all decks. A resident physician attends a well-equipped infirmary. Wi-Fi is available throughout the ship. It is also equipped with retractable fin stabilizers and a fleet of Zodiac inflatable craft for forays ashore.

 Best 2014 Value as Destinations

Santorini: Best Destination

Travel Guide makers, Lonely Planet has named the Greek islands as their top best value destination for 2014. The iconic islands have risen to the top spot thanks to the crisis crunch reducing prices and the drop of tourists making it easier to get around. "Greece still does what it's done brilliantly for generations," the writers at Lonely Planet summarize. "What's missing are visitor numbers from previous years, and prices have come down in an attempt to woo them back.

"Combined with the chance to explore Greece's more popular sites with fewer visitors, this means that in 2014 it offers remarkable value." Greece is joined by various good value destinations, including a close neighbors, Bulgaria, and Southern Italy.

  

 

 

Olympics tourists: You may face jail in Russia , if....

 

Protesting at Olympics





















 

Amnesty International says laws that restrict gay rights, free speech and freedom of association are changing Russian society for the worse. IT'S the simplest of acts which most people wouldn't give a second thought to in Australia. But in this part of the world, not only is it frowned upon, but it can land you behind bars. In fact, for visitors heading to Russia to watch the Winter Olympics, any social activity outside of games events will be just as tightly controlled as the competitions themselves.. Put a foot wrong, and you could find yourself on the wrong end of the law. The tight controls and bans people now face in places such as Sochi have caused outrage from human rights groups across the globe.



And Russia's treatment of its gay and lesbian community in particular has drawn the anger of Wallabies star David Pocock who has written an open letter, slamming the country's outdated and discriminatory laws. In his letter, the Amnesty International ambassador, reveals the discrimination and risk gay, lesbian and transgender people face on a daily basis and called on President Putin to investigate hate crimes. The Rugby union star, who has said he will not marry his long-term partner Emma Palandri until gay and lesbians can do the same, said it was time Russia stopped punishing people simply for who they loved. Legislation introduced in June last year banning "propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations" means anyone found promoting homosexuality can be penalized with a fine of up  to  5000 rubles (AUD $170).



Most media in Russia is under strict government control which limits information and is often used to attack those critical of Putin or the government. According to Amnesty, new legislation has extended this power and given the government the power to According to Amnesty, new legislation has extended this power and given the government the power to blacklist and block websites publishing material considered "extremist or otherwise harmful to public health, morals or safety". freedom of expression. Under such laws, two Norwegian journalists, reporting on preparations in Sochi between late October and November last year, were repeatedly arrested and threatened with imprisonment.

 River Cruising-a Better Way to Explore!



 

Nothing compares to a  river. How else but on a river can you journey into the heart of the world’s greatest cities and charming towns and discover the true nature of the land and its people? Where else but on a river could you be gently carried aboard an elegant, intimate ship to your next destination , strolling off into town to begin your exploration? And how else but on a river would you travel with such ease, unpacking just once and enjoying the ever-changing scenery along the banks?

The Grandest of Tours

 

Viking has continuously set the standard within the river cruise industry-and it continues to do so with the newest ships , designed for your comfort and pleasure. Viking owns and operates a fleet of deluxe ships and every room has a river view through a veranda or window. Hotel-style beds, TVs with English-language programming, plus premium bath products make it your private sanctuary.

To personalize your travel experience, Viking offers choice in every aspect of your journey-from accommodations and excursions to dining styles. New for 2014, you can choose enhanced land extensions in select cities with upgraded Premier hotels and optional privileged access tours.

Plans include a Grand European Tour,  the  Romantic Danube, River of History, Rhine Getaway, Danube Waltz, Paris & The Heart of Normandy, Waterways of the Tsars and so many others.

 TUI  unveils vision for the future   The travel giant TUI claims it is developing a holiday experience that will "know what you want before you do". The video promises a range of technology innovations that will allow customers to: - set up a holiday journal, based on the ideas and browsing history of everyone going on the trip; - get advice and tips from other TUI customers who have shared their holiday memories; - order anything they've forgotten, such as sun cream, on the way to the airport and have it delivered to their airline seat; - be in contact with resort reps 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from the moment of booking; - pay for souvenirs and other items in resort with a mobile phone and have the amount added to their hotel bill; - use a mobile device on arrival at the airport to get directions to the transfer bus; - receive daily weather reports and recommendations for sightseeing and activities while in resort; - send and store holiday photos to the holiday journal; - make special requests, like lactose-free ice cream, before the holiday.

Taste a Melange of Mediterranean Culture

 



A plethora of isles



Welcome to Holland America Line’s Mediterranean, a region marbled with ancient symbols of beauty and power. This is where Caesars ruled, towers were built, the arts were perfected. In true Greek fashion, fortresses mark your entrance into Kerkira, with the palaces of Corfu just a drive away. Dine on local cuisine at Constantinople’s (Istanbul) Maiden Tower which dates back to Byzantine Empire’s 2500 years. In La Goulette, relax with a sip of mint tea just above the ruins of Carthage, once a glorious rival of Rome. For an energetic mix of tradition and modernism, enjoy a colorful flamenco performance that unites singing, dancing and the rhythm of a guitar in Barcelona.