Mauritius expects 1m tourists in 2014
Mauritius has set its sights on receiving 1,030,000 tourists over the course of 2014, with a new bulletin issued earlier this week by Statistics Mauritius indicating an expected 3.7 per cent rise in visitors during the holiday season.
The number cruncher based its claims on the fact that tourist arrivals during the first quarter of 2014 have soared by 2.6 per cent compared to those of 2013, standing at an impressive 354,287.
While it's undoubtedly great news for the archipelago, which has long been able to pull the crowds thanks to its wide stretches of white sand and palm-lined coastline, those fearing for the quiet relaxed atmosphere here needn't worry.
In comparison to other beach destinations, the rise in visitor numbers to Mauritius remains relatively small, with the Maldives and Sri Lanka registering nine and 24.8 per cent increases respectively, Statistics Mauritius stated.
The industry remains one of the most essential sectors on the island, with more than 28,000 people employed in positions linked to looking after tourists.
If you're looking to take advantage of the lull and enjoy a beach holiday in this incredible destination, a Seafarer cruise around various coastlines is undoubtedly the best way to experience this island.
Aboard a stylish and comfortable catamaran, you'll get to enjoy a thoroughly relaxed atmosphere and a unique culture, courtesy of the experienced and knowledgeable deckhands we have aboard. These folks are well accustomed to ensuring you make the most of your holiday, no matter how you prefer to spend it.
Check out the seven-night Maurice itinerary or the three night Benitier itinerary for more details, including highlights, stop-offs and other information.
Turkey tourism figures on the rise
Turkey's government has published a report indicating that the country's visitor numbers went from strength to strength in the first four months of this year, with a rise of 5.07 per cent recorded against the same period last year.
According to the country's Ministry of Culture and Tourism, a total of 2.6 million foreign tourists arrived in April alone, representing an increase of 8.2 per cent year-on-year, bringing the first quarter's total figures to 7.03 million arrivals.
Airports remained the main points of entry for visitors, with those transport hubs in Istanbul proving particularly popular. Elsewhere, land border crossings in Edirne at the Bulgarian border also proved particularly popular, while airports in Antalya saw extensive use thanks to the area's outstanding natural beauty.
Tourists from Europe made up many of the figures, with Germans proving keen to sample the best of this incredible country. German visitors to the country made up 15.9 per cent of all tourism traffic during April, with Russians coming in second and the UK third.
With more people than ever checking out this most incredible country, why not be the latest to experience Turkey by taking a cruise along the coastline? Such a holiday would offer an excellent insight into the history, the culture and the sheer beauty that can be found in abundance here.
From bustling Bodrum to fascinating Fethiye, there is plenty to be discovered here. And Seafarer even offer a traditional mode of transport from which you can carry out your journey around the coast – a traditional Turkish gulak.
If this has piqued your curiosity, check out our wide range of holidays around this East meets West culture of wonderment.
Maldives observes tourism increase
The Maldives is proving an ever popular tourism destination in 2014, with a 16.2 per cent increase in visitors recorded by the government over the past four-month period.
As announced by the tourism ministry of the archipelago, 105,309 tourists arrived at the border in April, taking the total so far for 2014 to 426,870. By contrast, only 343,748 visitors had crossed the border by this time last year.
While it was acknowledged that Chinese tourism continues to dominate the industry, easily the highest number of tourists actually arrived from Europe.
Records show that 219,058 people arrived from the continent during the first four months of this year, although no notable increase was noted from this demographic.
In contrast, the tourism ministry said it had recorded a 24.2 per cent increase in visitors from the Middle East, as well as a 22.7 per cent increase in Chinese tourists. The government claims a drastic change in promotion has played a part in helping people from these places discover the beauty of the Maldives.
If you're among the many Europeans looking to explore this spectacular nation, why not consider witnessing it from a unique perspective and exploring its many islands via a Seafarer cruise?
Such holidays allow plenty of time and opportunity to explore the local culture with a fantastic level of variety in the programme of excursion and knowledgeable tour guides. However, there is also plenty of opportunity to relax off the coast in a cove of crystal clear water, while seeking out the local marine life.
For more details, take a look at Seafarer's Maldives Sailing Cruise, which allows you to experience this stunning location in the comfort of a stylish and intimate catamaran.
Best cruises for families
Seafarer’s recent offer allows families to holiday at a discounted rate, with excellent locations and huge savings available. So why not make the most of these savings and take the family to an entirely new destination this summer? There is plenty of choice available, but at the same time, some locations are undoubtedly better than others when you’re bringing the kids – particularly young ones. Of course, all of our cruises offer great activities that can be enjoyed by everyone, such as swimming in azure waters in picturesque coves.
Read on to discover our favourite locations for families.
Italy
Italy, with its spectacular coastlines and warm welcoming culture, can be enjoyed by anyone. But it’s particularly excellent for those with children thanks to a number of factors. Firstly, there is the availability of child-friendly foodstuffs – pizza and pasta are in plentiful supply, and of course the gelato (ice cream) is legendary. Secondly, its proximity to the UK is certainly very useful, and at a mere two to three hours flight duration, the kids will barely have time to finish the in-flight film. But more than that – the assets possessed by cities such as Rome and Venice are universally appealing, with an enormous degree of charm. As a bonus, Italy is a very safe place to holiday.
Greece
Another European destination, the travel duration for Greek cities is only a little longer than to those in Italy from London. A Seafarer cruise here will generally see you exploring the jaw-droppingly beautiful Greek Islands, of which there are more than 1,400. One aspect the kids are bound to love about this particular cruise holiday is the connection to the ubiquitous Greek mythology. If they’ve studied it at school or even watched Disney’s Hercules, they’re going to have the time of their lives exploring ancient ruins and finding out about the Gods of Mount Olympus. Seafarer’s Classical Greece Itinerary encompasses many spectacular locations perfect for finding out about the legends. A prominent stop-off at Crete is an opportunity for the kids to learn about the terrifying tale of the Minotaur, for example.
River Rhine
For sheer variety, there’s nothing like the Classic Rhine itinerary, which includes stop-offs in a number of bustling European cities including Amsterdam, Koblenz, Cologne and Strasbourg, among others. The kids will love the opportunity to get to grips with several different cultures, but they’ll particularly enjoy the opportunity to visit the famous Reichsburg Castle, towering high above the town of Cochem. In fact, they’ll have a great time on deck while you’re travelling through this winding river, as the valleys are peppered with spectacular fortifications and stunning flora. So they certainly won’t be bored while you’re in transit between ports.
Croatia
If you’ve got teenagers who happen to be into Game of Thrones, there is no better holiday destination than Croatia’s Dubrovnik where the drama is filmed. A stunning walled city encompassed by some of the oldest fortifications in the world, there’s certainly an otherworldly atmosphere here that the whole family will enjoy. But that’s not all. Travelling on Seafarer’s Split to Dubrovnik cruise, you’ll have the chance to witness the extraordinary Dalmatian Coast in all its glory. Among the offerings that kids are certain to love, the white water rafting excursion on the Cetina river certainly stands out.
Wherever you decide to take the family this year, you can be sure of getting the most out of your holiday with Seafarer. Family-friendly vessels, excellent service and a number of extras on some of our boats including kayaks and snorkelling equipment help make for an extremely memorable holiday.
Our small ship cruises are the best choice for families looking to spend time together and re-connect, rather than each going their separate ways on organised activities on board, which small ships simply do not offer. Swimming from the aft swimming platform, going sea kayaking or exploring together ashore are all activities families love
Stargazing on a cruise
There's nothing quite like a stargazing experience. It's something that pretty much anyone can enjoy to some degree, with the stars and galaxies exhibiting an unparalleled performance of spectacular visuals. But living as we do in packed cities or alongside brightly lit roads, it will come as no surprise that many people have never witnessed the night sky unspoilt by electric lights. Hopping on a cruise is a great way to get away from the glow, and to finally come face to face with a magnificent open vista of velvet black, scattered with stars.
If this is part of your cruise that you're particularly looking forward to, it's worth checking out some of our tips below for optimising your stargazing.
Choose your destination
If you're looking for prime stargazing opportunities during your cruise, it's worth going for a destination that offers minimal light pollution. It's no good opting for an itinerary that sees you spending one evening after another in major ports. Fortunately, at Seafarer and Variety, we specialise in smaller scale cruise vessels that allow for intimate exploration of our destinations. This allows us to visit more isolated parts of a country or archipelago that boast excellent stargazing opportunities.
Destination choice is also important from the point of view that it will affect which constellations you'll be able to see. For example, if you're intent on catching a glimpse of the Southern Cross, you won't find it much further north than Cuba. Similarly, you won't see the Ursa Major if you're travelling south of the equator.
Time your journey
Exactly when you travel will also have a lot of impact on the quality of your stargazing. Our advice is to choose the dry season of your given holiday destination as there will likely be fewer clouds throughout your journey, allowing for greater clarity. It's also worth noting what time of the month you'll be travelling, rather than just the time of year. If you're cruising coincides with a full moon, you can be sure of getting some fantastic views of its silvery presence. But at the same time, the strong light will mean you have a lower chance of seeing smaller objects such as satellites, or celestial bodies such as planets. This is certainly something to take into account.
Buy a guide
If you really want to make the most of your stargazing opportunity, it's definitely worth procuring a guide to the various constellations. When seeking out a book, it's important to keep two things in mind. Firstly, does it cover the stars in your destination of choice? Secondly, is it up to date? While bookshops are unlikely to stock guides that are no longer accurate, this isn't really a sale you should carry out on eBay in case someone is trying to offload an out-of-date copy.
Check for unpredictable events
Famous stargazer David Levy once compared comets and meteors to cats – "They have tails and they do what they want." While scientists are generally able to calculate the path of a single comet or even a shower, it is impossible to know very far in advance how visible it will be from Earth. However, all is not lost, and if you're determined to get a glimpse of a shooting star, there are websites available that offer schedules for potential sightings. You might be out of luck, but it's certainly worth checking while you're cruising or, if possible, during the journey.
Take the right equipment
If you're particularly keen on sampling the night sky, a bit of preparation is needed by way of the equipment you're bringing. A telescope cheap portable telescope is necessary for those who want an authentic stargazing experience as you'll stand a greater chance of witnessing far-off celestial bodies. For those who don't know their Orions from their Ploughs, there are applications for iPhone, Android and Windows smartphones that allow you to identify the constellations just by pointing your camera at the night sky.
So what are you waiting for? Decide which stars you're keenest on seeing and get ready for some excellent stargazing.
Families see holiday prices plunge
Families are enjoying fantastic value for money when they go on holiday at the moment, with Europe in particular becoming a bargain hunter's paradise due to a favourable exchange rate and strong competition among providers.
This is according to Asda Money, which reported that those purchasing euros today would see a seven per cent increase in what they would receive, compared with ten months ago.
"Customers purchasing £500 of euros today at Asda would get 37 euros extra compared to ten months ago," commented Kirsty Ward, head of Asda Money.
The exchange rate couldn't have picked a better time to be in such a good shape, with many Brits making the most of the bank holiday weekend to fly abroad to sunnier shores such as those of Greece and Italy.
Current exchange specialists Moneycorp told the Express they had witnessed a dramatic rise in demand for euros over the two weeks leading up to the three-day break, with 58 per cent of transactions being for the international currency over the weekend.
"In the two weeks running up to the bank holiday, travel money purchases of euros …increased by 14.38 per cent, compared with the two previous weeks," commented a spokesperson for the company.
"In addition to this, the popularity of several other currencies … increased over the same period, showing that British families are looking further afield for half-term breaks."
If you're one of these families, why not consider one of Seafarer's yacht cruise options, which provide the perfect getaway for children and adults alike? Whether you're considering the beautiful Italian shoreline or the uniquely rugged Greek Isles, you'll find something that suits everyone.
Be sure to take advantage of our group or family discounts, which allow you to enjoy a great holiday for a much cheaper price.
World Travel Awards heads to Greece
The most anticipated event in the travel industry's calendar is heading to Greece, and Athens is already undergoing a vast amount of preparation so it may cater for the hundreds of participants set to swoop down on the opening night.
Taking place August 1st – 3rd, the World Travel Awards reward outstanding efforts in the industry across a number of fields. And where better to do that than the stunning surroundings of such a vibrant and exciting city?
A mindboggling itinerary has been prepared by the organisers that fully takes advantage of Athens' assets for the nominees to enjoy, including a welcome of fantastic Greek cuisine made out of local produce on arrival.
World Travel Awards president, Graham Cooke, said that a lot of work had gone into putting together "a whistle-stop tour of Greek highlights" that will include a private visit to the New Acropolis Museum – recently voted one of the best museums in the world.
"Nominees and winners attending the Gala Ceremony are invited to take advantage of the tours on a complimentary basis, and we look forward to welcoming them in August," he added.
There will also be opportunities to enjoy a relaxing spa, a spectacular coastal sunset and a day at the beach – something that no trip to the Mediterranean should be without.
The awards themselves will take place on August 2nd in partnership with the Greek Tourism Ministry, the Greek National Tourism Organization, and the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises.
Nominees will be treated to an Oscar-style event with plenty of live entertainment and Champagne.
If you like the sound of such a glamorous Greek holiday but don't have an invitation, consider Seafarer's spectacular range of tours around the islands of Greece as a consolation. Exploring the epic coastlines and learning about the history of this incredible place really is an excellent alternative.
Cuba seeks to boost nautical tourism
Cuba is seeking to make use of its natural assets by promoting its spectacular coastline and the activities that can be carried out there in the tourist board's latest campaign.
Offerings promoted by various companies in a new advertising push are particularly keen to highlight the glittering azure waters that holidaymakers adore to experience, as well as the pristine beaches and the extensive – yet non-invasive – facilities.
At the head of the effort is the Marlin Nautical and Marinas Entrepreneurial Group, which promotes the Cuban insular shelf as a particular must-see spot for its coral reefs, which foster biodiversity and beauty on a colossal scale.
Snorkelling, diving and kayaking are among the other recommended activities, as is simply enjoying the sun from the beach.
The association is particularly keen to promote Cuba as an all-round nautical adventure, rather than having the sea as something tourists merely dip in and out of.
Such an offering is precisely what is available from Seafarer's Cuba Dream Itinerary, which allows visitors to this stunning country to get an astonishingly in-depth look at the culture by travelling to a number of key locations.
From the turquoise waves of Playa Sirena to the pristine beaches of Cayo Estopa, you can enhance your holiday with a variety of activities like those mentioned above, including a kayak ride through the Mangrove channels.
Snorkelling and swimming also feature heavily in the itinerary, with opportunities to stop off at every location for a dip.
Showing off Cuba's nautical aspects is a great way to pique the interest of tourists looking to experience this fantastic part of the world, but it's worth making sure you get a holiday that really showcases the nautical adventure that Cuba's tourism association is trying to endorse.
Top 3 destinations for history lovers
No holiday can possibly be complete without soaking up some of the local history. It is an unparalleled joy to find out how an exotic destination came to be the place it is today. If that's the best part of the trip for you, it may well be worth considering one of our chosen destinations below, picked especially for their astonishing links to the past. Take a look below before considering one of Seafarer or Varity's excellent cruises in your chosen spot.
Greece
We couldn't put this list together and not mention Greece. The journey of a lifetime, a casual trip around the Aegean coastline reveals a selection of wonders, the beauty of which will leave holidaymakers utterly spellbound. Consider exploring, for example, the medieval fortified town of Monemvasia, filled as it is with uniquely preserved Byzantine and Venetian architecture. Wander the narrow streets of Nafplion's Old Quarter, where life carries on much as it has done over the past 100 years. From port to port, you'll notice key landmarks and differences in culture that are fantastic and extraordinary to observe. We advertise a number of cruises around this beautiful coastline, but undoubtedly the best cruise available is the Classical Greece Itinerary, which visits many key historical locations.
We advertise a number of island hopping cruises exploting this beautiful country, but undoubtedly one of the very the best cruises available is the Classical Greece Itinerary on board the deluxe mega-yacht Harmony V, which visits many key historical locations.
Croatia
The history of Croatia is a fascinating one, with the country bowing to the wishes of neighbours Hungary and Austria through much of its life. Recently, however, it has secured independence and is an up and coming favourite tourist destination among history buffs. Spending a night in Dubrovnik is an absolute must – this metropolis is frequently voted among the best walled cities in the world and contains plenty of old and fascinating buildings. But it's not the only place of historical interest in Croatia. It's also worth visiting the island of Korcula, which is the home of the oldest community theatre in Europe, founded in 1612. St Stephen's Cathedral and the fortress Fortica are also attractions you shouldn't pass up. Our Split to Dubrovnik itinerary caters for those eager to explore Croatia's history.
Egypt
Perhaps the defining historical cruise experience is a trip down Egypt's extraordinary waterway the River Nile, which runs through what can only be described as a vast open-air museum of wonderment. You'll go from admiring the sheer scale behind the Great Hypostyle Hall to drooling over spectacular architecture in the Temple of Abu Simbel. Through it all, you'll find yourself continually amazed by what this country has to offer in the way of ancient history. Other highlights include the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Horus, Lake Nasser and the multi-layered city of Cairo. You'll want to choose a holiday that allows you the most time available to explore all that the Nile has to offer, so book onto Seafarer's Ten Night Grand Tour to make the most of your time here.
Unusual cruise luggage revealed
When it comes to choosing what to take on a cruise, there are some things that simply can't be left behind. Clothing, sunblock, books, ipods and a full-sized cardboard cut-out of Harry Styles, the cheeky-eyed floppy-haired heartthrob from British band One Direction.
That last one was according to a little girl, who smuggled the item aboard a cruise without her parents' knowledge. But it's surprising how a recent survey from travel experts Bon Voyage revealed Brits love to take a piece of home with them when they go on holiday.
The full list comprises a number of utterly bizarre entries, including a suitcase full of noodles, a Batman costume, a tent, a Piers Morgan poster and a Grow Your Own Boyfriend Kit.
One passenger was particularly intent on offending fellow passengers and had procured a How To Swear Around The World book to help him on his mission.
Another was evidently seeking something of a walk-on-water experience with his zorb ball – a large human-sized hamster ball that is capable of supporting someone's weight when on the water.
Steph Curtin said it was only natural that passengers might want to bring a material possession representing their lives with them, as doing so offers a degree of comfort.
Seafarer Cruises's managing director Chris Lorenzo commented: "With a cruise vessel being one's home away from home, it is understandable that travellers want to take something from within their comfort zone with them on holiday so they can truly relax, from favourite snacks to cuddly toys.
"What's more, with the personal service one can expect on our yacht cruises, the crew will be happy to oblige with things like making tea with your favourite tea bags and such."
If you're planning on taking a cruise with Seafarer or Variety Cruises, you certainly won't want to dress up in your Batman costume – particularly as many of our destinations feature stunning weather and regular opportunities to take a dip in crystal clear waters of picturesque bays.
From exploring the Greek Isles to uncovering the secrets of the Seychelles, you're guaranteed to have an amazing time.
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