Cruise Holidays
| Ecuador and Galapagos Cruise | Cruise through the Panama Canal |
| Nile Cruise and Luxor | Princess Cruise to the Caribbean |
Ecuador and Galapagos Cruise
If you like variety on holiday there is nowhere better - Ecuador has so much to offer.
From its magical coast, with virgin beaches and fishing villages, with a backdrop of banana plantations, to the majestic Andes and its historic cities, to the Amazon jungle, it is an explorer’s paradise.
And then there are the Galapagos Islands with the earth’s second largest marine nature reserve and the naturalist’s dream of life almost completely unaffected by man’s presence, as described in the UK by the BBC’s recent excellent documentary series.
Ecuador is a sparsely populated country of 13 million people on the North West coast of South America, about 600 miles long by 500 miles wide.
It has 14 different indigenous cultures, it is self-supporting in food, with a mouth-watering range of fruit, vegetables and fish resulting in an exotic variety of national dishes.
The main cities are sophisticated metropolises with a great deal to see for the ardent historian. Much remains of the Spanish colonial architecture, whilst the people take great pride in their current democratic independence.
Very efficient tour operators and highly qualified very able English speaking tour guides make travel easy for those who wish to avoid the stress of independent travel. For example, we work through Distinctive Americas with Klein Tours – a local ground tour operator – who arrange tours of the Andes and the Amazon, allowing the traveller to savour the enormous variety of local flora and fauna in the mountains while seeing the volcanoes and crater lakes, meeting country people and seeing their local customs and how they make their traditional products. One can experience the life of the Hacienda owner by over-nighting in beautiful old houses in exotic gardens, tastefully modernised for the traveller, go horse back riding and take your chance in spotting wolves and the local spectacle bears.
As for the main cities, Klein Tours guided tour of Quito, for example, allows one to see the grandeur of the Spanish colonial buildings and the many fine churches as well breathtaking views of the city (9,500 above sea level) surrounded by majestic mountains – the famous Cotopaxi snow capped active volcano is only 40 miles away - while learning something of the Spanish conquest of South America and the 19th century fight for independence.
A short flight (2 hours) from Quito via Guayaquil on the coast takes one to the Galapagos Islands where it is possible to join a 4 or 7 day cruise of the islands, accompanied by local guides who are expert naturalists and linguists. The cruise ships take you from one island to another, mostly at night, enabling you to see much of the indigenous wild life, some of which is unique to each island. The guides help you to identify the unique species and explain their individual characteristics. Passengers have a couple of opportunities to go snorkelling, and it is highly rewarding – one cannot often get the chance to swim with giant turtles, marine iguanas and sea lions. The way in which the wildlife totally ignore the parties of visitors has to be experienced to be believed! The male blue-footed booby will display to attract a female, quite unconcerned that a party of 15 tourists are within 3 metres of them, and two male land iguanas will similarly dispute their territorial border, ignoring the lenses of 15 cameras only a few meters across an open pathway from them.
The cruise ships are limited in number, there being only four with up to some 100 berths and others of 20 to 30 berths. They provide excellent facilities and cuisine. The attention to the environment and to the safety and comfort of passengers is a high priority for the crew who are all remarkable for their friendly helpfulness and professionalism.
During the four-day cruise one lands on five islands for which the transfers by the ships’ own zodiacs are quick and expertly handled. Even elderly passengers feel entirely safe although at times the water can be reasonably choppy.
Of course, it is tempting, if time allows, to add a trip to Peru to see the sights of Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca and the other wonders of the lost Inca civilisation while in South America. This is relatively easy to do and our consultants will be pleased to discuss with you, these and any other options you may have in mind.
Paul Julius, Medway Travel
From its magical coast, with virgin beaches and fishing villages, with a backdrop of banana plantations, to the majestic Andes and its historic cities, to the Amazon jungle, it is an explorer’s paradise.
And then there are the Galapagos Islands with the earth’s second largest marine nature reserve and the naturalist’s dream of life almost completely unaffected by man’s presence, as described in the UK by the BBC’s recent excellent documentary series.
Ecuador is a sparsely populated country of 13 million people on the North West coast of South America, about 600 miles long by 500 miles wide.
It has 14 different indigenous cultures, it is self-supporting in food, with a mouth-watering range of fruit, vegetables and fish resulting in an exotic variety of national dishes.
The main cities are sophisticated metropolises with a great deal to see for the ardent historian. Much remains of the Spanish colonial architecture, whilst the people take great pride in their current democratic independence.
Very efficient tour operators and highly qualified very able English speaking tour guides make travel easy for those who wish to avoid the stress of independent travel. For example, we work through Distinctive Americas with Klein Tours – a local ground tour operator – who arrange tours of the Andes and the Amazon, allowing the traveller to savour the enormous variety of local flora and fauna in the mountains while seeing the volcanoes and crater lakes, meeting country people and seeing their local customs and how they make their traditional products. One can experience the life of the Hacienda owner by over-nighting in beautiful old houses in exotic gardens, tastefully modernised for the traveller, go horse back riding and take your chance in spotting wolves and the local spectacle bears.
As for the main cities, Klein Tours guided tour of Quito, for example, allows one to see the grandeur of the Spanish colonial buildings and the many fine churches as well breathtaking views of the city (9,500 above sea level) surrounded by majestic mountains – the famous Cotopaxi snow capped active volcano is only 40 miles away - while learning something of the Spanish conquest of South America and the 19th century fight for independence.
A short flight (2 hours) from Quito via Guayaquil on the coast takes one to the Galapagos Islands where it is possible to join a 4 or 7 day cruise of the islands, accompanied by local guides who are expert naturalists and linguists. The cruise ships take you from one island to another, mostly at night, enabling you to see much of the indigenous wild life, some of which is unique to each island. The guides help you to identify the unique species and explain their individual characteristics. Passengers have a couple of opportunities to go snorkelling, and it is highly rewarding – one cannot often get the chance to swim with giant turtles, marine iguanas and sea lions. The way in which the wildlife totally ignore the parties of visitors has to be experienced to be believed! The male blue-footed booby will display to attract a female, quite unconcerned that a party of 15 tourists are within 3 metres of them, and two male land iguanas will similarly dispute their territorial border, ignoring the lenses of 15 cameras only a few meters across an open pathway from them.
The cruise ships are limited in number, there being only four with up to some 100 berths and others of 20 to 30 berths. They provide excellent facilities and cuisine. The attention to the environment and to the safety and comfort of passengers is a high priority for the crew who are all remarkable for their friendly helpfulness and professionalism.
During the four-day cruise one lands on five islands for which the transfers by the ships’ own zodiacs are quick and expertly handled. Even elderly passengers feel entirely safe although at times the water can be reasonably choppy.
Of course, it is tempting, if time allows, to add a trip to Peru to see the sights of Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca and the other wonders of the lost Inca civilisation while in South America. This is relatively easy to do and our consultants will be pleased to discuss with you, these and any other options you may have in mind.
Paul Julius, Medway Travel
Cruise through the Panama Canal
Our cruise through the Panama Canal was quite an experience - being something I had always wanted to do. The canal was for me the highlight, though we thoroughly enjoyed the whole trip, including the Caribbean ports of call.
As I had expected, the service, dining, and entertainment were excellent. There was so much to do if you wanted to join in, and we made many friends over the course of the holiday. Thank you for your advice and help in arranging the trip.
Mrs Andrews
As I had expected, the service, dining, and entertainment were excellent. There was so much to do if you wanted to join in, and we made many friends over the course of the holiday. Thank you for your advice and help in arranging the trip.
Mrs Andrews
Nile Cruise and Luxor
Having got back last night from our trip to the Nile- a cruise plus a stay in Luxor - I wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed the whole experience.
We are experienced travellers having lived in many countries and travelled widely, and our standards are high, and I can honestly say that the whole Nile experience, thanks to your company, Discover Egypt and Viking was absolutely top class.
The cruise ship, the guides, the general comfort and attention were outstanding- the food too was good, which is not always the case in Egypt, and all in all we were very well looked after and cared for by some very helpful people.
The attention to detail and organisation on board and on shore were really very impressive and contributed to a stress free holiday- what more could one ask for!
Patrick Helmer - Nile Cruise and Luxor
We are experienced travellers having lived in many countries and travelled widely, and our standards are high, and I can honestly say that the whole Nile experience, thanks to your company, Discover Egypt and Viking was absolutely top class.
The cruise ship, the guides, the general comfort and attention were outstanding- the food too was good, which is not always the case in Egypt, and all in all we were very well looked after and cared for by some very helpful people.
The attention to detail and organisation on board and on shore were really very impressive and contributed to a stress free holiday- what more could one ask for!
Patrick Helmer - Nile Cruise and Luxor
Princess Cruise to the Caribbean
We had to write to let you know about our holiday with Princess Cruises around the Caribbean.
As you know we visited several islands - it was very interesting as each was quite different from the other.
One of the days was spent on the 'private island' of Mayreau. This was great. The staff from the ship set up a barbecue and music on the secluded beach. We were among the last passengers to return to the ship - and travelled on the launch alongside the steel drums! We will not forget that day.
Food was amazing. The restaurant staff were mostly Italian so we had quite a variety of pasta - often cooked at our table.
Evening entertainment was excellent, and surprisingly quite informal. Great time all round.
Anon
