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Lindau Insel is an island connected to the mainland by a causeway. It sits in the Bodensee (Lake Constance). The town itself is a wonderfully preserved historic town, very easy to walk around. Standing on the harbour, one looks directly forward to Switzerland and look to the left to the Alps and the pretty Austrian city of Bregenz. Travel to Bregenz takes 10 minutes by train around the lake or around 20 minutes by boat across the lake (highly recommended).
Further along the German coast of the lake lies Friedrichshafen with the very interesting airship museum and on to the far west of the lake to medaeval Meersburg and majestic Konstanz and the beautiful flower island of Mainau. These areas can all be visited by boat from Lindau harbour.
Train station is Lindau (Bayern) - right on the harbour.
Google map: bit.ly/fRAd2Y
We were in istanbul with group of family 8 and rented a boat through bosphoruscruise.com and we would like to thank to everyone at TTG Travel since we really enjoyed our cruise on bosphorus for 2 hours. They picked us up smoothly and drive to the port and than 2 hours joy with a best views of Bosphorus. There are lots of things to see along the bosphorus shore. If we had enough time we would definetely prefer the cruise including meal but unfortunately we were in istanbul just for 2 days thats why we did n ot have enough time for it.
Prof. K. Ismail Gurkan Cad.
www.bosphoruscruise.com
0090 212 5286365
A lot of people just do day cruises on the Rhine. Bingen and Koblenz are the scenic parts of the Rhine River, to be sure. But if you're going alone, a cruise alone the river can be an excellent way to get a feel for some of Europe's best attractions.
You can stay in the cities and not see the countryside, or you can take the train all over the map... and have the countryside blur by you at frightening speeds. I like the boat because it is slow, leisurely, and actually feels like a vacation.
For a 1.5 week trip (which I think is about the max most of us can do on vacation), here's what I would recommend for a Rhine River Cruise:
www.ruba.com/tour/ColletteVacations/Best_of_the_Rhine_River_Europe
You can get all the way from Amsterdam to Colmar in nine days, at a relaxed pace, seeing a ton of quaint locations along the way.
The ferry from Cirkewwa on the island of Malta to Mjarr on next-door Gozo is a 25-minute journey. It costs less than five euros return for a foot passenger and about 15 euros for a car.
Gozo is airport-free, rural, quiet and slow compared to the manic desire Maltese holidaymakers seem to have for entertainment. You will find plenty of great places to eat and many deals on converted, self-catering farmhouses. Wonderful sea swimming and diving, bustling markets (if you can't resist a crowd) and fine sites and views, especially from the citadel in the capital, Rabat.
Small journey; big difference.
Lettings from Xlendi Tourist Services www.xlendi.com
Ferry by Gozo Channel www.gozochannel.com
Driving onto the ferry at the port of Palermo in northern Sicily, we headed straight to the top deck and settled down into the deckchairs to take in the late afternoon sun. The sun sank slowly and magnificently into the Mediterranean Sea, its last rays silhouetting the North African coastline as we pulled into port ten hours later at Tunis.
The scene that greeted us in Tunis could not be further from the quiet life of Sicily: the hustle and bustle of street markets lining the pavements, lively malouf music and the smell of burning incense and fragrant spices drifting in through the car windows... this ferry ride to the other side of the Mediterranean might just as well be to the other side of the world!
We turned up at the port at Palermo and bought our tickets on the same day as the boat's departure, though there are only two sailings weekly so it could be safer to book at www.directferries.co.uk
The impossibly pretty port of Uig nestles at the foot of some of the most spectacular scenery in Skye, and views of this coastline are magnificent as you set off for Uist.
Dolphins may be seen as you cross the Minch. Try the peaceful and quietly swanky Observation Lounge if the deck's too blustery.
If you manage to catch an early ferry, why not book a sea-kayaking lesson from Uist Outdoor Centre in the afternoon - you can explore the tiny islands in the harbour at Lochmaddy spotting otters, birds and seals then surf back to the centre on the next ferry's wake.
www.calmac.co.uk, Tel: +44 (0)1475 650 100 fares £4.90 single, £9.80 return, bikes are free, nearest rail station Kyle of Lochalsh, buses from here or Portree
www.uistoutdoorcentre.co.uk,
+44 (0)1876 500 480 sea-kayaking lessons £35 for 3 hours (adults)
The ferry between Rovinj and Red Island takes you to a beautiful, quiet island, with tree lined beaches. Do beware - some of the beaches are nudist!
It was the most exciting ferry journey I've ever had. Water was crashing atop the very highest deck of the boat and we were holding on with both hands to the guard rails. But in the distance, we could see mainland Italy, and the small island of Ischia where we came from, with its accommodating B&Bs and wonderful hot springs.
We went in the off-season and it was still a fantastic journey. We walked down from our B&B to a tiny cover and watched the water crash on the shore. Arriving back at the B&B to a home-cooked meal every evening was fantastic and so very much appreciated. But the journey back on the ferry is what I'll really remember.
Ferry from Naples to Ischia. Easy to get to from Naples Central Station.
This is best ferry we have been on! Just a short crossing from Kingswear across to Dartmouth will leave you speechless. The ferry only takes about 10 minutes, and you will take in some of the most magnificent houses and colourful buildings as you apprach Dartmouth. My children always burst into the song 'Balamory' whenever we cross, as that's just what it's like. Rows of colourful buildings.
Kingswear Devon.
www.devonguide.com/photos/img384.htm
Last year I took the Scillionian III Ferry from Penzance to the Isles of Scilly. The Scilly Isles are approximately twenty-eight miles from Cornwall, and the ferry journey is an eye-wateringly two-and-a-half hours long.
However, it is a wonderful journey. There is a restaurant inside the ferry and you can sit on the deck and breathe the sea air as you whizz past the spectacular coastline of South East Cornwall, including St. Michael's Mount, Landsend and (you can just about make it out) the legendary Minack Theatre. The Isles are a glorious sight to behold and it is a journey I will never forget.
Isles of Scilly Travel Centre
Quay Street
Penzance
Cornwall TR18 4BZ
Telephone:
Within the UK: (local call rate) 0845 710 5555
International: +44 (0) 1736 334220
Facsimile +44 (0) 1736 334228
www.islesofscilly-travel.co.uk
For a fantastically unique and cheap (from €9 one way) ferry hop around Sicily’s beautiful, charming and untouched Aegadian islands you can’t beat the Favignana, Levanzo and Marettimo trio, leaving from the port of Trapani, northwest Sicily.
The round trip is a couple of hours and there are enough ferries to allow you to sample all the islands in a single day, but equally there is accommodation on all the islands if you wish to extend your visit.
The tiny island of Levanzo hosts the cave of the Genoese with its pre-historic paintings. Favignana is known for its butterflies, grottoes, beaches, bays and tuna fishing – and don’t miss the local restaurant speciality of spaghetti and tuna botargo at the La Bettola restaurant in the port. The final island on the route is Marettimo, with its whitewashed, colourfully shuttered homes, ports filled with fishing boats and unbelievably blue water.
"Bellini", the night train from Rome (Termini) to Siracusa, leaves around 9pm, and is loaded onto the ferry across the Straits of Messina very early the next morning (6-ish). You just lie in bed while it's loading, and can then go up and have a coffee on deck and watch the light over the coast of Sicily, although you could just stay in bed and wait for the attendant to bring you the cappuccino or espresso you ordered the night before (at the carriage door, when you get on).
There are four-person couchettes, but there's something really romantic about proper sleepers, and a two person compartment (single bunks with proper sheets, plus complementary toiletries, mineral water, coffee...) - costs just €75 pp. If you want something more luxurious you can have a double bed compartment with ensuite shower etc for €140 pp.
The air conditioned train then follows the coast, through Taormina, and arrives in Siracusa at about 10 am. We love going to bed and waking up 500 miles away, right where we want to be - it's a great way to unwind at the start of a holiday.
Italian night trains are all good value, but the crossing - and the destination - makes this one the best.
Take the slow boat to Buyukada island. It takes about one and a half hours and only costs about four pounds each way. It is a lovely way to escape the scorching heat of Istanbul as the boat is open and breezy. You can watch the people getting on and off the boat and the tea sellers coming around- buy a cup it is refreshing and cheap.The boat stops at two islands before reaching Buyukada so you can enjoy the scenery. Buyukada is a great place for a day trip or overnight stay. You can buy an infinite variety of ice-creams, drink coffee by the port and watch the boats and people, or have a kebab. If you are feeling energetic hire a bicycle; but if you want to relax hire a horse drawn carriage taxi; then tour the island. You will be impressed by all the authentically restored wooden mansions. If you decide to spend a night, you have to stay in the iconic 1900's Hotel Splendid. Don't be surprised if you bump into Hercule Poirot in the elegantly faded drawing room.
Kadakoi ferry, Istanbul
If you’re staying on the Costa del Sol, the Rif Mountains of Morocco glitter tantalisingly on the horizon… and for about 50 euros each for a return trip, you can take a ferry which spans two hours and two cultures.
You can leave from Algeciras, an enormous, industrial port with an expensive car park, or drive a little further round the coast and use the more low-key port of Tarifa, which also has a free car park right by the ferry terminal.
Don’t forget the Moroccan time difference when catching the return boat, and also, make sure you get your immigration forms stamped on board before arriving.
The ferry is often rammed full of travellers returning from harvesting jobs in Europe, and a bag of sweets to share with curious children is a real ice breaker (a pack of Polos was shared between dozens of families).
You get great views of the Rock of Gibraltar and usually there are dolphins accompanying the ferries. In Tangiers, you can hire a guide for about 25 euros and experience the Kasbah and the markets for a few hours- a rowdy, colourful jumble - and try some of the unusual food and drink before returning to Europe… which will now seem grey and homogenous!
Several ferry companies including:
www.gotarifa.com/en/arrival/ferry_tarifa.html
Norway offers many spectacular ferry journeys. But few match the crossing from Bodo to Stamsund. It was the original section of the Hurtigrute (set up by the once remote Lofoten islanders to get their fish to more lucrative markets further south). Now it's increasingly part of the Bergen-North Cape cruise route, but the lower decks of the boats are still ferries, shipping goods and passengers at the many ports en route.
There's a long stop and much loading and unloading at Bodo as it's the end of the rail line from Oslo (on which I travelled) so most grades of accommodation, including B&B, are not difficult to find there.
Like most ferry crossings a fine day helps. Views of distant island peaks 40 miles away stretch half way across the northern horizon soon after leaving port. It's also a two-hour journey open to the Atlantic, so it can be rough. For me it was calm and sunny.
The peaks of the Lofoten Islands became more distinct, more jagged, more enticing, 1000 metre peaks touched with snow here and there, as the ship plods towards them. By half-way across they are a child's picture book of fairy tale mountains surrounded by sea of many shades and hues spanning the horizon and with hints of the bright yellows and reds of the traditional fishing villages just visible along the shore. Everyone's on deck to savour the view.
Alas Stamsund arrives all too soon. Alas as not only is it this journey's end (the ship continues its equally spectacular route through the islands eastwards), but it's not much of a place either. It has a youth hostel and a hotel, but is mainly a small working port. However, a bus service connects it to the rest of the Lofotens for those who want to adventure further.
Bodo is just north of the Artic circle on the Norwegian coast.
Details of the Hutigrute and timetable can be found on the web.
On our way back from Sicily we caught this ferry to connect with the train at Naples.
We arrived on foot at Palermo dock gates, enquiring where to go, and were whisked away by minibus to the ticket office. The minibus waited to take us to the ship - it was a really friendly, personal service.
The ferry was modern and well-equipped, with decent food. One of the highlights was the evening entertainment in the bar - the pianist played requests and a succession of Italians (mainly lorry drivers I reckon) played at being Pavarotti. It was fab and you did get the feeling it was a regular thing.
In the morning we had the pleasure of arriving in the Bay of Naples with Vesuvius looming in the background. The only slight problem came when we got off the boat and the only shop selling bus tickets to the station didn't open for a couple of hours, so we had to invest in a taxi; a small price to pay.
Book SNAV ferries online, it's a very efficient service
Lefkada is a fantastic and relatively unknown island. The small tourist strip of Nidri is not the most attractive part of it, but if you head down to the pretty harbour front you can rent a motor boat for the day and live out those James Bond fantasies on the cheap. We paid sixty euros all in - very good value considering that a boat can hold six people.
You then have about twenty square miles of sea and several gorgeous islands to call your own. We spent a very pleasant day cruising between them, stopping off at a small harbour-side cafe on Meganissi for a frappe, anchoring in various deserted bays for a spot of snorkelling, and inspecting the Onassis family's private island of Skorpios.
We used Trident Hire and found them to be reliable and good value, but there are two or three other companies at the harbour offering similar deals.
Trident Hire
Tel: +30 697 798 8610
www.tridenthire.com
A barging holiday through Burgundy tasting the top wines and I mean top wines of the region. Prices are not for the faint hearted, but I have never tasted wines of this Calibre for six days in a row ever.
Fascinating boat trip you can book and join for an unforgettable day with the dolphins.
Every day (9.30-17.30) the catamaran KRILL (takes max 10 people) leaves from the Viareggio harbour, called “Molo della Madonnina”, for a cruise in the sea of Versilia.
Take a one-hour Jangada Trip. A jangada is a typical sailboat from Norther Brazil's fishermen Village. It's an amazing trip that will take you to the beautiful reefs and swim among colourful fishes. Relaxing trip in Porto de Galinhas
http:www.portodegalinhas.wiki.br
Porto de Galinhas Jangadas depart from main beach, check low tide time day before to organize your trip
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