http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33458 Semester at Sea is not your typical 'cruise.' It is a living voyage and lifelong learning experience. The voyages have taken me to the now serene shipyards in Gdansk to the top of Mount Vesuvius and onward to the Mekong Delta and the wonders of Southeast Asia,
Our ship, the MV Explorer, is a floating university that can accommodate up to 600 students, staff - like my professor wife - and people like me, a life long learner. Once you sail on it, the MV Explorer will always be 'OUR ship,' to you too. Yes, OUR ship has a pool and a fabulous lounge, but you see quickly what else you can be doing, like studying political science of Southeast Asia, Asian Puppetry, World War II history, or comparative religions. Surrounded by young people, many of whom are seeing the rest of the world for the first time.
It's not the cheapest holiday compared with other much less interesting long cruises. I have been fortunate enough to be a bag carrier on these voyages for my wife who teaches aboard. Our ultimate goal is to pay the full fare so neither of us has to work and we can both sit in on as many classes as possible while exploring the delights of our planet.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33458 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31114 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31114 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30410 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30410 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27704
Excellent introduction on board ship and then left to wander the evocative island. You must read The Island by Victoria Hislop before entering the lepers tunnel – the book is an account of life on Spinalonga.
Prices for drinks on board was actually cheaper than in Agios shops. A must for a trip to eastern Crete.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27704 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27586 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27586 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27084 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27084 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24745 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.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24745 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24548
The country and river is changing overnight, probably best to see it while it still exists.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24548 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24368
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.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24368 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23602
The canal cruise I would highly recommend is called "Old Paris" on the Saint Martin Canal it takes 2.5 hours and is simply heaven. It leaves from Paris Arsenal Marina and goes to Parc de la Villette It is a romantic trip and gives you the opportunity to hear the history of the true Paris.

Cruise along the tree lined canal while admiring the old, yet beautiful footbridges. You will also pass below the Bastille. You can also enjoy going through several locks and a couple of swing bridges. You will watch as people go along the canal banks with the many retro shops and cafes-it is truly a view of Paris you will adore.

During the cruise I went on, they played old French songs - which may sound off putting, but on this occasion I found it added to a glorious experience I long to repeat. And the cost is 15 euros for adults and eight euros for children.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23602 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21910
The best way to get there is with a three-day or one-week cruise on a private yacht. The sailing yachts are operated by the owner couple who handles the boats, prepares the meals and looks after you. It is like sailing with friends.

Every day you sail two or three hours and then drop the anchor in another paradise like bay. This gives you enough time to swim, snorkel and explore the islands. An unforgettable experience…]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21910 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21484 Hieroglyphs, temples, palm trees, sun, sand desert, floating down the Nile in absolute bliss on this beautiful dahabyeh, full moon above the Nile, billions of stars : it is one in a life time experience! The charming owners, from Nour el Nil not only show you sites that others do not visit, but also take you for wonderful walks that show you todays Egypt and its people.
My travel tip is the following: before booking a cruise, ask full information about both the boat and itinerary, since some so-called dahabyehs are fake ones and incapable of sailing under sails. They are actually small cruise boats exclusively motor driven which do trips of 2 ½ to 3 days in a similar manner as the big cruise boats.
And instead of having a gourmet dinner that you are looking forward to, you end up with a dull fast food sandwich…
You would not want to fail your one in a life time experience for not asking these key questions, would you?]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21484 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21382
This area was one of the first places in Ontario that was settled by Europeans. French missionaries from Quebec came back in 1639 to convert the local Huron population and a replica of their settlement, Sainte-Marie among the Hurons has been built close to the original site, just outside Midland.

In the early 1800s, the Royal Navy set up a base after the War of 1812 to prevent the Americans from dominating the Great Lakes. Some of the original buildings, mixed with more recent replica buildings and a couple of schooners can be seen in the living history museum of Discovery Harbour on the shores of Penetanguishene Bay.

Both Midland and Penetanguishene offer daytime and evening cruises of the Georgian Bay Islands National Park which pass close to some of the ritzy "cottages" perched on tiny rocky islands in Georgian Bay.

There is plenty else to do from seeing the huge murals painted on the silos and walls in Midland harbour and town centre to paddling a canoe or snowshoeing through the nature reserve at Wye Marsh.

Penetanguishene is one of the few parts of Ontario where there is still a strong French speaking presence and you can hear people chatting in French in the local shops.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21382 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21374 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21374 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21212 Each of the canals and rivers in France has its own unique beauty and to be honest, it doesn't matter which you choose. You'll be overwhelmed by the rural nature of cruising these old industrial highways and the wonderful little towns and villages you encounter as you do so.
Superb French wines are available throughout France so it doesn't necessarily translate that cruising in Burgundy will allow consumption and the tasting of better wines than if you were in say, the wild and woolly Ardennes.
Personally, we think that the Ardennes is unbeatable for its river and canal scenery. The 'Magical Meuse' route exceptional.
It has a wonderful new (2008) cycle path running between Charleville-Mezieres and Givet, plus a very scenic rail line that follows the route too.
It's a wonderful mix of river and canal, flowing through deep forests clinging to the steeply sided valley.

There are lots of viewpoints to hike up to, a chateau that can be visited at Freyr, the citadel and collegiate church at Dinant together with lots of lovely riverside towns and villages. I think it takes a lot of beating and after many years cruising all over France, it's now top of that list!
Nilaya includes extensive continental breakfasts and a substantial light lunch each day plus one tasty home cooked dinner built in to the price. There's a fridge on board where you can store any wines, beer or spirits you purchase and bring aboard. We even enjoyed a champagne reception on arrival.

This barge was a joy to be on and the holiday one of the most memorable we've ever taken. I hope whoever reads this enjoys it as much as we did.
Hughie & Jess]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21212 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21095 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21095 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18673 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18673 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18540 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18540 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17386
As a first-time snorkeller, I swam from pristine sandy beaches and from the dive platform of the Coral Princess into another world so beautiful it takes your breath away – especially when your snorkel’s on the wrong way round and you swallow half the Coral Sea! Unforgettable.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17386 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17384
Every now and again the surface was broken by a flying fish skittering across the waves.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17384