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With an area of 6,890,000 square miles and bordered by the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans and the Caribbean Sea, the South American coastline seems almost endless. As the continent is composed of over a dozen unique countries all offering exotic climate, terrain, and cultures, South America is an attractive cruising destination. From dry deserts to tropical rain forests to even cold mountainous air originating from the Andes, South American climate is not constant everywhere. Cruising along the Pacific coastline introduces a sailor to attractive port cities in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Chile.

After leaving behind the adventures of the Caribbean and carefully navigating your boat compass southwards, the first popular sailing destination is Colombia. Considered to be one of the most attractive cities in South America, the coastal city of Cartagena de Indias welcomes many vacationing sailors each year. This colonial city is rich with history, architecture, and shopping opportunities. Its climate is constant with warm and humid temperatures. The city also offers opportunities to visit parks and enjoy ecological trips, engage in water sports, and explore the exciting night life. With plenty of museums, walking tours, and other attractions available, sailors and their families will always find entertainment in Cartagena de Indias.

Sailing just southwest of Colombia brings one to the Ecuadorian coast which reaches from the Andes to the Pacific. Although smaller in size, Ecuador possesses diversity in climate and in its current renewal process. This diversity is illustrated in the city of Guayaquil which lies on the western bank of the Guayas River. Almost 3 million people reside in Guayaquil where the it is also home to the largest shipping port on the Pacific Coast of the continent. Offering hot and humid temperatures throughout the year, Guayaquil is very much similar to Cartagena in its climate. In an attempt to restore the city from past fires, Guayaquil is going through gradual renovation that aims to supply various opportunities for tourists to enjoy themselves. However, history is still preserved in the colonial district of “Las Peñas”, in its various museums, and in the botanical gardens. While it continues it rejuvenation, Guayaquil will be a fascinating new destination to dock at in the coming years.

About 150 miles from Peru’s capital of Lima, lies Paracas also known as “The Galapagos of Peru”. This sailing destination is made up of 700,000 acres of rugged shoreline, desert, and mountains. Paracas is the epitome of an eclectic vacation spot as it offers all different attractions including wildlife, spas, and museums documenting Pre-Incan history. For those sailors with a soft spot for animals, National Reserve is a must-see as it houses several various types of wildlife such as sea lions, birds, and much more. Another attraction is the Spa of Paracas for those sailors looking for relaxation; this spa is just a few miles from the main city. With numerous unique activities to engage in, Paracas is one sailing destination no sailor should miss out on.

Closing in on the Pacific Coast of South America is Chile with almost 2,700 miles of coastline. The country’s climate and temperatures greatly varies depending on the particular location since Chile spans across 2,700 miles. With this said, the country’s climate is diverse with desert, subtropical, and tundra conditions so it is best to dress appropriately with Harken apparel. Before sailing to off to Patagonia or Cape Horn, sailors also dock at Puerto Montt, a port city in southern Chile. The city also acts as a transport center to Lake District and the island of Chiloé. Like the others, the city of Puerto Montt has a wide selection of attractions including national parks, museums, and day trips to islands. Sailors choose this city to dock at because of it entertainment and its proximity to other islands such as Cape Horn.

The Pacific Coast of South America offers the best sailing vacation destinations in Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, and Chile. Marked with rich and exotic history, architecture, recreational activities, shopping, and food, sailors and their families can fully enjoy their vacation with these South American cities.

http://www.completesailor.com/

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/cruising-articles/cruising-along-the-endless-south-american-pacific-coast-1556621.html

When you think of high horsepower number, you probably think of cubic inches and massive blowers protruding from the hood of old muscle cars; I admit that I do too. I grew up around a bunch of gear-heads who worshiped anything that slid out of the GM factory between 1960 and 1972; that include the Chevy Corvette, Camaro, Nova to mention a few. A lot of these cars came with the option of having a big block engine, for example the SS models of the Camaro and Nova came with the 396 BB or the 454 BB (big block) motor. I’m not sure what the horsepower rating was, but it was definitely a selling point of the car much like MPG is to modern cars today.

These engine were notorious for producing especially high horsepower numbers if you modified the engine with aftermarket car parts like headers, intakes and a bigger carburetor. One of easiest ways to get a lot of power out of these engines was to force induction through them, also known of a supercharger or ‘blower’. A blown big block Chevy motor was easily capable of producing well over 750 horsepower and it wasn’t uncommon to see engines dyno horsepower into the 1000 + range.

Technology has come a long way since the 1960s and 70s. A lot of car guys have switched their forced induction preference from superchargers, which are belt driven, to turbo chargers, which are exhaust driven. It makes a lot of old school guys to see a car with half the cylinders they grew up with make nearly as much if not more power than they could! It’s hard to admit for some, but it’s proven time and time again that a carefully tuned 4 cylinder engine can make the same amount of power as engine twice their size, i.e. the V8 Chevy engine. Granted these setups typically do not have the torque, but they do run similar quarter mile times, which is what the old school guys pride themselves on. I guess until the V8’s show some kind of advantage over 4 cylinder engine, most guys will sacrifice a little torque for quadruple the gas mileage in everyday driving. Performance chips like the ones found here squeak even more MPG gallon out of 4 cylinders, but aid the old school V8 guys as well.

Alan McGee is a freelance writer from MN.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/cruising-articles/why-v8-guys-get-mad-at-4-cylinder-car-owners-1556467.html

Hey, I understand.  In these economic times, most people don’t cruise-shop for the most extravagant cruise, the one that hits the most ports, or the one with the biggest liners. They go for the one that offers good quality at the lowest prices. And no one can blame the public for this. So who offers the best overall prices?

As recently as the early 1990s, Premier Cruise Line offered some of the most reasonable cruise prices available. They’d specialized in purchasing older ocean liners and converting them into cruise ships, primarily around the tropics. Premier began transporting scads of people to Disney World and was raking in money like autumn leaves. Disney even allowed them to bring Mickey and Goofy on board as guests to charm the families. But then, alas, Disney initiated its own cruise line and yanked the cartoon characters. Then, to make things worse for Premier, Carnival, Norwegian Cruise Lines, and Royal Caribbean began a massive building program of new liners. They grew so large that they could undercut almost any discount cruises Premier put out there. The company finally folded in September of 2000.

There’s one small cruise line left and, at the time of this writing, it still offers the lowest priced package, all things considered. It is the Imperial Majesty Line with its two ships: the Regal Empress and the Ocean Breeze. The prices start at $39 per person per day in the lowest category cabin, and the two-day cruise starts at $45 per day. The ships sail primarily to the Bahamas.

A travel expert claimed recently that of the large cruise lines, the least expensive cruises are offered by Carnival, Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL), and Royal Caribbean. Of course, a few lines such as Celebrity and Princess occasionally compete with a lower priced package, and Costa is a property of Carnival.

Another situation in which any large cruise line can offer rock-bottom rates is on repositioning cruises. This means that when a liner must be repositioned to a different part of the world, the trip for vacationers is offered at a huge discount. A repositioning cruise such as a trans-Atlantic voyage can cost as little as $32 per person per day.

But, aside from situations like that, Carnival, NCL, and Royal Caribbean usually offer the lowest prices. The briefer cruises are often on older ships but you get some incredible deals. And don’t imagine that just because a ship is older, it is shabby or inferior. In many cases, passengers are not even aware that their liner has been in service longer than others. Carnival and NCL now offer three-day cruises for $56 per person per day, and you can get a four-night cruise for about $52 per day. If you do a 7-10 day Mexico or Caribbean cruise, your rate will probably be the lowest of all. However, as the economy improves, expect that rates may go up a bit.

I’m not about to try to compare the overall quality of the three most economical cruise lines. Why not book brief cruises with all three and you decide? Or read up on them yourself and decide which one you like the best. However, whatever you decide I seriously doubt that you will come away disappointed, no matter which company you select. Go out there and have some fun.

Debra Fortosis is a professional travel agent. You can book travel on her user friendly website. She can even help you easily launch your own turnkey e-travel business.
Register for a free monthly vacation giveaway!
Book Travel: http://www.mndgetaways.com
Contact Debra: mndgetaways@comcast.net

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/cruising-articles/finding-the-cheapest-cruise-vacation-packages-1556670.html

The next time you are planning a last minute cruise you may be very lucky. There are a huge variety of cheap last minute cruises available that will allow you to save a lot of money when enjoying a terrific trip to an exotic location. Whatever size your budget allows, you can sail on a dream cruise that you can afford if you find travel deals on a last minute cruise ticket.

One of the great things about cruising is no matter what size room or location on the ship, it is still the same cruise. You won’t need to pay a lot for a top level balcony in order to get access to all of the same great food that is available all day or night for example. You will be able to use all of the swimming pools and participate in all of the exact same activities; the big difference is, of course, you end up spending a lot less of your hard earned money.

Also consider that even with cheap last minute cruises you still can go sightseeing at all of the same destinations and visit the exact same ports of call at the same time. It certainly makes a lot of sense to save money for the excursions, souvenirs, tours and other onboard activities that are only available for an extra charge like wine tasting. Experienced cruisers know there is no rule saying you can only go to the nice destinations if you first purchase the high end rooms. In fact, the opposite is true. All the ship’s passengers go to the same places and can take part in all activities.

What many people fail to realize before looking for a last minute cruise ticket is that when you’re on a cruise ship, you hardly spend any time in your room or cabin! It’s really just a place to sleep, get changed and shower. All day long you will either be off the boat checking out your destination or enjoying one of the activities in another area of the ship. What’s the point of taking a cruise and then staying in your cabin all day? You won’t even notice a smaller room, you’ll just be thrilled to be taking the trip.

It may seem really neat to have a stateroom with a balcony, or something really luxurious like that. However, you’ll just be spending more money than is necessary for amenities that you don’t even really need. Cheap last minute cruises offer the best way to save your money and put it towards what matters most. You will be taking the longest trip that you can, to the ideal locations that you have in mind.

What it all comes down to is that you don’t need to spend all of your money on a luxurious room on a cruise, and you don’t need to book a year in advance in order to take a trip. Buy a last minute cruise ticket that enables you to take advantage of openings and discounted prices. Cheap last minute cruises offer everything that their more expensive options offer. The only difference is that you enjoy a great deal of cost savings, opening up the doors to a wide range of new possibilities.

Vacations are fun, exciting and relaxing. If you’re looking for more last minute travel deals on flights or other holiday tips like Cheap Last Minute Cruises you should check out our site http://last-minute-vacation-cruises.com/

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/cruising-articles/find-cheap-last-minute-cruises-and-save-1552917.html

Trying to decide which cruise line is best is almost like trying to announce the best NFL team in a partisan crowd. So try to remember that this article is based on an unofficial rating of some of the major cruise lines. In fact, the selection of a line depends much on what a particular customer is looking for. Some think the cheapest cruise is the best, or the most luxurious, or the most kid-friendly, or the one providing the finest service. So try to read this article with these concepts in mind. Your top-rated cruise line may not be your neighbor’s. On one web site, cruisers rated cruise lines with the following criteria: Food, Entertainment, Activities, Staff, Accommodations, and Value. I only chose the lines that had at least 25 reviews. Here’s how they ranked:

<p>Disney: 90.0

<p>Celebrity: 85.4

<p>Royal Caribbean: 83.4

<p>Holland America: 75.9

<p>Princess: 74.2

<p>Carnival: 71.6

<p>Costa: 65.0

<p>Norwegian: 63.1

<p>Disney is ranked highest above, but they are by no means the least expensive. Obviously, a huge draw for Disney is kid-appeal. The family programs are unparalleled. However, the ships can be quite elegantly appointed and there is a section on the ship for adults only. (However, the Italian-theme restaurant for adults only has an extra service charge). Just the same, it is families with young children who are most likely to select Disney cruises.

<p>Once considered the quintessential “party boat”, Carnival has been undergoing an image overhaul recently. Their newer ships have more mainstream décor and their clientele is broader and more varied. Still, their great entertainment program is a big plus. In the opinion of some, the great kids’ program now competes with Disney in some ways, and families love it. The Costa line was bought out by Carnival in 2000. Launched in 1860 as a freighter company, Costa Crociere entered the passenger ship business in the 1940s. With grand liners’ extinction in the 1970s, Costa’s vessels were converted into cruise ships and, since, they’ve launched a number of new ships. Costa is known for its “Cruising Italian Style” concept which successfully attracts North American and European passengers alike. Costa’s Caribbean cruises are very popular with Americans, while their Europe and Mediterranean cruises tend to be more popular with an international crowd.

Celebrity hovers somewhere between mass market and upscale/luxury: Classy ships, great service, award-winning food, and top quality entertainment at prices that, in some cases, rival that of the less expensive lines. This line caters a bit more to the age 40 and up crowd and you won’t see as many children. The sister company, Royal Caribbean, is considered a bit of a hidden treasure by some. It has a huge “Wow” factor when you step on board for the first time. The dining is considered by some as the best among the major cruise lines. The entertainment is more Las Vegas style, with dancers, comedy acts, jugglers, and musical acts. Everything is huge on Royal—from the casinos, to the games and arcades, to the gyms and spas. If you cruise Royal repeatedly, they offer significant “loyalty benefits” and freebies.

Princess offers 115 unique itineraries visiting over 350 ports of call. And it offers both the grand vessels (3000 guests) and the deluxe smaller ships (680 guests). They offer more affordable balcony staterooms than any other cruise line. They also reward loyalty to their cruise line with membership in the Captain’s Circle, offering a cool suite of benefits. Don’t leave Princess out when you’re comparing cruise lines for your vacation. Princess is a fierce competitor.

Holland America sails with nearly one crew member for every two guests, so that makes it very likely that you will not come away with any complaints at all about service. Holland America also takes great pride in their cuisine. They offer many different dining venues, and use only the freshest produce and highest quality meats and seafood. So between the impeccable service and the fine dining, you are very likely to enjoy being pampered throughout your cruise voyage.

Cunard’s been around since 1840 and today, its flagship, Queen Elizabeth 2, is the world’s most famous ship and the finest liner of her time. British elegance is the name of the game and Cunard’s been around long enough to know exactly what voyagers value most in a cruise line and they’re prepared to fulfill all expectations.

Norwegian Cruise Lines has long been recognized as an innovator in the cruise industry. They were the first line to introduce alternate dining and, now, their ships offer as many as 13 different dining styles and areas. With the introduction of several new liners, NCL offers more balconies, more suites, and the amazing Garden and Courtyard villas. Norwegian did not fare quite as well as some of the other lines in the unofficial ratings above, but that means little when you come across some enthusiastic patrons who felt their cruise with NCL was one of the best holidays ever.

So am I going to announce a winner among major cruise lines? Of course not. If I did, there would probably be more vocal disagreement than I care to deal with. Everyone has their own favorite line with many very good reasons to back it up. So shop around, find out all you can about each line, and make your own decision regarding which one to sail on for your next fabulous vacation.

Debra Fortosis is a professional travel agent. You can book travel on her user friendly website. She can even help you easily launch your own turnkey e-travel business.
Register for a free monthly vacation giveaway!
Book Travel: http://www.mndgetaways.com
Contact Debra: mndgetaways@comcast.net

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/cruising-articles/how-do-top-cruise-lines-stack-up-1551486.html

With a premium fleet that is among the youngest and best designed in the cruise industry, Celebrity Cruise Alaska offers a great product: a classy, stylish, and luxury cruise experience at a moderate cost. Beautiful to have a look at and adequately provisioned, the spas and fitness centers on the Infinity, Mercury, and top (and Celebritys other non-Alaska megaships) are among the best at sea today.

Celebrity’s entertainment, art, cigar bars, service, spas, and cuisine are a couple of the most leading edge in the sector.

Its ships were among the first one in the business to display major art collections on board, it had one of the earliest cigar bars, and its menus have realized for a while the need for vegetarian, low-sodium, heart-conscious, and other dishes. Pack a pair thousand folks onto a ship, and you will get crowds frequently, for instance at smorgasboards and when debarking. Every one of the Celebrity ships is roomy, glamorous, and comfy, mixing sleekly modern and a bit Art Deco styles and throwing in an astoundingly up-to-the-minute art collection.

The lines genteel service is outstanding : Staff members are extremely mannered and pro, and contribute seriously to the chic atmosphere. Dining-wise, Celebrity shines, offering cutting edge cuisine that is a cut above the fare offered by all the other main line lines. The AquaSpas on the lines mega ships are the best at sea, the art collections fleet wide are the most fascinating the cigar bars are the plushest, and the onboard activities are among the most sundry.

Like all of the giant ship lines, Celebrity Cruise Alaska offers lots for its passengers to do, but its target mellower pursuits and cutting edge programming sets it apart. Its interesting to note this year Celebrity (and its affiliate company, Royal Caribbean global) are employing a new port, Icy Strait Point.

The port, little more than a cannery dock to be honest, lies between Juneau and Glacier Bay and offers a prime view point for whale and wildlife watching and simpler access to the Alaskan wasteland. A tiny Indian town about a mile away will be included on shore journeys. Why add the stop at all? Just because a rising number of Alaska passengers have begun to grow outside the major ports of call. A been there done that viewpoint among past guests has made it required that cruise lines find new systems to excite public interest in the destination.

It’ll never make passengers forget the busy streets and stores of, say, Juneau or Ketchikan, but the lines hope that the mix of hitherto almost unseen ( at least by cruise passengers ) outback and exposure to a genuine Indian hamlet experience will make it a notable stop.

Planning for an Alaska Cruise? Before you book for one, make sure you visit Alex’s site for advice on how to get great Alaska cruise deals and information regarding Alaska cruise tours to get the best out of your travel vacation.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/cruising-articles/the-celebrity-alaska-cruise-1547343.html

So you’ve found the perfect boat. Now you’re ready to outfit it with boating electronics. Choosing from amoung the vast array of units is great but may at times seem overwhelming.

Much will depend on the type of boater you are and the type of electronics you use in general. Can you read charts and the stars, or will you only want the best in electronic navigation? Do you plan to leave all civilization behind when on the boat or do you want a phone and email contact? Do you have a favored boat electronics brand, or would you rather cherry pick the best from several different brands? Know yourself, your boating plans, and your general attitude toward electronic gadgetry, and you’ll have an easier time choosing how to outfit your boat.

Picking the most suitable boating electronics can not only make your boating trips more fun and your fishing more productive, but it  can be important to your safety as well in the event of an emergency. Learning to use your electronic equipment is equally as important as choosing it. And that means you’ll have to take the time to learn how to use the equipment whether it’s from instructional videos, manuals, or having someone show you how to use it.

Furthermore, you need to know how to use other navigation methods if your electronic navigation system fails. Knowing how to read charts and plan your course is still an important skill. With that in mind, here are 6 tips for choosing your boat electronics.

1. Amoung the boating electronics you should choose is the AIS or automatic identification system. It is used by boats and by the Vessel Traffic Services to find and identify boats. Your automatic identification system gear is the most important electronic device you’ll buy. It permitts vessels to exchange electronic information including position, identification, and course. Vessel Traffic Services stations cause your vessel to show up on computer screens if you have an AIS transponder. If you have an emergency or should become lost this is critical.

2. A GPS system is another important piece of boat electronics your boat should have. One of the more popular choices is for a multifunction display that puts several different instruments onto one screen. Mutifunction displays can even allow you to run radar, GPS and fish finder data on one screen at the same time. They are also relatively easy to expand for other functions and displays.

3. When choosing a display remember that the larger it is the better you will be able to see it. And keep in mind that on a boat, viewing conditions can be far from optimal due to sun glare, storms, and swells. You should choose at least a 7″ display, but if there is room and it will fit your budget a 10″ or 12″ will be much better.

4. If you are interested in on-board entertainment, you can coordinate your display for several peripheral boat electronics. They can be connected to satellite television receivers, DVD players, music systems, and some computer devices. These are great extras to have, but don’t get them at the expense of choosing inferior safety equipment. And make sure that all your navigation equipment is mounted where it access is easy.

5. Another good investment in the safety of your boat is a depth sounder or fishfinder. If the weather turns bad, a depth sounder combined with your GPS plotter can help get you safely back to shore.

6.There is an ever changing selection of marine electronics products made available for the boating industry. There are now laptop computers designed specifically for use in boats. These computers do what standard laptops do, but they can also be loaded with special software like RayTech RNS 6.1, which allows multi-format charting, hsb2 electronics integration, and worldwide tides and currents among its many functions.

In summary, your AIS device, GPS plotter, and depth sounder are the most critical pieces of boat electronics for your vessel because they pertain to your safety and the safety of your passengers. Have these pieces in place first, and if it’s in your budget, there are plenty of extras you can add in the way of entertainment equipment and fish finding devices that you can have fun with.

<For more information about AIS (automatic identification systems) see our selection of AIS products. eFishBox has experienced staff to help you choose your marine electronics.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/cruising-articles/6-tips-for-choosing-boat-electronics-1542755.html

Cruising into Barcelona is an exciting prospect for every passenger, with a wealth of culture, art, gastronomy and history awaiting. However, due to time constraints, many passengers are restricted to just a few hours in the Catalan Capital, and need to plan their day well, in order to squeeze all the juice out of their one-day visit. One of the most popular choices when visiting the city is to squeeze in as much of Antonin Gaudi’s fantastic architecture in as possible, but without the know-how, this can be a logistical nightmare. However, with the ease of public transport and the tips to follow, anyone can get their fill.

Given the great location of the cruise terminals, at the bottom of the Old Port – Port Vell – in Barcelona, it’s easy to cram in plenty of Gaudi on your day trip and see some other sights along the way as well. The first thing any cruise traveller needs to do is head straight to the city’s most famous street, Las Ramblas. At the bottom of Las Ramblas is the metro station, Drassaness, which is the first port of call. If there is a group of travellers, purchasing a T-10 metro card is the best option, which is a ticket with ten journeys on it, and is transferable between passengers and by far the most economical way of getting around. Take the green line up to Vallcarca metro station for your first dose of Gaudi – Park Güell.

Directions from the exit of Vallcarca are well signposted, and mechanical escalators will take you to the summit of the park at the back, meaning you will enjoy the best views of Barcelona as a start, and then be able to take the rest of the journey downhill towards the ornate entrance, saving the best for last. Park Güell is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (one of seven in the city that Gaudi is responsible for), and Barcelona Council has plans to charge an entrance fee sometime in 2010, so if you’re lucky enough to visit while the park is still free, you will all agree that the day couldn’t have started better. Stop for a coffee in the entrance to the park, and charge those camera batteries, too.

A quick skip downhill towards your right and you’ll quickly find Lesseps metro station – again on the green line. Hop back on the metro (don’t worry, this will be the last for today, and saves valuable time) a couple of stops down to Diagonal. As you emerge from Diagonal metro station, you will be greeted by Barcelona’s own Champs de Elysee, Passeig de Gracia. This is one of the main shopping streets in the city, with many boutique and high brand stores lining the wide avenue, and is also home to another two of Gaudis’s Masterpieces – Casa Mila and Casa Battló.

Casa Mila is also known as La Pedrera, which refers to the nickname given by residents at the time of construction and means the stone quarry, due to the massive amounts of sandstone Gaudi employed. It was Gaudi who had the last laugh, though, and this magnificent edifice is a building bereft of straight lines or right angles, and mirrors natures forms. Gaudi’s father – an ironmonger – shows his influence here, with the wrought iron balconies resembling seaweed washed up on a sandy shore. If time permits, and queues aren’t too long, ensure you make a visit inside with the fantastic period apartment, amazing attic exhibition and stunning rooftop with its unforgettable chimneys.

Casa Battló is just a few doors down on the opposite side of the street, and is different to Casa Mila, but unmistakeably Gaudi nevertheless. Don’t bother paying the steep entrance fee here; rather marvel at the yawning façade and Gaudi’s homage to Catalonia’s patron Saint, George, with his dragon’s rooftop tiles and George’s cross chimney. It’ll likely be time for a spot of lunch and there are some great Tapas bars in the adjoining streets.

After a light lunch, head on down to Plaça Catalunya, the city’s main square and over towards Las Ramblas – your point of origin this morning. As you walk down Passeig de Gracia, you’ll already be able to spot the ornate lamp-posts and benches also designed by Gaudi with the all-too familiar broken tiled effect. Take a stroll down Las Ramblas, the city’s most vibrant street full of colours, people, artists and street performers. If you fancy something fresh, pop into the Boqueria market on the right hand side, around a third of the way down, for some fresh fruit juice.

As you continue down towards the Port terminal, you’ll reach Nou de la Rambla street, tucked away on your right. This will be your last chance to visit another Gaudi masterpiece – the only work he finished in his lifetime – Palau Güell. A partial visit of the building is currently only available, and this generally fills early in the morning (so if this is high on your wanted list, you could combine this visit in the morning, and then head up to Park Güell) but sadly, only the basement is shown, which although is highly impressive, does nothing to overshadow the previous attractions you will have seen during your Gaudi day, and reflecting on the façade is just reward for a long day’s walking. Again, Gaudi uses iron to great extent, and the most expensive materials available at the time were employed for Count Güell’s downtown residence.

After you’ve filled your camera’s memory card with the last photos of Palau Güell, you can rest happy in the knowledge you’ve experienced the highlights of the Catalan Artist, crammed four UNESCO World Heritage sites into one day as well as some of Barcelona’s other most famous attractions, and will surely have a great appetite for a dinner somewhere special in the evening, too!

David Brydon has been living in Barcelona for 10 years and writes about Apartments for rent in Barcelona and Barcelona apartments for groups.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/cruising-articles/barcelona-cruise-passengers-planning-a-gaudi-day-1542931.html

The Romans formed the old city of “Barcino” on top of Mons Taber hill in the year 15BC, and remnants of this old city can still be seen in the city’s Gothic Quarter. Fortunately for cruise passengers, this is a simple ten-minute walk from the cruise terminal. Head straight from the terminal, past the old dockyards which now house the fantastic Maritime Museum (free on the first Sunday of the month, if you happen to be there on that day!) and you’ll reach the foot of the most famous street in Barcelona; Las Ramblas, with Christopher Columbus towering above you pointing to the Americas.

Las Ramblas itself used to be a dry river bed which separated the old roman walls, and any trip to Barcelona is incomplete without a stroll along this tree-lined boulevard. Marvel at the artists and sketches on offer as you wander deeper into history, and around a third of the way up, take a right into Carrer Ferran. This mainly pedestrian street leads to the old Roman Forum – nowadays Plaça Sant Jamue – which now houses the city’s town hall and Catalan Government Palace. Continue past these more modern buildings, and you will find the City History Museum, which is the largest underground evacuation of a Roman Site in Europe, and immaculately kept. If you happen to be visiting in the summer, it is an amazing experience to take the elevator underground, literally back centuries to the air-conditioned streets below the bustling Gothic Quarter above you. This museum is also free on the first Saturday of the month.

Next on your history trip is the city’s main cathedral, and is easily accessed from Placa Sant Jaume, so head back up the street two minutes, and take Carrer Bisbe for the picture postcard view of the bridge of sighs – Barcelona’s own is just as photographed as it’s namesake in Venice! This street will lead you to the front of the city’s main Cathedral, where you can marvel at the Gothic architecture and perhaps stop for a spot of lunch around one of the many pavement cafes.

After your tapas lunch, enjoy getting lost though the winding streets of the Gothic Quarter and make your way back to Las Ramblas. Heading South, you’ll find Carrer Nou de la Rambla to your right, and this will be your next brush with Barcelona’s history, and one which has received accolades too. Just along the street, you’ll find Antonin Gaudi’s Palau Güell, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and a fantastic introduction to the Catalan Architect’s works. If you’re there early enough, and queues are not too long, you might want to pay a partial visit to the building for free, which includes the façade, entrance and the basement. If not, then take a few snaps and continue on your way, until you reach the crossroads of Carrer Sant Ologuer. Here, take a quick right towards the Rambla del Raval, and then a left onto Carrer Sant Pau.

Carrer Sant Pau is home to one of Barcelona’s hidden gems – Sant Pau del Camp – the oldest church in Barcelona. This is a raw, stone construction which is exactly the same on the inside as the outside – no gold, no icons, no statues, just the stone and the altar. If time permits, then pay a visit to the cloister and read up on the sketchy and turbulent history the church has had to endure.

After you’ve finished in the church, continue to the end of Carrer Sant Pau to Parallel, and head down into the metro station in the direction of the Funicular train. This is included in your metro ticket pas, and it is not necessary to pay again once you’ve entered the system. Ride the Funicular up to Montjüic mountain, and step outside and directly onto the fantastic cable car ride which will transport you up to the top of Montjüic and the castle. The castle used to house the military museum – a reminder of the Franco years – but was recently “given back” to Barcelona and offers fantastic panoramic views of the city and the port (and likely your cruise ship!) while combining historical elements such as the cannons and magnificent gardens which play host to open air cinema during the summer.

Finally, to return to your destination, take the funicular down to Parallel again, and then wander south on Avenida Parallel towards the sea. You’ll pass the old Roman Walls on your right, with the Portal de Santa Madrona, a magnificent reminder of the history you’ve been lucky enough to witness on your cruise day trip!

David Brydon has been living in Barcelona for 10 years and writes about Apartments for rent in Barcelona and Barcelona apartments for groups.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/cruising-articles/barcelona-cruise-passengers-planning-a-history-tour-1542933.html

December marks the debut of the Oasis of the Seas. Royal Caribbean has unveiled the world’s largest cruise ship, weighing five times what the Titanic did. This amazing cruise ship can accommodate 6,296 guests comfortably and it also sports the world’s largest lifeboats, each being able to hold 370 people. This ship is so large that it cannot even make it through the Panama Canal. It departs from Fort Lauderdale, Florida and offers weeklong trips to the eastern and western parts of the Caribbean. This shear outward size of this ship alone is incredibly impressive, but it’s what’s inside that really makes this ship special.

Oasis of the Seas offers a truly unique design. Unlike any other cruise ship, it has been divided into seven different neighborhoods, including one called Central Park. The neighborhoods feature real trees, vines and plants. You can also find high-end and casual dining experiences in each of the distinct neighborhoods. In total, there are 24 restaurants. This ship also sports the first-ever aquatic amphitheater, called the AquaTheater, to be built on a cruise ship. Each day this theater will feature synchronized water acrobatics, along with high dive performances from actual Olympic divers.

As far as entertainment goes, this ship offers it all. For daytime entertainment, there are two rock climbing walls, artificial surfing environments that shoot out 60,000 gallons of water per minute, a zip cord that propels guests over 9 different decks and enormous beach pool where guests can relax comfortably underneath an umbrella. Once night falls, there are plenty of fabulous performances in the Opal Theater, where you can find everything from musicals like “Hairspray” to tribute bands.

This ship truly has it all. You will be so entertained that you won’t even want to get off once you dock in the Caribbean. There is plenty of entertainment for adults and kids alike. Even sleeping will be an amazing experience. This ship offers loft suites with floor to ceiling windows, chaise lounges, couches and an LCD TV. The master bedroom even has his and her shower heads and fog-free mirrors. Storage won’t be a problem either as this ship is equipped with the largest below deck storage unit in the world. You can rest assured that if you even buy a car and some Mercedes Benz parts while on vacation, that it will have a storage spot below deck.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/cruising-articles/oasis-of-the-sea-the-worlds-largest-cruise-ship-1541867.html