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Cruise navigates world's most dangerous route

<p>Crystal Cruises’ Crystal Serenity has successfully completed its controversial voyage through the treacherous Northwest Passage, a route inaccessible 100 years ago.</p> <p>The Northwest Passage is a sea route connecting the northern Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean, via waterways that extend through the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. The route has traditionally been blocked by ice, but global warming has changed this and many sections of the water which were previously too tricky to cross can now be navigated.</p> <p>For 32 days the 1,000 passengers and 600 crew aboard the Crystal Serenity witnessed sights few others have seen over the 7,000 natural miles of remote Arctic waterways and as the ship arrived in New York the voyage was hailed as a success.</p> <p>Captain Birger J. Vorland told <em>Cruise Critic</em>, “The voyage was very successful, and there were no surprises. There was actually less ice than we anticipated… I never felt the enthusiasm wane. Everything clicked. I never experienced an atmosphere like this before in my 38 years at sea.”</p> <p>So what’s next for cruising in this part of the world?</p> <p>Well, the Crystal Serenity is set to sail the Northwest Passage again in the summer of 2017, and other lines have signalled their intent to try their hand at this itinerary.</p> <p>But not everybody’s happy.</p> <p>Bernie MacIsaac of Nunavut's Department of Economic Development, the region most hit by the influx of cruise passengers, contends clear restrictions must be in place.</p> <p>MacIsaac said, “The [territory] is considering new marine tourism regulations that would mitigate some of the impacts of larger ships like the Crystal Serenity. A size limit and a number should be included. We cannot do a 1,000-passenger ship for three days in a row. There just aren't that many people here. We're not going to fly in drum dancers.”</p> <p>Daniel Skjeldam, head of the Norway-based Hurtigruten cruise, also called for size limits, so ships no bigger than 500 passengers could visit. Skjeldam said, “This has to do with safety — search and rescue – but also to do with the small communities that you come in to.</p> <p>“We are concerned about the impact they have on these villages.”</p> <p>Crystal Cruises spokeswoman Molly Morgan contended enough had been done to consult the locals when the company began planning the historic voyage three years ago.</p> <p>Morgan said, “Crystal team members made multiple trips to the region to collaborate with the local communities and ensure that, as a company, we were well educated on the culture, history and ecosystem that makes up this delicate region.”</p> <p>What’s your take? Do you think it’s wrong to be sending massive cruise liners through that sensitive part of the world? Share your thoughts in the comments below.</p> <p><em>Image: YouTube / Crystal Cruises</em></p>

Cruising

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Qantas announces new direct routes overseas

<p dir="ltr">After international travel returns following years of closures due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Qantas has announced a way to help travellers get to their destinations more efficiently. </p> <p dir="ltr">The airline giant recently announced plans to grow its international network out of Sydney by unveiling new direct routes to India and Korea, which will be taking off this year.</p> <p dir="ltr">A direct route will be introduced between Sydney and Bengaluru (Bangalore) in southern India from September 14th. </p> <p dir="ltr">This will be the first non-stop flight between Australia and southern India by any airline.</p> <p dir="ltr">Qantas and Jetstar have also announced the launch of direct flights between Sydney and Seoul, South Korea. </p> <p dir="ltr">The flights will commence from November 22nd and will occur three times a week, making Jetstar the only budget airline to make the direct flight. </p> <p dir="ltr">Qantas will also make direct flights from Australia to South Korea from December 10th, making the airline’s first scheduled service to Seoul since 2008. </p> <p dir="ltr">The introduction of these new direct routes are designed to help kickstars New South Wales’ post-Covid tourism recovery. </p> <p dir="ltr">"Sydney is one of the world's truly global cities and these new direct flights to India and Korea will make it easier for millions of people to come here," Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce says.</p> <p dir="ltr">"It's clear that Australia is back on the map for international travellers. Demand for our international flights has rebounded since borders reopened, and that's giving us the confidence to launch these new routes together with the marketing support from Destination New South Wales."</p> <p dir="ltr">"With expected strong business, premium leisure and low-cost travel demand on the route, we see an opportunity for both Qantas and Jetstar to fly on the route."</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

International Travel

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Invasive species may travel trade routes

<div> <div class="copy"> <p>Invasive species could increase their global presence via China’s developing trade routes, researchers warn.</p> <p>A new study models the distribution and likelihood of invasion of terrestrial vertebrate species along China’s Belt and Road Initiative (<a rel="noopener" href="https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/regional-integration/brief/belt-and-road-initiative" target="_blank">BRI</a>), a massive infrastructure development project involving six proposed economic corridors and 121 countries.</p> <p><span style="font-family: inherit;">The largest project of its kind ever attempted, the BRI has an estimated cost of an unprecedented US$4 trillion for road development, shipping routes and ports. </span></p> <p>A research team led by Yiming Li from the Chinese Academy of Sciences used species distribution modelling to assess the introduction risks for a suite of 816 known invasive terrestrial vertebrate species, as well as habitat suitability across the BRI regions.</p> <p>Habitat suitability is an indicator of the likelihood a species will become established after introduction.</p> <p>The findings, reported in a <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(18)31670-1" target="_blank">paper</a> published in the journal Current Biology, reveal that more than two thirds of BRI countries have a lethal combination of introduction risk and high habitat suitability.</p> <p><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Of particular concern, we find that the majority of both introduction hotspots and areas with high habitat suitability fall along the six proposed Economic Corridors,” says Li.</span></p> <p>The team identified 14 “invasion hotspots” where biosecurity efforts might best be directed. They are located across the BRI countries, from the Caribbean Islands, northern Africa and Eastern Europe to Southeast Asia and New Zealand. Australia is not a member country or signatory to the scheme.</p> <p>One of the 816 <a rel="noopener" href="http://www.iucngisd.org/gisd/100_worst.php" target="_blank">species of concern</a> is the large North American bullfrog, (Lithobates catesbeianus or Rana catesbeiana), which is originally from east of the Rocky Mountains. It is a voracious predator of local frogs and other reptiles, and a carrier of chytrid fungus, which decimates local frog populations. The bullfrog is now established in over 40 countries, and very <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/2004/09/news-bullfrogs-invading-nearly-unstoppable/" target="_blank">difficult to eradicate</a> once established.</p> <p><span style="font-family: inherit;">The findings have prompted the researchers to urgently recommend “the initiation of a project targeting early prevention, strict surveillance, rapid response and effective control of alien species in BRI countries to ensure that this development is sustainable.” This proposed biosecurity plan and its implementation could be funded by the establishment of a dedicated fund, they suggest.</span></p> <p>In separate <a rel="noopener" href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41559-017-0452-8" target="_blank">correspondence</a> to the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution, Alex Lechner from the University of Nottingham Malaysia and two colleagues suggest that as the 50-year BRI is still only five years old, there is an opportunity to incorporate biodiversity conservation as one of its core values.</p> <p><span style="font-family: inherit;">For example, they suggest, the Chinese government could plan and implement a network of protected areas and wildlife corridors across Eurasia, as well as preventing and/or controlling alien species invasion effectively. </span></p> <p>China has embraced renewable energy and technology enthusiastically, and could potentially be a world leader in biodiversity conservation, they write.</p> <em>Image credits: Getty Images </em></div> <div id="contributors"> <p><em>This article was originally published on <a rel="noopener" href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/earth/sustainability/invasive-species-may-travel-chinas-new-trade-routes/" target="_blank">cosmosmagazine.com</a> and was written by Tanya Loos.</em></p> </div> </div>

Travel Tips

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The 4 most dangerous travel routes revealed around the world

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Shipping company 1st Move International has utilised data from the Aviation Safety Network and the World Health Organisation to figure out what the most dangerous travel routes are around the globe.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Some of them will surprise you. </span></p> <p><strong>1. Yungas Road, Bolivia</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This road is commonly referred to as “The Death Road” and clings to the Bolivian mountainside. With sheer drops, frequent mudslides and terrifyingly narrow sections, the road is responsible for up to 300 deaths a year.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, it’s an essential shipping route for locals and businesses so they must use the road.</span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BHVhEG0Dmoo/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BHVhEG0Dmoo/" target="_blank">uno mas from the death road, as I sit on the toilet in Peru battling food poisoning 💩 #deathtoilet</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/lukegram/" target="_blank"> Luke Gram</a> (@lukegram) on Jul 1, 2016 at 3:48pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p><strong>2. Sichuan-Tibet Highway, China</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This route along China is 2,028 kms and is littered with lofty segments and dissects through a staggering 14 of the highest mountains between Changdu and Lhasa.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Complete with unexpected landslides and multiple potholes, the route is one that truck drivers take regularly. There are also sharp mountain-side hair pins making travelling along the single-track sections in bad weather challenging for those who are inexperienced.</span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BaEJFBQg8Ra/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BaEJFBQg8Ra/" target="_blank">Between Lhasa and Chengdu lies the famous Sichuan-Tibet Highway. The 2,142 kilometre-long road is prone to earthquake-triggered landslides that can cause traffic disruption, affecting the livelihoods of many living in the region. Despite all, it promises to be a breath-taking route for the adventurous. 📸 by Research Fellow Shi Xuhua.</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/earthobservatorysg/" target="_blank"> Earth Observatory of Singapore</a> (@earthobservatorysg) on Oct 10, 2017 at 3:48am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p><strong>3. The Canning Stock Route, Australia</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Canning Stock Route spans over three deserts in Australia: The Gibson Desert, Little Sandy Desert and the Great Sandy Desert. The route attracts rev-heads who are keen for a 4WD adventure, but the sandy stretch is paved with graves.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The road stretches over 1,700 kilometres and the track was created in 1910 to connect a string of wells. It’s recommended that you allow at least 21 days for this extreme outback journey.</span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BYJ3-BhBTcx/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BYJ3-BhBTcx/" target="_blank">A post shared by Gavin Gillett (@gavin.gillett)</a> on Aug 23, 2017 at 4:11pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p><strong>4. Bermuda Triangle, Bermuda</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Although the destination is now a hot-spot for tourists, this region in the North Atlantic Ocean is well known all over the world due to people disappearing in the region.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Over the years, an alarming rate of ships and planes have vanished without a trace, but is still a very popular route around the world.</span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BynUhoshoR6/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BynUhoshoR6/" target="_blank">Surfs Up 🤙🏾 Happy Hump day! 📸 @princessbermuda #bermuda #summer #bermudasummers #ptix #surfsup #wednesdaywaves</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/ptixbm/" target="_blank"> Ptix | Premier Tickets Limited</a> (@ptixbm) on Jun 12, 2019 at 8:15am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote>

Travel Trouble

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5 train routes you should try this year

<p>These days when most people start planning their holidays they turn to budget flights as the quickest, cheapest option. And while this is often the case, one thing you don’t get when you’re flying with a budget airline is a sense of adventure, like you get when you’re standing at a platform waiting for your train to come in.</p> <p>Train travel is becoming an increasingly popular option for intrepid seniors looking for a holiday with a point of difference, and there are more options than you might think. Here’s our rundown of the rail adventures that were big in 2017.</p> <p>We’ve also included a rundown of five emerging rail-based destinations that aren’t on traveller’s radars yet.</p> <p><strong>1. The Rocky Mountaineer – Canada</strong></p> <p>The Rocky Mountaineer was one of the best sellers last year, and if you look at some of the scenery these trains wind through it’s easy to understand why. With a range of itineraries available, the Rocky Mountaineer looks like it’s going to be just as popular in 2018 with travellers looking to get acquainted with the natural beauty of Canada. </p> <p><strong>2. The Ghan – Australia</strong></p> <p>The Ghan may well be Australia’s most famous train journey, and if you haven’t experienced it yet 2018 is shaping up as a great year to give it a try. Rail Plus reported a 75 per cent surge in interest for Australian based train trips last year, and few routes showcase the rugged beauty of our sunburnt country as convincingly as The Ghan. </p> <p><strong>3. The Canadian – Canada</strong></p> <p>Interest for rail travel in Canada is surging, and The Canadian provides a luxurious option for those who are looking to explore the country’s five most southern provinces; British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario.</p> <p><strong>4. Venice Simplon-Orient-Express</strong></p> <p>The famous Venice Simplon-Orient-Express saw a substantial increase in interest last year, with travellers turning away from the sardine treatment of European budget airlines, to enjoy a more refined look at the history and culture of the continent.</p> <p><strong>5. Grand Train Tour of Switzerland</strong></p> <p>Switzerland isn’t the cheapest destination to visit by any stretch of the imagination, but senior travellers are making huge savings by utilising the value of a Swiss Travel Pass. With it, you get unlimited travel on all Swiss public transport and a range of the country’s most idyllic scenic routes, as well as bonus discounts and add-ons. </p>

International Travel

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10 busiest flight routes in the world

<p>Air travel has become big business over the years, with thousands of flights taking off every day to ferry scores of travellers to far-flung destinations around the world.</p> <p>And as you can imagine, some routes are more popular than other.</p> <p>Flight data website OAG.com has done all the hard work, rounding up data on the busiest airline routes in the world. And interestingly, two of the top 10 are in Australia!</p> <p>To see the world’s busiest airline flight routes, scroll through the gallery above.</p> <p>Have you ever taken flights along any of these routes?</p>

International Travel

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Nurse en-route to work saves pregnant woman in car crash

<p>Keith Ezell, a nurse from Ohio in the US, has become a real-life superhero after rescuing a 23-year-old pregnant woman following a car crash. Video of the incident posted to Facebook by a friend of Ezell has gone viral, with more than 15 million views recorded.</p> <div id="fb-root"></div> <div class="fb-video" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/danielle.nicole.581/videos/10212807706132716/" data-width="500" data-show-text="true"> <blockquote class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://en-gb.facebook.com/danielle.nicole.581/videos/10212807706132716/"></a> <p>This is my friend and co-worker Keith B Ezell who was caught rescuing this woman, and unborn child, after witnessing a car accident on his way to work with minimal assistance. He ROCKS! #NotYourAverageNursingAssistant #SheSurvived #TeamNursing #BlackNursesRock</p> Posted by <a href="#">Danielle Nicole</a> on Saturday, 25 February 2017</blockquote> </div> <p>Ezell performed CPR on the unconscious woman until paramedics arrived. They found a pulse, thanks to his efforts, and the woman survived. By this point, however, Ezell had already left to rush to work. Somehow, we don’t think he would have gotten into much trouble for being late on this exceptional occasion!</p> <p>“They said they got a pulse!” he told <a href="http://www.wkyc.com/features/good-samaritan-steps-in-when-seconds-count/415777746" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">WKYC</span></strong></a>. “And I thought, my job is done. She gets to live.”</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2017/02/man-lends-car-to-stranger-on-way-to-funeral/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>74-year-old lends car to stranger stranded on way to a funeral</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2017/01/domestic-violence-survivor-marries-man-who-saved-her/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Survivor of domestic violence to marry the man who saved her</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/10/liver-donor-marries-woman-he-saved/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em>Liver donor marries the woman whose life he saved</em></strong></span></a></p>

News

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9 of the longest luxury cruise routes

<p>How many times have you come to the end of a cruise holiday, only to bemoan the fact that you have to go home tomorrow? You won’t get that feeling with cruise routes. We’ve taken a look at nine of the world’s longest cruise routes that will have you daydreaming about your next holiday.</p> <p><strong>P&amp;O Arcadia</strong></p> <p>Nights: 115</p> <p>Countries: 21</p> <p>Ports: 34</p> <p>Departing from Southampton on the 11th January 2016, the P&amp;O Arcadia cruises around South America, stopping in Sydney and Brisbane before touching Asia, North America then returning home via the Caribbean. For more information about this 115 night around the world journey <strong><a href="http://www.pocruises.com/j601/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">click here</span>.</a></strong></p> <p><strong>Fred Olsen, Black Watch</strong></p> <p>Nights: 115</p> <p>Countries: 30</p> <p>Ports: 43</p> <p>This around the world cruise departs from Southampton as well on the 8th January 2016, cruising through the Caribbean before visiting Australia, South East Asia, India and Northern Africa, finally returning home via the Strait of Gibraltar. For more information on this cruise, <strong><a href="http://www.fredolsencruises.com/places-we-visit/cruise-holiday/black-watch-world-cruise-w1602" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">click here</span>.</a></strong></p> <p><strong>Silversea Cruises, Silver Whisper</strong></p> <p>Nights: 116</p> <p>Countries: 25</p> <p>Ports: 62</p> <p>This epic journey kicks off in San Francisco on the 6th January 2016, stopping at the Hawaiian Islands, Australia, Asia, India and Northern Africa before southern Europe to reach its idyllic finish location in Monte Carlo. For more information about this cruising route, <strong><a href="http://www.silversea.com/destinations/world-cruise/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">click here</span>.</a></strong></p> <p><strong>Cunard, Queen Elizabeth</strong></p> <p>Nights: 121</p> <p>Countries: 26</p> <p>Ports: 46</p> <p>Another cruise starting in Southampton, this time on the 10th January 2016, the Queen Elizabeth visits the US before heading to South Africa, Australia, Asia then really getting an in-depth look at Northern Africa before visiting Athens and Valencia. For more information, <strong><a href="http://www.cunardline.com.au/cruise-ships/queen-elizabeth/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">click here</span>.</a></strong></p> <p><strong>Cunard, Queen Mary 2</strong></p> <p>Nights: 121</p> <p>Countries: 23</p> <p>Ports: 33</p> <p>Departing on the 10th January 2016, the Queen Mary 2 heads from Southampton to New York before exploring South America, Asia, Africa and Europe. Highlights on Cunard’s flagship vessel include Halong Bay, Dubai and Naples. For more information about this cruise ship, <strong><a href="http://www.cunardline.com.au/cruise-ships/queen-mary-2/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">click here</span>. </a></strong></p> <p><strong>Cunard, Queen Victoria</strong></p> <p>Nights: 121</p> <p>Countries: 24</p> <p>Ports: 37</p> <p>The Queen Victoria departs from Southampton on the 10th January 2016, heading the Asia via the Caribbean and then exploring South Area before popping into the Island of St Vincent on the way home. For more information about the Queen Victoria cruise ship, <strong><a href="http://www.cunardline.com.au/cruise-ships/queen-victoria/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">click here</span>.</a></strong></p> <p><strong>Seven Seas, Navigator</strong></p> <p>Nights: 128</p> <p>Countries: 31</p> <p>Ports: 62</p> <p>This luxurious ocean liner launches from Miami on the 5th January 2017, and explores the Caribbean, Australia and South East Asia before visiting amazing European cities like Rome and Barcelona on the return home. For more information about this cruise, <strong><a href="http://www.cruisecritic.com.au/reviews/review.cfm?ShipID=131" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">click here</span>.</a></strong></p> <p><strong>Crystal Cruises, Crystal Symphony</strong></p> <p>Nights: 129</p> <p>Countries: 25</p> <p>Ports: 56</p> <p>This in-depth cruise departs from Cape Town on 7th January 2018, visiting Madagascar and Mauritius before circling around Australia before exploring South East Asia and Northern Africa to finally finish in the ancient city of Rome. For more information about this cruise, <strong><a href="http://www.crystalcruises.com/experience/ships#0000" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">click here</span>.</a></strong></p> <p><strong>Oceania Cruises, Insignia</strong></p> <p>Nights: 180</p> <p>Countries: 44</p> <p>Ports: 90</p> <p>This mammoth cruise departs from Miami on the 1st January 2016, circling South Africa before exploring China, Japan and the Philippines, eventually hitting Australia and Hawaii on the route back home. For more information about this luxurious around the world cruise, <strong><a href="https://www.oceaniacruises.com/ships/insignia/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">click here</span>.</a></strong></p> <p><em><strong>Have you arranged your travel insurance yet? Tailor your cover to your needs and save money by not paying for things you don’t need. <a href="https://elevate.agatravelinsurance.com.au/oversixty?utm_source=over60&amp;utm_medium=content&amp;utm_content=link1&amp;utm_campaign=travel-insurance" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Click here to read more about Over60 Travel Insurance.</span></a></strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>For more information about Over60 Travel Insurance, call 1800 622 966.</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/cruising/2015/11/picturesque-ports-to-visit/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>8 picturesque ports to visit</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/cruising/2015/11/cruises-in-colder-climates/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>5 great cruises in colder climates</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/cruising/2015/11/cruising-to-venice/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Does cruising to Venice have a future?</strong></em></span></a></p>

Cruising

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Best cities for art lovers to visit (that aren’t on the main tourist route)

<p>This isn’t going to be a list of the typical art cities that you already know – and could name without even looking online. There are many other cities around the world that have equally fantastic art collections and museums that aren’t on the main tourist route.</p> <p><strong>Siena, Italy</strong></p> <p>With powerhouse art cities like Rome and Florence within your borders, it’s hard for anywhere else in Italy to get a look in. But the picturesque Tuscan town of Siena has a wealth of artworks in its many beautifully preserved churches. The city was at the forefront of its own art movement in the early Renaissance and works from local Quattrocento artists are the most prolific. Don’t miss the Cathedral, which houses pieces by Donatello, Michelangelo and Bernini.</p> <p><strong>Bilbao, Spain</strong></p> <p>Art is intricately tied to this northern Spanish town’s whole economic development plan and the city is practically an open-air museum. There are huge sculptures in parks and squares from artists like Salvador Dali and Jeff Koons, as well as street art displays from local up and coming artists. The city is also home to an outpost of the famed Guggenheim Museum (pictured above), which attracts some of the most sophisticated contemporary art exhibitions in the world, as well as its own fine arts museum with a fine collection of work from Basque artists.</p> <p><strong>Vienna, Austria</strong></p> <p>Throughout much of its history Vienna has been the intellectual capital of Europe, rather than the creative one. But that’s all changing. The city has been reborn as a contemporary art capital and is now the place for fresh, innovative, modern visual art. The newly revamped 21er Haus and the Museum of Applied Arts focus on works from living artists from around Europe while the Leopold Museum, the most visited museum in the country, is a treasure trove of modern Austrian art from the likes of Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele.</p> <p><strong>Buenos Aires, Argentina</strong></p> <p>Art doesn’t have to be contained within the four walls of a museum and in Buenos Aires artists use the streets as their canvas. Their work is encouraged by both the residents and local officials, unlike in many cities where street artists are considered vandals and must work under the cover of darkness. Argentina has a long history of street art and, during times of government turmoil, artists were fiercely political. While politics still features, modern murals tend to focus on sports stars, popular culture or fantastical cartoon beings. Organised tours will take you around the best (and often secret) sites for around $20.</p> <p><strong>Abu Dhabi, UAE</strong></p> <p>While Dubai revels in its reputation as a materialistic city of malls and flashy hotels, Abu Dhabi is quietly establishing itself as the arts hub of the Middle East. Its very own Guggenheim Museum will be opening in 2017 and at the end of this year the first satellite Louvre Museum will open its doors with more than 300 paintings from the original on display. Expect to see plenty of French art in Abu Dhabi as the emirate has a 30-year collaboration with a number of Paris museums worth more than one billion euro.</p> <p><em>Image credit: <span>Karol Kozlowski / Shutterstock.com</span></em></p> <p> </p>

International Travel

Over 60

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