Just a couple of hours’ flight away from the UK, the French Alps offer a vast choice of resorts catering for absolute beginners, intermediates and pros.

Here’s our guide to the top ten most affordable ski resorts in France…

1. Les Corbier
Best for: Families
Located in the Les Sybelles region of France, the resort of Les Corbier is purpose-built, compact and traffic-free. Designed in the 1960s by architect Le Corbusier, the resort has become the fourth largest ski resort in France. Nearly all of the accommodation is ski-in/ski-out apartments and with two supermarkets in resort, self-catering ski holidays are a breeze. There are several bars and restaurants.

Hot deal: Pierre & Vacances Residence Maeva Les Pistes is located 500 m from the slopes, the ski lifts and shops and offers fully-equipped apartments with mountain-view balconies. A week in a one-bedroom apartment for up to four people, costs from just 199 Euros.

2. Chamonix
Best for: experienced skiers
Chamonix is a much-loved ski resort due to the variety of outdoor activities you can participate in here. The summit of Mont Blanc is the third most visited natural site in the world and the mountains hosts activities such as ice climbing, alpine mountaineering and extreme skiing. There are all sorts of terrain, but this is the perfect destination for the expert winter sports enthusiast and the adventurous. Chamonix is famous for its cable car up to Aiguille du Midi as well as the panoramic restaurant at the top station of the Brévent cable car, which boasts impressive views of the Mont Blanc Massif.

Hot deal: The Residence Maeva La Riviera is located in the district of Chamonix Sud, 300 m from the Aiguille du Midi cable car and five minutes from the resort centre. Studio apartments for up to four cost from just 244 Euros for seven nights.

3. Valloire
Best for: Intermediates
Valloire offers the combination of an old mountain village mixed with modern architecture. Valloire is the best known of the Maurienne valley resorts and its narrow streets, bustling shops and various restaurants makes it a charming location for your winter holiday. The slopes spread widely across three sunny sectors and are particularly good for intermediates. 70% of the Valloire/Valmeinier ski area is above 2000m and it offers 150 km of slopes.

Hot deal: The Pierre & Vacances Chalets Valoria at Valloire is located on the heights, overlooking the valley and the resort. A high standard residence built in a style typical of the region; these spacious apartments are located 300m away from the ski lifts. Studios for up to four cost from only 279 Euros per week.

4. La Clusaz
Best for: intermediates
The French ski resort of La Clusaz is one of its kind as it is still, essentially, a genuine mountain ski village. This ski resort exudes rustic charm and an infectious Gallic atmosphere. La Clusaz offers 200km of largely intermediate slopes, above and below the treeline, and makes a fantastic base for an enjoyable, relaxed week.

Hot deal: Residence Maeva La Perriere overlooks the resort on the southern slope and is available at 320 Euros per week for a 4 person studio apartment.

5. Serre Chevalier
Best for: Snowboarders
Serre Chevalier is one of the major ski resorts in France. Located in the Haute-Alpes region, Serre Chevalier is a large valley between the Lautaret and Briançon passes. Its 13 villages and hamlets, which blend tradition and modernity, are scattered across the valley with its large skiing areas covering 250km. The resort also offers a wide range of activities for the whole family, and with its large natural terrain is also considered one of the best snowboarding destinations in France. Serre Chevalier lies at the foot of the most beautiful peaks of the Ecrins National Park and boasts approximately 300 days of sunshine a year.

Hot deal: Résidence Pierre & Vacances L’Alpaga, situated in the mountain village of Villeneuve, has comfortable, spacious apartments close to the shops and ski lifts. Studio apartments for up to four people costs from 378 Euros for a week’s ski holiday.

6. Isola 2000
Best for: Skiers of all abilities
The little known Isola 2000 is a ski resort in the southern region of the French Alps that offers great skiing for all levels. This modern resort’s altitude is at 2000 meters and pisted runs reach the height of 2610 meters on the summit of Sistron where, on a clear day, it is possible to see the Mediterranean Sea.

Isola 2000 has an excellent snow record too. Snowboarding is popular in Isola and there are plenty of ‘board-friendly’ lifts and a dedicated snowboard park. There are lots of shops, bars, clubs, restaurants and supermarkets adjacent to the slopes and there are numerous cafes and restaurants should you wish to take a break and bask in the Mediterranean sun.

Hot deal: The Pierre & Vacances Les Terrasses d’Azur residence in Isola 200 is in perfect keeping with the resort’s natural environment of pines and larches. It overlooks the resort and is close to the ski runs and shops. The apartments are very comfortable and have a panoramic view over the skiing area and the Chastillon valley. Studio apartments that sleep up to four people cost from just 441 Euros per week.

7. Les Carroz d’Araches
Best for: Families
Les Carroz d’Araches is an expansive, sunny and traditional resort with plenty of terrain to suit everyone. It has the lived-in feel of a real French village and its array of pavement cafes and restaurants around the main square offers a homely and lively atmosphere.

The resort caters particularly well for families, offering excellent facilities for children so is perfect for a family ski holiday. There are good woodland runs immediately above the village for bad-weather days, with a scenic setting to enjoy when the sun shines.

Hot deal: Pierre &Vacances Residences MGM Les Fermes du Soleil is a luxury 4-star residence, just a stone’s throw from the centre. Each apartment is designed to offer you maximum comfort with large bay windows giving exceptional views over the village, the valley or the skating rink. The closest ski lifts, 800m from the residence, are accessible via a free shuttle bus. One-bedroom apartments for 3-4 people cost from 630 Euros per week.

8. Flaine
Best for: Intermediates and families
Flaine is a high-altitude resort sharing a big, broad area of varied slopes with more rustic alternatives. Flaine is a resort proud of its Modernist and artistic design, which is a dramatic contrast to the natural landscape of the French Alps. As well as the architecture, several large public art works adorn the base of the resort, including a Picasso.

Loved by many, due to the extent of its ski area and range of runs, this is a resort ideal for intermediate skiers as well as being one of the most family-orientated ski resorts in Europe.

Hot deal: Pierre & Vacances Terrasses d’Eos residence is a brand new addition to our ski residences for the 2009/10 ski season. Built in 2008 by Intrawest, this top-of-range residence is located in a new, entirely car-free hamlet of Flaine Montsoleil and features 145 comfortable apartments.

The two buildings that make up the residence have direct access to the pistes and chairlifts, providing you with a direct link to the Flaine and Grand Massif ski areas.
One-bedroom apartments cost from just 572 Euros for seven nights and sleep up to four people.

9. Valmorel
Best for: First timers and families
A great choice for first-timers and families, Valmorel is a purpose-built French ski resort comprising several small satellite villages in the Grande Domaine. Valmorel and St Francois Longchamps together offer 165km of marked pistes.

Valmorel’s resort centre is car-free and it also scores top marks for families as most of its pistes cater for beginners and intermediates, and there are plenty of designated practice areas. The ski area is on your doorstep which means you can literally ski to your door – another big plus if you’re skiing with kids. While it is great for families, those who also want lively après-ski should go elsewhere as there are only a handful of restaurants and bars.

Hot deal: P&V is offering seven nights in a studio apartment at Résidence Maeva Planchamp et Mottet in Valmorel from just 405 Euro.

10. Alpe-d’Huez
Best for: thrill seekers and skiers of all levels.
Home to La Sarenne, which at 16km is Europe’s longest ski run, Alpe d’Huez is often thought to be the sole preserve of ski pros and adrenalin junkies. While the infamous ‘Tunnel’ run remains a must do ride for experienced skiers, the resort also has a good choice of gentler runs for beginners. The best of the less challenging slopes are found on the outskirts of the resort and there are plenty of blues and reds for intermediates.

Situated in a large sunny bowl, Alpe d’Huez is known as the ‘l’Isle au Soleil’ (‘The Sunny Island’) thanks to its high levels of sunshine throughout the year.

This resort is a great choice if you’re travelling in a group which has mixed abilities – leave the pros to La Sarenne while the novices play it safe.

Hot deal: Situated in Les Bergers district of Alpe d’Huez, the Pierre & Vacances Bergers residence has comfortable apartments and a heated outdoor swimming pool. Seven nights in a studio that sleep 3-4 costs just 405 Euros.

All P&V residences featured are ski in/ ski out and are self-catering apartments with fully equipped kitchens and cooking facilities.

Pierre & Vacances have also just launched a euro-busting offer which means customers can save up to 35 percent off all ski resorts throughout the winter season. This means, if you book fast enough you could be saving a third and spend just 55€ for a weeks accommodation! And it gets better…this major ski discount can be used on all dates throughout the winter ski season including the school holidays, Christmas and New Year.

The Eurobuster deal can also be combined with any other P&V deal currently on offer, including the 20% early booking discount, leading to savings of up to 35% on your winter ski holiday.

Stats be damned, there is no denying that the lure of the road is undeniable and probably eternal; it almost seems embedded in our very makeup. This is more true for some folks than others, but there is a richness to traversing the land an inch at a time that is absent from the experience of climbing into a metal canister and climbing out at your destination. If this is what you’re looking for this summer, here are some tips to maintain the romance while minimizing the rigors of the road.

Clean your car before and during your trip.

Go ahead, leave the napkins and gum wrappers under your seat. Leave the receipts from your last business-related drive in the glove box. Don’t sweat the dog hair in the back bed … but you’ll be sorry you did. A few days into your trip, when the old gum wrappers are joined by new fast food wrappers, when the glove box starts overflowing with hotel receipts and local maps, when dog hair starts sticking to your luggage and your gear, you’ll rue the day you failed to pull out the Shop-Vac.

As your trip proceeds, take time every couple of days to purge your car of undesirable flotsam and jetsam. Even if you can tolerate some chaos (as I can), the accumulated junk and minor filth will start to drive you mad in the close quarters that define a road trip.

Have a loose Plan.

Delays are the one thing that you can count on when driving significant distances. Admittedly, the archetypal “BRIDGE OUT” sign is a rare sighting these days, but the flashing “Road Work Ahead, Merge to One Lane” message is not. You don’t have to have seen a lot of Chevy Chase movies to know that things aren’t always going to go your way. If you over-schedule your road trip, it is almost a lock that you will find yourself slogging the last few miles long after you had intended to be asleep, trying to cancel one hotel reservation so you can pay for another well short of your originally planned destination.

On the other hand, having no plan at all is only recommended for the most hardy souls. On a trip through New England a few years ago, our plan was simply to pull over when we got tired to crash in a hotel; after taking three exits without success, we finally stopped at a hotel at which the front desk person asked, “are you staying the whole night?” Ugh.

Get off the highways – But beware the Blue Highways.

Unless you have a specific destination and a strict schedule, there is little point in hitting the roads to see the country if you don’t spend some time on the back roads. However, some blue highways (as certain back roads were called in the popular book by William Least Heat-Moon) are not much more than endless strip malls. Most U.S. road maps have some indicator of whether a “back road” is an interesting one; the map I use most has small red dots along those roads recommended as scenic routes. I have found these recommendations to be fairly reliable; most have at least a few miles of interesting local scenery, offer driving experiences ranging from a rambling bucolic feel to truly stunning views of America the Beautiful, and pay off handsomely for those with the time, patience and inclination to wander a bit. However, that being said…

…have an escape plan to get off the country roads.

When I was a kid, my family took a trip down the East Coast by cutting inland to take the Skyline Drive. The Skyline Drive is certainly beautiful and occasionally visually stunning, but after a few official overlooks and an intensifying bout of car sickness on the winding roads, the kids in the car were ready to come down from the hills. It was also fantastically slow going; average speeds were about 35 m.p.h., which, starting in New Jersey, gets you to Florida in about four days of 10-hour drives. After about 600 sharp turns surrounded by a whole lot of trees and mist, I-95 never looked so good.

Anticipate trouble shots.

If you are grinding out long miles on a road trip, it’s not hard to find yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time — like trying to cross the Hudson River at rush hour, or driving the long bridges to Key West on the Friday afternoon of Memorial Day weekend. You’ll want to plan ahead so you cross the Hudson at, say 10:30 a.m., or blast down to Key West on a Thursday.

Consider a satellite radio subscription

The days of regional radio offering a musical or informational palette that you can’t find anywhere else are almost all but gone, so tapping into the local vibe via radio is far less satisfying than it used to be. Were this not the case, I wouldn’t recommend a satellite radio subscription. But it may be the traffic reports from major cities that tips the balance; if a city like New York or Los Angeles lies in between your car and your destination, you are going to need some timely traffic information to hope to beat the inevitable traffic congestion. XM features traffic and weather for about 80 cities; Sirius offers about 30.

Tend to division of labor.

Some people are good at navigating; others couldn’t read a map if they tried. Some people are good at planning meals, while others think a big bag of chips counts as a good dinner. Know who does what well, and what really matters to your traveling companions, and you will get things done efficiently and to the satisfaction of all. Divvy up and delegate jobs by talent and predilection.

Join a roadside rescue service.

If you take enough road trips, eventually you will end up stranded on the side of the road outside East Gibbip a few miles from Podunk, equidistant from the four corners of Nowhere. Having that 800-number that immediately ties you in to approved local tow services and mechanics is going to save you a lot of hassle, and also shield you from some of the dangers of the road that none of us wishes to encounter.

Supplement your cell phone with a phone card.

On a recent trip that took us to the far reaches of the Olympic Peninsula, we had a plan to connect by cell phone with friends from one of the many small towns dotted along Route 112. A friend who lived along the route said he had an intermittent but functional cell signal, and thought our plan should work fine.

Save for one problem: He had a different cell service than we did. Our service worked great near our hometown; his was pretty much the only one that worked well on the Peninsula.

Long story short, the only pay phone in existence on the Peninsula ate $3 of loose change, and I ended up in a small grocery store begging to use the landline. It all worked out, but I really could have left my cell phone home that trip. Had I a reliable and easy-to-use phone card, my problems would have been solved. I know you can use your credit card for many phone calls, but it’s an added step you’ll be happy to avoid if you get in a jam.

Have your documentation and a clean record.

I don’t know about you, but it sometimes seems like my new insurance card takes days or weeks to get into my glove box. If you are traveling without current documentation of license, registration or insurance, you could be in for a world of hurt if you are pulled over for any reason. Further, you may want to clear up any old traffic and parking tickets before you go; under the right (or perhaps wrong, in this case) circumstances, your car can be impounded for your scofflaw sins.

Know when to hold’em, and when to fold’em.

Sorry for the hokey country song phrase, but sometimes on the road you need to play the hand you are dealt, for better or worse. This advice might apply to road trip decisions both small and large. On an eight-week, 15,000-mile circle of the border states of the United States in 1991, we were driving up Route 1 near Big Sur with a mind to staying with friends in Santa Cruz. We pulled over to stretch our legs near a restaurant/hotel, fully intending to get back behind the wheel in short order to continue grinding northward. It took only two or three deep breaths for us to decide we were going no further that day. It ended up being one of the best long afternoons of the trip.

However, later on the same trip, we woke up in a state park in Wisconsin with about a week to go with a plan to linger in Chicago and Detroit, cut across Canada to Buffalo, come down through the Finger Lakes region, and generally finish off our trip at a leisurely pace. As we headed for a gas station to fill up for the day, we turned on the radio to listen to the news from the previous evening that the United States had invaded Iraq to repel their advances into Kuwait. When we arrived at the gas station, we found that gas prices had spiked about 25 percent, and the proprietor told us to expect more increases in the next few days. We quickly made the decision to make a stop in Chicago — we couldn’t blow off one of the country’s greatest cities — and then to bolt eastward to get ourselves home. It turned out that the sight of our front door and our own bed was more welcome than we had anticipated; we weren’t home early, but rather right on time.

Sierra-at-Tahoe is often overlooked by destination skiers visiting the South Shore due in part to the areas own strategy of being “Lake Tahoe’s Full Service, Value Oriented, DAY Use Snowsports Resort.” What exactly does that mean? Basically that other than on-site lodging, Sierra-at-Tahoe has pretty much everything else you are probably looking for in a ski resort like 2,000 acres of terrain, a 2,212 vertical rise, 46 trails, 6 terrain parks, 9 chair lifts and 3 surface lifts and…oh yeah, about 560 inch of snowfall on average. As for that whole lodging thing, the resort is located just 30 minutes away from South Lake Tahoe where there are plenty of options and Sierra at Tahoe even runs a shuttle which stops at over 40 of them.

Terrain

If there is one common complaint about Sierra at Tahoe it’s that it doesn’t ski as big as it is or that it doesn’t feel like the trails are really 2,000 acres worth. Here’s the thing, a good amount of that acreage is in the trees. In fact, you’ll find some of the best tree skiing in the country here making it a must visit, especially on a powder day. You might have to look around a little for your line but they’re there. In West Bowl, try the trees between Horsetail and Clipper. Off the Grandview Express the area between Preacher’s Passion and the Tahoe King lift is a good spot as well. There are also a total of five backcountry access gates, all accessible from the top of the Grandview chair, and guided tours of the backcountry are available. So the trees are great but you aren’t ready to go into the woods yet? Don’t worry there are also some excellent beginner and intermediate terrain here as well. Beginners will enjoy trails like Wagon Trail from the top of the Grandview Express or Sugar N Spice of the Hob Hill double. However, be aware that Sugar N Spice does cross several advanced trails so make sure you look up hill. The Westbowl area is a great place for the intermediate skier or rider and also has a terrain park coupled with a few more advanced trails to keep things interesting. When the day is done head for the Sierra Pub for live bands and tasty beverages.

Off-slope Fun

Sierra-at-Tahoe also offers tubing, snowshoeing on-site. Cross-country skiing, dog sledding, snowmobiling and other outdoor activities are all available nearby and of course there is plenty to do in South Lake Tahoe from daytime shopping to night time bar hopping.

Crystal Mountain, Washington

Crystal Mountain has undergone some major improvements since being bought by Boyne USA back in 1996. Part of the sales agreement was that Boyne had to invest some serious money into the resort over the next 10 years and that is exactly what they have done, and continue to do. This upgrading has included the Forest Queen and the Chinook Express, both high-speed “six packs,” the Green Valley high-speed quad up to Grubstake Point and most recently, the Northway double which added 1,000 acres of lift serviced backcountry style terrain. In addition to the updated lifts they have also expanding the trail system, increasing the size of the rental shop, renovated bathrooms, added new groomers, built the Campbell Basin Lodge, and they still aren’t done! The already approved Master Development Plan also includes an all-season 80-passenger tram, the conversion of some of the fixed-grip chair to high-speed lifts, a slope side hotel and more base facility upgrades. The bottom-line is that Crystal Mountain Resort is doing everything it can to make itself THE place to go in Washington and perhaps the whole West Coast. Crystal welcomes skiers and snowboarders to its slopes; however, a downside to Crystal is its complete lack of man-made freestyle terrain. As of this writing there is no terrain park or halfpipe at Crystal. So, if you are looking for terrain your best bet is the backcountry.

Terrain

With a total of 2,600 acres and over 50 runs there truly is something for everyone at Crystal. The terrain breaks down to 11% Beginner, 54% Intermediate, and 35% Advanced/Expert which makes Crystal an experienced skier or rider’s dream! However, although percentage-wise the newbies or those without a lot of mileage seem to get the short end of the stick, keep in mind that this is a good-sized resort so there are still plenty of options. Discovery, Quicksilver, Chinook Express, Miner’s Basin, and the Forest Queen Express all assess beginner terrain so you should have no trouble finding something you can handle. For the intermediates, you might try warming up on Gold Hill or jump right in and take Chinook Express to Rainier Express and get to the top of the tree line. The backcountry crew will have plenty of options here and the true experts will want to head to Northway Peak. At the end of the day everyone can meet up at the Base Lodge and head to BullWheel Pub for some great casual food.

Off-slope Fun

Although parts of Mount Rainier National Park are not open in the winter there is still plenty to do there including ranger-guided snowshoe walks, snowplay at Paradise, camping and snowmobiling. In nearby Enumclaw there is cross country skiing and even trout fishing in the nearby rivers. Restaurants, shops and lodging can also be found in town.

Blue Mountain, Ontario

Ontario may not boast of tall peaks (at 2275 feet, Ishpatina Ridge is its highest point) but the province is ski and snowboard crazy nonetheless. That’s evident at Blue Mountain, where 34 trails are spread over a two-and-a-half-mile long ridge, with 720 feet of vertical. And there’s more. The area has three terrain parks, two superpipes and a standard half pipe, 12 lifts including four detachable sixpacks and a detachable quad, and a tubing park. The resort is about 90 minutes north of Toronto and sits at the southern end of Georgian Bay, so it benefits from Lake Huron’s lake-effect snow. But there’s also 100% snowmaking. Of more import, perhaps, to visitors is Blue Mountain’s status as a four-season resort, thanks to a spate of development the past few years by Intrawest. The result has transformed the base area, which now has a full range of fine lodging, condominium clusters, a spa and conference center, restaurants, shops, and night life.

Terrain

With just a couple of exceptions, the beginner terrain is clustered in two pods. Novices should head to the South Base Lodge, where there’s everything needed to get started and gentle learning terrain. There’s another pod of easy terrain at the main base area. The rest of Blue Mountain’s offerings are pretty much evenly split between wide fall-line cruising trails and advanced terrain, including several black diamond trails. Of course, with three parks and three pipes, there’s a lot of air play at Blue Mountain, and you’ll find that the radical riders and twin-tippers gravitate to these more formal playgrounds. You can also enjoy the place at night, when about two-thirds of the terrain is lighted. The resort’s accommodations range from the modern Blue Mountain Inn (where you’ll find a spa, tennis, and indoor pool), to The Grand Georgian, done in the style of Canada’s great railway hotels. Also of note is the Weider Lodge, a handsome inn finished in the rugged style of old alpine ski lodges.

Off-Slope Fun

The tennis pavilion houses five Omni courts open all year. And there are a number of retail establishments where you can satisfy a shopping urge. But much of the post-ski action centers on a quiet meal at one of the several good restaurants about the resort and an early bedtime, or one of the night spots. The original Jozo’s is the place to be if you have energy to burn and the stamina to stay up until the wee hours, but mere mortals will enjoy the slower pace of the Indian Motorcycle Cafe and Lounge or the Copper Blues Bar and Lounge. In the nearby town of Collingwood, check out Planet Collingwood for dancing and pool, or The Admiral’s Pub for darts and conversation and about a dozen different ales and stouts on tap. Inside Line Weekend after-lunch lift lines at the Silver Bullet Express Quad – fast though it may be – can be rather long. Best bet is to lunch at the South Base Lodge, lunch early, lunch late, or lunch long.

U.S. Citizens

  All persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and all foreign countries are required to present a valid passport to board the aircraft. 

  While recent legislation has deferred the passport deadline for some cruise passengers to these areas until summer 2008, Cruise Planners strongly recommends that every traveler possess a valid passport.

  If your cruise departs from and returns to the U.S., a passport is now required in both of the following unexpected situations:

·         To fly to a foreign port to catch up with the ship if you miss its U.S. embarkation, or;

·         To fly home to the U.S. from a foreign port if you are forced to cut your trip short.

  New Application for a U.S. Passport—U.S. Citizens

  To obtain a passport for the first time, you must go in person to a local passport office along with two photographs of yourself, an original or certified copy of your birth certificate and a valid form of photo identification such as a driver’s license. Passport offices can be found inside many post offices and court houses. For complete information and instructions please visit the U.S. Department of State’s website at:

www.travel.state.gov/passport.

  Here you can also print passport forms and search for a passport office in your neighborhood. New passport applications take a minimum of 6 weeks to process. Please allow enough time prior to your cruise departure.

  Renewal of a U.S. Passport—U.S. Citizens

  Check the expiration date of your passport and how your name appears. Many countries require your passport to be valid for six months after the completion of your travel. It is imperative that the name on the passport exactly match the name on your cruise booking. Also, your passport must contain blank pages for entry and exit stamps and required visas. Allow sufficient time to renew or update your passport.

  Documentation for Non-U.S. Citizens

  Non-U.S. Citizens who are permanent residents of the United States must have both a valid passport and alien registration card (Form 1551). You may also be required to have visas to enter certain countries. Foreign cruise passengers must travel with a valid passport and multiple-entry visa for the United States (B-2 Visitor’s Visa). For more information, and to learn the entry requirements of the countries on your itinerary, please check directly with each representing embassy or consulate.

  Travel to Canada—Non-U.S. Citizens

  The Canadian government requires a visa for foreign citizens from many countries. This law affects all travelers on cruise itineraries that begin or end in Canada, as well as those that make a port of call in Canada. Failure to present the required visa will result in denied boarding with no refund. To learn if Canada requires a visa for citizens of your country please call the Canadian embassy or consulate.

  Names on Travel Documents

  Names on all travel documents must exactly match the name on proof of citizenship/passport. Please check your itinerary carefully and call us immediately if there are any discrepancies.

1. Ningaloo Reef

Meet the world’s biggest fish – the whale shark – in the clear, turquoise waters of Western Australia’s huge fringing reef. These gentle underwater giants feed on the bright coral reef between April and June. You can also dive, swim or snorkel with dolphins, graceful manta rays and hundreds of species of tropical fish. On Ningaloo, this rainbow of marine life is just meters from the shore.

2. Kakadu National Park

You’ll be lost for words in World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park – a tapestry of rainforest and Aboriginal cultural artifacts across 19,000 square kilometers. Rugged escarpments, lush wetlands, plunging gorges and cascading waterfalls spill over each other here in our largest nature park. You’ll see millions of migratory birds in the wetlands and crocodiles sun their primitive hides on the banks of the Adelaide River.

3. Phillip Island

Every day at dusk, Summerland Beach on Phillip Island comes alive with thousands of little penguins. Watch them waddle home in riotous packs and pairs after their long day foraging for food in icy Bass Strait. The rugged ocean beaches, sheltered bays, blowholes and caves are also home to koalas, abundant bird life and a large colony of fur seals between October and December. It’s hard to believe this teeming natural habitat is just 90 minutes from Melbourne.

4. Ancient Rainforests: Tasmania’s National Parks

Step into the grandeur of the Tasmanian rainforest, and you’ll be stepping back 60 million years. With forty per cent of the island protected as national parks and reserves, pristine wilderness is never far away. The World Heritage area stretches more than 1.38 million hectares – from the rugged alpine peaks and dense rainforests of Cradle Mountain in the north to the island’s remote southern tip. 

5. Great Barrier Reef

Unforgettable is the word most people use to describe the Great Barrier Reef – a spectacle so vast it can be seen from space. This World Heritage marine wonderland is an explosion of color that stretches for 2,600 kilometers off the Queensland coast. You can access this undersea spectacular of marine life and coral reefs from Cairns and the Whitsundays in the north and Townsville,

6. Kangaroo Island

Meet seals, sea lions, koalas, wallabies, bandicoots and platypus in the wild on Kangaroo Island, an ecological haven accessible from Adelaide. The desert dunes, beaches, forest and farmland are just a short flight from Adelaide or ferry ride from Cape Jervis on the South Australian coast. Watch penguins make their nightly pilgrimage to shore, buy milk, cheese, wine and Ligurian honey fresh from local farmers and see fur seals frolic on the rocks and a colony of Australian sea lions at Seal Bay.

7. Blue Mountains

The blue-hazed beauty, dramatic cliffs and deep canyons of the Blue Mountains are just 90 minutes drive from Sydney. Soak up the breathtaking panoramas on a trek along the Six Foot Track, go mountain biking, horse riding and scale the sandstone cliffs. As well as a million hectares of World Heritage-listed wilderness, you’ll find quaint guesthouses, cozy cafes, luxurious resorts and a vibrant community of artists.

8. Australian Alps

Straddling New South Wales, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory, the Alps has uniquely Australian alpine vistas and year round opportunities for outdoor adventure. Hit Australia’s highest ski fields or hike to the top of Mount Kosciuszko, our highest peak. Immerse yourself in Aboriginal history in Namagdi National Park. Drive the Great Alpine Road past historic villages, wildflower-coated plains, trout-filled streams and rugged gorges. Or go cycling, caving, rafting, kayaking, four wheel driving and horse riding.

Because of all the outs available during a vacation you may think packing isn’t a very high priority.  This may be true in some cases, but if you are planning to take a cruise, you thought wrong.  On a cruise ship you are stuck on the ship except for 2-3 pre-determined stops along the way.  Therefore, you need to make sure you have everything you need; the captain will not turn the ship around for you, no matter what class you paid for.  Even worse, if you forget something crucial, the shops on the cruise ship will charge you an arm and a leg for the products; they are well aware they are the only means of commodities on the open sea.

For this reason we have drawn up a blue print for what you need, and what you need not forget before departing for the ship.  There are three major things you need to think about: clothing, necessities and what type of luggage you should and can bring.

Travel Documents, Identification and Wallet Items:

• 3 copies of airline tickets, cruise tickets, passports/visas, and itinerary – pack 1 copy in carry on, 1 copy in checked luggage, and leave one copy with someone at home. Alternatively, you can scan the documents and email an electronic copy to yourself so that you can access them from any computer terminal. (I usually do both – “just in case”)  This may seem like over-kill, but once again, you are on a cruise ship, not an airplane or train.  Once you’re on the boat, you’re stuck.  We want you to enjoy your trip, so having all these back-up documents will make enjoying your vacation easier.
• Identification documents are the second most important papers you need.  This will include a passport and visas if necessary.  Some cruise lines will accept proof of citizenship in lieu of a passport, but be sure to check with that specific cruise line before taking this approach.
• Pack a written list of your medications, including the name of the drug, dosage and times taken, in case they are lost.
• Medical documents are the third most important, and in most cases just as important to those of you on regular medication.  Be sure to bring your medical insurance cards and medical history, especially if you are traveling alone.  You will need a copy of your prescriptions and a list of all the medicines you are taking.  Remember on the boat they may only sell generic drugs, so as long as you have your prescriptions, the cruise can obtain you specific medications in case of an emergency.
• For medical and emergency reasons, make sure you leave a way to contact you at home if anything happens.  If you contact the cruise line they will give you emergency contact information for anyone watching your house, friends, or family.
• A pre-paid phone card if very important.  You may think while on vacation you have no reason to call back home; wasn’t that the reason you left in the first place?  Although the isolation may be your goal, usually on an amazing vacation you can’t wait to get back and tell your friends and family of something spectacular you saw or experienced.  Sometimes the updates can’t wait.  For this reason, buy a pre-paid phone card before you leave.  I suggest either a 20 minute or 60 minute card, depending on how much of a telephone junky you are. 
• ATM/credit cards are not a necessity, but if you bring them with you, make sure you call the credit card company ahead of time and let them know you are traveling.  If they see over seas purchases without being notified, they may freeze your account on grounds of suspicion.
• Cash or traveler’s checks are a good way to bring lots of money without the worries of losing a wad of cash or your credit card.  As long as you have not signed the check, even if lost you will have lost nothing until cashed.  Make sure you keep the receipt for these checks in a separate location if they happen to get lost.  For this reason have contact numbers for whomever needs to be called if you lose these documents.
• Since most cruises leave the United States, be sure to have a currency conversion chart.  Although most convertion kiosks have their own charts, these are not consistent everywhere in the world.  It is good to know that currency exchange is dictated by markets and change daily.  Due to this, you must have your own conversion chart to make sure you are getting an appropriate exchange wherever you are, never trust an over seas teller.
• Although it may seem unlikely, at some stops along the cruise you may want to rent a car.  For example, on many Caribean cruises, many passengers find themselves wanting to take a tour of the islands they make stops at.  Although there are tour busses available, some travelers may want to rent their own car.  For this reason make sure you bring your driver’s license and auto insurance card.

Travel Necessities: Personal Hygiene

• Ear plugs aren’t only important for flying, but cruising as well.  Remember you are confined to the spaces on this boat; therefore there are very little spaces of privacy outside your room.  Even if you find privacy, it won’t last long; the ruckus of excitement will surround before you know it.  Ear plus will help you get away for that half hour you need before heading to dinner.
• Because toiletries are so expensive on the boat itself, you should bring your own crash-kit for basic vacation survival.  A basic kit I would suggest would include: Q-tips, cortisone, Vaseline, antibiotic cream and anti-diarrheal medication.
• Pain killers such as aspirin, Tylenol or Advil.
• Hand wipes are good to have in your car, when you fly, boat, or any sort of travel where your hands may become sticky for some reason or another.
• DO NOT forget sun screen, there is nothing worse than lying out on a beach in pain because your back is too burnt.  Along these lines, also bring a pair of sun-glasses, there will be many sunsets to enjoy, so be prepared.  I might add that even if you are planning a trip to Alaska or some icy dreamland, don’t think you won’t need your sunglasses.  The reflection off the snow is one of the easiest ways to get sunburned, ask any experienced skier.
• Bring bug spray, not for the boat, but for those tropical destinations you will be investigating on your pit-stops along the way.

Travel Necessities: Electronics and Gadgets

• Plug adapter or power converters are good for traveling, but not crucial for cruise ships.  If you have certain electronics you MUST use during your vacation buy a converter just incase.  All other necessities on this list will have to be plugged into this converter if you run into a foreign wall plug.
• Make sure you bring your cell phone and charger.  I usually keep mine turned off, but it is nice to have in order get new phone numbers or call your cab when you return to the port.  The same goes for your PDA or laptop; bring a charger.
• It is good to have a camera while on your journeys.  Manual and digital cameras are good for any vacation.  If you are taking a digital camera be sure to bring a charger and extra memory cards.  If you are using a manual SLR camera be sure to bring extra film.  Travelers often run out of film or memory halfway through their vacation.
• If you are a reader, make sure you have a nightlight.  Reading on the deck opposed to your bedroom is a peaceful experience that needs a light.
• There is always a workout are or gym on board a cruise ship.  Do not forget your iPod.  With all the kids and chaos around you, working out to your favorite music will be something you yearn for if you forget your iPod or portable music player.
• An obvious item that is necessary for any trip is an alarm clock, preferably battery powered.  Some cruises put you on a tight schedule to keep up with.  You may have to eat at a certain time, and certain events only take place on certain days during certain hours; so bring something to keep you on point.
• For those of you bringing a lot of electronics with you, bring a power strip and/or battery charger.  I don’t suggest bringing so much with you, but some of us must work during our “vacation” and it is understandable to always be prepared.

Other Helpful Items Specific to Cruise Vacations:

• Zip loc bags of all sizes and even garbage bags, for emergencys or wet clothing.  Crazy glue, duct tape and clothes pins may seem like overkill, but the faster you can take care of a catastrophic situation or even something small that breaks, the more time you will have to enjoy the rest of your vacation.
• A swiss army knife or any tool like it is very good for traveling.  Make sure you put it inside your check in bag due to security measures.  A swiss army knife can give you corkscrew for wine and knifes and scissors for any handy work you may need to be doing.
• I like to bring a shoe horn anywhere I travel to, but it is not necessary
• Playing cards are a classic check list item when on vacation.
• An underwater camera may seem silly, but if you are going to the Carribean there are photos you will regret not being able to capture if you did not make this purchase.

The List: Clothing you Need and Clothing you Don’t

• Remember before you start packing check out the cruise newsletter to find out what dress code for dinner is each night.  Different cruises have different restrictions based on how expensive they are and what kind of reputation that particular line exemplifies. 
• On most cruise ships there will be at least two formal nights.  On these nights most dining halls require nice dress attire.  If you feel this is a hassle no worries, most cruise ships also have tuxedo rentals for men.  The buffet hall is usually open every night, so if you really don’t want to get dressed up you don’t have to. 
• To many people’s surprise dining room dress code can be very strict on a cruise line.  For women you can’t wear shorts, t-shirts, cut offs, tank tops, jeans, or be bare-footed.  For most nights, the dress code will be casual.  This is what you’d wear to your favorite “casual” restaurant, such as: sun dresses, a casual dress, casual pants such as khakis or cargo pants, but remember, no jeans.  For men, polo shirts, button-up shirts and casual pants (not jeans) are fine.   
• During the day, anything goes!  You can wear shorts, t-shirts, capri pants, jeans, cargo or khaki pants, running shoes, flip flops and sandals.  The only dress code during the day is when going swimming.  When walking from your cabin to the pool you have to wear something over your swimsuit and you have to wear something on your feet.
• If you plan on working out during your cruise, don’t forget your gym clothes.  Every cruise ship has a modern gym for those of you who don’t want to squander your exercise routine during your vacation.
• Footwear should include walking or running shoes, sandals, and dress shoes for formal dinners.
• You should probably also bring one hat, a jacket, and a sweater.  If you are worried about some of your garments, the cruise ships also have dry cleaning, so don’t worry about anything getting ruined.  If something gets lost, you’ll probably see it on the culprit hours later.

What Type of Luggage Should I Bring?

• If you don’t live near a cruise port, you’ll normally have to fly (or drive in some cases) to your destination.  Before you start to pack, remember that you have to carry everything with you in the airport and around the cruise terminal.  Because of this make sure your main luggage has wheels.  Try to limit yourself to 1 piece of checked luggage, 1 carry on bag, and 1 personal item.  You can also take a garment bag, but be careful with these because the hooks can get caught on many places while you are boarding. 
• There are of course weight restrictions for each airline.  They are specific depending on what airline you fly, so make sure you call either the airline or your travel agent ahead of time for information. 
• Your name and address should be on a piece of paper inside each bag and on luggage tags on the outside of each bag.  Fill out your cruise tags and place them on your luggage; any “old” airline/cruise tags should be removed.  Your Carry-on Bag & Checked Luggage should have locks.  Mark all luggage with some “bright” tape or wool pompoms for easier retrieval at the airport & the cruise terminal.  Of course you can choose other radical ways of making your bag stand out but the point is, make sure your luggage isn’t generic.  Last but not least, make sure you bring extra luggage tags just incase anything happens to your original ones. 

Ocean and beaches — for the more advanced swimmers, the edge of the open ocean can make for a challenging and fun swimming experience. For less advanced swimmers, or those with little ones, pick a resort facing Isla Mujeres for a gentle and relaxing aquatic experience. The sand found here is ground up coral and doesn’t get hot like you might expect. The beaches are absolutely gorgeous and the water is crystal clear and warm. Spending the day on the beaches of Cancun is not only an opportunity to relax, but to shop as well. Many of the native people of Cancun make a living by selling different items to the tourists on the beach. There are a variety of items to be purchased from these vendors, items such as sarongs, jewelry, sea shells and more. However, as in the markets, you have to be willing to bargain to get the right prices.

Xcaret, amazing ecopark. Xcaret is an Eco-archaeological Park located about 46 mi south of Cancun and less than 4 mi south of Playa del Carmen, in the Riviera Maya. Here you can admire tropical flora and fauna typical of the region as well as different expressions of the Mayan culture. In its facilities you can find an archaeological site, underground rivers, beach, butterfly pavilion, orchid greenhouse, regional fauna breeding farm, Mayan village, jaguar island, among others; you can also practice water activities as snorkeling and swimming with dolphins; enjoy the Temascal and Spa services; and at night you can admire the unique night show “Xcaret México Espectacular”.

Bird watching at the airport — it may sound odd, but because the airport is basically carved out of a large block of forest, there are all kinds of birds and animals around, especially early in the morning. Look for the Mexican agoutis (large forest rodents) grazing on the lawns next to the forest.

Swim with Dolphins. Wet’n'Wild also offers dolphin experiences. (Beware: no cameras are allowed, and then they charge $25 for the first photo, $20 for each subsequent one). Another great place to swim with dolphins is Delphinus Dreams.

Jeep Adventures - Experience some of the most beautiful parts of Cancun in a self drive jeep safari. Tour prices usually include an experienced guide, and the chance to swim or snorkel in underground caves, explore Mayan ruins and visit a jungle reserve.

Aqua Tours — Exciting water tour! Choose either a jet ski or two person jet boat for a trip through the lagoon out to snorkel on the reef. Popular tours are the Jungle Tour and the Sailing Quest (Catamarans).

The Lobster Dinner Cruise — Take a trip out on the calm lagoon on a beautiful boat with friends you have not met yet. The staff allows you to take part in the fun or settle back and watch the sunset. Steak and lobster is cooked on the boat and is extra tasty when eaten out on the high seas.

Football — New in Cancun with the First Division team “Potros de Hierro (Iron Colts) of Cancun“. The Atlante team, now based in Cancun, has a brand new stadium downtown.

Markets — Bring your haggling skills and get ready for a vast shopping experience in any of the city markets. Great buys can be found, so stick to your price resolve.

La Isla – La Isla is a huge outside shopping mall in Cancun right near many of the local hotels. It features hundreds of stores ranging from American brands like Polo to Mexican brands like Senor Frogs. There are numerous restaurants including Chili’s and McDonalds along with more local Mexican foods.

Xcaret — Xcaret is an eco-archaeological park located about 46 mi south of Cancun and less than 4 mi south of Playa del Carmen, in the Riviera Maya. Here you can admire tropical flora and fauna typical of the region as well as different expressions of the Mayan culture. In its facilities you can find an archaeological site, underground rivers, beach, butterfly pavilion, orchid greenhouse, regional fauna breeding farm, Mayan village, Jaguar Island, among others; you can also practice water activities as snorkeling and swimming with dolphins; enjoy the Temascal and Spa services; and at night you can admire the Mexican history and folklore show “Xcaret México Espectacular”.

Chichen Itza|Chichén Itzá Archaeological Site — The large Mayan archaeological site of Chichen Itza is nowadasy one of the World’s New Seven Wonders, often visited on a day trip from Cancun, but is rather distant and only a small portion of the site and attractions can be seen this way. If you find the ancient Maya of interest, spend a night at one of the hotels at Chica which is a fresh water sinkhole, where you can swim. The Kukulcán Pyramid is one of the most impressive Mayan structures. It is now closed off to climbing to preserve it from erosion.

Tulum — the only major Mayan archaeological site to overlook the Caribbean Sea is only 80 miles south of Cancun. Bus services from Cancun run around 2 hrs and cost 60 pesos. Tulum contains over 60 different structures and is believed to be one of the most important ceremonial sites for the Mayan people. This archaeological zone that date back more than 7 centuries show the remains of a huge walled city with roads, homes and businesses by the sea. The major highlight of Tulum is El Castillo which is a large pyramid that sits on a forty-foot cliff. El Castillo is thought to be a part of a series of lighthouses. The ruins are similar to Chichen Itza but unlike Chichen Itza, you are not allowed to go inside or climb on the pyramids.

The Mayan Riviera — The Riviera offers several ecological water theme parks such as Xcaret and Xel-Ha and Selvatica, which boasts the largest zip-line circuit of Mexico and Latin America.

Rio Secreto | Natural Reserve, a wonder made by the centuries, this cave was discovered just two years ago, it’s a labyrinth of endless passageways formed by ageless geological processes. Here you can walk and swim an easy 600 meter route amidst the thousands of calcified stalactites and stalagmites found in this protected natural reserve.

Xel-Ha — Xel-Ha is an outdoor water theme park that encompasses the range of Mexican Caribbean nature. There are natural, ecological attractions and various water activities such as snorkeling and diving in lagoons, caves and creeks, and swimming with dolphins. One can relax and admire the scenery on the lazy river or be adventurous by jumping from thirty foot ledges into the water below. Families can get their picture taken with exotic birds or swim with tropical wildlife such as sting rays. There are also a number of outdoor restaurants and bars. A fair warning about the lazy river, however, as it acts as a real river and riders have been known to get stuck in the mangroves on either side, separating them from loved ones.

Isla Mujeres — a great break from the Cancun tourist traps. This small island is just a 20 minute ferry ride from the hotel zone or from Puerto Juárez Federal Dock, located 5 minutes from downtown Cancun. Rent a scooter to get around the island fast and cheap. There is a beautiful ecological water theme park, Garrafon, with splendid vistas on land and a magical underwater world.

Cozumel — A very pretty island and the most inhabited in all of Mexico, it is also an important Caribbean port of call. Chankanaab National Park is located here. Well known for its water sport activities such as diving, snorkeling, sailing, boating and fishing.

Coba — A beautiful site hidden by lush jungle. It boasts the tallest pyramid of the Yucatan Peninsula, the Nohoch Mul. Muyil boasts a lake surrounded by many Mayan constructions.

Formally a dependency of the British territory St. Helena, which is located a little over 1000 miles north of the islands, Tristan da Cunha was founded by Portuguese explorers in the 18th century.  After the first permanent settler (Jonathan Lambert of Salem, Massachusetts 1810) died in 1812, British garrisons were sent to the island to look over Napoleon while he was imprisoned on the island of St. Helena.  Although St. Helena was 1000 miles north of Tristan da Cunha, the British feared the French would plan an escape from Tristan da Cunha.  To counter this, the garrison inhabited the small island archipelago leading to a gradual build up of a civilian population.  The group of islands kept growing as a small colony until the building of the Suez in 1869.  Because of the canal, naval and commercial ships no longer needed to use Tristan da Cunha as a spotting point on their journeys towards the Americas. 

Soon after the canal was built the garrison started leaving the island.  Eventually the entire garrison left except for one.  He then started the colony with fisherman and women who were passing through on journeys.  The island’s population leveled off around 250 inhabitants.  They made revenue exporting fishing catches, stamps, and hosting naval expeditions from allied countries.  The island was still very much a pit stop for many maritime journeys across the Atlantic until 1961 when the volcanic activity became too dangerous for the colony to stay.  Hurling rocks and magma forced the colonists to be evacuated.  They spent a year in England, but even with all the amenities of modern life, the people became homesick and quickly returned to the volcanic archipelago.

The sole town, Edinburgh of the Seven Seas is today a tourist attraction for those gonzo travelers trying to get away from the conventional vacation.  On the Island the women do all the clerical work: run the shops, pub, school, while the men do the labor and tend to the sheep and fishing.  All the textiles are woven by hand and the food is all harvested and grazed on the land.  There is one school for the children which runs grade 6-12, and the local government is run by the town’s people, all of whom have two jobs.  Although isolated, the technology of the internet has made it to the island.  The younger inhabitants do know of what is going on in the world and can leave whenever they want.  The tight community and safeness of the island is what attracts most of them to stay.  The island has free healthcare, but with only one doctor some patients must be boated to South Africa for surgical care. 

The island does make a good amount of money on the giant crawfish harvest.  The crustacean is coveted in the United States and Japan.  The harvest only lasts a few months so other than that, the island sells postage stamps and memorabilia to the tourism agencies in the southern hemisphere.  The economy was self sustaining until a fire in 2007.  The inhabitants have battled through it though, and if you have the time to take a boat into the mid-Atlantic, it would be an interesting adventure to part-take in.  For more information on the unique “modern colony” find a 1958 book by D.M. Booy titled Rock of Exile: A Narrative of Tristan da Cunha.

Some of the sights include: the Tree of Life, multiple bodies of water and Beirut’s famous limestone caves.  Although not very consequential to the textbooks, this recent voting poll has given many new tourists insight into some of the lesser known natural highlights of the world.  Don’t forget your camera!