January marks the beginning of North America’s busiest cruising season, so why not leave December holiday stress behind with a relaxing five-day Carnival Bahamas cruise? Several Bahamas cruises set sail from South Florida, but Carnival passengers also have the option of beginning their cruise in the lesser known northern Florida city of Jacksonville.

Many visitors are surprised to learn Jacksonville is not only the biggest city in Florida, at least in terms of size, but also the biggest city in terms of area in the entire continental United States. Most major Jacksonville attractions, however, are located within a relatively small area of the city near the two scenic riverwalks adjacent to St Johns River.

The Friendship Fountain stands next to the Museum of Science and History at the end of one of Jacksonville’s riverwalks, the Southbank Riverwalk. Another riverfront attraction, Walter Jones Historical Park, is home to an 1876 farm complex in addition to the Mandarin Museum and Historical Society. The long Jacksonville Beach has become both a local sunbathing spot as well as a popular destination wedding venue.

After the Carnival Fascination sets sail from Jacksonville late in the afternoon, passengers have an entire day and a half to explore every corner of this impressive vessel. Passengers can run or walk along the ship’s jogging track, join in a yoga or Pilates class, relax at the spa, or even freshen themselves up with a shave or haircut at the Carnival Fascination’s own beauty salon.

For Specials on Carnival Fascination cruise click here

The Carnival Fascination docks alongside countless other cruise vessels early in the morning at Nassau. Nassau is not only the biggest city in the Bahamas, but also one of the busiest cruise ship ports on Earth. A bridge links Nassau with Paradise Island and one of the most famous resorts in the entire Caribbean, Atlantis.

Passengers can spend an entire day at Atlantis Resort, starting with a guided tour of this sprawling facility containing the Caribbean’s biggest water park. A stroll through the Dig marine exhibit will take spectators past many of the more than 50,000 creatures of the sea who call Atlantis home.

The Atlantis Aquaventure Water Park has plenty of body slides, water coasters, pools, and many other ways to get wet. Atlantis guests can also buy duty-free goods at Marina Village’s more than 20 shops, gamble at the Caribbean’s most massive casino, or snorkel beneath the protected Paradise Lagoon. Passengers can also spend a day at the quieter private island of Balmoral, which features a stunning beach and once in a lifetime chance to swim with dolphins.

This cruise’s next stop is Little Stirrup Cay. A plethora of fun activities can be found on this tiny island, including parasailing, snorkeling, and glass bottom  Berry Islands boat tours. Stingray City, where visitors can feed and frolic with southern stingrays, is also a calm boat ride away from Little Stirrup Cay’s Southern Dock.

Passengers then enjoy another full day aboard the Carnival Fascination prior to returning to Jacksonville. This is just enough time to feast on a seaday brunch, take in a set at the Punchliner Comedy Club, browse the art gallery, or play a round of mini golf on deck.

For Specials on Carnival Fascination cruise click here

Pantagonia

Argentina

This Christmas season, why not leave the snow and cold behind to enjoy sunny and warm South America? Royal Caribbean International’s Splendour of the Seas stops at three separate South American nations during a weeklong holiday cruise. This once in a lifetime cruise’s departure point is Santos, Latin America’s largest seaport.

Santos is situated south of Brazil’s biggest metropolitan area, Sao Paulo, but this bustling Paulista Coast port contains plenty of its own tourist attractions. The main beach of Santos contains the world’s biggest beachfront garden as well as a tourist information centre with helpful English speaking staff. Other Santos attractions include a football memorial and coffee museum.

After setting sail from Santos late in the evening, passengers have an entire day to enjoy the stunning Atlantic Ocean views and fun attractions aboard the Splendour of The Seas. The ship’s modern fitness centre offers yoga, aerobics, and kickboxing classes. Passengers can also stay in shape by playing a round of miniature golf, jogging along the upper deck track, or even scaling the ship’s rock climbing wall.

The following morning, the Splendour of the Seas arrives at the ‘jewel of Uruguay,’ the glitzy beach resort of Punta del Este. South America’s most affluent residents have long loved to party, shop, and relax on this long sandy beach strip at Uruguay’s southernmost tip.

December marks the beginning of Punta del Este’s busy summer holiday season, but the resort’s atmosphere nonetheless remains relatively laid-back during the holiday season. It is not uncommon for Punta del Este regulars to dance and party the night away until dawn, sleep in until noon the next morning, and dine at an elegant restaurant late at night.

The Splendour of the Seas then sails west along the Rio del la Plata to another famously lively South American city, Buenos Aires. Argentina’s national capital often feels more like a European city than any of its South American counterparts. The December weather in Buenos Aires, however, is far warmer and sunnier than any European capital.

Nine traffic lanes travel across Nueve de Julio Avenue, which is not only the widest of Buenos Aires’ many broad streets, but also claims to be the world’s widest thoroughfare. Tango, Argentina’s most famous dance, was born in the colourful Buenos Aires neighbourhood of La Boca and Plaza Dorrego. The Sydney Opera House is the only Southern Hemisphere theatre which exceeds the size of the Teatro Colón.

The Splendour of the Seas then returns to Uruguay and its national capital, Montevideo. Montevideo may not be quite as large or as visibly vibrant as Buenos Aires, but Uruguay’s largest city nonetheless boasts its own string of beautiful beaches and historic landmarks. The knitted sweaters and leather goods sold at the Mercado de los Artesanos are ideal Christmas gifts for friends and family who must spend the holidays in colder climates.

Passengers can also people-watch at the Rambla waterfront, chow down on paella or juicy steaks at Mercado del Puerto, or tour the historic Ciudad Vieja district during their Montevideo stay. The Plaza Independencia and Legislative Palace are two more noteworthy Montevideo historic landmarks. This unforgettable cruise concludes with two more days at sea aboard the Splendour of the Seas prior to docking one last time at Santos.

A spokesperson for the Meyer Werft Shipyard in the northern German town of Papenburg announced recently that the Quantum was already out of dry-dock. The ship was commissioned by Royal Caribbean Cruises and is the company’s contribution to taking luxury sea cruises to new heights. Richard Fain is Royal Caribbean’s CEO and he gave reporters an outline of what passengers can expect when they take a cruise aboard the Quantum of the Seas.

ADSL quality internet is a must in today’s high-tech savvy environment. The CEO stated that the Quantum would offer passengers internet latency that was on a par with, or superior to, their home connections. The latency will enable passengers to snap photographs of their swanky cabins or staterooms, the ship’s eclectic amenities and ports of call and then instantly upload them to Facebook and other social media sites. The wireless signal is strong enough to make clear calls home with Skype and stream high-definition videos. While this internet quality is a given while on dry land, it is worth remembering that voyagers will be traversing the Caribbean, and the Atlantic and Indian oceans and the quality will be the same. This premium quality internet connectivity does not only enhance the shipboard experience. Customers booking cruises on the Quantum can do so from the comfort of their homes and even upload photographs for their identity cards. This convenience extends to check-in. Passengers can do this with any smartphone and all they need to do when arriving at departure ports is to deposit their luggage at the pre-designated zone.

Once on board the Quantum, there are plentiful amenities and entertainment options to satisfy the whims of toddlers right through to fun-loving octogenarians. SeaPlex is a versatile venue in which voyagers can take in a circus and trapeze during the day and enjoy the thrills of roller-skating and bumper-cars in the evening. The iFLY RipCord is definitely a first for cruise liners. This innovate amusement gives the full experience of sky-diving without any of the inherent dangers of the real thing. North Star is an enclosed, elevating capsule which hoists people high above sea-level to give panoramic vistas that are simply sublime. The onboard rock-climbing-wall is a nice little taster for those who have never tried the activity before. The elevated position also gives pleasing views out to sea. FlowRider is a surf simulator in which riders cling to a board while whooshing through artificial waves. Swimming pools include an exclusive one for adults only and an outdoor one with a large-screen cinema.

Night-time entertainment options are certainly not lacking. For the first voyages, Broadway hit Mamma Mia! is set to enthral audiences. The Quantum also has a full programme of shows and films for younger audiences with all their favorite cartoon characters in attendance. Casino Royale is the place to try your luck on a good collection of gaming tables and slot machines.

The Quantum of the Seas will embark on its maiden passenger voyage from Cape Liberty Port in New Jersey on 23 November 2014. The eight-night cruise is to the Bahamas. Ports of call are Port Canaveral in Florida and Nassau and CocoCay in the Bahamas. The ship will eventually offer 60-day cruises between Cape Liberty and Shanghai which can be booked as individual sectors. Payless Cruises is already accepting reservations for Quantum of the Seas cruises.

To get to this oasis, you take a shuttle boat from the Belize City Port, even though it’s only a half hour away, it seems as though you’re an entire world away. Once you arrive, you’re greeted with the warm breezes coming from the ocean and the shining sun that beats down on you gently. If you go left from the boat, you head towards hotels and smaller restaurants and if you go right, you head towards bars and clubs. Either direction, you’re bound to find whatever it is you’re looking for. Payless Cruises’ Tip: check out the Lazy Lizard, located at the end of the island, it offers cheap drinks, great company and fantastic views.

There are many places to stay on the island but it all depends on where you feel most comfortable within the island. Remember to look for somewhere that has air conditioning or cross breezes because it can get quite humid at night, especially in the summer.

When eating on Caye Caulker, there are a plethora of options available and they’re all delicious. Depending on what your taste buds are after, it’s probably right around the corner.

Make sure that you find a company to take you out to go snorkeling or diving on the Belize Barrier Reef. It is the second largest in the world and has amazing coral formations as well as plentiful wildlife. Most companies will take you to Shark Alley where you can swim with Nurse Sharks and hundreds of Stingrays; definitely a once in a lifetime experience.

Caye Caulker is known for it’s hospitality and unspoiled charm. Neighboring islands have different personalities but Caye Caulker is seemingly the most relaxed and laid back. Visit here if you’re looking for a little slice of paradise away from the chaos of life.

Tampa Bay, Florida is known for it’s sunshine, beaches and variety. Comprised of Tampa, Clearwater and St. Petersburg, this area is one you can’t miss. Here’s a few things to add to your itinerary.

Catch a Tampa Bay Rays game at Tropicana Field
Located in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg, Tropicana Field is one of MLB’s few all-indoor stadiums. Kept at a balmy 72 degrees, “the Trop” is a great place to grab a few beers and see the Tampa Bay Rays.

Visit historic Downtown Dunedin
Dunedin looks like something out of an old time movie. With it’s Main Street lined with shops, bars and restaurants, downtown Dunedin is the place to be. Try to visit on Mardi Gras, St. Patrick’s Day or their semi-annual Pub Crawl. On most holidays they shut off the streets and have vendors and live bands playing. It’s a great way to meet people and to have a good time on a slow night.

Go out on the town to Channelside
Channelside is located within Downtown Tampa and is across the street from the Tampa Bay Times Forum. Grab a bite to eat from one of their many restaurants before a hockey game or concert and then bowl a round at Splitsville. Another can’t miss spot in Channelside-Wet Willie’s. The entire bar is lined with frozen drink concoctions sure to blow your mind.

Catch a concert at Vinoy Park
Vinoy Park is located right up against the water in Downtown St. Petersburg and across the street from the world famous Vinoy Hotel. Vinoy Park holds events almost weekly; whether it be a concert or RibFest, a showcase of all things barbeque, Vinoy Park is a fantastic way to spend your day.

Witness the world famous sunsets from Sunset Beach or Treasure Island
Located in the middle of Pinellas County, Treasure Island offers unparalleled views of the amazing Gulf of Mexico sunsets. You can access the beach through any of the public access points of your hotel may have it’s own private beach.

Soak up some sun on Clearwater Beach
Clearwater Beach’s pristine white sand is perfect for a sunny day. And since Florida has sunny days 95% of the year, Clearwater Beach is fun all year. Be sure to get there early though as parking can get hectic. Be prepared to pay either by the hour or a lump sum for your spot and it can run as high as $20/day. But, look for free lots. There are plenty, they’re just usually hiding.

Stroll through the Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks
In the Northernmost part of Pinellas County, Tarpon Springs used to be home to one of the world’s largest reserves of sponges. Today, it doesn’t have quite as many sponges but the town still boasts its previous splendor. There are a multitude of Greek restaurants lining the docks and sponge shops on almost every corner. Although it can be quite kitschy, it’s still a great place to visit.

Hit some clubs in Ybor
Once famous for it’s Cigars, Ybor is now a bustling hub for clubs, restaurants and bars. Best seen at night, Ybor hosts some of the hottest events within it’s clubs. Be prepared to dress to the nines and enjoy the sights and sounds of Ybor.

Partake in First Friday in Downtown St. Petersburg
The first Friday of every month, Downtown St. Petersburg hosts it’s own First Friday. Central Avenue is closed down starting at noon while live bands and street vendors line the sidewalks. Open containers aren’t a problem here and the party lasts until 3am. Word of advice; get there at 8pm when the day crowd is starting to thin but the night crowd hasn’t quite arrived to get the best seats.

Pay a visit to Winter the dolphin at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Portrayed in the recent movie, Winter is a dolphin that lost her tail and was given a prosthetic one instead. Now residing in a brand new tank, Winter attracts visitors of all ages. Located over the bridge from Clearwater Beach, the entire Clearwater Marine Aquarium has received a makeover due to it’s new found success. Enjoy tours daily and then head to the beach to see the animals up close and personal.

Tampa Bay hosts many events, shows and attractions but it’s best to explore this area on your own. Leave your days free and just wander, it’s a fun place to get lost in.

Brilliance of the Seas has introduced a 9 story atrium, new elevators that face the sea as opposed to the interior, and a rock climbing wall. For those looking to relax, they’ve constructed a Solarium pool complete with an outdoor movie screen. This ship is now equipped with 6 pools and hot tubs for the entire family to enjoy. Brilliance of Seas also has ship-wide WiFi.

If you’re looking to revitalize and relax; they’ve introduced the Vitality Spa with a thermal suite. There are also Yoga and Pilates classes offered throughout the day.

No matter what you’re looking for, Brilliance of the Seas is sure to have it.

The Arenal Volcano can be seen from miles away, it’s stand-alone peak lends itself to be noticed. It appears to be two-faced as it has an active side with rolling rocks and a dark grey exterior from thousands of years of ash falling and then it has it’s inactive side, with green trees and lush tropical forests all the way to the top.

There are so many activities you can try while there; their main entity is tourism and they aim to please. Almost all of the local lodging has options for tours, trips, and adventures that you can get into while there.

If you’re the adventurous type, look into ATV-ing on the volcano or horseback riding around the volcano. It allows you to get as close to the volcano as possible and gives you a thrill in the process. Although there are numerous companies to choose from, ask around before going. Many people have good and bad experiences with different companies, so ensure that the company you’re choosing has what you’re looking for.

For the ultimate thrill, go white water rafting through the multiple rivers that carve the landscape in the area. Offering up to Class V rapids, there are multiple routes you can take and lengths of trips vary from a couple hours to full day adventures.

For those who would rather relax on their getaway, La Fortuna has the world’s largest Hot Springs. Baldi Hot Springs is a huge campus filled with 25 different pools that all range in temperature from unbearably scalding to mildly warm. Depending on what you prefer, take a dip in each until you find your perfect spot.

Costa Rica has the “Pura Vida” mentality which is so easy to get lost in, La Fortuna has the ability to take you on a wild ride or rock you calmly to sleep. Whatever your preference, Arenal and La Fortuna can’t be missed.

The following is a post from our website’s Destination Guide.

Alaska, part of the United States but located north of Canada is one of the most beautiful places on earth. The fresh, clean air fills your lungs and the ever so slight smell of pine fills your nose. Mountains seem to line the horizon in every direction and hundred year old trees sway ever-so slightly in the breeze. Every second seems to be like a moving postcard.

When you fly into Anchorage, the town itself seems rather small but the mountain range behind it illuminates the town with a regal glow. If visiting for the first time, it seems as though time has stopped and this is the last place of true beauty left on earth.

Paragliding in Alaska

There are many ways to navigate throughout Alaska. The Alaska Rail Road has been in service for almost a decade and has routes that curve all along the coast and into the heart of the wilderness. You can start in Anchorage and go as far north as Kantichna before turning back around and heading as far south as Seward. The all-glass roofed cabins make for panoramic views without ever having to leave your seat. Payless Flights secret trick: head the the caboose cabin and look at unobstructed views and feel the wind rush past you. It’s one of the most calming and beautiful experiences.

You could also take an Alaskan cruise from Vancouver or Seattle to get an all-around experience. Once on land, you have the option of taking the train or a bus to get around the magnificent state. Although the train is a bit more pricey, it’s completely worth it and offers an unparalleled experience.

If you would rather navigate it on your own, rent a car and drive on the Denali or Sterling Highway. Be aware that not all of Alaska’s main roads are paved and may be cause for a bumpy ride.

There are multitudes of things to do while in Alaska, it just depends on what your preferences are. If you’re the adventurous type; there’s white water rafting, paragliding, skiing, heliskiing, glacier traversing, mountain climbing or rock climbing. If you would rather have someone show you around from the comforts of a vehicle, there are hundreds of tour companies that are more than willing to perfect your dream Alaskan vacation.

No matter where you go in Alaska or what you choose to do, don’t forget to take a moment and enjoy the absolute beauty around you.

London has this enigmatic allure that draws people from all over the world to come and witness it for themselves. It’s bustling city life and historic buildings make it one of the top destinations in the world.

Flying into London-Heathrow is an experience in of itself. The bustling airport is gigantic and has estimated walking times from terminal to terminal that can be up to an hour. But once you step out of the airport, it’s like walking into a new world.

London is thriving, busy, exciting. There are endless things to get into while visiting and you could easily spend a month here and not see everything you wanted to. Start by seeing the whole city on a double decker bus tour to get a feel for what you really want to visit while there. Seeing everything from a distance gives you a chance to reconsider your options. Maybe the museum you were so excited to see didn’t look so great after all but the pub you passed by on the way looked like a great place to stop instead.

The main stops are a must: Big Ben, the London Eye, Parliament, Winchester Abbey and the Tower Museum. Payless Flights tip: purchase a hop on-hop off tour. You pay a small fee for a two day pass and you essentially have free rides to all of your desired destinations with commentary on the way.

One of the newest places to see in London will excite the avid readers: Leavesden Studios has opened it’s Harry Potter tour as of April 2012. Walk through all of the sets used in the films and get up close and personal with all of the props. Music from the soundtracks plays in the background and there are short videos of the actors telling you funny stories of things that happened right where you’re standing. If visiting in the summer, try the Butterbeer! Not only is it cool to drink what was used in the movies, but it’s actually delicious!

Another quirky destination is a multiple stop “Oldest Pub in London Pub Crawl”. Since over 15 pubs claim to be the oldest pub in London, there is a pub crawl that stops at every one, just to say make sure that you can say that you visited the oldest pub without lying.

Buying a hotel room can be quite expensive if you want to stay centrally located so you should make it worth it. Payless Flights tip: stay at the Premier Inn at County Hall. It’s literally right behind the London Eye and across the street from Big Ben. There are lots of music festivals and restaurants that line the street below so there’s always something to get into if you don’t want to sight see anymore.

London’s allure is world famous and it lives up to it’s name. The best time to visit is definitely late spring or early fall, the middle of summer can be unbearably crowded.

Posted in Destinations, England, Europe, Flights, Must See Destinations | Tagged big ben, cheap flights to england, england, harry potter studio tours, leavesden studios, london, tower museum, travel, travel to england |

The Antarctic used to seem as unreachable as the moon. Only few would go, and of those few, even fewer would come back. It seemed like a dark and vast wilderness that wasn’t the kind of wild that could ever be tamed. But now, it still sits and is becoming increasingly more accessible.

Tour to the Antarctic are nowhere near cheap. Starting at $4000 for a couple days, you can say you’ve been and see the impressive glaciers and the untamed wildlife. But for those who actually want to explore and truly say that they’ve been there, there are tours offered that last as long as 15 days. Starting at the southernmost tip of Argentina and take off towards the unclaimed land.

Once there you can see places such as; Tierra del Fuego, the Drake Passage, the Beagle Channel, South Shetland Islands and end with the colorful city of Punta Arenas. What’s most visually stunning is the glaciers that calve into the crystal clear blue waters below, the mountains that are reaching towards the sky as if touching with their fingertips. It’s almost surreal.

For those who love wildlife, the Antarctic is your opportunity to get extremely up close and personal to a few of the world’s cutest animals. On South Georgia Island, there are hundreds of thousands of King Penguins milling about and are completely oblivious to you. Obviously you can’t pick them up and pet them, but you can get as close as physically possible without harming them.There’s also a huge array of baby Sea Lions with their glassy eyes and rotund bellies, they make for one of the cutest animals ever.

They’re not shy either, they’re probably more curious about you than you are of them. Let them investigate but again, don’t harm them.

Depending on your budget, you can see Antarctica and many of the surrounding islands on a 2 week journey or briefly visit the main points that you’re interested in a 5 day journey. Whatever you can afford, the Antarctic will not disappoint.