Long, lazy, evenings, red summer skies, glass of champagne in hand. As your cruise ship departs one of Europe’s most stunning ports and sails languorously into the evening sunset, you know that life is good. With the stresses and strains of everyday life a distant memory as you sail from one historical port to another, this particular holiday is designed to instil deep relaxation within the luxurious confines of your cruise ship.
Cruising has to be the most romantic and relaxing of all holidays available. Take for example the luxurious state rooms and plush surroundings of the five star Azamara Journey, you know you are on a trip of a lifetime.
Enjoy butler service, exquisite dining with service to match, tastefully decorated staterooms, and you know you have entered a world where the ultimate in indulgence is everyday norm.
Ancient cities, hidden gems, friendly locals — these are all part and parcel of a European cruise with Azamara Cruises, a company owned by the world renowned Royal Caribbean cruise line company, and a recent holiday which I thoroughly enjoyed and will remember forever.
Cruise once and you’ll be planning your next.
Meet the most interesting people whether they are fellow guests or employees of the company, everyone has a story to share and no two days are the same.
With entertainment on this particular ship more geared to those nearer middle age, I wouldn’t let this put you off and once you decide to participate you’ll be surprised how much fun you can have just chilling out and enjoying a drink. If you normally find it difficult to unwind and life’s stresses are taking their toll, then no other holiday can heal the soul and strip away mental and physical fatigue like a cruise.
From fitness classes in the aerobics studio to nightly shows, to a flutter in the casino or enrichment seminars on wine tasting, to enjoying the fantastic shopping offers on jewellery and scarves, there is plenty to keep you occupied.
Looking to splash some cash, why not place a bid on an original piece of art or simply cosy up in a quiet corner in one of the many lounges and bars where you can sip a cocktail and immerse yourself in the romance of it all.
Speciality dining options
Dining options on Azamara Journey include the main dining restaurant where you can either eat alone or join a group of fellow cruisers and share in the stories of the day. Also available is casual dining for when you’re on the run or looking for an early night. But definitely not to be missed are the two speciality restaurants where you can enjoy a distinctive dining experience at sea. For guests with a balcony the ultimate in romance is dinner at sunset from the comfort of your balcony with room service in your stateroom.
All of this is done with a relaxed dress code to ensure you completely leave behind the constrictions of the corporate world.
Venice to Athens
With historical and genuinely beautiful stops along the way you can indulge in Europe’s hugely interesting past. Starting in Venice, an undoubtedly pretty city which can be described as quaint, historic, crowded, overpriced and breathtaking, we were off to an excellent start as we sailed past St Mark’s Square and into the evening sunset.
Then came Koper, home of Slovenia’s largest cathedral with narrow intertwining streets leading to one of many squares. Zadar was our next port. This beautiful Croatian town is surrounded by small, scenic, islands which can be accessed by a car ferry. Dubrovnik, steeped in history, has an amazing story to tell and one whose recent history is as turbulent as what went on in ancient times. Situated near the quiet fishing village of Cavtat with its lazy walking trails, Dubrovnik is definitely a highlight of this cruise. Next up is a day at sea, the part of this cruise that makes the trip worthwhile. Put your feet up, relax, sunbathe, eat, read, head to the spa, watch a movie in your stateroom, you are under no obligation and this is the perfect opportunity to take each hour as it presents itself.
Santorini is famed for its windy, cobbled, streets, coffee shops, and restaurants where you can enjoy a glass of local wine or freshly caught fish of the day. We departed this amazing location at 8pm as the sun set over the nearby islands. This was a sight to behold as most of the ship’s 600 guests gathered on deck and enjoyed a glass of champagne or a cocktail. This was definitely one of the most magical days and then we partied into the night at the white themed party organised by the onboard entertainment crew.
Next up was Nauplion, a little Greek treasure. Not what we expected with its beautiful marble streets which all meet in a large open square where the local children enjoy playing football as tourists sip their coffees or cold beers or cool down with some tasty Italian ice-cream sundaes.
Having set sail from one ancient city we docked in Athens where our journey ended and goodbyes were said. A quick guided tour of Athens brought us through all its splendid ancient ruins and monuments which were nothing short of breathtaking, but outside of this Athens disappointed as a city with too much car congestion, graffiti, and general untidiness.
Pure indulgence
That said, we had indulged ourselves in the finest food and company that Azamara Journey has to offer for seven days and seven nights of pure bliss. This was all made possible thanks to Rachael Higgins of Travel Counsellors. Rachael has been booking holidays for me since my honeymoon four years ago and she never fails to impress. If you would like to find out more about cruising, package holidays, honeymoons, or simply booking flights, Rachael can deal with all your travel queries with experience and expertise to back up her advice.
Contact Rachael Higgins on 094 937 6765, e-mail [email protected] or log onto www.travelcounsellors.ie/rachael higgins. Rachael is based in the Claremorris/Kiltimagh area and has 13 years’ experience booking holidays for holidaymakers in Mayo.
Because Rachael runs her business from home it means she can be available to her clients 24/7 should the need arise. Customers can book their travel arrangements from the comfort of their own homes without having to venture into main street shops and Rachael can also meet up with her clients at a time to suit them. Plus unlike many retail agencies which are owned by a big name tour operator, Travel Counsellors is completely independent, meaning that Rachael is free to recommend and book the holiday that exactly suits her clients’ needs. Travel Counsellors are licensed and bonded with the Commission for Aviation Regulation in Ireland.
