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cdrivieramaya · 1 year ago

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Cancun Airport to Isla Mujeres: A Journey of Tranquility and Tropical Beauty

The journey from Cancun Airport to Isla Mujeres is a captivating experience that takes travelers from the bustling energy of the airport to the serene and idyllic beauty of a tropical paradise. Isla Mujeres, an island located just off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, is renowned for its pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant culture. The transition from the airport to this enchanting island is marked by a seamless blend of convenience, scenic views, and the promise of a relaxing getaway.

The adventure begins at Cancun Airport to Isla Mujers, a major international gateway that welcomes travelers from around the world. Upon arrival, passengers are greeted by the warmth of the Mexican hospitality and the vibrant atmosphere of the airport. Cancun Airport is well-equipped with modern facilities, making it a comfortable starting point for the journey to Isla Mujeres.

From the airport, various transportation options are available to reach the ferry terminals that connect mainland Cancun to Isla Mujeres. One popular choice is the shuttle service, providing a convenient and hassle-free ride. The shuttle not only offers comfort but also allows travelers to enjoy the scenic views of the Yucatan Peninsula as they make their way to the ferry docks.

Alternatively, adventurous souls may opt for rental cars or taxis, giving them the flexibility to explore the region at their own pace. The well-maintained roadways provide a smooth journey, and the signs directing towards the ferry terminals make navigation straightforward. The drive from Cancun Airport to the ferry terminal is an opportunity to witness the vibrant local life, passing through quaint towns and lush landscapes that characterize the Yucatan Peninsula.

Upon reaching the ferry terminal, the excitement builds as travelers prepare to board the ferry that will transport them to Isla Mujeres. The ferry ride is a scenic delight, offering panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea and the coastline. The turquoise waters of the Caribbean are mesmerizing, creating a sense of anticipation for the tropical paradise that awaits on the other side.

The ferry journey is relatively short, typically lasting around 20 to 30 minutes, but it provides a serene interlude where travelers can relax and soak in the beauty of their surroundings. The gentle sway of the ferry, the sea breeze, and the rhythmic sound of waves create a tranquil atmosphere, setting the tone for the laid-back ambiance of Isla Mujeres.

As the ferry docks at Isla Mujeres, visitors are greeted by the vibrant colors of the island – from the pastel-painted buildings lining the waterfront to the lush greenery that adorns the landscape. Isla Mujeres, which translates to "Island of Women," is steeped in history and folklore. Legend has it that the island was a sanctuary for the goddess Ixchel, the Mayan goddess of fertility and love, adding a mystical charm to its allure.

The streets of Isla Mujeres beckon exploration, with golf carts being a popular mode of transport on the island. Visitors can rent these carts to navigate the narrow streets and discover the hidden gems of the island. From the lively markets offering local crafts and souvenirs to the quaint cafes serving authentic Mexican cuisine, every corner of Isla Mujeres is a testament to its rich culture and welcoming spirit.

One of the highlights of Isla Mujeres is its beaches, each with its unique charm. Playa Norte, the northernmost beach, is renowned for its powdery white sand and shallow, crystal-clear waters. Travelers can unwind on the beach, bask in the tropical sun, or indulge in water activities such as snorkeling and paddleboarding. The serene beauty of Playa Norte makes it a perfect spot to unwind and appreciate the natural splendor of the Caribbean.

The southern end of the island offers a contrasting landscape, with Punta Sur being a must-visit destination. Here, a dramatic cliffside sculpture garden, dedicated to the Mayan goddess Ixchel, overlooks the vast expanse of the Caribbean Sea. The views from Punta Sur are breathtaking, providing a sense of connection with the raw beauty of nature.

Isla Mujeres also boasts an underwater wonder – the MUSA (Museo Subacuático de Arte), an underwater museum featuring a collection of submerged sculptures. Snorkeling or diving in the clear waters around these sculptures offers a unique and artistic perspective on marine life conservation.

As the day turns into evening, the vibrant nightlife of Isla Mujeres comes to life. The island offers a range of dining options, from beachfront seafood shacks to upscale restaurants serving international cuisine. Visitors can savor the flavors of Mexico while enjoying the rhythmic beats of live music, creating a festive atmosphere that lingers into the night.

The journey from Cancun Airport to Isla Mujeres is not just a physical passage but a transition from the busy airport terminals to the tranquil shores of a tropical haven. It is a journey of contrasts – from the energy of the airport to the serenity of the ferry ride, from the vibrant streets of Isla Mujeres to the peaceful expanses of its beaches. In every step, travelers are embraced by the warmth of Mexican hospitality and the natural beauty of the Yucatan Peninsula, making the transition from arrival to island escape a seamless and memorable experience.

#Cancun Airport Transportation

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bluelagooncyprus · 2 years ago

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Exploring Latchi's Stunning Beaches and Clear Waters

What is Latchi and what are the benefits of visiting its beaches and clear waters

Around 15 km from Limassol and 10km from Larnaca city, the road along the coastal strip will lead you to the small town of Latsi.

Latsi is located by the coast and is one of the most beautiful and picturesque towns in the Mediterranean. A vacation in Latsi is something which everyone should get to experience at least once. The beaches in Latsi are long and sandy, with warm water. It is especially enjoyable when visited in July or August, and it is the ideal place for water sports.

If water sports are not your thing, then you can still have a great vacation in Latsi. The town hosts a lot of restaurants and taverns, which serve traditional Greek and Cypriot dishes. The town also has the Troodos Mountains and forests nearby, which are great attractions for those who love nature and hiking. You can book a tour of the Troodos mountains, or alternatively, you can rent a bicycle and explore it yourself.

How to get to Latchi - including transportation options, fees, and hours of operation

If you want to visit Latchi in Cyprus, it is quite easy to get there. The nearest airport is Larnaca Airport, which is just over 20 km away.

From Larnaca Airport to Latchi you can take a taxi, rent a car, or book a shuttle bus.

A taxi to Latchi should cost you about 10-15 euros, depending on how far you have to go. You’ll also need to factor in any tips the driver requests.

A taxi from Larnaca Airport to Latchi should take about 20 minutes if there’s no traffic.

If you don’t want to take a taxi, you can rent a car at the airport. The car rental companies at Larnaca Airport include Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, and Sixt.

Renting a car from Larnaca Airport to Latchi should take about 25-30 minutes if there’s no traffic.

Another option is to book a shuttle bus to Latchi through the Cyprus Airport Shuttle website. There are shuttles heading there every 2-3 hours, leaving from the airport’s arrivals hall.

To go back to Larnaca Airport from Latchi, you’ll also need to book an airport shuttle.

What to do when you arrive at Latchi - from swimming in the clear waters to exploring the beaches

With so many things to do and see in Latchi, it can be tricky to decide how best to spend your time.

To help you make the most of your stay, here are some suggestions for making the most of your vacation:

Visit the beaches: Latchi's beaches are the perfect way to relax. The clear waters and golden sand are ideal for swimming, while sun loungers are in abundance for those who want to lie back and enjoy the sunshine.

Take a boat trip: For something different, take a boat trip from one of the local harbours. The ocean is calm enough for even novice boat riders to enjoy, and the views out to sea are spectacular.

Take a day trip around the island: The views are spectacular around Latchi - why not take a day trip to visit some of Cyprus' other beautiful areas? Visit the ghost town of Kolossi, or visit the quaint fishing village of Polis, where you can sample fresh fish straight from the sea.

A look at Latchi's history and how the community has shaped it over the years

Latchi began in 2014 in a cramped apartment with a 12-person team. Back then, the founders were focused on building a product that could be integrated into any home, and they weren’t taking anything for granted.

Latchi began developing its hardware, building various prototypes in modular stages. In July 2016, the founders moved into a new, bigger office. As Latchi’s popularity grew, the office was refurbished, and today it can accommodate 50 people.

Latchi is installed in offices in 17 cities, including Berlin, New York, and San Francisco. Latchi is also part of trendhub16, a 6-month accelerator program launched by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy.

Tips for enjoying your visit to Latchi

If you are planning on visiting Latchi in Cyprus, there are a few things that you should consider first.

Here are some tips for enjoying your trip:

1. Rent a vehicle: This is something that many people forget to do, but renting a vehicle in Latchi is the best way to get around the area. You will have the freedom to leave whenever you want and you will be able to get around with ease.

2. Keep your towel in the car: Many people forget to pack a towel when they are on vacation. If this is the case for you, you should keep a small towel in your car. You can use it to dry yourself off when you get out of the pool or the ocean, or you can use it to dry off when it's too hot to take a shower.

3. Buy groceries before you arrive: Many people arrive in Cyprus without enough food to last the first few days. If you don't want to spend a lot of money at the grocery store, you should purchase some groceries before you arrive. That way, you can save some money and you will have food to eat when you get there.

4. Bring your own drinks: Even though bars and restaurants have drinks, buying your own beverages will make things much easier on you. You will be able to save money, and you will be able to drink what you like.

#exploringlatchi #stunnningbeaches #latchibeach

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hafix003 · 4 years ago

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8 days in Istanbul: Travel Guide

If you are in Istanbul for the first time, you are probably busy drawing up a travel plan, looking for what you must see, thinking how not to miss anything ... Save time and just use the guide from our best travel guide who knows everything about the famous Turkish city.

Istanbul is located on two parts of the mainland at once - in Europe and Asia. This is a city of majestic mosques, palaces and cozy streets, where ancient architecture of different eras has been preserved: the Roman Empire, Byzantium and the Ottoman Empire.

How to get from the airport to the city

The most convenient way to get from the airport to the city center (Sultanahmet district) is the Havaist shuttle . Travel time will be about 1.5 hours. The fare is 18 TL.

Taxi is the best alternative. A ride on it will cost from 100 TL.

Where to stay

Sultanahmet Square: Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia

The first thing to do after you take a break from your flight is to go to Sultanahmet Square. This is the heart of the city. There are two of the most important cathedrals and symbols of Istanbul: Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.

The Blue Mosque is active, so to visit it you need to dress appropriately: clothes must completely cover their arms and legs, and girls need a headscarf to cover their hair. Skirts and scarves are offered for tourists at the entrance, but it is better to take care of special clothes in advance.

The mosque closes several times a day for prayer, which everyone can attend.

Address: Sultan Ahmet, Atmeydanı Cd. No: 7, Fatih / İstanbul

Passing through the park, you will come to the second famous landmark of Istanbul - Hagia Sophia (Hagia Sophia). The cathedral was in the hands of the Byzantines, the Ottomans, and now serves as a museum. There is a paid entrance, the ticket price is 72 TL (children under 8 years old - free).

Address: Sultan Ahmet, Ayasofya Meydanı, Fatih / İstanbul

Near Hagia Sophia there is a non-tourist mosque Sultan Ahmet Türbesi. It is worth going into it to look at the magnificent painting of walls and ceilings.

Basilica Cistern and Theodosius Cistern

Basilica Cistern is a former underground reservoir, decorated with columns. There is a sculpture of the head of Medusa the Gorgon, and there are bridges over the water. The entire space is beautifully lit with lanterns.

Ticket price: 20 TL

Address: Alemdar, Yerebatan Cd. 1/3, Fatih / İstanbul

There is another cistern in Istanbul - Theodosius Cistern. It is smaller in size, but no less interesting, while much less tourists visit it. The atmosphere is created by quiet music. The entrance is free.

Address: Binbirdirek, Piyer Loti Cd. No: 25, Fatih / İstanbul

Grand bazaar

The Grand Bazaar is perhaps the most picturesque place in the city. On 50 streets, there are hundreds of shops selling traditional Turkish goods and unpretentious gizmos. Their arsenal includes Turkish carpets, oriental lamps, handmade furniture, jewelry and sweets. Here you can immerse yourself in the atmosphere of an oriental bazaar and buy souvenirs. Most importantly, do not forget to bargain.

Address: Beyazıt, Kalpakçılar Cd. No: 22, Fatih / İstanbul

Topkapi

Visit the former palace of the Ottoman sultans, Topkapi The complex includes the premises where the Sultan lived and worked and his harem was located, as well as gardens. Also on its territory are the ruins of the Church of St. Irene, preserved from Byzantine times.

Ticket price: to the museum - 72 TL, to the territory of the harem - 42 TL, and to the Church of St. Irene, the ticket will cost 36 TL. For children under 8 years old, admission is free (except for the premises of the harem).

Bosphorus and the Golden Horn

To see Istanbul from the outside, take a Bosphorus cruise. From a ship sailing along the shores of the city, you will have a wonderful view of its sights, palaces and fortresses.

We recommend taking a morning or lunch cruise with Bosphorus Cruise . The duration of the trip is about 4 hours, and the ticket price is 30 EUR.

Galata Tower

The most famous observation deck in Istanbul is the ancient Galata Tower dating back to the XIV century, which can be seen from almost all points of the city. In the past, the tower was used as a prison, and now from its balcony, located at a height of 61 meters, you can view the city and the Bosphorus.

Ticket price: 35 TL

Address: Bereketzade, Galata Kulesi Sk., Beyoğlu / İstanbul

Sultan's Palace Dolmabahce

In a picturesque place on the shores of the Bosphorus there is the magnificent Dolmabahce Palace. Its walls were home to 6 sultans of the Ottoman Empire. Here you will see sumptuous halls, harem rooms and gardens with a stunning promenade.

Be sure to go around the palace from all sides and admire its architecture from the side of the gate that opens the entrance to the territory from the Bosphorus.

Ticket price: 60 TL for the entrance to the main halls of the palace and 40 TL for the entrance to the territory of the harem.

Address: Vişnezade, Dolmabahçe Cd., Beşiktaş / İstanbul

Yıldız Park

Not far from Dolmabahce, there is a green city park with ponds, streams and suspension bridges. In summer, flowers grow along the alleys, and under the trees you can hide from the heat. Although the park is quite large and it is not difficult to find a quiet secluded place in it, we still recommend going there on a weekday to feel the atmosphere of tranquility and the spirit of nature.

Address: Yıldız, Beşiktaş / İstanbul

The graceful Ciragan Palace is located near the park on the embankment of the Bosphorus. Now its building belongs to a five-star hotel, but you can look at it from the side and walk along the picturesque embankment.

Asian side of Istanbul

Istanbul on the Asian side cannot boast of a variety of attractions and historical architecture, but it is worth going here to look at the non-tourist city and feel the rhythm of life and life of local residents.

To see the interesting architecture of this part of the city, head to the light-colored Mihrimah Sultan Mosque, whose ceilings are decorated with pinkish-green Islamic murals and stained glass windows.

Miniaturk

Outside the center of Istanbul, you can see small copies of Turkish cities and landmarks in Miniaturk Park. Here are detailed mini copies of architectural masterpieces from the times of the Roman Empire, Byzantium and the Ottoman Empire, which in reality are located throughout Turkey.

Ticket price: 15 TL

Address: Örnektepe, İmrahor Cd. 7/1, Beyoğlu / İstanbul

Black Sea

If you are traveling in summer, do not miss your chance to swim. Istanbul is located near the Black Sea coast. The beaches are sandy and the entrance to the water is shallow. We suggest going to Tırmata Balık and Beach . For 40 TL for an adult and 20 TL for a child on weekdays, you can soak up the sun while lying on the sun loungers. There is a restaurant on site, and a shuttle bus leaves from Hacıosman Metro Station at 10:00 to get to the beach.

By the way, the paid beach is surrounded by many free ones. For example, the nearby Suma beach.

Princes' islands

The Princes' Islands are a corner of nature and countryside in the Sea of Marmara. There are no cars here, and travelers and locals are transported by public transport in the form of horse carriages. You can also rent a bike here. The archipelago consists of four small islands, the main of which is Buyukada Island with the city of Adalar. After arriving here, go for a walk along its narrow streets, buried in flowers. The town has preserved Victorian houses and wooden structures. Free boats (vapur) can travel between the islands, which depart from the main marinas.

How to get there: There are ferries to the islands from the Eminönü pier in Istanbul. Travel time will be about 1.5 hours. The ferry stops at the berths of all four islands. To get to the main one, get off at the fourth stop. The ticket costs 7 TL.

#travel #turisum #trending #photography #travelgrams #travelgrammer #travelgramm #travelgramph #travelphotography #traveler #vacation #beautifuldestinations #trip #nature #explore #turkiye #istanbul

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vacationpackage · 2 years ago

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14 Common mistakes to avoid while you're in Santorini, Greece

Are you finally making plans to visit Santorini? I believe Santorini to be the most gorgeous destination on earth. For good reason, it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Greece, following closely behind Athens.

No amount of daydreaming can completely prepare you for the breathtaking beauty and enchantment this little island inspires. It is absolutely worth visiting the island to see the white-washed cube cottages and stunning sunsets over the azure waters of the Aegean Sea.

This article was written to assist you to steer clear of frequent mistakes that tourists make so that your trip to Santorini will go smoothly.

Traveling during prime time

In Santorini, July and August are the busiest months. Millions of tourists decide to travel to the country's islands at this time of year because of the warm and bright weather. Naturally, the cost of travel and lodging increases, which is another reason to avoid the high season.

It is best to travel to Santorini between April and mid-June or between September and October.

Purchasing expensive ferry tickets

To receive the greatest deals and most flexible timetables, making reservations in advance is essential.

The cheapest tickets from Athens cost between $45 and $58; the trip lasts between seven and nine hours. So that you can get a seat, purchase these tickets in advance as they frequently sell out.

Travel to Santorini to party

Santorini is not the island for you if you're seeking to party. Just be aware that dinner reservations and some live music are more in line with the island's ambiance rather than completely skipping it.

You only need two days in Santorini before moving on to Mykonos or another of the well-known party islands.

While visiting Santorini, you can rent an ATV and explore more secluded areas or go on a boat tour to enjoy the Caldera's beauty and enjoyment. If you enjoy wine, Santorini offers some fantastic wine excursions!

Mixing up the ports in Santorini

The main entrance to Santorini is at Athinios Port. Athinios and the Old Port are Santorini's two principal ports. Athinios Port is the arrival point for passenger ships from neighboring Cycladic islands and the Greek mainland.

The distance between the harbor and Fira, the island's capital, is around five kilometers. You'll arrive at this port if you're taking a ferry to Santorini. Only cruise ships and tour boats use the Santorini Old Port in Fira.

Ammoudi, near the community of Oia, and Gialos, located immediately below the town of Fira, are two additional smaller ports on Santorini.

Only cruise boats, ferries to the nearby island of Thirassia, and local fishermen utilize the Ammoudi port. Few cruise ships and excursion boats use Gialos to reach the volcano crater on the island of Nea Kameni.

Save the donkey!

The Santorini donkeys are a well-known symbol of the island. As these animals toil in the blazing sun, there is sometimes a lot of concern about mistreatment. If you decide to ride one, make sure you are satisfied with how they treat you. And if you decide not to judge people, don't.

Taking a trip during peak hours

The majority of tourists leave Santorini for their next location sometime between 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., as this is when they usually explore the islands that are close by.

Avoid these hours, especially in the summer. However, if you choose to travel in the early morning, be sure to pre-arrange a private shuttle to transport you to your hotel.

Underestimating the volume of traffic

You should arrive at the port well in advance of your departure time merely to be safe due to Santorini's constrained transportation alternatives and small roads.

Consider arriving at the port at least 90 minutes beforehand. From Fira, Akrotiri, or Santorini International Airport, it takes about 20 minutes to get to Athinios Port. From Imerovigli, it takes about 25 minutes, and from Oia, it takes about 45 minutes.

You will need to provide enough time to print your ticket at the ticket collection station unless your ferry operator accepts e-tickets.

Remain in Oia

There is significantly more to the island than Oia, despite it being the most well-known and possibly the most romantic. After spending some time relaxing, rent an ATV or use public transportation to explore more of the island.

There is much more to the island than just staring at the cliffs and the ocean below, whether it be the black sand beaches, smaller settlements, or visiting a winery!

Avoid flushing toilet paper

This is an uncomfortable subject, but please adhere to the written instructions posted in your accommodation. Let's not make things too complicated, will we?

No one, wants feces-filled water spilling into their bedroom. Don't try to use tricks; something unpleasant would definitely happen. Use the trash can near the bathroom's toilet to dispose of used paper.

Boarding an abandoned ferry

You'd be amazed how many times this happened. It most times results from wrong planning. So this planning blunder isn't the end of the world after all. But be sure to reserve the appropriate ferry if you've always wanted to arrive on an open ferry and view Santorini from the island's base.

Not planning ahead for your transport

Santorini may be a stunning destination, but along with that beauty comes a huge flood of daily tourists. Nothing may make you more anxious than being surrounded by masses of people and having no idea what to do or where to go. Make sure to factor transportation into your vacation budget if you're traveling to the island.

Verify your reservation

Wherever you are, you must go to your accommodations and verify that everything you booked is in place, whether you travel by ferry or by air. If you schedule a hotel transport in advance and let them know when you plan to arrive, they will have a car waiting for you. Otherwise, you are at the mercy of the sporadic buses or the exorbitant cab fares.

Taking a cruise ship to Santorini for your vacation

Thousands of tourists pour into the Fira cliffs when the cruise ships stop nearby; yet, the narrow, winding trails were intended for tiny vehicles, not thousands of visitors.

It can be a hassle when thousands of people are shuffling against you as you walk along the tiny path. Because of how rowdy this experience is, most travelers flood merchandise shops for souvenirs or donkeys to recall their experience in Santorini.

But at the end of the day, the shops become just as crowded as the tiny path because of the number of travelers pouring into its modest space.

You require more than the single day that a cruise delivers if you truly want to explore Santorini. When visiting Santorini, go away from the tourist trail.

Ignore the Beaches

The beaches in Santorini are not what draws tourists there. However, that does not imply that you should skip them. Consider setting aside some time to take in the vistas of the black sand or black rock beaches on the island of Santorini.

Yes, the beaches on other Greek islands are prettier, but that does not imply you should disregard Santorini beaches when making travel plans to Santorini. It is worthwhile to visit Kamari Beach (the black rock beach in Santorini) and Monolithos Beach.

Now you are well informed and I believe you will have a great time traveling to Santorini, Greece. Enjoy every minute of your vacation!

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lindoig1 · 6 years ago

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Our cruise - Part 3

Wednesday. Shetlands I Day 56

An early start and into the zodiacs to a wet/damp beach landing. I set off with a few other enthusiastic companions to walk to the lighthouse 3 and a bit kilometres away. It was quite scary in places, often walking on the very edge of the cliff with hundreds of nesting fulmars and kittiwakes at our feet. It got steeper and boggier as we went and I decided not to go all the way – but eventually did anyway. The view is said to be fantastic from the top, but through the fog, all I could see were a few fulmars 20 metres away – and a couple of wrens. The wrens were a bit of a highlight because they are hard to spot and several of the islands have a slightly different subspecies unique to their own few square kilometres.

On return to the starting point, I had a look around a restored village, including a small fortified castle and a lot of underground houses and other structures. Heather had already seen this because she did the tour with Carol and gained a lot of information about it while I exhausted myself on the moors.

When we got back to the ship for lunch, I found that our PC was DEAD. I had used it in the morning and logged off as normal, but at lunchtime, nothing would bring it to life – but I have told the long version of this story in an earlier post from our time in Edinburgh (my John O’ Groats post). But this starts to explain why my blog has almost no photos in it – something I may or may not be able to rectify, but probably not until I get home again. This was doubly annoying because the ship staff wanted people to contribute photos for a booklet about the trip and I had a few that I thought might be worth submitting.

After lunch, most people, including us, had a short nap before we all embarked on another long zodiac cruise around the bird colonies. It was really great, but the sea was getting choppy, the wind was cold and the fog just kept rolling in. It would start to clear, but return thicker than before so the GPS became the essential tool to locate the ship again. It didn’t impede our view of the birds though – and there were thousands of them, gannets, fulmars, shags, cormorants, kittiwakes, gulls, terns, puffins, guillemots…….

After dinner, about half of us did a third landing for the day to visit a broche – a circular stone watchtower/fortification. It seems people enjoyed the experience, particularly the Scotch they were given, but Heather and I both stayed on board. We were cold and achy and I wanted to try to use one of the ship’s PCs to see if I could access the photos on my camera. It all got too hard though, so most of my pics are still on the memory cards.

Thursday Shetlands II Day 57

A long undulating overnight voyage to the southern end of the Shetlands and a pretty rocky couple of hours anchored before breakfast. They offered 3 choices for the morning’s activity – a very short stroll, a medium walk and a more challenging trek. We both chose the medium one of about 3km! It was a very pretty walk and our leader was a local plant specialist and Heather spent a lot of time with the group examining and discussing the wide variety of very beautiful flowers on the island. I stayed with them for a while, but spent more time wandering further afield looking for, and at, birds. I rejoined the group a little later, just in time to be advised NOT to go close to a small loch because for the first time ever, a pair of red-necked pharalopes were nesting there – and right on cue, they both wandered out and let us have a long-distance view of them. I saw one at Werribee a couple of years ago so was able to identify it immediately. It was some sort of special day for the people on the island and there was a display at the local school – along with numerous gooey cakes, biscuits and drinks, all made by the school kids during the week. The display was mainly about local conservation issues and was really quite good – obviously, the teachers gave the littler ones a lot of help.

We went back to the ship for lunch then all piled back into the zodiacs for an amazing cruise around, and in and out of, some phenomenal sea-caves. We saw some similar caves when we went into Fingal’s Cave a few days ago, but these were simply mind-blowing. Some went into/under the rocks for 100 metres or more and we went right to the end in some of them. Some had a collapsed area at the end so it was light, but others were quite dark inside. In one of them, we went in and in and in…… and eventually there was a bit of a glimmer, then a glow and suddenly we were out in the open again – the cave was a few hundred metres long, but went right through and came out into another inlet 100 metres around the corner from the entrance. We explored quite a few similar caves and each seemed more dramatic than its predecessor. It is simply astounding that so many similar, but all different, caves could have been formed in the same area – and more amazing are the forces that were in play to create them over so many thousands or millions of years. Some of them were like cathedrals inside with high arched ceilings, others were so low that we had to crouch down in the zodiacs to avoid braining ourselves on the rocks above. It was an almost religious experience winding our way in and out of the caves, being pushed and pulled by the waves and cruising the coast with seals popping their heads up beside us.

After a couple of hours cruising, some of us, including me, made a wet landing on the island and walked up and over to the other side while the rest, including Heather, took the zodiacs around the island to pick us up when our cross-island adventure was completed. It was a wonderful evening and the island was not too high so the walk was very pleasant.

Back on board, it was a BBQ dinner, fully catered, and everyone had to wear a funny hat. They had a big bag of hundreds of them and everyone chose something to make themselves look totally absurd. They played our sort of music on a boombox and soon everyone (not quite everyone!) was up dancing. Most people really got into the mood but I wimped out and went to bed and read while others retired to the bar and karaoked the night away. Heather went down to the bar for a while and said that some of the singing was great, but a lot of it was seriously less so, especially with a bit of booze on board.

Friday. Shetlands III and the Orkneys Day 58

We were up at 6:30 for brekky and in the zodiacs before 8am, heading to Fair Isle. Immediately we landed, I set off alone on a trek to North Light accompanied only by a great many wheatears, rock and meadow pipits, hooded crows and a variety of other avian friends. It was quite a trek, more than I had been led to believe, and I saw only one of the several promised new species. The climb to the lighthouse was strenuous, but I passed a few dramatic cliffs and delightful little lochs on the way so the effort was well compensated. I then set off cross-country to try to get to the airport where other new species had been predicted. Alas, the higher I climbed to the island’s central spine, the more fraught the skua attacks became. I must have stumbled into a rookery and they were dive-bombing me from all directions. I took a hard left and tried to get out of their territory, but it was still close to a kilometre over very challenging terrain before the raids abated. I subsequently attempted to reach the airport from 3 alternative directions, but each time, I was thwarted by aerial bombardments. I gave up and decided to use the shuttle service the islanders provided to ferry us around the island. Unfortunately, after standing around for half an hour, I gave up and walked most of the way until I saw Heather and many of our group watching the locals shear their sheep. We had been told on board that many things would not be open on the island because it was the annual sheep mustering day when everyone bands together to round up all the sheep from across the hills to shear them. Apparently, they do it in a couple of drives a week or so apart and all the sheep are tagged and colour-coded so each owner knows which ones are his or hers when the roundup is complete. All the sheep are corralled in a pen in the middle of the island and the owners haul out their own sheep one at a time and shear them, mainly using hand clippers, with just a few using electric clippers powered by car batteries. It was fascinating to watch and the care taken by some owners using just scissors to collect the precious wool was quite wonderful.

The fog descended as we went back to the ship so out came the GPS again so we didn’t miss the boat and sail off into the literal invisible sunset.

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wizemy · 4 years ago

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What happens in Dubai doesn't stay there...

Intro: How can a modern marvel be built in extreme conditions and become an extraordinary place to live and work? Stay tuned and find out Dubai's secret. Dubai Marina - https://traveltriangle.com/blog/dubai-marina/ What is it? Dubai is the capital of the emirate of the same name, one of the seven United Arab Emirates. It is located on the southern shore of the Persian Gulf and has a common history with that of the United Arab Emirates. History of Dubai The first human settlement in the city was in 3000 BC. It used to be a mangrove swamp that dried up attracting Bedouin cattle herders who started living there. Their palm plantation in one of the fertile areas of the desert was the beginning of agriculture in Dubai and was the first step in transforming the nomadic nature of emiratis. In the 18th century, Dubai is thought to have been established as a fishing village. By 1822 it was a town of about 800 members of the Bani Yas tribe and was ruled by an Abu Dhabi Sheikh. Dubai fishing village - https://www.thenational.ae/business/how-dubai-created-an-environment-where-everyone-has-the-chance-to-succeed-1.170116 Before oil was discovered, the emiratis economy relied on trading, pearling and fishing. The pearls were an exclusive commodity so Dubai used them to build a strong reputation that paved the way towards prosperity. Dubai got independence from Abu Dhabi in 1833 and continued to develop. But in the 1950s, after the artificial pearls were invented in Japan, Dubai suffered great financial losses. Expansion of Dubai Sheikh Saeed, the then-ruler of Dubai started looking for other alternative sources of income to ensure multiple financing streams. This was necessary to develop the country in such a disadvantageous place as the desert. The discovery of oil, in the Fateh Oil Field in 1966, was a major milestone in the history of Dubai. The economic landscape improved and Dubai even created a new currency shared with Qatar, the Riyal.In 1969 Dubai made the first shipment of oil starting the expansion to what it is today. Dubai’s oil production peaked in 1991 at over 400.000 barrels per day, but has been steadily declining ever since.Of the Emirates, Abu Dhabi has most oil resources - 92 billion barrels, while Dubai has only 4 billion barrels. Dubai’s oil reserves have reduced over the past decade and are now expected to be completely exhausted within 20 years. The government recognized that its oil resource will not last forever so they adopted projects to help maintain Dubai’s economy and growth. Jebel Ali free zone - http://jafza.ae Therefore Dubai reinvested the profits in trade, financial companies and infrastructure. Today, oil accounts for very little of Dubai's revenue, yet the emirate's gross domestic product has continuously grown. The oil and gas industry only makes up about 7% of the total revenue of the emirate of Dubai. Trade is a core component of their economy so the city established its first free zone in 1985. The Jebel Ali Free Zone has 52 square kilometers and it is the largest in the world. Dubai became attractive for global businesses which today take advantage of the emirate’s 30 free zones that offer tax breaks, custom duty benefits and lack of restrictions for foreign owners. The industry of real estate and structure construction is one of the largest revenue-producing industries, contributing more than 22% of total revenue. City skyline Dubai has had an extraordinary growth and it is hard to imagine that it took only a generation to transform the pearl divers and fisherman's village into the modern world marvel it is today. The city is divided into two main areas, one characterized by tall buildings and impressive landscapes and one by traditional arab buildings. Old Dubai Creek - https://traveltriangle.com/blog/history-of-dubai/ Dubai Creek is separating the old city Deira and the new modern area, Bur Dubai. The creek was created by dredging an ancient streamlet to allow cargo transportation using vessels larger then the traditional Dhows. Dubai Creek Today - https://traveltriangle.com/blog/history-of-dubai/ Evolution of Dubai - https://www.skidubai.com/ The emirate was built in the desert and is fascinating by tall and unique buildings, luxury hotels and opulent shops. In 2006 Dubai owned 30,000 cranes, or 24 % of the world’s cranes. In 2017 Dubai has broken the Guinness World Record for the largest ever continuous concrete pour with almost 20.000 cubic meters over a 42-hour period.As of 2015 all of the new buildings in Dubai are using green alternatives for cement in order to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Burj Khalifa Dubai has an extraordinary landscape but nothing is as amazing as the Burj Khalifa. The building lights up the city from wherever you look and it holds the record for the tallest building in the world since 2009. The Burj Khalifa is amazing even in the context of the most impressive skyline in the world. The 163 stories building can be seen from 95 km away as it raises to a height of 828 meters. The construction effort was incredible as Burj Khalifa required 330.000 cubic meters of concrete, or about the weight of 100.000 elephants, and over 31.000 tons of steel rebar. The huge building sits on 192 concrete piles, which are each buried 50 meters in sand. It was very hot in Dubai when Burj Khalifa's concrete was poured, so it had to be done only at night and ice was added in the mix to cool it. It's construction meant the highest vertical concrete pumping ever done, at 606 meters. Burj Khalifa construction - https://medium.com/@davidbrownbee/burj-khalifa-should-be-the-8th-wonder-in-the-world-b32fa29b2bac It includes about 350 kilometers of pipes used for water supply, fire emergency system and air conditioning system. Because the Burj Khalifa can move with heavy winds, pipes can freely move at various building levels. Since the incoming water can reach 40 degrees Celsius in the summer, "cold water" needs to be pre-cooled before being used. Even if the air conditioning system draws air from the upper floors, where the air is cooler, it still needs the equivalent of 12 million kilograms of melting ice each day. Condensation inside the building creates about half a million tons of water every year. Burj Khalifa has 57 lifts and the main elevators speed is 10 meters per second, reaching the 124th floor in about a minute. The elevator is holding the record for the longest travel distance in the world. It also holds records for the highest residential space and highest restaurant, Atmosphere. The extreme temperatures in the desert implied the use of 174.000 square meters of glass that provides solar and thermal protection.The exterior temperature at the top of the building is at least 6 degrees Celsius cooler than at its base. It's so high that even on Ramadan, when Muslims need to wait for the sun to set for the celebration to end, people in the upper part need to wait up to 2 minutes more until the sun set. The Burj Khalifa has the highest mosque in the world, on the 158th floor, the highest swimming pool, at the 76th floor, and the highest viewing platform, on the 124th floor. The Dubai Fountain is a choreographed fountain system located on the man-made Burj Khalifa Lake. The 275 m long fountain costed 218 million USD and it can shoot water up to 150 meters into the air. It is dispersing up to 83,000 liters of water at any moment. Illuminated by 6,600 lights and 50 colored projectors, The Dubai Fountain plays a range of classical to contemporary Arabic and worldwide known music. Burj al Arab One of the landmarks in Dubai is renowned in the entire world as being the most impressive and luxurious hotel: The Burj al Arab. The 321 meters high building stands on an artificial island made of sand. There are 230 concrete piles that hold the island, each of them being 40 meters buried in the sand beneath. The protection of the island is done by breaking up the waves using concrete cubes with a hexagonal-shaped hole in all 6 faces. Their defense is so good that the island could be built at just 7.5 meters above sea level. This allowed engineers to create the illusion of a boat on the water as the entire structure resembles the sail of a ship. Inside the building, it holds the largest atrium in the world, up to 180 meters tall. The outside temperature can reach up to 50 degrees Celsius while the interior is kept at about 23 degrees. The temperature difference creates a pressure difference between the inside and the outside. This would cause a collapse of the cold air column inside when the main ground door would be opened, so Burj Al Arab has a special revolving door that acts as an airlock. The extremely high temperatures can expand and contract the exterior trusses which provide stiffness by up to 5 cm in a day. Overcoming that many challenges makes this 70,000 cubic meters of concrete and 9.000 tons of steel building, a notable piece of engineering. The impressive SkyView Restaurant at 200 meters above sea level is projected 27 meters outside of the main exoskeleton but it can still withstand winds of up to 160 kilometers an hour. Real 24-carat gold leaf covers over 2.000 square meters of the interior surface. No wonder each guest receives a gold plated Ipad that acts as a remote control for the room as gold is everywhere in Burj Al Arab. Even in its Element 79 cocktail. 79 is the atomic number of gold and the name perfectly describes this sparkling grape drink with gold dust in it. But this is not the only gold edible at Burj Al Arab as restaurants also have the recipe for the gold flakes decorated cappuccino. Almost 25,000 square meters of walls and flooring are covered with the rarest marble, Statuario. It is the kind used by Michelangelo to create his masterpieces. The hotel has a shuttle service providing Rolls-Royces and a helicopter for pick-ups at the local airports. The cheapest room will require about $2,700 per night while The Royal Suite is billed at US$24,000 per night. Dubai Mall Dubai Mall is the second-largest mall in the world by land area and it is for sure the dream place for anyone passionate about shopping. It's not just a place to go and shop but it's an entire city that provides extraordinary means for entertainment. It's store surface of over 1.2 million square meters is equivalent to more than 50 football fields. Dubai Mall includes over 1300 shops that attracted over 84 million visitors in 2019. It features The Waterfall - a 24 meters high structure that allows water to cascade through all four levels passing art sculptures of human divers. The 4 story structure of the mall near Burj Khalifa used more than 13,000 tons of structural steel, or around twice the amount utilized in the Eiffel Tower. Fossil of Diplodocus Longus - gulftoday.ae A 155-million-year-old fossil of Diplodocus Longus - famously known as the ‘Dubai Dino’ is permanently on display in the Dubai Mall. The Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo found within the mall area showcases more than 300 species of marine animals, including sharks and rays. The aquarium is a 51-meter long, 11-meter high, 20-meter wide, and 10-million liter tank that includes a 270-degree walkthrough tunnel for the ultimate marine life experience. The aquarium holds the World’s record for the largest acrylic panel, weighing 245 tons. Dubai Islands Dubai's beachfront was not enough for the city, so the government owned companies built 4 artificial islands: Palm Jumeirah, Deira Island, Palm Jebel Ali and The World. Currently, only Palm Jumeirah has been completed and inhabited. The islands have increased the shoreline length with 520 kilometers, creating space for 1,500 beachfront mansions and 6,000 apartments. This is the world's largest man-made island being visible from the space and the artificial archipelago is considered to be the eighth wonder of the world. The artificial islands of Dubai as designed- Wikipedia Constructing Dubai’s Palm Island required 94 million cubic meters of sand, therefore it used enough sand to fill 2.5 Empire State Buildings. Local quarries provided about 5.5 million cubic meters of rock which creates the islands breakwaters. No Concrete or steel was used for this mega-structure. The amount of rock and sand used here could form a 2 meter wide wall that would circle the globe three times! Safety comes first so the breakwater can withstand a 4 meters tidal wave. The Atlantis Hotel was built at one of the islands ends and it is connected with the mainland via an impressive monorail system stretching on 5.4 kilometers. An alternative 6-lane underground tunnel was built to reach Palm Jumeirah. Palm Jebel Ali island is 50% larger than Palm Jumeirah and will house more than 250.000 people on it. It will even feature homes built on stilts above the water and boardwalks that seen from the outer space will spell out an Arabic poem. The project has been stalling since the 2008 financial crisis but the developer remains committed to building it. Deira Island is another ongoing development which was initially designed to be eight times larger than Palm Jumeriah. It will host the biggest night market in the world, Deira Night souk. A rendering of the postponed World Islands project in Dubai - AP.org Close to the Palm Jumeirah island, another engineering marvel is being built. A collection of 300 man-made islands called the World Islands are created from dredged and reclaimed sand. The islands design resembles a 6 by 9 km world map representation, the entire archipelago being visible from space and from the top of the Burj Khalifa. Atlantis The Palm Atlantis The Palm is a five-star ocean-themed resort on the apex of the man-made Palm Island’s crescent. The main building has two central towers, referred to as East and West, joined together by the Royal Bridge Suite, a 924 square meters penthouse. Sculpture inside Atlantis The Palm - https://dwpinsider.com/ The Grand Lobby unveils the priceless Dale Chihuly sculpture created using 3000 hand blown pieces of glass that were individually placed to create a 10 meter high piece. Atlantis has an 11 million liter marine habitat called The Ambassador Lagoon, with a viewing pane made of 70cm thick glass. Dubai Marina Dubai Marina is a district built as an artificial canal city along a 3km stretch of the shoreline. It is designed to accommodate a population of 120.000 people in residential towers and villas. Dubai Marina is an urban master-planned community inspired by the Concord Pacific Place from Vancouver, Canada. It is the largest man-made marina created by bringing the waters of the Persian Gulf into the desert and its shoreline is the location of some of the world's tallest high-rise residential skyscrapers. The Dubai Marina represents the city of the future—where technology and natural beauty meet. Some of the amazing sights of the Dubai Marina include The Princess Tower - with 101 floors, Al Fattan - 245 m high, Ocean Heights - 83 floors, Dubai Marina Mall. Dubai Marina also hosts the Dubai Torch which in 2011 was the tallest residential building - at 336 meters - and Marina 101 which at 425 meters high is the second tallest building in the United Arab Emirates behind the Burj Khalifa. The most impressive sky-scraper is Cayan tower, a 306-meter tall building which was the tallest high rise structure that has a 90 degrees twist from top to bottom. The Frame Dubai is constantly pushing the limits of architecture. Therefore The Frame is not only the biggest picture frame on the planet but an impressive high building that allows people positioned on one side to view the representative landmarks of Dubai through the frame. Its structure is made of a 93 meters bridge connecting the two 150 meters towers. The top Sky-deck is built as an opaque glass bridge crafted as a liquid crystal film, making the glass clear when visitors walk on it. Population 95% of the population in UAE are ex-pats and the vast majority of them live in Dubai. There are 3.35 million people in the city and about 4 million in the metro area.The incredibly high number of ex-pats and immigrants makes it one of the most diverse cities in the world. More than half of the population of Dubai is aged between 25-34, so it’s a youthful city that is geared very much towards those in this age bracket. Foreigners can receive citizenship in Dubai if an investment of 1 million dirhams (or 270.000 USD) is made. The local Emiratis make up for only 8% of the entire population of Dubai and the class division is big: many of the immigrant workers struggling for a living, Emiratis have their rent, education and medical bills paid for and upper-class foreigners being well paid.The average monthly wage in Dubai is around $4500 USD per month. Tourism Dubai International Airport in 1960 - https://traveltriangle.com/blog/history-of-dubai/ Dubai International Airport project started in 1960 as a small size runway made of compacted sand. But by the 1970s the airport was already handling the Boeing 747 and Concorde planes and by 1980 it became the stopping and refueling point for airlines, connecting Asia and Europe. It is now the world's busiest airport by international passenger traffic and it's Terminal 3 is the largest airport terminal in the world. The new airport, Dubai World Central - which is operational and will be completed in 2027, will be the second-largest airport in the world by physical size. The two airports will be connected with a dedicated 52 kilometres metro line. Dubai's tourism is all about the futuristic charm of modern skyscrapers, legendary nightlife, exotic landscapes, and desert safaris.Tourism in Dubai is a part of the government's strategy to maintain the flow of foreign cash into the emirates as, on average, a visitor spends $553 a day in Dubai. Data shows that Dubai attracted 17 millions tourists in 2019 with a year to year increase of 5%. Most tourists are from India, followed by Saudi Arabia.The Dubai 2020 plan of having 20 million tourists a year has been postponed due to the current conditions and drop in the traveling sector worldwide. Even if Dubai is one of the most modern cities in the world, one of the top attractions among tourists is the desert itself. It provides a thrilling and electrifying experience on the dunes that are changing position and shape every day creating a new landscape. Living in the city Historically, Deira has been the commercial center of Dubai and the place renowned for its conventional markets called souks. The Gold souk is acclaimed as the biggest gold bazaar on the planet. Deira Spice souk best explains the influence of various nationalities that have come to call Dubai home. Old-style buildings that reflect rich Arabian hospitality and traditional style wooden dhows make Dubai Deira and the Creek a must-visit landmark of the city. Driving is the most convenient way of getting around Dubai but the government has vastly improved the public transport system by creating the metro lines. Being a new city built from the ground during the last decades, the city transportation system was created with progress in mind. From The Dubai Metro which is a state-of-the-art, driver-less, fully automated 75 kilometre rail system, to the Abras - wooden water taxis that cruise along the Creek, and to the new fleet of water taxis that navigate the Arabian Gulf at speeds up to 25 knots. The Emirates now host 2 million cars while in 1968 the city only had 13 cars registered. The Sheikh Zayed Road is the main road in Dubai City & has become a tourist spot as well as the most architecturally marvelous buildings are located on this road Self driving pod https://www.rta.ae/ Part of the government futuristic approach, Dubai’s transport authority began testing autonomous pods that travel short distances on dedicated lanes, along pre-programmed routes. They are also planning the Hyperloop, a tube vacuum-based transportation mean which will significantly cut down travel time between emirates. With this technology, residents can travel between Abu Dhabi and Dubai in just 12 minutes. Self-flying taxi - https://www.rta.ae/ Dubai’s urban mobility landscape will also get an upgrade with the world’s first self-flying taxi service which they plan to make publicly accessible in the next years. The sun is shining here for about the entire year and during a particularly hot summer in July 2002, the temperature in Dubai was recorded at a toasty 52.1 degrees Celsius. That is why 99.9% of the buildings are incorporating air conditioning systems. Much of Dubai’s water is obtained by desalinization from the sea, making fuel and water roughly the same price Ski Dubai slope - https://www.skidxb.com You can go skiing in Dubai on the manmade slopes inside the mall even if this Emirate is in the middle of the Arabian desert and there are no mountains.The facility is an indoor ski space maintaining a temperature of -1 to 2 degrees Celsius throughout the year. There is a 85 meters high indoor mountain (like a 25 story building) and has 5 slopes accessible by lift and tow lift that can carry skiers and snowboarders up the mountain. It also features a Snow Park that houses penguins. In Dubai ATM's can dispense gold aside from the Dirhams, the official currency. Dubai had no address system, no zip codes, no area codes, and no postal system. To deliver a package safely, one had to list detailed instructions to the desired destination. However, in 2015, a unique 10-digit code called Makani number were assigned to all buildings. Due to the heat and surrounding desert, Dubai managed to build an extraordinary delivery system for almost anything, and goods are a click or phone call distance. Everything is extreme in Dubai: Supercars are used by police so it's not uncommon to see brand new Ferrari, Bugatti, Lamborghini or some other luxury cars with the police emblem on them. Dubai police holds a world record for the fastest police car; a Bugatti Veyron which they purchased for US$ 1.6 million! Religion Islam is the official religion but unlike surrounding countries, Dubai is a more relaxed space, especially towards foreigners. 76% of Dubai’s residents are Muslim.Non-Muslims are allowed to consume alcohol, eat pork, and they don’t have to wear a hijab. Weekend starts on Friday in Dubai and it ends on Saturday because Friday is a unique religious day for afternoon prayers in Islam. Gender equality progress is assigned to the UAE Gender Balance Control which ensures that the future will be brighter on this matter as more and more women are becoming part of the government, public sector, universities, and businesses in Dubai. As many countries still have much to work on this matter, Dubai is an unique spot in the region due to the local Emirati woman, their education and workforce inclusion. Traditions The array of cultures and religions perfectly blend in this international city that provides a huge number of religious spaces and cultural events. Despite being one of the most developed and modern cities in the world, Dubai has kept its identity. They are wearing the kufiya, a traditional Arabian headdress that originated in the Arabian Peninsula and is now worn throughout the Middle-East region, providing protection from sunburn, dust, and sand. As Dubai is led by His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who keeps a close and down-to-earth relationship with the people, Dubai has preserved it's traditions. For example locals will always serve coffee as a way of welcoming and refusing may be seen as offensive. The custom is to enjoy local dances and music as it comes from the time of the bedouins and has great heritage value for the emiratis. Emirati men use fairly long greetings, with praises to God, in addition to hugs and kisses. When meeting an Emirati woman one should not try to shake their hand unless she puts out her hand first. Under no circumstances should one take pictures of Emirati woman. Additionally, it’s considered extremely offensive to stare at a woman in a national dress. During Ramadan, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset every day during the month, and being obviously intoxicated or affected by alcohol can mean jail time or deportation. Visitors are expected to dress modestly and retain from public affection such as kissing or holding hands. Nice to know Each Emirate has its own king, otherwise known as a Sheikh Dubai is referred to as a “free zone,” meaning its workers' paychecks are spared from being taxed. They have a Minister for Happiness.The UAE has a literacy rate of 93% and Dubai is one of the safest cities in the world and Its crime rate is next to nothing. Israeli passport holders are not allowed to entry Dubai, but this will change starting with the Dubai Expo world fair. Dubai has the ultimate incentive to lose weight. For every kilogram lost, the government awards a family 2 grams of gold The falcon is the UAE's national symbol while the Arabian oryx, a medium-sized antelope, is the country's national animal. Camel racing robot jockey - https://wonderfulengineering.com/ Camel racing is very popular in Dubai and given the camel size only children were allowed to ride. Since this raised an issue with children allegedly illegally trafficked into the country to race camels, Dubai put a stop on this by building child-sized robots that are racing the camels.The lower the number on a resident’s license plate, the higher the social status. Dubai has been awarded more than 190 Guinness World Records including: - IMG Worlds of Adventure, is the largest indoor themed entertainment destination in the world! -The Miracle Garden is the largest flower garden in the world topping 50 million flowers and 250 million plants that cover an area of 72000 square meters - The world's first minister of state for Artificial Intelligence in 2017. Tallest chocolate sculpture - http://airportfocusinternational.com/ - The tallest chocolate structure in the world at 13m representing a replica of the Burj Khalifa Outro It is thought that the name "Dubai" comes from an Arabic proverb that says "Daba Dubai" meaning "They came with a lot of money", which would make sense as the transformation of Dubai started when resources have been discovered. But what happens in Dubai can't stay there for another reason: the Emiratis themselves. The lesson we learn from them is that "Impossible" should not be a word in our vocabulary! Read the full article

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wecityguidecom · 5 years ago

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Costa Smeralda: Sardinia's Top Beaches

Costa Smeralda is maybe the most popular touristic destination of Sardinia especially for the lovers of beaches and seas. Most of the people who ever go to the Sardinia visit the Costa Smeralda at the very north of the island. Because Costa Smeralda offers more than 20 km long sandy beaches to its visitor with also warming sun and refreshing blue seas. This region is not like a district with one major centre. There are tons of small-town around the Costa Smeralda centre where you can stay and also enjoy the local foods. There are expensive and luxury places like five-star hotels, golf courses, villas and more but I will focus on for the common holiday tips about the Costa Smeralda in this post. If you are looking more to read about Sardinia don't forget to take a look at the Sardinia Travel Guide. By the way, you can use the table of content below to read the topic you want directly.

One of the beautiful beaches of Costa Smeralda (Source).

How to Go to Costa Smeralda?

There are tons of hotels and places to stay in this region. Most of them have a shuttle from the airports of Sardinia back to the hotel. So, they probably will take you from the airport for a small price. If you have an intent to use public transport to go to your hotel it may be a little hard. Because there is no train line or regular bus lines tho this region. The most efficient way is to take a taxi or rent a car.

Top 5 Beaches of Costa Smeralda

Grand Pevero Beach Grande Pevero Beach is located just next to the Golf Pevero and will stun you with its sandy beaches and pure clear water. Actually all of the beaches in this list will stun you with their pure nature. Grande Pevero is one of the top beaches in whole Sardinia with Piccolo Pevero and maybe crowded especially during the summer. Also, there is a snack bar, boat rentals, sunbeds and umbrellas. So you don't need to bring anything with you. By the way, another famous beach of Sardinia is the Piccolo Pevero where is just at the very west cove of the Grande Pevero Beach. Piccolo Pevero Beach has the same option for its visitors. Capriccioli Beach If you have kids, Capriccioli Beach is for you. Because there is a very big parking lot just behind the beach and also a building where includes a beach club and restaurants Capriccioli Beach is not a very big one and maybe crowded especially during the high season but it still worths to visit and enjoy the water and sun. Also, you can rent sunbeds and umbrellas. Principe Beach Well, Principe Beach is probably the most crowded beach in Sardinia. I don't know but people love this small beach even if there are tons of people at the same time. There is no parking lot next to the beach. Because of this, you need to walk or take a taxi. Also, there is only one small bar where you can drink water and more. Romazzino Beach Another small but nice beach of Sardinia is the Romazzino Beach. Tourist mostly doesn't prefer this beach because there are no bar or restaurant and also sunbeds. Also, Romazzino Beach is located between the high luxury villas and estates. Liscia Ruja Beach Welcome to the largest and longest beach of entire Costa Smeralda, Liscia Ruja Beach. There are both private and public beaches at Liscia Ruia. Also, you can many water activities here. There are multiple parking lots at the back of the beach between the trees. Also, you may find dozens of places to eat and drink. If you are looking for a more quiet beach you may go to the Petra Ruja Beach located a bit south of the Liscia Ruja Beach.

What to Do at Costa Smeralda Besides Beaches?

Maddalena Archipelago Tours Costa Smeralda has tons of beaches to discover and enjoy the pure nature of Sardinia. But of course their other alternatives for you. One of them is visiting the Maddalena archipelago. You can join a tour from the widget below and discover Maddalena archipelago and a couple of other important places at Costa Smeralda. Maddalena archipelago is a remote island group located at the north of Costa Smeralda. In total, there are 8 separate islands. Only 2 of them is accessible by cars, Maddalena and Caprera. Of course, there are a couple of beaches where you can enjoy Sardinia's waters but exploring the island is also another amazing experience. Capo D'orso (Bear Rock) Very close to the Costa Smeralda, Capo D'orso or Bear Rock in English is an interesting place to visit during your time in Sardinia. There is a bear-shaped rock at the cap. You just need to park your car at the parking lot at the entrance of the site. Then, you should take 10 to 15 minutes of walk to see the Roccia dell’ Orso. Entrance fee is around 3 Euros. Besides seeing this bear-shaped rock you may enjoy with the 360 degrees panoramic

Where to Stay at Costa Smeralda?

Don'tforget, Costa Smeralda is the most expensive and luxurious district of whole Sardinia. There are tons of hotels, villas, resort and more to stay. Just don't forget to check all option located in Costa Smeralda or close districts. Because it may be way cheaper to stay in place rather than Costa Smeralda to close there. If you are thinking to stay at Costa Smeralda, Residenza Capriccioli, Cervo Hotel or Cala Di Volpe are the good options with high reviews.

How Many Days Do You Need to Visit Costa Smeralda?

There is no specific answer to this question. Because if you ask me I can stay for months in this region of Sardinia. Because there are tons of beaches swim and get a sunburn. Also, you can join tours from here to discover the caves of the region. But if you are looking for a more definitive answer you can make a plan like this. 3-4 days for enjoying the beaches and 2 days for joining tours will be enough. So, my suggestion is the spend a week at the Costa Smeralda. Please share your experiences about Costa Smeralda and Sardinia at the comment section. You can take a look to Sardinia Travel Guide to read more about this unique island. Also, don't forget to share you suggestions to improve the content and quality of this post. Enjoy! Read the full article

#costasmeralda #sardinia #sardiniaisland

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adventhero · 5 years ago

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travel ideas cook islands

Explore Queenstown and its surroundings. Take a day trip to Milford Sound or Doubtful Sound, or alternatively drive to Arrowtown or Wanaka. Drive yourself to the airport and very early flight from Christchurch via Auckland to Rarotonga / Cook Islands. With Geoplan Private Tours you not only book your personal, private and exclusive travel experience, but also our all-round carefree service. A shuttle bus will take you to your hotel. The main island of volcanic origin is the vital centre of the Cook Islands. Read more about campervan hire New Zealand here. The island is almost completely surrounded by a protective coral reef, has many beautiful beaches, blue lagoons

South Seas in detail

The Dumont travel guide "South Seas" by ethnologist Rosemarie Schyma illuminates the islands of the Pacific Ocean in detail on 400 pages in its second edition of 2013. The history, society and nature of Polynesia are covered, the tourist highlights of Fiji, Samoa and Cook Islands and many others. Luxuriously like the "dream ship" actors, you spend the night at the Pacific Resort Aitutaki with a direct view of the legendary lagoon. Manager Shelly White also takes care of non celebrity guests, beach villa with a lavish breakfast buffet and airport transfer for two people from 650 euros per night, . Flight from Rarotonga via Los Angeles to Germany. Return of the motorhome in Christchurch. Drive to Sudima Airport Hotel and stay for one night. I'm sure, on the Cook Islands really everybody gets his money's worth! The more beautiful it was that on the Cook Islands they already pay in New Zealand dollars. Well, check out the flight times and you will definitely agree with me!

#travel new zealand cook islands

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camperco · 5 years ago

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Find the best Campervan hire Picton NZ

The campervans that you get in Picton New Zealand are affordable, functional and have everything that is needed to enjoy the beauty of New Zealand. The campervans that are provided by Camperco are of quality at an affordable price.

Whether you fly down or cross over by ferry you can pick up your campervan at any of the rental branches in Auckland, Christchurch, and Queenstown by taking the free shuttle. Once you pick up the campervan you have nothing to worry about as there is 24-hour assistance if you face any problem.

Campervan Hire Picton

Campervan hire nelson nz has their offices ferry terminal. When you are booking a campervan enter your pick-up date and drop-off date and location on the quote calculator. You can browse through the website to see the different vehicles they have and choose the one that suits you. Campervan Hire is a leader in motorhomes and campervans around the globe with operations in Australia, New Zealand, US, South Africa, and Canada,

When you, hire a campervan choose the best vehicle that you like. They provide you with consumer protection. You can browse the website to find the vehicle of your choice. If you cannot find the vehicle of your choice, they will try to give you an alternative vehicle.

Why Choose Campervan Rentals?

With Campervan rentals you can enjoy the scenic beauty of New Zealand. Picton is the entry to the Marlborough Sound Islands. You can start with Queen Charlotte Sounds which is famous for its lush forests, pristine beaches, beautiful coves, and sandy beaches. The best way to enjoy the wonders of Picton is with a motorhome or campervan.

Picton is in the center of valleys which are drowned by seas of the Marlborough Sounds with crystal waters and secluded bays. If you are traveling by road Picton is a pit stop for arrival or departure point to the ferry of Cook Strait. Here you can enjoy a lot of activities like swimming with dolphins, kayaking, or mountain biking.

Campervan Hire Queenstown

Are you traveling through New Zealand with a campervan? Then you must visit Queenstown which is known as the southern playground. Queenstown is also known as the adventure capital of the world with its beautiful scenery, and a lot of adventures and activities to enjoy like bungy jumping and jet boating. At Queenstown, you can pick up your campervan and start your journey with popular routes that are recommended. Queenstown is just 1 km. from the airport so you can pick up your campervan hire picton here to start your road trip.

In Queenstown, you can also get cheap campervans within your budget. There is plenty to do in this alpine playground. The Queenstown shuttle operates from 8 am to 4.30 pm. It is also available on

#Picton Campervan Hire

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inacents-blog · 5 years ago

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Organizing a Trip To Tanzania

Tanzania is an East African country known for its vast wilderness areas. Here in this beautiful country, you can visit the plains of Serengeti National Park. This location is the most attractive destination for safari tourists as it has lion, leopard, elephant buffalo, Zebra, and rhino.

Useful info about the climate of Tanzania

Tanzania is characterized by different types of climate depending on the area: one in the northern and central one called Altopiano dei Laghi and the other is the flat one facing the sea. In principle, it is possible to recognize two seasons, one dry and the other more humid and hot: the least rainy season is between July and August, while most rainfall occurs is from the end of March to mid-June. As for the winter period, between December and February, showers are possible, but not as intense as those of the spring period: once past, the calm returns again. Although they are not the best times to visit Tanzania, the winter months are anyway recommended for exploring Lake Victoria and the Serengeti. Temperatures range between 18° and 28°C and the sea temperature is 29° C.

How to Travel?

The main airport is Julius Neyere which is located a few kilometers outside the capital Dar El Salaam. As for air connections, you can opt for Middle Eastern companies that make a technical stopover in their main hub before continuing to Tanzania, or for European companies such as British Airway and Lufthansa. It will probably be the Middle Eastern companies that offer the best rates for traveling around the New Year period. And Alitalia? Our flag carrier does not fly to Tanzania, so there are no direct flights from Italy.

Getting around: do it yourself or a tour?

The first thing you should keep in mind is that you are in Tanzania, in the middle of central Africa, so you will have to adapt to the rhythms imposed by local life. So arm yourself with patience and a good trip! Let's start from your arrival at the airport: if you have already booked a hotel, ask if they have a shuttle to reach the center, otherwise opt for a taxi, always very expensive, especially when they are carrying tourists and take the opportunity to take advantage of it a little. Once in the city, you will have several opportunities: for small and short journeys, the most folkloristic means of transport is undoubtedly the "Dal Dalla", minibusses (always full of people) that cross the city: they make obligatory stops and the starting point and arrival is written at the top on the front of the vehicle. Associating from any kind of comfort is a mistake, but in this way, you will have taken a dip in the local culture. An alternative is the Rajaji, practically of the Asian tuk-tuks, adapted to the African environment, while for tracts along the coast you can opt for the motorcycle taxis. For once, do not take the normal, expensive and not very typical taxis. To move far and wide in Tanzania, forget about the rental car and consider local buses, which are quite comfortable even for long distances, but above all very cheap. The car costs, as does gasoline, but the roads are poor and the prohibition to drive at night for tourists, which makes it opt for public transport. If the buses are not for you, you can consider the idea of a private van with a driver, but the budget will certainly begin to rise. If you want you can also use domestic flights, as distinct as in Europe, on "normal" and "low cost" flights, but you'll have to book well in advance to get affordable fares. Obviously all that we have said so far does not apply if you have booked an organized tour: in this case, it will take care of the entire tour operator, including travel.

Accommodation in Tanzania

Finding accommodation in Tanzania is quite simple, even if you have not booked anything from Italy, as upon your arrival you will be stopped by a crowd of people who will propose their own structure. Everyone will tell you this, but for us, it is always the rule to book in advance from Italy. Since sleeping in Tanzania is cheap, we advise you to discard low-level accommodations and opt for hotels and facilities that are more comfortable and of a good standard. On the coast, you will also find some guest houses overlooking the beach, but before booking, take a good look at the cleanliness and the type of structure. In reality, if you want to spend a New Year in absolute relaxation, we suggest you opt for a tourist village, even if not very characteristic: in this way, you will not have to do anything but lie down to sunbathe on the beach.

What to do and see in Tanzania?

Safari

Safari and sea. Here is the key to reading this journey. Start with the adventure and then move on to relaxation. The first stop will certainly be Dar El Salaam, but it is not worth spending more than a couple of days, perfect only to settle in and visit the Kariakoo Market and the Fish Market. Then go to Africa made of sunsets and landscapes: the most famous places are certainly the great parks of the north, such as the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro and the Tarangire where you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in a unique landscape, while if you are looking for a less crowded park, you can opt for the Selous Game Reserve which also includes the third largest lake, Lake Malawi. You will also like Ruaha National Park, the second-largest park in Africa where many animal species move freely.

Sea

And the sea! Most tour operator catalogs recommend the Zanzibar sea, but it does not matter if you go there to have the turquoise sea and the soft beaches. In the southern part of Dar El Salaam, we recommend the Pwani region, beautiful and wild, but above all still little beaten by mass tourism. It is worthwhile to go as far as Sandi Island which fully embodies the exotic dream. The alternative is located north of the capital: these are the two islands of Mbudya and Bongoyo, still very wild, both included within protected marine areas. If you are looking for other areas where you can take beautiful photographic safaris in Africa, we suggest Namibia.

And the final words, if you want to enjoy all aspects of touring Tanzania it will be better if you opt an “Organized Tour” arranged and managed by any established tour operators like Bestway tours in Canada.

#tour operators #small group tours europe #cultural safari Africa

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slackalternativessopensource · 5 years ago

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Hawaii - How to Get To, And Get Around On, The Big Island

slack alternatives open source. From the icy heights of snow-covered volcanoes, to steamy jungles and tropical beaches, to flowing fields of lava, flower choked canyons and wide-open tropical grassland, its scenery is unsurpassed. By and large the quality of your trip to the Big Island will depend on how much of it you choose to see and how you set about discovering your own Big Island adventures. Below are some ideas on the options for getting to Hawaii and for getting around Hawaii, once you are here.

Another key to the quality of your time on the Big Island has to do with the spirit of aloha. The people you meet in Hawaii, by and large, tend to be more open and friendly-quick to help or befriend-than elsewhere. This is the tradition of "Aloha". When you meet local residents, whether to ask for directions and advice or to hire services or just in casual conversation, treat them with respect, humor and openness-return their spirit of aloha and you will find your journey, and yourself, deeply enriched for it.

In Hawaii, your smile is your passport.

Getting To Hawaii The standing joke among residents of Hawaii when dealing with the time, inconvenience and hassle of traveling to the mainland is: "This used to be so much easier before the bridge blew down"! Of course, there never was a bridge spanning the roughly 2500 miles between the Big Island and mainland USA, but the humor tends to underline the commitment, planning and time it takes to travel to and from Hawaii.

Flying to Hawaii: Certainly the most common, quickest and least expensive (note I didn't say "inexpensive") way to get to Hawaii is to fly. Many major US and international carriers fly to Honolulu on Oahu and and a host of local and international carriers offer flights from there to all the other Hawaiian Islands, including the Big Island. Kona's airport is the only one on the Big Island that has direct flight connections to the US Mainland, Canada, Japan and Australia. Despite styling itself as "Hilo International Airport", flights to and from Hilo ONLY connect to other Hawaiian islands.

Although both airports have similar facilities and services, including onsite rental car agencies and access to public transportation, shuttles and taxis, it makes a big difference to the traveller where they land. By far the vast majority of visitors to the Big Island stay in either Kona or the Kohala Resorts which are all on the west side of the island and are between 20 to 45 minutes from the Kona airport. If you are staying in Hilo, it's fine to fly in there; however, Hilo doesn't have the resort facilities, fine beaches and great weather of the Kona side and few tourists opt to stay there anymore. Many people booked into resorts on the west side mistakenly take flights into Hilo, due to the misleading airport name, unaware (or even misinformed by ignorant but well-meaning travel agents) that they now, at the end of an exhausting day of travel and in the fading twilight of the early tropical sunset, face a drive of almost 3 hours, across high mountains and on narrow, winding, unfamiliar roads to get to their resort. They just better hope it doesn't start raining, too.

So-know where you are staying, fly into the appropriate airport.

Whether you are flying directly into Kona or flying to Honolulu and getting a connecting flight into Kona or Hilo, you want to be sure to reserve a seat so that you see as much of the incredible scenery as you can. Since 90% of the flight is over open ocean (which just isn't as riveting as one might expect) you want to wring the most enjoyment out of those portions of your flight which do feature scenery. If you are first stopping in Honolulu, sitting on the port (left) side of the aircraft for this leg of your trip affords the best views as the plane screams in past Koko Head and over the top of Diamond Head and Waikiki Beach, turns around directly over Pearl Harbor and settles in to land at Honolulu International Airport. Sitting on the starboard side is not as spectacular, however, it offers views of Moloka'i and Maui islands, as well as views of Pearl Harbor, the Wai'anae and Ko'olau Mountains of O'ahu and downtown Honolulu just before landing.

Flying into Hilo from O'ahu, one also wants to sit on the port side of the aircraft. The flight path crosses over the islands of Moloka'i and Maui, skims along the eastern margin of Hawaii Island presenting a rich, fascinating panoply of soaring sea cliffs, jungle canyons and volcanic mountains, jaw-dropping waterfalls and crashing surf along the coast. Flying into Kona either directly or from Honolulu is no less wonderfully scenic than flying into Hilo, but one wants to be on the starboard side. This offers the traveller great views of the islands of Maui, Molokini, Lana'i and Kaho'olawe, as well as incredible views of the Big Island, Kohala Mountain, Mauna Kea, Hualalai and, on clear days, Mauna Loa as the jet cruises in over the Kohala Coast, making land right over Makalwena Beach and on to Kona International Airport at Keahole.

Cruise Ships and Cargo Ships: There are several cruise ship lines which ply the waters of the Hawaiian Archipelago, however of the ones that service the Big Island, most require passengers to book for an entire cruise, meaning that although you may make one or two stops on Hawaii, you will only remain in port for a day, overnight at most, before sailing on. Generally, you cannot arrive on one ship, disembark for a stay, and catch another ship out.

Of increasing popularity, however, is cruising to Hawaii on cargo ships-cheaper than a cruise line and with a completely open and adjustable itinerary, this is a great alternative to flying. It is both more expensive and more time consuming (average sailing is 3 days from Los Angeles to Honolulu, and times are variable for getting from there to the Big Island) than flying, but it is restful, peaceful and unique. Cargo ships offer spacious passenger cabins and, while not the floating feed-lots that cruise ships tend to resemble, the food on cargo ships is wonderful and plentiful. Perhaps the biggest drawback of riding cargo ships to the Big Island is that on the east side they dock in, let us say, the less desirable part of Hilo; on the west they dock at Kawaihae, halfway between Kailua Kona and the resorts of the Kohala coast-in other words, out in the middle of nowhere. Both land many miles from resorts and car rental agencies. However, both docking facilities are serviced by taxis and public transportation; if you plan ahead, it should present no problem.

Getting Around Hawaii Shuttles/Taxis/Limos/Tours: Taxis, of course, service both Big Island airports, the metropolitan regions and all the resorts. The taxis, while not cheap, are not as usurious as one might fear and the drivers generally are knowledgeable, friendly, HONEST and genuinely nice-it's that whole aloha thing. Taxi drivers are happy to answer your questions, even the silly ones you are kind of shy to ask; they will freely give advice about what to do and see and where to eat and generally try to be as helpful as possible. However, many speak in pidgin English that can be nearly impenetrable to the newcomers' ear. Don't be shy about respectfully asking him to repeat himself, and again if necessary-he hears that on nearly every fare he carries. Ask him to write down place names, restaurant names and such-many Hawaiian words do not look at all like they way he's saying them and you'll want to be able to read the words on maps and signs, or be able to ask another person, later.

Both Kona and Hilo airports are serviced by point-to-point shuttles and limos, whose prices are actually quite reasonable and certainly less expensive than the taxis. The drawback here is that there will be many people aboard going to many diverse destinations-so it takes a bit longer than a taxi.

Many of the larger resorts offer a free limo service to and from the airport and some will even arrange to have your rental car waiting for you on-property when you arrive from the airport...check when you make reservations. If available, this is the least personable, but quickest, easiest and least expensive way to get to your lodgings.

Some boutique tours offered by Hostels and the smaller tour companies will also pick you up at the airport at the beginning of their tours, if your arrival time is convenient to the tour schedule; thus, the cost of getting to your resort is absorbed into the cost of the tour. This option is worth looking into if you are not planning to rent a car during your stay.

Tipping tour, taxi, limo and shuttle drivers is not only encouraged, it's their main source of revenue. Remember to return the aloha they showed you.

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alexllove-blog · 6 years ago

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Many of the ferries to the Greek islands leave from Piraeus Port near Athens. Here's a guide to taking the ferries from Piraeus Greece to the islands.

Ferries from Piraeus Greece

Many people often ask how to get to the Greek islands from Athens. While some of the islands have airports, the vast majority doesn’t, and the only way to get there is by ferry.

In this article we are going to give you the definitive guide for ferries from Pireaus Greece to the Greek islands.

Where is Piraeus?

Piraeus municipality is on the coast, 10 kms away from central Athens. Piraeus has the biggest port of Greece, and also one of the busiest in Europe.

It is an interesting, self-contained area, though most visitors use it as a transit hub to go to the islands, and for others it is only a short cruise stop.

Many people refer to Piraeus as “the Athens ferry port”, though technically Athens has two more ports, Rafina and Lavrio.

Navigating Piraeus Port

The port of Piraeus is massive and chaotic. It has ten gates where boats depart from and arrive at, and two gates where cruise boats dock for a few hours.

If you are taking a ferry from Piraeus to go to one of the islands, you will need to know which gate you are departing from, and plan your time accordingly.

This link has a map of Piraeus port, and explains which gate you need to be at to get your ferry.

How do I get to Piraeus ferry port?

To get to Piraeus ferry port, you can either take public transportation or a taxi.

If you want to get to Piraeus from the Eleftherios Venizelos airport, you can take the Express bus X96. Tickets cost 6 euro, and the bus will take an hour to an hour and a half, depending on traffic.

Alternatively, you can take the metro or the suburban railway that will take about the same time and cost 10 euro. Remember to keep an eye on your belongings, as a few incidents of theft have been reported in recent months.

To get to Piraeus from central Athens, the easiest way is to get the green metro line from Monastiraki. It takes about 25 minutes, and will drop you off at Piraeus metro station, which is close to gates E5 and E6.

You will then need to walk to your gate, or take the free shuttle bus which runs inside the port.

Note that some gates are a good 15-20 minute walk from the metro station, so make sure you arrive with plenty of time, as the shuttle bus can often be quite full.

Taxis to Piraeus Port

An easier way to get to Piraeus, especially if you have to catch a ferry departing from a far away gate, like the Athens to Crete ferry, is to take a taxi. The taxi driver should know where to drop you off, but make sure you check your gate at the time of ferry booking.

Similarly, if you are looking to get from Pireaus to Athens, you can take either a taxi or the metro back into the centre.

More information: How to get from Piraeus to Athens.

Where do Greek ferries from Piraeus go?

Ferries depart from Piraeus port to most of the Greek islands, with the exception of the Ionian Islands on the west of the mainland, the Sporades islands on the east of the mainland, and a few islands in North Greece.

The main groups of Greek islands where you can get to from Piraeus are the following:

The Cyclades – a group of 33 islands and several smaller ones, of which the most famous are Santorini, Mykonos, Milos, Paros and Naxos

The Dodecanese – Rhodes, Kos, Patmos and other nearby islands

The North Aegean islands – Chios, Lesbos / Lesvos, Ikaria, Samos and Lemnos

The Argosaronic islands – Hydra, Aegina, Poros, Spetses and a few smaller ones

Crete, Greece’s biggest island

Kythira / Kythera, an island to the south of the Peloponnese

On most months, there are also cruise boats coming in and out of Piraeus on a daily basis. Those boats dock at a separate area at the far end of the port.

Which ferry companies operate from Piraeus port?

There are several ferry companies operating on a daily basis from Piraeus port. The biggest companies, that own the majority of Greek ferries, are Blue Star Ferries and their partner ANEK Lines, SeaJets, Minoan Lines and Golden Star Ferries.

An easy way to look at Greek ferry schedules, cost and time taken to travel from Piraeus to the Greek islands, is the Ferryhopper website. It's the one we use when planning trips to the Greek islands.

What are Greek island ferries like?

Greek island ferries vary a lot in terms of size, capacity, luxury, comfort and speed. There are bigger ferries that carry passengers and vehicles, and smaller, faster ferries that only take passengers.

Some of the above companies only have large ferries, while others have a combination of slower boats and highspeed ferries on different routes. There are also the so-called flying dolphins that might remind you of a bus or coach.

As an example, the Minoan Lines ferry Piraeus – Chania called Mykonos Palace is 214 metres long, and is one of the biggest and most luxurious ferries in Greece.

On the other hand, many of the Athens to Mykonos and Piraeus to Santorini ferries are smaller, high-speed ferries with no outdoors seating – but they get you to the islands quickly.

Greek Summer Ferries

As a general rule, faster boats are more expensive, and the faster and smaller the boat the bumpier the ride. If you really don’t like travelling by sea, your best option is to take the bigger ferries, but be prepared for a longer journey. For example, a ferry from Piraeus to Santorini can take anywhere between about 4.5 and 8 hours.

Another thing to note is that summer ferry routes are different from winter ferry routes. Service in summer is a lot more frequent and there is generally more choice, while many of the highspeed ferries stop running in winter.

Seats on Greek Ferries

Most ferries have various types of seating arrangements. In general, high-speed ferries might have one, two or three types of seats at different prices, offering varying levels of comfort.

The bigger boats that serve longer routes normally offer an unassigned seat (deck) option, an assigned seat option, and several types of cabins, which are ideal for overnight trips.

Not all cabins are the same. In general, try to choose the ones with windows, as the ones without might be a little claustrophobic.

If you are on a budget, you can just go for the deck option and sleep on the floor, like many locals do. Just bring a sleeping bag as it can get quite cold due to the air-condition.

In terms of entertainment, again it varies a lot between ferries. All of them will have TVs, cafes and restaurants and bigger ones will even have shops in case you’ve forgotten your sunglasses or sunblock. The best activity on a slow boat might be to sit out on the deck, watch people go by, and check out the ports before you arrive at your destination.

Ferry strikes in Greece

One last thing you should know: a few times a year there are ferry strikes, sometimes announced well in advance and sometimes announced last minute.

A word of caution: don’t plan to return to Athens on the day of your outward flight back home – or if you do, make sure you have travel insurance.

The 1st of May is always a strike for ferries in Greece, so don’t plan to travel on that day.

How much does it cost to travel to the Greek islands?

As you can imagine, this depends on your destination, type of ferry and type of seat. If you are on a budget, it’s best to do some research before your trip.

In general, the highspeed ferries are more expensive than the slower boats. For example, the Flying Cat ferry from Piraeus to Hydra, costs 59 euro return, for just an hour’s journey.

Another popular ferry, the Athens to Mykonos ferry called Worldchampion Jet, can reach a whopping 170 euro return, which makes it more expensive than a flight booked a couple of months in advance or a cabin in a slower boat. That said, if you are on a budget you might want to avoid Mykonos anyway – but that’s another topic altogether.

The slower boats are much better value overall. There are often discounts for children and students with an ISIC card, as well as for return tickets.

As an example, a return ticket on the ferry Piraeus to Crete starts from 52 euro per person. In fact, the Athens – Crete ferry price is quite low, considering that it’s several hours.

If you know the dates you are planning to travel in advance, you could check if any companies run any special offers.

These would generally be non-transferable and non-returnable tickets, but if you know that you are travelling on a certain day, there is no reason why you shouldn’t book them.

When should I book my ferry tickets to the Greek islands?

This depends a lot on where you are going, but also on what time of year you are travelling. If you want to catch the Piraeus to Mykonos ferry on a Friday evening in August, you should really book in advance.

If you are travelling off-season, or if you are going to any of the less popular islands, you might be able to find tickets last minute.

Remember, though, that some of the less popular islands might be on the same route with the most popular islands. All in all, if you know the exact dates that you want to travel, there is no reason not to book your tickets in advance.

Although a few companies offer the option to print your tickets online, this is unfortunately not possible for all routes.

In this case, you will need to pick up your tickets from the port before you depart.

Alternatively, if you book your tickets on Ferryhopper, they can deliver the tickets to your hotel in Athens for a small fee.

Greek Island Hopping

Would you like to find out more about Greek island hopping. Here's some of my most popular guides.

7 Day itinerary for Greece

14 day Greek island hopping itinerary

10 great 10 day travel itineraries for Greece

Pin this Greece travel guide for later

Add this Piraeus ferry guide to one of your Pinterest boards for later. That way, you'll easily be able to find it again.

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