Cruise ship by Thomas Quine

The influencing factors

In addition to the above geographical factors, you might also have your personal reasons such as the summer holidays or escaping the cold chilling winters at home. Each of these answers would further influence which season is the best for sailing.

The cruise regions mostly have peak seasons, moderate demand seasons and seasons during which demands are the lowest. Earlier the peak season seemed to be the ideal time when the weather used to be at its best in certain regions. But with cruise turning out to be more of a family event, the summer months have now become the peak season period regardless of the weather around or back home. Prior bookings are encouraged for those of you who are looking to book a cruise in the peak time, as most cruises have a limit on the number of children per sail. Each ship would also have a limited number of cabins that would accommodate not more than the specified number of people.

The off seasons can yield some of the best bargains. With the off season being comparatively longer, it also serves as the ideal time for cruising for those who can make it at that time. Alaska and Bermuda have six to seven months of peak period and off season would be at the time of end of the peak season. Panama and Northern Europe, on the other hand, have peak season all the year round.

Below are some popular destinations and the right time to go there:

Alaska: June to August is considered the peak season. This is when the temperatures are at their warmest best. This comes with an added advantage of spotting wildlife too. But with popularity comes a hitch. Higher demands mean prior bookings, almost a year in advance. You might also be surprised to witness congestion in small towns. The low-season periods are May and September.

Australia: The ideal time to cruise in Australia would be from early December to March. This is when the climate is favourable. The least demand would be from May till September. But these being the rainy months carry high chances of cruise cancelation.

Europe: April up till October is the right time for an ideal Europe river cruise. With the spring in full bloom, you could be in for a pleasant surprise too. The low season, on the other hand, is the cold and bitter winter months.

Mediterranean: The best time to cruise here would be between May and September. Most cruises would offer a culture mix of travellers with a plenty of on-board events. Nearing September, you can even avoid the school crowd and still manage to enjoy the warm temperatures.

So, by carefully analyzing your idea of the perfect holiday on a cruise, you should be able to make a favourable choice.

Penny is an expert associated with Boating Hub, a company that provides training on boating. You can view courses at https://www.theboatinghub.com to make your choice.

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Canterbury

Canterbury is a wonderful historical place filled with relics of the past and castles. It is home to numerous World Heritage Sites. Read Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales and visit nearby Bath, which has been described as one of the most enjoyable and beautiful places in all of England.

Canterbury Cathedral – Location of the first Church of England. The cathedral dates back to 597 AD and was a monastery for Benedictine monks in the 1300s.

Canterbury Cathedral, England, UK by Steve Evans

St. Augustine’s Abbey – St. Augustine’s Abbey is a World Heritage Site. It is one of the most important ruins in the United Kingdom and provides insight into church history in England.

St. Martin’s Church – St. Martin’s Church dates back to the Roman period in England’s history. It is one of the first churches established by the Romans in England.

Stratford-upon-Avon

If you are a fan of Shakespeare, then Stratford-upon-Avon should be on your list of trips to take while you are in England. Home to the Royal Shakespeare Company, you can see a performance of one of his plays or visit his birthplace. Although Stratford-upon-Avon can be full of tourists during peak seasons, if you travel to Warwickshire on a weekend trip, you may be able to avoid crowds.

Salisbury

Salisbury in Wiltshire is the home of Stonehenge. Although you will not be allowed to walk among the stones in Avebury, you can visit the historic site of the mysterious stones and walk around the area. Nearby Salisbury Cathedral was established in 1258. It is one of the earliest medieval cathedrals in England and has the tallest spire in the country.

Salisbury Cathedral, England, UK by David Merrett

Cambridge

If you are in the United Kingdom to attend school, then you should not pass up the opportunity to visit Cambridge, located north of London in Cambridgeshire. Established as one of the finest learning institutions in the world, Cambridge is easy to visit and walk through. Cambridge University was established in 1209 and serves as the cornerstone for the other colleges of the university, including King’s College, Trinity College and St. John’s College.

Stroll through the lanes of King’s College or visit the ADC Theatre, which is the oldest university theatre in England. If you are interested in World War 2 history, visit the Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial. It was established in 1943 to honor Americans who gave their lives in England while fighting the second World War.

Hadrian’s Wall

Hadrian’s Wall is a World Heritage Site and the location of the wall that divided the frontier of England from the rest of the world during Roman occupation. It runs 73 miles from east to west and is home to numerous Roman ruins, including garrison towns and roads.

Hadrian’s Wall, England, UK by

Tintagel Castle

Located on the western coastline of Cornwall, Tintagel Castle is where King Arthur was born according to legend. Explore 13th century ruins of the castle, which was once home to the Earl of Cornwall. Visit Merlin’s Cave and find out more about the story of Tristan and Isolde and their connection to the legend of Arthur.

Rich in history and legend, attending school in the United Kingdom is the perfect opportunity to explore many of the sites that provide the foundation for much of Western History. Other places to visit include Parliament, Kew Gardens, Edinburgh Castle in Scotland and the industrial cities of Midland and York.

Sarah writes for Richmond, the American Uni in London. Richmond’s specialist courses range from international relations too their unique art history masters course. Richmond offer low student numbers and a great student experience.

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Isola dei Pescatori, Borromean Islands, Italy by Ed Webster

The first island acquired was that of Isola Bella which was nothing more than a rock that was named after the countess Isabella Borromeo. Over the years, a number of improvements to the island have been made including the construction of a palace during the 17th century. Vast amounts of sand were filed in around the island to increase its size over the centuries.

The second and largest of the Borromean Islands is that of the Isola Madre. The island is well-known for its many beautiful gardens. There is also a palace on the island which is adorned with many fine masterpieces from the 16th to the 19th centuries.

The Isola dei Pescatori (known also as Isola Superiore) used to be owned by the Borromo family. Today it is known as the only inhabited Borromean Island. With a small fishing village, the island has a population of a little more than 200 residents. The residents of this island are also the one responsible for bringing tourists to the Borromean Islands during the peak seasons of the year.

Both the Isolino di San Giovanni and the rock known as Malghera are uninhabited and no major structures have been built upon them. The rock of Malghera is only 200 square meters in size and is known for its small beach; it is located between the islands of Isola dei Pescatori and Isola Bella.

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