What do you do when half of your friends are chronic party animals whose ideal vacation consists in a vampire-like nocturnal Bloody Mary-fueled club hunt, whereas the other half still prefers the antiquated “day-light” holidays with sight-seeing, idyllic mountain path explorations, whale-watching and actually sleeping at night? Where can an inseparable crowd find such contrasting experiences without compromising someone’s pleasure? The answer is Tenerife. The biggest of the Canary Islands is also the most generous one with its incredible array of fun.

Party Craze
If your idea of a perfect life is called “nightlife” and your ideal living conditions are neon lights, loud music, happy hours and many fellow partymen then your heaven on earth is Tenerife’s southwestern coast.

The once-sleepy shores of Los Cristianos, Playa de Las Américas and Costa Adeje have now turned into an area of non-stop fiesta where visitors are welcomed in multipooled hotels with overloaded buffets and luxurious golf courses. Prepare for the long and vibrant nights in Tenerife’s bars and restaurants with the best international cuisine, ranging from Japanese sushi to Italian pizza, from Irish favourites to traditional Canary dishes.

Once the sun goes down, your night pilgrimage in Tenerife will lead you to fashionable jazz clubs, live rock and roll pubs and, most of all, magnificent seafront-terraced mega discoes where international DJs mesmerize with house and techno beats.

Quiet Heaven
For those whose ears prefer birdsongs to house music Tenerife can be equally lavish. The island boasts spectacular nature and charming tourist-free villages.

You can hike the green paths of Parque Nacional del Teide, get on a mountain bike if you’re looking for adventure, or simply hop on a cable car to reach Tenerife’s biggest treasure: the majestic Pico de Teneide, one of the world’s tallest volcanoes which, at 3,718m, reveals a breathtaking view of the volcanic valley, the dark blue Atlantic and the neighbouring islands.

For some urban charms head to Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the colourful capital of the island. Rather quiet, it gets particularly busy during its renowned Carnival, second only to Rio, where the high-spirited tourists like to loose control. For the rest of the year, the city can be your best guide to the authentic Canary culture and history. Linger among its colourful houses, ancient castles and majestic cathedrals, get lost in the market Mercado de Nuestra Señora de Africa among a rainbow of exotic fruits and tasty traditional cheese. End your day in a cozy restaurant in front of a plateful of pimientos del piquillo rellenos de merluza (small peppers stuffed with hake) or a cazuela (a casserole made with fresh or salted fish) with some excellent island-produced wine.

Probably the only place where both fragments of your crowd – the nightlife-addicts and the easy-going explorers – will meet is the beach. No tourist can resist Tenerife’s white sands and turquise waters. So, while one half will be taking an invigorating nap after a long night of extreme clubbing, the other half will be telling their stories about Tenerife’s irresistible cuisine, tropical forests and white-capped volcanoes.

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One of the greatest myths about travel is that is expensive. The ads always show fancy vacations, expensive activities, over priced resorts, and expensive dinners. I think this is one of the reason people get so turned off by travel. They simply think they can’t afford it.

But years of travel have taught me that is wrong. Travel can be inexpensive. Do you spend a lot of money during your day to day life? Probably not. Neither do the locals where you go. Travel isn’t all about being fancy and expensive. If you travel and live like a local when you go overseas, you’ll find your trip to be very inexpensive.  Shop at the local stores, avoid the tourist areas, stay in guesthouses and locally owned B&Bs (and not huge chain hotels), buy tourist passes for all the attractions and you will find yourself saving a lot of money when you travel.

Moreover, since most people can’t afford all those fancy holidays, you can often find great cheap holidays on sale. By looking online, you can find some great last minute deals on holiday packages. Companies unload their unsold inventories at great prices. Another way to get a cheap holiday is to book as a package. For popular, resort like destination (Hawaii, Canary Islands, Mexico), booking the airline and hotel together off an aggregator site will save you hundreds and hundreds of dollars. I never book separately because it will just end up costing more.  Normally, I do everything apart but for those package destinations, a package is the cheapest way to go.

Another great money saving tip is to book in advance and off season. When the travel is off season, you can find great deals as companies try to entice buyers to come visit. Most people never go off season so companies have a lot of space they need to sell.

Travel doesn’t need to be expensive. It can be very cheap. You just need to be smart about it and not believe all the hype. There are many ways to get a cheap holiday and I never pay a lot of money for my travels.

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Traveling to an exotic tropical locale is extremely attractive and exciting to most of us. But, travel in tropical environments can involve more than just sun and fun.  Water and food-borne illnesses can certainly cause extremely undesirable problems that can linger long after the trip is over. Also, the combination of humidity and high temperatures can cause dehydration or heat exhaustion for those not accustomed to extreme weather conditions and sunburn is an ever-present concern. Last but certainly not least, biting bugs and other unsavory characters such as lizards, snakes, and scorpions can find their way into your room at even the most luxurious resort. Luckily, the correct travel gear coupled with a healthy dose of common sense can prevent many of these problems from spoiling your tropical vacation.

Food and Water
The best way to know for sure if the water is safe to drink is to ask local guides who are used to dealing with foreign tourists or the staff of your hotel (assuming that it caters to tourists). Generally, it is safe to eat and drink almost anything (except maybe the tap water) at tourist hotels in major travel destinations such as Veneto Panama in Panama City; however, tourists who will be going off the beaten track and venturing into local restaurants or eating street food will definitely face more risk.
The safety of food and water can vary widely from country to country, and sometimes even within a country. In most major cities the water is drinkable (although extremely sensitive travelers could still become sick). In other places, drinking just one glass of water is a sure way to ruin your trip.

As a rule, thoroughly cooked food is always safer than meats eaten rare or medium rare and travelers should always avoid foods that are room temperature or appear to have been sitting around.  Also, any vegetables and fruits without a skin or peel should be avoided (like lettuce) whereas items such as bananas, oranges, and avocados are safe to eat as long as they are not washed after the peel is removed. Bottled water is widely available and you should always opt for that as opposed to water in a glass (or even another beverage with ice).  If you do want a soda or juice, choose one that is in a sealed can or bottle.

Weather
It may sound strange to pile on clothing in a hot climate, but long-sleeved shirts and long pants will protect your skin from both sunburn and bugs. Clothing should be light weight for comfort but also lightly colored to reflect the sun. Some specialty companies such as Columbia and ExOfficio offer ventilated clothing and some clothing designed for travel even comes treated with bug repellent (which can last up to 20 washings). Most importantly when in the tropics, wear a hat; hats protect you from overheating as well as from sunburn.

Major health conditions related to weather are dehydration, heat exhaustion (or the more severe heat stroke) and hyponatremia, which occurs when the body sweats so much that its electrolyte balance is compromised and it can no longer process water properly. Periodic snacking of foods containing some salt and sugar can replace some of the electrolytes lost to sweating and electrolyte replacement drinks or athletic drinks can also help prevent or treat dehydration.

Bugs
Insect repellents are must for travel to the tropics. The Anopheles mosquito which transmits malaria is most often active at night, but mosquitoes that transmit dengue fever are active during the day so it’s extremely important to protect yourself at all times. Repellents containing DEET are most effective against biting insects but be careful when applying DEET, as it can eat through some types of synthetic clothing, and even could damage plastic items like watch bands, camera parts, straps and buckles. Unfortunately, even with insect repellent, you are bound to get a bite or two so make sure you bring something for the itch as well.

Some travelers who follow all the rules can still get sick.  However, by using common sense and following these basic guidelines, visitors to tropical countries can be pretty sure that they will stay happy and healthy on their tropical holiday.

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Taking a voyage on a luxury cruise ship is a great way to travel, as you can make use of fantastic services and amenities while sailing between destinations. Here are some of the world’s best liners that will provide everything you need for a relaxing break at sea.

Queen Elizabeth
Operated by Cunard, the Queen Elizabeth only entered service in 2010 but offers its guests a sense of glamour and sophistication reminiscent of high society in the 1930s and 40s.

Here, you’ll be able to eat and dance in the two-tier Britannia dining room, which has a beautiful art deco chandelier, before relaxing with a drink at one of the private members’ club-style bars.

A wide range of suites and rooms are available, but for a really luxurious holiday you may want to book the Grand Suite. Not only will you be able to enjoy priority boarding, but you’ll benefit from complimentary 24-hour room service and receive fresh fruit on a daily basis.

You can also have a flutter at the casino or visit the art gallery, where you can view works by the likes of Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso.

The Queen Elizabeth departs from cities all over the world and goes on a range of voyages, but by going on cruises from Southampton you may be able to take in northern Europe and stop off in destinations such as Oslo, Hamburg and Stavanger

Queen Mary 2
Cunard also runs the Queen Mary 2, a ship that consists of 14 decks so you’ll certainly find lots of things to see and do. You can take in a show at the 1,000-seater Royal Court Theatre, work up a sweat in the gym or sample haute cuisine at the Queens Grill restaurant.

The accommodation onboard is equally as fabulous as the ship’s entertainment offerings but you may find the Grand Duplex really stands out. Selecting the 2,249 sq ft two-level suite will see you presented with flowers and a bottle of champagne on arrival, while you will also be able to use personalised stationery and play on the in-room games console.

Fantasia
For a luxury cruise around the Mediterranean, why not consider MSC Cruises’ Fantasia ship? This liner goes on trips through the region all year round, so while you voyage between places such as Barcelona, Genoa and Marseille you can make use of its hydro-massage pools and 4D cinema.

Book a trip on the boat and you’ll be on the first cruise ship in the world that has a floor made from Swarovski crystals, so you can be sure you’ll be enjoying a really luxurious break.

However, to make your time on Fantasia extra-special you may want to become a member of the MSC Yacht Club. This allows you exclusive use of an a la carte French restaurant, the services of a concierge and an observation lounge offering fantastic views.

Norwegian Epic
You certainly won’t be short of luxury activities on the Norwegian Epic ship run by Norwegian Cruise Line. In fact, you may find it has all the entertainment options you would expect in an average city or town.

There’s the chance to take in some live music at the jazz club, watch a play or go ten-pin bowling, while you’ll be able to eat a wide array of international cuisine at the ship’s numerous restaurants. For a really indulgent break, book the Deluxe Owner’s Suite. This comes with a king-size bed, private balcony and separate bathroom, which comes with a whirlpool tub and shower.

Oasis of the Seas
When sailing through North America, you may want to select Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas ship. Of course, you’ll be able to sunbathe on deck while travelling between ports, but that’s by no means the only thing you can do.
There’s the chance to indulge in beauty treatments at the spa, play blackjack at the casino or dance into the early hours at the nightclub. Alternatively, you may want to head to the pool and sports zone for a spot of mini-golf or splash about in the whirlpools.

You can book into one of the 2,700 guestrooms, although you might find the ship’s array of ultra-modern loft suites makes for a more relaxing trip.

No matter which of the above vessels you choose, finding luxury cruise holidays that are right for you should be a breeze.

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