Sailing the Greek Isles aboard the majestic Star Clippers

Three consecutive seven-night cruises will cap the tall ship Star Clipper’s Greek Isles and Turkey 2012 sailing season in the Mediterranean.

The 110m 170-passenger replica clipper ship will sail from Athens on September 29, and October 6 and 13. The first and last cruise will visit ports in the Southern Cyclades (Rhodes, Bodrum, Dalyan River, Santorini and Hydra). The October 6 sailing will cover the Northern Cyclades, with highlights including an opportunity to visit the ancient site of Ephesus, the picturesque harbour and sacred cave of St John the Divine on Patmos, the remnants of old civilisations and the 11th century cliff-face monastery on Amorgos and the perfectly preserved Byzantine ruins on Monemvasia.

Prices start at $3022 including port charges, and all meals and entertainment on board. 

Star Clippers combines the romance of the legendary era of sailing ships with the indulgence of a luxury private yacht. The other sailing ships in the fleet are Royal Clipper and Star Flyer. It's a grand way to travel the high seas, with style and elegance, and a respectful nod to a rich history on these waters that have seen so many great ships throughout the centuries. What a way to travel!

For reservations contact your travel agent or Star Clippers on 1300 362 599 or email.

Surprise your loved one with a romantic European canal cruise

Are you heading to Europe in the coming months? Romantics should check out this deal from Europe's largest Canal Boat Operator - Le Boat. To celebrate Valentine's Day and all things love, they are offering a special 'Love-in Weekend'.

For all bookings between Friday 10th February and Tuesday 14th February for April & May departures a special offer of 20% discount on Capri TS, Cirrus, Consort, Sheba, Swallowtail and 25% discount off Town Star will be applied for all destinations. The boats are available in France, Belgium, Holland, Scotland, Ireland, England and Germany. 

The offer is for a minimum 7 nights and is not combinable with any other offer. Prices start from $686 per week for the Town Star and $828 per week for a Capri. The special code 'LOVE' should be quoted when making a booking either with le Boat reservations or via the Le Boat website.

Imagine surprising that special someone with a romantic cruise along the canals of Europe! 

MSC Cruises launch a new round of European gourmet voyages

Leading cruise line MSC Cruises will really whet the appetite of foodies with their recently launched luxury European cruises, on board the MSC Splendida, MSC Fantasia and MSC Lirica. There is an exciting new series of gourmet voyages planned which will feature the creations of some of Europe’s highly acclaimed celebrity chefs, including two-time Michelin Star winner, Spain’s Paco Roncero, the UK’s “celebrity chef” Antony Worrall Thompson (pictured) and Germany’s highly rewarded Kolja Kleeburg. Italy’s equally commended Mauro Uliassi and Frenchman Gilles Epie, awarded a Michelin Star at a youthful 22, will also weave their magic on the cruises, and all will be putting on demonstrations and tastings of European cuisine to make for a truly gourmet experience in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.

To complement two of these cruises, MSC Cruises (Australia and New Zealand) has created a 19-night Italian Gourmet Fly/Explore and Cruise package from Australia, priced from $5359 per person twin share from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide, from $5169pp twin share from Perth.

Departure from Australia is on January 24, 2012, and includes return Qantas economy class airfare, a meet and greet with the tour manager at Milan Airport, two nights’ stay in Lake Como (including daily breakfast and one dinner), sightseeing with entry to the Cenacolo Vinciano museum to view Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘Last Supper” and a cruise on Lake Como visiting Bellagio.

Guests will then transfer from Lake Como to the beautiful Piedmont region with wine tasting and farmhouse village lunch before having an overnight stay in the stunning city of Turin with breakfast and sightseeing. En route to Genoa to board MSC Splendida for the first of two back to back seven-night cruises, there will be wine tasting in Monteferrato. It's a truly sublime trip, filled with history, culture, and some seriously good wine and food!

During the cruises, which include ports Barcelona, Casablanca, Gibraltar, Valencia, Marseille, Valetta, Tunis and Civitavecchia (Rome), there will be demonstrations from Michelin star French chef Gilles Epie (Jan 28 until Feb 4) and UK Michelin Chef Antony Worrall Thompson who will “inspire our healthy side” on the cruise between February 4-11. Airport taxes, fuel charges and port charges are included. 

For more details you can phone MSC Cruises in Australia on 1300 028502 or check out their website.