English Corpus

A Mediterranean cruise is without doubt the most
varied type of cruise available. There are more than
120 seaports around the Mediterranean coastline,
offering numerous combinations of cruise vacations
over one-week, two-week or longer trips.

A huge clash of cultures await all who opt for a
Mediterranean cruise. You can visit no less than
17 different countries, including such nations as
Spain, Italy, Greece and Egypt. Each nation has its
own unique attractions, all of which you can sample
as your cruise ship gracefully sails around the calm
blue Mediterranean Sea.

More than 50 companies offer cruises along varied
routes in the Mediterranean. Some companies specialize
in providing Western Mediterranean cruises,
concentrating on ports of call around Portugal,
Spain, France, Italy and Morocco. Other companies
offer Eastern Mediterranean cruises which take in
Croatia, Greece, Turkey and countries in the Middle
East. Popular specialist Mediterranean cruises include
a tour of the North African nations, a Mediterranean
islands cruise that visits the island nations of
Cyprus and Malta, as well as cruises around the Greek
Islands. If you’re after a longer vacation, it is
possible to arrange a cruise itinerary that takes
you around most if not all of the Mediterranean
nations.

History, culture, grand cities, ancient monuments,
romantic islands and breathtaking views are all
within easy reach on a Mediterranean cruise. In the
Western Mediterranean you can discover the traditional
white Andalucian villages of Southern Spain, sample
the world-famous Manzanilla sherry in Cadiz and visit
the cultural hub of Europe in the shape of Barcelona,
before travelling onwards to the French Riviera.

A cruise that takes in the wonderful coastline of
Italy yields such treasures as the dormant volcano of
Mt Vesuvius, ancient Pompeii and the stunning city of
Rome. The islands of Sicily and Sardinia hold many
delights too on a Western Mediterranean cruise.

In the Eastern Mediterranean, cruise passengers can
discover the spectacular Croatian coastline and its
beautiful city - Dubrovnik, before diving
southeastwards to sample classical Greece and its
sultry islands. The island of Crete is always worth
a visit, if only for the historic Palace of Knossos.

A visit to the holy city of Jerusalem is a
worthwhile excursion from both Israeli ports -
Haifa and Ashdod - on a Mediterranean cruise of the
Middle East. Egypt’s Port Said is well worth a visit
too. Port Said provides access to the world famous
Suez Canal, which takes vessels into the Red Sea and
onwards in to the Arabian Sea.

The Mediterranean region has seen many a civilization
rise and fall. It is a crucible of human evolution
and is rich in relics left over by more than 6,000
years of occupation. If you’ve ever wanted to discover
what it felt like to be an Egyptian pharaoh, Roman
warrior or a Greek philosopher, a Mediterranean cruise
can give you just that opportunity…

John Metcalfe is the author and web publisher of A to Z Cruises your #1
source
for cruise information, discounts and great deals! Visit
http://www.azcruises.com
now to book your very own dream Mediterranean Cruise vacation.

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If you own a boat cleaning and detailing service in Maryland or Virginia perhaps you might consider the areas along the Potomac River? Everyone knows that the Chesapeake River is a great place to detail boats because there are so many and much of the competition spends their time over there instead of on the Potomac side.

There are many private coves, marinas and private docks with thousands of boats available to be cleaned and detailed. It is the perfect place for a boat cleaning and detailing business and yes all the Potomac River would be very viable place for a boat cleaning business.

During the winter you might also consider hibernation services for boats. Many people store their boats out of water at their dock or take it indoors for Dry-dock and shrink-wrap winter storage. A boat cleaning detailing service business might get a commission for signing up people for Dry dock storage or shrink wrapping in the winter time.

Or even make a deal with the facilities so that you can clean and detail boats before they go back in the water. This will certainly start off the boating season with a bang of new business. Cleaning and detailing boats can be very fun business for the nautical person. If you love boating and boats then a boat cleaning and detailing service all the Potomac might be a viable business for you. Please consider this in 2006.

“Lance Winslow” - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

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For Alaskans and Alaska visitors who yearn for a different kind of day cruise in Southcentral or Southeast Alaska there’s good news this spring, summer, and fall from the folks at the Alaska Marine Highway System. And we’re talking fast ferries here — sleek, spiffy double-hull catamarans that can transport passengers from Cordova to Valdez or from Juneau to Skagway faster than you can say “Beam me up, Scotty.”

Well, maybe not that fast. But fast. As in 36 knots (41 miles per hour)
fast.

Two high speed ferries will offer this kind of service: the M/V Chenega
will home port in Cordova and the M/V Fairweather will be based in
Juneau.

Each ship is barely a year old and can accommodate up to 150 passengers.
Each boasts a comfortable observation lounge that can accommodate all 150
travelers. Or, for a change of perspective, 109 of these passengers may also travel
in either vessel’s mid-ship area. The interior space features a combination of
reclining airliner-type seats and table arrangements with some zones dedicated to
work and study. Additional seating is available in the ship’s exterior solarium,
located aft. There are no passenger cabins. Each ship offers a full-service snack bar
and can carry up to 35 cars.

From Cordova, the Chenega will offer daily service through Prince
William Sound to Valdez and Whittier, both connected by road to Anchorage and
Southcentral Alaska.

From Juneau the Fairweather will offer non-stop sailings to Sitka, Haines, and
Skagway, the latter two connected by highways to the main body of Alaska via
Canada’s Yukon Territory.

30% Discounts on Selected Routes

More good news: Starting May 1 passengers will get a new 30 percent discount
on one-way and roundtrip Chenega travel between Cordova and Valdez
and between Cordova and Whittier. The discounted fares will be valid May 1 through
September 30.

This translates into one-way fares of $34 for adults 64 years and younger and
$24 for seniors 65 years and older on the Valdez run. Between Cordova and Whittier
the fares are $60 and $43, respectively. The 30 percent discount also applies to
children’s fares, cars, bikes, and kayaks.

In Southeast Alaska the same discount - 30 percent - applies to trips between
Juneau and Bartlett Cove in Glacier Bay National Park, May 1- August 16. Fares will
be priced $28 for adults and $20 for seniors. Between Juneau and the picturesque
tiny community of Pelican, fares will run $34 for adults and $24 for seniors from
May 1 through September 30. (Please note: The Bartlett Cove and Pelican trips will
be aboard either the traditional ferry vessel LaConte or the Aurora.
not the Fairweather.)

Chenega’s Spring Schedule in Southeast

At present the Fairweather is laid up for engine repairs. In the
meantime, until mid-April when the Fairweather returns to Southeast Alaska service
and the Chenega heads to Southcentral Alaska and its Cordova summertime
homeport, the Chenega is providing fast ferry service between Juneau and
Sitka on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and between Juneau and Haines/
Skagway on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

The Juneau-Sitka trips depart at 8 a.m. for an approximately four and a half
hour journey to Sitka (depending on tides in Sergius Narrows), then a departure
from Sitka at 1:30 p.m. with arrival back in Juneau around 6 p.m. - again depending
on tides.

Chenega’s Juneau departures for Haines/Skagway are at 8 a.m.,
arriving in Haines in two hours and 45 minutes. The vessel will then execute a 30-
minute shuttle Haines-Skagway-Haines for a southbound departure to Juneau at
12:15 p.m. Arrival in the capital city will be at 4:45 p.m.

Fairweather’s Summer Schedule in Southeast

May 1 through September 30, 2006 the fast ferry Fairweather will again sail the
popular routings that garnered the vessel high praise in summer ‘05: Juneau non-
stop trips to and from Sitka, Haines, and Skagway. The schedule is especially
attractive for both Alaskans and visitors from Outside who are looking for a one-day
cruising excursion or a two-day (or longer) overnighter. Here’s how it all
shapes up:

On Mondays and Wednesdays, ship will depart Juneau’s ferry terminal at
nearby Auke Bay at 8 a.m. for a 12:30 p.m. arrival in Sitka. Departing from Sitka at
1:30 p.m., the vessel will arrive back in Juneau at 6 p.m.

Tuesdays, the vessel will leave Juneau at 8 a.m., arrive in Skagway at 10:30
a.m., depart at 11 a.m. and be back in Juneau at 1:30 p.m.

Thursdays through Sundays Fairweather will provide two round trips,
one to and from Haines and the other to and from Skagway. The first will be an 8
a.m. departure from Juneau with a 10:15 a.m. docking at Haines; departure from
Haines at 10:45 a.m. and arrival back in Juneau at 1 p.m. After a half-hour
turnaround, the vessel will leave Juneau at 1:30 p.m., arrive in Skagway at 4 p.m.
then depart Skagway at 4:30 p.m. for an arrival back in Juneau at 7 p.m.

You can make reservations for either of these vessels or aboard any other of
the Alaska Marine Highway System’s ships at http://www.ferryalaska.com or
by calling toll free 800-642-0066.

Alaskan travel writer Michael “Mike” Miller lives in Juneau where his current passion is
publishing an information-packed website about Alaska cruising and ferry travel:
http://www.AlaskaCruisingReport.com Miller has authored or contributed to a
number of books (Fodors, Sierra Club Books, Globe Pequot, The Milepost and
others). He also writes for TravelAge West (for travel agents) as well as for major
newspapers and magazines.

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