Cruise & Travel April/May 2024 - Sample Issue

CRUISE & TRAVEL

USA’s Great Lakes Sun Princess in the spotlight Solo cruises Cape Town city guide 7 sporty ships Northern Passage adventures

ZLATNI RAT BEACH, CROATIA

Buffeted daily by the wind and the waves, Zlatni Rat beach on the island of Brac in Croatia is famous for its tongue-like appearance, making it one of the most photographed beaches in Europe. The white-pebbled beach extends on a slender peninsula for 500 metres into the sea, with its shape changing daily according to weather patterns and tides.

You’ll find this Insta-friendly beach around 2km from the buzzy town of Bol, and it’s an easy walk here along a lovely tree-lined promenade.

Once you’ve arrived, you can choose which side of the 900 metres of beach you’d like to sit on. On a typical day, the mornings are breezy, with the wind reaching its peak in the early afternoon before dying down, so choose the time you visit wisely. Each day as the sun climbs high, the crystal-clear sea turns from a deep turquoise to dark blue, with the high pine trees providing some much-needed shade for visitors. As well as the chance to swim in the refreshing sea, this is a great spot to windsurf too. And if you’re feeling brave, you can also disrobe at the small nudist section of the beach, immediately west of the cape.

It’s easy to spend the day here, thanks to the wide range of cafes and restaurants that you’ll find on the western part of the beach and look out for Auro, the best-loved beach bar on Zlatni Rat. Grab a beer or a cold glass of Croatian wine to enjoy watching the sun go down with the locals. You can experience the delights of Zlatni Rat beach on Sail Croatia’s Split Return cruise this September and October, while trips here also feature on Unforgettable Croatia ships’ 2024 intineraries.

+ Turn to page 68 for more sun-kissed destinations

CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA

In 1948, penniless student Gabriel García Márquez arrived in Cartagena. The acclaimed author of One Hundred Years of Solitude took inspiration from this mesmerising city and when he left a year later, its people and culture helped shape his iconic novels.

Today, this lively Colombian city, which was founded in the 16th century and lies in the north of the country on the shores of the Caribbean Sea, offers visitors the chance to enjoy a heady mix of charming colonial architecture, fresh and innovative cuisine and some great sandy beaches.

From the brightly-painted houses in the colonial old city to the vivid, eye-dazzling outfits of the friendly fruit sellers, Cartagena throws a colourful punch on every street corner, making it a popular spot for travellers from around the globe. No wonder it was designated a Unesco World Heritage site in 1984.

Enjoy a walking tour within the old walled city and you’ll discover a maze of cobbled streets that form Cartagena’s architectural and cultural centre. Here you’ll find the popular Naval Museum, some fabulous boutiques and a host of stylish bars and restaurants serving great local dishes that reflect the influence of African, indigenous, and European cuisines.

The city’s access to the Caribbean Sea is a real draw too. Cartagena’s white sandy beaches are the perfect place to unwind after you’ve explored the old city, and an afternoon spent soaking up the sun will give you a great insight into local Colombian life. Grab a cocktail and enjoy the laid-back beach vibe.

You can visit Cartagena on Celebrity Cruises’ Panama Canal Eastbound cruise on Celebrity Summit this September, while trips here also feature on P&O Cruises’ 2024 itineraries.

+ Turn to page 22 for more global hotspots

CRUISING THE GREAT LAKES

A cruise around North America’s Great Lakes on Viking Octantis offers a scenic and destination-rich adventure with memorable visits to Niagara Falls, Detroit and Milwaukee

WORDS KELLY RANSON

SMOOTH OPERATOR

Ritz-Carlton has taken its ultra-luxe service to sea with 298-passenger superyacht Evrima. Prepare to be wowed…

WORDS SARA MACEFIELD

IMAGE: JACK HARDY

GO WITH THE FLOW

See traditional Dutch windmills and vibrant tulips from a di erent perspective on a cosy Dutch barge cruise WORDS JEANNINE WILLIAMSON