There's no use pretending any more - summer is well and truly over. While the sun might be making a few last-ditch attempts at some warmth, we all know that chillier days are just round the corner. Still, it's not all doom and gloom, especially when you consider that the close of the summer also means holiday deals. And of course, what better way is there to shake off the winter blues than with a nice trip overseas?During this time, cruise deals are the ultimate things to look out for. Companies like Cruise.co.uk offer amazing deals on all sorts of itineraries - everything from jaunts around Europe to voyages along the US coast. In my opinion, this is a particularly good time to book a cruise if you've always dreamed of going on one but fretted about the potential cost, since you can snap up some real bargains.
To help give you an idea of the kind of cruise you can have as part of an end-of-season deal, the following are some quick tips on top destinations. (Photo "Cruising 34" by naomistern)
The US
For those seeking warmth, some of the best cruises include visits to San Francisco and Hawaii, as well as featuring a quick trip into Mexico. You could hardly ask for a more exciting start to your journey than spending time in San Francisco, what with sights like the Golden Gate Bridge to keep you occupied. (Photo "Sunshine" by yinance)
Don't forget to check out some of the other local attractions, though, because there's far more to see here than the bridge alone. For instance, Golden Gate Park is absolutely gorgeous and is home to some of the city's most beautiful gardens (look out for the Japanese Tea Garden in particular) as well as great museums.
Often referred to as the Rock, Alcatraz is another of the city's most popular attractions (quick tip: night tours are particularly atmospheric), while heading down to the Mission District for a burrito is a must.
Hawaii is, unsurprisingly, the perfect place to hit the beach. Head to Honolulu on the island of Oahu to visit the popular Waikiki Beach, which is a decent place to watch surfers catching some waves. This island is also where you'll find Pearl Harbor, so make sure you don't miss a trip here if you're into your history.
The Mediterranean
If you'd rather stick to Europe, you can't go wrong with a cruise around the Mediterranean. Itineraries often include places like Rome, Florence and Barcelona.
This kind of cruise is brilliant for sun-loving culture vultures thanks to the fact that you get a pretty unbeatable mix of history, galleries and good weather. Starting in Rome you can see ancient wonders like catacombs and the Colosseum, not to mention Vatican City.
Take a day trip to Florence, meanwhile, you can climb to the top of the spectacular Duomo. This gorgeous cathedral has a famous orange dome that is adorned with stunning frescoes inside, while offering amazing views from the outside. Be warned, though, you need to climb lots of steps to get to the top!
Arriving in Barcelona you can hit one of the city's great beaches to start things off, then head to the Sagrada Familia to discover the genius of architect Antoni Gaudi. Indulging in some tapas dishes and paella is a must, while if you are happy to have some hot chocolate in the sunshine I promise you won't regret it - Spanish hot chocolate is unbelievably thick and luxurious!
