One such place that still maintains that special quality, is the hill country of Sri Lanaka, specifically the area known as the Central Highlands. Backpackers have been regulars to this UNESCO World Heritage Site. They have come to see the tea plantations, and rainforests, along with the people who populate the mountainous land. Both the terrain, and the locals shine bright. Hurry up though, it is only a matter of time before what currently remains authentic is drenched with the usual stuff big businesses drop in to make it a travelling epicentre.

In addition to the marathon itself, there is a free annual running expo which is scheduled for Thursday the 12th, Friday the 13^th, and Saturday the 14^th of April.  It is, and has been held for the last fourteen years, at The Porte de Versailles Exhibition Centre. It is heralded as a platform of exchange for a wide target, that being runners of all kinds. It is meant to be a key occasion organised for those with the common passion of running. So, in a festive atmosphere, joggers, trail runners and triathletes come together to celebrate the sport.

What can be expected of the marathon is clearly mapped out on the event website. It is very detailed and shows the increase in elevation, and difficulty along with the points of interest that are covered on the course. After thirty some odd years they have things down to a science. And as for the running exposition, it spans just about anything a runner could think of associated to the sport. So, representatives for state of the art running shoes, samples of revolutionary running clothing, expert advice from professional atheletes, training aids, health foods and a plethora of products will be on hand.

In case you don’t know, this marathon is one of the five biggest in the world, along with Chicago, New York, London, and Berlin. More than a hundered different nations will be participating in this trek from the Champs-Elysees past some of the finest of sights that pepper the twenty six miles. With these kinds of credentials, and such a following, it might make sense to sign up for the race and the accommodation for 2013 now too.

When talking with different people I know (of a certain age it has to be acknowledged) who are enthralled with taking cruises I tried to pull out the key attractions as they see them.

The first was often that they represent good value if you take into account the standard of accommodation and full board provided together with the excellent entertainment – depending on the quality of the cruise line selected of course.

The second was usually that you get to see a variety of different destinations with ease of travel in between times with no packing up of luggage and checking out. Linked with this was the pleasure in seeing destinations and wildlife from the water looking in towards the coastline and the distinct attractions of entering and departing a harbour from the water and gaining that perspective on the location.

The third was sometimes the cruise only option with the no flight travel meaning that baggage restrictions didn’t apply and therefore there was chance to take lots of different outfits for the range of entertainment provided. It will be of little surprise that this response was seen as a greater advantage by the women I spoke to. It will probably be of little surprise also that in the listing of the top 99 coastal destinations rated by National Geographic’s traveller magazine as being geographically and culturally representative of the world’s best waterside locations, that many of those in the top ten feature destinations for cruise travel. Those I spoke to have become almost addicted to cruise travel, some taking three or four cruises a year and there was mention that cruise travel insurance had been a consideration in their original planning. Having recently read of some of the disruption caused to some cruise passengers during the hurricane season I can see why this would be so.

So which destinations were top rated as being in excellent condition and relatively unspoiled and looking as though they should remain that way for the time to come?

First was the stunning Avalon Peninsula in Newfoundland, closely followed by Wales’s own Pembrokeshire coast, Tutukaka coast, Northland, New Zealand and the Chilean Fjords.

Next to be listed was the Na Pali coast of Hawaii. The size of the cruise ship may vary according to the location and cruises around Pembrokeshire are likely to be more localised but cruise travel seems to offer some distinct advantages for the travellers it appeals to and checking online travel insurance should ensure that if you choose to visit some of the top coastal destinations identified by National Geographic and are new to the world of cruise travel that your needs will be accounted for.

Thus, if you are looking for a grown up event to attend, that will fill up everyone of your senses for days straight, look into this fest. It spans two weeks, and the schedule will keep you humming along. You will come away from the experience with a new lease on your musical and cuisine repertoire. If you dig it as much as I do, then better get ready to make this a habit. Though you may not make it every year, you will get the itch to return every couple.

You have probably never considered the possibility of visiting a spa on a boat. Surprise, the Bota Bota is just that, and it is moored in Montreal’s Old Port. Imagine a wonderfully converted pleasure cruiser that has been decked out, pardon the pun, to the nines. Plus, Montreal is one fabulous place to venture out and explore once you have been pampered from head to toe.

Keeping to the nautical theme, the most sought after of treatments is the four seasons water course. The spa uses the ritzy Parisian products made by Bernard Cassiere. Rest assured that you can get all those other things done that you visit a spa for also, should you not be intrigued with their water course. Tons of attention will be showered upon you no matter what.

As such, we would like to point out that while this is the year when the attention is on the sporting event of preference in this part of the world, at other times this wonderful town has blossomed into a place with more to offer than sun, surf, bikini parties and safaris, and in this instance football.  The city also has festivals that center upon tremendous cultural avenues, such as jazz music, street theatre and traditional artforms. Do not miss out on these annual special events, for they too, just as much as the football, are worth the attention of the world.