Urban art and cruises from UK ports for a fun time

Whatever age we are there is something that seems to draw us to travel and explore. Many of us are also driven to express ourselves creatively in various ways. Graffiti is an art form that gained a bad reputation when it first appeared, owing to the places that exponents of this art chose to express themselves. Nowadays it is possible to attend a graffiti workshop and many blue chip companies use this painting style in their marketing campaigns. If you choose a holiday at sea there are also many with art workshops and with Cruises from Barcelona taking in places like Rome and Florence there are plenty of opportunities to study the work of some of the greatest artists throughout history. For those who have never been on a ship-based holiday before it is an experience that will stay in your memory for a long time. Although you are unlikely to come across an oceangoing yacht decorated with graffiti, there are a number of vehicles on the road that have been painted in this style, for both personal and commercial reasons. New York subway trains are famous for it and with Cunard Cruises transatlantic crossings you could combine a relaxing trip across the ocean with some investigation of this art form on your arrival in the Big Apple. For people with pets it is also possible to bring your dog or cat along on some trips with onboard kennels and trained staff to take care of them during the crossing.

Creative ideas

One thing that travel is good for is inspiring people who like to paint. The sights and sounds that can be experienced on a holiday taking in several different places such as one of the Msc Cruises around the Caribbean can give artists new material to work with when they return home. Apart from that, the great food and service onboard these ships gives people time to relax and recharge their batteries. Kingston, Jamaica is home to many examples of graffiti and features as a stop on trips around this area. Some of the best examples may be hard to find so it is worth hiring a guide whilst you are there. The islands of the South Pacific have made a lasting impression on visitors throughout the centuries and with Regent Cruises you can journey to destinations like Tahiti in French Polynesia, which was described as an earthly paradise by early European explorers. The volcanic mountains and rainforests make excellent subjects for more traditional landscape artists and the friendly locals ensure that tourists have a good time during their stay. Another area that has always captured the imagination of travellers from the West is Arabia and many operators offer journeys in this region taking in places like Oman, Dubai and Egypt. The aroma of spices combined with the Arabian sun makes trips with companies like Seabourn Cruises in this region an exotic experience that artists can try to evoke using various mediums and techniques when back home in their studio.

Cultural influences

Art and culture have been inextricably linked since mankind first started using pictures to tell stories of hunts in prehistoric times. Graffiti draws on urban influences and often portrays the anger of young city dwellers with no other outlet for their creativity. Getting to know other cultures from around the world can help people to express themselves in new ways and the wildlife and stark landscapes of Alaska that Royal Caribbean Cruises and other companies travel to are a great contrast to the quaint villages and countryside of the UK. The facilities on some of the vessels include climbing walls, swimming pools and even ice skating rinks so not only do younger people get to see new places but there is never a dull moment onboard these ships either. Aboriginal art has become increasingly popular in recent years and trips to Australia offer a great opportunity to explore the unique culture of the original inhabitants of this vast country. There are several operators such as Princess Cruises that offer trips in this area and by starting your holiday with a flight to Sydney it is possible to see many of the sights during an annual two week break. There is also the chance to explore the fascinating Maori culture of New Zealand on such journeys. If warm weather is important to you then trips to the Southern Hemisphere are best taken during our autumn or winter seasons, which is when the majority of ships visit these destinations in any case.

Closer to home

It is not necessary to travel very far to experience different cultures and Celebrity Cruises, among other companies, have a large choice of European trips that can last from 4 nights up to a fortnight or more. The Mediterranean, Scandinavia and Canary Islands are all possible destinations on these journeys and each of them have a lot to offer for people looking to experience new cultures. Two places that are famous for their ancient civilisations are Rome and Athens and it is not hard to find holidays where you can spend a few days exploring these cities. One week trips by boat with operators like Thomson Cruises allow plenty of time to see the local sights and can be combined with a week’s stay in a hotel before or after the journey. There are many famous art galleries in Europe as well as historic buildings that show the way cultural influences have affected art and architecture over the years. Some ships start their European trips from ports like Palma in Mallorca so it will be necessary to arrange flights there and back as well as booking the sea-based part of your holiday. For people who do not want to fly there are many cruises from UK ports with safe parking for your vehicle so you can simply drive to the embarkation point and set off on your journey. Artists that want to paint whilst they are away may find this an easier option for bringing their supplies along with them.