What is your idea of the perfect holiday? Do you like to keep on the move, explore and investigate, come back with a camera full of photos, and a bookcase full of guide books? Or do you like to potter, watch the world go by from a streetside café, and enjoy the scenery? Maybe the highlight of your holiday memories will be the friends you have made and the fun you have had. The great thing about cruising is that you can do all of this and more, just as it suits you, dipping in and out of different activities, and pleasing yourself.

One perfect choice if you want a bit of everything is Hebridean International Cruises, where a busy programme of included excursions is yours for the asking, but also yours to refuse if you prefer. The company renamed its cruise holidays Privately Escorted Tours recently, which well describes the unique Hebridean experience, taking you each morning and afternoon somewhere new and interesting. Unlike a land-based escorted tour, you have the option of taking it easy now and then and relaxing aboard the ship, without worrying about how and where you will rejoin the rest of the group, or being obliged to join the coach party first thing as it will be taking you on to your next stop. And of course, once you have arrived and unpacked, that’s that for the duration of your trip.

Just out is the Hebridean Princess brochure, featuring a choice of captivating itineraries to the Hebrides from which the company took its name, to the Western Isles, and from the Northern Isles to the beauties of central Norway. Always busy, passenger loads on Hebridean Princess have been even higher since Her Majesty the Queen chose her as a venue for her 80th birthday celebrations, so if you would like to experience this unique 49 passenger ship in 2008, can we suggest that booking now, especially for some of the more unusual cruises, is essential before it is too late. We particularly love the ‘Footloose’ walking itineraries, and the wonderful short break (4 day) options.

If you can’t wait until 2008. there are some pockets of availability this autumn, with 20% savings available on some of the wonderful October cruises on Hebridean Princess, and 25% on selected sailings on Hebridean Spirit.

The Hebridean Spirit programme for 2008 will be available soon after you receive this, so let us know now if you would like a copy, and we will get that to you as soon as it is available.