Queen Mary 2

Eighteen months of planning came to fruition when I boarded Queen Mary 2 with my husband in 2014. The holiday would take in ships, trains and cars but no aeroplanes.

After a week sailing across the Atlantic, and joining in the celebrations for the 10th anniversary of the QM2s first crossing, we reached New York. Amtrak was waiting for us, and over the next day and a half we rattled our way to New Orleans.

Two days later we joined a superior train and went across the Southern States, arriving in Palm Springs, California, after 40 hours, at 2am to be met by a violent sandstorm.

After two weeks spent with American friends, we tackled Route 66 and drove more than 2,500 miles from California to Chicago. Route 66 advertises itself by saying Get Your Kicks on Route 66 and we certainly did. Taking 19 days we had many experiences such as the time we missed a turn and ended up on a military base. Finally Amtrak took us to back to New York.

Rosemary Leonard, Northampton

New Orleans (Fotolia/AP)

Our dream holiday would be to cruise from Southampton on Cunards Queen Mary 2 to Dubai, staying at the Burj Al Arab while experiencing the glitter and gloss of the Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa, as well as the alternative experience of old Dubai and its creek with a meal in the evening on one of the open deck dhows.

We would then explore nearby Abu Dhabi and its beautiful white Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, staying at the St Regis on the growing area of Saadiyat Island where the Louvre Abu Dhabi is nearing completion and the National Museum and Guggenheim will be established. A short speedboat ride over to Nurai Island retreat for a few days relaxation would also be part of our dream holiday.

Then of course, for my husband no visit would be complete without the Formula One Grand Prix on Yas Island, and for me tennis at the Palace Hotel and then returning home by first class Etihad airbus.

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