Sent by Rachel Watts
Aylesbury 01/11/2022
Based in Wendover
Hi
My name is Eva and I am a personal Travel Counsellor based in Wendover.
Whatever holidays mean to you, I am here to take care of your all your travel arrangements and make your perfect trip come true.
Being part of Travel Counsellors gives me access to cutting edge technology, covering all major travel industry suppliers as well as niche companies that many high street agents do not deal with. The unique setup of the company makes me truly independent – which means I can cater for all budgets and tastes.
I will listen to what you require and then provide you with a variety of choices to look through. For all your travel questions and queries before, during and after you only have one person to contact - me.
I am originally from Wroclaw in Poland where I finished Hotel Management Studies before moving to Chicago, USA. I used my time not only to study and work but also to explore as much of the US as possible. I then continued with my studies in Granada, Spain where while perfecting my Spanish I travelled extensively throughout Spain learning all I could about the culture. I have always worked in the travel industry. That includes 10 years at Heathrow Airport where being a part of one of the the major airlines enabled me to visit many worldwide destinations including Australia, USA, the Far East, Turkey and most of Eastern and Western Europe.
I can tailor-made all kinds of worldwide travel as well as UK trips. From beach and ski holidays to city breaks, cruises to honeymoons, I’ve got experience creating a wealth of different holiday options. Wherever you’d like to go, and whatever you’d love to do, I’d be delighted to hear from you!
My travel arrangements are all fully ATOL protected, tailored to your needs with a personal touch and at competitive prices. Having strong support from other Travel Counsellors in eight countries as well as colleagues at the head office enables me to create the special holiday you deserve.
I’ll work around you, so if you want to contact me in the evening or weekend that is fine by me. I am also happy to meet you face to face or via Skype to understand your requirements if you prefer.
You can also contact me in Polish or Spanish.
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Eva
Whatever your holiday needs I'm here to help you, so simply give me a call or send me an email with your contact details on and I can get things started for you:
I absolutely live and breathe travel and I love to write about my experiences! Please take a look through my posts - you might find your own holiday inspiration.
19 September 2022
Just two hours on Eurostar train from central London and you arrive in Paris-Nord, such an easy and comfortable journey that it is worth going just for 2 nights. Once we arrived at Gare du Nord it took us approximately 40 min by metro to arrive to Monte Cristo hotel, located on the outskirts of the Latin Quarter. I chose this hotel because of its superb décor inspired by the global adventures of Alexander Duma’s book “The Count of Monte Cristo” – my husband’s favourite book. They are different room categories to choose from but the one I would recommend is the Boudoir room, decorated in custom tapestries, rich velvets, dark woods and transporting art. They are located on the top floor and feature cute, little balconies which add to your Parisian experience. A bonus is a sauna and indoor pool plus hotel’s bar, called “Bar 1802”, home to the largest selection of rums in Paris. After checking in and grabbing a quick lunch in one of many nearby bistros, we headed to Arc the Triumph (pre book tickets to avoid queues). Right on the top there is a viewing platform with fantastic views of Paris. Be aware there is a lot of narrow steps to climb so it is not suitable for the less mobile. For dinner I had been recommended a quirky French bistro called Le Realis de Venice. They only serve one set menu- walnut salad with mustard vinaigrette to start, followed by two servings of steak and French fries with their famous house sauce plus selection of French wine, cheese and freshly made desserts. You can’t prebook a table so if you are not there by 7pm for dinner be prepared to queue 30-60minutes, but believe me it is worth the wait. By the time we finished it was after 9pm, so we decided to have a quick look around the Eiffel Tower on our way back to the hotel. We got there just before the closing time and to our surprise it was empty. We were able to buy tickets with access to the summit and get there with no waiting in any queues, allowing us to admire Paris by night from the top of this iconic monument. Next morning after late breakfast we took the metro to Concorde station to start our walk on the banks of river Seine, passing many famous Parisian landmarks. We didn’t have time to visit any museums but if you would like to, prebooking tickets is highly recommended. To get the most out of any city break I always book a small group excursion with a local guide. We met Vivian, our Paris guide at 2pm by Pantheon and together with another couple went on Bohemian Paris discovery walk. We stopped in a few less know spots and learnt a lot about local life through the eyes of true Parisian, we tasted local wine, cheese and macaroons and generally had a great time. Top tips to visit Paris: • Bring refillable water bottle and fill it up from one of 1200 freshwater fountains, dotted around the city. • Metro – if you are planning to use it a few times buy at book of 10 individual tickets • Eiffel Tower – prebook skip the line tickets with Summit access or come 20min before the closing time for a chance to buy last minute tickets and avoid queues • For alternative place to view Paris from above go to Tower of Montparnasse instead. Not only you have better views of Paris but also can see the Eiffel Tower in its full glory.
02 May 2022
I like taking our family holidays during Easter school holidays. The weather is starting to improve, and you can get some great early season offers in Europe. This year we embarked on a 5 nights Mediterranean Cruise, starting in Genoa, Italy and finishing in Barcelona, Spain. We have flown to Milan the day before our cruise and took a 2-hour train journey to Genoa. This gave us a fantastic opportunity to start our holiday early and spend some time in beautiful Genoa, strolling through winding streets and finding some enchanting little cafes on route. Perfect start to a week ahead. Next day, just after breakfast, we walked from our hotel to the cruise terminal. After check in formalities, which due to Covid restrictions took a bit longer than normal we were on board MSC Seaview, an impressive, modern ship which if I have chosen specifically based on its excellent facilities for families. We had booked an Aurera experience, which gave as a few extra benefits like – better cabin location, My Choice Dining times, discounted drinks packages, a free massage and Spa entrance, access to some exclusive areas on board to name just a few. Travelling with teenagers we needed extra space to fit us all in. Our cabin was a spacious Suite with a king size bed, bunk beds for kids, bathroom, walk in wardrobe and extra benefit of whirlpool bath on the balcony. Food and drink – the choice is truly incredible and available all day long in different locations around the ship. We would normally go to the Market Place (buffet) for breakfast and lunch but if you’re an early bird, you can have a la carte breakfast in one of the other restaurants. Our allocated restaurant for dinner was elegant Golden Sands, with new a la carte menu every night and super friendly staff. You are also truly spoilt for choice with day and evening entertainment, from different swimming pools, slides, sport activities, interesting talks by experts, live music and Broadway style shows. Our football fans absolutely loved watching matches in the sports bar and with many other European fans in the bar, the atmosphere was unforgettable. I find cruising a perfect combination of fantastic facilities and entertainment on board and ability to visit a few destinations in one holiday. During this cruise we stopped in 2 Italian ports - Naples and Sicily. It is such a treat to wake up to a different view every morning with a new destination on your doorstep. The highlight of our Italian stops was Sicily, where we found a friendly guide in the port who took us on an excursion to beautiful Toarmina, about 40min drive away from our ship. This little trip was a highlight of our holiday and we all decided we will return here one day. After a well-awaited sea day, we could fully enjoy the facilities on board the Seaview. Next morning we arrived in Mallorca. We were a short bus drive away from the beautiful centre of Palma, where we spent a very pleasant couple of hours. After all the hustle and bustle of another Mediterranean town, it was so nice to step back on board our ship and look out from our balcony, as we were leaving for our last stop- Barcelona, where we will be staying for a couple of days. Cruising is a fantastic way to spend quality time with family and friends while visiting a different destination every day.
18 January 2022
After four failed attempts in the last two years to visit Iceland due to covid restrictions, we have finally made it to Reykjavik. Just a 3-hour flight from London and you are teleported to a different world. After less then an hour transfer from the airport, we have checked in to our modern, centrally located hotel and we’re soon ready to explore this interesting town. There was plenty of restaurants and cafes nearby to choose from. We decided to try some Icelandic dishes and by recommendation went to the Old Iceland restaurant, which definitely didn’t disappoint. Unfortunately, due to bad weather our Northern Lights cruise got cancelled, so we decided to check out the Reykjavik night life instead. With so many quirky bars around, we were spoilt for choice. Iceland is known for its natural springs and a visit to one of their spa lagoons is a must. Located just 30 min drive from Reykjavik, Blue Lagoon is Iceland’s most popular attraction. The milky blue waters and the white silica mud make the lagoon unique. We absolutely loved our relaxing afternoon there and were set for our next adventure day- Golden Circle and Snowmobiling. We got picked up in the coolest vehicle ever- our super jeep and started our day with visiting one of Iceland’s most powerful waterfalls. We then continued to the Glacier where we dashed across the snowfields on snowmobiles, whilst gazing at the peaks and ice surrounding us. This was truly a magical experience. After a couple more stops in a National Park and a visit to an active Geysir Hot Spring Area for late lunch, we headed back in Reykjavik. Iceland is a magical place and has plenty to offer in both winter and summer.
05 February 2019
Having never cruised before, I was very excited to sample my first cruise- Celebrity Silhouette. The cruise departed for Southampton, which made it really hassle free. Just a short drive from London and then your exotic holiday starts. The embarkation is very well organised, you get a time slot for check in and your bag is taken straight to your stateroom. You can enjoy a glass of prosecco on the sun deck while your ship is getting ready to depart. Celebrity Silhouette is a very elegant ship with excellent facilities on board. We were staying in a Balcony stateroom, which in my opinion is worth the investment. It’s lovely to be able to sit on your veranda on a sunny day, with a book and a cocktail. I would also recommend ordering room service and enjoying your breakfast on your balcony on port days as the mornings can be busy in the main restaurant. The Celebrity Silhouette cruise ship has some of the most diverse specialty dining venues at sea. The main dining room has a truly magical feeling, featuring a dramatic two storey high glass wine tower and dazzling chandeliers. I was really impressed with the choice of a la carte dishes served there every day. There is also a great choice of specially restaurants, which normally require a supplement charge. We tried the Petit Chef and The Lawn Club. The Petit Chef features an animated character who appears beside your plate and prepares each course right in front of you, before you are served the actual dish. The Lawn Club Grill is a highly interactive, high energy, open-air restaurant celebrating the flavourful joys of outdoor grilling — with cosmopolitan flair. Featuring a gourmet salad bar and build-your-own flatbreads. Both are highly recommended, for a special evening out on board. There is so much to do on board, during the day and in the evenings. I really enjoyed the professional theatre shows, late nights in the casino and silent disco nights when there was a real party feel around the ship. After two days on board, it was great to get off on our first stop, Vigo in Northern Spain. The port was located a short walk from the town centre, which was perfect for a day out. Vigo is a little gem with a real Spanish feel and superb tapas. Our next stop was Lisbon. I will never forget the spectacular entrance to this beautiful city, as we had a special invitation from the Captain for a champagne reception on the bow of the Silhouette whilst entering the city. We took a city tour bus right from the port, which was ideal for sightseeing. After a few hours in Lisbon, we were able to stroll back to our ship. We finished our journey in the Canary Islands where we enjoyed the warm October sunshine. I really think cruising is an excellent holiday option and is perfect for multigenerational families.
05 July 2018
Budapest has been on my husband’s wish list for a long time. As it was our 20th wedding anniversary I have decided to finally take him there. With direct flights from many UK airports the Hungarian capital it is really easy to reach. Our hotel was a stylish 4* located in the Pest side, about 15min walk from the Danube River. This location is a top spot for quirky bars and great street food. The first day we walked across the Szechenyi Chain Bridge to the Buda side and took a short ride on a Castle Hill Funicular up to the Castle District. You can walk up this hill but don’t be fooled as it is quite steep. This UNESCO World Heritage site is truly impressive, and we spent a lovely morning there just wandering around the monuments and taking in the breath-taking views across the Danube. For the evening we returned to Pest to take part in a Fine Wines & Ruin Bars Tour which without a doubt was a highlight of our trip. We were in a small group with two other couples and our lovely Hungarian guide. What a fun way to learn about Hungarian wine traditions (while tasting some really tasty wines with traditional snacks) and discover some quirky ruin bars. I find these small tours a real highlight of any city break, and always include them in any itinerary I create. The next day we decided to head off to Margaret Island, a tranquil, green oasis located in the middle of the Danube. You can get there by boat or bus, but we decided to walk along the river which took about 45 minutes. You can easily spend a few hours there just wandering around the green spaces and discovering little delights along the way. My top tip would be to hire a bike or mini electric car as soon as you reach the island as it is bigger than it appears. On our way back, we boarded a one-hour river cruise which was very pleasant but in hindsight, I would prefer a night cruise to get a more magical experience. That evening we were celebrating our wedding anniversary and booked a table at an Aszu Restaurant which definitely rose to the occasion with its beautiful interiors, traditional Hungarian dishes with a modern twist, top service and live Hungarian music, all for a very reasonable price. Highly recommended for a special occasion. We decided to spend our last day in one of Budapest’s famous thermal baths and swimming pools. Gellert Spa is famous for its lovely warm spring water pools, its architecture, its landscape, and for its spa treatments, and pampering massage therapies at reasonable prices. Please be aware that to use the main indoor pool you need a cap – even the baldies (the hotel shower cap will do). There are other indoor and outdoor pools in the Gellert complex where caps are not required. It was a very pleasant few hours and an attraction which could be enjoyed in all seasons and weathers. On our way back, we stopped at the Central Market Hall to get a few souvenirs and grab a bite of traditional Hungarian food from the market stalls. A truly perfect long weekend, we will definitely be back.
01 May 2017
Being a Travel Counsellor definitely has its perks and being invited for a 5 day trip to experience Morocco by Moroccan Tourist board is not an offer you can refuse. Having never visited this fascinating country I just couldn’t wait to land in Marrakesh. Just 3 and half hours on the plane from London and you are in a different world. I was very impressed by a modern and well organised airport of Marrakesh located a very short drive from the city center. We stayed in 5* Movenpick Mansour Eddhabi Hotel an excellent choice for visiting Marrakesh. The hotel interior is very impressive, creating a contemporary oasis with very comfortable bedrooms. We started our trip with a tour of the Souks or 'Market' in the Old Media. Walking into the medina is an amazing experience and can be described like walking into a scene from the Arabian Nights story. Our first experience of the souks was with a guide and I would definitely recommend this for first time visitors especially to gain tips on haggling which is invaluable. During our time in Marrakesh we were treated to some top evening venues. The Salama, Le Palace & Jad Mahal all offering very different experiences for food and entertainment. We were treated to traditional Moroccan food here along with entertainment provided by belly dancers and lady’s balancing huge candelabras on their head. Hotel visits were the main part of day 2 but the highlight for me was visiting La Maison Arabe to attend a cooking workshop. After learning the art of making mint tea and freshly cooked bread we were taken to an impressive kitchen studio to be taught how to make chicken tagine by a Moroccan chef. Once the dish was cooked, we were seated in the dining room and given our dish to eat. This experience is definitely one I would recommend to anyone going to Marrakesh, you can prebook it before you go. Day 3 had a completely different feel to it. We were taken in land to the Atlas Mountains to spend an afternoon in a brand new small boutique hotel and a collection of luxury villas- L’Amandier. We were all very impressed with the classy, chill out atmosphere of this place and hospitality of its owner. The views are just breath-taking and locally sourced food mouth-watering. This is a perfect place to spend a few relaxing days away from it all. Our final night on this tour was to be spent in Essaouria a very pleasant seaside town. It takes about 4 hours to get there from Marrakesh and our pit stop at an Argan Oil Cooperative was just perfect and made the journey even more interesting. Here we were shown the process of extracting the oil from the nut and the many products that are derived from. It was fun, educational and we all ended up doing some shopping. Morocco has definitely something for everyone- fantastic food, nature, culture, great entertainment, shopping and very friendly people. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to my clients. If you'd like to know more about visiting Morocco, please get in touch!
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