19 June 2023

As a solo traveller, I know how daunting it can feel to contemplate travelling alone which is why I decided to host a small group trip to BodyHoliday in St Lucia last September. The aim was to help everyone to relax, rebalance and re-energise with a chance to connect with fellow solo travellers in a luxurious Caribbean setting. BodyHoliday is the world's foremost Wellness Resort, offering a tailored approach to wellness and rejuvenation, located on a pristine crescent beach surrounded by lush tropical gardens. I was on hand before and during the trip to make sure everything went smoothly and that there was always a friendly face as and when needed. I introduced everyone over a zoom catch up where I answered questions and shared lots of info about the resort and our trip. I shared details of the spa treatments, dining and activities and then scheduled everything anyone wanted to book before we even arrived. September at BodyHoliday is the perfect time for solo travellers with a host of activities specifically designed to bring people together. We joined like-minded solo travellers for hosted cocktail parties and a sunset cruise. What’s more everyone had their own room – with negotiated exclusive rates - with no single supplement. One of the things I love about BodyHoliday is that everything is included – great food, free-flowing drinks, lots of activities plus a 50-minute spa treatment – every day! Everyone is encouraged to do as much – or as little – as they want. We all travelled together from Gatwick to St Lucia and took the helicopter transfer from the airport to Castries followed by a car transfer to the resort – and it was amazing! Before we knew it, we were all settled into our own rooms before meeting up in the piano bar for pre-dinner drinks. Over the week everyone established their own routine and had the option to dine together, with others or join the hotel-hosted group to meet other guests. I love the fact you can join in or take time out with no pressure to move from your sun lounger if you’re comfy! For those looking to keep fit and push themselves, there was a seemingly endless array of daily activities including HIT boot camp, spin classes, hikes, cycling and open water swimming - to mention but a few options. Also included are water sports including water skiing, hobie cats and paddle boarding. One of our group joined the early morning Tai Chi classes, another loved the mid-morning aquafit classes and a couple tried their hand at the water-skiing lessons. I opted for the meditation and candle-gazing, but it was fun to watch the HIT boot camp on the beach each morning as I relaxed over my breakfast! The spa is awesome! Voted one of the world’s best destination spas by Conde Nast Traveller, it’s a focal point of the resort and a comprehensive centre of health and well-being. We could choose from a comprehensive menu of face and body treatments. My personal favourite was the aloe body wrap after a little too much sun one day. We soon settled into our daily routine…breakfast at leisure whenever it suited followed by doing whatever we wanted! One of the group settled in his usual spot under a tree, another read at the end of the beach and others joined in some of the activities. Lunch could be a healthy bento box from the juice bar, a selection from the buffet or pizza and fries and afternoon tea. At 4 o’clock we headed up to the spa for our treatments and, after a wonderful pamper, we all met up at the beach bar to watch the sun set with a cool drink. There was no shortage of options for dinner with main dining and speciality restaurants to choose from. During our stay there were also beach barbeques and themed nights too. We ran out of time to try The I-TAL restaurant which offers an amazing farm-to-table experience from its organic garden located amongst the trees on top of a beautiful hillside. At least that gives us a reason to return…. A highlight of our stay was a snorkelling trip to the Pitons and highly recommended. We got to see more of the beautiful island of St Lucia form above and below the sea. This was my first escorted group and I loved every minute of it. I met the most amazing people and it was a truly life-changing trip. It worked so well that I decided that this will now be an annual event. My ultimate goal is to create a community of like-minded people wanting to travel and explore the world – and maybe themselves! Every single person that came on the trip has rebooked to join me again this September and we can’t wait! I have negotiated exclusive rates again for this year with no single supplement and if you would like to join like-minded solo travellers, both young and old, male and female in September ‘23 please let me know – but hurry as very limited availability. I am also taking registrations for our September ’24 trip. I invite you to explore, discover and gain insights that will last a lifetime. Why not join us and see why the BodyHoliday mantra is…..Give us your body for a week, and we'll give you back your mind.

19 June 2023

I wanted to go on holiday, but didn't want to go on my own. So Sarah's BodyHoliday hosted trip to St Lucia was perfect. I just needed to turn up at the airport with my passport and suitcase and everything else was done for me. The trip is equally ideal for those who might want to laze about all day, or those who might decide that the holiday is going to be the launchpad to be really active. There were so many activities to do, and I really loved the fact that there’s no pressure to join in - you can do as many or as few as you like. Last year I tried the Tai Chi, took a Hobie Cat trip and tried some of water sports. I also joined Sarah’s boat trip to snorkel around the Pitons – a real trip highlight for me. I loved the trip so much that I immediately booked to go again this year! I might try some of the meditation classes and may even try the water ski classes! Whilst the 8am boot camp is definitely NOT for me….they all looked like they were having an amazing time. I caught up with Sarah and a couple of others from our group each afternoon and we headed up to the spa together to finish our day with a treatment – they were all just amazing. We then headed to the beach bar to watch the sunset with a glass of fizz. Dining was incredible and, for the solo traveller, I love the fact you can be as sociable as you want. I had the choice of joining Sarah or any of the others from our group as well as the hotel hosted group table where you can dine with different people every night. And the food is delicious. For a person on their own, or even someone who just fancies a break on their own, BodyHoliday with Sarah’s hosted trip is perfect. You can mingle or not, it's your holiday done your way.

19 June 2023

Having spent too much time on work, I had gotten out of the habit of relaxing and taking time out of my business and doing something just for me. When Sarah suggested I joined her small group of solo travellers to BodyHoliday, I admit I was hesitant. It’s been years since I’d had a proper holiday and travelling solo was not something I had ever considered. Having agreed to join the group last year, I admit I was a little apprehensive. Sarah was brilliant! She took the time to tell me all about the resort and what to expect. She literally took care of everything from start to finish – from booking my flight seats and checking me in, to booking all my spa treatments and sorting out some fabulous dining reservations. The fact I was able to meet the other group members beforehand on a zoom session help make everything less daunting. Getting there was a doddle as Sarah guided us through the airport, on to our flight and straight to the helicopter when we landed in St Lucia. Having her on hand made everything so much easier. I quickly settled into a daily routine and found a great spot under a tree to read my book and watch the world go by. Late afternoon we headed up to the spa and each and every treatment was wonderful. The group was made up of lovely, laid-back people and I have made friends for life and can't thank Sarah enough for creating this fabulous trip. The trip far exceeded my expectations. I went from dreading travelling on my own, to not wanting to come home! I am already looking forward to this year’s trip and can see this being an annual thing for me from now on. For anyone looking to escape to paradise, somewhere to relax and recharge and just be yourself with like-minded solo travellers, this is the trip for you.

19 November 2019

The last stop on my recent whirlwind trip to Australia was Sydney. This must surely be on anyone’s list when visiting Australia and it’s not hard to see why! This vibrant, cosmopolitan city has something for everyone – stunning scenery, awesome architecture, amazing walks, the most delicious food and wine, friendly people – and even a haunted island! As there is so much to see and do here, I thought I thought I’d start by sharing my top five suggestions of fabulous things to see and do in Sydney....in no particular order.... Taronga Zoo A conservation and education centre rather than an entertainment site, their belief is that all of us have a responsibility to protect the world’s precious wildlife, not just in our lifetimes, but for the generations of the future. Taronga has an absolute commitment to the conservation of wildlife in Australia and around the world. Just 12 minutes by ferry from Circular quay with spectacular views over Sydney Harbour and you can even opt to stay overnight at the newly opened luxurious Wildlife Retreat. This is an elegant Australian eco-retreat surrounded by wildlife and stunning scenic views. Where else could you wake to a koala in the tree outside your window – and Sydney Harbour Bridge as the background? Another option is to enjoy an unforgettable safari-style overnight experience featuring intimate animal encounters and fascinating keeper talks with the Roar and Snore while enjoying the glistening sunset and sunrise over spectacular views of Sydney Harbour. Home to over 4000 animals from over 350 species, many of which are threatened you will have the chance to see close up. Bondi to Coogee Walk One of the best Sydney walks, this fabulous cliff top 6km coastal walk features stunning views, 5 of Australia's most famous beaches, parks, cliffs, bays and rock pools. You can either do the whole hike or just parts of it. For a shorter walk, try the 2.5km Bondi to Bronte. You can then choose to carry on for another 3.5km to Coogee taking in the stunning Sesquicentenary Boardwalk with breath-taking views above the ocean. Notts Avenue is the official starting point close to the famous Bondi Icebergs Club. Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb This was a long-standing item on my 'bucket list' that I managed to tick off earlier this month and it did not disappoint! Whilst the idea for a bridge was being discussed as early as 1815, building started in 1923 and was opening on 19th March 1932 at a cost AUD 10 million. The summit is 134 metres above sea level and has unrivalled panoramic views of Sydney. Today the bridge has 8 lanes of traffic, 2 rail lines and over 200,000 vehicles cross it every day! There are a range of options for climbing the bridge and I can help find the perfect one for you. Sydney Opera House Easily one of the most iconic buildings in the world – the Sydney Opera House is an architectural masterpiece and vibrant performance space. Designed by Jorn Utzon from Denmark, it was originally estimated in 1959 that it would cost AUD 4 million and take four years. It was officially opened in 1973 and took 24 years and cost AUD 102 million! Want to see and know more? I can arrange tours to wander around this fabulous building or can even book concerts and events with gourmet dining. I recently arranged for clients to have a VIP backstage tour of the Opera House, dinner with views over Sydney Harbour and top seats for the Nutcracker ballet. I can find the perfect tour for you too! Cockatoo Island This is my quirky suggestion of something to do whilst in Sydney! Located in the heart of Sydney Harbour, Cockatoo Island is just a short ferry ride from Circular Quay. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is an extraordinary place where visitors can stay for an hour, the day, a night or longer. A former convict prison, dry dock and industrial work site, as well as a reformatory school for girls, Cockatoo Island is a fascinating place. I was also reliably informed on my recent trip to Sydney that it is really haunted! I can book a range of tours including Ghost yard - a paranormal tour and Haunted History tour. There is so much more I can suggest to see and do in Sydney and as an Aussie Specialist with extensive first-hand knowledge of this fabulous city, I would love to chat with you to help you get the best from your trip, so please feel free to get in touch.

19 November 2019

I am an Aussie Specialist which means that I am certified by Tourism Australia to have the knowledge, skills and expertise to help plan your perfect Australian holiday. I am always keen to keep up to date with all things Australia, so when Tourism Australia invited me to attend Corroborree West 2019 to catch up with like-minded Aussie Specialists meeting lots of the country's best suppliers and a chance to explore a small part of Australia in more detail - I jumped at the chance! Corroborree was a chance to 'speed-network' with over 100 of Australia's key hoteliers, tour operators, excursion suppliers and more over a jam-packed three days in Perth! We then split into smaller groups to explore different parts of this vast and amazing country. My group got to explore Coolangatta, Byron Bay and Sydney and you can catch up with how I got on there in my next blog. A lot of people will choose Sydney for their arrival into Australia, but there are a lot of reasons to consider Perth as a starting point. Not only is it on the West coast of Australia and so has a shorter flying time, you have a choice of airlines to take you there. Flying from Manchester, Singapore Airlines has a direct flight into Singapore on the lovely A350 aircraft that connects seamlessly with their onwards flight to Perth. Flying from London, Qantas has a direct flight. Once in Perth, you are spoilt for choice on accommodation. With the recent boom in new hotels, there are some amazingly good prices on fabulous hotels and something for everyone. I can help find the prefect bed for you. I arrived in Perth with a couple of days to explore this fabulous city. It is a vibrant and cosmopolitan place with lots to see and do whilst able to maintain a laid-back and spacious feel. With an amazing array of coffee shops, bars and restaurants, street art and shopping, beaches and hidden lanes...you certainly won’t run out of things to do in Perth. We stayed at the lovely Grand Hyatt, on the banks of the Swan River and a short stroll into the city. A highlight was the day spent exploring Rottnest Island (by bicycle, foot and coach) and the obligatory selfie-taking with the quokkas (like Hugh Jackman). This amazing island is a short boat trip away and would be a great place to stay for a few days if you have time. We took the boat from Barrack Street Jetty in Perth which included a great Swan River tour and we sailed back to Freemantle to have a wander around this beautiful historic town and then sipped wine as the sun set. I would recommend a trip to the fabulous Kings Park - one of the world’s largest and most beautiful inner-city parks - there’s something for everyone with walking trails, botanical gardens, natural bushland, wildlife and even Segway riding. The views are simply stunning. During our trip around the city we visited the Perth Mint to view the world’s largest gold coin, visited Willie Creek to watch a pearl harvesting demo and had a fabulous guided walking tour around the city centre. Looking for great food and excellent wine? You are in the right place and are spoilt for choice with a huge array of restaurants and bars to fit all tastes and budget. During our 6 nights in Perth we got to sample the very best Perth had to offer and visited vineyards, beaches and river-side bistros. I can highly recommend putting Perth on your 'to visit' list when in Australia and I can help maximise your time in Perth and tailor-make your trip based around what you like to do and see. I can book tickets, recommend dining options and help with all kinds of tours and can tailor-make your perfect Perth visit.

26 September 2019

South Africa has been top of my 'bucket list' forever, so when I decided to do my first Safari, I decided to do it in style! I have written blogs about my time in Cape Town and then my route along the Garden Route and this is my blog about my safari! The saying goes 'save the best 'til last' and I certainly did. Having had many happy clients that have stayed at and raved about Shamwari, this was always going to be my first choice. If it's good enough for Brad Pitt, it's good enough for me! Shamwari is in the Eastern Cape Province and less than an hour’s drive from Port Elizabeth which makes it a great choice for anyone on a trip to South Africa. Not only is it easy to get to, it also Malaria-free. Shamwari is a private game and conservation reserve that is almost 100 square miles and is s perfect choice for families, couples or small groups. It is home to the 'big 5' and the white rhino, elephant and lion are very commonly seen here, and there's also a good chance of seeing the more elusive black rhino, cheetah and leopard. There are several lodges dotted around Shamwari Game Reserve, which vary in their level of luxury and cost and facilities. The newly renovated Riverdene is ideal for families - and their kids club and new adventure playground is amazing. The contemporarily designed Sarili Lodge has fantastic views overlooking the Bushman's River and the luxury rooms have massive en-suite bathrooms. Long Lee Manor is currently being updated and due to open in December 2019 and promises to be amazing! If you prefer a more traditional lodge, Lobengula luxury en-suite rooms are housed in ethnic thatched surroundings. Bayethe Tented Lodge is tented accommodation - but not how I thought tented accommodation would look like - glamping on a whole new scale with gorgeous en-suite bathrooms, air-conditioning and heating and hot tub! Sandile is the newest addition and will offer the ultimate in luxury tented accommodation with the most amazing views and due to start welcoming guests from December 2019. We opted for the more secluded Eagles Crag which overlooks rocky crags that are regularly frequented by eagles and we regularly had deer and monkeys outside our door. The nine luxurious thatched glass-and-stone rooms, all decorated in contemporary colours, came complete with private plunge pools and inside and outside showers. The service and food here was outstanding. Everything is seamless. You are always greeted by the door with hot towels and drinks each and every time you come back. The food was worth the trip on its own! We had 2 game drives a day and our ranger, Mino was amazing. He was knowledgeable and entertaining and took great care of us. On cold mornings we were wrapped in ponchos, blankets and given hot water bottles! We were surprised with drinks and snacks set up in the bush one evening and am amazing picnic lunch another day...complete with our favourite drinks! The game drives take place in open-topped 4WDs in small groups of up to 10 and you can also arrange game walks. There are other things to do here and we visited the Born Free Big Cat Sanctuary and the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre. The centre provides veterinary care to young, abandoned, orphaned or injured animals. On a visit here, a member of the team will show you around and explain the centre’s work to you. Provided there are “patients" in care during your visit, you can see them in the “animal hospital" or the custom-built bomas, where especially larger animals stay while recovering. During our drives we managed to find 4 of the big 5, but the leopard proved elusive, but in no way affected our enjoyment. We watched a pride of lion cubs playing with their parents, saw both black and white rhinos - up close! - and were delayed getting back for dinner most nights due to roadblocks: one night elephants, the following night rhinos! Quite rightly so, they move only when they are ready to move! There are many reasons why I would recommend Shamwari: - the choice of lodges meaning there is one for everyone and I can help find the perfect one for you - the exception service, luxurious accommodation and amazing food - the convenience of combining with a Cape Town and Garden Route trip and being Malaria-free - the knowledge of the staff and the up-close and personal experience of the game drive - the conservation outlook and the great work they are doing for these wonderful creatures If you are thinking of a trip to Africa or taking a safari, I would love to chat and help plan your perfect trip.

16 September 2019

Whilst we started our trip In Cape Town, we were ending it in on safari at Shamwari. Whilst it is possible to fly between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth then transfer to Shamwari, we decided to take the ‘scenic route’ and drive out to Hermanus before continuing to join the Garden Route. If you have the time and decide to drive between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, there are many places you could choose to visit and stay depending on what you want to see and do. We had a driver throughout our time in Cape Town who then drove us along the Garden Route and stayed with us until dropping us at Shamwari. I can highly recommend this option as not only are you able to relax and take in the views along the way, our guide, Loryn, was a never-ending source of first hand knowledge and experience about all things South African and gave us so many tips throughout our trip. The Garden Route is a 300-kilometre stretch of the south-western coast of South Africa which extends from Witsand in the Western Cape to the border of Tsitsikamma Storms River in the Eastern Cape. It includes towns such as Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Mossel Bay and Oudtshoorn. However, the drive up from Cape Town to Mossel Bay nearly doubles the length of the journey. The first stretch does go through the winelands, to towns such as Hermanus and Swellendam and, with a bit of a detour, you can also take in Cape Agulhas, the real southern tip of Africa. Along the route there are so many things to do. Food and drink? An awesome array of amazing restaurants and hotels! Like adventure? Caves, zip-lines, bungee jumping and more will excite any adrenaline junkie! Looking for animals? It doesn’t matter if you are searching on land or at sea! There are Game Reserves and Safaris, ostrich farms and meerkat adventures plus take to the seas to find dolphins, whales, sharks, seals and more! Hermanus is one stopover option and should take less than 2 hours from Cape Town and is a great place for whale watching and shark diving as well as being extremely picturesque. We had lunch at the Marine Hotel which is a perfect spot overlooking the bay and set in gorgeous gardens. The hotel has a range of rooms – many with spectacular views of the ocean - and lunch was a feast of local fish and meats in a wonderful setting and highly recommended. Our next stop was around 300km to Oudtshoorn – the ostrich capital of South Africa. It’s a long drive but some of the views are simply stunning as you drive along the coast and through the mountains. I would recommend you leave in plenty of time to complete your journey in day light to appreciate the views and for ease of driving. We stayed at the gorgeous Rosenhof Guest House and loved it! It’s a small and quaint hotel with stunning little cottages with everything you need. Set in beautifully maintained gardens and with a small pool area, this was a perfect place to stay. We chose Oudtshoorn as a stopping point as we wanted to see the meerkats. It’s an early morning start before sunrise which starts with hot drinks before heading out to wait for the meerkats to come out. We were lucky to arrive just as they were getting up and spend a wonderful 90 minutes watching a family of seven pottering around and learning all about these lovely animals. After heading back to Rosenhof for breakfast, it was time to leave but not before a visit to the Cango Caves. We opted for the less energetic one hour guided tour, but for the more adventurous, they also offer a more challenging option that takes you deeper into to caves. Had we had longer we would have visited on of the ostrich farms or maybe tried the zip line which looked amazing – and you can also bungee jump from here. Our stop along the Garden Route was Plettenburg Bay which is around 150km from Oudtshoorn and we stopped for lunch enroute at Kynsna. This is a lovely seaside resort and lunch overlooking the marina was fabulous. We stayed for two nights at the fabulous Plettenberg Hotel – a sister hotel of the Marine in Hermanus - a stunning hotel with beautifully designed interiors throughout. Our room had double aspects windows over the bay where you can watch dolphins frolicking in the bay if you’re lucky. The hotel is steeped in history and in a privileged position with amazing views. Like Hermanus, Plettenberg Bay is a great place for whale watching. We had an amazing time with Ocean Safaris on a small boat that took 10 of us our to look for whales, and our patience was rewarded with not one but two humpback whales swimming along the side of our boat. On the way back we visited the seal colony and spotted a huge lion seal. You might also be lucky enough to spot sharks and dolphins! After out morning on the sea we returned to The Plettenburg and had amazing massages before dinner in the hotel restaurant. The food was amazing, the service was impeccable and their extensive wine list has something for everyone! Our next stop was Shamwari Game Reserve. They offer transfers from Port Elizabeth which is about 200km from Plettenberg Bay or to drive there from Plettenberg Bay is around 300km. Please see my next blog to find out how we got on with our safari. There is so much to see and do along the Garden Route, and between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth and I can tailor-make the trip based on what would suit YOU best. I would be happy to have a chat with you and help put together the perfect trip.

14 September 2019

As my first time in Cape Town and with so much to see and do and eat and drink, it was hard to know where to start and deciding where to stay was another decision as there is such a huge choice of hotels and there is somewhere to suit all tastes and budget. We opted to stay at the Waterfront and chose The Cape Grace and this was the perfect choice for us. This is a lovely 5-star hotel in a quiet location but just steps to the heart of the Waterfront with its vast array of restaurants, bars and shops. The hotel offers a range of wonderful rooms and as a small group of 4, we opted for a two-bedroom suite which was perfect. Two large en-suite bedrooms and a very spacious lounge area with small kitchen and additional bathroom and a large balcony overlooking the port and with great Waterfront and Table Mountain views. The Signal restaurant offers a great range of food options and the Bascule whiskey bar is a firm favourite with guests and locals with its enticing array of over 400 whiskies. The pool area at the back of the hotel is small but perfectly formed and a great place to relax. The service and facilities were impeccable. The concierge was able to get us reservations for drinks and dinner wherever we wanted to go, and the hotel offers a car service to take you anywhere within a 10km radius on a first come basis. We used this to go to Camps Bay to watch the fabulous sunset and to go to the Belmond Mount Nelson for Sunday High Tea. The car can also drop you at Table Mountain. We visited the awesome One & Only at the Waterfront and had a wonderful dinner in Reuben's restaurant sampling the very best local fish, meats and wines. We watched the sunset one evening from the roof terrace of the new 5-star Silo hotel which I can highly recommend – but book in advance as limited availability for non-residents. If you’re looking for something fun, there’s a great Comedy Club – although some of the local humour was lost on us, but still a great night out. From our base at the Waterfront we were able to get out and really explore the local area and with so much to see and do, we had to plan our itinerary in advance to fit everything in! Some highlights and my personal recommendations would be Simons Town to see the African penguins and Houts Bay to see the seals. Table Mountain was amazing and is a complete ‘must-do’. We were travelling in September and we went up first thing in the morning and were lucky enough to have a clear and beautiful day. Queue times can be very long so be prepared to wait – especially in peak December time. Also, the cable car will not run in windy weather and it had been closed the day before and day after we went, so worth bearing in mind you may need to be flexible when planning. I would strongly recommend buying your tickets beforehand to avoid queuing for tickets and then queuing again for the cable cars. We also visited Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope – again in peak December time, I would recommend leaving Cape Town by 0730 in order to avoid the very long queues. The views were outstanding and well worth a visit and the funicular railway was a fun way to reach the top. Keep a close watch on your bags as the baboons are very quick! Robben Island is another ‘must-do’ activity and you can take the boat from the Waterfront. It takes around 45 – 60 minutes to get there depending on the weather and the water. The tour will not operate in bad weather when the swell is too high and we were lucky to manage to re-book our tour when our original tour was cancelled. The tour includes a coach drive around the island with a guide to explain the history of the prison and then you can go inside with an ex prisoner for a more in-depth insight to life inside. As we were in Cape Town on a Sunday, we visited the Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel for High Tea in the lovely gardens and with the largest selection of cakes I have seen! A visit to the wine region of Stellenbosch was another highlight. Whilst you can do this as a day trip from Cape Town, if you have the time, it is well worth adding a one or two night stay here or Franschoek as the surrounding area is stunning and there’s a large choice of fabulous hotels and guest house and some of the best wines and restaurants in South Africa. Given the number of different vineyards, it can be hard to know what to choose, so my tip would be to take the Hop on Hop off Wine Tram and the different coloured lines visit different vineyards. We opted for the curated tour. This is a small group tour – up to 10 people – with an experienced guide who will take you to three different vineyards and includes wine tastings, behind the scene tours and a 3-course lunch. We took the wine tram and transferred by tractor to Rickety Bridge. After a behind the scenes visit to the cellars and some wine tasting, we had a fabulous three course lunch. Next stop was Grand Provence, where the private wine tasting was in a lovely private lounge area and there’s a fabulous art gallery to wander around. Our last stop was La Bri where we tried wine pairing with chocolate before heading back to the centre of Stellenbosch. Cape Town has the most amazing sunrise and sunsets and watching the sunset from a bar in Camps Bay was another highlight. This is a bustling beach area with a great choice of bars and restaurants and only a short drive from the Waterfront. After Cape Town, we headed to Shamwari Game Reserve via Hermanus and the Garden Route and you can read all about that in my next blog. There is so much more I could tell you about Cape Town and I can recommend so many fabulous hotels and restaurants in Cape Town and would be more than happy to tailor-make your prefect trip. If you want to chat and find out more, please get in touch.

26 September 2019

If you are considering a short break to 'fly and flop' I can highly recommend Vilamoura! We hopped on the Jet2 flight from Manchester on a Friday morning - and we were by the pool before lunch time! We chose to stay at the fabulous Tivoli Marina. There are lots of great things about this 5-star hotel and here are just a few of the best bits: - The location - in the perfect spot right on the marina. - The spa - is newly renovated and fabulous! It's Thai-themed setting is the perfect place for a spot of pampering - The Puro Beach Club is perfect to chill and watch the world go by with great music, cool drinks and fabulous food - check out the nachos! - The views! All rooms have a fabulous view of either the marina or the ocean. My top tip is to upgrade to the panoramic view rooms which are on the top floors! - The staff - the service here is impeccable as well as friendly The hotel has close links with the Anantara hotel, which has its own golf course as well as an amazing spa! There's even a little hotel Tuk-Tuk to take you over there! With the later Jet2 flight back to Manchester on Monday, we had 4 full days of sunshine and chilling - and was still back in time to be ready for work on Tuesday morning. If you are considering a short break and want some help to find the perfect spot for you, just get in touch.

21 May 2019

I was recently invited to spend a couple of nights on-board Celebrity's newest ship - Edge - before she set sail for the summer in the Med. The much-anticipated ship is the first in the Celebrity Edge class and the first thing you notice as you approach the 16-deck, 2,918-passenger ship is the Magic Carpet - designed by Burj al Arab hotel designer Tom Wright. The size of a tennis court, the platform overhangs the side of the ship and moves up and down. At its lowest level, it can help facilitate embarkation and disembarkation, while on deck 14 it is becomes a bar, before turning into a seafood restaurant on deck 5. The Kelly Hoppen-designed staterooms are stunning - light, airy and modern. I stayed in one of the infinite veranda suites. This really does bring the outside in, as you can leave open the traditional balcony doors and just press a button to open and close the top of the veranda as requited. This made the cabin feel more spacious and brighter. The size of the cabin was also ample with room for a day bed and a good-sized bathroom. I also had plenty of storage space. Edge has 29 food and dining venues and multiple entertainment venues – so definitely something for everyone! Main dining is split between 4 restaurants. 75% of the menu is the same in each with 25% taking a regional theme - Tuscan (Southern Italian), Cyprus (Mediterranean), Cosmopolitan (New York / LA vibe) and Normandie (French). I ate in Tuscan and Cyprus and the food was some of the best I have ever had both nights with attentive and knowledgeable service. There are a host of speciality restaurants to suit all tastes including a fabulous-looking Fine Cut Steakhouse with a whole range of meats and seafood. Le Grand Bistro with Parisienne-style food and for dinner, offers an interactive gastronomic experience full of fun and surprises as cartoon chefs are projected onto your plate in 3D. Raw on 5 has a selection of sashimi, caviar and hot sea food dishes and the Rooftop Garden Grill offers backyard BBQ inspired food. The theatre seems to have been designed to bring the audience in and the entertainment was top-notch! Whilst a lot of the Celebrity favourites can be found on Edge - such as the Martini Bar and the Oceanview Café, the most impactful addition must be Eden. This is a three-storey lounge throughout the day that turns into a restaurant and performing arts venue at night and something that has to be seen. I think it is aimed at a slightly younger Celebrity demographic with its revolutionary additions such as Eden and the Magic Carpet, whilst still appealing to those loyal Celebrity cruisers who appreciate the impeccable service, great food and entertainment and I would highly recommend her! If you would like more information about Celebrity Edge and where she is sailing, please get in touch.

08 December 2018

Golden opportunities should always be seized, especially if they involve golden bucket list itineraries. When I was offered a trip to India to experience the Golden Triangle I jumped at the chance! The Golden triangle takes in Delhi, Jaipur and Agra, three cities steeped in history and incredible architecture. British history is woven amongst Indian colour and culture. Our five-night trip started in Delhi where we were met on arrival by our private guide and driver and taken to the fabulous Shangri-la hotel. I can highly recommend staying here. The views from the club lounge are amazing and watching the traffic on the roundabout below is an experience in itself! Having a driver and guide allowed us to set the pace to suit us and allowed us the flexibility to tailor our days and itineraries to suit us and would thoroughly recommend considering this option, but there are also some excellent small group tours that may suit you better. The following day our whistle stop tour of Delhi started with a visit to Jama Masjid mosque capable of holding 25000 devotees. We then hopped into a bicycle tuk-tuk for a hair-raising tour of the back streets of the old town. Each street had a different speciality, with rows of shops selling ribbons and trims, whilst others sold herbs and spice. We also visited a memorial to Mahatma Ghandi which was peaceful and thought provoking. We then drove through India Gate, the war memorial for the Indian soldiers who fought in WW1 and other example of how our British lives are so interlinked with this vibrant country. The following day we were picked up for our trip to Jaipur and a trip to the Amer Fort which was built in 1592 and is surrounded by 14km of walls (which we didn’t walk as it was 45 degrees!) When Raja Man Singh has had enough of this fort, he moved into the city of Jaipur and built a new palace parts of which are still in use by the current family. The most crazy and amazing part of the day was to the Jantar Mantar observatory which has the most accurate sundial in the world. It can tell the time accurately to within 2 seconds: I really couldn’t comprehend how skilled the people had been to build this observatory. Jaipur also offered some shopping opportunities at a cooperative which produced block printed textiles and silky-smooth rugs. Day four we broke up the drive from Jaipur to Agra stopping off at Fatehpur Sikri which was built by Emperor Akbar as a thank you to the holy man who helped him (and his wife) conceive a son. It really was a spectacular building so typical of the splendour of the Mughal Empire at the height of its power. The next morning was an early start, as we really wanted to see the Taj Mahal at sunrise when it is at its most mystical - and at it quietest and coolest! As a 'bucket list' item, I had high expectations and can honestly say these were exceeded! I don’t think that I’ve ever quoted Bill Clinton before, but here goes “`There are two kinds of people in the world. Those who have seen the Taj Mahal and love it, and those who have not seen the Taj and love it.” Whether India features on your own bucket list or is just somewhere you think you would like to explore, I would love to help!

29 December 2018

Last year I was asked by one of my clients if I could help with finding the perfect venue for her son's wedding. Whilst not a wedding planner, I jumped at the chance the help bring to life the perfect wedding! What followed was lots of discussions about various locations around the world and research into the practicalities and legal procedures of the different options. The brief was to find a stunning beach location that could accommodate their guests and offer a range of different accommodation to suit a range of budgets. We needed to find somewhere not too big but not too small that would work with us to ensure the happy couple got their dream wedding. After much consideration, Thailand was placed at the top of the list and we decided that a fact-finding trip was in order. So, in January 2018 I set off with the mother of the groom and her sister to Thailand! Our first stop was Bangkok. I must admit this was a place I have never really considered visiting so had quite low expectations, but the city completely captivated me! We stayed at the Shangri-La and I couldn't fault it! The location right on the river was stunning - amazing views and so easy to get around from. The service and our rooms were gorgeous and everything you would expect from such a great brand. The day after we arrived, I had arranged a private tour with a local guide. The aim was to experience Bangkok like a local so as well as visiting all the 'must see' palaces, temples and markets, we also got a taster of some of the local modes of travel including a longtail boat, the local ferry, a Tuk-tuk and the train! This tour was really enlightening and fun and something I would recommend - in fact several clients have done this tour since and feedback is consistently fabulous! That night we had booked a 90-minute anti-jetlag massage at the Mandarin Oriental hotel which is just across the river from the Shangri-La. I can say hands-down this is the best massage I have ever had! I literally felt I had melted through the floor! We were lucky enough to be staying at the Shangri-La over a weekend and managed to fit in the hotel-run dinner cruise (amazing) and we got to experience the Thai afternoon tea on Sunday - complete with ball room dancing! Having adjusted to the time difference it was time to catch an internal flight to Krabi and meet with the prospective bride and groom to look at possible hotel’s venues for their wedding. Krabi is a lovely part of Southern Thailand and the scenery and views are just stunning. The beaches are fabulous and so the next task was to find the right hotel and wedding venue. Krabi offers a whole range of accommodation and there was no shortage of options. Hotels we stayed in included Rayavadee - located on the stunning Railay Beach - Centara Grand Krabi Beach Resort and Villas - situated in the national park and accessible by a private boat - and Amari Vogue - a little further north. We also visited Phulay Bay, a Ritz Carlton Reserve property featured in the Hollywood Hangover movie and managed a trip over to Phi Phi Island Village resort to explore the island featured on the Leonardo Di Caprio movie The Beach. The area around Krabi has also been used in James Bond movies which gives you an idea of just how stunning it is! All the hotels we visited were very welcoming and ticked the boxes for stunning scenery and great service and the eventual choice was Centara Grand Krabi Beach Resort and Villas which had a fabulous beach wedding venue as well as host of different rooms types to fit most budgets. With hotel picked, it then left 10 months to sort out the legalities, accommodation, menus, entertainment and every little detail needed to plan and create the prefect overseas wedding! Follow my blogs to see how it all turned out!

19 December 2017

The next stop on my California Road Trip was Big Sur. The drive south from Santa Cruz was peppered with frequent pull-overs to take photos and soak up the breath-taking views so I would recommend having enough time for this! The dramatic coastline and changing scenery was just wow! As you pull in to the Post Ranch Inn you know life is about to slow down a little. Nestled in the heart of Big Sur National Park off Highway 1 and just 30 miles south of Carmel, Post Ranch Inn really is something quite spectacular. This hotel is not somewhere ‘just to stop off’ en route down the Pacific Highway, it really could be the destination. I could literally just add the photos to make you fall in love with place, but I wanted to share lots more details with you. There are 39 rooms and one private house with eight types of accommodation, but to help you narrow it down, I’d suggest a room with a hot tub on its private deck. It will take me longer to decide between the stunning views of the mountains or the awesome vistas over the ocean. The resort is also adult-only. There are so many thoughtful touches in the rooms, from homemade cookies to a fridge stocked with beer and soft drinks, sumptuous robes and divine smelling toiletries. I started with lunch at Sierra Mar, the onsite restaurant where the food is fresh, creative and tasted fabulous and the views from the restaurant were some of the best I have ever seen. There are two heated infinity pools with stunning panoramic views 1200 feet above the Pacific Ocean and these are the perfect spots to just do absolutely nothing! For the more energetic there's a gym and lap pool onsite as well as a Yurt for yoga and a full-service spa with the most amazing views of the mountains. After a leisurely stroll around the grounds and Chef's garden, I borrowed a book from the well-stocked library and spent the afternoon by one of the infinity pools. Dinner was followed by a spot of organised star gazing which I would highly recommend! I stayed in the house which is located right next door to Post Ranch Inn and feature two huge bedrooms with equally stunning bathrooms, a huge open plan lounge - with log fire, two sunbathing decks, a fire pit and its own hot tub. The following morning, I awoke to yet more perfect views as I watched the sun rise from the ceiling to floor window in my room. Staying at the house still gives you access to all the facilities and you have a 24/7 chauffeur to take you back and forth if needed. I walked over to breakfast served in the Sierra Mar restaurant and it was a pleasant 20 minutes light hike. I was so glad I had walked as I encountered a family of deer playing along the way! Breakfast was a buffet, but not as we know breakfast buffets. The bakery selection was gorgeous with fresh bagels, muffins and breads, eggs cooked to order, and so much fresh fruit. The orange juice tasted just as good as you imagine Californian orange juice should taste! I was in no hurry to leave after breakfast so made my way down to the organised yoga class before a swim in the pool. A stroll around the Mercantile shop and Post Gallery and it was time for lunch around the other infinity pool. The staff were some of the most friendly and helpful I have ever encountered. I don't know how they do it, but they were nowhere to be seen, and everywhere you needed them! Lexus is the preferred vehicle at Post Ranch Inn and several are available for guest use during your stay. Shuttles are also available to take you around the resort. If you are looking for somewhere special to unwind, chill and be at one with nature whilst being exceptionally well looked after, then this is the place for you. There is so much more I could tell you about this amazing place, so if you want to know more, please get in touch with me.

18 December 2017

With endless sunshine, amazing cities and iconic natural treasures, it's not surprising that Californian road trips remain a popular choice for couples, groups and families. With so much to see and do, planning the perfect road trip can take time which is why I decided to fly to San Francisco and explore some of the many options available. I flew into San Francisco on one of the double-daily British Airways flights from London Heathrow and within an hour of landing I had passed through security, taken the transit train and was ready to collect my Alamo rental car. I decided to head out of San Francisco and just an hour and a half from San Francisco airport, is the seaside town of Santa Cruz. The road into town is lined with motels and hotel chains, and then you hit the sea front. Turn left for the marina, and right for the beach and pier. Straight ahead is Santa Cruz Beach boardwalk, with all the thrills of a fun fair with an eye-catching vintage looking Big Dipper. I stayed at the Paradox hotel, which is part of the Marriott Hotel family and is a great, quirky-looking 4-star hotel with a great pool area with fire pits and cool cabanas. Later that evening I headed over to the harbour and had dinner at Johnny’s which is in a great spot overlooking the festively lit up boats. Johnny's serves a great selection of local and imported seafood. The next morning, I headed over to the Boardwalk area to watch the early morning surfers and was delighted to find a large group of sea lions still snoozing under the pier! Breakfast at the Dolphin restaurant at the end of the pier was great with fabulous views. Santa Cruz still has the feel of an underdeveloped seaside town, the old style fun fair makes it a great family location. In my opinion Santa Cruz is definitely worth considering either as a stopping point as part of a road trip from San Francisco down the coast or even as a stopping point for a few days to chill out and explore the seaside. Please check out my other blogs to see where I went next!

19 December 2017

The last stop on our fabulous Queensland trip was back to Brisbane for two nights. We stayed in the amazing FV by Peppers. This brand new hotel offers the most amazing one or two bedroom apartments with floor to ceiling windows showcasing breath-taking views of the city. The food on our trip has been amazing - and I feel a blog just on food will be coming soon! I have to mention the amazing Thai restaurant we visited on arrival. Longtime is a must for anyone looking for amazing Thai food with great staff and a truly awesome setting! Historically Brisbane has been seen as a place you fly into and stopover before moving on to where you are going but I can firmly say that Brisbane is a city well worth staying and exploring. We had a fun-packed two days that included a night-time trip to Kangaroo Point with amazing views of the city, a trip to the Gallery of Modern Art, a fabulous microbreweries tour, a trip to the man-made beaches, shopping and sight-seeing and there was still lots more we could have done! I would highly recommend taking one of the free walking tours organised by Brisbane Greeters who are volunteers that show you around this great city and are more than happy to share their in-depth knowledge. If you want to know more about this wonderful city, any of the other places I visited on this trip or to have a chat about a trip to Australia then please get in touch!

19 December 2017

OOne of the most popular trips from Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island is to go out to Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet and looking at the pictures it's not hard to see why! Unfortunately, the day we were due to do this the weather took an unseasonable turn for the worst with winds and rain forecast so our trip was cancelled. Whilst gutted, it also gives me a great excuse to go back! Voted 'best beach in South Pacific' and 'best beach in Australia' in 2016 Trip Advisor Travellers Choice Awards, Whitehaven Beach is a pristine beach on Whitsunday Island, the largest of the 74 islands in the Whitsundays. Whitehaven Beach stretches over seven kilometres and boasts brilliant white silica sand that is among the purest in the world and attracts visitors from all over the world. At the northern end of Whitehaven Beach is Hill Inlet, a stunning inlet where the tide shifts the sand and water to create a beautiful fusion of colours. Many people claim Hill Inlet and Whitehaven Beach are the most beautiful places they've ever seen. Whitehaven Beach can be experienced in several ways. If you're interested in a day trip there are ferries, yachts, power boats and luxury cruising yachts that depart from Airlie Beach. A variety of sailing companies also offer multi-day charters that include a memorable visit here. Airlie Beach is the vibrant hub of the Whitsundays and the ideal mainland base for fun and adventure in the Whitsundays. It's a great base for exploring the Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef and there's a range of accommodation to fit all types and budgets! Soak up the laid-back, tropical atmosphere and instantly tune into holiday mode. Stroll through the boutiques, cafes and shops of the main street; relax by the Airlie Beach lagoon and head to the Saturday morning markets that offer a quaint range of local arts and crafts, fresh fruit and vegetables and much more. At the end of a great day, treat yourself at one of the alfresco restaurants - from fresh local seafood at a bustling seafood cafe, hand-made tapas made from fresh local produce, to a romantic sunset dinner for two. I can tailor-make the perfect Whitsundays trip for you so feel free to drop me a line and we can chat through the best options for you.

18 December 2017

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the seven natural wonders of the world and is a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site. FASCINATING FACTS: Did you know the Great Barrier Reef is larger than the Great Wall of China - and is the only living thing visible from space? Covering over 3,000km, with over 3,000 individual reef systems made up of over 400 kinds of coral and hundreds of picturesque tropical islands. It is home to 1500 species of tropical fish, 200 types of birds and a breeding ground for migrating humpback whales, it's not hard to see what this is one of the world's most popular places to visit! From Hamilton Island or Airlie Beach it's easy to see, explore and experience the Great Barrier Reef - by boat, plane or helicopter and I can give you more info on the many different options. We cruised from Hamilton Island with Cruise Whitsundays who offer a daily service to the Outer Barrier Reef in comfortable, high speed, air-conditioned catamarans that take around 90 minutes. Morning and afternoon tea and coffee is included as well as a varied lunch buffet. Additional food and drink items are available to purchase through the trip. The tour takes up to 300 people out to a pontoon where there are a range of options available for viewing the Reef. Stinger suits and snorkelling equipment are provided free of charge and you can also scuba dive, go on guided snorkel trips, try out the James Bond style sea bobs for an additional fee. The pontoon has an underwater viewing room where you can take a look at the reef whilst staying dry and there's also a semi-submersible boat trip offered. Scuba diving is a great way to get to see more of the reef and close up and I saw some amazing coral and fish. They offer a choice of group dives for certified divers or hand-held dives for first timers. They have an area where you can get used to the equipment in shallow water first before being guided round the reef with an instructor on a 1:2 ratio. Whilst out at the Outer Barrier Reef there's an option to view the reef from above with a helicopter tour for an additional few. This was undoubtedly the highlight of my day - if not my whole trip! The 10-minute tour was literally out of this world and I would highly recommend it to anyone! Flying over the reef gives you an entirely different perspective and I also got to see the awesome Heart Reef that I had seen in some many photos! There are longer trips available and there was even an option to helicopter back to Hamilton Island by helicopter for an additional fee. There are lots of different ways to get out the Outer Barrier Reef and I would be happy to discuss options with you and arrange the option that's right for you! Next stop Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet...

18 December 2017

After saying a fond farewell to the amazing Boomerang crew, we took the 45-minute catamaran trip over to Hamilton Island and checked into the Reef View Hotel. Perfectly located in front of a gorgeous white sandy beach, all rooms are large and spacious and sea facing with amazing Whitsunday views. The hotel is perfect for couples, families and groups. When I stepped out on our balcony I was greeted by not one but two cockatoos from the very many that were flying around the island - and then I realised why our group had been given our name! There are 74 islands in the Whitsundays and Hamilton Island is the largest inhabited island and the only one to have a commercial airport and is right in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. There are a range of hotels and apartments and amazing restaurants as well as a smattering of shops and bars to create a little village community feel. On neighbouring Dent Island you will find an 18 hole, par 71 championship golf course designed by five-times British Open winner Peter Thomson. For dinner we went to coca chu - a South East Asian inspired restaurant that was just amazing! Whilst you can walk around most of the island or hop on one of the regular free buses, a more fun way to see the island is to hire a golf buggy and go and explore. Hamilton Island is privately owned by the Oatley family and offers a range of accommodation and here are some options: Qualia - the ultimate luxury escape with just 60 perfectly appointed pavilions in the secluded north tip of the island. Beach Club - adult-only boutique hotel with 57 suites right on Catseye Beach. Palm Bungalows - 49 freestanding Bungalows in a perfect tropical setting and perfect for couples or small families. Yacht Club Villas - luxury four bed villas with breath-taking views over Dent Passage. Whilst you can do as much or as little as you like in Hamilton Island, the main Davys is on the Great Barrier Reef and there's a myriad of options for exploring. My next blog is about how we experienced this amazing natural wonder of the world! I would be delighted to send you more details of these or other options on Hamilton Island and if you want to know more just drop me a line.

18 December 2017

After a wonderful farewell reception at The Star Hotel, it was time to move on. In groups of around 12 people we all set off to explore different parts of this amazing country. Each group was given an Aussie wildlife nickname and we were the cockatoos. We flew up to Hamilton Island in the Whitsunday Islands. The flight with Virgin Australia was so easy and only took around 90 minutes. TOP TIP: I would highly recommend requesting a window seat as the views of the Whitsundays as we came in to land were amazing! From the airport we were whisked to the marina to find our home for the next 24 hours - Boomerang - an authentic sailing boat that used to race around the world! A true Maxi vessel, she boasts 83ft in length and 20ft wide. In her racing past, she achieved great success, including placing first place in World Maxi Series Race, in addition to other wins in the USA, Japan and New Zealand. She has called the Whitsundays home since 2009. What an amazing experience! We were fortunate enough to have perfect weather for sailing around the Whitsundays and the fabulous and knowledgeable crew quickly made us feel at home! We got to help raise the sails and learn about sailing boats as well as the Whitsunday islands we passed. Watching the sunset from the deck was a highlight along with lying on the deck after dark star-gazing. The following day after a hearty breakfast we set sail to go snorkelling and saw some amazing marine life. We then sailed to a perfect little island for a little picnic and wander. Boomerang can sleep up to 28 guests in an open plan layout and is primarily aimed at the backpacker market looking for a value for money island sailing adventure. She was a perfect choice for our group to chill out and get to know each other as we watched the world go by. There's an array of options to sail around the Whitsundays - from budget to luxury. At Corroboree West 2017 we were lucky enough to meet the very best suppliers and I now have amazing contacts and can tailor-make your perfect Australia trip. I can let you have more information about Boomerang or any of the many other ways you could sail the Whitsundays from group boats to private yachts and everything in between. Before we knew it, it was time to head to Airlie Beach and our next stopover - Hamilton Island!

18 December 2017

The first stop on our Corroboree West 2017 epic journey was on the Gold Coast where we stayed at the newly renovated Star Hotel. This gorgeous 5* hotel has 596 rooms and was winner of the 2017 Queensland Hotel Association Deluxe Accommodation Award. Whilst this is a large hotel with 596 rooms, a range of restaurants and bars, cinema and casino, the hotel never felt busy. Breakfast was amazing and very well organised. This is hotel is perfect for leisure and business guests as it's just a short walk to the exhibition centre and the rooms were spacious and spotless with one of the comfiest beds I have ever slept in! The Star is just a few minutes’ walk to Broadbeach which is everything you imagine the Gold Coast to be and more! The beach is amazing and is a hive of activity from sunrise. With jet lag meaning I was awake at first light, I took advantage of the yoga classes on the beach and it was the perfect way to start my day. It was great to see so many people out running, training and dog walking. Home to the 2018 Commonwealth Games and with 57km of perfect sandy beach and surrounded by 10,000 hectares of World Heritage Listed Gondwana Rainforest Hinterland, the Gold Coast has something for everyone - from families to backpackers, self-drivers to honeymooners. With some of great world's best surfers, it's a perfect spot to learn to surf or just kick back and watch them in action. Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach and are great places to base yourself and close to amazing restaurants, bars and shopping and with an array of accommodation, there's something to fit any budget. We had the first day to try out some of the many things to do in the area and my group visited the Jellurgal Aboroginal Cultural Centre which was an amazing journey of discovery about how the original owners of the land lived and chance to find out more about the Aboriginal history of the region. The walking tour was fascinating, and a highlight was a performance and talk from some of the Yugambeh Aboriginals, one of the oldest living cultures in the world. After a quick and very tasty lunch at BSKT, we were off to Budds Beach for a fun afternoon of Kayaking! Whilst our days on the Gold Coast were jam-packed meeting Australia's best tourism suppliers, each night had a great event planned. Our welcome night was held right on Surfers Paradise beach where we had our own private marquee where we were treated to great food, drink and entertainment. The following night was hosted at Burleigh microbrewery where we were tempted by local food vans, lots of beers choices and great live entertainment! The next night was hosted in With so much to see and do and so little time, I am sure I will be back to the Gold Coast in the future to continue exploring! If you want any more info on the Gold Coast, Queensland or Australia, please get in touch as there is so much more I could tell you! Next stop Whitsunday Islands...

18 December 2017

Tourism Australia invited 100 top Aussie specialists from the UK along with another 200 from around the world to meet with over 120 of Australia's best suppliers. The aim was to improve our knowledge and build personal relationships, so we can promote and sell this amazing country. After three days of intensive training and networking, we were then split into smaller groups to get first-hand knowledge of a specific area. I was fortunate enough to be invited to sample the very best of Queensland with a trip up to the Whitsunday Islands and Brisbane. Getting 300 Aussie Specialists out to the Gold Coast is no easy matter but we were flown from all over the world by Singapore Airlines. I flew out from Manchester to Brisbane with a two-hour stopover in Singapore. The first leg was on the new Singapore Airlines A350 which was amazing. Great seat pitch and touch screen inflight entertainment and each ergonomically designed seat has an adjustable headrest, Wi-Fi access, power outlet and USB point. The crew were exceptional and couldn't do enough for everyone and the food was some of the best airline food I have ever had. Our stopover at Singapore airport was a breeze. Just enough time to have a browse around the shops, take a stroll around the butterfly garden and get a drink. Had we had more time, we could have changed terminals and used the roof top swimming pool at Terminal 1 for a small fee. We travelled onwards on a Singapore Airlines 777 and the great service and wonderful food continued. The crew never stopped! Please check out my other blogs for more info on the amazing places we visited on this trip! TOP TIP: If you are transiting through Singapore Changi Airport on your outbound and return journey, you can claim a complimentary $20 Singapore dollar voucher that you can use in the airport for shopping, refreshments or more. I used my voucher on my return leg to access the Terminal 3 lounge where I had a hot shower. You can spend up to two hours in the lounge with complimentary Wi-Fi, food and drinks. There are lots of ways to get to Australia and I can highly recommend Singapore Airlines, or I can tailor-make your trip using the airlines that best fit your dates, itinerary and budget. Please get in touch if you want any more information.

24 May 2017

Situated on some of the finest beaches in the Caribbean, Sandals has sixteen adult only, luxury ultra-all-inclusive resorts in six different countries in the Caribbean and Beaches has three amazing family resorts – one in Turks and Caicos and two in Jamaica. Tropical settings, exquisite beaches, premium branded drinks and a wide choice of rooms types ranging from Luxury to Concierge and Butler Suites – there’s something for everyone. I have been lucky enough to visit many of these resorts and I would say that Beaches Turks and Caicos is possibly my most favourite place to go! It’s easy to understand why they have been voted the world’s leading all-inclusive company 21 years in a row at the World Traveller Awards. I have had many happy customers that return here time after time and I would be more than happy to share photos, information and answer any questions you might have. All inclusive actually means all inclusive here. Included are unlimited premium international branded drinks and all meals – with an unrivalled array of restaurants, cafes and bars to choose from. What’s more - unlimited scuba diving and golf is also included as well as complimentary lessons for all water sports as well as glass bottom boat trips, hobie cats, paddle boarding, kayaking and snorkelling. The award-winning Red Lane Spa is a haven of tranquillity where you can go to relax and unwind with a wide variety of treatments available (at an extra charge) and a fully equipped gym for those wanting to work out. For Sandals, you can choose from Barbados, St Lucia, and Bahamas. Jamaica, Antigua and Grenada each offering stunning beach-front locations and catering for couples in love. Dine under the stars with a romantic dinner for two or relax by the fire pits with regular entertainment. Food is high on the agenda with a huge choice of restaurants including Bombay the first Indian restaurant that opening in Barbados in 2015. Dinner is served in one of the very many a la carte restaurants available. Other options include the fabulous Butch’s steak house, Portofino fine Italian dining and Kimonos the Asian Teppanyaki restaurant where the chef may also sing to you! You will find other great options including English Bars, Mexican restaurants and locally caught fish. There are three Beaches properties. One is Turks and Caicos (which is set on one of the best beaches I have even seen!) and two in Jamaica in Negril and Ochos Rio and they are perfect for a family holiday with a range of activities to keep the whole family entertained. The Sesame Street characters can be found wandering around the resort and the kids club cater for all ages. There’s even a teen disco – strictly no adults allowed. Family BBQs and nightly entertainment are just a couple of the many activities to keep you busy. Beaches has the most thrilling waterparks in the Caribbean and Turks and Caicos also has Caribbean’s only surf-simulator. Featuring fabulous swim up soda bars and great water slide, water cannons, whirlpools and lazy rivers, Beaches really is the place to be! If you are planning a luxury Caribbean holiday either with your partner or your family, please get in touch for more information.

30 July 2017

As I was fast approaching a 'significant' birthday I wanted to do something special! I have been to LA a few times before but felt I still didn't know it well enough. It's a large, sprawling City and I decided it was time to get to know it better! I love staying in different places as I think it's the best way to get a real feel for the hotel and area and really helps me to recommend the right places for clients. Although this was a short trip, we managed to stay at four different hotels in four different parts of LA. Whilst a lot of people think of going to LA in the summer, it was a great place to be in the run-up to Christmas. The Christmas trees and lights and carol singers were lovely - especially with the sun shining! After a long flight, we picked up our car and headed out to the Marriott at Long Beach. We chose this as a base to explore the beaches and surrounding areas and the hotel was perfect for that. Redondo Beach, Long Beach and Huntington Beaches are all a short drive away. We drove over to Redondo Beach for dinner and it was amazing to see and hear the seals behind the Portofino Hotel. The following day we drove up to classy seaside resort of Santa Barbara. We had an amazing lunch at the fabulous Belmond hotel which is set above the town. It's a beautiful hotel, effortless service, great food, tranquil rooms and stunning views. Lunch on the terrace could have lasted hours as we soaked up the views down past the palm trees and across the blue ocean. We popped into the town just to check out Brophy Brothers which was on the pier by the marina. A relaxed place, lovely long bar, great burgers and chilled Californian wine. We clocked the Best Western Beachside on the way through town, as a good value option right across the road from the beach. I was determined to see surfers in action on the trip, so we came off the road at Rincon Point, and it was a bit of a Point Break moment, seeing the office workers exchange their pinstriped suits for wetsuits, grab the board and head out onto the ocean. There was a shack on the beach to grab a drink, and it felt like it was the sort of place that you could just sit and watch the world go by for a few hours. Back on the road, we hugged the coast on the historic El Camino road, the wind in our hair we wanted to make it to Malibu to watch the sunset on another pier. We grabbed some refreshments in the Malibu Farm café / restaurant (as seen at the end of the film Taken) and then back on the road to Santa Monica. Here we stayed at the wonderful Fairmont Miramar hotel: Two great things about this hotel: - The bungalows which are lovely little accommodations in the grounds of the hotel, some connect, and they have various sizes, but all have loads of beach house chic character. - And THE Bungalow – nothing like where your Nan used to live – this is one of the coolest bars in LA, chilled beach/college chic, and I have a contact to get you on the guest list! Really fun, great cocktails and definitely the place to be. It was great to spend some time exploring around Santa Monica. The beach is amazing and the iconic Santa Monica Pier was a highlight - and marks the end of the legendary Route 66. Santa Monica has a lovely laid-back feel. It's a great place for wandering around the shops, restaurants and bars but is also another great base for exploring LA. Venice Beach is a short drive away and downtown LA is easily accessible by car or metro or bus. The next day we ventured south to Dana Point to take a trip out with Captain Dave to meet up with the local dolphins - all 5000 of them and 3 hump back whales, and it was the most impressive marine life trip I’d been on. Our next stop was Hollywood and the fabulous Loews Hollywood hotel. I often recommend this hotel to clients as it's in a great location for exploring this part of LA. Right on Hollywood Boulevard, you can step straight out on the Hollywood Walk of Fame with the famous 'stars' on the pavement and the Chinese Theatre and only a mile from the Hollywood Bowl and 1 metro stop to Universal Studios. We had a gorgeous, spacious suite and we opened our curtains in the morning to see the HOLLYWOOD sign, and a little closer was the chapel from the Sister Act movie. We also had a look around the nearby W hotel which has some great rooms with an amazing lobby space with a modern bar which would be great for people-watching! As it was a 'significant' birthday I wanted to do something a little bit special! One of my favourite films is Pretty Woman so there could be only one other hotel that I needed to stay at - The Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire! It was everything I hoped for and more: from our greeting by the jolly door man to the choir of carol singers in the lobby, the spa was tranquil, the bar convivial and our room delightful. We had a tour around and saw the different rooms and suites. Ok, we learned that most of the filming was done miles from the hotel, but that didn’t dampen our spirits when we got to go in THAT elevator! It is an exceptional hotel, right on Rodeo Drive, surrounded by some of the most well-known shops in the world with impeccable service and attention to detail. The Beverley Wilshire wasn’t our only film star experience! On my actual birthday we spent the day in a 1966 red Cadillac convertible being driven around by the charismatic Johnny: what he didn’t know about LA wasn’t worth knowing! He knew who lived where with whom and what was going on. His tour, for me, is now THE tour in LA. We saw the highlights which we’d hoped for, and the secret haunts of the stars. We found beaches, shops, cafes and side streets which just aren’t in the guide books. Let’s face it, LA is a fast moving place, and I think that Johnny keeps the pace of 'what’s what', and 'who’s who' better than any book publishing company. Whilst we managed to do lots of things whilst in LA there was still so much more we could have done had we had longer - such as Universal Studios and Disneyland over at Anaheim - and plenty of other places to travel on to from LA - such as San Diego or up the Pacific Highway to San Francisco - so will definitely be back!

05 April 2017

Having cruised on some of the world's largest ships, I was really looking forward to trying something different - and Seabourn Sojourn didn't disappoint! With only 225 suites, this is an entirely different experience to cruising on a large cruise liner. The size of the ship means that it can go into some of the smaller ports that the larger ships can't go and our itinerary was spot on and we set sail from Barcelona to St Tropez, Calvi, Sete, Marseille, Palamos and back to Barcelona. Being able to sail so close to St Tropez was amazing and felt very glamorous and taking the small tender boats straight into the harbour was amazing! Clients who have travelled with Seabourn have always mentioned the 'Seabourn Moments' and I was keen to find out exactly what these were. This is one of the things where Seabourn excel - creating lasting impressions through excelling in customer service. The crew to guest ratio allows the crew to get to quickly get to know the guests. I was amazed at how many people remembered my name - and loved the way they remembered how much I loved the guacamole at lunch and were soon bringing me extra helpings as soon as we sat down for lunch - a classic Seabourn Moment of my own! Our balcony stateroom was really spacious, light and airy. We had a walk in wardrobe and the biggest bathroom I have ever seen at sea. Our mini-bar was pre-stocked with our favourite spirits and nothing was too much trouble for our stateroom attendant. We also had personalised stationery in our stateroom. The food was out of this world. Leisurely, cooked to order breakfasts taken outside as we sailed into port was a great start to each day. Lunch served by the patio pool bar was amazing with lots of choice of fresh fish, meats and salads and dinner was a gastronomic delight! Special mention to the lovely soufflés with almost floated off the plate. There was plenty of open spaces for relaxing on the ship during he day and the attentive and intuitive crew did an excellent job of looking after us. I would highly recommend Seabourn for couples or small groups looking for a luxury break and would be happy to chat more about this with you, so please feel free to get in touch!

22 May 2016

Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas is the world’s largest cruise ship and I was invited on board for a couple of nights to test it out before its inaugural trip this week. I have sailed on Anthem of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas and loved them so had high expectations for this new ship and I wasn’t disappointed! The ship certainly has the WOW factor! Obviously it is HUGE and the view on approach is stunning. Boarding was seamless and fast and then it was up the escalator (first one I have seen on a ship) and up to deck 10 to our cabin. Like other Oasis Class ships, Harmony of the Seas has a number of different ‘neighbourhoods’ including the Royal Promenade, Central Park and Promenade. It’s easy to forget you are actually on a ship when you are sat in a coffee bar looking out at real trees and plants and watching the work go by! We had a balcony cabin overlooking the Boardwalk. We could look down on the street below with a carousel, Starbucks, Jonny Rockets and other bars, restaurants and shops. We also had great views of the aqua theatre and could see the purple tubes of the mighty Ultimate Abyss slide. This is a 10 storey slide that takes just 13 seconds to get from top to bottom and is well worth a try! We could hear the shrieks from our balcony with the doors open, but as soon as we closed the doors it was silent! The cabin was spacious with the option for a queen or two twin beds as well as a large sofa. I loved the fact that with the doors open you can hear the music and noise of the street below, but the sound proofing is so good that with the doors closed you get a great night’s sleep. This ship seems to have taken the best bits from all the other ships and there’s something for everyone. For kids, there is never a dull moment. The kids clubs cater from babies right through to teens with different clubs for different ages – they even have their own movie theatre showing DreamWorks classics. Looking for something to do? There are water slide to suit all ages – and bravery levels! – and you can take you pick of pools. The Perfect Storm is a collection of water sides to satisfy any thrill seeker. There are arcades, a climbing wall, the FlowRider surf simulator, a zip wire and not forgetting the Ultimate Abyss slide. There’s an ice rink and you can even arrange private tuition if you want. There is also a huge gym and a gorgeous spa. I can highly recommend the hot stone massage. Looking to be entertained? This is where the ship really comes into its own! We saw the Tenors of Rock on our first night and then the West End standard production of Grease in the Royal Theatre which was absolutely amazing. We also saw the 1887 ice show in Studio B and caught some comedy in Attic before dancing the night away with the amazing Wild Boys 80’s tribute band who took the Royal Promenade by storm. There’s also late night live music in Dazzles or extra late dancing in Attic for those with any energy left and not forgetting the Casino Royale! The aqua theatre wasn’t on when we were on board but we saw the divers and synchronised swimmers practicing and it looked amazing. Looking for something to eat? You are truly spoilt for choice. As well as the main dining options of Silk, American Icon and The Grande there is a host of speciality options such as Izumi Japanese sushi restaurant, 150 Central Park – the gastro restaurant created by Michael Schwartz – Sabor Mexican restaurant, Chops Grille, Jamie’s Italian and Wonderland and the Windjammer self-service market place caters for all tastes. Need a drink? There are so many bars to choose from dotted around the ship and I would recommend taking a trip on the Rising Tide bar that slowly descends from Central park to deck 5 whilst you sip your drink and watch the world go by. Another ‘must-try’ is the Bionic Bar where you choose a cocktail that is freshly prepared for you by one of two robotic arms! Vintages Wine Bar is a nice place to escape and is fully stocked with top-notch wines from across the globe. When it’s time to sleep, the ship has an amazing array of cabin options. Inside cabins with virtual balconies are great if you just want a base, ocean view and balcony cabins offer spacious accommodation and I would definitely recommend an inside balcony overlooking either the Promenade or Central Park as an option to a sea view balcony. You still get the sun but you can also soak up the ambience from the neighbourhoods below and you get some added incentives on certain sailings! If you are looking for more space and options there are many suites to choose from. The amazing Presidential suite can accommodate up to 14 people and has a huge balcony and the Aqua Theatre suites will give you some of the best views of the water shows. The loft suites certainly have the WOW factor! There’s so much more I could tell you about this amazing ship so if you want to know more just get in touch! I believe that there’s a cruise ship that’s perfect for everyone, but it’s not the same ship so if you want any help finding the perfect cruise for you, just let me know.

22 May 2016

The last time I visited Disneyland Paris was in 1992 when it first opened so I thought it was worth re-visiting as they has been so many changes over the years. I always like to be able to offer the very best information and advice to my clients which is why I try and travel as much as I can to keep my knowledge current. There are a few options of how to get to Disneyland Paris. There’s the Eurostar, the ferry and you can drive or fly. We decided to fly from Manchester to Paris. Getting from the airport to Disneyland Paris is easy. There’s a Disney coach transfer service that operates regularly from the airport, private transfers can be arranged or you can take the train. We took to Disney transfer which took around 40 minutes door to door. There are lots of places to say in and around Disneyland Paris. There are seven Disney hotels plus a range of other partner hotels close by. The Disney hotels all have their own distinct look and feel and cater for a range of budgets. Santa Fe and Cheyenne are great 2 star hotels. Santa Fe is themed around the ‘Cars’ movie and Cheyenne looks like an old Wild West town. Both offer regular complimentary transport to the parks. Davy Crocket Ranch offers cabin accommodation sleeping up to 6 in a cabin so is good for larger groups but is better suited to those who drive as there’s no transport to the parks from here. There’s a swimming pool with slide and a range of nature walks here. Sequoia Lodge offers 3 star accommodation in a mountain lodge setting. It has a swimming pool and is a 15 minute stroll to the parks or has complimentary transportation. We stayed at Newport Bay Resort which is a 4 star hotel. It has an indoor and outdoor pool and 2 great restaurants as well as bar. Our room was lovely. It looked newly refurbished and had a nautical feel to it with two large beds, a balcony and plenty of space. There are a range of room options including Club rooms that give VIP FASTPASS access. We ate in both restaurants and the food was great in both. The parks were 15 minute stroll around the lovely lake and there was also the option to take the free shuttle bus. Hotel New York is a 4 star Big Apple themed hotel right next to Disney Village and a 10 minute walk to the parks. It has a lovely pool area, restaurants and a great bar. Suites and Club rooms are available with additional FATSPASS benefits. Disneyland hotel is a 5 star hotel located directly opposite the entrance to parks. It has a pool, fitness centre and spa as well as supervised Minnie Club play area. Disney Village has a range of shops, bars and restaurants, a cinema and this is where Mickey’s Wild West show takes place. Marne-la-Vallée – Chessy train station is located in this area too where you can catch the train into Paris. We did this one day and it took less than an hour to get to the Eiffel Tower. There are two Disney parks – Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studio Park. The Disneyland Park is the original park with Cinderalla’s Castle and a host of rides to cater for all ages. Walt Disney Studio Park is the newest edition and has the scary Tower of Terror and a fabulous Toy Story area with themed rides and there are lots of opportunities to get photos with a host of Disney characters. We stayed for three nights which was long enough to get around both parks and also sample some of the great restaurants on offer. I loved the food at Walt’s on Main Street and the character dining at Café Mickey is also a great place to hang out with some of the Disney Characters. I now feel like a Disneyland Paris expert so if you’re thinking of visiting anytime I would love to help so please get in touch.

23 May 2016

Washington is somewhere I have always wanted to visit but never quite made it - and it was definitely worth the wait! We flew out with British Airways on the new A380 which was fabulous. We stayed at the J W Marriott which was in a perfect spot. The hotel in on Pennsylvania Avenue and a five minute walk from the Whitehouse and walking distance to many of the places on our 'to do list' like the Smithsonian Museums, the Monument and Ford's Theatre (where Abraham Lincoln was shot). Our room was lovely and spacious and the hotel has a great swimming pool. We were only there for three nights so we decided to try the Old Town Trolley bus tour. They have different routes but I can recommend doing all three which will take round all the major monuments and buildings as well as Arlington Cemetery and Uptown to the National Cathedral and you can hop on and hop off throughout the tour. I would highly recommend this tour. Not only did it take us everywhere we wanted to visit but the drivers narrate the tour making each trip slightly different and entertaining with the opportunity to ask questions as you go along. I loved Union Station and think it's well worth a visit to look around and there's some great shops and restaurants there too. From there we walked over to look at the Capitol Building. Another highlight was the tour around Ford's Theatre where Abraham Lincoln was shot. It was a really informative tour and included a visit to the house across the road where he was taken to die and - like a lot of the museums in Washington - entry is free. Washington has a wonderful choice of fabulous restaurants and bars and the cocktail list at the Capitol Grille is definitely worth trying out. I took the time to look at some other hotels which we were there and there’s a great choice to suit all budgets. One favourite was the W Hotel. I love the design elements of the hotel and the views from the fabulous roof top bar are stunning. There is so much to see and do that we could easily have stayed a few more days…but at least we have a reason to go back! If you’re planning a trip to Washington or just want a little more information, please get in touch as I would love to help!

11 February 2016

February is a great time to visit New York if you are looking for good value for money. You can usually pick up some fairly cheap flights and find some great hotel deals too. We flew with United from Manchester to Newark, hopped into a yellow taxi and we were at the Westin Times Square just 40 minutes later. The Westin in centrally located and within reach of a lot of the places most people want to see - Times Square, Empire State Building, Central Park, Rockefeller Centre and Macys - and the hotel is surrounded by bars, restaurants and theatres. The higher the floor, the better the view so it's worth paying a little bit extra for a higher room if that's important to you. The rooms at the Westin are fair sized for New York and we were in a recently refurbished Premium Deluxe room which was plenty big enough for three with a lovely, spacious bathroom. If there's a Broadway show you particularly want to see, it's worth planning ahead. We got tickets to see Misery starring Bruce Willis and it was amazing! With so much to see and do, it's definitely worth planning and pre-booking at least part of your trip before you go. We decided that the 'Top of the Rock' was a must-do activity so we pre-booked this before we left. Our ticket was open dated allowing us to be flexible as to when we went, but it also gave up VIP entrance so it cut down on the wait time. We went up around 5.30pm and watched the sun set and I can quite honestly say it was one of the most spectacular scenes I have ever seen. Another thing on our list was the Statue of Liberty. This must be pre-booked especially if you want to get tickets to go up to the pedestal or the Crown as only a set number of tickets are sold per day. Ticket price includes the boat out to both Liberty Island and Ellis Island and I can thoroughly recommend this trip. When down at the south of the island we took the opportunity to visit the new One World Trade Centre, dubbed 'Freedom Tower' and memorial which was incredibly moving. We wandered down Wall Street and had our photos taken with the Bull. If anyone likes shopping then you will love Century21 which is just a few minutes' walk from here. For a full day shopping experience it's worth considering a trip out to Woodbury Common outlet village. We then decided to go to one of New York's oldest pubs for lunch - The Paris café where the food was amazing! http://thepariscafenyc.com/ In the heart of Times Square is The View Restaurant. This is a revolving restaurant at the top of the Marriott Marquis and does a fabulous Champagne Sunday Brunch where you can sit back, relax and view the Manhattan skyline. One of my most favourite places is still Grand Central Station. It is a great place to people watch! We did the official 75 minute tour so if you need to know anything about this awesome place - just ask me! Another highlight of our trip was Central Park. We took a half hour horse and carriage trip through the park which we loved. There are so many things to do in New York that you really can't do it all in one trip - which is probably why I keep going back. Before we knew it, it was time to come home and what better way to travel to the airport than in a white stretch limo...... If you are thinking of visiting New York and need any help planning your trip, I can promise to help you make the most of the time you have so please get in touch.

07 December 2015

Barbados remains one of my most favourite places to visit and this trip was just as wonderful as all my previous stays. I am lucky enough to have some great friends out there and this time I stayed with one of them who is in a lovely spot in Dover on the south of the island. The main purpose of my trip was to visit some more of the island's hotels as I will always match my clients to the right hotel and I believe nothing beats first-hand knowledge of a hotel! My first stop was the newly opened Sandals Resort which was a mere five minutes stroll from my friend's cottage. Aimed at couples in love, Sandals Barbados is an ultra-all-inclusive resort based in Dover close to St Lawrence Gap and opened in January 2015. The hotel is situated on a lovely beach with a range of complimentary water sports available. You can also dive for free twice a day if you are certified - or can get certified whilst you are there for an additional fee. Whilst here I was given a guided tour of the resort including the different rooms and was really impressed! I loved the ocean front rooms and the swim up one bedroom suites were divine. There's so much to do here! The signature Red Lane Spa was a haven of tranquillity and there are 11 choices of places to dine. Speciality coffee and pastries at Café de Paris was lovely for sitting and watching the world go by. Other dining options included a Caribbean seafood restaurant, regional Italian, 'Soy' Japanese, Butch's Chophouse (a New York-style steakhouse) and Bombay Club - Sandals' first ever Indian restaurant. What I liked about this resort is that there was a spot for everyone. The pool area closest to the beach was the most lively area, but if you want a quieter spot there were cabanas and pool loungers in the pool behind there or the quieter lagoon area for complete peace and quiet. If you're looking for a luxury adult-only resort, this should tick most of your boxes and if you would like more information or photos, please drop me a line. Next stop was the newly refurbished Sandpiper up on the West Coast. This re-opened at the beginning of November and was already full when we visited. The rooms are stunning and this is a fabulous place for those looking for some rest and relaxation in luxurious surroundings. We even got to meet Harold from the famous Harold's Bar. The newest addition is the beach villa that was due to open the week after we visited and offers the ultimate space for larger families with the most amazing sea views! We then wandered up the beach to the sister hotel - Coral Reef. This is a larger resort with spacious accommodation spread out throughout the resort. Lunch in the restaurant looking out to sea was spectacular. The Coral Reef Spa looked amazing and would highly recommend this as a place to go and relax. Another hotel we visited was The Fairmount Royal Pavilion. Situated on a gorgeous beach in St James, this is a smaller resort with just 72 rooms. I especially loved the ground floor Beachfront Junior Suites with an extended terrace area and direct access to the beach. Each hotel had something different and I am positive that Barbados has a hotel for everyone and I am certain I can find the right one for you! The rest of my time was spent checking out some of the other things that Barbados has to offer. I loved the walk along the fabulous promenade from Rockley to Hastings. The views are amazing and there are lots of places to stop off and get a drink. I ended up at the great Farmers Market in Hastings which has lots of stalls selling local produce and found myself chatting to another Manchester lass - Helen Morgan - who now lives there and sells the most gorgeous hand painted wooden signs. Barbados has so many things to do no matter how energetic or laid back you want to be. Lime Grove is great for a spot of duty-free retail therapy, the east coast is great for surfing and kite-surfing and the centre of the island is great for nature lovers and there is even a drive in cinema where you can catch the latest Hollywood Blockbuster. There are so many great restaurants to choose from and I would be happy to recommend the perfect one’s for you. Please get in touch if you want to chat about a trip to Barbados.

20 August 2015

Think Dubai and you’d be forgiven for thinking about a luxurious, pampering escape where you’re surrounded by world class hotel facilities, attentive personal service and you’re never far from a refreshing poolside drink. But there’s another side to Dubai – one which is aimed at the adrenaline-fuelled holidaymaker always on the lookout for the next big thrill. If this sounds like you, read on for a guide to some of Dubai’s biggest attractions for the sports and leisure enthusiasts out there! Skiing down a snowy mountain, boarding from the peak of a sand dune, speeding around a racetrack, galloping across the desert on a thoroughbred Arabian stallion, or teeing off on a floodlit golf course at midnight. However audacious your planned activities, you’ll find Dubai the perfect playground. For tennis lovers the very courts on which Djokovic and Federer compete at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships are available for the public to play; the same pool in which the likes of Tom Daley competed in the Fina World Diving Championships is open for swimmers keen to try out a few Olympic laps; and the footsteps of many a professional golfer can be followed on the very fairways where world championships have been won. For anyone to say they’ve truly been to Dubai, they need to experience the desert in all its golden glory. A desert safari is the perfect way, strapped into a 4x4 and off-road driving in a sea of sand. Sand boarding is also a thrilling desert activity, with Dubai’s Big Red dune the emirate’s ultimate ‘black run’. Just one hour from the centre of Dubai, this monster of a mountain rises to 300ft, perfect for adrenaline seekers. Playground antics don’t set with the sun. Camping under a ceiling of stars is a memory that lasts a lifetime. With just the embers of the campfire to light the way, the desert is at its most mysterious and silent at night but don’t miss nature’s first show of the day- sunrise, best experienced from the basket of a hot air balloon gliding on the morning breeze. Intrigued and want to find out more? Get in touch with me today. Hope to speak to you soon!

16 July 2015

We have just returned from a week at Beaches Turks and Caicos....and we can't wait to go back! The Turks and Caicos Islands consist of 40 islands and cays, eight of which are inhabited. The islands are located 550 miles southeast of Miami, Florida, just below the Bahamas chain and just to the east of Cuba and the island of Hispaniola. To get there we had to fly to Providenciales. At the moment, British Airways fly once a week from Gatwick via Antigua or there are various options to fly in via Miami. We stopped in Antigua for a few days before continuing on to Turks and Caicos and flew back on the direct flight that touched down in Antigua for an hour to pick up more passengers. Beaches is the family sister brand of Sandals couples resorts. They have two Beaches resorts in Jamaica and one in Turks and Caicos and they really have thought of everything a family could possible need - including the world's best footballer (apparently!) who was also staying there at the same time! The resort is situated about 20 minutes’ drive from the airport and provides fast and efficient transfers, It is situated on a 12 mile stretch of beach that is possibly the nicest beach I have even seen complete with soft, white sand and the most turquoise sea you can imagine. The resort is split into 4 'villages' each with their own distinct look and feel - Caribbean Village, French Village, Italian Village and, the newest edition, Key West Village. We had a fabulous suite with a large balcony with views of the ocean in the Caribbean Village. We had ample storage space, a large bathroom with a bath and shower and two large, extremely comfy double beds. Our fridge was re-stocked daily with soft drinks. If you opt for concierge or butler suites you also get full sized bottles of spirits and wine too! There are 20 restaurants on site so there really is something for everyone. We loved them all and the food was outstanding! Kimonos Japanese Teppanyaki was a fun night out with the chefs out-singing each other. Another favourite was Barefoot by the sea where you can dine on sand. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner with a great choice of options. The adult only Sky restaurant is nice. Situated in an elevated position looking out towards the ocean, the food was divine! As you would expect, there is a lot of fresh fish and sea food options as well as meat and vegetarian options with themes from around the world - including the British Cricketers Pub, Arizona Mexican style restaurant and Giuseppe’s Italian restaurant. The kids have their own Bobby Dee’s diner and ice cream parlour open from 11am - 6am serving a wide range of meals and snack and a great place to hang out. This is situated within the Pirates Island water park which is a 45000 square foot water park with slides big and small as well as a lazy river and a pirate ship. They even have a kid's swim up bar! Even though the hotel was completely full the week we were there, we never queued to get on any of the slides or struggled to get a ring to bob around the lazy river or had to wait excessively for a table in the restaurant of our choice. Beaches is an ultra-all-inclusive resort so that includes all premium brand spirits and cocktails as well as land and water sports. It also includes scuba diving! As a qualified scuba diver that hadn't dived for a few years, I took the refresher course which I paid a small fee for then I was free to take up to two dives a day, every day! Also included are snorkelling trips, paddle boarding, wind surfing and hydro bikes. You can learn how to sail a hobie cat and go off on your own or they will take you out. Other activities included croquet, volley ball, basketball, pool, snooker and lawn chess as well as tennis courts and organised football. For the kids.....where do I start! There's something for tots, toddlers, tweens and teens. Sesame Street characters can be found around the resort meeting the kids as well as scheduled shows. There are kids clubs and activities organised by age groups as well as the Xbox Play Room and teen’s Liquid disco and many other things to keep kids happy! The Red Lane Spa offers a wide range of fabulous treatments that can be carried out on the beach or in the spa and there are two well-equipped gyms along with a schedule of classes and activities. I absolutely loved Beaches at Turks and Caicos and there is so much more I could tell you, so if you have any questions or want to know more, why not get in touch?

14 July 2015

We decided to stop for a few days in Antigua to break up our trip to Beaches Turks and Caicos and thought we would try their sister hotel – Grand Pineapple. Located in picturesque Long Bay which is one of the prettiest stretches of beach on the island, Grand Pineapple is a lovely three star all-inclusive resort. We found all the staff to be friendly and helpful and nothing was too much trouble. In fact this was one of the friendliest places we have ever stayed. They offer a range of room types from standard rooms located towards the back of the resort, to ocean front rooms that are higher up with great sea views and tropical water view rooms situated right in front of the ocean. We were lucky enough to get one of the refurbished tropical water view rooms with a balcony right on the beach. Our room was spacious enough for the two of us with plenty of wardrobe space and a large bathroom with a great walk in shower. Whilst the hotel is part of the Sandals Group, this is a more down to earth resort with fewer facilities but, in my opinion, offers great value for money. There’s a host of activities to get involved with during the day including volleyball and cricket on the beach as well as tennis courts and a fully stocked gym and a selection of non-motorised water sports are included. There’s a buffet restaurant available for most meals as well as an A La Carte restaurant you can book on certain nights. Antigua is a great island with lots of heritage so we spent a day touring around the island. Shirley Heights offers great views over Nelson’s Dockyard and English Harbour. We went there in the afternoon, but apparently it’s THE place to be on Sunday evenings for a great mix of food and music. We popped over to Nonsuch bay for a lovely lunch. This is a great spot for sailing and they offer a range of sailing and water sports so we have a great trip out on a hobie cat. The resort is quite remote and perfect for those looking for some peace and tranquillity. They have a selection of gorgeous one, two and three bedroom spacious apartments with stunning views and large patio or balcony areas and have a number of amazing infinity pools. I also visited Sandals Grande Antigua whilst on the island. If you are familiar with the Sandals brand you will know that Sandals is aimed at couples in love and offers an ultra-all-inclusive accommodation. There’s no end of things to do, unlimited water sports, places to eat and bars. They offer a wide selection of rooms from standard rooms, concierge rooms and butler suites and would make an ideal location for a romantic break. We also found time to visit the rain forest and try out zip-wiring for the first time which I can thoroughly recommend! Before we knew it, it was back to the airport to catch out flight to Providenciales and our next stop; Turks and Caicos.

30 May 2015

The CLIA 2015 Cruise conference was held in Southampton and it was a great opportunity to take 4 days out of the office to find out what's new in the world of cruising. One of the great things about the conference was that the seminars were hosted on-board three different, equally amazing cruise ships - Princess Cruises' Royal Princess, Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas and P&O Cruises' Britannia. Not only did we get the hear about developments and updates in both ocean and river cruising, it was also a great opportunity to meet new suppliers, catch up with old colleagues and to hear inspiring and motivating presentations from some of the industry's leaders. The three day conference included time to look around the three beautiful ships as well as having time to dine in one of their beautiful restaurants. As well as being great fun, the conference was great for taking the time to find out what is coming up next for cruising - and there are lots of things to look forward to! I am particularly looking forward to the arrival of Carnival Vista which will launch in 2016 with a whole host of fabulous innovations and a plethora of dining options. I can't wait to try out the new SkyRide which is a strap-in and ride bike course high above the deck and the multiplex cinema featuring an IMAX Cinema and a Thrill Theatre. Carnival Vista will also feature an amazing brewery that churns out its own microbrew options. Other new ships for 2016 include Holland America's MS Koningsdam and Explorer from Regent Seven Seas. Conference highlights included the Innovation presentation by Royal Caribbean's Dondra Ritzenthaler and the Q&A session with one of P&O's food heroes the very funny and charming Eric Lanlard. It was certainly worth taking the time out of the office and I learnt so much about different brands and products and made some fabulous new contacts. Let me know if you are interested in learning more about ocean or river cruising as I am sure I can help you find your perfect cruise!

30 May 2015

Having recently got the cruise bug, I was dying to try out the latest additional to the Royal Caribbean family - The Anthem of the Seas - and decided to take a trip of one of the 3 night taster cruises. It ended that a group of ten of us went and all tried different cabins ranging from an inside cabins with the new virtual balconies, balcony suites and the two bedroom Royal Suite. I can honestly say that the Anthem had something for all of us and is a perfect venue for families and mixed groups to have a fabulous time together. My balcony cabin was spotlessly clean, airy and more than big enough for two people. We had done the online check in before arrival at the cruise terminal so we just breezed through check in and were soon on-board. The Anthem of the Seas is something else! There's a street with a pizzeria, a deli, a patisserie, a selection of shops - and a robotic bar! That's right! You can choose a cocktail form the iPad menu or create your own then a robotic arm will make and deliver your drink! There was so much to do that we really didn't have time in just three nights - but we did our best! Entertainment-wise we were spoilt for choice - Anthem has so many options and innovations! http://www.royalcaribbean.co.uk/our-ships/anthem-of-the-seas/activities/ Our first stop was the North Star which is a glass pod that ascends up to 300 feet above the ship to give stunning 360 degree views. We had to wait around 25 minutes but as we were queuing at the side of the Sky Bar, the time passed quickly. At the back of the ship there's a Rock Climbing Wall, a Flowrider surf simulator and Ripcord by IFly indoor sky diving simulator. There's also Seaplex - a fabulous indoor play area that changes to different activities throughout the day to include dodgems, Circus School, football pitch and roller skating and serves as a night-time disco. There's an Xbox room where you can play with players around the world plus table tennis tables and table football. There are four main restaurants as well as a host of speciality dining options available including Chops Grille, the gorgeous Wonderland and Izumi Japanese restaurant as well as the old Royal Caribbean favourites such as Jonny Rockets Burger Bar and Jamie Oliver's and every night is formal night at Grande Restaurant. The food was amazing and I particularly loved Devinly Decadence which features a healthy yet indulgent menu of favourites under 500 calories. Another favourite place was the Music Hall. Decadently decorated, this is a great space for meeting up and we played pool and watched a film during the day and enjoyed the live bands with a cocktail or two at night. The shows were exceptional. The first night we went to see Spectre's Cabaret in two70 which is a unique entertainment space with lots of surprises and second night we watched the West End version of We Will Rock You. I also managed to fit in a quick trip to the gym followed by a blissful head to toe massage in the peaceful surroundings of the Vitality at sea spa. It's really hard to remember you are actually on a ship and I would thoroughly recommend the Anthem to both seasoned cruisers as well as those new to cruise as I think there is certainly something for everyone. If you would like any more information, photos or holiday ideas, please get in touch.

10 March 2015

One of the best parts of my job is building strong relationships with my suppliers. This helps me to get the best deals and up to date information for all my clients. P&O Cruises is a company that we have a great relationship with and I was fortunate enough to be invited to spend a night on-board the gorgeous new Britannia ship before her launch. As I arrived into the dock at Southampton my first view of her was breath-taking! She is so big - 141,000 tonnes - and so majestic! The statement Union Jack livery and crisp white exterior looked amazing. 4 years of hard work and planning has culminated in this 3,600 passenger ship now being ready to set sail. With 13 restaurants, 13 bars and 9 entertainment venues, 4 pools and 15 passenger decks I was never going to get round everything in one night but here is what I managed. I started with a wonder around the Oasis Spa & Health Club. This is haven of tranquillity located towards the front of the ship and offers a wide range of treatments using Elemis products. There are 16 treatment rooms as well as a relaxation room, thermal spa, hydrotherapy suite and a hydro pool. There is also The Retreat which is an exclusive outdoor spa area and access to the can be purchased on a daily or weekly basis. The ship also boasts a fully stocked gym and health club. Then I had a wonder around some of the cabins and was impressed with the size and décor of all of them. The corridors had more of a hotel feel than a ship and subtle lighting and dusky brown shades gave a contemporary look. There was just time for a quick look around the shops, a little look at the mouth-watering Ian Lanlard cakes and a quick drink in the bar before going back to get changed for our Gala dinner. My room for the night was a balcony cabin on desk 9 and was ample size for two people. The bathroom was a good size with a large, airy shower with a glass door. As with Ventura, there's more than enough hanging space for clothes and the balcony was perfect for sitting and gazing at the horizon (or Southampton docks!). I ate in the Oriental restaurant. It took a while to find it but was worth the search. It was a lovely surrounding to eat from the Marco Pierre White menu and the food and service didn't disappoint. After dinner I nipped into The Live Lounge where there was an 80's themed party in full flow! A stroll around the upper decks and the gorgeous pool areas was followed by a night cap in the Crow’s Nest bar. If I had had more time I would have popped into the stunning Limelight Club to catch Jaki Graham. After a hard day's research I was grateful to sink into the extremely comfy and warm bed for a great night's sleep. All in all I was really impressed with Britannia. I think it has taken all the great things from Ventura and made them even better! I am sure had I had another 2 weeks on board I would have been starting to find my way around! Before I knew it, it was time to disembark. I thought it was a nice touch that Marco Pierre White was waiting to say goodbye as we left and after the obligatory photo with him, it was back up the M6 for me! I would definitely recommend this ship for seasoned cruisers as well as first-timers! If you want any more information and would like to see more photos please get in touch.

11 March 2015

Having had the opportunity to visit the Disney Magic in Barcelona for a tour one recently I thought it would be a good idea to actual go and sail on a Disney ship to get a better idea of what goes on. We decided on a 4 day sailing from Miami to Nassau, with a stop off at Castaway Cay on the way and Key West on the way back. Boarding was a doddle! We arrived at Miami Port where our bags were quickly taken from us and the check in process was quick and easy. We had our photos taken and were given our cruise cards and we were ready to board the ship. As you step on-board you are greeted by a ship announcement welcoming your family which I thought was a nice touch! The ship is big and can accommodate up to 2,700 passengers but we found it easy enough to navigate around. There's also an app you can download before you go that works on-board to help you find your away around. Our cabin was an inside cabin in a quiet location and was surprisingly spacious. We had a large double bed and there was a sofa bed in the lounge area that could be separated by a curtain at night time. The bathrooms were light and airy with a small bath with a shower over. There was plenty of storage, a TV full of great film and children's channels and a small fridge. Another nice touch was the cordless phones in the room that could be taken anywhere on the ship to allow families to stay in touch. The ship has a range of fabulous kids' clubs with something for everyone. As well as the main show theatre there is also a cinema showing all the latest releases - and even some Disney pre-release films. There are a few pools to choose from ranging from baby pools through to the adult only pool area in the Quiet Cove area. Big screens by the pools showed a range of family movies throughout the day. The ship operated a rotational dining system which meant we got to eat in a different restaurant each night but our waiting staff moved with us. Our favourite was the Animator's Palette where the animations on the wall change colour as you eat. There is also an Adult only restaurant you could choose to dine in as well as the main buffet restaurant. There are a number of snack bars around the pool areas and a wide range of options plus free soda and hot drinks machines and ice cream bars. There are a number of bars, lounges and a night club. There were regular character greetings where you could go and meet the Disney characters and the nightly shows in the theatre were West End class. We loved the Toy Story adaptation. The climax of the cruise was the last night pirate's party on deck culminating with an awesome fireworks show - in the middle of the ocean! Castaway Cay was paradise! This little Caribbean island is exclusive to Disney with a wide range of land and water based activities to keep the whole family entertained. There is a family area as well as an adults only beach. You can hire bikes and cycle around the island or just drop and relax on the gorgeous white sandy beach. I opted for the early morning yoga followed by a stroll along the beach, a fabulous BBQ lunch then a little snooze in a hammock before getting back on-board - all in a day's work! Next stop was Nassau where I took a tour of the amazing Atlantis hotel which I have done a separate journal about and our last stop was Key West. This quaint little town is the southern most part of the US and is closer to Cuba than it is to Miami. I took a tour around Ernest Hemmingway's home which I would recommend. I thought the Disney Wonder was amazing. We thoroughly enjoyed our trip and I am sure we will sail with Disney again soon. Whilst there's so much to do for families with children of all ages - there was equally as many things for adults to do and I was surprised by just how many adults there were without children who looked to be having just as good a time! If you would like more information about Disney Cruises or any of the destinations, please get in touch!

07 June 2015

Beaches is the award-winning sister company of Sandals aimed at families. There are currently three Beaches resorts - two in Jamaica and one in Turks and Caicos. As part of the FAM trip to the Caribbean we got to stay at Sandals in Nassau before taking a small plane over to Providenciales in Turks and Caicos. The resort is spacious, well laid out and perfect for families. Spilt into different areas that capture the ambience of the Caribbean, France, Italy and Key West situated on a 12 mile beach with some of the most turquoise sea I have ever seen. I had a Club suite in the Italian village which was perfect! The main bedroom was spacious, light and airy with a small balcony overlooking the large pool. There was a large bathroom with a huge sunken bath as well as a walk in shower and then a kids room with gorgeous wooden bunk beds and a trundle bed as well as an Xbox. There are six pools with three swim-up bars, a toddler pool, 19 speciality restaurants, 12 bars, supervised kids camps and a teens-only games room there is certainly more than enough to keep the whole family occupied! I loved the 45,000 square foot pirate’s water park which was amazing! The kids swim-up bar serving smoothies was a great touch. Beaches is celebrating ten years of 'sunny days' in partnership with Sesame Workshop so there are lots of opportunities to meet and play with favourite characters as well as parades and shows. Whilst we were there we went to a great BBQ evening with fabulous food and entertainment and also spent an enjoyable evening watching the karaoke in the Cricketer's bar. I loved the informal dining at Barefoot by the sea which was great for lunch. Like Sandals, Beaches are Ultra all-inclusive so everything is included - all food, top shelf drinks, entertainment and water sports. I can honestly say this is one the nicest places I have visited so far and can't wait to go back! This would be a perfect family destination and I have lots more information I can share, so let me know if you want to know anything else.

07 June 2015

I was lucky enough to win a trim on a FAM trip with Sandals to Royal Bahamian in Nassau. FAM trips are arranged to allow agents to spend some time in resorts exploring the hotel and surrounding areas, allowing us to offer the best possible advice. We flew to Nassau with British Airways in World Traveller Plus from Heathrow and arrived in Nassau in 9 hours. As Sandals offer complimentary transfers to all its resorts so it wasn’t long before we were sat in the Club Reception with a cocktail being checked in. The resort is spit into the areas - Balmoral Tower, Windsor Tower and the Royal Village and I had a gorgeous club level suite with a sea view in the Windsor Tower. Sandals is aimed at couples in love and all Sandals holidays are 'Ultra all-inclusive' which means that not only is all food and drink included, but can also include all water sports, diving and golf! Every Sandals resort destination sits directly on a stunning beach, on six of the most gorgeous islands in the Caribbean - Jamaica, Bahamas, Antigua, Grenada, St Lucia and Barbados. Sandals Royal Bahamian is a gorgeous resort. The beach is white and powdery with crystal clear sea and it also has its own private island which is divine. The hotel was a favoured spot of Edward and Mrs Simpson and the walls are adorned with great photos and memorabilia. The food is some of the best I have ever had and I particularly loved our meal at Gordon's on the Pier with Charles, the hotel Manager. The resort has lots of lovely little spots for couples to go and chill out - especially over on the island that is reached in just a few minutes by the Sandals boat. You can do as much or as little as you like here. The Red Lane Spa offers a full range of treatments and there is a fully stocked gym with fitness advisers on hand to help and there's a water sports centre to help with anything you fancy doing. You are spoilt for choice for options of where to eat and drink and the service was impeccable. If you are looking for a dream destination with your loved one, a perfect honeymoon or wedding location, then I can definitely recommend Sandals Royal Bahamian. The resort offers a wide range of different room types and options available and has something to suit all tastes. If you would like any more information about Sandals Royal Bahamian or any other Sandals resort, please get in touch.

15 August 2014

Did you know that 1.5m Brits experience Disney every year? I know many of us have heard of - and possibly been lucky enough to experience - the wonders of Walt Disney through the theme parks in Paris, America or further afield.....but did you know they also have Disney cruise ships? If you have read my other travel blogs you will see I am a recent devotee to cruising and I am also very fond of Orlando and theme parks, so when Disney invited me to take a trip over to Barcelona to inspect one of their ships, I jumped at the chance! I'm not sure where to start! The ship we were invited on was Disney Magic. This was Disney's first ship and has been sailing since 1998. This summer it has been based in the Med doing a range of 3, 4 and 7 night trips. There are three other ships - Disney Wonder, Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy. The ship has a real Art Deco feel and at times it's hard to remember that you are actually on a ship! I expected the ship to cater for the kids, but what I hadn't counted on was just how great it is for the big kids too (adults!) There is a whole adults-only area to the ship that includes the fabulous Quiet Cove pool area complete with coffee shop and bar, luxurious sun loungers and peace and quiet as well as Fathom's nightclub, O'Gills Irish Bar and Keys piano bar. The spa looked amazing with a range of treatments you can enjoy alone, with children or maybe indulge in some of the amazing adults’ packages in the Couples Villa treatment rooms. There's also a well-stocked gym with stunning views over the ocean. As you would expect, for kids this is truly a magical place. The newly renovated kids club is what dreams are made off! Catering from babies to 17 year olds, there's something for everyone! You can bake, draw and create, play, watch movies or just chill out! My highlight was the Toy Story room - complete with a slinky slide! Another great thing about the Disney ship is you are able to go off on Port Adventures (excursions) and leave the children in the safety of the Kids Club when in shore if you want to explore on your own. There's even a nursery for babies. The pool areas are awesome! There's the Aqua Lab pool with waterslide and waterpark for children, Goofy's pool for families and the Quiet Cove adults-only pool with the scary drop out water slide! The dining is revolutionary. There are three main restaurants - Lumiere's, Carioca's and Animator's Palate and they offer rotational dining which allows you to eat in a different one each night. The great thing is that your waiting staff move with you so there's always a friendly face to greet you! There's also Cabanas buffet restaurant as well as Palo's, the speciality dining restaurant that came highly recommended. Help-yourself soft drinks, tea and coffee and ice creams are included and there are a range of quick dining options dotted around including Pinocchio's Pizzeria and Daisy's De-lites. The cabins are something special too. Larger than most cruise cabins, family suites have double beds and sofa beds and you can choose from inside, outside, balcony or suites. Finally the entertainment is world-class. As well as the 3D cinema (showing the latest releases) there's also the 900+ seat theatre that showcases exclusive Disney shows each night. I had high expectations for the Disney Magic - but the reality just blew me away! There really is something for everyone. These ships fill up fast and I can see why! If you have any questions or would like to see more photos, please get in touch as I could go on and on and on.....

05 August 2014

Having loved our Caribbean cruise at Christmas I thought I would try one around the Mediterranean next with family and friends. We chose P&O Ventura again as we loved the itinerary - Italy and Croatia - which included a few places on my all-time wish list. We flew into Pisa and decided to drop our bags at the train station and wander into the centre and see the Leaning Tower and sample our first pizza. It's an amazing thing to see and well worth the trip! As our ship was leaving from Genoa in a couple of days we hopped on the train and within a couple of hours we were settled in the Holiday Inn overlooking the port. This is a great hotel for anyone catching a cruise. The next day we caught another train to Santa Margherita which took around 40 minutes. This is a lovely Mediterranean seaside resort and from here you can catch a boat over to Portofino. This is somewhere I have always wanted to visit and I was not disappointed! It's a stunning picturesque fishing port with a sprinkling of shops, bars and restaurants - and multi-million pound super yachts! We sailed back to Santa Margherita for more pizza and to watch Italy in the world cup. There was a great party atmosphere with all the bars and restaurants packed with people and the street lined with Vespas. The following day we took a 5 minute taxi trip to the port where we strolled through check in and onto the ship in no time at all! Our balcony cabins were stunning and we were soon sitting on deck with our first bottle of wine. The ship was as good as I remembered. This time we were on early dining at 18:30 but think we will stick to Freedom dining next time as the flexibility suits us better. The food and service was spot on again and even though the ship was full we never had a problem getting a table or a sun bed. First stop was Livorno and we took the ship's excursion into Florence. We wandered around the Uffizi Gallery and then sheltered in a bar whilst the heavens opened! A quick trek up the 440 steps to the top of the Bell Tower was well worth it for the stunning views! We just had time for a quick gelato and then time to head back to the ship. The next port of call was Naples and we decided to take a trip to Pompeii. What an amazing place! We joined an organised group tour which we found really interesting and think we got to see and understand much more than if we had just wandered around ourselves. Dubrovnik was our next stop and certainly worth a visit. The centre was not far from the port and has a little walled city within the city with winding alleys and roads with lovely little shops, bars and churches. Our final stop was Venice - and they definitely saved the best until last! Words cannot describe how wonderful the journey in was! The view from the ship was simply stunning. In the main pool area, atmospheric music serenaded us in. As the ship was in port overnight we had the afternoon and evening to discover the wonders of Venice. We sampled a beer in St Mark's Square which was well worth the eye-watering bill, we wandered over the Rialto Bridge and took our first ever Gondola ride! The following morning we took a private water taxi over to the Lido which felt like we were in a James Bond movie! We stayed at the Villa Mbapa which has its own mooring so you can get dropped right outside and has private beds and umbrellas on the nearby beach. The Lido is a 10 minute boat trip from St Mark's Square and a haven of tranquillity. The long, wide, sandy beach is very clean with lots of facilities. There are lots of cycle routes and it is a great spot for families or those looking for an alternative to staying in the heart of Venice. The main tree-lined centre has a great range of shops, bars and restaurants and is walking distance from Villa Mbapa. Before we knew it, it was time to take a water taxi back to the airport and fly home. I am definitely a big advocate of cruising and would recommend it to anyone looking for a good value holiday and a chance to see lots of great places in one trip. I will definitely be booking another one soon!

05 August 2014

I was invited by Travel2 to Barbados and we had a blast! The purpose of our trip was to experience the very best the island has to offer and discover new places - and we certainly did. We were there the same weekend the Top Gear team were out there filming and we just missed Lewis Hamilton and Jeremy Clarkson on the beach apparently! We flew out with British Airways and were met by our own VIP arrivals host who whisked us through security and immigration. Our driver for the week was waiting for us outside and we were at our first hotel in no time - Turtle Beach in St Lawrence Gap in the south of the island. This is a gorgeous all inclusive family resort in a great location. Our room looked out to the ocean and was bright, spacious - and had a chilled bottle of champagne on the balcony. That evening we had dinner with Charles, the General Manager, who told us more about the hotel and the surrounding area over a delicious buffet dinner, The next morning we were picked up and taken to the Brian Talma Surf School where we spent a fun day learning to surf. It is NOT as easy as he makes it look but I did manage to stand up - eventually! Our next hotel stay was Tamarind up on the west of the island. We stayed in a spacious ocean-front junior suite with breath-taking views. Whilst here we got to sample some of the hotel's wonderful food and world-class service, dining outside watching the sun set. We managed to squeeze in an afternoon trying out the hotel's watersports including the banana boat and paddleboards (again NOT as easy as it looks!) as well as sampling the hotel's blissful massages on the beach. We also ventured next door one evening to dine at the world-famous Daphne's restaurant. Our final stay was a little further up the coast at the stunning Colony Club. Our garden view junior suite was simply stunning and came with a gorgeous sunken bath as well as a little bar area and large balcony. The beach is a peaceful haven with very comfy sun-loungers! We sampled the dinner buffet one evening and I have to say the food was some of the best I have ever eaten with a choice of everything from sushi through to home-made pancakes with rum sauce. We also had time to visit some of the islands best attractions. We spent a great morning at Harrison's Cave and thoroughly enjoyed the island Safari tour. The Harbour Lights Dinner show was another great night out as was Oistins Friday night Fish-Fry. One of my highlights was the day we spent on the Jammin Catamaran. The crew were amazing and we had a fun-packed day! We even managed to do some research into the night life and can recommend the Lime Bar in Lime Grove as a great place to go. Whilst in Barbados we also got to visit The House which would be a great choice for someone looking for a smaller, boutique-style adult hotel and we had time for a tour around the iconic Sandy Lane hotel and had a very memorable lunch there. Although I have visited Barbados many times, I still love this island and think that there's something for everyone here. If you are thinking of visiting and want to help or advice please let me know.

05 August 2014

Having booked many happy customers and completed extensive cruise training programmes with a wide range of companies including P&O, Cunard, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Azamara and Princess, I decided that it was time to actually go and try cruising for myself, so in December 2013 we boarded P&O's Ventura in the Caribbean. I have to admit to having some reservations about cruising: would I feel claustrophobic confined to a ship? Isn't it for older people? Would I be bored? Would I get sea-sick? The answer to all my worries was NO! We flew from Manchester to Barbados where we were taken straight from the plane to the ship - no queuing through security and immigration for us! I have to say that even after all the training I was still awe-struck as we rounded the corner and saw how huge the ship actually is! The check in process couldn't have been any smoother or faster and before we knew it we were sat on our balcony taking in the view. Ventura is a big, family-friendly ship and can accommodate over 3,100 passengers. There are 12 places to eat including 3 main restaurants, buffet restaurants and speciality dining options, 16 places to drink, a wonderful spa, extensive kids clubs and 4 pools. The entertainment was brilliant! We especially loved the two Mark Walker shows and there was always something going on whether you wanted a show, a quiz or to listen to live music. The itinerary was also amazing! We would go to sleep at night and wake up the following morning to find another beautiful Caribbean island on our doorstep! On our trip we visited St Vincent, Dominica, St Lucia, Antigua, St Kitts, Grand Turk, Tortola and St Maarten before returning for a night in Barbados. It's hard to pick favourites but Grand Turk was breathtakingly beautiful - and memorable for the HUGE onion rings served in Margaritaville! We were on the Freedom Dining which meant we could choose our own time to dine which suited us rather than the other option of early (1830) or late (2030) dining. The food was amazing - an extensive choice and wonderful service. As well as the main restaurant we also tried East - the Asian-styled speciality restaurant - which was stunning and well worth a visit. There were 4 formal nights and we loved the chance to get dressed up, but there were lots of other options had we not wanted to. This is a big ship and we didn't have the time to try out everything that was on offer! We were never stuck for different options of where to eat, drink or relax. Days at sea were spent leisurely by one of the 4 pools with a choice of spots depending on whether we wanted to be near the entertainment or in a quieter spot to relax. At each stop we were spoilt for choice with an extensive range of tours and excursions if we wanted to explore the islands or we had the option to just wander into town under our own steam. The ship was tastefully decorated and there were huge Christmas trees in the atrium to get us in the festive mood and we were greeted into ports with steel bands playing Christmas songs. We stayed overnight on the ship in Barbados on our last night which gave us the chance to catch up with friends there and head off to the famous Oistins Friday Fish-fry before flying back home. I can honestly say that I loved cruising and would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone. There was so much to see and do that I almost forgot I was on a ship, I never felt sea-sick and there was a real mix of people on-board. It was one of the best value-for-money holidays I have ever had and I am sure I will be back on-board again very soon! Please give me a call if you want to hear more or would like help planning your next cruise.

01 September 2013

Our next stop was Marco Island. We were staying at the Marriott resort and we didn't arrive until after 10pm. The room we were shown to was great – I was impressed by the size and décor. It was large and well laid out with lots of wardrobe space. We tried out the sushi bar in reception that evening which was lovely. In the morning I opened the curtains and was speechless at the view that greeted me! From our 10th floor balcony, the view over the beach and the gulf was just stunning! As it had been dark when we arrived I hadn't even realised we were right on the beach! The Marriott is a resort hotel so there was a lot going on. There was a full calendar of activities for both kids and adults. The pools were fantastic – a few to choose from and then there was the beach which was simply stunning. I have to say I thought this beach was even nicer than Siesta Beach - long, wide and white. I took the time to check out the spa which was amazing! It has its own ‘chill-out’ area, a great range of services and I would highly recommend it. The staff were lovely too! One night we tried out Quinn's beachside restaurant and again the service and food was excellent. There's a small arcade for the kids as well as a children’s pool to keep the little ones entertained and happy. The hotel has a good range of rooms from standard up to 2 bedroom suites as well as some inter connecting rooms that turn into gorgeous larger suites with amazing gulf views. The staff were excellent and nothing was too much trouble and I definitely see myself returning. Marco Island itself is pretty small and we didn't find too much to do, but it's very picturesque. It's not far from Naples so we decided to take a trip there one lunch time. The beaches are lovely and the old town is very quaint with a nice range of boutiques and bistros. There's also a large mall on the outskirts if you fancy doing a spot of shopping. After Marco Island we decided to head back up to Orlando, but as it is quite a drive we decided to take the scenic route and go over the Sunshine Skyway bridge which was amazing! We decided to spend a night in St Petersburg and stopped at the Marriott. Again the staff were great and our room was spacious, clean and quiet. It's located just off the road and is easy to drive into Clearwater, St Petersburg or Tampa. We went into St Peterburg Bay that evening and it was lovely strolling along the harbour and watching the world go by as we ate ice cream! The next day we stopped off at Clearwater to check out the gorgeous beach before heading into Tampa and back up to Orlando. It was a great road trip and we saw some awesome places and would definitely recommend getting a car and exploring Florida! Drop me a line or call me if you want any more information.

05 August 2013

After a week in Orlando we decided to venture further afield for this trip ... and we were so glad we did! We picked up an Alamao car on International Drive and headed out west towards Sarasota. Sarasota is located in the south of the Tampa Bay Area and includes Sarasota Bay as well as several gorgeous islands (known as keys) along the Gulf of Mexico. Many of the keys are linked by a series of bridges that seem to majestically rise out of the sea. The first night we stayed at the Holiday Inn on Lido Beach. Our balcony had stunning views over the Gulf and the white sandy beach which was straight outside. That night we drove a couple of minutes to St Armands Circle. What a gorgeous place! Situated around a charming centre-circle with bistros, restaurants, coffee shops, ice cream parlours, bars and shops, galleries and spas. The next day we set off to discover Sarasota Bay. As you drive over the stunning Ringlings Bridge you are met with a spectacular view of the bay, yachts and impressive buildings. We particularly loved the huge 'kissing couple' statue. After Orlando, Sarasota felt completely tranquil and civilised! Large, spotlessly clean, tree-lined roads with a vast array of shops, bars and restaurants. If you are looking for something to do in Sarasota why not take a trip to The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art and Ringling's Museum of the Circus. There are a few hotels worth considering in Sarasota. The Ritz Carlton was stunning. It was spacious with light rooms and great views. They also have a club level with its own lounge as well as the stunning Ritz Carlton suite that is truly huge! The hotel has a great pool area and also has regular shuttles to its very own beach club on Lido Beach. The Hyatt is equally as lovely. It boasts brightly coloured rooms with amazing views, a great ground floor restaurant with a wide choice of menus including local produce and a lovely pool area. I would happily recommend either of these hotels. Siesta Key has the accolade of being America's number one beach, so we decided to take a look! The white sand was amazing. Apparently it is so clear that even on the hottest day it feels cool underfoot and that was certainly the case. We had heard lots of good things about Anna Maria Island so took a trip up there too. It's a very scenic journey passing through Longboat Key with great views of the beaches and sea. We loved Anna Maria Island! The pier at the top of the island is well worth a stroll along and the views are amazing out to sea and up towards Tamps. We also thoroughly enjoyed our ice creams at Two Scoops ice cream parlour in the little parade of shops opposite. If you are looking for a relaxing holiday surrounded by some of the best white sandy beaches and with a never-ending range of options of restaurants, bars, coffee shops and boutiques, then I would highly recommend Sarasota and the nearby keys! Please feel free to contact me if you would like any more information about this area. We then decided to travel further south as we had heard good things about Naples and Marco Island.....

05 August 2013

My son and I would probably both agree that Orlando is top of our list of favourite places to holiday together. It has the sunshine, the theme parks and even the shops! It's somewhere we can go and both find things we want to do together so it was no surprise we found ourselves back here! We have visited many times before but we still find new places to visit and things to do each time we go - as well as repeating a lot of the stuff we've done lots of times before! We flew into Orlando International airport overnight from Los Angeles and checked in at our first stop - the Crowne Plaza Universal. We had stayed here a few years ago and I am pleased to say it is still as good. The rooms are spacious with big, comfy beds. We stayed on the Executive floor which gave us access to the lounge that served complimentary breakfast each morning as well as snacks and drinks in the evening during the week. There's a nice pool area too for the days you just want to chill out. The hotel is conveniently located just off International Drive and close to Universal Studios. The bus stop is right outside and the hotel offered complimentary shuttles to both Universal Studios and Walt Disney World. We spent three days here before moving over to check out Loews Royal Pacific hotel at Universal Studios. This is one of three onsite Loews hotels. Last time we stayed at Portofino (see my previous blog!) and decided to try Royal Pacific this time. The hotel was lovely and spacious, the pool area was fabulous for kids with water cannons and lots of spray and the restaurant was also very good. The rooms seemed quite small after Portofino but I think that may be because the Portofino rooms are so big! I also went over to the third onsite hotel - The Hard Rock - to have a tour. The rooms there were bigger than Royal Pacific, but smaller than Portofino and overall all three hotels are of a great standard. Staying onsite has its benefits! There's complimentary transport to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure - by boat or bus - and all guests get a pass that allows them to skip the lines on most of the rides at both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. We made good use of the passes on the busier rides such as Despicable Me, the new Transformers 3D ride and our favourites - The Simpsons and Spiderman. Harry Potter World is just amazing and has to be seen to be believed! We stayed late one night to watch the new light and water show at Universal Studios and we tried the Cinematic Spectacular Dining package at Lombard's Seafood Grille. Not only do you get a gorgeous two course dinner, you then get reserved seating outside for the show along with coffee and a dessert buffet. Highly recommended! Whilst in Orlando we also spent a couple of nights at the Holiday Inn Express and Suites on International Drive. I was very impressed with this hotel. We got a great rate and I thought it was exceptional value for money. Our second floor room was quiet and comfortable with free wifi. The pool area was fine and the staff were really helpful. The hotel also offers a free shuttle to the parks. I would highly recommend this for anyone on a budget looking for a good hotel! This time we didn't do Walt Disney World, but we did manage to do a spot of shopping. The Premium Outlets on International Drive were as good as ever and we also had a trip out to the Florida Mall - which is huge! The new crazy golf at Universal was good fun and we even managed a night at the cinema at Pointe Orlando. We then set off down south to discover what else Florida had to offer. Please read my next blog to see what we found!

05 August 2013

Having spent quite a lot of time in Los Angeles when I worked for British Airways, it was great to go back after a gap of about 13 years. We stayed at the J W Marriott in LA Live which is the media and live events area of downtown LA opposite the Staples Centre where all the big acts perform. Beyonce was on the first night and Fleetwood Mac the last and it was interesting to see the different crowds they attracted! The hotel was brilliant. It's a large and vibrant place with a great roof top pool. We had a lovely corner suite which was huge and very quiet and had great views of the lights at night. The staff were really helpful and it's a great place to sit and people watch! I was determined to see if it's possible to get around LA without a car! I can report that it IS possible! There are a number of subway stations within easy walking distance of the hotel and we managed to get to Hollywood Boulevard and Venice beach by subway and bus. Given that traffic is usually slow in and around LA I would say it would take around the same amount of time to drive - and we didn't have to worry about trying to park! We took in all the usual sights which included the Hollywood Walk of Fame to see the stars on the pavement and the Chinese Theatre and gazed up at the Hollywood sign. We also took an open air bus tour of the movie stars homes that also took in Sunset Boulevard and Rodeo Drive and we spent a very pleasant afternoon down at Venice Beach checking out the shops, restaurants and Muscle Beach. Los Angeles was actually pretty much as I remembered it. We only had 3 days here before we headed off to Florida so we this time we didn't visit Universal Studios or go over to Anaheim to Disney, but I can thoroughly recommend these from previous visits. There are also so many lovely beaches to choose from. If you are planning a trip to Los Angeles or just want to pass through en route to somewhere else, please feel free to give me a call as I would be more than happy to chat through hotels, restaurants, beaches or things to do.

05 August 2013

My first trip to Las Vegas was in 1989 and I fell in love with it! I have been back a few times since and even got married there - and yes, Elvis WAS at my wedding - but as I hadn't been there for a while I was really looking forward to seeing how much it had changed. We flew out with British Airways and travelled in style in their Club World cabin and had the luxury of the fabulous flat beds. Out trip coincided with a heat wave so temperatures got up to 116 degrees whilst we were there but that didn't deter me from doing a thorough tour of the finest hotels and I can honestly say it just gets bigger…and better! Where else can you climb the Eiffel Tower, visit the Pyramids, walk round the Statue of Liberty and take a gondola along Venice's Grand Canal - all in one day?! Having done a tour of a few of the big hotels I would say my favourites were The Venetian, New York New York, Caesars Palace and The Wynn. I loved the pool at Caesars and we also had lunch in the Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill which I thought was brilliant and I would highly recommend the spiced apple cider! The Cosmopolitan hotel was a new addition since my last trip and is breath-taking! It has a multi-million dollar chandelier centre piece that's worth taking a look at. I also liked the look of the new Aria hotel that is just set back from the strip. No visit to Vegas is complete without a trip downtown to Fremont Street. This has changed a lot since my first visit and the light show was awesome - as were the many people whizzing over our heads on the zip wire! There is so much more to Vegas than the casinos. The shopping is great with something for everyone from budget gift shops to high end designer stores. The shows are out of this world and we were spoilt for choice from music to magic, comedy to Cirque du Soleil. We really enjoyed the Variety Show at Planet Hollywood. There is an amazing array of restaurants to choose from and you would need two weeks to even start to get through them! We found it easy to get around - there's the monorail that runs from MGM down to Sahara Station and there's also a bus that runs from one end of the strip down as far as Fremont Street. Our three days flew past and before we knew it, it was time to head off to L.A. We decided to leave in style…and took the Greyhound bus! I have to say, I was very impressed! Not only does the Express service have comfortable, spacious seats and air conditioning, it also has free wifi. If you are thinking of taking a trip to Vegas and want any more information or just to have a chat, please do get in touch.

09 October 2013

I have just worked out this was my seventh trip to Barbados and it's still as stunning as I remember! If you have a vision of white, soft sand and clear turquoise sea then you are spot on! It’s only 21 miles by 14 miles so it is possible to easily discover different parts of the island. As I visited in June I was expecting some rain as during our summer it is ‘wet season’. ‘Dry season’ is from January to June. Therefore there were a couple of showers, but generally the rain came during the night leaving most of the days gloriously sunny which was excellent. I started off on the South Coast. Dover Beach is lovely, just along from St Lawrence Gap and great for an early morning stroll along the sand and a dip in the sea. Whilst here I visited the Turtle Beach Hotel and was very impressed with the facilities. The kid's club looked fabulous and the rooms were spacious and well equipped. A little up the beach is Ocean 2. This is a fairly new hotel. It is spotlessly clean and well maintained. The suites are stylishly decorated and come complete with fully-fitted kitchens that include dishwasher and washing machine. The two bedroom suites are huge and the adults-only rooftop deck and pool has amazing views - a fabulous place to watch the sunset. Both hotels are walking distance to St Lawrence Gap which comes alive at night with a fantastic range of bars and restaurants. Moving up to the West Coast I visited Tamarind Hotel and Sandy Lane in St James. Tamarind enjoys a great beach-front location and includes water sports with its room rates. It is right next door to Daphne’s restaurant and I can highly recommend watching the sunset from here with one of their speciality cocktails. A top tip - happy hour is 5-7! Sandy Lane is spacious, spotlessly maintained and the rooms are sumptuous. The kid's club looked amazing as did the spa and you have a choice of three golf courses. The sea on this coast is a lot calmer than on the south or the east and Lime Grove has appeared since my last visit. This is a luxury shopping centre featuring brands such as Gucci and Louis Vuitton as well as some great local shops such as Pure Source which specialises in amazing candles, perfume and beauty products from around the world. Moving upwards I visited Little Good Harbour in St Lucy - a stunning boutique-style resort with 21 rooms. They have a three bedroom Fort suite which is right on the beach. It features four poster beds, spacious lounge and kitchen. It even has a laundry room and is simply breath-taking! They also have a range of one bedroom split-level suites as well as two and three bedroom suites all with large balconies and living areas. The décor is gorgeous and this is combined with amazing views. The Fish Pot restaurant is right next door and has the most impressive views of the sea! Work is on-going for the new development at Port Ferdinand which will feature luxury accommodation around a newly built marina. The Sugar Cane Club is a friendly resort located inland with regular shuttle buses to nearby beaches. It has a tropical, peaceful feel to it and has a minimum age of 14 for guests. They organise complementary nature walks through the gulley near the property. You can spot monkeys swinging through the trees. The spa is a peaceful haven of tranquillity offering a full range of services. Harrison’s Cave is well worth a visit. It has recently been updated and the tour takes you up to 170 feet underground and is amazing! Right at the top of the island is Animal Flower Cave. Outside there are stunning views and is the spot where the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea meet. All the beaches in Barbados are public so you can take your pick! I love Lone Star Beach where many of the boats moor to see the turtles. It also has the lovely Lone Star restaurant that was recently bought by Dave Whelan, Wigan FC’s owner, who has apparently said he'll take the FA cup to Barbados! I would also recommend a stroll along Paradise beach down to Brighton beach. There are so many more things I could tell you about Barbados, so please feel free to contact me if you are thinking of going and we can have a chat!

22 July 2013

We picked up a car at the airport and stayed in a lovely family-run hotel in Stalis called Anastasia which was perfect for what we were looking for. The hotel was spotlessly clean and maintained and I can honestly say that the service was some of the best I have experienced - ever! The hotel Manager, Michalis, never seemed to leave. He seemed to know everyone and was always on hand to help with any questions. Every staff member was happy to help and they were always smiling! Our room was spacious and spotless with a great balcony overlooking the mini golf course and with a sea view. It was easy to relax around the pool with comfortable sun loungers and the bar was close by. There was also a large screen TV that showed all the football matches - so my son was more than happy! We really enjoyed the food and there was entertainment each night from the wonderful Emma who did a great job of keeping everyone entertained. The hotel was ideally located only a five minute walk to the beach, bars, shops and restaurants. We used the car to explore this part of Crete and highlights included Agios Nikolaos, Eloundra and Lasithi. We also took the boat out to Spinalonga - a former Leper Colony well worth a visit. I can honestly say it felt like staying with family rather than being in a hotel. Everyone seemed to know everyone and get along so well and we were really sad to leave!

08 June 2013

New York in February was always going to call for lots of layers, but this was cold on a whole new level. But it didn't spoil the fun! This was a bit of an exploring trip to see some of the things I had not seen on previous trips and also to go and have a look around some hotels to keep up to date with the best places to recommend - as well as fitting in a little shopping and the obligatory trip to the top of the Empire State Building! As ever, New York didn't disappoint. The shopping was as great as ever - and if you're planning a visit to Macy's, don't forget to pop into the visitor centre with your passport and they will give you a card that entitles you to 10% off most purchases! This time we took a trip to the zoo in Central Park. I think I was expecting to see all the animals from Madagascar, but apparently that's a film and not real life! Whilst there were no lions and penguins, it was still a nice afternoon out! The Empire State Building was a good as ever - the winds at the top were bitter but the views as spectacular as ever. We checked out some great hotels including the fabulous Yotel just off Times Square. It has a baggage robot which is worth a visit to see! Great rooms and really friendly staff too! We spent a couple of nights at the Staybridge Suites near Times Square. This was a great room with a little kitchenette, free Wi-Fi and a wonderful free hot buffet breakfast. We then spent a couple of nights at One UN Plaza. The upgraded Tower rooms are amazing and the views from the rooms over Manhattan are something else! It also has a pool and you can see the Empire State Building as you swim! We also checked out most of the Times Square hotels including the W, Marriott Marquis and the Reanissance. New York remains one of my most favourite places to go. If you are thinking of going and need any help or suggestions in where to stay, where to eat, drink, shop or visit...just drop me a line!

21 July 2013

This year we decided to do something different for Christmas so the whole family set off for Gran Canaria. We stayed in Playa Taurito which is just round the bend from Puerto Rico. The weather was exceptional with every day bright and sunny. The hotel we stayed in Playa Taurito hotel and they had gone all out to make it feel Christmassy. There was a huge Christmas tree in reception and lots of decorations dotted around. It was great to see Santa taking time out of his busy schedule on Christmas day to pop down to the pool and give out presents to all the kids! The hotel also had a gala dinner on Christmas day which was fantastic - great food, excellent service and a wonderful atmosphere. Playa Taurito is a very quiet resort and more suited to families and those looking for a quieter break so it was perfect for us. Puerto Rico and other parts of the island were easily accessible by bus or taxi. Mogan was a short taxi ride away and is well worth a visit and you can also get the boat to other parts of the island from there. Playa Tuarito has a splattering of shops and restaurants as well as a crazy golf and a water park. We took a trip over to the Amadores Beach Club which is great for a chilling out day with a spot of luxury!

08 June 2013

Having never been to Ibiza, I decided that it was time we visited! We picked up a car at the airport and drove up to the top of the island to Portinatx where we were staying. It had been a while since I'd driven abroad, but I found Ibiza really easy to drive around. It's not a huge island so it was easily navigated and well sign posted. Portinatx is a quiet, family resort with nice little coves, stunning views with regular buses to get around the island. Making full use of our car, we spent our week touring the rest of the island. One of the highlights was going to Ibiza Old Town and Dalt Vila. Perched high above the Old Town, Dalt Vila (High Town) is well worth the climb. From the top there are stunning views out to sea and over Ibiza and the climb up is amazing walking through winding cobbled streets. I also took the boat over to Formentera which only takes about half an hour and well worth a visit. We were told not to miss out on seeing the sun set from San Antonio so we made sure we got a perfect spot outside Cafe del Mar and we weren't disappointed. The hippy market in Es Cana on Wednesday was amazing! There was stall after stall of original, fun and funky clothing, gifts and keepsakes intermingled with musicians, food stalls and street artists. We loved it! Santa Eulalia was quite up market with a lovely harbour and spotless promenade and beach...and a lot of shops! I took a yoga class whilst I was there which was amazing and happy to recommend this or give you more information if you are looking to do some yoga. I also spent a leisurely afternoon at Atzaro Spa which was just blissful and a great place to go and chill out. We even managed to pop in at the closing party at El Chiringuito in Es Cavallet - a lovely beach fronted restaurant down in the south of the island. I loved Ibiza and think there is something for everyone - and so much more to go for than clubbing!

27 October 2012

Mexico has been on my ‘to do’ for ages and so off we went in July to Riviera Maya for two weeks to stay at the H10 Coral Sea & Turquesa. Our private transfer took just 25 minutes from Cancun airport. Check in was a doddle and we were soon in our room. Our spacious room was modern and had 2 large beds as well as a sofa bed, table, desk and a large sea-facing balcony. The hotel is proud of its conservation commitment and the grounds had plenty of natural habitat as well as a spot on the beach protecting turtle eggs that they release into the sea once they have hatched. There was a great choice of restaurants including Italian, Mexican and a grill. Our favourite was the informal sports bar with a great menu – and perfect for a late night game of pool. Fresh coffee, sandwiches and cakes served throughout the day in the coffee shop There was something for everyone with a great mix of families, groups and couples. The teen club was a big hit with its own cinema complete with popcorn machine as well as Play Stations and Wiis. The beach was amazing…white sand and warm, clear Caribbean blue seas. This area does have seaweed along the shore, but nothing that would put you off cooling down in the sea. There were so many tours and excursion to choose but my top recommendation would have to be Chichen Itza. Now one of the new Wonders of the World, this full-day trip is a must – even my reluctant 16 year had to admit it was an amazing day. Our trip included a trip through a traditional Mayan Village, a stop off at a Mayan gift shop, lunch and visit to a Cenote where you could cool down with a swim! In my opinion, a Mexican Must-Do! Chitchen Itza is one of the largest Mayan sites in Mexico. It was build between 1000 and 1200 AD, and is home to the famous El Castillo pyramid. A trip into Cancun is another must for a spot of shopping and sight-seeing. All in all, we found that Riviera ticked every box for us – great for teenagers who want to keep busy, great for mums who want to chill out and a perfect destination to get out and about and visit see some Mayan culture.

27 October 2012

Reached by train in less than an hour, Casperia couldn't be further away from the hustle and bustle of Rome. Once on the train, it is not long before the gorgeous Umbrian country-side starts to unfold giving way to fields of sunflowers and olive groves. Having booked to go on a yoga retreat, I was expecting peaceful but this was on a whole new level! Perched high on a hill, Casperia is a small medieval walled village in the Lazio region of Italy with winding cobblestoned streets with century old small houses - and no traffic! My room was in the Village House at the top of the village directly opposite the church of San Giovanni believed to have been built in the middle ages. The size of the church is not very large but it has a beautiful Romanesque architecture. The large bell tower of the church stands out in the historic centre of the town and certainly did away with the need for an alarm clock for the morning yoga sessions! So just how peaceful is Casperia? Can you imagine not being able to hear the rumbling of traffic? To just listen to the delightful sounds of nature? A bee buzzing past....a farmer and his tractor....the occasional bird singing..... I once spent a whole afternoon sat on a veranda and just watched a farmer in the far distance meticulously mow up and down his field..... Whilst quiet and peaceful most of the year, we were there when not one, but TWO big events happened - on the same night!! We were there for the England vs Italy Euro football match which coincided with the annual Festa Del Medioevo where the locals dress in medieval costumes and there are medieval story telling sessions and many other festivities. Sitting outside a bar (one of only two bars in Casperia), watching the football on a hurriedly erected large screen, surrounded by nothing but Italians dressed in chainmail and carrying bows and arrows has to be one of the most surreal evenings of my life...so far! Other than the excitement of that night, Casperia really is utterly, blissfully peaceful and I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone looking for peace - be that peace and quiet - or inner peace!

27 October 2012

This was my first ever trip to the amazing Italian capital and it was everything I hoped it would be - and more! The taxi ride from the airport was an experience! I had heard about the driving, but experiencing it is something else!! Driving into the city is wonderful - weaving in and out of streets that mix modern office buildings with bits of ancient Rome! We stayed at the stunning Trevi Palace Luxury Apartments just a few steps from the awesome Trevi Fountain. Our room was spacious and clean with a balcony overlooking the street and the fridge with complementary beers, wine and soft drinks was a nice touch. Our rate included a healthy breakfast served in a delightful little room downstairs and also a complimentary massage in the spa. Our first stop was to see the Trevi Fountain. Just breath-taking! We then meandered over to the Spanish Steps before finding a little restaurant to sit outside and sample our first Roman pizzas. It's hard to describe the perfect blend of old and new that makes Rome so unique and there was something that stopped us in our tracks virtually every time we turned a corner! We had a lovely meal at Antica Birreiria Peroni, which has a great atmosphere. A highlight was our trip to the Vatican and felt it was well worth paying for a tour guide. We learnt so much from him as we wandered through the Vatican, Cistene Chapel and Basilica. What a truly remarkable place. Not to everyone's taste, but I really enjoyed the Time Elevator 3d movie and simulator ride that takes you on a journey back through time to ancient Rome! There is so much to see and do in Rome that one night was not enough so I will just have to put it back on my list and go back again soon!

27 October 2012

I would struggle to suggest a more magical place at Christmas than New York. We spent 4 days between Christmas and New Year and loved every second of it! The view of Manhattan as you approach it in a yellow cab from JFK airport never fails to take my breath away. The skyline is truly amazing - no matter how many times I see it. We stayed at the City Club Hotel just off Times Square which is a lovely boutique hotel just above Daniel Bouluds DB Bistro Moderne's restaurant. In line with most Manhattan hotels, the room was small, but it was very stylish. Less than a 5 minute stroll to Times square, this really was a perfect location for a whistle-stop trip. I loved the Christmas trees and ice rink at the Rockefeller Centre as we strolled up to see the Rockettes Christmas Show at Radio City - which was out of this world. Soaking up the atmosphere in Times Square on New Years eve is something I will never forget! We went downtown to Ground Zero and strolled around Wall Street and even found time for a trip to Century 21 and a wander down Water Street. Whilst there we took the chance to view Manhattan from above on the helicopter tour which gives the city a whole new perspective! Having been to New York many times, this time was my first visit to Grand Central Station which I have fallen in love with! What a place to just stand and watch the world go by...... New York is a place you can't help but stumble on places familiar from hundreds of films...the Home Alone Hotel, FAO Schwarz, Time Square, Macys, Central Park and many settings from Sex in the City, Gossip Girl and more. We managed to squeeze in a trip around Central Park in a horse-drawn carriage as well as the obligatory trip to Tiffanys! Each time I visit New York, I discover something new and it's a city I will never tire of!

28 October 2012

I’ve been to Orlando many times but I can honestly say it gets better every time! This time we decided to spend a few days at Walt Disney World and then a week at Portofino at Universal Studios. On arrival at Orlando International Airport we hopped on the complimentary ‘Disney's Magical Express’ that took us straight to the hotel. Disney has a wide range of on-site hotels to suit all tastes and budgets but I think that the All Star hotels are the best priced. Whilst everything is slightly more basic, you still get all the benefits of staying in a Disney hotel such as use of the free transportation to all the parks and other Disney properties as well as extended hours that allow you to get into certain parks earlier or stay later. We have stayed here several times and have always found the rooms to be clean and good sized. They have Disney-themed decor and there is even Mickey-shaped soap which the children love! There are a couple of good sized pools and the food court is good value for money. In the parks, I would say that the big favourites are the jungle safari and Kilimanjaro in Animal Kingdom, the runaway train and Space Mountain in the Magic Kingdom and in Epcot we loved the Test Track ride. Our favourite park is Hollywood Studio and we always head over to the Star Wars simulator ride. This has recently been updated and there are now many different journeys to go on, so it's worth going on more than once. The Tower of Terror is another great thrill. We liked the new Buzz Lightyear ride but it did have the biggest queues! I would also highly recommend seeing the Fantasia show before you leave. If you have time, the Disney waterparks are a great day out and we also managed to fit in a game of crazy golf at Disney's Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course – fun for everyone. I think Portofino, at Universal, is one of the nicest hotels I have ever stayed in. It is one of three hotels onsite and, although it’s quite pricey, your room key gives you early admission to the park as well as acting as an unlimited 'fast pass' to bypass queues on most of the rides (with the exception of Harry Potter and Rip Ride Rocket). Getting to the parks was simple - just hop on the regular boat and sail down to the entrance in five minutes. The hotel is themed to look like Italy and our room was spacious, clean and quiet. There was a choice of pools and when we weren't in the park I loved chilling out round the Italian Riviera Villa-styled pool, which was always quiet and peaceful. There was also a busier pool with water slides for the children. The Universal parks just get better and better. The Harry Potter ride is awesome and well worth the queuing time. Situated in a very realistic mock-up of Hogwarts, there are plenty of things to look at as you wait. At Universal Studios we visited the old favourites like E.T. and the new Simpson's ride is absolutely brilliant!! Orlando remains our favourite place as for us it has everything - great weather, lots to do and it’s easy to get around. To get the most out of a trip to Orlando, I’d recommend going for over a week in order to experience all the amazing things it has to offer!

28 October 2012

On this, my second trip to Jamaica, we stayed at the Iberostar Rosehall Grand Hotel in Montego Bay. We were looking for a relaxing break to unwind and chill and this fitted the bill perfectly. Just 20 minutes from the airport and situated right on the beach, this hotel really was like paradise! Our room was stunning and was spacious, luxurious and very quiet. We even had a butler to attend to our needs! Our room came equipped with a fully stocked mini-bar, DVD player and docking station and a Jacuzzi-style bath. The Grand is an adult only hotel and one of three Iberostar hotels in the Montego Bay area. Staying at this one gave us access to any of the varied restaurants in all of the Iberostar hotels. We could choose from gourmet, Mexican, Italian, Japanese and many more. The beach was lovely and a gentle walk from one end to the other took about 20 minutes. The Caribbean Sea is clear and warm with waves gently lapping the white sandy beach. Perfect! We had a choice of sunbeds or cabanas on the beach or by the pool with waiter service for food and drinks all day. We even tried a massage by the pool which was blissful – the height of relaxation! For those who enjoy it, you can also enjoy yoga classes overlooking the sea each morning. As we were only here for a week, we never actually made it off the complex as there was so much to do. It looks like we might need another trip back for a spot of sight-seeing! If you are looking for a top 5 star all-inclusive hotel to completely unwind, then this would be perfect!