07 May 2023

This trip took me quite by surprise! Someone invited me to a running event, and I already wanted to be involved before I found out the location! Then they tell you it’s in the Caribbean! It didn’t take long to get excited about this. I can tell you. There is something very special about being able to leave the dark December nights and extremely chilly temperatures of the UK for a good promise of vitamin D. With November to April being the optimum time to visit the Caribbean islands, escaping the cool British temperatures is something that appeals to most. I have friends that travel the world running marathons and ultra races, but the Barbados one was not something I previously knew about. The last time this happened was in 2019, so the Barbados tourism board were having a real push to get people back to the island and involved in the event. Actually there were people from many countries involved in the event and what a superb atmosphere they offer. Hosting this on the east coast of Barbados was a first. It is the lesser known coast because there is no tourist accommodation available there, but boy is it beautiful and what a location to run in! The running series is made up of shorter 3K and 5K walks, but 5K, 7K, 10K, half marathon and full marathon distance all happen too, and you can enter more than one event, infact, it is encouraged. Steel bands and local artists play to entertain you before, during and after the races, there is plenty of local food to sample and a T-shirt, medals and other little gifts are all a lovely little touch for participants. It offers something for all the family. The shorter events take place on the Saturday afternoon and then those people running the 7K half marathon marathon events return on the Sunday for a pre sunrise start due to the temperatures. The route in 2022, took us through local villages and local sites along this stunning Atlantic coast of island, and I really hope that I can go back and run the marathon in the future. Whilst I was there, we spent a day doing site visits to a number of properties on the island, ranging from 3 to 5 star and that’s allowed me - at long last - to visit properties that I previously only knew only by name, but had been sending clients to for years. What these in person visits allowed me to see firsthand is a selection of rooms and all the public areas, to speak to the staff and to enjoy some local specialities, oh and understand that there is something for everyones' taste and budget. There is a perception that Barbados is extremely expensive to stay and to self cater in, however I will now not hesitate to broaden the offerings I make, having seen some properties that will make this destination more affordable for people who are not in a position to book five-star all-inclusive stays. We also visited the local Mount Gay rum factory and did a tasting tour, and enjoyed a catamaran cruise - in 5 days we didn't even scratch the surface of the activities there are to do on this island, there are so many watersports you can enjoy. And the people you meet in Barbados are so so friendly, you cannot fail to slow down and embrace the warm, laid-back, Bajan hospitality and enjoy life at their pace.

06 May 2023

This was not my first trip to Italy, but it was my 1st to explore some places I had not been, and in more detail than in previous trips . Italy takes so many boxes for me, the food, the cities, the scenery, the sunshine, the wine and its accessibility. Italy is not just about the pizza and pasta as we know it, in fact it stretches far beyond catering for a tourists palate. Don’t get me wrong, the Italians are masters at both, but their regional specialities are what they will shout about the loudest. They are competitive in the kitchen, always gaining trying to gain points for doing something better than another region. So i encourage you to try a similar dish in a different location because it will be different, and they will tell you - superior! What I love about Italy is it’s easy access from airports in the UK, but also inter cities and beyond. These are my favourites places to visit and so many places are accessible by their rail network. Their trains are spacious, efficient and inexpensive and travel across a great network linking cities, lakes and countryside. This summer, it allowed me to fly to and explore from Bergamo by train to Lake Garda; from where I was able to visit Verona, then return to Lake Iseo (look it up, it's a gem), from where I was able to explore the wine regions of Franciacorta. We stayed in an agriturismo, which is a working farm house and were able to sample the delights of their own produce. We hired complimentary bikes and explored small villages, vineyards, the lakes and jumped on the train when we ran out of pedal power. The scenery is breathtaking, and the cities offer so much history and architecture that you would struggle to fit it into a short stay. I am able to guide you on the whole package; flights, train travel and a range of accommodation and day trips to make the most of seeing as much of this country as you would like.

05 May 2023

I was very fortunate to be invited on a Regent Seven Seas pre re-launch of their ship Voyager back in March 2022. The first time she had taken to the seas post Covid, and with all the staff back on board and ready to roll we had three luxurious nights before the paying guests boarded for their holiday. A very simple flight through to Rome and coach transfer of just over one hour got us to Civitavecchia port, a small town south of Rome, where we boarded the ship. Regent Seven Seas offer all suite vessels and I was extremely fortunate to stay in this luxurious accommodation complete with the most attentive Butler, who gave me such a warm welcome and she showed me around my Suite, advising me of what I needed to know and reminding me of the complimentary room service, laundry and ironing service too - the latter being something I didn’t believe I would need for just three nights - but that turned out to be a huge tick! A butler is not something a service I would normally avail of however, it felt rude to ignore the service that she had so kindly offered to provide and within five minutes, realising I could not fathom where the on switch was for the coffee machine, I’d already made invalauble use of her help. Voyager, like many ships of her size is very easy to find your way around and you are certainly orientated after a night on board. We were spoilt with three nights in three different restaurants, all offering five star service and cuisine the selection off food choices on the menu are designed to suit every pallet and meet all manner of dietary requirements - each being paired perfectly with included wines and other beverages which were explained to us by very a knowledgeable team. What is important to note here is that all food and beverages with some minor exclusions are included in your cruise fare, so you can call it all inclusive. By the same token, gratuities are also included. The public areas are beautifully furnished to the highest standard of comfort, and there is a much more relaxed pace of life than modern cruising so comfort is key. Small touches are so discrete that you don't always notice them at first. I will let you get onboard to see this for yourselves. The spa, sauna and beauty areas are truly luxurious, and the pool are hot tubs very inviting. Being a smaller vessel, Voyager was able to get into some smaller ports and therefore closer to some of the main towns. We just sailed and visited Corsica, but what is one of the huge highlights of cruising with Regent is that your excursions are included as part of your cruise cost. This means that you have a range of varied excursions to choose from, then a selection you can pay an additional premium for. With a guest to staff of 2 to 1 there are smiles, and helping hands at every turn. I would love to help you find the right Regent Seven Seas cruise and destinations to meet your needs and would not hesitate to recommend them. It may be some time before I can return to their ships for my personal holiday, but they certainly have some destinations that are on my bucket list and cruising with them would in my opinion, be the perfect way to see them.

04 May 2023

Well, this was a place that was always on my bucket list, and it did not disappoint. Okay, so I know everyone heads here to see the Northern Lights. Well it’s not quite as easy as that - with no guarantee that you will witness this natural phenomenon, what you have to do is make sure you enjoy the searching for them. The 'will we, won’t we' see the lights adds much excitement on its own, but let’s just think about the daytime first because there is so much to do in what is for many, a short break. Three days can be absolutely jampacked, but my recommendation would be to go for four full days and nights if you can. There are three main ticks for those who are tight for time and they are; The golden circle to include the geyzers and waterfalls The Blue Lagoon and / or the Sky lagoon A Northern Lights excursion by cruise or super Jeep For those with extra time, I would highly recommend a food walk of Reykjavík. It is a great orientation tour of the city and an introduction to Icelandic food - which incidentally isn't all fish, and counts as one nights dinner included. Fly over Iceland - a virtual flight experience of the country Whale watching The landscape is quite incredible and ever changing, depending on the time of year. If you travel in the winter months between November and April, you will hear the locals tell you to expect four seasons in one Day and I will be happy to guide you on how to pack for this. The Golden Circle is a full day tour and if you add on the snowmobile on top of the glacier it is usually the icing on the cake. Obviously this tends to be more in the winter months than the summer although there are countless opportunities for walking and hiking in the summer too. I was blown away by the first waterfall I saw. I couldn’t quite believe we were going to see a second by the time I’d seen that contrast, I was eager to see the third, and each of them are incredible in their own differing way. This country impressed me far more than I thought. Yes you need to save for your spending money as it’s not cheap to eat or do activities. However, there are many cities up there in the same bracket for eating out and what I will say is the quality stands out over and above the likes of some cities catering for mass tourism. The food is exceptional and the people some of the friendliest I've ever met. You can eat whatever you like in this country, and I encourage you to do exactly that.

04 May 2023

I was fortunate to be one of the lucky (if not a little brave) travellers of summer 2021, testing the new Covid fit to fly certificate and boy was it worth it! It was my first visit to Cyprus, and we flew to Paphos, and I was actually surprised at how close the array of Paphos seafront hotels are to the airport. Within 15 minutes of getting in the taxi, we were checked in and in the room and headed straight for the pool and a nice refreshing drink - Iced latte for me, it was still only late afternoon. We stayed at the Athena Royal Beach Hotel, which whilst despite not being catered towards young children does have some facilities and certainly makes them feel very welcome. Paphos seafront is almost door-to-door hotels set back from the beach, but some with private beach access. This promenade runs for miles and, if you are a runner like me, you will be in flat running heaven. Even the hotels at the southern end of the promenade, close to the picturesque church - from which you can watch magical sunsets, are located just over a mile to the main harbour area. For those wishing to do very little many properties are just steps from the beach. But I would highly recommend a visit into both the old and new towns. We visited the Tombs of the Kings, close by to Paphos - this is a large necropolis, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and travelled here and to Coral Bay using the local bus service. Cyprus has so much to offer for walkers too. It’s a year-round resort and inland, there are vineyards that I believe are well worth a visit. For the teenagers, especially those avid shoppers as there is a miniature but extensive choice of shops - Trafford Centre style - if that’s your thing, even if just to escape from the high afternoon heat for a couple of hours it is fab for a change of scene. We had a fabulous time, and I would not hesitate to return here for a relaxing warm week by the beach and a good dose of fresh air and Vitamin Sea.

04 May 2023

I’m all for a holiday in the UK, it’s just always the weather that can be the key difference with travelling overseas, but it’s a beautiful island we live on and worth exploring from one end to the other. This was possibly the furthest I have been since I went to Cornwall as a child! Dorset was completely new to me and I had the promise of seaside towns and villages, stunning beaches and great fish restaurants so to be honest, I didn’t take much persuading. Caravanning was never really part of my childhood (we frequented a farmhouse for many years, and my parents remain good friends with the owner to this day and i have wonderful memories of this) but I’ve camped quite a bit as an adult with my own children. And Dorset really does have a lot to offer. We tied this in with going to a great family festival called Camp Bestival which filled a day and evening out, but we also visited some quiet sandy beaches, historical sites, Durdle door and enjoyed lazy days on the pebble beaches with the paddle boards and the children spending hours jumping off rocks into the beautiful warm water. We were lucky, the temperature was on our side and we had many sunny days but just had a jacket nearby for when it cooled off. Weymouth itself is simply delightful. It really is the picture postcard little town with superb restaurants and places to sit and watch the world go by. We also took the children crabbing in the town centre (which got quite competitive) and were able to take the bus in easily from the caravan, as i know you can from the many campsites around the town. We visited nearby Lyme Regis on the day that wasn’t quite as dry as the rest and found it’s gorgeous and unique curiosity shops an absolute delight. You will be spoilt for choice with an array of holiday cottages, camping and caravanning sites but be sure to book early because people really do take the best ones first.

24 February 2020

This was a February half term break for me so with family in tow and only 4 nights to spare, it needed to be reached easily. And whilst I generally have a bit of a rule of '5 nights is a maximum for a city break', being by the coast adds a different dimension. There is so much to do in Barcelona, you could easily be entertained for a week. Access wise it's very straightforward to get around. We took a metro from the airport, direct to Plaza de Catalunya, for €2.40 and were right in the heart of the city in 20 mins. The metro is a great way to get around, look out for 2 day passes (€16) and 10 journey tickets (€12). On top of that we hired bikes for a day (€10) and electric scooters for a couple of hours for the same price, great fun, especially as there are bike lanes and a vast promenade. We took in La Rambla and the Mercato de la Boqueria, the children loved the pots of fresh fruit (and churros and crepes to follow)! My travels are without a doubt culinary journeys too, and I'd highly recommend our Italian, Lebanese and Japanese choices. We also headed out of town for Tapas, worth the €10 taxi fare to get out where the locals dine, seemingly well! I have all the restaurants well noted for you. Coffee is good, and combined with a pastry is often a bargain and a great quality self catering breakfast. There are also supermarkets a plenty. We stayed near the Arc de Triomphe so extremely central to explore key sights and back street gems. At the most we were a 20 minute walk to the beach. Our of town, during March and December you can visit the amusement park via metro, an uphill climb and the funicular, I am told it's a great family day out. To me, your visit isn't complete without a visit to Sagrada Familia. This 'work in progress' Gaudi masterpiece will blow your mind inside and out. If you're going in, take the audio tour too. There's many a building to showcase his architecture around the city too, so keep your eyes peeled and cameras close to hand to capture these when you least expect it. The Barcelona bonus, just over a 2 hour flight gets you here from the UK, and with low cost options from main and regional airports, what are you waiting' for?

24 February 2020

I have to say, safari is possibly my favourite holiday pastime, perhaps somewhat because it's a treat, but also chances are few and far between, so when a chance came my way through work, it was too good an opportunity to resist. 8 nights, 5 locations, thousands of miles covered, all in a private jet. I appreciate these chances are limited, but if you have a safari trip on your bucket list, I'd urge you check this out, self drive or by air, and with our trusted partners based in Namibia, let me guide you on how to enjoy the diversity of this incredible African gem, deemed the safest country in its continent. We took our flight from Windhoek, North to Okinjima Nature reserve to see the Afrikaat Nature reserve, see rescued Cheetahs, but also track leopards, and spot endless amounts of game. We dined in the traditional outdoor Boma and enjoyed fabulous hospitality at this rustic but very special location. Next we moved on to Etosha Heights, the most memorable traditional welcome here extended throughout our stay with African dancing and singing from the Etosha 'family. This one is all inclusive and a very special place to head out on foot, guide and safety measures in tow (this is nature after all), and enjoy sundowners. From there to Damaraland, our first stop as we left the bush and headed to the desert - home of the desert elephant and accommodation amidst red rock, the landscape is a stark contrast to what we'd experienced so far. We were treated to watching a family of elephants enjoying a leisurely evening stroll, stopping to dine along the way, an hour passed in what seemed like minutes, we were so mesmerised, we failed to spot the female elephant from another direction, and take our breath away as she brushed past our vehicle. Our next stop was civilisation, by the beach, in Swakopmund. A small town with a heavy German influence and relaxed coastal vibe. From here, you can visit the Skeleton Coast and the incredible sand dunes for a spot of dune bashing, this is a must do! You can also head out whale watching and seal spotting from here too, or sky dive, if you are an adrenaline junkie who prefers to see it all from the air. Last but not least to Soussevlei. No visit to Namibia is complete without seeing the red sand dunes, and climbing Big Daddy - the largest in Africa. I'm afraid of heights but I took on the challenge and would have turned around and done it all again. A luxury desert retreat to top it all off and in reality I had just glimpses of this country for sure, but they are etched in my memory for a lifetime.

24 September 2018

Following a few nights in Kotor, Montenegro, we opted to take the bus to Croatia for the second part of our holiday. You can read more about this in my Croatia blog. It was very reasonable at less than €15 a ticket, however is has to be said that with that, you do get the unpredictability of a border crossing. What was supposed to be a two-and-a-half-hour journey became almost five. That said, the cars were not going through any quicker and we knew what we may have had to expect. Once you cross the border you are only around 20 km south of Dubrovnik, and we opted to stay outside of the city and travel in both daytime and evening to enjoy a different perspective. We chose Cavtat. It being some 33 years since my last visit, I was excited to see how things had changed, and in many ways, I am pleased to say that it hadn't. Cavtat offers a great place to stay outside of the city and is an easy 30-minute bus ride in (or 45 boat ride), but the real bonus is being away from the crowds, again mainly the cruise ship visitors. Cavtat is still fairly compact and some may say sleepy, but it looks after the tourists well and is tasteful with its abundance of waterfront restaurants - we always had great tasting food and really friendly service. We visited Dubrovnik a couple of times as the bus service is very reliable and runs late into the evening. It is a stunning city to view from above or if you arrive by water, and particularly beautiful in the old city. You can walk the city walls, but we were able to appreciate the beauty and atmosphere just meandering the streets within the walls, as you can get views from other parts of the city. There are countless cafes and restaurants in and around the city so always somewhere to stop and rest your legs. To cool down, they offer some of the best ice cream I have ever tasted, and it is so cheap! Whilst Croatia doesn't really offer sandy beaches the shorelines are flanked with sunbathers and families swimming and paddling or taking part in a water sport activity. Private boats and superyachts visits in the Summer and it is no surprise why, the scenery is fabulous. It's also a great destination to hire a private boat and island hop but if you prefer to stick to terra ferma, Croatia lends itself to being a 2 or 3 centre destination and flights operate regularly between Dubrovnik, Split, Pula and the Capital Zagreb. Croatia is so popular and consider staying outside of Dubrovnik where accommodation prices are at a premium. Generally eating out is on a par with UK prices, a noticeable hike from Montenegro for sure but all in all, it's not bad value.

24 September 2018

Still untouched by many despite cruise ship passengers arriving in their thousands, Montenegro still retains its charm and 'oldy worldy' approach to welcoming these numbers. In Kotor it is almost like stepping back in time, even outside of the Old Town walls - it is definitely not overly commercial (no fast food chains here) and copes incredibly well with the visitors. Inside the Old Town walls there are many squares and narrow streets a few places to eat and plenty of places to watch the world go by. There are a great range of restaurants, from simple outlets serving great hearty food, many still with Italian influence, to intimate white linen waterside tabled venues, and something to suit all budgets. We opted to spend five nights here and I think that that is a good duration as you can visit plenty. A car is probably useful but only for those who can hold their nerve, a trip behind the wheel is not for the faint hearted. Aside from that the bus service is fairly good and we visited Perast. Travelling around by bus or even taxi is relatively inexpensive too and there are many options for tours (private and otherwise) by water. Dobrota is short walk into Kotor and on the Eastern side of the Bay this is where we stayed. I have the details of a few hotels I checked out that I would recommend in terms of location. There are some small boutique and simple self-catering apartments on the seaside road, and simple is all it needs to be, you don't need luxury here as it is all about location. There is no real need for a pool as people swim in the bay all day long, and you can kayak, stand-up paddle board, pedalo and take numerous boat trips to various Islands. For the more adventurous (and if you have a head for heights) the fortress walk is amazing and offers incredible views as you move to and from the top, and I would say it is a well worth it but it's single-track at times. Back down on lower ground, where I prefer to be to be honest, the bay is just beautiful whichever way you look. We didn't visit Lake Skadar but I believe it is worth it, and Budva for the Old Town and the sandy beaches although this is much more touristy so a bit of a compromise perhaps. Montenegro is a slower pace of life and you should certainly head here for a few days to relax, surrounded by beauty.

06 June 2018

Do you fancy a UK city break in the North but not York or Manchester? What about Leeds? Having not visited since 2005 I was really pleasantly surprised to see how smart a city it is, with endless shopping opportunities. As well as the usual high street stores, (and unlike many large towns these days I didn't see an empty shop space) there are also larger department stores - John Lewis, Debenhams and House of Fraser. Trinity Leeds houses 120 stores, Victoria Quarter has some of the top fashion designer’s shops and it is a stunning arcade, one of many with small boutique shops and cafes. My favourite is the traditional indoor Kirkgate market with its fabulous old stores and with 800 stalls it is one of the largest in Europe. Lots of delicatessens and places to stop and have refreshments, be sure to head there before a Sunday though, it does have a day off. There are lots of well recognized hotel brands here - all very central, as is the train station so if you have time for a longer break the train will easily get you to York or Harrogate too. Leeds is all very easily accessible on foot and with a mix of old and new buildings plenty of photo opportunities too. From relaxed and informal dining where you can enjoy top quality charcuterie, cheese and wine, to Michelin star, there is something for every taste and pocket and it is truly a gem for places to meet friends and enjoy a fabulous weekend break all year round.

06 June 2018

Our stay in Thailand was the ultimate in luxury adventure. Elephant sanctuaries are quite popular In Thailand, but I believe if you can ride the elephants, chances are, you need to look further afield for a more ethical and real experience. We opted for a 3-day, 2-night stay at Elephant Hills and have enjoyed an experience that will stay with us forever. In addition to bathing and feeding this intelligent and encapsulating animals, we enjoyed jungle treks, wildlife river journeys, kayaking and lake swims in the most breath-taking surroundings. The time with the elephants is informative, fun, not at all rushed and a phenomenal experience of being so close to nature. You spend time washing them and watching them play, preparing food for them which you then feed to them yourselves and generally being in awe of being so up close and personal. The staff are brilliant and love to share their knowledge and understanding of the elephants. Such is their relationships with the animals, you should leave with no questions unanswered. It's tough to top that, but it can be equalled by moving to Elephant Hills lake camp. After an exciting long tail boat journey across Cheow Lan Lake you reach the Rainforest camp, one of few floating tented camps worldwide and it's setting is simply beautiful. There are only 20 tents, all with en suite facilities but this is basic and stunning at the same time, as the experience is all about the location and being at one with nature and the outdoors. You must have your camera charged for this part of the trip as from sunrise to sunset there are some stunning photo opportunities. You can take a jungle trek with an experienced and informative guide, swim, kayak and just enjoy sitting back and drink in the view, away from the stresses and noises of everyday life and enjoy the sound of silence. Entertainment here is the view and catching up with your fellow guests. It was by far the highlight of the holiday and if it is not already on yours, then please add it add it to you 'book-it' list.

03 November 2017

This is how you do a whistle stop tour of Orlando, and don't even step into Disney or Universal, but spend a week exploring all the alternative attractions on offer within an hour or so of Disney. I visited on a work educational tour, with family trips at the forefront of my mind. Day 1 - The first is a bucket list item for many. It involved being up and ready at 5am to head to Orlando Balloon rides for our early morning flight, only confirmed the night before, and the weather was perfect. A mix of excitement and nerves, this was one where I really had to conquer my fear of heights. It was incredible, from standing inside the balloon to reaching heights of over 1400ft to see Orlando at sunrise. Such a smooth ride and a traditional champagne toast at the end. Next stop - Gatorland, and if you are not sure you can believe the picture, trust me I fed the gators before I posed with my back to them. All gators pictured are real! Plenty of wildlife to see here, big truck off roading and gators galore. Next stop - lunch at Planet Hollywood and a look around Disney Springs (shopping and dining) before evening entertainment at Medieval Times. Set within an 11th century European style medieval castle you cheer on your own Knight for a live jousting experience, whilst enjoying a utensil free 4 course meal! Great fun to round off a very long day. Day 2 and a visit to I Drive 360 - another high start and 400 feet up on the Orlando wheel. Back down to earth we headed underwater to the SeaLife exhibition and brushed shoulders with some celebs at Madame Tussaud's. Still at I-Drive 360 we had lunch at the fabulous Yard House - can highly recommend this, the food was so tasty and they have a huge selection of beers. Next stop Fun Spot Orlando - a smaller scale theme park but the same is not to be said for the rides - a traditional wooden rollercoaster - White Lightning, the tallest in Orlando and Freedom Flyer virtual reality coaster. I had to draw the line at Sky Coaster which pulls you up 300 feet in a harness then you launch yourself through the air and experience the closest thing to jumping out of a plane. After a couple of hours there (great for the smaller children too) we headed to Boggy Creek. This was a highlight of the week for me, we met native Americans and watched a demonstration of how they hunted, cooked and lived many years ago. We mined for gemstones, ate alligator tail before dinner at Boggy Bottom restaurant and then experienced an airboat ride as the sun set hunting for gators in the Central Florida Everglades. Back to the fire to toast marshmallows to make s'mores and drink some swamp juice. The following day was another early start, on the road at 7am heading for some off road fun at Revolution off road. We enjoyed a gorgeous breakfast in the blistering sun whilst we got our safety debrief for what I can only describe as one of the most exhilarating days I've taken part in. First stop clay pigeon shooting, hit one on my 8th shot, not so much joy with the archery but had great fun taking part! But the highlight was the quad bikes - a 30 minute course on individual ATV's round a very muddy and undulating course, sunshine and beautiful views all around. Straight off these and onto the mucky duck ride. Another all terrain 8 wheeled amphibious vehicle - another 30 minutes, proved great fun in and out of the lake. Family friendly too - although some activities have a minimum age limit. Rounded off with a very tasty BBQ, we did not want to leave and all located only 15 miles from Disney. We finished exhausted, happy and very very dirty!!! Do not wear your best clothes for this. No rest for the wicked though, a quick turnaround and we hopped on the 'hop on hop off' bus to Wonderworks museum (located on International Drive) where they have over 100 exhibits to "spark imagination and challenge the mind" including 4D Xd simulator ride, a high ropes course and a laser tag arena. Round this off with giggles at the Outta control comedy and magic show complete with pizza and of course, unlimited sodas! Day 4 and SeaWorld was the name of the game. This is a relaxed family day out, we saw lots of children and adults having fun, but at a lovely pace. So much for little ones to see; a dolphin nursery, flamingos, the incredible dolphin show and that of the Orcas too. Plus a log flume and thrills in the form of Mako and Manta and a new virtual reality ride coming in 2018. (I'd reached my limit with the hot air balloon so didn't need to push myself further). Lots of choices for food and gorgeous surroundings. That evening our journey took us to the Amway Center ahead of the Orlando Magic basketball game against Cleveland Cavaliers! The atmosphere was electric, this is a very affordable fun night out for all the family and I highly recommend you do this if they're playing whilst you're in Orlando. Day 5 - We headed 45 minutes drive East of Orlando to Kennedy Space Centre. Fun for all Space enthusiasts and budding scientists in the family, it's affordable and a good way to spend at least 3-4 hours away from the parks. See the Apollo 8 launch in the firing room from where it happened all those years ago and Space Shuttle Atlantis - all pretty spectacular. From there we headed back to Fun Spot, in Kissimmee this time for the braver ones amongst us to try out the even higher Sky Coaster ride but the evenings entertainment took the form of us being privileged to ride in the classic cars brought in by locals, around 170 in total, to cruise the streets of Old Town. They do this every Saturday evening and similar on a Friday, this is the place to be to enjoy a bite to eat, have a beer in a saloon bar, join in lining the streets and enjoy the parade. No trip is complete without a visit to the shops and after a full on and educational week, we were rewarded with some time to visit both the Florida Mall and the Premium outlets, where if you don't know, at the latter you can buy premium labels at heavily discounted prices, not just clothes and footwear but perfume, jewellery, watches, sports goods. Well worth a visit followed closely by trying to cram it all in your suitcase or on your back to get it home! Always worth leaving space in your suitcase or taking a spare soft bag (it seems I'll never learn)! One very last working lunch with all our truly wonderful hosts at Buca di Peppo, in the Florida Mall where we enjoyed very authentic Italian food Thank you Orlando, I had a blast and will absolutely be back!

20 September 2017

Pace yourself. If this is your first trip with your children, aim for a slightly slower paced break than usual. Go with the flow and don’t pack in too much. Avoiding stress is the name of the game, so build in rest days and be realistic about what you might see and do. Travel is great for broadening the mind, even if you’re a five-year-old. Start getting your little ones prepared for their holiday by treating it like a project. You could read a guide book to them about your destination, talk to them about what to expect and how things may be different such as the food. Perhaps even try some of the traditional dishes from your chosen holiday destination. Also encourage them to keep a holiday journal, collect photos, ticket stubs and draw pictures of what they have seen and record new words they may have learned along the way. These are great to look back on. Get your little ones to travel with a small backpack, that way they can carry their own drink, hat and sunglasses, book and crayons. If you are like me, my handbag is full of everyone else’s bits and bobs. Let them take responsibility for a few items of their own. Maybe they can even have a bit of the local currency in a purse or wallet, although beware, once they know it is there it is likely to burn a hole in their pocket. Research your destination and prepare a “things to do and places to go if the weather isn’t great” list. (This is particularly good if travelling out of season in the February or October half terms). As your Travel Counsellor I will provide you with this ahead of your trip. Where possible, I check my customers in online so I can hand you your boarding passes and save you time at the airport. Sometimes this means free allocation of seats before you leave. Most airlines make a charge for pre-booking seating, but if it provides peace of mind, I would be happy to advise on this. Taking a buggy or pram even if your child is now walking can be handy as they can double up as places to rest from the heat or if up a little later than usual to rest in a restaurant for example. Most airlines carry this for an infant free of charge, but it’s possible for small children too. It goes without saying that I will research the accommodation options for suitability for you and your family, with two young children of my own I understand what is necessary to make your holiday as enjoyable as possible for everyone. It’s not possible to carry liquids over 100ml through airport security, but once through it makes sense to get some drinks before you get on your flight, it can be warm when you arrive at your destination and whilst waiting for and travelling on your transfer, a bottle of water is often very welcomed. Once on board it’s helpful to have a treat such as a lollipop during take-off and landing, it can all help. Make sure you have plenty of ways to entertain your little one such as crayons, books and their favourite toy. Also, small presents that are well wrapped and take a while to open make great distractions, during turbulence for example. Once you’ve arrived and you’ve checked in satisfy yourself that your room is child friendly. Check the locks on doors and windows to make sure the room is secure and all fittings are sturdy including balcony railings i.e. there are no gaps big enough for a child to get through. Don’t be afraid to ask to be moved to another room if you’re not satisfied. Requesting a ground floor room if available is often a good idea and checking the hot water temperature is another top tip to ensure it’s not too hot for little hands. Most of all have fun, taken lots of pictures, write notes in the journal and the children will enjoy sticking some of the photos in there when you are home. It all helps them remember the destination and the fun times you have enjoyed.

30 November 2017

This was my first visit to Germany in years, and the first summer visit since a school exchange trip, but many memories came flooding back, as did my GCSE German when faced with ordering food, or asking for directions! Hamburg is a port, so quite industrial, but there are opportunities to ride the ferries out to some small beaches and see the city from the water are fun. Leaving from in front of the very impressive Opera House, you can spend an hour on the comfy boat rides even if you just do a round trip to rest your legs. Inland there are many waterways through the city and it's enhances the beauty as a result. There were two big hits for me - and because of Hamburg's location in Northern Germany, they are indoor attractions you can call on if it gets a little wet, or too chilly! The first is the Miniature Wonderland - an excellent model railway exhibition of many countries - the largest in the world of its kind - excellent value for money and you really can spend hours here, whatever your age. The second great Dialog im Dunkeln (translates to Dialog in the Dark) - a fantastic indoor 'exhibition'. This is an experience you take, led by partially sighted or blind guides, in complete darkness, experiencing an hour similar to a day in the life for them, where they can see nothing or very little. A thought provoking experience I did with my children and we thoroughly enjoyed it. The train network in Northern Germany is very efficient and you can get to Bremen for another city experience in just over an hour, on the same trip. Add to that the numerous restaurants, beer halls, great shopping and a walk or cycle around the beautiful Alster Lake this city really does have a lot to offer for a 2/3 night break. And of course from November the Christmas markets set up in various locations too. And all in less than 90 minutes flight from the North of the UK.

09 November 2017

This was just a two night city break with my girlfriends, and we stayed in an apartment just off the main shopping and entertainment street, Gran Via. Whilst I would always look at staying central to make the most of everything being close to hand, the metro system was clean, cheap and very useful, the efficiency of European underground transport never ceasing to amaze me! It's quite a large city and I love walking, but the metro does help you cover a lot of ground quickly. Some of our party opted for the 48 hour hop on hop off bus and had more structure to their day, because they planned the stops and what they wanted to visit. The museums and palaces are spread pretty far apart and you cannot do them all, but opt for 1 or 2 and do them well. We visited the Museo del Prada - a few hours flew without difficulty, and also the Reina Sofia Museum to see Picasso's Guernica which was really interesting. Some of these are worth booking tickets online before you go, but not expensive. Parque del Retiro is fairly central and a welcome escape from the inner city crowds, allowing time for a picnic on the grass or a boat ride / paddle on the lake - great for families. There are plenty of shopping opportunities, high street brands and small boutique offerings. On a Sunday morning you can head down to the main market, it's huge and there are bargains of all kinds to be had. Leave some space in your luggage, you are bound to see something you want to take home from here. Plaza de Catalunya is surrounded by some fabulous buildings with stunning architecture and of course wouldn't be complete without the shops and restaurants within and around it, which brings me nicely onto the subject of food. Breakfast is a popular social activity and I would recommend you take the opportunity to eat out and enjoy dining in a bakery with its huge choice of pastries. For the rest of the day there is all manner of cuisine but you cannot go and visit Spain without having tapas. Aside from the many restaurants offering these sharing plates, I recommend a visit to the Mercado San Miguel, just by Gran Via, where you can taste wonderful wines and food from all the different regions of the country as you walk around. A great start to your evening out... It was a short visit, but the weather was amazing and the hospitality very welcoming.

20 September 2017

When you're in my role, it is difficult to bypass a city you aren't too bowled over by, particularly when your flight is passing through. I didn't backpack in my youth so the Far East was new territory for me. But this time I had a family to consider, so I chose carefully to stay close to the River, away from the real hustle and bustle and I cannot express how much fun we had in Bangkok. Bangkok Two overnight flights and we found ourselves in Bangkok with just enough time for a quick dip in the pool, a bite to eat then time for bed. I mention this as there was no jet lag or over tiredness and we hit the ground running the following day. A full day (9-4) city tour proved invaluable for us. It wasn't until we listed what we had seen and recounted the ground we had covered in the timescale (without having to give a second thought to navigating, queuing or planning) that we realised how good our introduction to this bustling city set us up for. We'd ticked the water taxis, the Grand Palace and a canal tour by longboat, lunch, a flower and vegetable market and the temple of the reclining Buddah before exploring on our own. The following day involved travelling on the fabulously clean and efficient MRT, visiting the weekend market, a traditional Thai massage for all the family, a walk through the park and a bit of shopping too. In two days, we felt we had given Bangkok a big tick. Singapore So onward we moved to Singapore. In stark contrast to the fast pace and sights and wonderful smells of Bangkok, this is a more serene, cosmopolitan calm, moving at a much-welcomed slower pace. With so much to do here, especially for families, we slowed down and enjoyed a 3-day break. Again, we covered so much of it, but with frequent stops to drink in the calm city atmosphere. It's always hot in Singapore, so you need to adjust and not try to bite off more than you can chew. Our highlights included Gardens by the Bay - afternoon and into the evening, eating in Chinatown, street food, walking around the city and the night zoo, and we still found time to relax by the pool too. After six days of cities and walking over 55km by this point, we were ready for a rest. Khao Lak - beach We headed for the beach, kicking back in Khao Lak. Still with its very laid-back Thai charm, not overly commercial but enough to capture your attention, our week was quite lazy. But don't under-estimate what there is to do from there, be it off shore and enjoying the diving and snorkelling or cycling and visiting waterfalls and gorgeous beaches. There is plenty for a few days out amongst the rest day should you wish. The beaches are clean and not crowded, and in the right place stunning sunsets to round off each day. This quite easily makes up a 14-night holiday - it's cost effective with cheap internal flights and short flights between Thailand and Singapore. Bed and breakfast is definitely the way to go, the food is incredibly varied and very reasonable, and families are well catered for. I'd stuck in Singapore (not necessarily your standard itinerary) because we felt northern Thailand would overface us with more of what we'd seen in Bangkok, but that's not to say I wouldn't return to visit Chiangmai or ChiangRai, on a return visit to Thailand. One thing I am sure of is that we will certainly return. The land of smiles, sure made us smile. Read my other blog on Elephant Hills to add a bit of a twist to your stay in Thailand.

24 August 2016

On one of the beautiful sun kissed islands of the Caribbean, you can do as little or as much as you like. There is always time to do nothing, but relax on a gorgeous sandy beach and lose yourself in your favourite novel. On the other hand, you can stay at one of the more active resorts where I stayed – BodyHoliday, or leave the resort to explore, and in this case, the list of what you can do is endless. The island is ideal for water sports enthusiasts and there are hot spots for those requiring the wind behind them, or calmer waters for those who prefer snorkelling and scuba diving. For a land based activity there is zip wiring through the rainforest – or just a cable car ride through it. There are countless walks including guided walks up the Pitons (the second highest mountains infamous in so many pictures you see of the island). There is a visit to the various hot mineral baths, Segway tours, sunset cruises, and there is even a drive in volcano too! Temperature wise it is tropical, and very green so that is a clue! When it does rain it means business with its short heavy bursts but I found the sun never too far behind. Accommodation tends to offer a range of bed and breakfast to all inclusive, but with many options on the resort unless you are staying close to the Capital – Castries. Castries is buzzing with activity compared to the rest of the island, but still looks laid back in comparison to European cities. As with much of the Caribbean, there is a slower pace of life which means you can switch off quickly and begin to take things easy from the moment you arrive. I was lucky enough to stay at three different resorts during my visit so in addition to BodyHoliday I also stayed at Rendezvous and Sugar Beach, and covered a lot of the island. It’s a fabulous location and can even be twinned with other Caribbean islands should you wish.

23 November 2014

Gorgeous white sandy beaches, rocky coastline and fun for all the family...on the Algarve. The Algarve stretches most of the southern coast of Portugal and provides something for everyone. Hot days and warm evenings and welcoming temperatures from Easter through to November. I would highly recommend a car for this holiday, it’s the best way to get around and discover so many places, neighbouring towns and beautiful fishing villages, a drive up into the mountains or a medieval town (my favourite, Silves, is delightful). For the 1st week I made arrangements locally for a car hire with a difference and had one day with a Mahari jeep and had great fun taking it to the westernmost point of Portugal where we visited the fort at Sagres. The 2nd day we hired a Citroen 2CV and moved from beach to beach in true retro style! It’s affordable, great fun, affordable and a little bit different! Our ‘normal’ Seat Ibiza for week 2 was perhaps more practical, but comfortable and cheap to run, and I would not have been without it. Taxis are cheap, but in the height of the season you can have a long wait, and it’s not always straight forward to flag them down if you are not staying in the main towns. So it’s car hire everytime for me. Day to day if you want to stay on dry land, enjoy long lazy days at the beach, but if you get restless, activities are too numerous to mention but range from horse riding or go- karting? The beaches, again, there are too many to mention here, are nestled amongst the stunning rocky coastline, they are amongst some of the most beautiful I have ever visited and plenty offer the opportunity to swim in the sea. Most have a small café / restaurant on them but it’s normal for families to take picnics and an umbrella and stay until the sun sets. After a long day at the beach why not follow this with a sand free day and visit one of the large waterparks. They have excellent facilities whether you have infants or have taken the grandparents (you’re never too old) and again you can take your own food and set up camp for the day as they provide lockers, it’s easily a full day out. I mention the umbrella again, you can place these on the grassy area and they are a welcome shelter from the midday sunshine. There’s Zoomarine too – watch and swim with the dolphins, visit the aquarium, relax at the man made beach and waterslides and much more – but in August just be aware it’s the busiest month by far, and these places do get very busy. It would be remiss of me not to mention the golf, as the Algarve offers a great selection of champion golf courses, the pick of the bunch being in Quinta da Lago. These are getting more popular with golfing pals, but also group trips, so if you’re looking to head for a short break with your golfing buddies, it’s ideal. For water sports lovers, areas of the coast offer a constant breeze and windsurfers and kitesurfers will be spoilt for choice too. For a family activity why not kayak to a secluded beach on an organised trip, accessible only from the sea and snorkel and discover sea life with an expert guide. But to get away from it all, there are many places to drive to off the beaten track and enjoy some peace and quiet. In general, it’s a slower pace of life than many of us experience in the UK and I'd advise you stay couple of weeks if you can as for those of us leading such busy lives here, I think it can take a couple of days to get used to! But wherever you choose, and I am more than happy to share my advice and recommendations, I am sure it is a place you will want to return again and again.

10 August 2014

I thought I would write and tell you about a recent weekend trip to Vienna. Less than 20 minutes from the airport to the city centre and with cheap transport options Vienna is very accessible and a well-kept secret! With few tour operators selling city breaks to this destination, it’s a great option for a tailor made break using low cost flights and accommodation (although remember, we offer full financial protection for booking things this way) when booking on separate websites you won’t get this. Even with a population of almost 2 million, this city feels spacious – big wide streets but little traffic noise and fresh air – rare in a city. It’s clean and very organised. There are restaurants to suit every palate and the food is very reasonably priced with plenty of places to sample the Viennese cuisine. Lots of al fresco dining possibilities – there is always something to see or people to watch (which means you will pay a premium for coffee). There are too many museums and churches to mention, but my favourite was the Hundertwasser museum ‘Kunst Haus Wein’ – a small but interesting display of the work of Friedensreich Hundertwasser. We bought a Vienna card – available for 24 – 72 hours and this gave us access to all the city transport, discounts off museums and at various cafes and restaurants, well worth it in my opinion and I can make some great recommendations. The shopping is plentiful, a mix of touristy, traditional and the big name designers too. Away from the city, less than an hour by train and bus, we found ourselves in the hills looking back on this wonderful city, relax and take time out for brunch at Kahlenberg and enjoy the view. And for all you chocolate lovers out there, you can’t leave without trying a piece of the famous Sachertorte – a dark, rich slice of chocolate cake, the recipe a Viennese secret dating back to 1832, simply divine! It’s time to go to Vienna, now or never….

23 November 2014

Well the one thing I can never be sure to guarantee when I arrange your holiday is sunshine. But I knew the chances of blue skies were pretty high when I jetted off to the United Arab Emirates in February. Just over a seven hour flight from the UK takes you to Dubai, and a swift taxi transfer to Abu Dhabi found us in our hotel, and more importantly glorious temperatures, less than 10 hours later. We stayed outside of the city because it allowed us to be by the beach and taxis are cheap and plentiful in the UAE. The first day was about settling in. Instead of a full day hop on – hop off style tour, we chose to do the sights independently because we only had two nights there. But a visit to Abu Dhabi is not complete unless you visit the simply stunning Grand Mosque. Ladies must be covered head to toe but they provide a complimentary Abaya for you to change into to go inside the Mosque. For the children we swung by the beach before heading to the Heritage Village, an open museum providing an insight into the Emirate’s past where craftsman showcase their skills such as pottery, wood carving and glass blowing. The nearby Corniche area is a fabulous place to stroll or from which to dip your toe in the warm waters of the Arabian Gulf, and for those of you with young children, play parks and green areas are frequently dotted around too. It’s then around an hours transfer back to the beach area of Dubai and Jumeirah Beach Walk – an up market promenade of restaurants and shops set back from the beach, where you can sit and watch the world go by and recharge your batteries before you choose your next activity. For beach lovers this is the place to stay. It’s easy to get around from here by taxi and the exceptionally clean and efficient metro to downtown Dubai for more shopping, restaurants and the Burj Kalifa standing 828 metres tall – the highest in the world. You can dine here and view the exceptional water fountain display regularly in the evening. You can enjoy a huge range of international cuisine in Dubai and we found it to be very reasonably priced. We also did a desert safari, ice skating and spent a full day at the water park and still feel we could go back and fill a week with things we didn’t experience. Dubai offers something for everyone and makes a great destination for a family holiday.

20 November 2012

Three days might seem like a long way to go to South Africa for, and it is. But if you are lucky enough to get the opportunity to experience a safari in this wonderful country, it's absolutely worth it. There is only a two hour time difference so jet lag is not an issue. The majority of people don't go to South Africa just for a safari, but what they easily do is incorporate two or three night’s safari into a bigger trip. Internal flights are frequent and reasonably priced and make this very possible. Of the people I met, most were also travelling to other places in South Africa, but also to neighbouring countries of Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. I travelled to Johannesburg and then took a short internal flight to Nelspruit (Kruger) airport. Without a doubt, it’s the prettiest airport I have seen with its thatched roof. You can also drive from Johannesburg and the estimated journey time is around five hours. However, if like me you are short of time, there are usually four or five flights a day on this route and from there it's just over an hour’s drive through stunning countryside to Kruger National Park. The moment you arrive at the park gates you feel you are on an exciting journey. The park itself is 220 miles long by 40 miles wide and as such, with the animals roaming in their natural habitat, you can never guarantee where in this space you will spot something. You learn quickly that spotting these animals with an untrained eye is quite a challenge. Kruger is home to the Big Five; buffalo, rhinos, lions, leopards and elephants. We were lucky enough to see all five, the leopard being the biggest challenge. With the fun and excitement of our ranger tracking footprints, his perseverance paid off on day two. We stayed at a 5* private concession located in the south of Kruger Park. The experience is out of this world. There were only 12 lodges but the space available to those 24 guests, and the staff to guest ratio, was outstanding. We had our own private deck with a day bed and plunge pool and to wake on our deck and find animals grazing in front of our room was one of many highlights. Another benefit was that on all game drives, food and drink were included. Two drives a day is fairly standard - each lasting around three hours and followed by a warm welcome back at the lodge and hearty meal whilst we shared our experiences with other guests. We also had the opportunity to do a walking tour with our ranger (at no extra cost) out in the bush and this was a really exciting, if not a little nerve wracking, experience. In three nights, we didn't miss a game drive. If you do, you could miss the best sightings. So we were up at 5am each morning and out again at 4pm for the evening drive. Returning one evening we were lucky enough to meet three lionesses and seven cubs strolling past us, a sight and a feeling I will never forget. We were able to sit in silence and watch them approach, transfixed on their every move and the experience was phenomenal. And as we returned to our lodge some moments later we were greeted by an orchestra of frogs and the sight of fireflies just outside the lodge...a perfect end to a perfect drive. A safari for me is all about the different emotions I experienced. The fun; the anticipation, the excitement, the fear, the pleasure of game viewing in its natural surroundings and never knowing what is round the next corner. If it’s not already there, I would add it to your top ten holiday wish list!

13 September 2012

I have been waiting for the right time to do this trip – my children are 4 & 6 and I think I got it just about right. We travelled by Eurostar from London St Pancras and chose a train with a 90 minute break in the journey, at Lille. This allowed us to stop and sample a French patisserie, but there is a direct train to and from St Pancras daily and the journey time is around 2 and a half hours and if I had booked in advance and had the choice, I would have chosen the direct train. Alternatively a flight into Paris Charles de Gualle and a 20 minute train ride is also an easy option. The train station for Disney is right by the 3 areas of the park – Disneyland Park, Disney Studios and Disney Village (shops, restaurants). Shuttle buses run from the station to the nearby hotels but we found this an easier walk - clearly it depends on where you are staying. We stayed at the New York Hotel, a good standard 4 star with spacious family rooms. The breakfast was a hot and cold buffet and more than acceptable in terms of choice. The hotel has a small gym and large indoor and outdoor pool with bathing areas and we managed to squeeze a quick visit to this - it was a great way to cool down and wind down before dinner. The hotel is a pleasant 10 minute walk through Disney Village to Disneyland park, with plenty to see on the way, but not somewhere you would easily nip back to during the day, so planning is essential. Access to the park, if you are staying at a Disney Hotel is from 8am, and for other guests from 10am. These two hours are a great way to spend a lot less time queuing for some of the rides. This does mean an early start each day and they can be long and tiring days, so I would recommend at least 2 if not 3 days there to get the correct pace. We were there midweek, in the summer holidays and queued on average 20 -30 minutes per ride. Between 8am and 10am we only queued for 5-10 minutes. You can speed up these processes with fast pass tickets and that cuts down your waiting time too. The park is split into 5 areas; Fantasyland, Frontierland, Adverture Land Discovery Land, each with a different theme and rides to match, and Main Street USA with shops and restaurants. Also, these are aimed across the age groups and you are given a map and ride information as you arrive. Once inside the parks, there are plenty of places to buy tea, coffee, snacks, but it is quite pricey. Planning ahead with drinks and snacks for younger ones really can pay off. We opted for the Half board plus and I would highly recommend this. The vouchers are valid at some great restaurants, but in my opinion need pre booking. The vouchers allow a set menu choice, or can be redeemed to a certain value against the full menu, which would probably get you 2 courses in most places. More importantly it allowed us to dine at Café Mickey, we saw all the characters the children wanted for photo and autograph opportunities at our table. It was well organised and not rushed, This was one of the many highlights for the children. The parades are fabulous and the timetable of these is worth checking. Although an afternoon siesta is recommended for those of you with young children, particularly if you have been up since 7am, so you can all enjoy the evening parade at 10.15pm closely followed by the Disney Dreams display at 11pm – I would say you cannot visit without seeing this – it was truly magical. As an introduction to all things Disney, this is a great place to start. With the right planning and bundles of energy you can see the park in 3 days quite effectively and really get a lot out of your time there. We had a fabulous trip – it’s inundated with visitors of all ages, real evidence that it can really bring the kid out in us all. There are some top tips though for families, so if you are thinking of planning a trip, please give me a call.

09 July 2012

This is my second experience of Turkey, but my first for some 15 years and I was pleasantly surprised. This was a family holiday and we stayed in Icmeler, but at the end of the resort, some 2kms from the town, promenade and beach. This was a fabulous choice. Getting to most places in Turkey is fairly easy. Their local bus services - dolmus, are cheap and efficient. Ours left within 50m of the hotel and took us into Icmeler in 10 minutes and Marmaris in 20 minutes, all for less than the price of a cup of coffee, for the 4 of us! Icmeler in particular is not built up, it has a beautiful, clean promenade with a great choice of restaurants and a few of the larger hotel properties line the seafront. The beach is narrow and shingle, but plenty of sunbeds and the sea is great for swimming and paddling. Back from the beach there are a number of very welcoming 'cafes by day' and 'restaurants by night'. I didn't spot a nightclub during my stay, but I know the restaurants keep their bars open until the early hours. Food is varied and very reasonable. A good selection of seafood, Turkish, Indian, Chinese and the occasional British (thankfully) restaurant. For those looking for a shopping bargain Turkey is a great place to get a designer buy, and plenty of Turkish delight. From Icmeler you can get a water taxi to Turunc (pronounced Tourunch) which is a lovely 40 minute boat trip (about £3.50) round the bay. This is a very traditional Turkish seaside town, with plenty of restaurants and a pleasant day out. It's also very good for shallow snorkelling, which the children loved. The fish were so close to shore. The boat trip back early evening is relaxing and made me wish we had done a dinner cruise, but it's probably not ideal for the children. Marmaris is a much larger town, offering everything for all travellers. It’s certainly more built up and offers a big party scene but away from that it has a long beach with watersports on offer and a beautiful marina - the views from the restaurants here are fabulous - a great place to while the time away people watching. It is also where many of the Turkish gulets are docked. I took a look around one (with a future holiday in mind) and was very impressed. Particularly for families with older children who want to holiday with friends, or a group of friends to charter the whole gulet, this is certainly an option worth considering. Many visit a number of destinations both Turkish and Greek. For families the waterpark in Marmaris is approx £10 per adult for the day and worth a day out. Something for all ages. It's easy to get a dolmus to the town and they run past midnight too, much cheaper than taxis. From Marmaris you can also get a ferry over to Rhodes - perfect to incorporate a visit to a Greek island within your holiday, to check out another destination for a future holiday. Be aware you will need to purchase a visa again for reentry into Turkey - a crisp £10 note per person, as with on your arrival into the country. For the gents reading this, I'm told I should recommend a traditional Turkish shave. Beware though, what starts off as 5 Lira (less than £2), once you are in the chair you risk coming away with as much as a haircut, a facemask, your eyebrows threaded, a nose wax and a quick massage.- it all may sound very vain, but for a fraction of the UK cost you can 'enjoy' with all this pampering for under £20 - and what's best, you can claim you had no idea they were going to do all that - after all you only went in for a shave! Finally, I couldn't end without a mention of the fabulous scenery. In this area in particular it is very mountainous, and very green - we saw no rain though. For June it was very hot, we enjoyed temperatures of between 35 and 44 degrees so we were very grateful of the pool at our hotel (Julian Forest Suites). There are far reaching views out to sea to be enjoyed and I will certainly be back to Turkey in the future. I look forward to exploring Olu Deniz and Hisaronu next, and in time a gulet cruise.

26 April 2012

Vejer de la Frontera, Costa de la Luz, Spain Vejer de la Frontera is a picturesque hilltop village in South Western Spain, approximately 2 – 2 ½ hours drive South of Seville. Vejer itself is typically Spanish, there are not many people speaking English and menus are more often than not in Spanish only, but that’s all part of the enjoyment and the locals are very friendly and welcoming. Vejer is only a 10-15 minute drive to a number of beaches, El Palmar, Barbate, Zahara; all great for families and even on holiday days still don’t feel overcrowded. Some days we went to the beach and there were only a handful of people. Barossa is a particular favourite (it’s a little further to drive) but it has play areas all along the beach and a lovely promenade. Tarifa beach is a short 35 minute drive and a visit is a must for kite surfers. Lots of Chiringuitas front the beach, and provide a great place for a cool beer and a bite to eat. In Vejer, there are restaurants and bars popping up out of nowhere. You may walk past a beautiful white house during the day, admire its beauty and think nothing further of it, but in the evening the shutters have opened and the front room is now a little bar to welcome you inside for a drink and some tapas. The old town provides endless walking and photo opportunities and during the main seasons various walking tours operate from the tourist information centre. It is set on a hill and full of steep hills, be sure you will tone those calf muscles during a short break here! Plaza de España is the main square and in August which is the 'fair' season, entertainment is held here most evenings. 35km from Vejer head east and you will reach Tarifa town, bustling with people but with a laid back vibe and definitely worth a visit. Given its association with its excellent water sport opportunities, you will find the main street full of surf shops but head down into the old town and meander down the narrow streets and soak up the history and sample the shopping and restaurants it has to offer. The port is situated in the old town and you can take the ferry over to Morocco, we haven’t done this yet as we have always managed to fill our days in or around Vejer. Whilst in Vejer it’s possible to have a day trip to Cadiz, Jerez de la Frontera, Ronda or Gibraltar or you could make this a multi-centre holiday and spend a few nights in either Seville or Granada. You have a choice of airports, Seville, Jerez de la Frontera, Gibraltar, and Malaga, all with regular flights from the UK. This is mainland Spain and temperatures in the summer months can be well into the 30’s, May and September tends to be more bearable whilst still lovely and warm.

17 June 2011

My Jewel in the Californian Sun (and even snow)! I have such fond memories of this part of America as it is where I got married. Lake Tahoe holds that special place in my heart, not just for that but because it is surrounded by some of the most breathtaking views and scenery I have ever experienced. I have been to Lake Tahoe three times and whilst all my visits have been in what we call the summer months, I have experienced snow in May! Being 10,000 feet above sea level, it can take a couple of days to readjust; the air is understandably thinner at that altitude. Once acclimatised, you can don those walking boots and hike to your heart’s content. Horse riding and bike riding are also great ways to see some of the local area. Lake Tahoe itself consists of the main resort area – South Lake Tahoe; which is where you will find a lovely selection of small hotels, motels and resorts. As it crosses the state line between California and Nevada, there are a few large casino hotels, which sit just over the border in Nevada. Whilst these are on a smaller scale than the Las Vegas style hotels, they provide entertainment and great dining opportunities. There are steamers allowing you to take a cruise on the lake, there are even night cruises too. You can drive around the lake, all 72 miles, as there are many stop off points; local traders selling wood carvings, Camp Richardson Park and Incline Village to name just a few. My personal favourite restaurants were the Riva Grill and Edgewood Tahoe resort – just over the state line. There is also a British pub and an Irish pub should you be missing home too much! It’s approximately a leisurely four hour drive from San Francisco; I have done this from Los Angeles, taking in Las Vegas, Death Valley, Mammoth Lakes and Yosemite National Park. If you are driving, no trip is complete without passing through Yosemite and viewing the spectacular waterfalls and giant sequoia trees. We spent a few hours in there, walking around and taking some stunning photographs, all the while keeping an eye out for bears! You can also stay in or just outside the park, which will allow you an early start and a good few hours in there. Another favourite of mine - if you are happy to have a day out in the car is Virginia City. It’s approximately 50m from South Lake Tahoe and expect about a one to one and a half hours drive. You get to experience a mining town that in its heyday was producing over $400 million in silver before the turn of the last century in its 100 plus mines. It’s like stepping back in time. You can pan for gold, visit the Mark Twain museum of memories and meander along C Street – the main street taking in the saloons and shops that have retained their character, albeit have undergone conversion for the tourist trade. Travelling south to Mammoth Lakes, approximately 150 miles, again this is another popular ski region in the winter, but the same mountain ranges provide endless hiking and cycling opportunities in the summer months. Here is another place to take endless photographs to capture fabulous scenery that reminds me of the alpine regions of Austria and Switzerland. For those of you who enjoy the outdoors, you can take a boat out on the lake and try your hand at fishing. We found Mammoth in the summer to be very quiet. Depending on which way you choose to do this drive, only a short distance from San Francisco, heading north will find you in Napa Valley, not complete without a stop at one of America’s most popular shopping outlets en route! Napa Valley is a pretty little town surrounded by an abundance of local vineyards. There are great dining opportunities and lots of B&B's. You can choose to tour the vineyards with a map and at your own pace, or you can join a tour, which will allow you to leave the car at the hotel and take full advantage of the sampling opportunities along the way. If you arrive in San Francisco from the UK, you will have the city break at the end, so a short drive to Napa is probably manageable and a good place to then spend a night or two. A shorter drive over the Golden Gate Bridge will find you in Sausalito – with fabulous views back over the bay to the City, and I would definitely recommend pre-booking in either location.

23 April 2012

Having been bitten by the cruising bug, and tempted by the opportunity to visit 7 destinations from one floating hotel - I booked my 2nd Celebrity cruise with the added bonus of departing from the UK – which also meant I had an unrestricted baggage allowance. This time we travelled in May unsure of what those chilly Baltic countries may bring so early into Spring and made sure an extra layer was packed. On the itinerary this time, Oslo, Stockholm, Helsinki, Tallin, St Petersburg, Warnemunde (for Berlin) and an overnight stay in Copenhagen. First up, Oslo. We docked in Oslo and it was a pleasant walk into the city. We opted for a city tour bus because it took you to the surrounding attractions and enabled us to enjoy Vigeland – the amazing and almost 200 sculptures, the works of art of Gustav Vigeland. Next Warnemunde, we chose to make our own arrangements by train (station next to the port) into Berlin. Berlin is a good hours journey so we ensured a sensibly timed train in order to meet the final boarding time and were fine. Once in Berlin true we arranged another hop-on hop off style tour bus getting a 10% off our fare on production of the Oslo tickets (same bus company). This was by far the most effective way to take in all that Berlin has to offer. We comfortably visited Checkpoint Charlie and museum, Brandenberg gate and Alexanderplatz. Next was Stockholm. The journey through the archipelagoes into and out of Stockholm is as clear now in my memory as then. I recall taking a book up to the observatory lounge, sitting with a cocktail and not reading one page, the views were simply stunning – the benefits of travelling on a cruise – you see the land from the water and not the other way round. A City break alone would allow similar experiences via its sightseeing cruises and they are just beautiful. Central Stockholm itself is a mixture of cobbled streets accessed by many bridges, and houses the Vasa warship museum, Royal Palace and City Hall to name a few. Helsinki was more modern than I expected and its city tour didn't excite me. It surprised me with its neon lights and large buildings in some areas, quite a contrast to the other parts of Scandinavia we had just experienced. You have to drive through the port before appreciating the lush greenery and the city. Finnish heritage is preserved in its museums, I understand, but too many to see in a short day visit. Tallin was a different story again, so laid back and history is plentiful. Ambling through the cobbled streets makes you feel as relaxed as the locals and immersed in the relaxed atmosphere. Tallin has a UNESCO World Heritage site in the Old Town. Some tours are coach / walking combinations providing the opportunity to see the Baroque park of Kadriorg, Palace of Toompea, Aleksander Nevskii Cathedral and the 600 year old ruins. Next on the itinerary was St. Petersburg. I was always excited about visiting Russia, If not a little apprehensive. Because we had an overnight stay we had chosen to get a visa in advance so that we could explore St Petersburg on our own, not a difficult task, but not for the feint hearted. Taxi drivers may be the first you come across and you may find yourself crashing straight into that language barrier. However, they make you feel very welcome and are keen to look after you. It is brimming with history and it’s impossible to see it all in 2 days. My top 3 would be The Hermitage Museum, Church of our Saviour on the Spilt Blood and a river cruise (make sure you get one with an English narrative). If you choose to visit the sights with the cruise company you will travel under their blanket visa arrangements, but will only be able to leave the ship for the duration of the excursions, enabling sightseeing as above, but also Peterhof Palace and The Catherine Palace. Our final destination was Copenhagen. You can walk into the city easily from the port. There are near to 100 pick up / drop off bicycle points around the city - a great way to get around. Tivoli Gardens are beautiful both day and night, easy with an overnight stay. All in all an amazing holiday and the luxury of a Celebrity ship to return to in the evening.

23 April 2012

Canada & Alaska Vancouver is the city that has it all – bright lights, shopping, parks, wildlife, skiing, sports and beautiful beaches, all set against a backdrop of dramatic mountains! There are unlimited options to what you can do, in and around this city, but too numerous to mention so here are my highlights: Grouse Mountain – Here you can take the sky ride to the top, which is 1242 metres above sea level. With views over the city you can also enjoy the hiking, the glacier, see the animals in the endangered wildlife area and then enjoy a Lumberjack show. If you choose, you can walk back down the mountain on the trail path. Stanley Park – you can easily spend a day ambling around the park where there is something for all the family; a miniature train, an aquarium, totem poles and amazing picnic areas where you can enjoy the sunshine and take in the views. Capilano suspension bridge – The highest and longest bridge in the world, you need a head for heights, would you be brave enough to walk across? Also in Vancouver I indulged in some shopping and dining! All kinds of cuisine are on offer and if you have a car, we found it was worth heading slightly out of the city to find some great restaurants with fewer tourists and more favourable pricing, particularly for Sushi. Once you’ve done all of that, you can also head to the beach for a well-earned rest. After 4 days in Vancouver, we picked up a cruise to Alaska. This was our first cruising experience and we certainly did it in style, what a location and what a cruise operator! I went on the Celebrity Ship – Mercury, which was a fabulous introduction to cruising and without a doubt, an all-round five star experience. Our itinerary included a visit to Juneau (the capital), Ketchikan and Sitka; only a few stops but it was a good balance because there is so much to do on board. We spent two days cruising the inside passage for which I had my camera in my hand at all times! There are many itineraries in Alaska and they don’t all have to return to Vancouver, but we did a seven day option returning to the city at the end. The sail away alone is a great experience as you sail under Lionsgate Bridge with spectacular views of Vancouver from the bay. We did find that the areas around the port were very much reliant on the tourism that the cruise ships bring, but it didn’t ruin our stay in any way. Once you head inland from the port you can really begin to explore the true nature of Alaska, the fabulous people showcasing their native skills and soak up the simple, laid back way of everyday life that we sometimes forget to appreciate in the hustle and bustle of our hectic routines. We went in August and had only one day of rain (in Sitka) – we were told it rains over 300 days of the year in Alaska, even if just a short downpour, so we were lucky as the rest of the time we were treated to lovely sunshine. There are countless options for excursions; sea plane flights, visits to glaciers with hiking opportunities, helicopter rides, whale watching, to name a few! We bought a fishing licence for less than US$20 and this allowed us to fish locally with ease, which was great fun. We could have had our catch boxed up and taken back to the ship too. If we had we caught anything of significance this would have been perfect! It’s not an inexpensive trip, but given that there are only short days in dock for the destinations I visited, it was easy to return to the ship for lunch, your only other expenses on shore are excursions, which can be budgeted for and booked in advance of your trip and any souvenirs or light refreshments you may want. As great as Vancouver is, I did not want to disembark at the end of my trip! I could have happily stowed away and done the same trip over and over again!