25 June 2024

City of dreams Mediterranean is a new hotel in the up and coming resort of Limassol. I say up and coming as there is so much positive development happening in this area…new apartments, hotels and an 18 hole championship golf course next door to the City of Dreams! The hotel is stunning. As you drive towards it the steps up to the hotel are beautiful, especially stunning at night. As you walk in you're greeted by friendly staff and a welcoming reception area with plenty of seats to relax. The reception area smells gorgeous, such a welcoming fragrance. The casino is a focal point as you enter the hotel. The bright lights are inviting. The casino is open 24/7 and only open to those aged 18 or above. A great choice of games…roulette, blackjack, slot machines…everything you could imagine. Within the casino you'll find the "centre stage" bar and restaurant. They offer the most beautiful cocktails that are presented in a dramatic way. You'll also find soft drinks, beer and hot drinks along with a nice menu of light snacks and smaller meals. I stayed in a Premier Mountain View room and wow! The rooms are spacious and had so many amenities and extras included such as a restocked mini bar, robes, slippers, a generous bathroom amenities kit. The land used to be an orange grove and as a reminder of its roots all the products are satsuma and orange fragranced, such a beautiful smell. The view from my room was beautiful with the mountains in the distance. This room type is also offered with a sea view. Suites are also available…Junior Suite, Sky Suite and Panoramic Suite. The Sky and Panoramic Suites have private pools out on the balcony. The hotel offers bed and breakfast or half board. All meals are taken at Aura, the main restaurant. This is buffet style for breakfast, so much choice. You can get your traditional English breakfast, freshly made omelette, bread, pastries, olives, cheese, nuts, cereals…pretty much anything! In the evening the restaurant is a la carte. You order from a nice menu with great options including meze, salads, burgers and fish. There are also specialist restaurants at the hotel. We ate at the steakhouse and Amber Dragon. Both were fantastic. At the steakhouse restaurant we enjoyed a three course menu. As a vegetarian I was very impressed how well they fed me. I enjoyed a tomato and Burrata focaccia followed by a pumpkin and walnut risotto and a fresh fruit salad to finish. At the Amber Dragon we were treated to a feast! Eight amazing courses of food, again I was catered for really well. Food included sushi rolls, duck pancakes (aubergine for me, one of the best plates of food I have ever eaten), rice, sweet and sour dishes. Dessert was peanut butter ice cream. The pool area is incredible. You'll find an area for everyone. A kids pool with slides, adult only, swim up bar, sandy area…and the best part, there are ample sunbeds. For the kids they offer a kids club, the kids pool and adventure park, here you will find zip wires, a climbing wall and trampolines. It was an amazing hotel, one I would come back with my family. We would all enjoy the facilities and the food.

02 February 2024

Wow...Iceland! What a beautiful and diverse country. In November I was fortunate to visit Reykjavik and experience what the area has to offer. I flew from Heathrow into Keflavík International Airport and transferred to the Midgardur by Center Hotels where I stayed for 3 nights. A great hotel, well located with a fantastic choice of shops, supermarkets and restaurants nearby. The centre of Reykjavik is a 20 minute walk. If you walk along the waterfront you'll go past the Sun Voyager Sculpture, a great photo opportunity. On our first night we took a private transfer to the harbour where we enjoyed a Northern Lights Cruise. A great experience onboard a great boat with a bar (the hot chocolate was very welcome!) and several observation decks. It was a little choppy at first but once we headed out of the main harbour area it calmed down and was lovely to watch the stars and distant lights of the city. We didn't see the lights so were invited back to try again. The next day we had some free time to mooch around the city. We rode on FlyOver Iceland...what an experience! You will hang suspended, feet dangling, before a 20-metre spherical screen while the film whisks you away on an exhilarating journey across Iceland. Special effects, including wind, mist and scents, combine with the ride’s motion to create an unforgettable experience. It was amazing! No need to pre book this, just turn up and they'll get you on the next available ride. We visited Hallgrímskirkja, a beautiful church. It's stunning with wonderful views over the city. Rainbow road in the centre of Reykjavik was also a great photo opportunity, this leads to a great street of shops and lovely cafes. Later that evening we experienced the Sky Lagoon thermal baths. The most beautiful place! Our booking was for after sunset and you can see the lights of Reykjavik in the background. It's such a gorgeous place. We had tickets for the "sky" experience which includes a seven step ritual and private changing facilities. Well worth the upgrade in my opinion. The seven step ritual was great. It's seven areas of the lagoon, all offering a different experience and treatment including ice bath, steam room and body scrub. On our 3rd day we had a full on day! Golden Circle by Super Jeep and Snowmobile. An early start was well worth it. We got to experience sun rise and sun set on this trip. Our first stop was snowmobiling on Langjokull. We were kitted out in the appropriate safety gear and had a demonstration on how to operate the snowmobiles and we were off. We had 20 minutes on the snowmobiles, before a short break then we headed back to base. This was an awesome experience with views like no other. Truly exhilarating! Thingvellir National Park is an awesome site full of history and folklore. It has been granted UNESCO World heritage site status. Here you will see the two tectonic plates of America and Eurasia. The Geysir Geothermal Area is located within the Haukadalur Valley. We had time to wander around and see (and smell) the Geysirs blow. Gullfoss Waterfall is so spectacular, the views are incredible. They offer a few areas to view the falls. It's also a lovely place for a spot of lunch. The food prices weren't as bad as I had thought...you hear horror stories of meals being hundreds of pounds but we didn't struggle with this. As an example, I had a burger, chips and a drink one night and the cost was around £18. Not too dissimilar to home. Alcohol was a little pricier and convenience food at supermarkets was quite expensive compared to home but nothing outrageous. I would go back in a heartbeat. Such a diverse place with dramatic landscape all around.

31 January 2023

I visited Prague in January for a long weekend. What a fantastic place! We stayed at the Majestic Plaza which is a few minutes' walk from Wenceslas Square. The rooms were a great size, we had a triple room. The room was very large with plenty of space between each bed. We had 3 full size single beds. There are a few restaurants and shops in the immediate vicinity of the hotel, but in a 5 minute walk you're on Wenceslas square which is great for shopping…Primark, C&A, M&S, sweet shops, coffee shops, nightclubs, restaurants, everything! From here you can walk to Old Town Prague in around 10-15 minutes. This is the main area where you'll find the historic sites and more restaurants, shops, bars. There are many roof top bars and cafes, I would highly recommend these. The views are fantastic. We spent one evening in cloud9 which is at the top of the Hilton hotel, the views are incredible! We also went to the glass bar which is at the top of the dancing house, here you can go outside to get a close up view of the city then head into the bar for a drink or two. The last rooftop we visited was the Bubble Point View which is at the top of the hotel U Prince, gorgeous daytime views. When you buy a drink you are able to enjoy these views for free. Prague is full of so much history, the buildings are beautiful. The gothic tower, Dancing House and the Astronomical clock were some of my favourites. If you head over Charles Bridge you'll be able to see the narrowest street in Mala Strana which is traffic light controlled! The John Lennon memorial wall and Prague Palace. Walking around Prague is very easy, lots to look at along the way. You can also get around via the metro and the tram. We didn't go on the metro but we did use the tram. You buy a ticket based on the duration you'll be using the tram for rather than where you're going to. They offer tickets from 30 minutes up to days. Food choices are varied, with restaurants like the hard rock café and McDonalds you'll be able to stick to home comforts or experience something more authentically local with the large choice of local restaurants. Prague is definitely a city I would love to return to. I feel there is so much to explore!

29 September 2022

The myTC app allows you to pay the holiday balance as and when you wish. You can pay monthly, weekly, or as and when you have the money. So long as the balance is paid by the due date, you have full flexibility and control on when you pay it off. Book as early as you can. Gone are the days of last-minute getaways for minimal £’s. The best offers can be found by booking as early as you can. Suppliers release prices and availability much earlier than in the past meaning you can get great value by booking early. Low deposit. Many suppliers offer a low deposit from as little as £60 per person, if combined with booking early this gives you the flexibility of paying off the balance over a long period of time. Book your holiday extras in advance. It’s not only the holiday that’s worth booking early. Get your holidays extras such as parking and attractions pre booked in advance to see huge savings. Insurance. It’s not just there to cover you on holiday, it’s to protect you financially should you not be able to go on the holiday. Book insurance at the same time as booking your holiday.

20 January 2021

Whether you're seeking out the Big Five on a traditional safari or have always dreamed of encountering the native animals of Australia, you'll find a getaway for the animal lover in you! South Africa. The top destination on my bucket list. Offering so many wildlife reserves, it can be difficult to decide which one you should choose for a safari adventure. Many of the reserves feature Africa's Big Five; leopard, lion, buffalo, elephant and rhino. Along with thousands of other species of plants and animals. India. India's wildlife is very diverse, from the tigers of Rajasthan to the leopards and sloth bears of Bandhavgarh National Park. You could try a boat safari in Sundarbans National Park to encounter crocodiles or cruise along the lake of Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala to watch families of elephants on the shoreline. Bird watchers will also love Keoladeo National Park, a wetland home to thousands of migrating birds including the rare Siberian Crane. Australia. Most known for koalas (my favourite animal), kangaroos and spiders but that's not all! In Western Australia you'll find Rottnest Island which is home to the quokka, they are very social and have little fear of humans. If you're looking for aquatic wildlife you'll spot bottlenose dolphins in the waters of Rockingham Bay, Queensland or you cab get up close to the jumping crocodiles of Adelaide River on a cruise. Whatever animal encounter you are looking for I can guide you to the right one.

29 August 2019

September and October are my favourite times of the year to go on holiday. You catch the end of the Summer season and the start of the Winter season, prices drop hugely and the weather is still warm. I'll be honest, I'm not a sun worshiper at all. I turn to a nice shade of red before going back to pale. I don't think I have ever had a tan in my life. So the cooler months are perfect for me... I'd pick 22c over 32c any day. Europe seems the obvious choice at this time of year, the temperatures are still in the mid twenty's and the crowds are less imposing. Majorca, The Algarve and The Costa Del Sol are all popular choices. With temperatures ranging from 21-25c on average it makes a sunny and enjoyable holiday. I visited Majorca last September with my family and it was perfect. We were about 10 minutes walk from the beach in C'an Picafort. I found it a resort which catered well for all customer types, from me and my family which included a toddler to couples and families with older children. Destinations a little further afield are also hugely popular in this season too. Barbados is coming to the end of the hurricane season in October, November is the peak time to travel so squeezing in a trip at the end of October before everyone else joins you in November is a good tip. Dubai starts to cool down a little from October from a sweltering 41c in August it's a more pleasant 35c in October...still too hot for me, but perfect for those of you who love the heat. New York in the fall is so beautiful! See the leaves turn a beautiful mix of orange and red from October into November, Central Park is wonderful at this time of year. The Canaries are a wonderful year round destination due to their location. Lanzarote and Tenerife are a great option for those of you not wanting to travel too far but still looking for the higher temperatures. Both resorts offer locations to suit any holiday type whether that be the nightlife of Puerto Del Carmen in Lanzarote or the more traditional Puerto De La Cruz in Tenerife. I stayed in Puerto De La Cruz, Tenerife a few years ago and loved it! It's one of the more traditional areas on Tenerife in my opinion. Lots of lovely restaurants serving local food, I adore tapas so was in my element. The main plaza has street entertainment on at certain times of the day which is exciting to watch. So when you're planning your next holiday do consider September and October.

31 May 2019

As a newbie to the vegetarian world and with the intention of becoming a vegan it made me wonder, how vegan friendly are travel destinations? During my career in travel I've extensively researched the best coeliac and allergy aware destinations but never vegetarian or vegan friendly, however due to my recent changes my eyes have been opened to how amazing some destinations are. Here's my pick of the best vegan friendly destinations... Berlin. This is the city that every vegan I speak to mentions. The vegan scene continues to grow, with 65 vegan restaurants within a 5 mile radius of the city, the choice is fantastic! Being vegan is more than just food, in Berlin you'll also find a good selection of shoes and clothes to fit with the vegan lifestyle too. New York. New York has such a diverse range of cuisines on offer it doesn't surprise me that the vegan scene is growing. There are over 60 vegan restaurants within 5 miles of the city including fast food burgers and buffalo wings, formal dining options and bakeries. Tel Aviv. It's estimated that around 7% of Israels population is vegan which is the highest percentage of vegans in the world and most of them live in Tel Aviv. You'll find over 30 fully vegan restaurants serving a mix of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine. You'll also find a vegan grocery store in the city too. Los Angeles. With many Hollywood celebrities living the vegan lifestyle it's no wonder Los Angeles is on my list. With over 40 fully vegan restaurants in and around the city you're spoilt for choice and variety with international cuisines including Thai, Japanese and Italian. Prague. Over the last few years Prague's vegan scene has grown hugely. With local street food, brunch and donuts all being given the vegan touch you'll have plenty of choice as you explore the city. Wow...what a choice and I could have gone on. With local cities such as London and Edinburgh opening vegan supermarkets and restaurants there really are so many options!

11 April 2019

Sentosa is an island resort off Singapore’s southern coast, connected to the city by road, cable car, pedestrian boardwalk and monorail. Three new hotel experiences are opening this month (April 2019) I'm sure you'll find at least one to match what you're looking for. Village Hotel at Sentosa This hotel is perfect for families. It focuses on the sun, sea and sand! The unique and exciting things that this hotel offers is four themed pool zones- children's play pool, adventure pool, lazy river pool and Pamukkale Pool. The gardens offer a beautiful place to relax and take in the surroundings. The hotel has 606 rooms and capacity for 480 people at The Commune for events and conferences. The Outpost Hotel This upscale and contemporary hotel has been designed with discerning adults and couples in mind. With 193 rooms with a chic decor inspired by black and white designs. A rooftop sky pool and bar is ideal for pre-dinner cocktails, romantic dinners and intimate celebrations whilst enjoying the inspiring views of the sea and sunset. The Barracks Hotel Located within a conserved building, the Barracks hotel transports you back to a charming past. With only 40 rooms and suites, the individual service and attention to detail you will receive is first class. Rooms located on the ground floor offer direct access to the private pool and jacuzzi. As well as these new hotels Sentosa offers fun for the whole family including the expansive Resorts World, Universal Studios Singapore, Tiger Sky Tower, Singapore Butterfly and Insect Kingdom, and one of the largest collections of aquatic animals in the world, SEA Aquarium. Did you know all of this was located so close to the city? Why not extend your next stay in Singapore with a few nights in Sentosa...relax after the hustle and bustle of the city? Which hotel will you choose?

28 February 2019

In September 2018 I took my first holiday abroad with my family...my husband Grant and our daughter Autumn aged 2. We chose the super family friendly island of Majorca. I have been sending families here for years and knew it would be perfect for what we were looking for. We stayed at the Tonga Towers hotel in C'an Picafort in a one-bedroom apartment on self-catering. We wanted to experience the local food and we also both really enjoy cooking, so we felt this was the best board option for us. The hotel offers a great range of board basis including all-inclusive. Tonga Towers is located 500m from a local supermarket called Supermercardo. This was perfect for us being on self-catering. It was very much a local supermarket and the prices reflected this. We picked up 8 fresh raw prawns for around €3...bargain! They were delicious, such a treat. The room was perfect for us as a family. A sliding door sectioned off the bedroom from the main living area and kitchen meaning once Autumn had gone to bed, we didn't have to tiptoe around her in fear of waking her up. The cooking facilities were OK, not ideal for a full self-catering experience as vert limited hob space and utensils, but we made the most of it and enjoyed our home cooked meals. The hotel has a fantastic kid’s section with a splash pool with a few slides and fountains, some great changing facilities and a great kids club. Even though Autumn was too young to attend the kids club unattended they still allowed us to use the facilities as a family. They had face painting, colouring books and crayons, paints, water games, board games...everything you could imagine. Then next to the kid’s club is a great play area with a slide and climbing frame. It is a really well-thought out family space. The hotel had a daytime and night-time entertainment programme from yoga and bingo in the day to a disco and live singer in the evening. We could walk to the centre of C'an Picafort and the beach within around 15 minutes (toddle speed, so probably closer when walking normal speed) the beach area was really pretty, plenty of space and lots of sun loungers. There's a great choice of restaurants directly on the seafront as well as others off from the main parade. Catering for all needs, offering everything from coffee and a cake up to a huge traditional paella and of course lots of tapas. Our top recommendations are... De Cine - a lovely local cafe offering traditional churros every morning served with a hot chocolate. Easily the best churros I have ever tasted. El Patron - a very popular restaurant and it's easy to see why. The food and service are superb! They interacted really nicely with Autumn which was a lovely touch and made us feel very welcome. A great children's menu was available too. La Pinta - owned by a British family but still very authentic, we dined here on our first night, so we were tired and very hungry after our long journey. The service was excellent, and the food was delicious. We would thoroughly recommend Majorca and the Tonga Towers to anyone looking for a fun, family friendly holiday. We had a great time and are already looking forward to our next family holiday in 2020.

28 February 2019

Spain is one of the most popular countries I book for my clients. The Balearics, Canaries and mainland Spain have something to offer all holidaymakers with their beautiful beaches, inspiring history and delicious food. But Spain isn't just about the beaches, the country is dotted with outstanding cities too where you'll be amazed by the local culture, history, dining and shopping opportunities. Two of my favourites are Alicante and Barcelona. Alicante is full of culture and history. Combine that with the beautiful sunshine and stunning seafront, it's what makes Alicante so special. Full of traditional tapas bars enabling you to sample the local delights. The marina is the place to be for nightlife. For an incredible view of the city and sea, hike to the top of the Castle of Santa Barbara. If you're looking for authentic souvenirs, then shop like the locals at Central Market where you'll also be able to sample the local cuisine by grabbing some street food. Barcelona is a bustling city that's on the go 24/7. There really is something for everyone in Barcelona. Football fans will be delighted with a tour around Camp Nou stadium, beach lovers are greeted by the beautiful beaches just outside the city and lovers of architecture will enjoy the creative work of Gaudi which is on display all over the city including the infamous church of the Sagrada Família. Las Ramblas is one of the city's most well-known areas with bustling shops, stalls and street performers.

14 November 2018

Every year thousands of British families travel to Dubai. As it’s less than 7 hours from the UK and has year-round excellent weather I can see why. Offering a huge selection of family-friendly restaurants, theme parks and waterparks, it's a firm family favourite. Here are my top 3 family hotels in Dubai: Atlantis, The Palm A 5* hotel located on the Palm. Enjoy views of the Arabian Sea or the Dubai Skyline. All rooms and suites include unlimited access to Aquaventure Waterpark and The Lost Chambers Aquarium. With so much within the hotel, you need never leave! Aquaventure Waterpark, Europe and The Middle East's No. 1 water park. Complete with 17 hectares of adrenaline-pumping rides and slides for the whole family. Dolphin Bay allows you to meet and get up close to the dolphins in deep or shallow water. Sea Lion Point is where you can enjoy a kiss and a cuddle with South African Seals. Lost Chamber Aquarium is where you can uncover the lost city of Atlantis, lost for thousands of years under the sea. The aquarium is home to 65,000 marine animals. You can even meet them up close with a scuba dive session. If that's not enough to keep the family entertained, they also have a kids club for ages 3-12. The Zone, a teen-only hang out open during the day and night. Little pirates playground for the little ones. Babysitting service allows you to have some free time. Jumeirah Beach The famous wave hotel - an iconic landmark in Dubai. Fully refurbished in Summer 18 and re-opened October 2018, it's now better than ever! Offering free access to Wild Wadi Waterpark where you will enjoy 30 rides and attractions for all the family. The park is themed on Juha, an Arabian Folklore character. The hotel has an excellent kids club inspired by the underwater world available from ages 2-10. With five swimming pools to choose from and a private beach there's plenty of space for all. Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates Located in the heart of Dubai and connected to Mall of the Emirates this hotel offers guests easy access to over 700 shops, Ski Dubai, Magic Planet and Little explores. Ski Dubai offers visitors five runs, the longest of which is 400m long. The slopes cater for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. As well as the ski slopes you can also visit Snow Park, a 3,300 sqm winter wonderland of bobsled runs, tobogganing hills and penguin displays. Magic Planet is just two minutes from the hotel and is the largest indoor activity centre in Dubai. Features include amusement rides, 12 lane bowling area, pool area, video games and a soft play area for those aged 2-4 years. Being located close to the metro, this hotel is also a great base for exploring the wider Dubai including the beaches, parks and golf courses. With all this on offer why not choose Dubai for your next family holiday.

05 September 2018

I've recently returned from a hen weekend away in Lloret De Mar, what a fun and exciting place! I first visited Lloret De Mar back in 1998 when I was 16. It was perfect for a first holiday without the parents type of trip. Lots of nightlife, great beach and very affordable. When faced with a similar holiday brief 20 years later Lloret De Mar was quite high on the list of places to suggest. It's a great little resort with a good choice of nightlife, a pretty beach and a hotel to suit every person. We stayed at the Alegria Plaza Paris which was a really good little hotel with a city kind of feel to it but only 5 minutes’ walk to the beach. Along the walk you'd pass lots of cafes, restaurants, bars and shops so a good walk to keep you entertained. The food at the hotel was excellent. One of our party is gluten free and the food was all labelled very clearly and I'd say over half the cooked dishes were suitable for her. A great selection of food on offer every mealtime including prawns, paella and even good old chips! We stayed on an all-inclusive basis which included a good selection of drinks, locally branded drinks were included, we just had to pay a supplement for international brands. We personally didn't feel the need to as the included drinks were more than adequate. Sangria and Cava...what more could I have wished for! The beach at Lloret De Mar is very pretty. It was quite busy when we visited as it was the August bank holiday but there were still plenty of sun loungers and parasols available when we arrived after 10am. As for nightlife, you can't walk 100 yards without being stopped and invited into a bar. We saw the funny side of this, but I can appreciate it may be a little too much for some. Just politely decline and walk on. We did head to the blue bar which was very cool, and very....well, blue! Drinks here were a little on the pricey side, however they were huge! A cocktail was around €17 but I'd say it was the equivalent of 2-3 cocktails back at home. There's a hotel for everyone at Lloret De Mar, some with waterparks for the kids, adult only ones for the honeymooners and well located ones for the long weekenders.

15 June 2018

Mexico has a special place in my heart as I honeymooned here in 2012. It's such a beautiful place with so much to do. - it really does cater for everyone. Both times I have been to Mexico I stayed in the Riviera Maya, a beautiful stretch of Caribbean coastline on the Yucatan Peninsula. It's famous for its many all-inclusive resorts and long beaches. The Mayan ruins are a must see when travelling to Mexico. I visited both Tulum and Coba. Tulum has the most immaculate gardens I have ever seen, the ruins themselves overlook the Caribbean Sea and the views are magical. My top tip is to arrive early and avoid the crowds, try to get there by 8am as by 10am it's very busy! Take your swimwear and treat yourself to a swim in the sea after your tour of the ruins. Coba has one of the last remaining Mayan ruins that you can climb, the views from the top are phenomenal. You can see the other ruins poking through the top of the jungle! The ruins are spread out so do allow a little more time to fully explore it all. I stayed at the Excellence Riviera Cancun in Puerto Morelos, an adult only all-inclusive hotel. On our first visit we stayed in a Swim Up Club Room, not your traditional swim up room where you can get straight from your room to the pool but a great ground floor room with a terrace which has direct access into the pool. Due to our room being close to the pool bar we had waiter service for our drinks when sat on our terrace, this was a lovely touch! The Club Rooms are well worth the upgrade. Access to the club lounge includes a separate breakfast area, a small bar for a more intimate setting and afternoon snacks available each day. On our second visit we were upgraded to a Junior Suite Club Room. What a room! A separate living area with comfy sofas, a treatment room where you could have a spa massage in your room. In all rooms you have a complimentary mini bar full of drinks and snacks which is replenished daily. You also have a range of spirits in the room which can be changed to suit your taste. Such an amazing couple of holidays, a real treat!

03 May 2018

As a new Mum about to embark on travelling abroad with my daughter, it became clear how overwhelming travelling with kids can be! Not just the actual travelling but finding the right place, the right hotel, the right flight times, packing the right things... aaaah! So, after doing lots of research and chatting with other parents who have done it and survived, here are some of my top tips! Go as hands-free as you can! My over the body handbag is one of my essential items so will definitely be coming on holiday with me. Autumn's change bag is a backpack style so also allows me to be hands-free. Now Autumn is at the "I want to run off and explore" stage, I need my hands for stopping her! Baby carriers are also amazing! Autumn is a little too big for hers now, but when she was a baby I used my carriers all the time. They allowed me to carry on with the normal jobs and 9 times out of 10 she would have a snooze...win win! If travelling with an infant under the age of two, they can either sit on your lap for the flight or you can pay for them to have their own seat. Do think about what is best for you, consider the length of flight and how active the child is. All airlines allow you to take a car seat on board with you so long as it has the right safety measures (check with your airline for their requirements). Autumn will have just turned two when we travel so will have her own seat, do make sure you pre-book seats regardless of whether the child is on your lap or has their own seat. Most airlines will ensure a child under 12 is sat next to an accompanying adult but it's always nice to have a bit of company and moral support so always pre-book seats to guarantee the whole party are sat together...we sure will be! Book flights around your child's regular sleep time, by doing this you're increasing the chance of them sleeping on the plane, this is especially essential if you're doing a long haul flight. The air pressure during take-off and landing can be quite painful for young children so make sure you take some snacks for a toddler and bottle or breastfeed a baby during these times, the act of swallowing will release any pressure build-up in the ears. If your child is formula fed make sure you check the airline's policy for carrying formula and bottles onboard. Premixed formula is great for a short trip but for a longer holiday a can of formula is probably the better option. Make sure you take extra with you to account for any delays and don't rely on getting it in resort as other countries may not stock the brand your baby is used to and we all know how fussy some babies can be! Take an easy to use and easy to store sterilising option... sterilising bags are excellent, they take up little room in a bag and can store quite a lot. Pack little pots of pre-measured formula for the flight so you're not having to worry about measuring out the exact amount of formula onboard. Try to pack as much into your hand luggage as possible - bottles, formula, teats, dummies that way you are not at risk of losing it all if your luggage goes missing. When it comes to choosing the right hotel, think about what you want from it. A kids club, splash pool, babysitting, etc. For us, the number one priority was for our room to have a separate sleeping area to the main living area, so we have decided on a one-bedroom apartment. Autumn is usually asleep by 8pm, we don't want to have to tiptoe around her, so knowing she is safely and peacefully snoozing away whilst we carry on with our evening in the living area was essential for us. All-inclusive is great for older kids, the amount of ice-cream and soft drinks they can consume in one afternoon is amazing! But for us, with Autumn only being two we've decided on self-catering. We are a foodie family! We love trying new foods and experiencing the local culture and cuisine while on holiday so it suited us perfectly. We are centrally located and can easily venture out to the local town. We also have a supermarket nearby... food shopping in another country is way more exciting, or is that just me? Villas are an excellent option; you have your own space in a home from home. Just be aware that many villas are located away from the main resort so car hire may be needed. If you are not phased by driving in another country, then this could be an excellent option for you and your family. So, wish us luck for when we travel to Majorca later this year.

09 March 2018

Our Honeymoon Gift Registry service allows your guests to give you the most memorable gift of all...your dream honeymoon tailor made down to the finest detail. An easy, stress-free way to manage your dream wedding and honeymoon online - courtesy of me, your personal Travel Counsellor. You may already have all the bed linen and towels you need, or you may have a perfect honeymoon in mind but need a helping hand making your dream trip a reality. Whether it’s the ultimate adventure trip, a romantic city break or a luxurious retreat to faraway shores, the Gift Registry means you can have the honeymoon you always wanted. Your unique Honeymoon Gift Registry webpage will be personalised with your photo and messages, allowing guests to log in easily and contribute towards your honeymoon. As part of this unique service, you can also purchase a Honeymoon Registry pack, which includes guest cards designed to send out with your wedding invitations, to let guests know how they can contribute to your dream honeymoon. The Honeymoon Registry pack also includes thank you cards and envelopes, to let your guests know how much you appreciate their contribution.

25 February 2018

In September we travelled to the beautiful Wrelton in Yorkshire and enjoyed a long weekend at Beech Farm Cottages. They have eight cottages, ranging from one bedroom up to five bedrooms. We stayed in Dove Tree and Columbine. Both were fantastic and had everything you’d need from a cottage - comfy beds, great kitchen space and a delicious cake upon arrival! The cottage grounds are superb. They have a great children’s park with trampoline and football field and there’s an indoor heated pool and sauna. For those rainy lazy days, they have a great selection of DVD’s and board games. The greatest thing for us every morning was the chance to feed the animals. There’s Pygmy goats, sheep, chicken, doves and ducks. A fantastic experience for all the family. Beech Farm is close to the Yorkshire Moors making it perfect for those wanting to get out on foot and explore. We were travelling with young children. My daughter had just turned one and my brothers’ children were four and two, all of which are Gruffalo crazy! We travelled 20 minutes in the car over to Darby Forest. Here we completed the Gruffalo trail which involves hunting for Gruffalo with the use of a mobile app. You get to take pictures with the characters from the book along the route to find the Gruffalo. It was great fun and took around an hour to complete. Pickering is less than three miles from the cottages and is a pretty market town, great for a mooch around and plenty of cafes and shops. It’s also home to a steam train station. Here you can take the steam train to Scarborough and Whitby. We didn’t have time to travel on the train on this visit so it’s on the list for when we go again in June. We loved our stay so much we have booked again for the summer.

26 July 2017

I'm not usually a huge fan of theme parks...far too much of a wimp! So when I was offered the opportunity to visit Universal in Orlando I'll admit I was a little nervous but not one to turn down an opportunity I went and I was not disappointed! My first stop was Portofino Bay which is one of Universal's hotels, as the name suggests it's mirrored on Portofino Bay, Italy right down to the finer details. If a window in Portofino Bay, Italy has a balcony the hotel has a balcony in that exact place. Because the hotel is a Universal hotel you get added benefits when staying here which include: Free universal express where you can skip the queues at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure Early park admission to the Wizarding world of Harry Potter Free transport to the parks and city walk Priority seating at on-site restaurants Resort wide charging Character dining at Trattoria del Porto. My first full day was spent at Islands of Adventure and my first stop was the Wizarding world of Harry Potter. I loved it! Watching the chosen child select their wand was just wonderful - although I did hope they'd pick me. Jurassic Park River Adventure was my favourite ride, such fun and I got soaked. The following day I visited Universal Studios. This was my favourite of the theme parks, I loved all the shows and characters. Whilst wandering around the Blues Brothers cast pulled up and did a performance of 'Everybody needs somebody to love'. The 3D rides are excellent, Transformers, Simpsons, Despicable Me - all great for a non rider like me. I also loved E.T. Adventure, the longest standing ride at the park. A great ride for all the family that brought back lovely happy memories of a great film from my childhood. The parks are a fantastic way to spend the day and in the evening you can head along to City Walk which is full of restaurants and bars. Bubba Gump was my favourite restaurant - I adore shrimp and was in heaven here. Pat O'Brien's is a bar where you can get great food and watch live piano performances with songs requested by the audience. Here's the best place to enjoy a Hurricane - but perhaps just the one or you'll have a fuzzy head in the morning. One evening I watched the Blue Man Group. It's a must see that I recommend to all! It's advertised as a comedy, theater, rock concert and dance party all rolled into one. And that sums it up very well. I'd avoid the front few rows if you don't want to be in the 'blue splash zone' Universal is such a fun place to go for all the family, I would definitely recommend everyone visits at least once. I'd love to go back when my daughter is a little older.