04 April 2023

The more we travel, the more we are conscious of our carbon footprint and what we can do to offset the damage that our trips abroad do to our planet and eco-system. We know that airlines are in the business of transporting people around the world, and it isn’t good for the plant, but they are working tirelessly to improve their carbon footprint by making the aircraft more efficient and less damaging and by off-setting in many other ways, but is that enough? Can we do more ourselves? Choosing an eco-friendly hotel for your trips abroad can go a long way. What do you look for in a hotel? We all have a tick list. For me, on or near a beach, a relaxing view, great customer reviews, good variety of food options, a bit of entertainment, a comfy bed in a stylish room, some outside space and recently added to the list, how eco-friendly is it? I’m the first to admit that I get frustrated with having freshly laundered towels daily, clean sheets every two days, plastic bottles of water in the minibar, and then when you’re sat on the beach there are plastic bottles bobbing in the sea and bits of plastic rubbish and fishing nets washed up on the beach, all because no one locally is educating about protecting our environment. None of us can change the planet singlehandedly and even on mass it isn’t going to happen overnight, but we can all do our little bit, and many hotel chains are now grasping that “sustainability” is the way forward. On my recent trip to Mauritius, I discovered that Attitude Hotels in Mauritius would be hard to beat. I feet incredibly lucky to spend a week at Lagoon Attitude and WOW! what a wonderful place and what a great “attitude” towards sustainability and protecting our planet and wildlife, I have never been anywhere that cares so much as this “eco-committed seaside hotel”. This 4-star adult only hotel has received awards for its efforts in environmental and social responsibility. Located on the North coast of Mauritius, just 10 mins by car from Grand Baie, this place has it all, it’s beautifully styled with locally produced furnishings and décor, much of which is created from upcycling driftwood and other curios washed up on the beach, it has a zero single use plastic policy and a Marine Discovery Centre which helps spread the word. They work hard protecting the coral reef and sea life as well as educating the guests on their concept. The food at Lagoon Attitude was amazing too, all locally sourced and created on site and the gorgeous staff that served us treated their customers like returning friends. From the street food style delicacies to the a la carte fish and seafood restaurant and the ever-changing food fare in the themed buffet in between. Dotted around the resort there are sea life-friendly bottles of suntan lotion for guests use. All locally produced from natural products. The minibars in your room are empty so you can pop to the Bulk Store where you can top up on soft drinks in glass bottles, beers, recyclable jars for selecting tea coffee, sugar to take back for your morning cuppa and while at the Bulk Store have a browse of their locally produced garments in the boutique. For us, this short break was not about having an all singing, all dancing 5-star experience, it was about a relaxing beach break in beautiful surroundings, recharging the batteries after a very busy winter. Mauritius here was just perfect. We came away with so much more than as few extra pounds in body weight. It made me realise how much I care and how much more I want to care going forward. I know there are more and more hotels and resorts progressing towards sustainable tourism. I will be more selective when choosing my holidays in future. Our planet is beautiful and we want future generations to enjoy what we are enjoying now. Travel Counsellors as a company are getting more involved with suppliers who take sustainability seriously so for more information, please do get in touch.

27 July 2021

We all knew that travelling in a pandemic would be a little more challenging than normal, but I think we all agree that as much as the red tape is painful, if it means we can get away, we’ll take it. Without travel many of us feel like caged birds or like our wings have been clipped. For me it had been 9 months since my last trip overseas when I was lucky enough to escape to our home from home in Turkey, so having spent several months booking, only to cancel, rebook, change destination and repeat, I was beginning to think that travel would never be possible. Finally, Greece, stayed amber, Turkey stayed red so drastic action was required for my own holiday. My thoughts were then, rather than wait for countries to change, I should opt for a green one. Antigua is close to our hearts, not only because it is a beautiful Caribbean island, has a stunning coastline with a beach for every day of the year and amazing people, but it's where Chris and I tied the knot 13 and half years ago. As soon as I heard it was green, I priced up a few resorts that I’d had my eye on and got booking. It was the best idea to book as soon as it went green because before long the prices had started to increase. I knew it would be important to do my homework first though, so I set about checking what I would need to get into Antigua, what life would be like in Antigua, whether I could get a test and certificate for the return and what we would need to do to return to the UK at the end of our week. Homework complete, holiday booked, I booked our tests and printed off everything just in case my smart phone let me down when needed. Chris, my husband was sceptical. He never thought I would get us away with so many false starts, least of all to somewhere exotic, so finally the day had arrived. We pulled up in Gatwick’s South Terminal Short Term car park (currently being used for long term due to the South Terminal being mothballed), we took the shuttle train to the North Terminal where our flight was the only BA flight departing that day from Gatwick. From that moment we knew social distancing in the airport would not be a problem. We were double vaccinated, PCR tested, sanitised and masked within an inch of our lives. How could we not be safe? The bag drop took 3 minutes, security took 5 minutes, we’d never had so long to kill in the departure lounge…ever! The terminal was very quiet. Very few flights for a whole day, lots of shops were open, but empty of shoppers. Restaurants were closed but sandwiches and snacks were available. It really was a sad sight and indicative how devastating the pandemic has been for travel. At the gate we were boarded by row number and everyone seemed to be respecting the facemask rule. The crew were so happy to be back working and no longer furloughed. We were given sanitising wipes instead of Champagne before take-off, but who’s complaining? We were on our holidays. After a pleasant flight, we disembarked, were met by medical staff in full PPE with thermometers at the ready, we handed in our handwritten medical declarations and immigration forms and in no time at all, we were out and on our way to our Covid certified resort hotel. We had chosen the beautiful St James Club and Villas. Everything was immaculately clean, the staff wore facemasks, we wore facemasks except when sat in a restaurant or on the beach. St James Club and Villas is great for families, but it does have an adult section with a couple of small adult pools for peace and quiet. It’s great for water babies who love hobie cats, stand up paddle boards and kayaks. A beautifully sheltered bay makes it safe from the choppy seas. The resort is on a peninsula so most of the rooms and suites can see the sea. We opted for the Royal Suites in the adult section where we benefited from the sea and stunning sunsets. Everyone knows how I just love a sunset. The food and drinks were very good with fresh local produce and international brand spirits. Whether we were eating from the main buffet, in the beachfront snack bar or in one of the a la carte restaurants, we were very well fed and watered. We only had a week but half way through the week, we ventured out to visit a couple of the other resorts in the same group, 4* Adult Only Pineapple Beach and the new 5* Hammock Cove. Just stunning! I'd visited Pineapple Beach in 90’s so was interested to compare. It was still as lovely and still one of the best beaches on the island. It has a traditional cool Caribbean vibe, perfect for those who are looking for a child free environment and all-inclusive for those rum punches and Pina Coladas around the pool. Most rooms have a sea view, some from up high, some from the beach and some across gardens. I was quite impressed by the standard of the facilities and would definitely recommend Pineapple for those who want to experience the fun Caribbean in an all-inclusive. Hammock Cove, beautifully stylish, stunningly exclusive, 41 detached villas with their own private terraces and plunge pools. The main pool is a made up of tiered infinity pools, it has its own private beach, a games room reminiscent of a gentlemen’s club where guests can make friends and participate in a game of billiards or bridge whilst savouring their favourite tipple. With Executive Chef Marco Festini bringing Michelin-starred experience to the table, I can only imagine that it would be fine dining at it’s best. This would be the perfect retreat for discerning adults who like to experience true luxury but also those who wish to feel part of a family and make friends. A truly luxurious all-inclusive experience. So after our day out we were back to chilling on beach at St James, watching sunsets and sipping cocktails for another few days until the day before we came home we had our test appointment by a local doctor at the hotel. By 9am the following morning the results were back. We had completed our UK Passenger Locator Forms, adding the booking references of our Day 2 PCR tests and flight seat numbers. At the airport they wanted to see the result hotel test. Flying home was painless. On arrival, we passed through automated eGates with biometric checking of the passport with no further checks. All in all, it was a well-earned break and if you ask me would I recommend travelling right now, my answer would be “ABSOLUTELY YES!”. In a heartbeat!

02 February 2020

Everyone must have memories of Brighton whether it is from the iconic film Quadrophenia or whether it from your youth when, as youngsters, we would jump in the car and drive to the coast for a day of fun on the beach and pier with kiss me quick hats, candy floss and the fairground. I’ve had quite a relationship with Brighton over the years, with it being just down the road when I was living near to Gatwick and later when a number of good friends lived there so visits were frequent. Many trips were spent walking along the promenade and wandering the Lanes or just enjoying the vibrant nightlife. There is no more diverse city in the UK where everyone belongs, no matter who or what you represent. This year, for our wedding anniversary we decided to revisit the old haunts and spend a couple of cold January nights by the sea. The weather was on our side, surprisingly and the sun shone from start to finish so we were able to appreciate it completely. It's filled with stunning architecture which looks best in sunshine and we were also lucky enough to catch a stunning sunset from the famous Palace Pier, which surprisingly was heaving with people all with the same idea. We stayed at Hotel Du Vin which is situated right in the Lanes which for those unfamiliar with Brighton are a series of little narrow cobbled streets filled with little jewellery and arty shops to browse. We were very pleased with our hotel choice with it’s cosy bar with comfy seating, wonderful breakfast and spacious room with all the luxury amenities you’d expect from a classy boutique hotel. Best of all it was very convenient for wandering out to restaurants in the evenings. The only downside would be the parking. I think the train might be a better idea next time. We took the opportunity of the lovely sunny weather to get wrapped up and walk. We explored the Lanes, the Pavilion and we walked the full length of the Promenade and Pier. Even in January the buzzy atmosphere gives a feeling of anticipation for what it will offer the tourists in the warmer months. Street artists were out, the cafes and bars under the arches were heaving with people soaking up the sun, there were even open water swimmers retreating from the water with their very chilly pink flesh. There really is a lot to do and see whether it is the BA 360 tower, the Upside-down House or the fun of the arcades and rollercoasters on the pier. Stop and eat a pot of cockles or savour fish and chips from the paper. There is nothing like a traditional British seaside town, even in January! Thank you, Brighton. I loved revisiting you after all these years. You haven’t changed a bit. We won't leave it so long next time.

19 December 2019

Those who know me know how I love to go off somewhere warm when the weather at home starts to get chilly. This year we decided on the Riviera Maya in Mexico. It’s such a popular destination with so many of my clients so I thought that it was about time I experienced it for myself. I’m pleased to say I wasn’t disappointed. We flew direct with BA which took around 10 hours. After collecting luggage (which wasn’t particularly swift off the conveyor belt) we boarded our transfer and 40 minutes later we arrived at Secrets Maroma Beach. Due to a delay with the luggage it was dark when we arrived, so we were whisked away on a golf cart to the club check in where we were offered a very welcome glass of bubbly and a cold towel before being shown to our room. We all love a bit of luxury occasionally, so we weren’t disappointed. Beautiful décor, comfy bed, Jacuzzi bath, comfy bed, balcony with soaking bath (not sure we would have time for all the baths), comfy bed…. did I mention the comfy bed? We were tired and looking forward to that comfy bed but not too tired to have a quick change, check out the resort, grab a bite to eat (as if we hadn’t already eaten enough on the plane) and watch a show at their in-house theatre. I can’t remember what the show was. I guess I might have slept through it but through the week we had all sorts of singing and dancing, acrobat and tribute act shows. After 3 days of eating, drinking, sleeping and sunbathing we felt well and truly relaxed and ready to explore and who doesn’t love a UNESCO heritage site? We’d booked ourselves onto the Chichen Itza Express, got an early morning call and were on the very straight road through the mangroves to Chichen Itza before 7am. Arriving around 9am we were able to learn about the history, see the magnificence of the pyramid and take all our pictures before the hoards arrived at around 10am. It was an eerily spooky place just stood there in the middle of nowhere. Our guide was excellent, giving us stories of human sacrifice and strange games, which usually ended in the death of someone. I do feel I have a much better insight into the Mayan world and I’m just grateful that I am around 2000 years later. Back at our little oasis by the sea, holiday life soon got back to normal, savouring delicious food, drinking the odd cocktail or three and enjoying the well-earned rest on the whitest, finest sandy beach I have ever been on (and I’ve been on a few). Just one more exciting experience waited for us, Coco Bongo’s nightclub. And yes, it is as crazy as it sounds, so it just had to be done. It started at 10pm and ended at 2.30am but it was 4 hours of dance shows, lively music, tribute acts, colourful lights and free flowing cocktails and tequila shots. I can recommend this to any party animals out there and even if you’re not, for one night you might just have to pretend. We finally got to bed at 4am and then we had just one more day of eating, drinking, sleeping, sunbathing before heading home feeling relaxed and chilled and ready to face the world. Thank you, Mexico, you were awesome and just what the doctor ordered! We travelled at the end of November. Temperatures were in the high twenties. We only had a few spots of rain one day. We had a few clouds but nothing serious. I would recommend this time of year as the prices are lower before Christmas than they are between January and March. I’d always recommend booking as early as possible as prices creep up the nearer the date you get.

09 July 2019

The last time I visited Croatia it was called Yugoslavia and I was knee high to a grasshopper. The last time I went on a sailing holiday I was young, free and single in my twenties. I always described that holiday as one my best and had always yearned to do another one at some point. Such a shame it took 30 years for me to get around to it. You can only imagine how excited I was when our very good friends said that they had done their sailing qualifications (one Day Skipper and one Competent Crew) and they would like Mr P and I to come along as deck hands. Not only was I going to see the country that I had wanted to see for years but I was going to do it in a yacht in the Adriatic Sea! It was time to start practicing my knots. We left all the decision making about the yacht and the route to our friends who have travelled extensively in Croatia and knew a lot more about yachts than we did. This was a good move because they got it all spot on. I sorted the flights and transfers and along with Seafarer Sailing we put together the perfect sailing experience. All booked through Travel Counsellors. Seafarer Sailing specialise in yacht charter and flotilla holidays as well as having a couple of beach clubs where they teach dinghy sailing and windsurfing. They did us proud with a lead crew were wonderful. Not only were they very experienced sailors, but they were very supportive and super helpful. If you are unfamiliar with flotilla holidays, this is where the itinerary is planned for you, 5 or 6 yachts all come together each night at different locations with a lead boat as back up to do the co-ordinating and making sure everything is plain sailing (excuse the pun). Our tour started in Dubrovnik after an early morning flight from Gatwick, a browse around and lunch within the walls of the historic city, followed by a night on our yacht in the marina. We set sail the following morning after a briefing about where we were headed and what was happening at our first stop. Our day at sea was gorgeous! Not too far to go so just time to chill and take in the rugged scenery as it went by and get used to peacefulness of being under sail. Our itinerary was wonderful. I hope my pictures will give you a feel of the beauty of these gorgeous locations. Day 1 – Dubrovnik - Walled city with stunning architecture with plenty of Italian influence. Day 2 – Sipan Luka – Sleepy cove with a couple of restaurants, a hotel and a shop. The idyllic setting for a punch party and our first group dinner. Day 3 – Okuklje, Mljet – Quiet, sheltered inlet, incredibly pretty and perfect for our second group dinner. Day 4 – Korcula – Ancient town with towers and beautiful architecture, upmarket restaurants and quirky bars. We found a fabulous restaurant in a quiet street and a great cocktail bar in one of the towers. Day 5 – Polace, Mljet – Nature reserve with a salt lake and a monastery. We hired bikes and cycled round the lake which was the perfect way to burn off some of the calories. Day 6 – Saplunara, Mljet – With its sandy beach and pine forest back drop. Day 7 - Dubrovnik – back to where it all began for our last group dinner. If you haven’t been to Croatia yet, don’t hesitate to give it a go. If sailing appeals to you but you don't have anyone with the sailing qualifications, don't worry, there are many ways to see our beautiful world from the sea without being an experience sailor. Try it, you won't regret it.

21 December 2018

Working in travel, we are constantly learning about new destinations and this often involves events in the UK where we learn about the history and geography of a place as well as about tourism, where to stay and what to do whilst there. This year I was invited to an event by the Minister of Tourism for Saint Kitts and Nevis. There were representatives from several hotels and also the tourist boards. At the end of a very informative and fun evening I was the lucky recipient of the prize draw for the holiday. My prize consisted of four nights at Park Hyatt St Kitts with a full day island tour and three nights at Nisbet Plantation plus a half day island tour. I was so excited to have won this prize, I was booked before the end of the week. Saint Kitts and Nevis (aka the Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis) were among the first islands of the Caribbean to be settled by Europeans, lying in the Leeward Islands chain of the Lesser Antilles. It is the smallest Sovereign state in the Western Hemisphere, in both area and population with Queen Elizabeth II as the Head of State. The capital is Basseterre on larger Saint Kitts with Nevis lying 3km south-east across “The Narrows” is dominated by a dormant volcano, Mount Nevis. My long-suffering husband, (Saint) Christopher, came along with me and we took the direct BA flight (with a short stop en route in Antigua to drop off and pick up passengers). The flight with the stop was around 10hrs30 so very doable for just a week. On arrival in Saint Kitts we were shuttled to the stunning new Park Hyatt resort, with a quick stop en-route to catch one of the stunning Caribbean sunsets. Everyone knows I love a sunset! Being shiny and new, everything about Park Hyatt has been well thought out, stunningly designed and of the very highest standard. Our room was high tech with calming, subtle décor. We had a terrace overlooking the pool, a huge bathroom with twin sinks, a freestanding tub, walk-in shower with rain-shower, separate WC. Rooms have an uber-comfortable, over-sized bed, with quality linen from which to watch the over-sized wall-mounted TV. The resort is ideal for those who are into wellness and relaxation. The spa is top-notch, and activities are geared up for health and wellbeing too. Even around the pool there’s an iced water urn and factor 30 sunscreen dispenser and enthusiastic staff run around with trays of refreshing water all day to make sure no-one is dehydrating in the Caribbean sunshine. During our four nights on the beautiful island of Saint Kitts we were taken on an island tour, visiting Brimstone Hill Fortress, parts of which date back to 1690 and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and we also visited Romney Manor and botanical gardens. This is the home to the Caribelle Batik and where for over four decades the colourful textiles have been created in the traditional process that started in Africa. We saw stunning scenery, had a couple of hotel site visits, we were treated to lunch and dropped back at Park Hyatt to enjoy the late afternoon. We ventured out a few times. One of the highlights was Salt Plage for the sunset. Wow! What a sunset! We also found a couple of nice little restaurants as we wanted to experience the real St Kitts away from the hotel. Sadly though, all too soon it was time for us to pack our bags and get down to the Park Hyatt Pier where we were being collected for our speedboat transfer across to Nevis. Just 10 minutes and we arrived at Oualie Beach where a taxi was waiting to take us to Nisbet Plantation, 10 minutes down the road. On arrival we had a warm welcome from Tim the Manager, a cold towel and a fruit punch and then shown to our room. Nisbet Plantation is the Caribbean’s only historic plantation inn located on the beach, so this makes it quite unique. It is made up of 30 acres of lush tropical landscape. Accommodation are bungalows dotted around the property with a Great House as the main restaurant and bar area. Our room was in a block of four junior suites closest to the sea. We were on the first floor with a vaulted ceiling, so it had an amazing feeling of space. We had no glass, just louvred shutters for letting the light and breeze through which was a totally new experience for me. Accommodation was very traditional in design, with no TV or high-tech functionality, just beautifully comfortable room with all you need such as air conditioning, safe, bath robes and amenities, an iron and ironing board and a minibar. Our front balcony had sunbeds for relaxing and listening to the sea gently lapping onto the beach around 50 metres away. We only had three nights at this beautiful hotel, so we decided to make the most of it. We dressed for pre-dinner cocktails and dinner and headed to the Great House. It was a little like going back in time. I felt we should have been drinking Martini’s (shaken not stirred)! Dinner was a formal affair. A varied menu which changed daily and great service from Rosalind, who has worked there for 30 odd years. After dinner, we were back in the bar where the other guests were welcoming and enjoyed some interesting conversation, live jazz and a nightcap. Thursday nights at Nisbet are different, however, the Caribbean Barbecue takes place at the beach bar and restaurant. It kicked off with a secret recipe rum punch, followed by a barbecue buffet with the steel band and Caribbean music. The island is stunningly beautiful with Mount Nevis dominating. For the adventurous, walking to the summit is a popular pastime. It takes just a few hours. We are saving that for our next visit. We were taken around the island which takes around two hours. We visited interesting historical buildings such as churches, old sugar plantations, hot springs and baths and we were shown some other gorgeous little hotels where the rich and famous can come and hide out if they need to escape from the rat race. Even while we were there, the very talented Joss Stone was practicing her songs in a room very close to ours in preparation for a free concert she put on for the people of Nevis as part of her world tour. We were even lucky enough to be invited along as it was on our last night. What a treat! Just a few more amazing memories to add to my travel memory bank. Thank you, Saint Kitts and Nevis, you were awesome! See you again soon.

05 April 2018

As part of a group of 20+ Travel Counsellors, I was lucky enough to find myself on this wonderful, action packed, educational trip to Thailand. We flew courtesy of Emirates to Bangkok via Dubai and then from the moment we arrived, we were thrown right into our busy schedule, which over the next six days, was to give us the most wonderful taste of what this beautiful country has to offer. Starting in Bangkok, we spent two nights in a city hotel, Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao. From there, our Thai partners put together an exciting varied itinerary, giving us a taste of the history, temples and how the Thai people live today. Our first day included a long boat tour on the Chao Phraya River, aka River of the Kings, then through canals (klongs) to capture the slower pace of life in the canal villages, the crazy mad bustling city and skyline shining down from above. From there, our journey took us to the Royal Barge Museum with its spectacular, intricately carved and decorated with gold leaf and mosaic. Finally, on to the Chao Praya to see Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn), a 79-metre-high temple built in the style similar to Angkor Wat. After a full day of culture, some retail therapy and Thai street food was a great way to pass the early part of the evening followed by a live Muay Thai boxing show. No trip to Thailand would be complete without soft white sand and warm seas. Having some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, with islands and hundreds of miles of coastline, it is hard to decide where. Our trip took us on a three-hour drive south for our two-night beach stay at Hua Hin. We stayed at Centara Grand Beach Resort and Villas which was just perfect for our short stay. Situated right on the beach, this colonial style resort hotel is an oasis of calm right in the centre of a busy seaside holiday resort with markets, restaurants, bars and the same Thai welcome. After a bit of a lively night out on the town, we were up early to visit the food market before heading to the cookery school. If you have ever wanted to learn how to cook those traditional Thai meals that we all love, such as a Penang Curry (Gaeng Penang Gai), four flavours shrimp soup (Tom Yum Goong Nam Khon), or a fragrant, crispy Papaya Salad (Som Tam Thai), I can so recommend the cooking class and then the best bit, yes, of course, eating it. Yum! I would love to return to Hua Hin at some point, but after two nights it was time move on to the next part of our trip which took us northwards to River Kwai Resotel for our jungle adventure. Only accessed by long boats, we were speeding up the river where we found our rustic bungalows set out amidst lush greenery and wildlife. A visit further up river to the Mon Village where people from Myanmar have settled was fascinating. A complete little community with a village school, temple and hand built wooden houses on stilts in the jungle. They even have a resident elephant. Their lives are simple so to buy a few little trinkets is a great way to help. For me, elephant trousers were my purchase of the day. After our Mon Village visit, it was back down the river for us and what better way than on bamboo rafts just like the traditional way of the Mon people. Such a fun experience! Jungle stay over and time to head back to the bright lights of city but not before a visit to the Bridge on over the River Kwai and a very emotional stop at Hell Fire Pass which is part of the Death Railway which cuts through Stone Mountain to Burma. Thousands of Asian workers and Allied forces prisoners of war lost their lives during the construction of the railway in the Second World War. A moving few hours but essential in learning about Thailand’s history. So, finally, back to Bangkok for some fun and what better way than an 11 tuk tuk convoy, racing through the night streets to China Town for some Chinese Thai cuisine, ending with crazy Patpong night market for a last bit of retail therapy. Our final hotel was Centara Grand Central World. A beautiful city hotel that’s well located for sightseeing and shopping. Thank you to our wonderful hosts for a brilliant trip! Good bye Thailand, until we meet again. You were the best!

24 June 2017

I became a TC because of my love of travel and love of creating dreams for other people but I never imagined where it might take me as part of my job. I was lucky enough to have been picked for this wonderful trip to Mauritius along with 7 other TCs and our hosts, the lovely Emma from Constance Hotels and our own Mauritius expert Zoe from Head Office. My first time to the island certainly did not disappoint. We flew with Air Mauritius who looked after us very well and 12 hours later we made our way swiftly through immigration and on to our home for the first 3 nights of our 5 night trip. Constance Belle Mare Plage is a stunningly stylish 5 star hotel with a relaxed but warm and very friendly feel. There’s nothing stuffy about this gorgeous beach hotel so it was perfect for a group of ladies who wanted to experience some relaxation and activities during the day and fine dining with a little music and dancing before bed. Our schedule was crammed full of aperitifs, stunning meals, a massage in their beautiful spa, a golf lesson, a wine flight, a cookery lesson (plenty of spice and flavour) and finally mixology (cocktail making and sampling). The beautiful accommodation at Belle Mare Plage is spacious and very chic and stylish with all the little extras you expect from a 5 star hotel. My Junior Suite was far too large for just one person but it was reassuring to know that there would be plenty of space if I was offering it for a family holiday. With a lovely beach, a great kids club, 7 restaurants and 6 trendy bars, there’s no need to leave - everything is there on site. If you didn’t leave your hotel though you would miss out on the beauty of this volcanic island. There’s lots to see and some fantastic adventures to have. One of ours was the “One Love” speedboat adventure with snorkelling and a barbecue lunch on the beach. What a great day out! On the day we departed from Belle Mare Plage, we had another adventure to see the island’s capital, Port Louis. With its port, its fortress, waterfront, fruit and veg market and craft markets, I would recommend a quick visit but en route definitely don’t miss out on Pamplemouse Botanic Gardens where you can wander the serene gardens surrounded by 80 species of palm tree, a giant baobob tree, giant water lilies and more and don’t miss the giant tortoises. Watch out for the spiders though, they are also a little on the large side! Also en route we were taken to experience some true Mauritian cuisine. You would never find it by accident but it was certainly a superb lunch. A very “twee” restaurant, very quirky but not to be missed. After a great day out it was time to check in to our home for the next 2 nights, Constance Prince Maurice! Wow! Described as a romantic hideaway with stunning architectural design in a luxurious setting, it isn’t surprising that this wonderful hotel is one of the “Leading Hotels of the World”. Much smaller and more intimate than Belle Mare Plage, it would be very easy to hideaway here and never leave. Again, we experienced service with attention to detail second to none from the amenities in our junior suites to the little man who turned up to clean your sunglasses and bring you water on ice and freshly cut pineapple on the beach. All the staff members clearly love their life and you can’t help but smile back when they greet you. Gorgeous! We did so much in just two nights and two days. We had another wine tasting, this time in the largest wine cellar in the Indian Ocean which is housed here. We were invited to the Manager’s cocktail party on the beach, we were spoiled with another massage in yet another beautiful spa, a lesson making traditional Mauritian pastries was fun, if a little messy and enjoyed our last evening in a floating restaurant in a lagoon where a fairly large shark called Johnny was swimming around beneath our feet. Such a great setting and so different from the norm! We landed back after our 12 hour flight into a sunny Heathrow. Well at least that made it a little less painful coming home from such a stunning Indian Ocean escape from the office. People had seen what I’d been up to on the trip on social media so many asked me if I’d had a lovely holiday. I suppose it looked a little like a holiday and I suppose it felt a lot like a holiday but I have to keep pinching myself to remind myself that this was work! I promise! I’ve brought away such wonderful memories of this trip. Emma and her Constance colleagues treated us like royalty (as they did all their guests), my fellow TC travelling companions were amazing company and I will remember this wonderful experience fondly forever. Thank you Mauritius! I’ll be back!

06 December 2016

I finally decided it was about time I found out what all the hype was about since it was nearly three decades since I was last in Dubai when I was cabin crew with British Caledonian in the Eighties. I knew from researching over the past few years that it had changed considerably, probably more than any other city in the Middle East, but I really felt the need to see it, feel it and live it for myself. We chose the beginning of December, which was an excellent choice weather-wise. Temperatures were 28-31 degrees centigrade which was perfect and considerably cooler than it can be during the summer months when it can increase to 50 degrees or more. It was great sunbathing weather whilst also being very comfortable for all the sightseeing we wanted to do during our short stay. We picked Jumeirah Zabeel Saray for our hotel, a stunning five star property on the Palm which offered not only top class accommodation and luxurious surroundings but proved to be excellent value for money with half board for the price of bed and breakfast as a special offer at the time we booked. The half board offer was invaluable, allowing us to dine in any of the Zabeel Saray buffet or a la carte restaurants and also in over 40 other restaurants across the Jumeirah group of hotels in Dubai. We were totally spoiled for choice. We had just five nights to see as much as we could so we opted to pre-book “At the Top”, the viewing gallery at the Burj Khalifa (the tallest building in the world). We also booked a 48 hour ‘hop on hop off’ bus which gave us three sightseeing loops and a Dhow river cruise. There was commentary along the way where they talked us through Dubai’s relatively short history and also included lots of very useful information about shopping and the entertainment. Five days flew by and with the distances involved, we didn’t manage to see quite as much as we'd hoped so would probably recommend longer if you want to experience the souks, the malls, the beach, the desert, the Marina and Downtown. The transport is good but, from the Palm, be prepared for getting around to take a bit longer than when staying on the mainland. With Dubai being the main hub in the Middle East, it is possible to connect to the rest of the world with literally hundreds of destinations to choose from. For this reason Dubai is the perfect stopover destination with short stays very popular all year round. I've picked a few photos that I hope will inspire you. Feel free to call me any time for more details. I came home armed with maps and other information.

10 December 2015

Anyone who knows me knows how much I love powder white sand, crystal clear blue sea, palm trees and curry! Yes, curry! I hadn’t quite appreciated that I could eat curry every day on my holiday to the Maldives. I suppose it makes sense with it being so close to India, I just hadn’t thought about it. I really was in heaven. We flew direct from Gatwick to Male with British Airways which was a little over 10 hours and then an exciting 40 minute sea plane trip to our paradise island. We opted for a larger island because, never having been before, I wanted to make sure that we wouldn’t get bored. Kuredu Resort was perfect for us. A deserted beach if you wanted it but with a bit of lively entertainment to feed the need to be a little bit sociable in the evenings. With lots of sports to choose from such as a six hole golf course, tennis, badminton and table tennis, not to mention the water sports (diving, snorkelling, kayaking, wind surfing and swimming) it would be impossible to be bored here. The island resort was actually three resorts in one, the main Kuredu resort which accommodates families, O Resort for over 12 years and Sangu for over 18’s. Our Beach Bungalow was in a perfect location right on the beach overlooking the water villas to the left. Stunning sunsets to the west were hiding behind the water villas, which really just added to the beauty of this relaxed, chilled, four star resort. From the moment we arrived we were encouraged to go barefoot even in the restaurants which all had sand under foot. There were five restaurants, most of which were buffet but this didn’t detract from the quality of the food at all. The variety was amazing as every meal brought a new exciting variety of dishes to tantalize the taste buds. I swear I have never eaten so much in a week. I just couldn’t resist. We were on an all-inclusive basis so a little Cosmopolitan before dinner didn’t go amiss, while the wine served with the dinner was of a surprisingly good standard. Another little cocktail would then get you in the mood for a little entertainment or some dancing at the weekly "White Party". All well done and fun. A trip to the Maldives wouldn’t be complete without seeing a little sea life. Even I donned my snorkel, mask and flippers (they don’t call them that anymore) and went in search of turtles and brightly coloured fish. What an experience! Not while we were in the water, but while we were in the boat searching for giant manta rays (which unfortunately we didn’t find), we came across about 20 spinner dolphins putting on a little show for us. Wow! I think that has to be the highlight of my whole week and a memory I will treasure forever. Take a look some of my other photos. I am sure you will agree that this place is just heaven on earth!

31 October 2015

"Sell Turkey” they said. I said “no problem, it sells itself”. That was how I ended up being one of 15 lucky Travel Counsellors to win an educational trip to Istanbul. My love of Turkey paid off and I ticked another box on that ever growing bucket list. We travelled from Birmingham with Turkish Airlines into Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport which is on the European side of the waterway the Bosporus. Turkish Airlines have direct flights from London, Manchester and Birmingham and with Istanbul being a very busy hub, Turkey really is the gateway to the rest of the world so twinning Istanbul with other places is so easy to do with a really great airline, not to mention that they have the best business class lounge in Europe with everything from a cinema to a golf simulator to keep you amused between flights. Anyway, I digress! Our hotel was centrally located making it easy to get out and about seeing the sights. Although we weren’t staying directly in the old city, it was only a stone’s throw away. Staying in the Sultanahmet area you can literally step outside the front door of your hotel and be surrounded by beautiful historical buildings. There is just so much history here. I hadn’t quite appreciated the age of some of the buildings. Our guide from the tour company, Karavan Travel, gave us an excellent insight into how it would have been back in the day. Fascinating learning about the history of the Hagia Sophia, for example, which dates back to the 6th Century whilst the Sultanahmet Mosque (otherwise known as the Blue Mosque), was built in the 17th Century. A spectacle with its 6 minarets and massive dome. As well as the Mosques I would definitely recommend visiting the Topkapi Palace. Incredibly interesting learning about the Sultans and their Harems and the Ottoman Empire. Aside from a wealth of history and architecture, there is a real fun side to Istanbul too. Everything is colourful and there is nothing more exciting that visiting the Spice Market or the Grand Bazaar for some bartering and bargain hunting. Whether its leather goods, ceramics, carpets or simply some delicious Turkish delight or fresh spices, you will lose yourself in the hustle and bustle. We only had an hour or two but I still managed to pick up a few bargains. Another great reason to visit Istanbul is to sample the cuisine. You can’t not love the mezes, the wonderful fresh vegetables, fish and lamb or the very sweet baklava, all syrupy with nuts and pastry. You also may be surprised to know despite being a Moslem country, Turkey produces some excellent wines. I definitely recommend Istanbul for a city break. Visit April to June and September to October for the best experience. If I have tempted you to try a little Eastern promise, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

15 December 2014

Sometimes when taking a trip you’re not looking for that adventure of a lifetime, you’re just looking for much needed R&R. You don’t want to trek up hill and down dale, you don’t want to visit temples or ancient ruins, sometimes you just want to flop on a sun lounger, feel warmth and sun on your skin and have some quality time with your loved one in a place where the world is happy. This was what my recent trip to the Dominican Republic was all about. It was a gorgeous week of pure indulgence and relaxation. We ate beautifully prepared local cuisine in a la carte restaurants, drank cosmopolitans prepared by cheery Dominican bar staff and we dozed in the midday sun under pool side cabanas. Early December is such a great time to get away, not only because the prices are favourable but because you can postpone that mad Christmas panic for a little bit longer and then on the way home you can top up on the Duty Free for Christmas. We flew from Gatwick North Terminal with British Airways after starting the day in the Number 1 Lounge where I had a spot of breakfast followed by a manicure in the Spa. The flight with BA was up to its usual standard and we arrived in Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic just slightly behind schedule just as the sun was going down. Our All Inclusive resort was just half an hour by transfer on the Atlantic coast. We stayed at Majestic Elegance Resort which was along a stretch of the coast with a number of other hotels such as the Hard Rock and Barcelo Bavaro. All hotels in this area are all inclusive and pretty much all are of a 5* standard. Small boutique, intimate hotels though they are not! Many of these hotels have 500+ rooms usually built in half a dozen or so 3 or 4 storey blocks. The Punta Cana area is relatively new to be developed so the architecture is attractive and well laid out with lots of palm trees and freeform swimming pools. Majestic Elegance, along with its sister hotel next door, Majestic Colonial, were built about 9 years ago. I’m no expert but they were in excellent order and of a pretty high spec and beautifully laid out. We opted for the “Elegance Club” because we quite fancied the designated adult only pools and lounge areas and a smaller dining room for breakfast. Mealtimes were a real treat at Majestic! Catering very much for the American market, the breakfast buffet was frighteningly humongous! If you wanted eggs, bacon, pancakes, maple syrup, Danish pastries and fresh mango and pineapple all on the same plate you could. No! Of course I didn't although some did……I just went round twice! The a la carte restaurants were lovely, elegant and sophisticated. I wouldn’t say it was gourmet cuisine but there was certainly plenty of choice, service excellent and the wine quite drinkable. Daytime entertainment consisted of the usual dance classes, pool games, beach volleyball, non-motorised water sports or a trip to the gym, spa or the 18 hole golf course behind. Personally my favourite pastime was being lazy, reading a book by the pool with the occasion swim to the swim up bar for liquid refreshment and the occasional walk along the 20 mile beach. Come the evenings, there’s nightly entertainment with live music and dancing and a show at 10pm every night in the theatre. If you’re still awake after that, nip into the casino or the night club. If you want to get out and about there are some brilliant trips which include swimming with dolphins, zip line adventures, outback safari, reef exploring or a day trip to the capital of Santo Domingo. We only had a week but you could find plenty to do if you were there for 10 days or 2 weeks. Other highly recommended resorts in this area are Secrets and Zoetry (adults only) and Dreams (couples with children), and for a livelier holiday the new Breathless with its guest DJs and foam parties or for a slightly smaller Adult Only, Excellence Punta Cana is beautiful. So if you're after good value luxury with sun, sea and sand, nothing too cultural, I dare you to give Punta Cana a try.

31 December 2013

Kalkan is our home from home (literally). Chris, my husband and I have visited many times since we discovered this beautiful place in 2006. Whether you are a couple, a family or a singleton, few are ever disappointed. This enchanting coastal town simply has so much charm and offers so much. Kalkan has a unique cosmopolitan feel that draws back discerning European visitors year after year. For me there are too many wonderful things to do and see to mention so here are my top 10 favourite ways to spend my time whilst in and around Kalkan... apart from just lying on sun lounger enjoying the Mediterranean sunshine of course. 1. We love to enjoy the amazing Turkish and international cuisine in stunning surroundings whether on roof tops or by the harbour or in a simple street café. With over 100 (some say 200) eateries we are really spoilt for choice. 2. Our friends are a sociable lot so we love to relax over a cocktail, a glass of wine or an iced coffee. Chic cocktail bars, quaint coffee shops or the one and only Moonlight Bar; the experience is different wherever you go. 3. Browse the many boutiques and gift shops, watching old traditions come alive with stunning objet d’arts being created while you look on. 4. For a different shopping experience try Kalkan market. Pick up your pashminas, herbs and spices or just a box of freshly made Turkish delight. 5. We love to enjoy the beach clubs. With boats from the harbour, Mahal or Palm Beach Clubs are great for sunbathing, swimming or water sports. 6. Take a day trip from the harbour on a traditional Gulet. Swim and snorkel in the clear blue waters, take a mud bath on one of the small beaches, enjoy an amazing Turkish spread for lunch and chug back into the harbour at around 5.30pm feeling completely chilled. 7. Just 10 minutes by car from Kalkan are two of the most stunning beaches in Europe. Patara is our favourite, 18 miles of golden sand right on the edge of the ancient ruins of Patara. A conservation area which prohibits any sort of development, this is also breeding ground for loggerhead turtles. Also 10 minutes away, we love the beautiful Kaputas Beach. 8. For a bit of historical culture, visit one of the many ancient sites. As well as Patara we love to visit Kekova Sunken City by boat from Kas. Visit Xantos, Thlos and Letoon: they are all within an hour’s drive. 9. Being at the foot of the Taurus Mountains, there is stunning scenery inland. We have been known to just take off in the car and drive and just stop and admire the views. 10. Also on a hot day we enjoy nothing more than visiting Saklikent Gorge. A 4km walk will take you through the gorge to the waterfall at the end. After walking the gorge, ride the rapids on rubber rings or enjoy lunch and a drink by the river. If you’re feeling inspired, get in touch for many more ideas of things to do.