18 November 2020

In November 2019 we took a short trip to Southern France to watch the Worcester Warriors play Castres in the European Challenge Cup. We decided to stay in Carcassonne which is around an hour and a half from Castres, but it was well worth it. Carcassonne should really be on everyone's bucket list, one of the most amazing medieval castles you will ever see, just stunning and all with sight of the Pyrenees. November was perfect time to visit, the local restaurants were more than happy to welcome 16 tourists to eat and the food was as expected in France just superb. We had an amazing weekend (despite losing the rugby)....definitely recommended for a city break.

18 November 2020

In April 2019 I was part of a group of Travel Counsellors who visited Boston and Cape Cod as guests of the Massachusetts Tourist board. We had an amazing time and I really enjoyed visiting a part of the US I hadn't been to before. Our first two nights were in Boston City and we stayed at the gorgeous Four Seasons Hotel in Back Bay overlooking the public gardens. The rooms were amazing, very spacious and comfortable and the staff were all very friendly and welcoming. Our first day was a full on day of exploring the city, we took a local bike tour, which was something quite out of my comfort zone but I loved it, we got to see so much of the city in around two and a half hours, way more than we would have done otherwise. We cycled alongside the river, around historic Beacon Hill with it's beautiful houses and learnt all about the history of the Boston Tea Party. We stopped to take pictures at Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox and finished with a well earned lunch stop at Quincy Market, Boston's amazing food hall. No visit to Boston would have been complete without a stop for a beer in the famous Cheers Bar...only those of a certain age would remember that! The day was finished off with attending a performance of the Blue Man Group...very different! Our next two nights were spent on Cape Cod. Admittedly we didn't visit at the best time, the April weather was not brilliant, but it did gives us a great flavour of this beautiful area and an idea of what it would be like in the summer months. Lots of this to see and do including a quaint villages, lighthouses, the glass museum, maritime history and the most amazing local seafood. Wherever we went we were met with the most amazing hospitality. We visited the Plymouth Plantation to learn about the 400th Anniversary of the arrival of the Mayflower in 2020 and the effect on the indigenous Wampanoag people. And finally we finished our stay off by travelling to the home of the New England Patriots...wow what a place, it had a shop larger than most supermarkets at home, shops and hotels, and a great interactive museum where you can learn all about one of the most successful ever NFL teams. I'd love to go back to this area, perhaps in the Fall, there is so much to see and do, hotels were of a great standard and we had some amazing food during our stay....Boston and Cape Cod is highly recommended!

20 July 2015

I was lucky enough to travel to the Island of Gran Canaria in June courtesy of the Spanish Tourist board. Although I had been before, many years earlier, I didn't stray far from my hotel which was such a shame as this lovely island is very diverse and well worth exploring. We were based in the south of the island in Melonares, close to the sands dunes of Maspalomas. A lovely promenade now links these two areas, and offers lots of bars restaurants and shops along the sea front. Our hotel for the duration was the Seaside Palm Beach, a member of the design hotels group. This hotel is in a quiet area, but within easy walking distance of amazing beaches, bars and nightlife. The hotel was very comfortable, service was excellent, the staff made our stay extremely comfortable. The food in particular was of a very high standard, breakfast especially was excellent with huge variety. On our first full day we travelled up through the interior of the island, starting in the very dry southern part most popular with tourists, and driving up to almost 2000 metres in the very centre to see the spectacular views of their mini "Grand Canyon" and the Roque Nublo which stands as one of the tallest points of the island. Quite remarkable that in the centre and the north of the island it is so much greener with pine forests and palm trees, in fact the island boasts over 1000 species of flora that are exclusive to the island. We visited the capital Las Palmas on our second day, to learn more about Christopher Columbus and the importance that the Canary Islands played in the discovery of the New World. A visit to Columbus House and a tour of the beautiful old part of Las Palmas is definitely recommended. We stopped at one of the indoor markets and were blown away by the rich variety of fruits and vegetables on display. Our third day took us on a boat trip along the coast, past the hilly resort to the lovely quaint Puerto Mogan. Referred to as "little Venice" this beautiful low rise resort is built around a harbour, and is a charming low key destination perfect for a relaxing holiday with lots of small boutiques and restaurants. Even if you don't stay here it would be well worth a day trip. Lunch on that day was at the spectacular Gloria Palace Amadores with stunning sea views. The hotel is built above a perfect beach of golden sand and would be an ideal family destination. Our trip might have been fairly short but we saw a lot of this lovely island, and visited a great variety of hotels. Wherever we went the food was excellent, and the hospitality superb. Gran Canarian hotels are currently experiencing a boom in bookings even in the summer which is considered their low season, and it's not hard to understand why. Highly recommended! Contact me on 01905 888450 for further hotel recommendations.

29 May 2015

We travelled out to Mexico in May 2015 for the Gold Travel Counsellors conference in Cancun. We extended the trip by five nights and spent the first part of our trip at the lovely Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita Resort on the Riviera Maya. Just a 20 minute journey from the airport this resort is really quite unique in Mexico being a small boutique property with just 45 rooms, all of which are decorated differently and have ocean views. We were very impressed with the staff who were among the best I have ever experienced. Zoetry is a top shelf all inclusive so the branded drinks and food were excellent, with a choice of three restaurants on site. The beach was quiet and gently shelving which made it excellent for swimming. Quiet and relaxing this is a perfect destination for those looking for a relaxing break. After five nights relaxation we headed for Cancun, which although it was only 30 minutes’ drive it was very different style of hotel. We stayed at the lovely Secrets the Vine, which is right in the heart of the Cancun Hotel Zone. This is a lovely contemporary adults only hotel, again a top shelf all-inclusive, and once again the staff and food were amazing. Secrets the Vine would be ideal for those looking to be more central, closer to the designer shopping and nightlife that Cancun has to offer. There are lots of excursion options locally, we opted for a speedboat trip with snorkelling which was great fun. We had an amazing time in Mexico and really enjoyed both styles of hotel, so if you are planning a trip and are looking for some advice and recommendations then just let me know.

29 May 2015

I was lucky enough to be invited on to the new P&O ship Britannia for its launch party. Britannia is a really lovely ship with amazing on board facilities. Britannia offers three main signature restaurants serving breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner daily. There's also plenty of other eateries to tempt you though from “Grab & Go” outlets and relaxed buffet dining around the clock to speciality restaurants with our famous food heroes. Whatever you fancy, Britannia serves up something for every taste. The cabins are very comfortable, with soothing colours, bespoke artworks from British artists and large flat screen TVs for films on demand. All the outside rooms have balconies and they also have included 27 single cabins, many of which will have balconies. Bathrooms have glass shower screens and pamper packs from The White Company. For the first time on the P&O Cruises fleet there’s a combined dinner and entertainment venue at The Limelight Club; they've injected some real charm into the on board theatre, which has an impressive LED backdrop. For those days at sea, there is the Lido Deck with four pools, all of which aim to recall the old-fashioned glamour of an afternoon spent relaxing on deck, plus lots of on board activities. Britannia is a very impressive addition to the P&O portfolio, if you would like any help in planning your cruise just let me know!

19 February 2014

We travelled up to Gleneagles for our annual Gold Travel Counsellors Dinner on the 8th February and stayed for two nights at this top quality resort. Situated in the most stunning location, just a 45 minute drive from Edinburgh Airport, Gleneagles is a perfect destination for golfers, spa lovers and those looking for a relaxing weekend with excellent service and food. The resort is also very family friendly, and welcomes children. In the spa area there are two pools, one for adults only and one for families. Whilst there we took the opportunity of watching a gun dog display and enjoyed seeing the resident falconry school. Some of our colleagues went horse riding and others took part in clay pigeon shooting and 4 wheel driving options. There are lots of on-site activities for all ages. Gleneagles will host the Ryder Cup in September 2014 and the resort is gearing up to this big event. The golf course is a major attraction, but there are also great walks around the edge of the course, and a drink afterwards in the lovely Clubhouse with its open fire is highly recommended. I was extremely impressed with this resort, the staff were all very welcoming and the food superb, I would have no hesitation in recommending Gleneagles.

27 October 2013

Earlier in October 2013 I escorted a small group of Worcester Warriors fans to Geneva for the Amlin European match against Oyonnax, which was just an hour’s drive over the border into France. We stayed at the Cornavin Hotel in Geneva which was conveniently situated right next door to the rail station. The hotel was ideal and had a wonderful panoramic breakfast room on the 8th Floor with fantastic views over the city. Ideally situated close to a great variety of restaurants it was a reasonably priced four star option. Geneva is a fascinating city and on our first morning we arranged a private city tour which gave us the opportunity to learn more about the history and to see the old part of Geneva and to visit the Cathedral. Geneva is the home of many international organisations included of course, the United Nations and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent, but it is also the home of Protestantism. In the evening we travelled by private minibus to Oyonnax and enjoyed fantastic hospitality from the home team, the match was a diplomatic draw, which helped French - Anglo relations! On Sunday we took the train from Geneva to Lausanne, where we joined to Golden Pass scenic train which took us up to the lovely exclusive resort of Gstaad, where we had lunch. The views from the train were simply amazing, there had been a light dusting of snow on the mountains which made it even more spectacular. The trains ran exactly to time, and it gave us a great opportunity to see more of this beautiful country. Geneva might not be your first choice when choosing a city break, but it is definitely a city worth visiting and is highly recommended.

27 October 2013

Our family holiday this year was a Mediterranean Cruise aboard the Norwegian Jade. We flew from Birmingham to Venice (my second trip to this amazing city this year!) and had a one night pre-cruise stay in the Hotel Kette. We then joined the Norwegian Jade as she sailed the Mediterranean, calling at Corfu, Santorini, Mykonos and Izmir in Turkey. The ship was very comfortable and the staff on board were excellent. The food was varied and we enjoyed their flexi-dine programme, which gives you the option of reserving tables in any of the speciality restaurants, or dining in the main restaurant at a time to suit you. This makes for a relaxed cruise and suits those who don't like the fixed dining times of other cruise lines. One of our party uses a wheelchair and the staff on board were extremely helpful and accommodating, which really made the holiday so much more enjoyable. Our ports of call were very interesting, we made our own way to the castle in Corfu Town and then opted for one of the NCL excursions in Santorini, and pre-booked a private excursion of the fantastic ruins of Ephesus in Turkey. NCL cruises are great value and they are ideal for families with younger children or teenagers, but they also attract younger couples, and the guests were a real mix of different nationalities. If you are looking for a more casual cruise with fantastic children's facilities, then NCL cruises would fit the bill perfectly.

17 June 2013

We travelled to Abu Dhabi this year for our Gold Travel Counsellors Conference, and stayed at the Fairmont Hotel. Abu Dhabi is an up and coming destination, just over an hour’s drive from Dubai. It isn't quite as developed yet as Dubai, and has lots to offer for both stopovers and longer holidays. Take time to visit Ferrari World where you will find the world’s fastest roller coaster or take a drive in a Formula 3 car around the Yas Marina Circuit. Money is no object in Abu Dhabi and the buildings and facilities are spectacular. Although I'm not a F1 fan, I would highly recommend taking a tour around the circuit and its facilities – they are amazing! We also spent a day at the new Waterworld Park, where you can find some amazing rides and fun for all ages. Abu Dhabi would be a great option for a stopover, perhaps breaking the journey to the far east of Australia. I would suggest either the Shangri La or the lovely new Ritz Carlton which opened in May of this year. For longer stays I would suggest Saadiyat Island where the beaches and blue seas rival some of the best in the world. Flying time direct form either Manchester or Heathrow is just around seven hours, so it makes a great destination for winter sun and spring and autumn breaks.

17 June 2013

We travelled to Muscat in Oman for a few days holiday before attending the Gold Travel Counsellors conference in Abu Dhabi, and what a great choice it was. We stayed at the Lovely Shangri La Barr Al Jissah Resort and we had a fantastic stay. The Shangri La is actually made up of three hotels, all in the same bay along a lovely stretch of sandy beach. The Al Waha is the more family friendly of the three hotels and has inter-connecting rooms, a splash park and great kids clubs. Our choice was the Al Bandar, probably more suited to families with older children or couples, and also great for conferences and events. The more deluxe option is the amazing Al Husn Hotel, with its private beach, and although families can stay here it really is more suited to adults. I cannot fault our stay, the food was amazing and we ate in the buffet restaurants but also tried the fish restaurant, the Moroccan option in the Al Husn and the Asian Restaurant. However what really made the stay was the staff; they were wonderful, very charming and couldn't do enough for you. Congratulations have to go to the Shangri La group for their staff training. Without any hesitation I would recommend this resort to any of my clients. Flying time from the UK is just over six hours and the transfer time is approximately 45 minutes. There are lots of things to do in Oman including city tours, boat trips and visits to the souks. The hotel has a range of trips on offer and even has a Turtle Ranger who looks after the turtles who nest on the beach. Children love this and often get the chance to see the hatchlings. Muscat also has a world class opera house which regularly hosts top musical artists. It would be a perfect option for top quality winter sun, and is much more of a genuine and traditional Arabian destination than Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Highly recommended!

30 November 2011

I was lucky enough to travel to Kalkan, Turkey in October with a group of Gold Travel Counsellors. We stayed at the lovely boutique Likya Residence in Kalkan and took the opportunity to see a variety of other hotels and villas in the area. Kalkan is around an hour and a half drive from Dalaman Airport and is a small upmarket resort, just perfect for couples or families. Set into the hillside, the resort has a fantastic choice of restaurants dotted around the picturesque harbour and I must tell you... the food is amazing! There is a great selection of small shops for those wanting some retail therapy. However it is quite hilly so not recommended for those with mobility problems (although Taxis are cheap and easily available). The Likya Residence and Spa is certainly the best hotel in the area and is ideal for couples as it only accepts children aged over 14 The rooms are light and spacious and the spa facilities are outstanding. An unpretentious but very comfortable property with attentive and friendly service, it is highly recommended. Although not beach front , a 5 minute stroll down the hill will bring you to the Yali Beach Club, where you can swim in the crystal clear water from the bathing platforms. Kalkan's small beach can be reached within a 15 minute walk. Also in Kalkan is the family friendly Asfiya Hotel, and a selection of beautifully appointed villas within easy walking distance of the town. There are a number of great places to visit whilst in the area including two stunning Greco-Roman amphitheatres, the long sandy beach at Patara and the resort of Kas, as well as boat trips along the coast. We had a lovely time in Kalkan, even in October the weather was lovely and I would have no hesitation in recommending it as a destination. If you would like further details or prices please let me know. Kalkan has a high number of repeat visitors so early booking is essential.

08 June 2011

This was my first visit to Dubai, and it was great to see a few of the hotels and really get a better idea of the city and the beach areas. We stayed at the fantastic Westin Mina Seyahi Hotel and had an executive sea view room with balcony. This hotel was very much to my taste, the building itself was quite colonial looking and just eight storeys high (tiny by Dubai standrads). It was beautifully furnished in a comtemporary style, and the service and food were excellent. The Westin is next door to it's sister hotel Le Meridien Mina Seyahi, and guests can share the facilities, including the fabulous kid's club. It is right on the beach and near the Marina and the Palm. I would certainly recommend the Friday brunch, called Bubbalicious, one price gives you an unlimited amount of drink and champgane and an amazing buffet, with every concievable style of food..just amazing I also took the time to visit the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, the six star Burj Al Arab, the Madinat Jumeirah, as well as the new Armani hotel in the Khalifi Tower. If you would like more details on any of the properties or would like to chat over the options for either a holiday or stopover in Dubai then just give me a call on 0845 058 7562.

12 May 2011

Looking for a relaxing break in the UK? Then look no further than a canal boat holiday. We spent three lovely days sailing on the Grand Union Canal near Northampton. It was a fantastic few days. We stopped each night to eat in a different pub and ate lunch alfresco moored on the canalbank. Going through the locks was a bit daunting, but easy once you got the hang of it. The boat was a bit cramped and it helps if you are very friendly with your crew mates, but they were well equipped and had everything that we needed for a fantastic weekend.

21 April 2011

Marrakech is a fabulous choice for a long weekend or short break. We flew from Manchester and spent four nights in this fascinating city, staying in a beautifully converted Riad within the medina walls. It was an oasis of calm in the midst of a busy city, and the pool and spa gave us lots of opportunities to relax. On our first morning we headed off with our guide for a walking tour of the city, taking in the Saadiens Tombs, the Souks, a Carpet Shop (of course!) and the famous El Fna Sqaure.The Souks are brilliant and the shopping is fantastic, wonderful leather goods, fabrics, metalwork, all with good humoured bartering! We also took a day trip into the foothills of the surrounding Atlas Mountains, which gave us an insight into the traditional Berber way of living. From here you can trek up to the waterfalls, although the hike is quite difficult so be prepared. I would certainly return to Marrakech and if I had more time I would combine it with a few days at Essauoira on the coast. Highly recommended!

02 April 2011

We have just seen Peter Kay at the O2 in London and stayed at the Crowne Plaza Docklands hotel, which is ideally situated just two stops on the DLR (Docklands light Railway) and the Jubilee line from the O2. The hotel was excellent and very convenient and I would certainly stay there again. The company that I used to book the package has it's own box on the VIP level of the O2 which was fantastic. A private box seating just 30 people with a great view of the stage, bar facilities, private entrance and superior seating. So if you are interested in seeing any events at the O2 just let me know and I can see if they have availability. By the way...Peter Kay was brilliant!

02 April 2011

We travelled down to London to see War Horse which has received rave reviews and we weren't disappointed, the show was fantastic and very moving. We stayed at the Radisson Edwardian Sussex Hotel, which is just off Oxford Street, so ideally situated for anyone wanting to shop! The hotel was quite small, but very comfortable, I would certainly recommend upgrading to a Deluxe Room, as these were quite spacious. Don't forget that I can organise rail travel, accommodation and theatre or event tickets in London.

01 June 2010

Ayubowan! I was lucky enough to travel to Sri Lanka last month with the Sri Lankan Tourist Board. It is an amazing destination, with fantastic scenery, stunning nature reserves and fabulous historical monuments. Sri Lanka is now a peaceful destination following the cessation of civil unrest in the north in 2008 and is an ideal destination to combine sightseeing with a stay in one of their top quality hotels on the coast. We travelled with Sri Lankan Airlines to Colombo, where we stayed for the first night, after visiting Independence Square and the Gangaram Temple. The next morning we headed north to the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage. It was the most amazing sight to see upwards of 50 rescued and orphaned elephants enjoying a cooling dip in the shallows of the river. From Pinnawela we travelled on to Dambulla Caves, a UNESCO world heritage site. The rock towers 160 meters over the surrounding plains and the caves contain a wealth of Buddhist statues and paintings. After an overnight stay at Amaya Lake, we made an early morning start to climb Sigiriya (Lion’s Rock). This is an ancient rock fortress and palace set high on the rock, with over 1200 steps to reach the top. It takes around 45 minutes to reach the top, but it is worth it for the most amazing view of the central Matale area. After a visit to the temples of Polonnaruwa, we stared our climb up to the hill country with a visit to the city of Kandy and the Temple of the Tooth, the royal palace which houses the Relic of the tooth of Buddha. Further on we reached Tea Country, where the air is cooler, stopping en route to enjoy a tea tasting event. We stay in Nuwara Eliya, where they have open log fires and greet us with vegetable soup (even though it’s still 20 degrees!). The next day we make our way down to the coast to the Yala National Park. We left on our first safari that afternoon and were lucky enough to see Elephant, a Leopard and a Sloth Bear, as well as a variety of fabulous birdlife and smaller animals. We had such a great time we elected to get up at 5.30 am the next morning to do it all again! The next day we headed further along the coast to the wonderful walled city of Galle. First built by the Dutch in the 17th century it is a fascinating place, and withstood the effects of the tsunami which caused such devastation along the coast. We then visited a selection of great hotels that run along the coast, staying overnight before our flight back to London. It was a really hectic trip, but gave me a great opportunity to see some of the top attractions and some of the wonderful hotels. We received a very warm welcome wherever we travelled and the food was excellent, lots of fresh seafood, and all of an excellent standard. I would certainly recommend Sri Lanka, either on its own or in combination with the Maldives. If you are thinking of travelling there, just let me know and I can advise you on the best places to see and stay.

02 June 2010

I was lucky enough to be onboard the Celebrity Equinox for it's launch in July 2009. This is the sister company to Royal Caribbean Cruises, and the ship was fantastic! Having travelled on the Independence of the Seas with my family I would say that the Equinox would be the perfect choice for couples or families with older children. The decor is very plush and there is a fabuolus choice of speciality restauarnts and bars, and the pool area is simply stunning. It has a wonderful spa with lots of treatment and relaxation areas. The Equinox's sister ship the Eclipse, will be based in Southampton during the summer months and would be an ideal choice for thos looking for a top quality, adults orientated ship, without the need for flying. If you want to know more, just give me a call on 0845 058 7562

02 June 2010

In May 2009 we sailed to the Canaries aboard the Royal Caribbean ship “Independence of the Seas”. This is a fabulous choice for passengers of any age, especially families or those looking for lots of on board activities. We embarked at Southampton, and so within a couple of hours after leaving home we were in our cabin and on holiday! We set sail and had our first day at sea, followed by a stop in Madeira. We had a great day’s sightseeing on this lovely island including the toboggans down the cobbled streets, and a cable car trip with magnificent views across the city of Funchal. Another days sailing brought us to the Canaries and we took the opportunity to visit Loro Parque in Tenerife, where we saw whales, dolphins and a whole host of animals including leopards and gorillas. The facilities onboard the Independence are superb and include a climbing wall, flowrider wave system, and great kids clubs. There is a choice of restaurants, the buffet style option and the more formal dining room, as well as speciality restaurants. The food is of an excellent standard and the service is impeccable. There was top class entertainment every evening in the theatre and activities throughout the day. We had a great holiday with Royal Caribbean, if you want to know more about this ship, or any other cruise options, just give me a call on 0845 058 7562.

17 September 2008

If you are looking for beautiful white sandy beaches, clear blue sea and plenty of fascinating things to see and do then Thailand is the destination for you. We spent a wonderful week there in November 2007, staying first at the Centara Krabi Bay Resort in Krabi for five wonderfully relaxing days. This hotel is set in its own bay and can only be reached by boat. It is in the most stunning location, and the facilities were superb, with a great choice of restaurants and the most wonderful spa. You can take a short boat ride into Krabi resort to make the most of the shopping, and boat trips can be arranged to explore the coastline. We then flew back to Bangkok to spend three nights at the Shangri-La Hotel. Having stayed in many city hotels I have to rate this one as one of the best. The rooms were spacious and very comfortable, and the food was simply stunning. Not only was there a choice of restaurants but in the evening, alongside the river, was the most amazing buffet, offering dishes from all parts of the world. Whilst in Bangkok we took a day trip to the Bridge over the River Kwai, visiting the beautifully maintained war cemeteries, the bridge itself and we also took a boat trip on the river and a train on part of the original railway built by allied prisoners. It was a very moving experience and one that I would certainly recommend. On our second day in Bangkok we took a tour of the Royal Palace, which was preparing for the King's 80th Birthday. This is one of the must see destinations in Bangkok. The Palace is richly decorated and is also home to the Emerald Buddha, much revered by the Thai people. If you're brave don't miss taking a trip in a Tuk-Tuk whilst you are in Bangkok. I was so pleased to arrive in one piece that our driver got the biggest tip of his life! Thailand is a truly wonderful place to visit, and I would have no hesitation in recommending it, and I certainly plan to return in the near future. The Thai people are so very welcoming and gracious, it really is a perfect holiday destination.