24 December 2019

In November I was lucky to gain a place on an educational trip to the amazing country that is Japan, arranged by Setouchi Tourism. Setouchi area comprises the Seto Inland sea and the surrounding prefectures of Hyogo, Okayama, Hiroshima, Yamaguchi, Tokushima, Kagawa and Ehine. Very comfortable JAL flights delivered us to Tokyo and then onwards to Osaka. Our guide and interpreter whisked us off to our first hotel, the Sheraton Kobe, one of England's homes during the Rugby World Cup. Our first full day was spent meeting with local businesses and learning all about the region to prepare us for the incredible whistle stop tour on which we were about to embark. Japan is composed of almost seven thousand islands. We were to travel throughout Awaji Island onwards to Shikoku, visiting several other small islands in the Seto Sea and then back to Honshu. Our excellent itinerary included ascending the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge, at almost 4km, the longest suspension bridge in the world with its dramatic views and learning the correct way to visit shrines and temples, even completing our own 'mini pilgrimage' between two temples. Unfortunately, time did not permit walking between all 88 on the circular route! We experienced a Japanese puppet theatre performance followed by an informative backstage tour. We watched as fishing boats returned to Awaji and speedily unloaded and sold their catch on the quayside to waiting hoteliers and restaurateurs. We undertook an izakaya, a Japanese 'bar crawl', visits to small, informal bars to sample dishes of the day prepared, often in front of you, by the bar owner. We learned about the production of indigo and, amazingly, managed to produce our own tie died handkerchief! We were also treated to a lesson from a top sushi master and received a certificate to prove it! We took a boat in search of the Naruto Whirlpools, created by large volumes of water moving between the Seto Sea and Pacific Ocean and also visited a couple of smaller islands that, owing to the decline in industries such as fishing and copper, have been turned in to art islands. Heading deep into the centre of Shikoku, to the absolutely stunning Iya Valley, we stayed in Japanese style hotels or ryokans. A slight shock to some westerners as the furniture is very low and on entering your room there is no bed! Not a problem as whilst you are at dinner, your futon is prepared! Many ryokans offer Japanese onsens, baths fed by natural hot springs, a great way to relax after a busy day. As a volcanically active country, Japan has thousands of onsens scattered throughout its major islands. In the Iya Valley we cycled, crossed a 45 metre vine bridge spanning a deep gorge and boarded a boat along the Oboke gorge, marvelling at the natural cliffs that appear to be the work of a giant sculptor, now designated as a Japanese National Monument. We headed deeper in to the mountains and spent the night in remote thatched (luxury!) cottages. A chilly night but very cosy on our futons with underfloor heating! After our night in the mountains it was back to civilisation in the form of Okayama and then we were off on the Shinkansen or Bullet Train to Himeji for a whistle stop tour of the famous castle. The castle is the largest and most visited castle in Japan and one of the first UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the country. It looked resplendent on its hilltop position surrounded by the autumn colours but apparently is even more spectacular in the spring time when surrounded by the thousands of cherry blossoms. Onwards to Kobe to lunch on the melt in the mouth Kobe Beef and then to Mount Rokko to visit Kaze no Kyokai, a chapel designed by the renowned Japanese architect, Tadao Ando before arriving at our final destination, Arima Onsen. Ando’s work can be seen throughout Japan, for example, the Honpukuji Water Temple and the Teshima Art Museum. Arima Onsen is famous for its hot springs and as dusk fell we toured the town and then spent our final night at the luxurious Arimasansoh GoshoBessho and our ‘last supper’ was an amazing eight course dinner followed by a final chance to relax in their onsen before making our way home. During our visit we stayed in various hotels and visited many more and everywhere were made very welcome but, unfortunately, after eight amazing nights and days, it was off to the airport and then a very comfortable trip home via Helsinki with Finnair. My visit to Japan provided an amazing insight in to the country, traditions and people but there is so much more to see!! Please do not hesitate to get in touch if the above has whetted your appetite as I should be more than happy to put together and confirm an unforgettable trip to Japan for you.

12 September 2017

I decided that I would like to visit Russia and after much consideration settled on a river cruise which provided not only the opportunity of visits to both Moscow and St Petersburg but also provided the chance to view and explore the countryside between the two cities. After arrival in Moscow the transfer to the river cruise terminal through the city provided our first insight in to the city of Moscow. The following day brought an early start for a morning tour of the Kremlin complex, the old fortress that was the centre of the Russian Orthodox Church but is now the seat of Russian Government together with the many interesting buildings and a visit was also made to the Armoury Chamber, home to many fabulous treasures. The afternoon was spent exploring the many interesting and eminent graves in the Novodevichy Cemetary such as Khrushchev, Yeltsin and Chekhov to name but a few. The evening was spent exploring Moscow by night with trips to view some of the amazing decorations in the metro stations. The second day in Moscow brought a city tour with a view of all the sights with time to spend in Red Square and its surroundings to see the stunning St Basil’s Cathedral and GUM department store and then a visit to Sparrow Hill, the city’s high point for a view over the city before returning to the ship for departure for Uglich through the many locks of the Moscow Canal. A walking tour of the sights and churches around medieval Uglich founded in the 12th century and famous for clock making then followed before we set off along the Volga River, through the Ribinsk Reservoir, for Yaroslavl, a picturesque town with numerous ancient churches and fortresses. Next stop Goritsy for a visit to the Monastery of St Cyril complex with its cathedral, museum of history and art etc on the banks of the White Lake. Founded in 1397, it still has a community of monks in residence. Onwards again through the six very narrow locks of the Volga Baltic Canal to reach Lake Onega, the second largest lake in Europe, heading for Kizhi Island. Kizhi is one of the most ancient inhabited sites in Russia, now an open air museum and UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 1714 the Church of the Transfiguration was erected on the island, a wooden structure with 22 onion shaped domes with not a single nail used in its construction! Such a shame that it was undergoing repair and only five were available to see! Off again across Lake Onega to the Svir River to reach Mandrogi. It had been mainly a small fishing village, hardly touched by time but during World War II, was burned to the ground. Then, after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, a group of investors rallied to restore it to its former glory and it is now full of working craft shops, a great place for souvenirs, not to mention the Vodka Museum, home to more than 2,800 varieties of vodka! Then we set off for our final destination, stunning St Petersburg, for our last two days in Russia. Our day started with an orientation tour to show the major city sights, followed by free time to wander with our packed lunch! We then rejoined our group for a visit to the Hermitage Museum which was truly amazing. Apparently, if you spent just one minute of your time looking at each exhibit, it would take 11 years to see everything! A return to our ship for a quick change and dinner and we were off for a display of very skilled Cossack dancing – a very long but brilliant day! Another packed day was to follow. An early departure for the Catherine Palace, the summer residence of the Tsars, another truly amazing palace. More than 100 kilograms of gold were used just to gild the sophisticated stucco façade and the numerous statues erected on the roof! It is also the home of the famous Amber Room. Unfortunately, when German forces retreated after the siege of Leningrad they intentionally destroyed the residence, leaving just a shell. However, prior to World War II Soviet archivists had managed to document a fair amount of the interior which has enabled a fairly accurate reconstruction. Our last afternoon saw us heading towards the Peterhof Palace sometimes referred to as the ‘Russian Versailles’ for a tour of the lower gardens, laid out according to the plans of Peter the Great, flowing down from the Palace to the Gulf of Finland, the eastern end of the Baltic Sea. As evening arrived we took a canal boat trip around St Petersburg and as our trip neared its end, we escaped from the canals in to the Neva River to witness a fabulous sunset, an amazing end to a truly wonderful 10 day experience. If you would like some more information on Russia, or indeed any river cruise, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

12 July 2017

Perhaps one of the Mediterranean’s best kept secrets – the island of Corsica! An uncommercial, green land offering stunning mountain scenery, long coastlines dotted with beaches and sailing ports, combined with a wealth of history and culture! Something for everyone! After a short, two hour flight from London and a mere half hour transfer, I arrived at Mark Warner’s San Lucianu Beach Resort on the east coast in time for lunch! The hotel adjoins the beach and is not large, the 95 rooms ensure you are never far from any of the facilities. Excellent for the times you arrive for an activity and realise that your water bottle or one sailing shoe is still in your room! You have the choice of standard rooms in Corsican style facing the stunning mountains and the sunset, or the superior, newly upgraded, sea view rooms. I opted for the latter for the view and for the sound of the sea as you drift off to sleep with the added bonus of the amazing sunrises. Family, interconnecting rooms are also available. Full board is included with meals served on four nights and three night’s buffet, one of which is a barbecue. Wine is included with lunch and dinner and this summer there is the option to upgrade to an all inclusive drinks package. Some choose to simply chill and relax, however, for many, the emphasis is on the activities offered! From road cycling and hybrid bikes to tennis to fitness classes to sailing, windsurfing, kayaking to stand up paddle boarding down to table tennis, boules and more! Again, something for everyone. Tuition also available together with organised bike rides ranging from The Grand Tour at 91.4 km to my kind of ride, the 5.8 km to the ice cream parlour! There are also two swimming pools available, with one specifically for adults. No pressure to take part but a chance to try something new, improve an existing sport or refresh an interest from previous years. Children are also well catered for with clubs according to age that go beyond the normal art, singing and games activities to sailing and windsurfing etc. A drink at the beach bar, the classes, the social tennis and the social table for dinner all ensure that solo travellers (and couples) are never without new friends for long!! From the hotel a short walk along the beach takes you to the little town of Moriani Plage or, in the other direction, to a marina. If you want to see some more of the island, the walk to the waterfall is a must, not forgetting to stop at the cool (in both senses!) riverside café with its hammocks and quirky furniture. There are various excursions on offer such as the day trip to Bonifacio to see the harbour, citadel and old town. A boat trip there is a must, to see the rock formations and the unbelievable houses hanging from eroded cliffs. Finally, a big ‘thank you’ to the wonderful team led by manager Wayne, who go ‘overboard’ to ensure you a fantastic holiday! Whatever your activity level, you cannot fail to have fun at San Lucianu! Now, which one of the remaining five resorts shall I try next?

29 December 2016

At the beginning of December, I was invited by Saga to join a small group to fly out to Gran Canaria to experience Saga Sapphire first hand on her return to Southampton. The ship had left Southampton earlier in December and had already visited Madeira, Tenerife, and La Gomera. Saga Sapphire is a small, relaxing, elegant ship, carrying no more than 720 passengers served by 415 crew. All cabins are spacious with an average floor space of 220 square feet and Sapphire also offers 44 specially designed single cabins. All are well equipped with en-suite bathroom, seating area and spacious wardrobes and all come with personal cabin steward, 24-hour room service, a daily bowl of fresh fruit, bathrobes, toiletries and a nightly turn down service. Further luxuries are available with cabin upgrades. We arrived on board just in time for afternoon tea and were all bowled over by the experience! A fabulous spread of savouries, sandwiches, cakes and my favourite, scones with clotted cream! Time then to prepare for dinner, an amazing barbecue under the stars at The Verandah Grill where there was also the option to eat inside. Shortly after 10 pm the sail away party started on the Verandah Deck and Sapphire slipped her moorings as many guests danced the night away. Our first full day on board was a day at sea but so much to do! Line dancing classes to bridge to lectures to quizzes to craft classes to bridge and gallery visits! Saga Sapphire certainly has it all covered. If all that was not enough, there was always a spot of pampering in the Spa or the Hair & Beauty Salon to be had!! The evenings offered shows from the onboard troupe together with various guest performances or perhaps a quiet drink accompanied by the resident pianist. Saga Sapphire is also equipped with both indoor and outdoor pools, a gym, a library, a small computer and learning zone, crazy golf on the top deck and a small selection of shops and several bars. There are two main restaurants, Pole to Pole, with open or fixed seating dining, The Verandah Grill with inside or outside buffet dining and the speciality East to West fusion restaurant by reservation. Located by the swimming pool is The Beach Club serving fish and chips and with beach huts serving constant ice cream and traditional sweets!! Our journey to Southampton permitted stops at Agadir, Casablanca and El Ferrol in Northern Spain. There are many optional excursions to book in each port ranging from city tours to cultural trips or journeys to cities further afield such as Marrakesh. In Agadir, I was able to visit the ancient Kasbah followed by an insight into Berber traditions which included fantasia, an exhibition of traditional horsemanship and synchronised gunfire. In Casablanca, I joined the city tour to see sights such as the Royal Palace, the Law Courts, the Hassan II Mosque and the traditional quarters. The stop at El Ferrol allows for a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city of Santiago de Compostela with its cathedral and quaint old city. It is the third most popular site of Christian pilgrimage after Jerusalem and Rome as the cathedral was built on the spot where the remains of the Apostle, St James were said to have been found. One final day at sea and then our early morning arrival in Southampton and home! Please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like any further information or advice on Saga cruises or in fact on a cruise product and I should be more than happy to advise.

24 August 2016

The first time I flew through Dubai I was extremely apprehensive. As the plane dropped lower and lower, all I could see on the ground was sand! Well, that was around 35 years ago and things have changed a great deal! I have flown through Dubai several times since then and have marvelled at the amazing expansion that has occurred both outwards, upwards and also into the sea. Dubai has become a city suspended between the future and tradition. I made a mental note that I really should return to explore the area. Although I have made many ship visits over the years, my preference is to be more of an independent traveller/explorer. I had never spent more than a couple of nights on board a cruise ship. However, all this changed at the beginning of 2016 when I saw the fabulous itineraries now being offered by cruise ships in The Gulf. And so, in the middle of March, I flew to Dubai to experience my first proper cruise and to explore the area. After an evening departure from London, we arrived the following morning. A short taxi ride and we were at the cruise terminal. Bags were dropped, lunch was taken on board and we were off! I can thoroughly recommend the hop on/hop off open top bus tours, and after negotiation we acquired tickets for not only that day but also to cover our day of return to Dubai, and for some of the other destinations on our itinerary. We managed to explore the old town, the museum, gold and spice souks and take an abra ride across the creek before returning to the ship for dinner as we watched the skyline of Dubai disappear as we set off for Abu Dhabi. Another open top bus tour cramming in all the major sights! The buildings are amazing along the Corniche, such as the Sky Tower, the landmark Emirates Palace Hotel, the Heritage Village, Saadiyat Island, Yas Island with its grand prix circuit and Ferrari World. And not forgetting the stunning Sheikh Zayed Mosque, one of the largest in the world, accommodating up to 40,000 worshipers. It is Abu Dhabi’s most important landmark and one of the most beautiful mosques in the world. On reflection of the Mosque’s religious importance to Abu Dhabi, no expense has been spared in its construction. The Mosque features 82 domes all decorated with white marble, with 1000 marble columns, each inlaid with semi-precious stones. The prayer halls are bedecked with Italian white marble inlaid with floral designs, and the Mosque’s interior walls have decorative gold-glass mosaics. It features the world’s largest chandelier; 15 metres high and 10 metres in diameter. The prayer hall also holds the world’s largest hand-knotted carpet. The carpet was crafted in Iran by 1200 artisans who were then flown to Abu Dhabi to stitch the carpet pieces together in location. The Mosque’s 17000m2 courtyard is decorated with white marble from Greece and the building is surrounded by tiled pools that reflect and embellish the Mosque’s spectacular image. The following day was a relaxing day at sea, allowing us to enjoy the facilities of the ship before arriving in Muscat, Oman for another bus tour to see the sights such as the Royal Opera House and the famous Mutrah Souk, an absorbing labyrinth of narrow, perfume laden alleyways packed with colourful shops. The next day, we were in the Emirate of Sharjah arriving at the beautiful bay and container port of Khor Fakkan. Then it was off to return to Oman, to Khasab, at the tip of the Musandam Peninsula, sometimes dubbed the "Norway of Arabia" because of its extensive fjord-like craggy inlets and desolate mountainscapes where our dhow cruise permitted us to spot dolphins chasing our boat before our return that night to Dubai. Our last day was spent hopping on and off the open top bus yet again to see as much of Dubai as we could. The huge shopping malls containing the Dubai Aquarium and Ski Dubai, Atlantis the Palm, the Burj al Arab, the Dubai Marina, culminating with our sunset trip up the Burj Khalifa watching the Dubai Fountains dancing below us. Although we were slightly disappointed that the extremely unusual heavy rain and flash floods that occurred the week previously prevented us getting out on our wadi/desert exploration trip, we enjoyed an amazing week. Where there once was just desert, today we find the tallest buildings in the world, with the boldest of architecture and some of the most luxurious hotels in the world that coexist with the historic palaces and remnants of the long and rich Arabic history. A cruise is an easy and cost effective way to visit this area and to escape our winter temperatures for some warm, but not too hot, weather. Travelling to each destination overnight and without the need to pack and unpack! We travelled in a balcony cabin on MSC Musica as the dates fitted but there are other cruise lines offering similar itineraries. Please do not hesitate to get in touch if I can help you with this or any other cruise itinerary.

22 July 2015

A short spring break was definitely needed! But where to? My friend and I finally decided on Malta. A three hour flight from Gatwick with flight times that would maximise our short time away. There is an abundance of history to become acquainted with (in fact about 7,000 years of it!) should the sun decide not to shine on us at the beginning of April. Malta is a Southern European island country comprising of a few islands in the Mediterranean Sea around 80 km south of Italy. It covers just over 316 square km, with a population of around 450,000, making it one of the world's smallest and most densely populated countries. The capital, Valletta, is the smallest national capital in the European Union at just 0.8 square km. Valletta has also been recently named as European Capital of Culture for 2018. Malta has two official languages, Maltese and English and driving is on the left, making it very easy to hire a car and explore. Our pre-arranged taxi was at arrivals to meet us and within an hour of landing on Maltese soil, we were checking in to our sea view room at the Preluna Hotel and Spa in Sliema, our home for the next few nights. We were soon out walking, enjoying lunch by the beach and then afternoon tea on the terrace of the Fortina Hotel with the stunning backdrop of the Valletta skyline before returning to our hotel for dinner and then an early night to prepare for our exploration of the island the next day. We took an open top bus tour of Malta. You are provided with a set of earphones to tune in to the sightseeing commentary in your preferred language and the hop on/hop off service allows you to explore Malta at your own pace. As always, on arriving in a previously unknown destination, this type of tour is a really good introduction to a country. There are many stops such as Tarxien Temples, Mosta, Mdina and the Blue Grotto as well as the three UNESCO World Heritage sites to be found in Malta, the City of Valletta, the Megalithic Temples and the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum. We stopped for lunch at the traditional fishing village of Marsaxlokk, one of the prettiest in Malta with its harbour full of the very colourful, traditional fishing boats. The following day, to explore Valletta in greater detail, we decided to try the local buses. A short, interesting ride around the coast and we were at the entrance to Valletta. A fortress city, a city ‘built by gentlemen for gentlemen’, Valletta is named after its founder, the respected Grand Master of the Order of St. John, Jean Parisot de la Valette. St John’s Co-Cathedral is a must to visit and there are also many museums and visitor attractions and of course, the narrow side streets are full of statues, fountains and coats of arms, high up on parapets, with quaint shops and cafes whilst the main streets and a new shopping complex are home to many international brands. The Upper Barrakka Gardens are also well worth a visit, built on the highest point of Valletta, they date back to 1661 when they were private gardens of the Knights of Malta. Not only do the gardens offer fantastic view of the Grand Harbourt but also of the three cities of Senglea, Vittoriosa and Kalkara. It is here that every day at noon, members of the Malta Heritage Society, dressed in British Artillery uniforms, fire a salute. After dinner at our hotel, we returned to see Valletta by night on our bargain bus ticket. 1.5 Euro buys a day’s bus travel, however if staying for a week, it is even better at 6.5 Euros!! A visit to the Maltese Islands would not be complete without a visit to one of the other islands. Again, we made use of the local buses which took us to the ferry port at Cirkewwa and then a 20 minute ferry crossing for 4.65 Euros and we had arrived at Mgarr, on Gozo. It is also easy to take your hire car across on the ferry for around 15 Euros. Gozo is around a third of the size of Malta with a more rural and laid back feel. Victoria, also known as Rabat, the capital, is worth a visit to see the citadel and cathedral. Lunch was found in the beautiful bay of Xlendi. Unfortunately, our few days on the island of Malta were soon over. However, with it's very agreeable year round climate it is a good place to visit at any time for outdoor activities such as walking and golf in addition to the history and beaches. The calmness and clarity of the sea together with an abundance of reefs, caves and wrecks also provides some of the most interesting diving experiences in the Mediterranean. If I can assist you with planning your relaxing break to Malta, please get in touch!

01 May 2015

At the beginning of March 2015, I was delighted to have been able to join the inaugural launch celebrations of P&O’s brand new ship, Britannia, in Southampton. MV Britannia is the largest cruise ship built for P&O exclusively for Britain and she is by far the largest ship in their fleet at 141,000 tons. Emblazoned on her bow is the longest Union Flag in the world at 94 metres. She can carry 3,647 passengers in a total of 1,837 cabins with 27 single cabins (inside and balcony) together with 64 suites and, for the first time on a P&O cruise ship, all outside cabins have balconies. Britannia was designed to encompass the very latest in design, entertainment and dining whilst also be a celebration of the past. Her relaxing colour scheme of nautical blues, creams and greys with touches of gold and silver gives rise to the feel of a luxurious boutique hotel and is all about understated luxury. Apart, perhaps, from the atrium with its absolutely stunning starburst sculpture. Britannia is big on art and features more than 6,000 pieces, in the restaurants, the corridors and also the cabins, all originals by British artists. Dining is a very important feature on board Britannia. There is a choice of 13 restaurants and cafes with menus designed by the likes of Marco Pierre White and Atul Kochhar together with 13 bars. Dining can be ‘freedom’ or ‘fixed’. P&O have also enlisted the help of TV Chef James Martin and have created the first cookery school onboard a British ship, the Cookery Club, with well known chefs such as Mary Berry and Antonio Carluccio leading the classes. On board Britannia you will find four pools, including one for adults and one for the teenagers, a state of the art gym, together with classes and the stunning Oasis Spa and Retreat in addition to all the entertainment venues. The Reef is the place to be for kids! Children from 2-17 are well catered for in The Reef with four age specific clubs to entertain them throughout the day and evening with the added benefit of the Night Nursery for those from 6 months to 4 years from 6pm to 2am. During the summer season Britannia will sail to the Mediterranean, Norwegian fjords, the Baltic and the Canary and Atlantic Islands. In the winter she will sail in the Caribbean. I hope the above has provided a brief introduction to Britannia, but please do not hesitate to contact me if you are interested in travelling on her or any other cruise ship in the future.

29 April 2015

My trip to Les Deux Alpes in February began with the luxury of a mid morning BA flight from Gatwick to Grenoble. Well worth the small supplement, in my opinion, for a much less stressful start to a ski holiday than the usual crack of dawn flight requiring attendance at the airport at around 4am on a cold winter’s morning! Within a couple of hours of landing in France we arrived at our home for the week, the Chalet Hotel Berangere. Still time to collect our skis from the in house supplier and to get out on the slopes in front of the hotel for a chance to ‘find our ski legs’ before the skiing started in earnest the following morning. Then back to the hotel for a fabulous afternoon tea of homemade soup and assorted homemade cakes and biscuits. Just what was needed! Les Deux Alpes is one of France’s oldest and most prestigious ski resorts with excellent skiing courtesy of the resort’s high altitude and glacier, the largest in Europe. The resort has over 200 kms of pistes to suit all levels of skier and snowboarder together with plenty of après ski, whether it be on the mountain or in the many cafes and bars in the village below. The hotel has an amazing location, facing south, alongside the piste, with a large sun terrace offering superb views of both mountains and village. It offers ski in/ski out with a variety of room types catering for singles, couples and also offers family suites, the majority of which have balconies directly overlooking the piste. The lounge with its welcoming log fire and views of the piste and dining room with view of the village are to be found on the ground floor. In the morning, there is a wide choice of continental and English breakfast items and then a three course dinner with complimentary wine six nights a week, permitting an opportunity to sample the local restaurants too. On the lower ground floor there is a sauna, steam room and heated indoor pool together with the Viva Spa. All most welcome at the end of hard day’s skiing! There is also complimentary WiFi. Children are well catered for at the Berangere with their own clubs offering plenty of activities for the youngest guests under the supervision of qualified staff who will also take those four and older to and from ski school. Children’s early tea is also offered seven days a week. Sadly, the week seemed to whizz by and our week was soon over! The slightly later than usual flight home ensured that the last night could be enjoyed to the full with without the worry of a very early start to return to the airport! This type of chalet hotel break can also be enjoyed in various other resorts in France, Austria and Italy. Please do not hesitate to get in touch and I can advise on the best resort for your next ski holiday. Roll on next winter!!!

03 November 2014

As a self-confessed activity junkie, I was very much looking forward to my visit to Messini Beachclub at Analipsi, near Kalamata in the Peloponnese, to experience all the activities on offer! An early morning flight followed by a short, twenty minute transfer through countryside abounding with vineyards and olive groves brought us to our destination in time for lunch. Messini Beachclub is to be found in a fairly secluded position on a wide bay with a long, sandy beach, against the stunning backdrop of the Taygetus Mountains. The recently opened, low rise hotel is ultra modern style, an abundance of concrete with splashes of bright colours offering minimalist furnishings reflecting its Swedish design. Rooms can be in the main hotel or villas in the grounds. The hotel is exclusively for Neilson guests and offers a plethora of activities with all necessary instruction from beginner, right through to intermediate and advanced classes. To obtain the most from your time at the beachclub, attendance at the introductory welcome meeting is a must! The beach is a perfect spot for all types of water sports. The early morning calm is great for water skiing and wakeboarding, with the wind generally building towards the afternoon to keep the sailors and windsurfers happy! Kayaking and stand up paddle boarding are also available as is scuba diving, the latter as an extra. Excellent instruction in all is included, if required, with the possibility to obtain RYA certification in dinghy sailing and windsurfing. Alternatively, it is possible to just take out the kit you would like with the added bonus that you return it to the beach for someone else to de-rig! In addition to the watersports facilities, there are five tennis courts (again with a full range of instruction) and a choice of road and mountain bikes. Organised rides are available, ranging from short, sociable trips for a drink to longer, more technical rides. Bikes are also available for free riding to explore and visit neighbouring villages. There is also a comprehensive fitness programme ranging from yoga and pilates to Zumba and boxercise together with beach volleyball. I can also thoroughly recommend the stretch and relax at the end of the day!! Buffet style breakfasts and lunches are included together with four dinners. Perfect! This provides the opportunity to sample the local cuisine in the excellent value tavernas within walking distance, although meals can be obtained in resort on these evenings. There are also ‘social tables’ at mealtimes which provide another great opportunity for making friends, especially if you are travelling solo. Messini Beachclub is an amazing place for families with children. There are specialist kids clubs from ages 4 months to 17 years. Activities, for all ages, include sailing, windsurfing, tennis, kayaking, ski boat rides and even paint the nanny (or manny)!! Children can dip in and out of club but once experienced, stay, as they hate the thought of missing anything! Clubs generally run between 09.30 and 05.30 but two days a week they commence just after lunch and continue as ‘sleep club’ until 11pm to allow parents the chance to explore the local area on an non inclusive night. If you can stay awake after a full day’s activities, there is low key entertainment such as a quiz night, staff show or an evening with the resident singing guitarist. There is also a fully equipped spa offering a wide range of treatments together with a resident sports physio and, if all the above is not enough, there is a small gym! However, it is perfectly acceptable to laze around the pool or the beach and get to grips with that book you have always been meaning to read! No pressure to do anything apart from enjoy! You can also spend a very entertaining afternoon on the beach as people try to get to grips with dinghy’s, windsurfers and SUPs!! There is something for everyone at a beachclub. Couples of all ages, families with children and solo travellers. However, all the above would not be possible without the amazing staff who cannot do enough to help and to make your stay truly memorable! There are beachclubs throughout Greece and Turkey, all offering the same style of facilities but all slightly different with some being more suited to certain sports than others. I have experienced many of these so please do not hesitate to get in touch so that I can assist you in your choice and help you to have a fantastic beachclub experience.

22 November 2012

I recently experienced a mini version of Travelsphere’s ‘Treasures of Tuscany’ Tour. Set against the wonderful Tuscan scenery, our very hospitable base for four nights was the Hotel Villa Ricci in Chianciano Terme. A big plus was the relaxing thermal pool for unwinding after a hard day’s sightseeing! Our first expedition was to the ancient, picturesque village of Bagno Vignoni. The heart of the village is the Square of Sources, a 16th century rectangular tank which contains the original source of the village’s thermal springs, in use since Roman times. You can even paddle and test the waters! We continued to Pienza where, in addition to the amazing architecture, there are stunning views from its hilltop position over the Val d’Orcia. Pienza is also reputed to be home of the world’s best sheep cheese, pecorino, which can be sampled in the local shops. We continued on through a patchwork of vineyards, orchards and fields dotted with villas, castles and small villages to Montepulciano. This 16th century fortified hill town is crammed with palaces and churches. It is also a major producer of food and drink and we were able to sample a little, courtesy of La Croce Di Febo wine estate, including the famous Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. We learned about the vineyard’s production of wines and olive oils and its progression from farm to agro tourism. A brief stop was then made at a small olive pressing factory to see how local people can bring their own produce to be processed. The following day an early start permitted us to visit the Piazzale Michelangelo to enjoy a magnificent aerial view of Florence prior to meeting our local guide for a comprehensive walking tour of major attractions such as the Basilica of Santa Croce and the Ponte Vecchio. Florence is also home to such masters as Michelangelo, Leonard da Vinci and Dante. Our excellent guide’s final piece of information was to suggest a visit to a ‘gelateria’ for some local ice cream, definitely to be recommended! Our third day was spent in Siena, famous for its cuisine, art, museums, medieval cityscape and the famous horse race, the Palio which takes place in July and August each year. We continued on to San Gimignano, a walled medieval hill town known as the ‘Town of Fine Towers’ due to the vast numbers built by feuding families as status symbols in medieval times. The town also claims to host Italy’s “Best Gelataria”! Our final evening was spent at Palazzo Bandino near Chinciano. This working farm has been owned by the same family for generations and dates back to the 16th century. It produces excellent wines and olive oils which we were able to taste during our final Tuscan feast! The farm also has rooms in the main house which are available to book as well as garden cottages. It offers wine tastings and cookery classes in addition to relaxation in the swimming pool and spa. Our final day saw us heading to Rome to enjoy a whistle stop tour of the most important sites, such as the Vatican, the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain, a brief taster of what the city has to offer. The trip was a mere taste of what Tuscany has to offer and I would certainly recommend a longer stay. A guided tour is an excellent way of maximising your experience!

19 July 2011

Our arrival at Thanda Private Game Reserve was well timed to coincide with afternoon tea before setting off for our afternoon game drive in an open topped jeep. Within minutes we stumbled across three lions and were able to watch as they drank from a waterhole. After various animal sightings, including two cheetahs, we stopped for ‘sundowners’ in the bush and admired the vast, clear African sky at night. A 5.30 start the next morning enabled us to watch the sun rise over the bush and see zebra, giraffe, African wild dogs, nyala, impala, warthogs and elephant, all metres from our jeep. Thanda, meaning ‘love’ in Zulu, is South Africa’s top award winning safari destination. Thanda offers nine private circular villas all with their own private deck with infinity pool, thatched sala for game viewing and private outdoor dining boma. There is also a luxury tented camp and a Royal Private Villa for exclusive use with its swimming pool and waterhole. Departure for the iSimangaliso Wetlands (formerly Greater St Lucia) and our boat trip came too soon. South Africa’s first natural heritage site and largest natural park extending from Cape St Lucia in the south to Kozi Bay in the north. The largest mammal to be found here in the seas is the humpback whale and the largest on land is the African elephant. It is home to the largest population of hippos and to more than 1,000 crocodiles. Over 500 species of birds inhabit or pass through the area. A breeding ground for both the loggerhead and leatherback turtles as well as a home to many other species of animal. St Lucia is a relaxed, seaside town and our one night’s stay here at Amazulu Lodge was certainly not long enough to take in all the area has to offer. Another early start ensured we arrived in Durban (three hour drive south) in good time for our boat trip in search of the South African sardine run. This occurs usually occurs May/July when billions of sardines spawn in the south and make their way northwards. Shoals can be up to 7km long, 1.5km wide and 30m deep and are visible from the surface and spotter planes. This draws many predators such as sharks, dolphins, seals, whales and numerous sea birds in a frenzy of feeding. Unfortunately, we were a little too early as the main shoal was still slightly south of Durban. We were not too disappointed as many dolphins joined us on our journey, jumping and frolicking around our boat. After an exciting morning at sea it was off to Florida Road to lunch on the local delicacy, ‘Bunny Chow’, Durban's version of fast food and on to explore Victoria Street and the Muthi Markets. The latter’s stalls are crammed with organic ingredients which range from crocodile teeth to snake skins to bird claws and a variety of plants and mysterious powders used by the Sangomas (herbal medicine practitioners) to prescribe appropriate cures for their patients! Then it was off to The Oyster Box Hotel on the beach at Umhlanga Rocks about 20 minutes north of Durban for our last night. This iconic landmark has recently been totally refurbished to offer guests a vibrantly contemporary experience and, like its famous lighthouse, once again acts as a beacon of exceptional hospitality, luxurious accommodation and personal service unmatched in all Africa. Following our farewell breakfast, including oysters and champagne, we headed back to Durban to see the Southern Sun's Elangeni Hotel, brilliantly situated on Durban's Golden Mile, 200 metres from the beach and the warm inviting Indian Ocean. The hotel is also the base for Bike & Saddle who offer eco-friendly cycle tours, which can be a short tour of the beach front and city, longer trips or providing a bike for your own exploration. The Beverly Hills Hotel, also on the beach at Umhlanga Rocks in sight of the protective lighthouse, was the last stop on our very much whistle stop tour. Fine dining and exquisite sea facing rooms make this a great place to stay. A superb lunch was had by all with the chef providing a special trio of chocolate desserts to send us on our way to the airport 12 kms away for our short flight to Johannesburg. We finally boarded our South African night flight for the eleven and a half hour journey home overwhelmed by the vastness, the sights and sounds and experiences of Kwa Zulu Natal. I hope I can return soon! Ngiyabonga!

19 July 2011

Sanibona! I was privileged recently to have been one of a small group of six taken on a tour of Kwa Zulu Natal courtesy of the Tourism Authority. My first time to South Africa, it vastly exceeded all expectations!!! One of nine provinces in South Africa, KZN, often known as the ‘Zulu Kingdom’ has everything in one area that South Africa has in the country! It has great all year round weather, breathtaking landscapes, is rich in history and diverse in culture. It is a sportsman’s paradise with some of South Africa’s top golf courses. KZN is alive with activity!! I flew overnight with South African Airways to Durban, via Johannesburg. We were met by our guide and new friend, Bongani. We then headed north-west past Pietermaritzburg towards the Midlands. A rich, rolling landscape has drawn many creative inhabitants, which has given rise to thriving cottage industries and the ‘Midlands Meander’, a series of easily self-drive arts and craft routes. Accommodation ranges from bed and breakfasts to boutique hotels to enable visits to the cheese factories, leatherworks, mini brewery, potteries and many other craft shops. Our first stop was at Fordoun, originally a dairy farm but now a boutique hotel with an award winning restaurant and spa. A welcome massage followed by a ‘float’ in the saline floatation tank was very welcome, as was the delicious lunch! An easy twenty minute drive brought us to Granny Mouse Country House and Spa. The cup of hot chocolate was welcome on arrival, and the log fire in our room was much needed - despite the sunshine in the daytime, it was winter after all! A fantastic dinner was had by all in the fine dining Eaves Restaurant. Granny Mouse is fabulous, a very individual thatched property with spa and award winning wine cellar and extensive views of the countryside. It also has its own thatched wedding chapel! It’s a good base to relax or from which to explore the local arts and crafts such as Tsonga Leather or perhaps Culamoya Chimes for that extra special souvenir wind chime. A couple of hours drive through farms and Zulu villages brought us to our next stop, Cathedral Peak Hotel, set high in the Drakensberg Mountains, which is a World Heritage Site. It is a centre for many outdoor activities, such as hiking, walking, mountain biking, golf, fishing, bird watching and many indoor activities, such as the spa. Although winter, the daytime temperature allowed us to take an open air lunch before setting off for short trek to appreciate the scenery followed by dinner and overnight in rooms with amazing views. The following day brought a three hour drive eastwards to the historic battlefield areas of both the Anglo Zulu and the Anglo Boer Wars. Our lunchtime stop was Fugitives Drift Guest House and Lodge, named after Lieutenants Melvill and Coghill who lost their lives attempting to save their Regiment’s Colours and whose graves are on the property. Onwards to the site of the Battle of Rorke’s Drift with its memorials where the battle story was brought to life for us by historian Rob Gerrard, FRGS. That night was spent at Isandlwana Lodge, superbly carved into the iNyoni rock - the rock upon which the Zulu King stood to survey the battle scene. The views from the lodge over the plains to Isandlwana Rock are unparalleled. We continued northwards towards the border with Swaziland and then headed back south to Mkuze where we lunched at Ghost Mountain Inn. This very comfortable ‘country inn’ is perfectly placed to enjoy the array of wildlife and the coastal reserves and also to relax in the spa and enjoy the glorious gardens. Our journey continued...

18 July 2011

Having travelled to a great deal of the East, I was very excited to have been invited by Mahindra Homestays to visit Incredible India. India is a vast melting pot of cultures, colours and customs with amazing sights, sounds and smells. Homestays provide a unique, authentic slice of India. A chance to gain insight into the destination from the local perspective. An opportunity to experience life in a wide range of homes from mountain cottages to plantation homes and waterside retreats. A chance for adventures not normally found on the tourist trail! I travelled on a nine hour flight to Mumbai with excellent service from Jet Airways and then a connection down to Goa. It was a very exciting time to be in India, arriving in the middle of Diwali, the largest festival in the Indian calendar. We were taken to a very popular local restaurant to celebrate followed by traditional delicacies and the traditional fireworks at Arco Iris homestay. A great ending to a very long day as we then settled in to our first night of homestay experience at Stain Glass Cottage in Margao, the cultural centre of Goa. The following day saw a trip to Northern Goa and visits to several homestays, 30 Assagao, the stunning Capella and the amazing Olaulim Backyards. A visit to Old Goa and an evening riverboat trip with the local people finished our day. The next day brought a flight to Madurai via Chennai and then an onwards journey by road to eventually reach our destination, Munnar, in the Kanan Devan Hills. The highlight of our journey was the crowd that gathered in a small village to see the five English ladies stopping for a 'comfort break' with the locals! Two nights were then spent in the mountain cottages of Ambady Estate surrounded by 70 acres of cardamom plantation interspersed with pepper, coffee and tropical fruit trees. After an early start on our first morning we reached the Kolukkumalai Tea Estate, the highest tea plantation in the world. A delicious lunch at a Club Mahindra then a short time spent bargaining for amazing spices in the shops in Munnar and we were heading back for a delectable dinner at Ambady followed by a private performance of the local Kathakali style of dance. We continued our tour via Thekaddy for an elephant ride then a fine lunch at an elegant plantation house, Pepper County, followed by a tour of the plantation before continuing on to stay at the traditional Heritage Plantation. The following morning saw a very early departure in jeeps for the Gavi Wildlife Reserve. A hearty breakfast at the reserve followed a couple of hours of searching for the elusive inhabitants and then a real jungle trek which was one of the highlights of the trip for me! The following day saw us at Kottyam where we lunched at Meenachil Enclave, an exclusive farm with beautifully landscaped gardens en route to Alleppy for a lakeside dinner followed at Taamara with another private local dance performance and where members of our party spent the night in two over water cottages. The remainder of us were accommodated at Vembanad House, a stunning Kerala-style house surrounded by water on three sides. Sadly our last day had arrived but this started with a relaxing ayurvedic massage followed by an even more relaxing lunchtime cruise on the Kerala Backwaters in a typical kettuvallam houseboat. On our return to shore a couple of us wandered into the local village, chatting to locals and exploring the surroundings. As darkness fell we took a trip on the lake in the homestay's dugout canoe to view the local fishermen at work catching lobsters! An early bed before an early start for home but our last day closed after dining on an Indian feast of local lobster and prawns! A wonderful way to finish a truly amazing visit to Incredible India!!! Thank you for reading my journal and please do not hesitate to contact me for any further information.