11 September 2023

Lefkada Island, known as the 'Caribbean of Greece'. Greek authentic and just a short hop from Preveza airport. Connected by a bridge to the mainland, lifted a few times a year, which gives Lefkada it's island status. One of the Ionian Islands. Here there are some of the most photographed beaches in the world, with dramatic mountain back drops, and marinas that cater for yachts. We stayed at hotel Crystal Waters, a small luxurious hotel with a lovely vibe and contemporary arcitecture, located in the village of Nikiana, which is full of water front bars and restaurants. The hotel has beautiful pools, private pools and sea views. It has a very cosmopolitan ambience, and high level food choices. It's worth hiring a car to drive to beaches and through the beautiful mountainus interior up to hilltop villages. Or you can hire a little boat to visit the tiny isles close by, and swim in the sea caves in the remoter outliers such as Kastos and Kalamos. It's also possible to sail by Skorpios, the legenary island of Onassis and Jackie Kennedy. You can also visit the Ionian Island of Kefalonia. Top Tips: Take an Island boat trip to visit the blue flag sandy beaches with turquoise water. Hire a car to visit the villages in the mountains. Visit the Waterfalls in Nydri. I book hotels with Breakfast or Villas with pools so that you can experience the restaurants. Visit Lefkada Town for a vibrant nightlife.

20 January 2021

Kirkeness is located in the extreme North Eastern part of Norway, so perfect for The Northern Lights. 4 days and 3 nights flying from London via Oslo. Spending 1 night in the Snow hotel, followed by 2 nights in a Gamme Cabin. Day 1: Itinerary: Coach transfer from the airport to the hotel. Welcome to winter wonderland! Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure at this unique hotel. Wander around to see the hotel, enjoy a drink in the ice bar and warm up before the night in the Høyloftet restaurant. Northern Lights tour by coach Enjoy an evening hunting the lights by coach together with an experienced guide and driver that will do their outmost – together with technology available for forecasting – to ensure that if they are dancing in the sky you will see them! Hotel: Snow room in the snow hotel Board basis: Bed & Breakfast, Dinner Transfers: Coach transfer airport – hotel Distance and journey time: Approx. 15-20 min airport – hotel transfer, Northern Lights tour approx. 3 hours Day 2: King Crab Safari Have you ever imagined fishing your own King Crab and enjoying it as fresh as it gets? Today you will go on a snowmobile safari – you can enjoy and relax in the snowmobile sleigh wile your driver guide transfer you through snow and ice. Reaching the destination you will wait for the cage to be pulled, with some luck it is full of these enormous crabs and you will bring it back to enjoy! Hotel: Gamme cabin private room or similar (limited Gamme capacity) Board basis: Bed & Breakfast, Dinner Transfers: Start at the hotel Distance and journey time: 3-4 hours excursion from your hotel Day 3: Sami cultural experience and husky sledding SAMI CULTURAL EXPERIENCE Today you will enjoy a cultural travel into the world of the Sami. You will get to meet the reindeers and try to feed them with their favourite course; reindeer moss! Then Lavvu tent where you will get to learn more about the Sami traditions and beliefs. Did you for example know that the Sami taught their children that the Northern Lights might come and take them if they did not behave nicely towards them? HUSKY SLEDDING Together with your musher you will enjoy the power of these amazing animals! Enjoy the silence of the woods, while listening to the breath of the huskies pulling you through the snow covered landscape. Hotel: Gamme cabin private room or similar (limited Gamme capacity) Board basis: Bed & Breakfast, Dinner Transfers: Start at the hotel Distance and journey time: Sami approx 1 hour + Husky 2 hours Day 4: Coach transfer hotel – airport Transfers: Snowhotel – airport Distance and journey time: Approx 15-20 minutes

23 August 2020

Travel with a purpose I suspect that we will remember the long year of 2020 as the year of COVID19, which presented us with devastation and confusion, dodging between safe air corridors of travel and the ever-changing FCO advice, and Zoom meetings. In August 2020 I wanted to have a first-hand experience of what it would be like to travel by air, pass through an airport and security, and adhere is protocols put in place by hotels around the world. There have been so many questions around wearing a mask, what will it be like? Will I have to wear a mask on the beach? What if my destination is put on the return to UK quarantine list? I opted for Belfast and if you are interested you can view my blog. It will soon be available. My Summer holiday was planned for sailing around the Greek Islands, but it was impossible for me to travel in the knowledge that many of my customers have been disappointed to have to rebook or cancel their holidays and business trips. I have enjoyed having more regular contact with my customers, giving them assistance, advice, reassurance and support. I would not have been able to sit at my desk since March without the outstanding support from Travel Counsellors' head office and directors. They have been immensely caring. They have given all us Travel Counsellors access to our Coronavirus hub, proving guidance to rebookings, cancellations, refunds, and the ever-changing policies of our partners and airlines. In addition to health and safety, protocols, Mental Health access, financial support access, and daily TCTV updates, and as ever providing a caring, professional, and personal community. I have never felt alone in all this. We have all carried on working daily since lock-down. It takes more time to unravel, cancel or rebook a trip, than the hours spent putting a travel itinerary together. You can only continue with this resilience and passion for what you do, in what has been a very tough time for the travel industry, if you have the support of your family and friends, and the outstanding Travel Counsellors community. In business there are always opportunities if you keep a positive mindset, and I am very excited for the future of my travel business. In the meantime, I am sure that we will travel with a purpose, leisure and corporate. We will cherish our travel experiences and memories and have a greater appreciation of the amazing destinations we can travel to. And above all I hope that we will be kinder to the environment, our wildlife and give back to communities around the world through travel. Let us travel with a purpose!

28 December 2018

Vietnam – Resilient people, breath taking landscapes and world-famous cuisine. It borders with Laos, Thailand and Cambodia. I travelled from South to North in December 2018. I felt safe and the people are friendly and unassuming. The scenery is stunning. Day 1: Saigon – Ho Chi Minh City This is the capital of the South. From here you can access the Southern Islands, go hiking in Dalat and explore the Mekong delta. I spent two nights in Saigon. The standard of accommodation is good, and there are plenty of good bar and restaurant choices. I stayed next to the waterfront. This was a very good choice away from the busy streets. The traffic is like nothing you may have seen before! Most of the habitants travel around by motor cycle and this is a must-see experience! I recommend a street tour on motorbike or on foot with a guide. Day 2: I visited the Cu Chi tunnels which is a sobering war remnants museum from the ‘American War’. It is poignant experience witnessing how the locals would have lived in the tunnels, and how they worked against the enemy. Day 3 – A Day in Ben. I drove through the countryside past paddy fields and coconut trees. I boarded a local boat for a first glimpse of life inside the Mekong Delta’s maze of waterways. I also took a row boat, tuk tuk, and then took a 2km cycling trip around the village and admired the tranquillity of the delta. It is also possible to take a Mekong Delta cruise, and these even go as far as Cambodia. Day 4 - To beach resort of Mui Ne This was a 4-hour drive. I chose this resort due to weather conditions in Vietnam in December and wanted to be somewhere hot! Accommodation here is of a high standard and very eco-friendly. The beach is beautiful white sand, and an excellent choice for kite surfers. Day 5 and 6 - Mui Ne Day 7 – To Hoi An I flew from Saigon to Danang, which is a 40-minute road transfer to Hoi An, located in central Vietnam. Hoi An is a world heritage town full of lanterns, colourful shops, galleries, cafes and outstanding restaurants. It’s located just 5 minutes from An Bang beach, which has golden sands and beautiful views. It’s possible to stay in beach houses here. In Hoi An I recommend a countryside bicycle tour and a Vietnamese cooking class. Day 8 Hoi An Day 9 to Hanoi - I travelled by air from Danang to Hanoi. Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam. All roads in Vietnam lead to Hanoi. Parisian style streets and busy, full of makeshift pavement cafes. Fascinating old French quarter and French influenced architecture. The standard of hotels here are excellent. I stayed at the La Siesta Hanoi Trendy Hotel. Quirky and excellent! I don’t recommend just walking the streets in Hanoi because it is very easy to lost! It’s better to take an arranged tour or get a guide. A street food tour is good, and there are plenty of very interesting museums. If you are a foodie, Hanoi is a must. Day 10: Ha Long Bay I travelled 2.5 hours by road to Ha Long Bay. It’s a world heritage site and one of the most beautiful sites I have ever seen, and full of magnificent rock formations. I took an overnight Bhaya cruise around the bay and visited one of the three remaining water villages. There were also some interesting activates on board which included a cooking class, fishing and Tai Chi. This was one of the highlights of my trip. Day 11: Hanoi Day 12: to Hong Kong. Climate: Varies from North to South. In the North there are four seasons including monsoon. In the South there are just two seasons, wet and dry. Money: The local currency is Vietnam Dong. US Dollars are also accepted in some areas. Entry: At this time a visa is issued on arrival for UK passport holders. Other areas of interest: Sapa in the North for rice terraces, homestays, mountains and trekking. Da Lat in the South for old French villas, canyoning, trekking, cycling and flower and vegetable farms. Phu Quoc Island – Off the Southern tip of Vietnam, sea food, beach and relaxing. Unique marine life. Hue – Central Vietnam. Perfume river, temples.

20 November 2017

An ancient and romantic city located in the Lazio region of central Italy, and the capital of Italy. Rome is a year-round destination and perfect for a mini-break. I spent three nights there with my husband for our wedding anniversary. It has been a long time since I’ve had a culture shock! Rome was stunning, interesting and totally unexpected! Beautiful buildings, cobbled streets, lovely restaurant choices and easy to get around. We travelled with British Airways from London Gatwick to Rome Fiumicino. It is also possible to fly to Ciampino airport. From Fiumicino we took a small shuttle bus transfer, which took around 50 minutes’ due to traffic and drop offs. It’s worth noting that these types of transfers do not drop you to your hotel door due to many small side streets and pedestrian areas. For our return transfer we had a private car that collected us from our hotel. The whole experience was worth it, paying a little extra for comfort and convenience. It is also possible to take a train from the airport to Rome Termini station. We stayed at the ‘Luxury Trevi Fountain apartments’, which is in fact a small hotel, but many rooms have a sitting area. The location was perfect: two minutes’ walk to the Trevi Fountain, and within 10 minutes’ walk to the Colosseum and Spanish steps. This was the perfect location for the sites, restaurants and shopping. Top Attractions The Colosseum Gladiators and wild animals fought to the death within the ‘Amphitheatrum Flavium’ every other day at the height of the Roman Empire. Even if you simply stare at it from the tree lined street, the colosseum inspires awe for bygone ancient glory like no other monument I have ever seen. For the Colosseum we asked the hotel reception to book ‘skip the line’ vouchers for us. This saved queuing and cost around €16 each. It is also possible to hire audio in different languages, enabling you to complete a self-guided tour. This cost €5 each and enhanced our experience. The Spanish Steps Flanked by pink palazzos and palm trees, 138 steps of polished, curvaceous travertine cascade towards the luxury retail zone of Piazza di Spagna and Via Condotti. There is no charge to walk up and down the steps. It is nice to sit in a café here and watch the world go by! Trevi Fountain – Fontana di Trevi This was the highlight for me. It’s simply stunning as the sun shone on the marble columns and pristine white statutes, with the water cascading down into the fountain. It is an entire three-storey building façade filled with fanciful, exaggerated tableau of Neptune driving his two-seahorse chariot towards a wide pool of pale blue water. The fountain is located right in the middle of a busy pedestrian cobbled street, full of cafes, shops and small hotels. It is extremely popular and busy. I recommend arriving early morning or as the sun goes down. As our hotel was two minutes from the fountain, I got up early one morning and arrived at 7am to avoid the crowds, and it was worth it! There is no charge to visit the fountain. The Vatican We took a pre-booked excursion for this. It is an absolute must or you could be queuing in the sun for hours. I recommend visiting early morning or late afternoon because as you can imagine, it is extremely busy here. St Peter’s Basilica – with Bernini’s piazza and Michelangelo’s dome crowing the skyline, the interior of St Peter’s is the most impressive. The Vatican basilica was completed in 1626, and it a huge treasure chest of artist pieces, including Michelangelo’s pieta. I particularly liked the huge ancient maps which adorned the walls. Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel – during the 1500s, the Popes began hoarding the Greek and Roman sculpture that is the core of the collection in these three-mile-long galleries. Restaurants The food is good in Rome! I don’t usually eat ice-cream but here it’s a must! I recommend Cherry and Amaretto. For a couple of coffees, you can expect to pay round €8, and eating out like any city is a matter of choice. Eating a meal down a side street is always going to cost you less! Our best meal was at the Chianti restaurant located three minutes from the Trevi Fountain. It’s a typical authentic Italian restaurant recommended to me by one of my customers. You can eat inside or outside, and eat anything from spaghetti bolognaise to Apollo chicken or beef steak. There are vegetarian options, and very good wine. Language Gelato – Ice-cream Grazie – Thank you Per Favore – Please Parla Inglese? - Do you speak English? Non capisco – I don’t understand Quanto costa? – How much is it? Buona sera – Good evening Arrivederci – Goodbye una tavola per due – a table for two vino bianco – White Wine To do in Rome • Food Walking Tour • Helicopter over Rome • Shopping • Sit outside a café and watch the world go y • The Spanish Steps • Colosseum • The Vatican • Open-air cinema on Tiber Island (July and August) • Jazz Festival (July and August) • Antiques and craft fair • Hire a scooter • Take a hop on/hop off bus tour • Trevi Fountain • Walk the tree lined streets • Wine tasting Top Tips • Pre book excursions and skip the line tickets before you travel • Plan a rough itinerary to maximise your time • Stay in a centrally located hotel • Take a private car transfer from the airport • Have breakfast included in your hotel stay • Reserve a table at a restaurant for your evening meal in high season • Go to see Michelangelo’s painted ceilings at the Vatican Climate Rome enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with mild winters and hot, dry summers. January is the coldest month in Rome, and July and August the warmest. The weather in Rome during summer (June to August) can be uncomfortably hot, with temperatures often exceeding 95°F (35°C) at midday, and locals tend to close their businesses during August. Winter (December to February) is mild, with the average temperature in December hovering around 55°F (13°C). Heavy snowfall is rare but almost every winter there are light snow flurries in the city. Rain showers are possible any time of year, but the drizzle is seldom very disruptive to visitors. The best time to travel to Rome is in the springtime, between March and May, when skies are blue and the weather warm. Autumn is also considered peak tourist season, as the months of September and October are very pleasant.

25 May 2016

I spent one summer week on the most photographed Greek Island – Santorini. It is beautiful! Facts Santorini, official known as Thira, is located 200kms from the Greek mainland, and is a member of the Cyclades group of Islands. It is at the core of an ancient volcano. The Island’s two towns, Fira and oia are perched on the cliff tops at the highest parts of the island, with cave like buildings. Fira overlooks the Islands harbour, and visitors walk or ride up and down the steep winding path between the Harbour and the town. The archaeological remains of ancient Thira date back to 9th century BC. Oia is the town you see on all the Greek postcards! Domed blue and white buildings set into the cliffs with magnificent views. This is a very popular location for Weddings – I saw two while I was there! Perissa and Kamari are the main resorts for swimming beaches, both characterised by their volcanic black sand. I recommend Kamari because there is a good choice of restaurants and bars, and has a good standard of accommodation. It is possible to take a short boat journey to Perissa from here, and a bus to Thira. Accommodation Santorini is not for you if you like all-inclusive! I recommend self-catering or bed and breakfast, so you can try lots of Greek restaurants. If you want a good quality beach location, head to Kamari, or if you can up your budget stay in a B/B or a cave accommodation with private Jacuzzi or pool in Oia. Climate Typically Mediterranean with influences from North Africa. Temperatures in July and August reach 30c. Travel to Santorini Santorini has its own airport and it is possible to fly direct from the UK in the summer months. Ferries and catamarans operate from Athens. Top 10 things to do… • Visit Thira. Shop, eat and go down to the harbour on foot or by donkey • Visit beautiful Oia. There are shops and restaurants built into the cliffs like caves • Take a boat trip • Visit the Archaeological museum of Thira • Go cliff jumping at Amoudi Bay • Hire a quad bike and drive around the island • Jump off a boat in to hot springs • Stay in a Cave house • Experience the REAL meaning of dinner with a view • Get the perfect spot to watch the most famous sunset in the world at Oia

31 May 2015

In April 2015 I travelled to the Maldives for my honeymoon. Having previously travelled to the Seychelles and Mauritius, I thought there would be nothing to compare in this area of the world. The Maldives is paradise and my favourite! Facts Just north of the equator the Maldives are 1% land and 99% ocean, they consist of approximately 1190 coral islands, grouped in a double chain of 27 atolls. They are spread over roughly 90,000 square kilometres, making the country one of the most unique destinations in the world. Only 200 of the islands are inhabited. They are full of swaying palms, sandy beaches and blue lagoons. Travel to the Maldives We travelled with Etihad Airlines to the capital Male via Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. This is a busy airport but the connection was very organised and stress free. The service provided by Etihad was excellent. From Male we took a 35 minute sea plane to the island of Kuredu. This was an amazing experience and we were able to view multi islands from the aircraft. It is also possible to reach islands by boat and speed boat, and at certain times of the year British Airways operate a direct flight to Male. I would also recommend a connection through Colombo, Sri Lanka because you get most of the journey out of the way. It is also possible to combine a holiday in the Maldives with a stay in Sri Lanka. Climate The Maldives are close to the equator so there is plenty of sun year round. The average temperature is close to 30 degrees, and the water temperature is around 28 degrees. I compare this to swimming in a bath! During the summer months there is a chance of stronger winds and showers. The best time to visit is March to May. Accommodation We stayed at the 4* Kuredu Island Resort and Spa, located in the Lhaviyani Atoll, 90 miles north of Male. You can walk the island in 45 minutes. Upon arrival at Male airport before our connection to the seaplane, we were met and escorted to a private lounge staffed by Kuredu resort staff and given refreshments before boarding our plane to the island. The professional and friendly service started here and continued throughout our entire stay. All Inclusive and no tipping expected. We stayed in a beach bungalow which was fully air conditioned and also had a ceiling fan. The bathroom was located outside and I found it a lovely experience having the opportunity to shower outside in the warm air. Our view was incredible, basically a paradise view of the fine white sandy beach and turquoise blue sea. There are three resorts on the island, the family friendly section, the adult only O resort, and the exclusive Sangu resort, each having its own beach, bar, restaurant and pool areas. There is also a wide choice of accommodation including beach bungalows, water villas, Jacuzzi villas and villas with a private pool. We looked at all types of accommodation so I am able to make a recommendation. There are several restaurants to choose from depending on your type of accommodation. There is a wide choice of international and Maldivian food - curries, fish, and rice. It is possible to book into one of the beach restaurants at a supplement. There is also a Japanese and Italian restaurant. We booked a private beach dinner and watched the sun go down, whilst eating king prawns and lobster. Top 10 things to do • Sail on a luxury yacht to local islands • Diving • Spa • Dine around • Visit your own Robinson Crusoe Island • Evening entertainment • Play a round of golf • Snorkel at the world’s most stunning coral reefs, and Swim with the baby sharks and turtles • Behind the scenes • Private Beach dinner Top Tips • No shoes required! Only take one pair of shoes, most of the residents walk around barefoot, and even the restaurant floors are sand! • Book an all- inclusive resort. This is the most cost effective way to stay in the Maldives • When visiting islands and Male inhabited by locals, women should cover their shoulders and knees out of respect for the Muslim locals • Observe the signed swimming areas, there can be strong currents • Pack light! Beach wear and for the evening – light trousers, smart shorts and shirt for men, and summer dress style or co-ordinates for ladies • Snorkel – the sea life is amazing • Go for a minimum of 10 nights My Highlights • The friendly staff who only want to make you happy • Swimming with baby sharks • Sunset Cruise • Visit to a local inhabited island and meeting the locals • Private beach dinner • Being on my honeymoon and looking out from our room to paradise