17 June 2022

Last month I was lucky enough to spend a week onboard Virgin Voyages Valiant Lady. Its an adult only ship that does things slightly differently to everyone else! From quirky features in the cabin (everything is controlled by a tablet, even the curtains!) to the vast dining options, this is a playground for the young at heart. We found that once onboard, the only thing we needed to pay for were our alcoholic drinks. All the dining options are included, we had Italian, Mexican, Steak at the Wake, the amazing Korean BBQ, as well as a wide choice for lunches in the food court style casual dining area. Wi-Fi is included throughout the ship, as are all your soft drinks on draught. We purchased a prepaid bar tab, which gave us credit to buy our wines, beers, spirits and cocktails and we found the drinks were reasonably priced. No need to worry about tipping at all on this trip, as all gratuities are included in the price you pay! Don't bother packing your Suit & Tie, it's a very casual affair. Book your dining time on the Virgin Voyages APP and rock up and enjoy.....no fixed dining here! Just remember to pack something red for "Scarlet Night" and be prepared to get wet at the poolside party later on in the evening! If you have never fancied cruising because you don't like dressing up and don't like the formality and unexpected charges and if you want something different and like tech savvy gadgets and quirky entertainment and pop up performances, this is the "something different" you have been looking for. Get in touch for a quote and I can always answer any questions you may have

19 August 2021

Some of you may have followed my recent trip to Corfu on my Facebook page (Search DriffieldTravel) but if you missed it, here is a quick guide to explain that travel is not as difficult as the media or government would have you believe! My comments apply to those that are able to prove they are fully vaccinated, so remember if you aren't fully vaccinated my comments won't apply to you. You need to fill in the form below to enter Greece. Currently no test is required to enter Greece, just proof of vaccination: https://travel.gov.gr/#/ You need to book the following 2 tests here, (they are currently £79 per person for both tests) but wait until around 7 days before travel in case anything changes with the rules: https://www.chronomics.com/holiday-21?affiliate=holiday21 Use discount code: holiday8 You complete the form to enter the UK here, within 48 hours before coming home. It asks for your code from your negative lateral flow test and your reference number to prove you have the PCR test booked for when you are home: https://www.gov.uk/provide-journey-contact-details-before-travel-uk Make sure you have travel insurance in place to cover you for your trip: Travel Insurance Quote: https://travelcounsellors.rockinsurance.com/quote/create?email=jason.bailey-amos@travelcounsellors.com Check your passport is valid, remember you need to count 9 years and 6 months from the issue date as the expiry date is no longer correct for entries to the EU! So In reality, to travel to most of the green and amber destinations, if you are fully vaccinated, you just need to complete a couple of forms online and take a test in resort and a test when you get home! AIrports and flights are pretty quiet at the moment, because people are being actively discouraged by complicated sounding rules!

21 June 2021

Last weekend I did something I hadn’t done for the last 18 months. I set foot on a cruise ship at Southampton and departed for a 3 night sailing around to Liverpool on the brand new MSC Virtuosa. I was very excited to get back to doing something i love at long last! In this new world of travel, I wanted to experience what was required to make my cruise happen. It was very easy and straightforward getting onboard and I had been emailed regularly about what would be required on arrival in Southampton. We arrived at the terminal and showed our travel insurance policy and my vaccine status on the NHS APP as soon as we entered the terminal We then proceeded through security, showing our passports and tickets as usual. We then were greeted by a friendly member of staff who took us behind a curtain and we had a nose swab, to test for COVID before we proceeded to check-in. We checked in at the desk and got our cruise cards the same as every other time I have cruises and then sat waiting to board for around 15 minutes In that time the nose swab results came back negative and we were given the all clear to board. It took 45 minutes from start to finish! Once onboard, we spent 3 fabulous days exploring all that the ship had to offer. It was great to have fabulous food served to us in the restaurants, all the buffets are open as usual, with staff serving whatever you want to you plate, rather than you handling various utensils. Drinks were served to me in all bars and restaurants and I could scan a QR code if I wanted to view a menu in any venue. We spent the day relaxing on deck and swimming in the pools (we were lucky with the sunshine) and it felt very safe on deck. These ships have a maximum of 1000 people on, instead of the usual 3000+ so its easy to remain socially distanced. Last weekend I did something I hadn’t done for the last 18 months. I set foot on a cruise ship at Southampton and departed for a 3 night sailing around to Liverpool on the brand new MSC Virtuosa. I was very excited to get back to doing something i love at long last! In this new world of travel, I wanted to experience what was required to make my cruise happen. It was very easy and straightforward getting onboard and I had been emailed regularly about what would be required on arrival in Southampton. We arrived at the terminal and showed our travel insurance policy and my vaccine status on the NHS APP as soon as we entered the terminal We then proceeded through security, showing our passports and tickets as usual. We then were greeted by a friendly member of staff who took us behind a curtain and we had a nose swab, to test for COVID before we proceeded to check-in. We checked in at the desk and got our cruise cards the same as every other time I have cruises and then sat waiting to board for around 15 minutes In that time the nose swab results came back negative and we were given the all clear to board. It took 45 minutes from start to finish! Once onboard, we spent 3 fabulous days exploring all that the ship had to offer. It was great to have fabulous food served to us in the restaurants, all the buffets are open as usual, with staff serving whatever you want to you plate, rather than you handling various utensils. Drinks were served to me in all bars and restaurants and I could scan a QR code if I wanted to view a menu in any venue. We spent the day relaxing on deck and swimming in the pools (we were lucky with the sunshine) and it felt very safe on deck. These ships have a maximum of 1000 people on, instead of the usual 3000+ so its easy to remain socially distanced. I didn’t really feel that COVID impacted on my trip at all. Entertainment was all provided as usual and the cruise line delivered everything I expected to get on a cruise, all done in a safe and secure way If I didn’t have to remember to put my mask on every time I moved around, I wouldn’t have really noticed any changes. It’s definitely something I would do again (I am already booked for later in July) and I would recommend it as excellent value alternative to the limited staycation land based options that are quickly filling up this summer I didn’t really feel that COVID impacted on my trip at all. Entertainment was all provided as usual and the cruise line delivered everything I expected to get on a cruise, all done in a safe and secure way If I didn’t have to remember to put my mask on every time I moved around, I wouldn’t have really noticed any changes. It’s definitely something I would do again (I am already booked for later in July) and I would recommend it as excellent value alternative to the limited staycation land based options that are quickly filling up this summer

10 April 2019

Baltimore may not be the first place you think of for your trip to the USA, but it should definitely be considered as part of a FlyDrive or tour from New York down to Washington DC. We flew into New York, but there is a direct flight with BA straight into Baltimore if you don't want to see New York. Newark airport actually has a train station with direct trains down to Baltimore, but we flew into JFK and transferred to Manhattan for sightseeing and dining opportunities, so you could stay as little or as long as you want here. (we popped up the Empire State Building as we passed through!) The Amtrak trains depart regularly from Penn station in New York and head south via Philadelphia (we didn't stop here on this trip, but I would definitely suggest giving it a try) and gets you to Baltimore in around 3 hours. The train is fast and comfortable, with a bar and wide seats with power points and lots of luggage space above the seat. We found that the front of the train was quieter with more available seating for us. Once in Baltimore, I was surprised by how easy it was to get around to all the attractions, with most of the city available within walking distance of our hotel. I recommend staying at the Sagamore Pendry, located in the beautiful Fells Point area of town. The old wharfs and cobbled streets have undergone a renaissance of late and have a great vibe for shopping and dining. (we ate at Barcocina with its light Mexican fayre) If you are a fan of Baseball, why not take in the match day vibe with a visit to the game (tickets start from around £15). It’s not really my thing, but I really enjoyed being part of the Baltimore Orioles vibe. Baltimore has a great Aquarium which is worth a visit as is the American Visionary Art Museum and for Whiskey fans, the Sagamore Spirit Distillery should be on your list and you can get around using the Water Taxi Service. For a special dinner experience, why not give Bygone a try. The roof top bar with views over the city are breath taking, as is the food and if food and drink is your thing, head out of town and explore the Vineyards (we visited Black Ankle Vineyard with tastings from $15) en-route to Frederick, a great heritage town, with the McClintock Distillery to sample the locally produced spirits and some great bohemian shops and cafes to explore. From here you can continue your journey down to Washington DC as part of your road trip and experience all the sights that great city is renowned for. All in all, Baltimore should not be overlooked. It’s a great price to visit and stay a while, or to pass through on your tour, or as a starting point to your Royal Caribbean Cruise. It has an unexpected place in my heart, and I shall be heading back again soon.

17 December 2018

I can’t believe it’s been 8 months since my trip to Vietnam from north to south, starting in Hanoi and ending up in Ho Chi Minh City. In Hanoi we stayed in the Old Quarter, not far from Hoan Kiem Lake. This is the traditional commercial heart of the city with many shops and restaurants. We stayed for three days in Hanoi, using it as a base, and only spent one day in the city itself, but we felt that was enough time to see all the main points of interest. The other days we visited the Perfume Pagoda, about 2 hours north of Hanoi, and one of the main Buddhist sites in Vietnam. This is a good opportunity to see the countryside around Hanoi and includes a very picturesque 1-hour boat ride to the temple. We also went to Halong Bay – possibly the highlight of the whole trip! The scenery is stunning, and even though it was cloudy the whole time, it didn’t detract from the beauty and tranquillity of the area. We stayed overnight on an old (but very luxurious) junk and visited the (aptly named) Surprise Cave, and a local floating fishing village. From Hanoi we flew to Ho Chi Minh City (HCM) in the south of the country. We stayed at a hotel right on the river. The rooftop bars offer great views over the city and you could easily lose an afternoon just watching the world go by from here. This hotel is also at the heart of District 1 which has the main tourist sites and the most high-end shopping and restaurants. It is also opposite the river cruise terminal, if you can cross the road! We wandered across one evening and just went on board for a few drinks as we had already eaten - it was 50p each for the trip and was a very enjoyable hour or so. HCM has many iconic buildings, from its French colonial past up to those made famous through the images of the fall of Saigon from the 1970s, so a city tour is well worth it. If you’re interested in a Vietnamese perspective on the “American War”, do visit the War Remnants Museum, be warned though, several the exhibits are not sanitised in any way! We also visited the Mekong Delta on a short river cruise. It’s certainly a great way to get up close to village life along the water and I was amazed by how friendly people were, especially the children. They loved seeing visitors. If you do think about visiting Vietnam, it is worth remembering that tourism is still relatively new. Be aware - they eat virtually anything, especially in the north. “Dog anybody?”. As for the traffic – it is manic, especially in the cities. There are thousands of mopeds per square foot! Walk slowly into the road and they will dodge around you!

08 October 2015

Wow, if you have never considered a River Cruise.......Think again. I wasn't really sure what to expect from a trip along the Seine through Normandy. I often think of Northern France as somewhere I visited in my youth on school trips. What a pity I had that misconception.......until now! How fantastic it was to be whisked over to Paris in under 2 and a half hours on Eurostar. Once in Paris you have the day to explore at leisure. We took the optional excursion to the Eiffel Tower and fast tracked our way passed the queues! No need to worry about luggage for the day, as that's kept securely for you and delivered to you once onboard the ship! What an easy process that was too! There is no check in queues, no security search. You just walk on and off as you please. We were in our cabin within minutes of arriving. Time to head for a reasonably priced Long Island Iced Tea (a bargain at 5 Euro!). Dinner is a fixed time each day (due to space constraints in the galley) but its flexible as to where you sit each night. I found it very easy to get a seat every night and its a great way to meet new people. Most Excursions are included with Avalon and my first day was spent at Monet's Garden. Our guide made sure we were kept fully informed too. The main reason for a lot of people for this trip was for the Normandy Landings tour. We visited the British and Canadian landing sites on our full day tour and this cruise was a great way to see a fascinating and poignant piece of our recent history. River cruising is such a relaxed way of travelling and seeing areas that would normally pass you by. I rediscovered Normandy and liked what I found.

27 August 2015

Well I have just returned from a fantastic week cruising around the British Isles. My home for the week was the fantastic, 5 star Royal Princess. To say I was spoilt was an understatement! From the moment we embarked, we were treated to the finest food and service I have experienced on any cruise line! We sailed out of Liverpool and set course for Dublin. Lots to do here, either on an organised excursion, or a 20 minute walk to the Luas tram stop that whizzes you into town for 4 euro return! Next stop was Belfast. Again there are a number of excursions to tempt you, or you can just opt for the complimentary shuttle bus that the Belfast Tourist team provide for you. Don't miss the Titanic exhibition which is well worth a visit. Next stop Greenock, where you have the option of walking the 15 minutes to the train station for the hop into the vibrant city of Glasgow, We then had a day at sea which gave us plenty of time to enjoy all the facilities onboard. We had afternoon tea (all meals included in the cost) before heading out on deck to grab a blanket and watch "movies under the stars" with popcorn and hot chocolate served for free! Invergordon was reached by the following morning. A small village really that was suddenly taken over by guests disembarking to explore. From here there are organised excursions to Loch Ness and various other attractions, or for £13.50 return, jump on the train and explore Inverness at your own pace. Finally for me was, Edinburgh. One of my favorite places, we docked in the shadow of the Forth Bridge. Luckily for me, it was Festival time in Edinburgh and I had chance to take in all the sights and sounds at this thrilling time of the year. Its so exciting but needs to be seen to be believed. All in all, Princess was a fantastic cruise line, that really surprised me. I had my own preconception of what to expect, but they exceeded all my perceptions of them. I really will be switching my allegiance from Royal Caribbean!