02 October 2023

Ikos Olivia..... without doubt one of our favourite places to visit as a family. I have allot of you lievky clients that like me, return year after year to these beautiful hotels. Ikos resorts are the ultimate European all inclusive properties and we love them ?? The food, drink and restaurants are simply fabulous, coupled with the incredible property, grounds, service and facilities what's not to love! Ikos we will be back.... but which property next?

02 October 2023

We all need that break sometimes and what better way to relax then a weekend in the sun. Estepona really is a beautiful Spanish get away, only a short hop form the UK with a flight time under 3hrs is really is perfect for a long weekend in the sun. Beautiful restaurants, sangria on tap and the fabulous Mediterranean sun - what's not to love! When you next get a free weekend and need a re charge DO IT!

16 June 2023

What a perfect fun filled week with my lovely family on the royal Caribbean odyssey of the seas! If you’re unsure if cruising is for you, give it a try, they are all so very different and there really is one out there for everyone. We chose royal Caribbean on the beautiful Odyssey of the seas, the perfect trip for families. We spent the half term May holidays cruising around Greece, Italy and turkey, visiting the most beautiful destinations of Rome, Santorini, Kusadasi, Mykonos and Napoli! Such amazing destinations that we got to experience but the ship itself is just wow too! The children loved it so much and it can be as busy and actioned packed as you wish with the Flow rider, north star pod, climbing wall, sky flying and not to mention football, basketball, bumper cars and the fabuous pool scene, and this is without a visit to the amazing kids clubs! Or if you prefer a more relaxing day, visit the onboard spa, the adult only solerium or just grab a cocktail on deck around the pool ?? Evenings were as equally amazing with the fabulous food, drink and entertainment, all enjoyed while you sail to your next beautiful destination. Just a perfect family week away and memories to last a lifetime.

15 June 2023

What a weekend in this stunning hotel. I am very lucky to be recognised as one of the top performers within our travel business and get to visit some fabulous hotels on our gold trips to celebrate this achievement. This year my husband and I visited the beautiful Grecotel Corfu Imperial hotel. What a beautiful hotel in the most stunning setting. Check out the pictures to see the beautiful views, pool and beach. The hotel offers a range of room types, bungalows with pool access and villas with private pools. All absolutely stunning. The restaurants are equally as lovely and with its own pier it’s perfect for a little sunset cruise which we were also very lucky to experience. A fabulous, relaxed weekend away, thank you Grecotel Corfu Imperial x

16 June 2023

What a fabulous new New year on the slopes! Europe is struggling a little this year for snow but as Andorra has some of the best snow cannons we still had a fabulous time skiing! Fantastic resort for kiddies learning to ski too ?? This was my little boys first time skiing and what can I say they smashed it and loved it in equal measures, they had a great time and I enjoyed the apres ski just as much ?? Seems this will be a yearly trip….. time to decide which slopes we hit to bring in 2024!

23 December 2022

Meet my new blogger!! These are my little boys in these pictures…. Max aged 9 years and Bobby aged 4 years. They loved their trip to Lapland this week so much that Max wanted to write my Lapland blog here it is… Lapland experience through the eyes of a 9 year old… We went to Lapland it was amazing when we got to the airport in Lapland. We had to go on a bus and they had names like Jingle bells and Christmas cracker and we was on Christmas cracker. When we got off the bus our first stop was a hut that had your suits and boots. Then if you got your boots and suits on quick you could go outside and play in the snow while we waited for everyone else. After that you got back on the bus and then we went to the main part of Lapland. Then you got spilt into two groups A and B first A goes and sees Santa and you go on a vast slope and you were given sledge’s until it was your turn to go find Santa. You could play on the sledges and go down the slope on them. You can go in a hut and get berry juice and coffee, gingerbread and donuts when you want to warm up they are yummy. If you are in group B first you can go on a husky ride around a frozen lake. You can go on a reindeer rides and there are two reindeers that take you there . Then you can go on a snow mobile or children can go on a trailer around the lake in front of mummy and daddy. Then in the afternoon you go to lunch. At lunch they serve paster , lasagna , bread and butter and salad . Then you play outside after you ate lunch till your tour Guide tells A and B to swap. We was in group A so we went to see the Huskeys and Reindeer in the afternoon which was amazing. Then you get back on the bus at about half past six and you return your suites and boots back . Then you go back to the airport and fly on your plane home. Me and my little brother Bobby loved Lapland so much. We had the best day with riding Husky’s and reindeers but our favourite part was seeing Santa. By Max Mankel

21 October 2022

What a fabulous trip! I had the absolute pleasure of travelling to Dubai for our gold trip. A huge thank you to all of my amazing clients who continue to trust me with their very special travel plans which has got my business to the amazing level it is today, enabling me to keep my gold status within the industry even throughout the pandemic, and being recognised as one of the highest achievers. I'm so grateful. Every part of the trip was truly amazing. We travelled child free for the weekend. Travelling without of boys we took the advantage of upgrading to Business class which was amazing (take a look at the pictures) We stayed at the new Caesars Palace hotel on Bluewater, stunning property and perfect for a child free weekend, pools, beach, location and restaurants are just WOW Make sure you try hells kitchen - fabulous meal!

21 October 2022

WOW when the say Paradise...... look no further!! This really is a bucket list trip of a lifetime and we had the most amazing time. It is perfect for couples and is the ultimate honeymoon destination but we travelled as a family and had the most magical time. We did a spot of Island hipping, flying over to Male we had a short hop on a seaplane (fabulous experience) to Kanifushi Island as our first stop. The resort is AMAZING!! All inclusive, beautiful rooms, restaurants and beaches and is actually the longest Island on the Maldives. From the moment we arrived we were looked after so well and had our own bikes to travel around the island, truly the best week ever. We then took a speedboat to our second island of the trip, Varu Island. Again just pure paradise! lots of water sports on this island and the most fabulous food again. Varu is much smaller and closer to the mainland so can be reached via speedboat. Just look at the pictures, they speak for themselves, from beach walks, crab spotting, bike riding, paddle boarding, jet skiing, snorkelling - we did it all!!! The Maldives is just PARADISE! one of our greatest family memories. We WILL be back x

29 September 2021

Just WOW Crete you were AMAZING! Following a challenging 2020 for everyone, we were so excited to get away and take to the skies again for our 2021 Summer break, and my are we pleased we did, it was simply fabulous! The extra checks, tests and new travel requirements seem really complicated but honestly they are really are not. Everything was so simple and run so smoothly, I can honestly say this was one of the easiest airport and flight experiences we have ever had. Once in resort I cried (happy happy tears), to be travelling again and be at this simply stunning hotel with my little family just felt amazing. Everything was organised seamlessly and we felt so safe. The Lux Me Grecotel White Palace is a beautiful family all inclusive property. The rooms, restaurants and pool area is just gorgeous. The hotel is stunning, exceptionally clean and restaurants and choice was fabulous. Kids activities are there should your little ones want to get involved but no pressure, and the hotel is just a 10 minute ride from the stunning old harbour and its restaurants in Hersonissos -well worth a little visit. We had the best time and to finally be travelling again is just priceless – now roll on the net one x

29 September 2021

With 2020 a challenging year for everyone, and our family holiday to Greece cancelled, nothing was stopping us getting a much welcomed family break. Windsor was beautiful! We had such an amazing time, gorgeous little shops, the fabulous castle and more ice cream shops than we could wish for (the boys loved it!). Boys by far enjoyed their day in Lego Land the most. Such a great day of family fun and well worth a visit, plus just a 10 minute drive from the centre if Windsor -perfect! Overall a great weekend away, actioned packed family fun at Lego Land followed by a spot of shopping for mummy and beautiful restaurants for us all (not forgetting the copious amounts of ice cream) – win win!

23 December 2019

What a way to end the year! The most magical trip ever!! Lapland is one of the most amazing, enchanting and special places ever, we have just returned back with one very excited little boy! Flying from Leeds Bradford on the day trip it is a long day but WOW is it worth it, everything about the day was just perfect and run so smoothly. I’d love to tell you my favourite part but I honestly can’t pick, the reindeers, husky’s, snowmobiles, sledging, searching for Santa in the forest and meeting the big man himself – it was all just so magical! Definitely a bucket list item ticketed but we will be back. Max has just turned 6 but our little Bobby is only 18 months and far too young to go to Lapland yet, it is not advised under 2yrs and I really think 4yrs and upwards is perfect, so we just did the day trip so Max didn’t miss out but when Bobby turns 5 we will definitely be back as a family again and I can't wait!!!

23 December 2019

Having retained my gold status as a Travel Counsellor again and being one of the top 10% performers, my husband and I had a little 2 night break away in Portugal to celebrate. We try to grab a little weekend away each year and the boys love their weekend with Grandma and Grandad. This year we jetted off to Portugal. It is perfect for a long weekend, just over 2 hours flight and so much to offer once there. Great golf for Lee and you are never too far away from a spa which I must say I love! We stayed at the Pine Cliffs resort. It is an absolutely stunning 5* resort and has so much to offer you really don't need to leave the resort (we didn't). We spent 3 days enjoying the beautiful restaurants, long walks along the most gorgeous of beaches, and beautiful food in their many restaurants (too many to name) all washed down with jugs of their fabulous sangria (red & white, you must try both) and not to forget the champagne bar, we visited both nights to watch the sun set, very romantic sat with a glass of bubbles before dinner. Fabulous weekend for couples but we will also be back with the boys, the beach and facilities are perfect for young children too!

23 December 2019

In need of some summer sun as a family, we have just returned from a week in Tenerife. Considering it was August school holidays the Island did not feel crazy busy as alot of the Mediterranean can feel this time of year. Our winter months are the most popular for Tenerife so the summer is a great time to visit. We stayed at the lovely 5* Sherton La Caleta, situated right on the beach in La Caleta. Beautiful long walks and great little fish restaurants for long lunches with our boys. The pools at the hotel are great and although alot of pools in the canary islands are salt water the Sheraton la Caleta has a fresh water pool too (perfect for little bobby). Great week of relaxing sun, beautiful seafood and long walks as a family – the boys loved it (as did we)!

23 December 2019

What a fabulous weekend! One of my best friends has just had a big birthday so to celebrate a group of us headed off the beautiful Island of Ibiza for 3 nights. The island is simply stunning and we crammed so much in in our 3 days. A nice short 2hour flight and only a 20min transfer from the Airport we was there in no time. Ibiza has so much to offer, some beautiful family resorts, great luxury hotels for couples but is also perfect for groups of friends. We hit STK restaurant on night one, the food is to die for and the atmosphere was amazing. A great lively nightspot and you may even do some celebrity spotting – I even got a cheeky picture with Mr Gary Lineker. Day two we had to do the famous Ocean Beach Club for Sin Sunday, it is the most popular beach club on the Island and such good fun, if you are a group of friends going to Ibiza it has to be done. Finally on our last day we needed some relaxing time so we went to Blue Marlin, another gorgeous beach club set on the beach – this was the perfect ending to the weekend, fully relaxing on gorgeous day beds with cocktails and great food – bliss!

22 December 2019

Summer 2019, first holiday of the year was spent with our friends and all our children. We have come back to our favourite place, where we got married…… the beautiful Aphrodite hills in Cyprus. Hiring two elite villas next door to each other, both with private pools we have had the most amazing time. The elite villas are so modern and come with fully stocked fridge, pasta, cereals, break, milk, drinks and everything you could wish for on arrival. We also had maid service every days to clean and make up the beds so although it was a villa holiday we still had all the benefits of a hotel – it’s a win win!! (we are on holiday after all) and they even collect you from the airport and take you back for your return flight home, everything is taken care of! We were just a 5 minute walk from the beautiful Aphrodite square with its restaurants, the award winning golf club for the boys, spa for me and the girls and the park/kids club for the kiddies. Just perfect! Lazy days spent around our pools with the children, lovely outdoor meals on an evening in the square and take away’s eaten around the pool some evenings were just perfect for a chill out. We just love this place and continue to come back, it holds a very special place in our hearts.

22 December 2019

October half term - we are all ready for a break and some sunshine as the weather here starts to turn and the dark nights draw in. The Canary Islands have always been the obvious choice to grab some winter sun. But this year we opted for Abu Dhabi and can honestly say it did not disappoint. Only a 7 hour flight away, flying direct from Manchester with Etihad the flights were fab for the boys. Our first family holiday as a 4 since baby Bobby arrived, he is only 5 months old and they couldn’t do enough to make sure the flight was as easy as possible for us. Entertainment and games consoles for max (now 6 years old) and even a cot for Bobby on the flight – it was so easy! We stayed at the Beach Rotana hotel in Abu Dhabi in their residences which are brad new. The hotel, food and drink was fabulous as was the room. The weather was perfect, not a cloud in the sky and the biggest selling point of this hotel, especially for families is the beach! Beautiful little cove, warm shallow water you can walk out in for ages – fantastic all inclusive hotel with amazing weather for some winter sun, we loved it.

22 December 2019

With baby number 2 on the way what better way to celebrate than a baby moon! With baby due early June (expected late May) we managed to grab a quick 2 nights away before the arrival. April can be a difficult time with the weather but we booked a weekend in Marbella as it’s a nice short flight, perfect for a 2 night break, and I must say we got really lucky, the weather was fab! A perfect chilled weekend with lovely walks, gorgeous food and a total chill. Just what the doctor ordered and less than a 3 hours away, perfect! Might spend more weekends like this.

22 December 2019

Ikos Olivia in Halkidiki Greece, is with out doubt the best family all inclusive hotel I have ever visited, no wonder it has one ‘BEST ALL INCLUSIVE HOTEL IN THE WORLD’! This holiday has been seamlessly perfect in every way, nothing is too much trouble, the décor and surroundings are beautiful and the food and drink are the best I have ever had in a hotel overseas. Max is just 3 years old and he loved the pools, low key entertainment and the beach is perfect. Myself and Lee have certainly not compromised on luxury to get an all inclusive family holiday, the restaurants, drinks and lazy pool days have been perfect. A true 5* resort that I would recommend to anyone wanting 5* luxury but still on an all inclusive basis – very hard to combined but they have it spot on and i'm excited that they are opening more resorts across Europe over the next few years too – watch this space!

22 December 2019

Wow what can I say, our wedding was everything we wished for and more. Having helped arrange so many weddings in the past for my lovely clients I always knew we would get married abroad and I knew we wanted a very personal and intimate wedding venue. Aphrodite hills ticks every box! Our guests stayed in the beautiful apartments all around their own shared pool and we had our own private villa just a 10 minute walk away from them, all within the prestigious gated community of Aphrodite hills (one of my favourites places that holds a very special place in my heart). The wedding day was simply perfect, we got married at the stunning Aphrodite hills chapel followed by drinks and canapes at the beautiful golf club, ending the day with our reception at the ‘secret garden’ with a fabulous outdoor BBQ and Greek meze, complete with acoustic singer and then a DJ to take us to the early hours. It was simply perfect! The fun didn’t stop there…… the following day we had all 60 guests come to our villa for a pool party, where we again parted until the early hours. Pizzas were delivered throughout the day from the Italian restaurant down in the square within the resort (one of our favourites) and needless to say they went down a storm with everyone. Another perfect day creating magical memories with all of our perfect people. What a way to spend our first day as Mr & Mrs!

23 December 2019

Having decided that we are definitely wanting to plan our wedding in Cyprus we have headed off to the island s a family to find a venue – how exciting! We have visited so many Venus and looked as so many hotels - all beautiful! But for us we wanted something more intimate and secluded so we have decided on private villas at the beautiful Aphrodite hills and a date has been set! 16/6/16 eeekkkk! For this trip, while we was venue hunting we have just stayed at the 5* all inclusive resort, Olympic Lagoon Paphos. It has been fantastic for Max, a great family all inclusive hotel with premium drinks, fabulous choice of restaurants and great entertainment. I would definitely recommend to families wanting a really good all inclusive getaway!

27 July 2015

Our 1st family holiday with out little boy Max was to Cyprus. This was Max's 1st time on an aeroplane and he loved it!!! We stayed at the 5* Aphroditie Hills Hotel & Resort and it couldn't be more perfect. Aphroditie Had everything we needed and we fell in love with the place. Its situated 20 mins outside of Paphos and as the locals call it ‘the Beverley Hills’ Of Cyprus, within the gated community there is the Hotel & Complex of privately owned villas & apartments. The villas are just beautiful and are all built around an award winning golf course, which Lee played & loved!! There is also the Village Square with restaurants a bars, shops, car rental & my favorite haggendess ice cream. Although we loved the hotel, we looked around the villas & apartments and have decided to book our wedding there! It's totally stunning as has its own little chapel, we are so excited! Along with our guests we are staying in the villas as they are amazing! It’s just the most perfect place to go with the family or friends & they have some gorgeous venue options for weddings with a fantastic wedding team to help.

27 July 2015

Paris.... wow!! This time my now fiancée Lee Surprised me with a trip to this amazing city for my 30th birthday wow what a break this turned out to be! We went for 3 nights and it would be the last time we would go away together as just the 2 of us or should I say 2.5 of us ;o) We stayed in beautiful little boutique hotel in the theatre district, which was conveniently situated close to the tube, which like London is the easiest way to visit all the sights Paris has to offer! We stayed B&B but Room Only would also be fine and 2 mornings of the 3 we went out for breakfast as there are hundreds of cute little cafes & restaurants to eat in, if you are like me these are great places to sit outside, watch the world go by & people watch! The sights to see in Paris are endless – we used the sightseeing tour buses and hoped on and off as and when we wanted to visit some of these key attractions and manages to fit allot in....., from Le louvre – Notre Dam – The famous love lock Bridge and of course we put a lock on there!! We couldn’t believe how different the Eiffel Tower looked in the day compare to the night!!! That 1st day was so tiring but we absolutely loved it, On the night Lee made me get ready as more celebrations were in store and we had to get back to the Eifel tower where he had arranged a river cruise on the Seine with meal & drinks (lee certainly got his monies worth of alcohol). The bateaux parisiens cruise was total VIP luxury, the food was amazing and we (well lee ha ha) had a different wine with each course. What a romantic night and half way through this beautiful evening, Lee asked me to marry him…just as we sailed under the bridge of love..... I obviously said YES and this really did top off our celebrations - this night was the best of my life! The next day we did what I do best and we shopped till we dropped. The designer shops are out of this world. We finished it off with the famous show Moulin Rouge – all the reviews are right it is a great show & experience. It’s a lovely romantic place and one that will stay in our hearts forever. My favorite city by far.

27 July 2015

I took my partner Lee to Dubai as a surprise for his 30th Birthday. We stayed at the One & Only Palace which is a beautiful hotel. Everything about this holiday was WOW!! If you love the heat, fine dining & shopping Dubai is the place for you. Attention to detail in the hotel was 1st class, on the first day we decided to hit the beach which is privately owned by the hotel, and the sea was like getting in a bath so we decided to go near the pool as that was a good place to cool down!! The restaurants within the hotel where amazing we had a choice of absolutely everything, all beautiful and of a very high standard. The One & Only have 4 Hotels- one of them being on the Palm & they provide a water taxi service across for guests and on the last night we went to the One & Only Palm to have a meal and this was fine dining at its best & such an amazing experience. I am a bit of a shopaholic and loved the malls- you can find everything from jewellery to all your designer makes I was in heaven - you literally could spend a week shopping :o) Whilst we were here we went to the famous Atlantis Waterpark, We had loads of fun and for the day we were kids again!! I would absolutely go back and and wouldn't hesitate taking children for a family holiday in Dubai. Dubai is a place I have been lucky enough to visit a few times mainly on business but this trip was purely pleasure and by far the best- we will be going back!!!! Dubai is a great place to go on holiday and it’s also ideal as a stop over for a few nights when flying to the Maldives, Australia, Indonesia it really is a gateway to the world.

19 July 2012

Another trip to Mexico and each time I go I just love it more! I have now visited Mexico 4 times and have stayed at different hotels in different resorts each time. I absolutely love it! On this trip I stayed in the resort of Riviera Maya at the Sensatori Hotel which is perfect for couples. The food, drink and rooms are just stunning and the staff can't do enough to help! Mexico really is a beautiful haven, lovely people, beautiful beaches and also so much to do outside of your hotel too. Definitely one of my favourite destinations and ill no doubt be visiting again. Whatever you like doing on holiday, families, couples, honeymoons and even weddings, there is definitely a hotel and resort in Mexico for you. I could talk all day about Mexico and what it has to offer, if you are thinking of going give me a call. Katie x

05 April 2012

Well its safe to say that I am not the most sporty person and it came as a surprise to many friends and family that I was hitting the slopes. Andorra is my second ski holiday and I can honestly say it was fantastic! I stayed in the resort of Soldeau which is perfect for all levels of skier. Lots of blue runs for beginners and plenty of red runs for the more intermediate skier as well as some very scary black runs for the advanced skier and snowboarders amongst us. The ski school in Soldeau is one of the best in Europe and has won many awards, I found the instructors amazing and the difference in our ability by the end of the week was unrecognisable - for beginners the ski school is a must! Andorra has many plus points, it is absolutely beautiful up on the slopes and the ski facilities are fantastic, but the apres ski is also great. Soldeau hosts a number of very good restaurants and bars so once you've left the slopes you can relax with a meal and bottle of wine or hit the bars if you have any energy left! Whats more, Andorra is a tax free country so once you are there eating and drinking is very reasonable too. I loved Andorra so much I have already booked to go back in January 2013! Katie x