27 March 2019

Landing in Tokyo you already get that sense of efficiency this country runs on. Although a queue at customs it moved quickly and before you knew it we were on the train for an hours journey into the city. Travelling as a party of three, one thing to note is that Western hotels in Japan tend to only accommodate two people so we were allocated two rooms. Straight to Tokyo Tower, one of the tallest structures in Tokyo with a fantastic crepe stall outside featuring every topping imaginable - cheesecake, fudge brownie (even chicken curry)! Lovely gardens surrounding it with Giant Redwoods and stepping stones, you wouldn't think you were in the middle of a city. For our evening meal we went to a Yoshinoya, a Japanese multinational fast food chain with a modern take on traditional rice bowls... it's motto is "tasty, low-priced and quick" Tried the sake which wasn't too bad, the cost for 3 bowls a beer and a sake - £16.

20 December 2016

I was fortunate to win a trip to Mexico in June staying in a range of hotels under the AMResorts Brand. AMResorts is a collection of luxury resort destinations, each with its own unique personality. Raising all-inclusive to a New Level of Luxury®, every one of their resorts features Endless Privileges®, Unlimited-Luxury® or Unlimited-Fun®, that offers sun-soaked beaches, elegant accommodations, a world-class spa, gourmet dining, unlimited premium drinks, and many other pampering amenities. I was able to sample a range of activities from cookery classes to tequila tasting as well as enjoying the spas and the amazing food in the different restaurants. Below is an overview of each type of resort. Secrets Resorts & Spas Secrets Resorts & Spas offer adults an escape to romance and sensuality in spectacular oceanfront settings. Each of the upscale resorts combines exemplary personal service with casual, yet sophisticated style. Breathless Resorts & Spas Escape to adults-only luxury resorts with exciting monthly themes and a thrilling non-stop Party Calendar in a sophisticated, chic and vibrant atmosphere with all of the Unlimited-Luxury® inclusions only at Breathless Resorts & Spas. Now Resorts & Spas Now Resorts & Spas offer vibrant beachfront settings in Mexico and the Caribbean perfect for multigenerational travel, families with teens and tweens as well as couples and friends. You’ll enjoy a family-friendly, modern vacation experience, where play and party are just steps away from peace and quiet. Sunscape Resorts & Spas Sunscape Resorts & Spas offer fun-filled and worry-free, family-friendly vacations without wristbands for families, friends, couples and singles. With gorgeous beachfront settings offering an array of beach, land and water sport activities for all ages, you will experience Unlimited-Fun® for the kid in everyone! Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts are boutique havens representing the highest level of luxury. Each of the resorts combines romantic and holistic experiences with expressive architecture and exceptional service. Dreams Resorts & Spas Dreams Resorts & Spas offer a high level of luxury for couples and couples with children, in ideal beachfront settings. Spacious rooms and suites, graciously appointed and luxuriously equipped provide a picture-perfect vacation experience with welcoming service and romantic inclusions Guests enjoy the exceptional amenities of Unlimited-Luxury®, which include: • Limitless access to gourmet à la carte dining options without reservations required • Unlimited international and domestic top-shelf spirits • 24-hour room and concierge services • Endless daytime activities and live nightly entertainment • And much more!

19 November 2014

I’ve recently returned from a relatively unknown part of Spain, Costa Tropical. The reason behind its low key image I think may have something to do with people keeping it secret! Sandwiched in-between Costa del Sol and Costa de Almeria, the Costa Tropical consists of various resorts such as Almunecar, Motril and Salobrena. I stayed inland in Veluz de Benaudella, a pretty town set in a valley south of Granada and a 30 mile drive away from the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Long sandy beaches can be found in Motril and Salobrena about a 10 minute drive away so too the usual array of shops, bars and restaurants. Salobrena is probably the prettier of the main resorts with its classic whitewashed houses climbing up the mountain, overlooking the sea, crowned by an imposing Moorish Castle. Another good day out took us Nerja, where we headed for the Balcon de Europa the focal point of Nerja affording magnificent views up and down the coast. Then we drove back via Marina del Este, tricky to find but worth it when you got there. Developed around a large rock known as Penon de las Caballas (Mackerel Rock) Marina del Este is a relaxing place that offers clear views to Almunecar. Back inland in Velez we found it very Spanish which was lovely. English was not widely spoken by the locals and every other bar owners name was Pepe. The tapas here were great so too the impromptu performance of singing and classical guitar music. There are many golf courses in Southern Spain as you can imagine and I managed to play at Los Moriscos Club de Golf. A long beachside course and after buying something from the Pro Shop I managed to get a round of golf thrown in for free! Granada is a must, just over 50km away, where the accommodation we stayed in was actually modelled on the Alhambra Palace. Also from Velez, there is a dam to walk over, a lake to visit and all within a short distance of the village. If you can drag yourself away it’s definitely worth it. A lovely part of Spain to visit - but will it will stay a secret?!

16 October 2013

A fabulous start! Our luxury transfer minibus was waiting outside. The authorities don’t allow meet and greet inside the terminal so just follow the crowd two hundred yards to where you’ll find people waiting. Greeted with a cool towel and a bottle of water, we were on our way. At the Likya Residence we were met by the lovely Sevy and taken straight to the pool bar for a welcome drink. Straight away you’re struck by the friendliness of the people and their genuine desire to make you feel welcome. Our room was beautiful and the view from our balcony one of the best I have ever had. Views across the bay and out to sea. You begin to understand why people return year after year. Strolling 10 minutes into Kalkan we were met by an array of smells and sights as we made our way down to the harbour. There are lots of little streets to tempt you, with an abundance of restaurants and shops. It soon became apparent that there were lots of places to eat, too many to get round in a month let alone a week. My favourite restaurants were the KOSK and Baharat, where the food was excellent, and so was the service. One of the things to do in Turkey is to have a Hammam, a Turkish bath. You’re skin feels amazing afterwards, though be sure to do it at the beginning of the week. Also try one of the Lazy Days At Sea. I recommend the Lykia Residence trip, where they have access to 2 boats, a 12 and an 8 berth. Feels like your own private yacht. Thursdays is market day, where you can buy anything from Ralph Lauren to Ray Bans. They accept sterling too, perhaps even prefer it and do some haggling too. If you fancy a day out away from Kalkan you can get a bus to Kas, a resort that’s perhaps a little more Turkish. The journey takes you along the coastal road with lovely views out to sea and neighbouring islands. Not sure of what to expect, I found Kalkan a real delight to stay. There was a warm welcome, good food, beautiful hotel and amazing views. I will certainly return soon.

07 May 2013

Arriving at Manchester Airport, we met our hosts for the weekend; Clive from Aurigney Airlines and Emma from Manchester Airport. After a coffee in the Escape Lounge we made our way to board for the one hour journey to Guernsey. On the approach we flew over neighbouring islands of Sark and Herm before landing in the recently refurbished airport. After a quick lunch at the St. Pierre Park we made our way to the beautiful capital St. Peter Port, a vibrant town with lots of little boutique shops and a welcome lack of high street names along with the benefits of duty free prices. A little exploration brings you to the centrepiece of the town, a beautiful church standing at the foot of the gently sloping High Street. Just beyond is the refurbished market building and ‘the old quarter’, a cobbled area with antique dealers, galleries and restaurants. Taxis from the airport cost around £9 and St. Peter Port can be reached in around 15 minutes. A good way to explore the island is to get the Number 7 bus, where you can go anywhere for a pound. Along the South Coast you will find narrow lanes winding through peaceful hamlets of traditional cottages. The West offers gentle sloping wide stretches of beach especially suited to families. The North Coast is home to loop-holed towers, WW2 defences built by the occupying forces as well as a chambered Megalithic tomb and a Neolithic burial mound thought to date back 7000 years. Inland, tiny roads take you through Guernsey’s natural beauty with a recommended speed limit of 15mph. One of the attractions is The Little Chapel, possibly the smallest chapel in the world, built by a monk who wanted to create a miniature version of the famous grotto and basilica at Lourdes. Guernsey has lots to offer and although less commercialised than Jersey, it still has enough happening to keep you entertained without losing its ‘stepping back in time’ charm.

12 July 2011

I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to see this amazing country. I set off with Swiss Airlines for my first experience of the Swiss efficiency. Once in Zurich I boarded the train heading for Berne. It left perfectly on time and connected with an equally punctual train to Interlaken. On arrival I was immediately struck by how clean and tidy everything was, down to every shop window looking immaculate and something out of a magazine. No time to waste, we were then treated to an incredible view of both lakes above the resort of Interlaken, reached by the funicular railway. The following day we were off on our various trains and a journey that worked its way through the pretty ski villages of Grindawald and Wengen until we transferred to the train that would take us to the mighty Jungfraujoch. Meadows inevitably turned to expanses of snow cover and visibility became poor. The steep climb, made apparent if you left your seat, meant you would have to lean at a 45° angle just so you wouldn't fall over! Once at the top we were greeted by minus temperatures and lots of snow. Although at one side of the mountain it was quite warm, almost alpine like where you could go skiing and the other side bitterly cold. Back inside the glacier, we were able to see the different stages of this mighty hunk of ice, where trees had been laid a hundred years before to the drought of 1976, where the ice was totally clear for several metres. A brighter day followed and here we were able to sample the first zip wire, well worth the train and cable car ride to get there. Basically it involves sliding down the top of the mountain in a harness. On our return we caught the boat back to Interlaken. It was a lovely warm day as we stopped at the pretty villages along the way dropping off and picking up people. If I had to describe Switzerland in a few sentences I would say it looks just like you would imagine on a picture postcard, with efficiency to match. The people are hospitable and the food was excellent.

21 April 2011

On arrival in snowy Oslo, it was time to transfer to the next flight to continue the journey North to the Arctic Circle and a place called Tromso. My first experience was dog sledging on the outskirts of the city and I was fortunate enough to drive the sledge myself, something which I can highly recommend; followed by a traditional Norwegian meal in a Lavvo (looks like a wigwam) and finished off by an impressive display of the Northern Lights. Back in Tromso, we waited for our Southbound Hurtigruten Ship the MS Trollfjord for embarkation around midnight. Once on board you were greeted with a friendly welcome and immediately felt the relaxed yet efficient way of life that ensued for the next few days, not to mention the excellent food. The following day we were up early and off out for our Harstad excursion, taking in the sights of a very old church, the local museum and some of the most amazing scenery I have ever seen. Even the local reindeer and moose were out in force along with a very obliging golden eagle who posed for some time at the top of a tree. Dotted around the various lakes and mountains were the Norwegian summer cabins, used mainly by owners earlier in the year then rented out in the summer months. Part of the tour included a ferry trip from Refnes to Flesnes then onto Sortland, reached by an impressive bridge; the driver of the coach expertly timed the crossing over the bridge with the ship sailing underneath. Back on board we set off to take in more of the stunning scenery. One of the highlights was the passage through the three kilometre long Trollfjord, where once the famous “Battle of Trollfjord” took place in the late 19th century, a rare experience in the winter months due to the risk of avalanche. The day grew to an end with a visit to Magic Ice, an Ice Bar featuring ice sculptures and topped off by another appearance of the spectacular Aurora Borealis. The following day we made our way to the various ports along the southbound route, getting on and off at leisure to take in the sights of the local towns. Once again the scenery was stunning, part of which was a mountain with a hole straight through the middle. Our final day took in the sights of Trondheim, a surprisingly large town, dominated by the majestic Nidaros cathedral. A river winds through the city’s downtown district and past many of the original wooden buildings of old. Destroyed by fire in 1681 it was rebuilt in a Baroque style with wider streets to prevent fire from spreading, but still retains some of its narrow streets and alleys dating back to the middle ages. Norway was very beautiful and although expensive (£10 for an orange juice and a prawn sandwich), you soon get used to the cost of living. An all year round destination with many diverse activities, from cycling to skiing and from the Aurora Borealis to The Land of the Midnight Sun I would certainly return.

18 March 2011

Situated between St.Tropez and Cannes, Frejus is a large sprawling town with some famous Roman ruins. The centre of the town is compact with lots of shops and pedestrian streets. The focal point being the cathedral in the centre, set in a very pretty square. I stayed just outside of the town with views overlooking the nearby hills. A very relaxed way of life ensued for the rest of the week. The surrounding areas were stunning and towns like Draguignan seemed remarkably resilient after the devastating floods of 2010. One day we headed up to Lac De Castillon, where the water was the bluest I’d ever seen, stopping off at a restaurant for a drink and a fabulous view of the lake. Driving on through the Gorges du Verdon, we caught glimpses of the blue river that was dotted with various rafts and canoes. Traffic in Frejus can get busy so allow plenty of time if you need to get anywhere, though it does have a good motorway that connects you to Nice once out of the town. Port Frejus with its many moorings, is surrounded by beautiful fine sandy beaches. The town is very conscious of its natural heritage, in the background there is the massif de l’Esterel, the (Esterel hills) and there are plenty of walks to enjoy, the most recommended walk is to see the infamous Barrage de Malpasset dam. Friday in Frejus is the place for a good night in the South of France, though you have to get there early if you want a seat. By 7.30pm all the cars parked along the sea front have to be gone otherwise they are unceremoniously removed by tow truck. Having front row seats at a lovely restaurant we watched half a dozen cars get towed away. Once removed the market stalls are set up and the restaurants are able to extend their dining area, useful as the best restaurants have developed a sizeable queue by this time. There are dozens of market stalls selling anything from costume jewellery to sweets, where you would definitely pick up a bargain. After walking end to end you notice a buzz of activity as everyone is heading for the beach. Everyone picks their seat on either the steps or the sand and settles down to a free firework display that happens every Friday in the summer. All in all a perfect end to a lovely holiday.

12 July 2011

I have been fortunate enough to visit several of the islands that make up “The Maldives” and I can honestly say that each one offers their own piece of paradise. After landing in the capital Male, I waited for the speed boat that was to take me to my first island; Meedupparu. This island is located in the Raa Atoll and is approximately 4 hours away by speedboat or just 45 minutes away by seaplane from Male. The speedboat journey was an adventure in itself as flying fish became the norm in the wake of the boat. Everyone is made to feel very welcome and after the long journey the following morning you can see why it’s worth it. The white sand and turquoise sea is what you get and it’s only yards away from your room. Snorkelling and diving is probably the most exercise you will do as well as walking around the island which will not take you very long. Some of the islands have their own dhonis (little boats) which can take you off to your own desert island where you can enjoy a romantic meal for two. There are also those islands that are quite close to each other so you are able to get about and experience what other islands have to offer. The accommodation can vary from clean and basic to ultra luxurious like the Conrad on Rengali Island, which I have to say is amazing. The welcome was warm like it was with all the other islands and it even had its own resident mantas. Water bungalows are always sought after as some offer steps straight into the sea. I went snorkelling around a couple of the islands and saw an incredible amount of different species of fish from clown fish right up to the harmless white tip reef sharks. Many of the hotels also have their own spas and offer treatments to rival anything you have experienced before, though having a massage while you watch the fish swim beneath you is hard to beat. Points to remember when visiting the Maldives is that those islands close to the capital Male may not be as off the beaten track as you would like. Main transportation between the islands is by boat so you may see them passing throughout the day, though you also have to bear in mind that if you have a seaplane transfer, this may not get you there on the first night if the sea is a little choppy. No matter which island you choose, you are sure to find your own piece of paradise. The warmth of the people and the weather will make you want to return. This really is a place where you could leave your shoes at home and feel nothing but sand between your toes for a couple of weeks.