07 February 2019

Last year we were lucky enough to visit the GF Victoria, a brand new hotel on the Costa Adeje in Tenerife. It’s an ideal holiday destination all year round and you’ll find many people there during the winter months soaking up the sunshine. I’d recommend going in the autumn and the spring – it can get really very hot during the summer! The GF Victoria is a five-star hotel where all the rooms are suites, and each bedroom in the suite has its own bathroom, perfect for families. Our suite also had a huge double balcony with two sofas and chairs overlooking the pool, so it was really relaxing just spending some time on there with a drink and a book. A range of pools Pool-wise, there is an adults-only pool which is lovely and quiet, as well as a children’s pool with water slides which is lots of fun for the kids. There is also a swimming pool on the roof of the hotel where you can swim out over the edge of the hotel and look down through the water to the ground – if you dare! Plus, there’s a very discreet and secluded naturists area and pool if that’s your kind of thing. There’s an abundance of sun loungers (no towels out at dawn!) even plenty of the posh ones with the blinds around them to keep you or your little ones sheltered from the sun. Eat in or out We went full-board but you can choose between half-board and B&B as well. The food at the hotel was excellent – personally I would recommend half-board – you can swap dinner for lunch as you wish and there are plenty of restaurants nearby if you want to eat out. Everything is cooked freshly for you upon request and you can choose whatever you like to eat from the buffet. You can also walk from the hotel along the seafront (with its many restaurants) to Playa de las Americas where you can find lots to eat, do and see. Great for a stroll and some people watching! An upmarket destination Costa Adeje is one of the more upmarket areas in Tenerife, with boutique shops and a golden sand beach, unlike the typically black sand beaches found on the island. There’s also a fantastic waterpark nearby with wave machines and the highest water slide in Europe. It is rated the best in the world and is definitely worth a visit with children of any age (there are zones suitable for different age groups so it’s great for older kids as well as young tots). There’s also a lazy river and plenty of sunbeds for a more laid-back approach. I would highly recommend this holiday for families and couples. It’s Tenerife at its very best and contrary to popular belief it’s not windy either because it’s on the south of the island. It’s a perfect and rather elegant holiday destination that I am sure you will enjoy. Why not get in touch on 01869 868140 or email me and I can price up this fabulous holiday for you?

03 September 2018

If anything is possible, it’s possible in Vegas! I always say that everyone should go and experience Las Vegas at least once, it really is great fun. I went with my wife – we’re not gamblers but we thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere, the entertainment and the magnificent sights that each hotel and the strip have to offer. You often feel like you’re outside even when you’re inside, with one hotel leading into the next and 24-hour gambling if you like a flutter. When to go The best months to visit Las Vegas are March, April and May for the climate. July and August are the cheapest months to visit because it’s just so hot and any sensible American has escaped from the desert. December, January and February still get decent temperatures during the day although it can be chilly in the evenings. The autumn and spring times do get really busy – in particular during the US spring break – I can help you avoid that time so please do ask me more on that. See the sights We went for three nights which is a long way to go taking the ten-hour flight into consideration, but once you are there, there is just so much to do. My highlights were The Venetian hotel complete with Venice-style waterways, gondolas and boutique shops, the Mirage hotel with a zoo and dolphinarium, the Bellagio for Cirque du Soleil on water with synchronised swimming, and of course, the Grand Canyon. We chose to visit the Canyon with Pink Jeep Tours rather than by helicopter (which 70% do) and we were really pleased we did. We felt that we saw the real beauty of the Canyon by parking right on the rim and we also had lunch at a local ranch. You can now even step out onto a glass platform into the Canyon if you’re good with heights! This short description of things to do hasn’t even scratched the surface so please just get in touch to find out lots more. Eating out options are plentiful and available to suit every budget as you would expect from the USA, from fast food takeaways to Michelin starred restaurants and everything in-between. Top tips My top tips are don’t book transfers from the airport. It’s so easy and far cheaper to just get a taxi or even a limo into town. Also, always try for a room upgrade when you arrive, they are often available, and you can negotiate when you get there. So, from roller-coasters on the outside of your hotel to shark tanks inside, a miniature Eiffel tower and of course casinos, slot machines galore and the Super Bowl final, Las Vegas is not to be missed. Contact me on 01869 868140 and I can help you with flights, accommodation and advice on how to make the most of your trip.

03 September 2018

We’ve just returned from a wonderful seven-night cruise around the Greek islands along with a short stay in Valletta in Malta which is where we flew into. We booked our trip with P&O Cruises with a flight departing from Birmingham. The benefit of this charter flight and boat package is that you leave your baggage at your departure airport and you don’t have to think about it again until you reach your cabin on the cruise ship. When we arrived in Malta we travelled by coach to the dock where we boarded our 5* ship complete with four pools, live shows every evening, a wide variety of restaurants, singers and bands – and of course, the World Cup which was being shown in several areas. There’s also a kid’s club on board with a fun yet educational focus, plus babysitting, children’s areas and separate children’s mealtimes if you wish. The ratio of children to adults is actually very low so if you don’t have kids please rest assured that you won’t be surrounded by them! Here’s a little bit about the places we visited during our Greek island cruise, with the transport all organised by P&O Cruises of course: Athens We visited Poseidon’s temple, one of the major monuments of the Golden Age of Athens, and then spent time on the beach in the afternoon. Santorini We saw the iconic white buildings with blue domes, brightly coloured bougainvillea, amazing sunsets and black volcanic sands. We also had time for boutique shopping and drinks overlooking the bay. Rhodes Our visit to the old town in Rhodes included the Roman amphitheatre, the walled city with tavernas and shops, and museums full of medieval artefacts. Crete This stop included beach time at Agios Nikolaos with its little canals where the sea comes in, as well as trips around the bay and a visit to an olive factory (olive cultivation dates back to 4,000 B.C. in Crete). We then returned to Valletta, the capital of Malta, for a few nights before our flight home. There we spent time exploring the island with its beautiful architecture and many churches. The water clarity in Malta is out of this world – something you might only expect to see in the Caribbean or in a film. If you are interested in exploring the Greek islands in a relaxed setting with your every need taken care of please do get in touch on 01869 868140. This is a great way to see a multitude of sights without having to organise any of the excursions or travel arrangements yourself. For me, Santorini was a highlight, the weather was lovely and hot, and the waters electric blue. What more could you ask for?

03 September 2018

Cancun in Mexico does tend to get quite lively especially during the busier times such as the American spring break. However, there are quieter areas where you get the best of both worlds – a relaxing holiday with easy access to busy bars, clubs or restaurants before retreating to your tranquil hotel. This is exactly what we did when we visited beautiful Cancun renowned for its white beaches and warm sea. One of the best hotels in Mexico After a ten-hour flight from Gatwick with premium seating for extra legroom if you wish (you can also fly from Birmingham) we stayed in the all-inclusive Excellence Playa Mujeres which is 10/15 minutes north of Cancun in a taxi. There are just three hotels there and ours was on a beachfront location with a supersized white-sand beach and a peaceful wetland reserve. Reviewers rank it among the best 20 hotels in the whole of Mexico, so it was a real treat for us to stay there. The rooms are modern and open plan with a balcony or a terrace, and suites offer oceanfront locations and private pools. We took advantage of 24-hour room service, all seven restaurants including a steak and lobster dinner on the pier, and a dining service on your patio if you prefer to eat privately. There are also 11 bars, a spa and a multitude of water sports to try your hand at. Out and about Mexico is well-known for its Mayan ruins, particularly Chichen Itza, one of the new Seven Wonders of the World and around 1000 years old. It really is a must-see. You can also visit Tulum where the Mayan ruins overlook the Caribbean Sea - one of the best-preserved coastal Maya sites and a very popular tourist destination. I would also highly recommend a trip to Isla Mujeres, an island just off the coast of Cancun that you can reach by ferry. Once you are there you travel around by golf cart (there are no cars on the island) and you can swim with dolphins, snorkel, spend time on the beautiful beaches and enjoy the chilled-out restaurants. Climate Cancun has a great climate all-year round although I would recommend avoiding spring break and being aware of the hurricane season from late August to late October. It’s much cheaper to go at that time as a result and the weather is still good – unless you get a hurricane of course! Cancun is a popular destination for many different types of people – honeymooners, groups, families, and couples of all ages. Tucked back in the basin of the Caribbean, it’s a beautiful and safe place to visit and it truly has something for everyone. I would highly recommend a trip to Cancun – why not get in touch on 01869 868140 for pricing and recommendations around when and where to go and where to stay

17 July 2018

Have you heard of a sampler cruise before? Many people I speak to aren’t aware that a mini cruise to France is possible. However, it’s great way to find out if you enjoy cruising before booking a longer cruise holiday further afield. Plus, a sampler cruise makes a fantastic and cost effective mini-break – it can offer far better value for money than land-based city breaks because all the food, drink and entertainment is often included in the cost. Sometimes you can even upgrade to an all-inclusive package for free if you time your booking right – I can help you with this if you wish. We recently spent a weekend aboard the impressive 5-star Celebrity Silhouette cruise ship. Read on to find out all about the ship and what we got up to. The night before our cruise we stayed in the Grand Harbour Hotel overlooking the Southampton waterfront. Just behind the hotel is the West Quay Shopping Centre – fantastic for eating (The Real Greek is excellent) and shopping of course. It’s a good idea to pay to leave your car at the hotel if you stay there the night before – it’s cheaper than parking at the cruise terminal. The next day we walked for just five minutes to the City Cruise terminal where we boarded the ship, had lunch and set sail in the afternoon. Check in was fast and efficient and the cabins are usually ready around 1pm. If you book a concierge room or above, you can even enjoy a private four course lunch in the dining room while your cabin is being prepared for you. After we checked into our cabin where our bags were waiting for us, we decided to explore the ship – all 15 floors! The ship can accommodate 3000 people and it was full when we went although it never felt overcrowded - there is just so much space on-board. There are a range of cabins to choose from – some with a balcony or a window and some without. You won’t really spend very long in your cabin so it’s worth considering whether you need to pay the extra for a balcony or window if you’re not really going to use it! The cabins are cleaned twice a day and have everything you need. The TV even gives you a view from the front of the ship, so you can see where you are heading. On board there are indoor and outdoor swimming pools and hot tubs, a cinema, a three-tiered theatre, gym, numerous bars and restaurants, and a very impressive Lawn Club with half an acre of real grass, a sun deck area and private cabanas for prime sunbathing spots. There are also quiet areas including a library, or bars with juggling staff if you are looking for something livelier – the chocolate martini is a must-try. There are several speciality restaurants on board which have an additional cover charge that is well worth paying for. The quality of the food is comparable to Michelin standards – we ate steak and lobster in the Muran restaurant – the lobster was theatrically pan-fried at our table and the puddings to share were definitely not for sharing. They were delicious. There is also a 24-hour buffet on-board if you are looking for something more relaxed, as well as QSine where you order your food on an iPad and the innovative dishes range from sushi lollipops to disco shrimps. There is so much to do in the evening including watching West End style shows that you can see before or after dinner, live bands and a late-night disco. The dress code is relaxed although most people do like to dress up. When we arrived in France we could choose from various excursions – for example, a trip to Paris, Versailles or along the coast to see Monet’s gardens and local fishing towns. Alternatively, you can decide to stay on-board and make the most of everything the ship has to offer. On the last day we made our way back to Southampton and checked out – a simple process with no queuing. It’s worth saying that not all cruises are family-friendly, but some are and even offer a full babysitting service, so you can enjoy some time to yourself too! I would highly recommend a sampler cruise if you have never tried a cruise before. Call me on 01869 868140 and I can help you find a great package on a stunning ship.

17 July 2018

Top tips on making the most of fantastic Florida Most likely to be on many people’s wish lists is Florida, particularly if you have children or you’re a big theme park or rollercoaster fan. I went for ten nights with my wife and our nine-year-old granddaughter in October 2017. There is literally so much to do, and I was really keen to make the most of every single minute of the holiday whilst also getting the best possible value for money. For some people, booking a trip to Florida can seem complicated – where and when to go, which parks to visit, which tickets to buy, whether to hire a car or not. These are just some of the questions I get asked regularly. My trip allowed me to research how to maximise time in Florida and answer lots of my clients’ questions. My first tip would be to try and book your trip when USA schools are not on holiday, so the parks will be less busy. If you need help finding out when this is just get in touch with me and I can help. Going before the end of October is an ideal time. Weather-wise the temperature is around 22 degrees Centigrade all year round so it’s likely you’ll see sunshine whenever you go. We stayed on-site at the Disney All Stars Resort and although this was more expensive than staying off-site in a different hotel or a villa, we had full access to the transport system for free which runs all day to every park right through until 2am. We didn’t need to hire a car or worry about parking and there was no chance of us getting lost! On top of the cost of your flights and accommodation you also need to factor in the price of the tickets to get into all the theme parks. It’s a good idea to buy your tickets before you fly; you can get some really good discounts on tickets if you buy online in the UK rather than waiting until you get there. I can provide advice on getting the best value for money tickets – and how to use the new Disney app if you need a hand! The parks themselves are massive and the rides are sensational. You’ll need comfy shoes and expect to queue for the most popular rides – however I can promise they are well worth the wait. Every park also has an awe-inspiring firework show every night of the week – as well as many restaurants – so you won’t be left wondering how to spend your evenings or where to eat. You may need a break from the theme parks every now and again – and that’s where the water parks, Discovery Cove and SeaWorld come in handy. The water parks were a big highlight for my granddaughter and allowed us to rest our feet and soak up the sun. SeaWorld was educational and fun – we got very wet by sitting in the Soak Zone. And the day we spent at Discovery Cove was fantastic – we went swimming with dolphins and manta rays and snorkelled in the tropical lagoon. You can even book yourself a private cabana with your very own butler there if you wish. For those who enjoy some retail therapy on holiday, there are also unique shops at Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort, and huge malls nearby. The old town of Kissimmee is also well worth a visit. Our trip to fantastic Florida really was brilliant fun. My main top tip is to do your research and be well prepared before you go – or I can do this for you of course – including helping you with drafting a timetable of what to do and when. Finally, don’t forget you need an Electronic System Travel Authorization for US (ESTA) and I recommend getting this before you confirm your flight. Like to find out more about Florida and get an idea of the cost? Call me on 01869 868140 and I’ll be happy to help.

16 July 2018

If you’re looking for the ultimate luxury holiday but you don’t want to travel too far, the Ikos Dassia in Corfu – part of the small and exclusive Ikos chain – is perfect. The hotel is new and has been split over two previous existing buildings that have now been completely and stylishly renovated and refurnished. As a result, the highly acclaimed Ikos Dassia opened in 2018 and I was really pleased to be one of the first there to check it out. Dassia is home to the TV series The Durrells and the hotel is in a beautiful bay there. As well as the two main buildings (named Sea and Sky) with a selection of rooms with balconies and terraces, there are also bungalows along the beachfront with private pools and two standalone three bedroom villas – all totally luxurious. The décor and furniture, from the self-reclining sun loungers to the soft furnishings, are all the highest quality. There are also chic hammocks and cosy hanging pods dotted around the hotel in case you want to stop for a break en-route to your room or relax in the sun. There are adult only areas for those who don’t have kids – or those seeking time away from the kids! The children’s area is really good fun too, with an ice cream parlour, water cannons, a splash park, fountains and a covered adventure playground – plus a kid’s club of course. All the swimming pools (including one beautiful infinity pool) are heated and there are always sunbeds available. For deluxe guests there is a private and quiet pool where you receive an excellent personal service – I can highly recommend the cake of the day with a morning coffee and the pineapple mojitos later on. There are six ‘unlimited visit’ a la carte restaurants at Ikos Dassia. Choose from the adult only Ergon Greek Deli (try this at lunchtime overlooking the pool and terrace), Provence – very chic and my favourite for the lamb chops, Anaya for Asian food on the balcony, Fresco for the best carbonara I have ever eaten, Ouzo for fabulous fish dishes and Kerkyra for traditional local food. I would also recommend the Dine Out experience – part of the all-inclusive plan – where you can dine out at top restaurants outside the resort. Choose from several restaurants including dining al fresco on the atmospheric streets in old Corfu town or a restaurant on Vido island and the hotel will send a boat to pick you up. The beach at Ikos Dassia is beautiful and the sea is safe for children too. Deluxe guests access their own private area on the beach and get waiter service – I tried the delicious Ikos burger and can highly recommend it while soaking up some rays. To work off the burger there are loads of water sports to try out that are included in the price – kayaks, pedalos, paddle surfing and more – plus motorised water sports such as paragliding that you pay extra for. There’s also a wonderful spa where deluxe guests get a treatment included in the price – there’s even a teenager treatment menu if you’re taking your older kids along. The hotel provides a courtesy bus that can get quite busy at times, so I recommend walking to the sea building to catch the bus there to make sure you get a seat. The bus will take you to Dassia town, a busy little place where you can visit tavernas, shops and markets. The hotel can also help you with hiring a car or a moped if you would prefer this to the bus! Further afield I recommend visiting Corfu town with its traditional cobbled streets and walled fortress, and the picturesque village of Paleokastritsa with its aqua blue waters. The one overriding highlight of this holiday was the hotel itself. Having travelled far and wide I will have to say this is one of the best hotels I have ever experienced. Nothing is too much trouble for the staff, the service is fantastic, the surroundings the ultimate in luxury and the food delicious. The concierge team is always incredibly helpful and if you are a deluxe guest you can also choose from a vast array of the finest wines and champagnes. I sincerely hope to return, and I hope I have managed to convey here how special it is. As the hotel is new there are some great deals to be had this year so please call me on 01869 868140 and I will find you a wonderfully luxurious holiday at Ikos Dassia.