24 November 2022

Good Morning Vietnam Vietnam is a country of lush countryside, fabulous beaches, culture, history, friendly happy people, and amazing food! The country is a diverse place with a different feel between North and South, on this trip I was lucky enough to visit two beach areas. Vietnam is not a beach destination you would not fly to Vietnam to spend two weeks on a beach! A. you would be bored and B. you would miss so much of this beautiful country. The perfect trip to Vietnam would be a tour, either private with your own guide and driver or as part of a small group which takes in Hanoi the capital in the North, Halong Bay and the Mekong River, the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh city (Saigon) in the south with all of its history and mopeds! I have never seen so many mopeds, then end your trip with a few days or longer on the beach to unwind and relax before flying home, On this trip I stayed in the Beach resorts of Phu Quoc and Mui Ne, Phu Quoc is an island a short 55 minute’ flight from Ho Chi Minh City, I stayed at the stunning Sailing Club Signature Phu Quoc, which is a complex of Villas with private pools in the Marina area of the island. The villas are out of this world, luxurious in décor and finish, I stayed in a 3 bedroom villa which has a large lounge area with huge TV, big dining room table, full kitchen with dishwasher and laundry room, then upstairs are three large bedrooms all ensuite, two double and one twin room, Outside is a large pool, well as villa pools go, perfect for cooling off, a couple of sun loungers and a large table with chairs in the shade. The Villas are a home from home and have every amenity you need, you can visit the onsite “Market Place” and buy fresh produce to cook at home in your villa or you can dine in the onsite restaurant, the food is amazing and a wide choice available too. There is also a Spa, where I had the best massage, it is reasonably priced too which is a bonus, a main pool area, Gym, Sauna and Steam room and a Kids area/kids club, where various activities are available, there is also games consoles for the big kids in our lives. The resort opened in June and there is more to come with a kids play area and outdoor cinema due to be completed by the end of 2022. Sailing Club Signature Phu Quoc is not beach front, it is a short 5 minute buggy ride or 10 minute walk from the Sailing Club Beach club, which is right on the beach, with comfy chairs, loungers, swimming pool, great food, cocktails, DJ and fire show in high season, the beach club is the perfect place for a few hours, the full day into the night or for a meal in the evening, there is fabulous food, great cocktails and a really good fun atmosphere. The Buggy’s are readily available just call reception to take you to the beach and when it is time to go back to your villa, the beach club will arrange for you. At the resort you can take a Vietnamese Coffee making class, the Vietnamese are serious about their coffee and a Vietnamese Cooking Class, but If you want to venture out and about, Phu Quoc has a night market around 20 minute’ drive from the resort, a Pepper farm where you can see how peppers and spices are grown, what they look like before hitting the supermarket shelves in pots! There are also other beaches on the opposite side of the island, but personally you are here to relax. Mui Ne is a small laidback resort on the mainland a 4 – 5hr road transfer from Ho Chi Minh City, the transfer time depends on how long it takes you to get out of Ho Chi Minh City as the traffic is bad/very busy, but it is great fun watching all the mopeds from the window though, I stayed at Sailing Club Mui Ne, which is a small beachfront boutique located right on the beach. It has just 31 rooms, all semi detached thatched cottages, some have semi outdoor bathrooms, double beds and there is also a family unit too, they have every amenity you need including a lovely day bed in the shade on the terrace to relax after a hard days sunbathing or for an early morning coffee. The staff are so friendly and helpful many having been there for many years and nothing is too much trouble, The food is great, a wide choice of food and drinks something to suit every taste, for both breakfast, lunch and dinner and are also reasonably priced. The hotel has a water sports area, small kids club with craft activities, a spa and yoga. The hotel is located in middle of the resort of Mui Ne, directly on the beach where you can learn to Kite Surf, relax on one of the most comfortable sun loungers I have ever laid on or swim in the sea, it is safe and the most stunning sunsets too! If you want to venture out just outside the hotel you will find a small selections of shops, bars and restaurants, there used to be a few more but Covid has unfortunately affected Vietnam the same way it has affected the rest of the world, but as the country is opening up again to tourists more bars and restaurants are starting to open up again. I fell in love with Vietnam the food, the people and cannot wait to return one days and see more of this fabulous country on a tour before ending up back at one of these amazing hotels My top tip - Tour the island and relax on the beach, eat local dishes you wont regret it. When it’s the best time to travel - November through to April is peak season, end of October when I travelled is also a good time as coming out of the rainy wet season and into the dry season,

08 September 2022

That’s a wrap as they say, after looking forward to a trip for 18 months our family trip on P&O Iona, I can safely say it was a success and great memories were made. This was a special multi generation trip to celebrate Nanny & Grandad’s 70th birthdays and 50th Wedding Anniversary with ages ranging from 71 down to 12, with four teenagers in tow was it going to be a success? I can safely say it was and they are still talking about it now! We sailed from Southampton for 7 nights, leaving from Southampton to me is always an advantage you don’t need to worry about airport’s, and I can take as many shoes as I like as there is no luggage limit! The process at the port was quick and easy, car dropped off, luggage tagged and dropped off, covid passes and paperwork checked, and we were onboard within and hour of pulling up at the port. Between the nine of us we had 4 cabins, two had balcony cabins which were spacious with a large bed, bathroom and an area with a sofa which could convert into a 3rd bed, the balcony was big enough for 2 chairs and you could sit and watch the stunning scenery. My brother and his family as a family of 6 shared two inside cabins next door to each other, again these were spacious for 3 people with a double or twin beds and the sofa made up into the 3rd bed which I have on good authority from my 17yr old niece was actually very comfortable. My Top tip : Cabins - you don’t spend much time in your cabin other than to sleep and get changed so an inside cabin is a great option to keep the price down, but if you are sailing somewhere which has stunning scenery such as Norway or Alaska and the budget allows you to, definitely upgrade to a Balcony Our 7 night cruise had two sea days and stops in Stavanger, Olden, Hellesylt and Haugesund, Norway is expensive when you are ashore I would thoroughly recommend booking the experiences onboard, Olden, Stavanger and Haugesund had the popular open top buses to see the sights which is a good alternative if you don’t like full day tours. I am not a lover of long full day excursions following a large group of people so tend to do my own thing in each port, but I did book a 2hr scenic cruise in Hellesylt which was £65 each so not cheap but took you through the Geirangerfjord and past the Seven Sisters’ waterfall, and the scenery was stunning. P&O Iona is in her second season, and she is a beautiful ship, plenty of deck space with chairs/sun beds to sunbathe or watch the view, she has 3 outdoor pools and one indoor pool under the Sky Dome. Cruises are great for food, there is always something for everyone and Iona doesn’t disappoint, there is a choice of three main dining rooms, the buffet and The Quays which offers burgers, fish & Chips, Asian cuisine, at lunchtime if you fancy a hot dog, slice of pizza or a burger the Sky Dome is the place to head , all of this is included in your cruise price. Iona also has a number of speciality dining which comes at a small but well worth it supplement, the Beach House, the Glass House, Olive Grove, Sindhu and my personal favourite the Keel & Cow for the most amazing steaks and deserts, the Cheesecake was the best I have ever had I think! My nephews loved the Keel & Cow too tucking into T bone steaks and were keen to try the Tomahawk steak, but we drew the line at a T Bone! There was always something to do on board, evening entertainment in the theatre, Sky Dome, Limelight Club, Brodies and 710 Club, quizzes and much more, the thing I love is you can be entertained or just find a cosy seat in a bar and watch the world go, Iona is a family ship with kids’ clubs for all ages, ours didn’t fancy the kids clubs in their eyes it was too un cool, and were happy to entertain themselves wondering the ship, swimming, the cinema, the one great thing is older children have the freedom to do what they want, they can safely head to the cinema on their own for example or to the buffet to grab some food as you know they are on the ship they cannot get off without you! I love cruising, having cruised many times, with friends, family, solo and in a couple, I can confidently say if you are looking for a multi generation family holiday cruises has something for everyone to enjoy!

01 December 2021

I often get asked when is the best time to go to X or what is there to do in X, This week I was asked that very question about Bermuda. Part of my service is to research your holiday meaning you don’t need to, sometimes I am lucky enough to of been to a place other times It is still on my “ I would like to go to “ list which means I spend a couple of hours reading blogs from colleagues, reading guide books and the tourist board websites to get all the knowledge I need to find you the perfect trip. After spending a few hours scouring various research sources I thought rather than just sharing the information with my client I would write this blog People always think Bermuda is in the Caribbean! It’s not it’s located in the Atlantic Ocean approximately 1000 miles off the coast of America. If you find New York on a map and then head out East you will find Bermuda. This means it has the same seasons and the climate is very similar to New York’s but the winters are not as cold. The high Season is April through to September with the warmest months being July & August where the average temperature is around 30 degrees, but there is also a higher chance of tropical showers. The most popular time to travel is around May/June where you are looking at around 22 – 25 degrees and the chance of showers are less. It is not as crowded as the main summer months. Of course if you are not a beach person and want to visit for the culture then March, April, November are good months when it is less crowded for tourists making it easier to see places, but it won’t be warm enough for sun bathing! Avoid October if you can as this is when Bermuda tends to get the tail end of any hurricanes that have hit the Florida coast as they blow themselves out over the Atlantic. Bermuda is a charming & cultural place with a British feel to it, some people say it is picture perfect there are no factories or eyesores, just green hillsides, pretty pastel coloured houses and stunning beaches, some people say the sand is pink, but everywhere I have read people say it is more white with a pink tinge when the surf comes in, either way it sounds like a perfect beach to me! There are two main areas, The East End which is known for its green spaces and The West end which is known for its beaches. Sometimes my research surprises me with how much there is to actually do in one place and Bermuda is one! there is so much to do whether it is lying on one of the white ( with pink tinge ) beaches, diving in one of the 9 dive sites on the island, hiring an electric bike and cycling the Railway Trail, which was once Bermuda’s Rail line and is now an 18 mile Scenic Pedestrian and Cycle Path or having a famous Rum Swizzel at the Swizzel Inn, I have been told these are lethal so you have been warned! I would recommend a holiday for 7 to 10 nights in Bermuda. Anything less you will miss things and anything longer you may get bored, also as it is so close to New York it makes the perfect place to twin with the city that never sleeps. There are a number of hotels to choose from at varying price points and location, lets chat and I can match the perfect hotel to you. Here are just a few of the things you can do in Bermuda…….. • National Museum of Bermuda, • Bermuda Aquarium & Zoo • 9 Dive Sites including Helmet Diving at Hartley Under Walter walk • Beaches • Blue Hole Park a 12 Acre Destination for swimming & Cliff Jumping • Walshingham Nature Reserve – 12 Acres of forest, caves & secret swimming holes • Fort St Catherine Bermuda is known for its Forts but this is one of the most impressive ones, sat on a hillside overlooking where the English Settlers arrived when they discovered Bermuda in 1609 • Hamilton – the Capital is the business and financial hub of the island with shops, bars and restaurants • St George is a UNESCO World Heritage site with Forts, Churches, outdoor spaces and restaurants a great place to wonder • Explore Inlets & Cays by boat • Railway Trail – once the home to Bermuda’s Railway now an 18 mile scenic Pedestrian and cycle path and National Park • Crystal & Fantasy Caves – go under ground to see the azure water, stalactites & stalagmite • Bermuda Botanical Gardens • Gibbs Lighthouse – climb the 185 steps to the top for some stunning views As you can see there is so much to do in Bermuda. Could this be the perfect location for your next holiday?

09 October 2020

I think I can safely say 2020 has not been the year any of us planned, I like many of you have had numerous trips cancelled and moved to next year, which is now looking very busy. I love my holidays, I will be honest I go away at least three times a year as it is the only way I can totally relax and get away from the treadmill of life, I then come back recharged with a little bit of firsthand knowledge of a destination and ready to help you my lovely clients go on amazing trips. In what has been a hard year for the travel industry, who knew unravelling a trip would be so difficult! and being there for my clients 24/7 as always throughout lockdown and beyond, I was in need of some sunshine and sometime lying on a sun lounger with a good book or two, very last minute just 4 days before I took the opportunity book a holiday to Rhodes - Greece. Travelling in the new normal is different to what we are used too, I wanted to share with you my experience and thoughts on each aspect of my holiday journey, Prior to Travel Greece has a passenger locator form (PLF) which needs to be completed outside of 48 hrs before departure, it is a simple form asking for passport details, home address and where you are staying along with your flight number, then at 10pm the night before your flight you will receive a QR code which you have to show at check in and also on arrival in Greece Stansted Airport The airport was very quiet, some people would describe it as a ghost town! I was shocked by how quiet it was at 0730 in the morning when it would normally of been very busy, as you enter the airport there are hand sanitising stations for you to make use of, and as soon as you enter the airport you need to wear your mask, Costa & M&S where open in the arrivals area but that was it. Check in I Flew with Jet2, their check in was well managed with social distancing observed at all times, there were a couple of flights to Greece & Turkey all checking together, there was staff on hand to guide you to where you needed to be quickly and safely, all staff were wearing masks. Security This was the busiest place of the whole airport, lots of people but markings on the floor to stay 2m apart and everyone did, you were then guided to the security belt by a member of staff and this area was then sectioned off with Perspex screens keeping you apart from your fellow passengers, again there was a hand sanitising station as you exited the security area. Departure Lounge Shops open, restaurants open, seating areas had seats blocked off for social distancing, very few people in the departure lounge, this is when it really hit home how quiet the airport was. I had breakfast in one of the restaurants, tables were socially distanced and all staff wore masks, when you are sat at a table eating/drinking you do not need to wear your mask. The Flight It was busy, it is compulsory to wear your mask on board & everyone did, the cabin crew were very hot on checking this as they walked through the cabin, there was a normal drinks/snacks service and even duty free. You were not allowed to move around the cabin or queue for the toilet, you just had to keep an eye of the vacant sign before moving from your seat and this worked well. The best part which I hope they keep when this is all over, when exiting the plane a member of cabin crew worked their way through the plane allowing one row at a time to get up collect their bags and exit the plane so there was not that usual mad rush the minute the plane wheels touch the ground and the seat belt sign goes off. Rhodes Airport As with Stansted it was very quiet, passport queue had social distancing markers on the ground and moved quickly, once through before collecting your bags you passed through an area where your QR code (confirmation of passenger locator form) is checked and the Greek authorities complete random Covid testing. I do not know how they choose who to test, but I was not tested. You are then free to collect your bags and head out to your transfer. Masks are compulsory on coaches, transfers and taxis. It took 23 minutes from standing in the Passport Queue to being sat in my transfer! I wish it was like this all the time. Please take a look at Part 2 for my experience in resort and coming home ………………...

09 October 2020

Here is part 2 of my experience of travelling in the new normal, the in hotel & in resort...………… Hotel I stayed at the Sheraton Rhodes Resort in Ixia, the hotel was lovely & clean, they use a steam cleaning system for making sure everywhere is safe, there are sanitiser stations by the lifts, at the entrance to the bars and restaurants, also in and around the buffet area of the restaurant, along with signs everywhere in the hotel reminding you about social distancing and to wash/sanitise your hands. The rooms were deep cleaned prior to arrival and then cleaned again after 3 days, we received clean towels and bins emptied each day. There was a maximum of two guests or one family for the lifts which was meant there was sometimes a wait for the lift at peak times such as breakfast or leaving the pool area (reception and the rooms are on levels 7 and above) but you felt safer with this in place. The Sun Loungers by the pool where spaced in pairs around an umbrella 2m apart from each other and were sanitised after each use. Masks were not compulsory around the hotel but we were advised to wear them, all staff worse masks, personally I used my common sense, when we first arrived it was very quiet but as the week went on it got busier this was when I wore my mask when moving around the buffet restaurant and the hotel. Resort – Ixia The resort was fully open except for two of the larger hotels, both Ixia and nearby Rhodes Town were a lot quieter than normal and I really felt for the locals who depend on tourism for their lively hoods, the local restaurants had social distancing measures in place along with hand sanitiser either as you enter or brought to you at the table, I had three really lovely meals out at local restaurants. In Greece masks are compulsory in shops, taxies & buses. Coming Home Rhodes airport was quiet and the same protocols as Stansted were in place, the flight the same as coming out and worked well, the queue at passport control at Stansted was longer as was the wait for baggage but again from landing to being in my car within 55 minutes. There is a Passenger Locator form which needs to be completed to come back into the UK 48hrs before you arrive, it is a bit more complex than the Greek one and you need one each, this wasn’t checked when we landed. I am so glad I was able to get away and took the opportunity to travel, yes it was different but I felt totally safe, I would not hesitate to get on a plane and travel again, the only thing to remember is there are now different protocols and entry requirements for places which can change quickly, you need to keep an eye on these to make sure you have everything covered,

15 July 2020

The sun shone at the weekend for a lovely socially distanced long weekend at Shorefield Country Park at Milford on Sea, approx 20 minutes from the New Forest and only 3 minute’s drive or 20 minute walk from the beach. My family own a caravan on the park and I have been here numerous times over the years so was intrigued to see what changes were in place in the current climate and how these changes would affect clients staying this summer, The park has been closed to everyone since the end of March, it is looking lovely very tidy and you can see they have spent time sprucing up the grounds and implementing new rules in line with guidelines set out by the Government. The park re opened on 4th July, here are the main changes • Lots of things implemented to allow for social distancing, including a one way system along corridors inside the club house/reception/bar area and different entry and exit points, limited number of guests allowed inside the main building at any one time, track & trace in use • remote check for your caravan/lodge – to avoid queues at check in time at reception • Reception Desk available at reduce hours with a one way system in & out with screens at the reception desks • Food & Drink - you can dine at Tides Bar/restaurant either inside or outside all tables have 2m space between them and each table is set out for set number of people eg, 2, 4 or 6 with added space for food & drinks to be delivered without contact with the waiting staff, even the cutlery comes in sealed bag with napkins & sauces. There are around 50 tables inside which is approx half the normal number, or outside there is around 20 Outdoor tables nicely set out in front of the entrance, this area is roped off and to enter you need to check in with member staff giving contact details for track & trace, there is hand sanitizer too as you enter and you are shown to your table by a member of staff. • All food and drinks are ordered and paid for by an online ordering system which once you get used to it is quite easy to use, you select where you are sitting and table number and once the ticket has printed inside the bar you receive a confirmation code with approx time for delivery to your table. On each table there is a QR code for you to scan with the camera on your phone taking you directly to the ordering system. You can also set up an account with payment card details etc are saved saving you time on future visits. • Food delivery available to your caravan or lodge, exactly the same full menu of drinks and food available as is available if you were dining in at Tides can be delivered to you, including breakfast, lunch & dinner. All on the same ordering service, just need to choose home delivery as your location. We had home delivery on Saturday night, drinks outside Tides on Friday in the sunshine and dinner inside Tides on Sunday lunchtime, a lovely roast dinner and the bar to ourselves! • Track & Trace – everyone staying over night has to register each day, again there are QR codes dotted around the park for you to scan as a reminder, once scanned it takes you straight through to the correct page for you to enter your name, number of people in your party and contact number. • There are 2 x swimming pools one indoor and one outdoor both currently closed but outdoor due to open on 15 July and indoor on 25 July • Gym is due to open on 25th July • Reflections Spa due to open on 25th with treatments they are allowed to do within government guidelines • The onsite shop is open with good selection of food, toys, DVD hire papers etc. Just reduced hours to allow for cleaning in the middle of the day and max of 10 people allowed in at one time. The staff are all really friendly and you are never waiting too long • Entertainment - There is none of the usual holiday park entertainment, this of course could change before the end of the summer if the Government guidelines change. • Arcade – There is a games Arcade which opened whilst I was there on 11 July, there was 2 members of staff cleaning the machines regularly, clear screens between each machine and 2m signs on the ground reminding people to socially distance Shorefield is located in Milford on Sea, with a lovely beach overlooking the Isle of Wight, it has a number of cafés and eating places my favourite is a great café called The needles located at the beach, which serves, food including breakfast, ice cream and coffee currently all as take away but there are benches on the sea front or garden tables in the café garden area, with a perfect view of the Isle of Wight Needles while you eat your New Forest Ice Cream! A short drive away there is also lots to do if you want to venture out for the afternoon or the day. • The New forest – picnic stops, walks and wild New Forest horses which quite often wonder over to say hello or stop in the middle of the road • Lymington – a lovely town with to wonder with a Saturday market, head down to the bottom of the high street for more cafes, ice cream places and boats in the Harbour • Take a day trip on the ferry to the Isle of Wight • Beaulieu Motor Museum • Exbury Gardens – 200 Acres of stunning woodland landscape and summer gardens in bloom to wonder • Paultons Park Family Theme Park – if you have little ones with you this is the home of Peppa Pig • Bournemouth & Poole are around 40 – 50 minutes drive away • Sandy Beaches close by are Highcliffe Beach and Avon Beach Exbury Gardens, Beaulieu and Paulton Park have all re opened with reduced visitor numbers so you much book online before visiting I really enjoyed my weekend away and actually liked the table ordering and being shown to a table, rather the busy bar, having to find somewhere to sit, queue to get food & drink, it was also a lot quieter too, a perfect relaxing weekend, the beach area was busy and I had to queue for my ice cream, but everyone was socially distancing Holidaying in the UK is going to be different this year, if you like a busy noisy bar, lots of entertainment unfortunately this year you will not find these, but what you will find is friendly staff, lots of space, the great outdoors, lovely local beaches, attractions open , a good well thought out system on the park to make the best of a bad situation and fingers crossed some lovely English sunshine!

24 June 2020

Explore the World again………………. I Cannot wait to see the world again, I never thought in 27 years in travel that I would see the day the world put its shutters down and we all stayed at home. Nearly 4 months later there are green shoots of the world safely opening up again and waiting to great us with open arms. What have you missed? Being safely at home with my family has been lovely but I have missed the buzz and excitement of booking trips for my lovely clients and getting excited with them, that is much more exciting that unravelling them! The travel experiences I should of encountered this year already, a week in Tenerife and a weekend with the girls in Ibiza, That moment when you step out of the plane at the top of the stairs and the heat hits you like a hairdryer and that smell, I cannot describe it but I am sure you know what I mean that “holiday” smell. Exploring & experiencing that place new or revisiting your much loved holiday place, the sights, the smells, amazing food and local culture, the fun & laughter you have with your travelling companions and the memories you make. What are you looking forward to? Where do you want to travel to? I am looking forward to the freedom that travel brings, the feeling of sunshine on my body whilst lying by the pool, without a care in the world, the memories it allows me to make. I cannot wait to see the world again and fingers crossed cruise lines will be able to sail again soon, lifting their current pause in operations I will be able to sail around the Caribbean for 2 weeks in December on P&O Brittania for some winter sunshine. One day soon when you are ready you will be able to explore the world again safely in the knowledge that you have booked with someone that cares and I am with you every step of the way. I am there 24/7 for the big, the small, the unexpected whatever it maybe I have your back and I will be happy in the knowledge that you are having an amazing time creating holiday memories which will last you a lifetime, Stay safe and look forward to helping you with your adventures home and away

28 April 2020

When you think of Christmas in New York what pops into your head? Cold, Snow, Christmas Films such as Elf or Miracle on 34th Street, (two of my favourite Christmas movies). I have been lucky enough to visit New York a few times and this would be my fourth visit but this one was extra special as the whole family went, nine of us, five adults and four kids ranging from my nephew the youngest at 9 yrs to my poor Dad the eldest at 68 (hopefully he won’t read my blog so he will not know I have just told the world how old he is!) this trip had its challenges pleasing everyone. Before we went we had a number of “family meetings” to find out what everyone wanted to do and what were their “must sees” as we knew in 5 nights/6 days we wouldn’t see it all and we didn’t want to kids to be bored or come home saying “I didn’t see…” With a trip like this planning is key. I don’t mean write an agenda for each day but an idea of what you want to do on which days is a must, otherwise it will get to lunchtime and you would not of left the hotel. Also if you are going at a peak time pre -ook the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock and 9/11 memorial and museum to avoid the long queues! Leaving Heathrow on the first flight out on Christmas Eve we landed to a cold but sunny New York. I was a little disappointed as the forecast for the next 6 days was sunshine, I wasn’t going to have my New York Christmas movie moment, but nothing was going to spoil my trip I was off to see the Rockett’s Christmas Spectacular that night at Radio City Music Hall my first iconic New York Christmas experience. Just a word of warning when you land in the US you have to clear customs and immigration, the queues are always long the lovey immigration staff do not move quickly so you could be in for a long wait. If you are travelling with kids head to the toilets before you get in the queue and grab a drink too as you know they will want one of these two within 10 minutes of being in that queue! Once we cleared immigration, bags collected (the last ones on the belt) we jumped in 3 yellow taxis into the city. Heading into Manhattan because of the traffic it is a set fee plus toll and tip so you know in advance what you are paying, also everyone expects a tip in New York of between 15 and 20% so have some small bills to hand. New Yorkers tend to eat out on Christmas Eve and at home on Christmas day as many restaurants are closed or are very expensive with set a la carte menus. I gave my brother the task of booking restaurants and he pre-booked both around 4 – 5 months before we went. When we arrived at our hotel, the Westin Grand Central New York we headed straight to the Italian opposite for some great pizza and pasta. The majority of the sights and attractions in New York are open 365 days a year the only days some seem to close it New Year’s Eve and New Year’s day but not all. On Christmas Day after present opening (yes Santa found us in New York) and a hearty breakfast of pancakes we walked up 5th Avenue to the Rockefeller Centre to see the famous Christmas Tree & Ice Rink. This is also home to Top of the Rock Observation Deck which gives you a 360 degree view of the city. From one side you can see downtown and the Empire State Building and the other side Central Park and uptown. I personally think Top of the Rock is better in the daylight and Empire State Building at night with the lights. Then it was back to the hotel via Time Square ready for Christmas Lunch. They say New York never sleeps and they are right even on Christmas Day everywhere was buzzing, busy with thousands of tourists. Christmas Lunch was in a lovely English pub “The Churchill” located on 28th street, a traditional Christmas dinner with great atmosphere, food, service and a few Christmas songs thrown in, it sounds a bit cheesy but singing along to “Fairy Tale of New York” in New York on Christmas day with a drink in hand is one of my great memories of this trip. Over the next few days we • Shopped – 5th Avenue, Century 21, Macys • Ice skated in central Park • Hop on Hop off open top bus • Empire State building at night • 9/11 memorial and museum • Central Park • Strawberry fields – the John Lennon Memorial located in Central Park • Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island • UN Building • Grand Central Station • Carriage ride in Central Park • The American Museum of Natural History It is tough keeping everyone happy and if you are travelling in a group or with extended family I would recommend splitting up as not everyone wants to do or see the same things, shopping with my niece is not for the faint hearted and little legs get tired quicker! then meet up each evening at a set time for food, this worked for us and kept everyone happy, well most of the time! Before we flew home I asked each of the kids their best bits…… • 13yr old niece – Shopping & American Museum of Natural History • 9yrs old nephew – 9/11 Memorial and shopping • 12yr old nephew – making Auntie Sharon climb 6 floors of stairs at the Empire State so he could go outside at the top as no one else would! & shopping • 17yr old nephew – UN Building & Apple Store Over the 6 days we walked over 88k steps, around 68km, the weather was warmer than expected and we didn’t see any snow but New York at Christmas was magical from the lights to the window displays. New York has something for everyone, it stole my heart again, I would return in a heartbeat. My top tips: • If travelling at Christmas pre book Christmas Eve & Day meals • Pre-book Top of the Rock, Empire State Building and 9/11 Memorial is travelling at peak time • The hotel rooms in the US are 2 x double beds check the kids will share a bed • Make a plan • Comfy shoes – there is lots of walking • Find a diner near to your hotel for breakfast to avoid the expensive hotel breakfast charges • Everyone expects a tip in New York of 15 – 20% especially taxis and restaurants. In a restaurant the easiest way to work it out is double the total taxes and leave this a tip and they will be happy • Take a mix of notes so you can easily tip when necessary

26 May 2020

Arriving in Dubai after the 7.5hr overnight flights from Heathrow we were greeted by the warm heat of the morning and the hazy sunshine across the city to what looks like it is going to be a hot day. Immigration cleared, luggage collected, cruise tags added to cases we found the representatives from MSC Cruises and were guided through Dubai Airport Terminal to the waiting coaches ready to take us to the ship MSC Bellissima. After a short 30-40 minute we arrive at the port. Dubai has its own purpose built cruise terminal which is huge with a few shops, excursion desks, toilets, lots of open space, seats and a check in area for the ship. We stayed in a suite onboard which meant we have priority boarding on arrival so we pass the long check in queue and head to the shorter priority lane, 20 minutes later we were on the ship and it is still only 1030. It is too early for our cabin to be ready so we headed off to the buffet for breakfast, the buffet offers a huge choice from fruit, freshly made pancakes, fresh omelettes, cheeses & meats to freshly baked bread of every kind, I could of stayed here for hours! My top tip when travelling to Dubai on the overnight flights is to take a change of clothes and your swim stuff in your carry on bag so that you can get changed as soon as you arrive, enjoy the sunshine and use the facilities, this is even more so on a cruise as you will not see your case which you put on the bus at the airport again until it arrives in your cabin later that day and with thousands of cases to get on the ship and deliver to the right place this can take a few hours. Cabins on this cruise were available from lunchtime but each cruise is different, this gave us time for a quick power nap before getting ready for quick explore of the ship and dinner. A nap I hear you say! In my defence Dubai is 4 hours ahead of the UK and everyone has to attend a life boat drill on board before the ship can sail, with the various different flight arrivals our life boat drill was set for 2300 and there was no way I would stay awake that long without a nap especially after flying overnight with no sleep. MSC Bellissima is a new ship with her naming ceremony and maiden voyage having a taken place in March 2019. The ship is stunning with lots of space, the latest technology, lots of light, beautiful décor, lots of different areas to sit and relax both inside and out, a choice of bars, speciality dinning, pools areas with slides for kids, kids clubs there is even a Chocolate shop with their own Chocolatiers where you can indulge in the most delicious hot chocolate or bespoke chocolates and not forgetting the famous Swarovski Crystal staircase in the atrium, We had a suite with balcony and hot tub located at forward part (pointy end) of the ship, the cabin was large with a separate bedroom and lounge area with sofa bed not forgetting a huge balcony complete with large hot tub, this was plenty big enough for everyone not to be in each other’s pockets. MSC offers three choices of dining, two set dining times where you will be the same table each evening with the same people at the same time, or anytime dining which gives you the flexibility to dine when you want each evening with your family. We chose the anytime dining rather than being tied to a set time and also meant we were able to use the speciality restaurants when we wanted. I can thoroughly recommend the Steak and Tapas restaurants great food and atmosphere in both. Over the next 7 days we sailed around the Arabian Gulf visiting Abu Dhabi, Muscat & Khasab in Oman, Sir Bani Yas Island and then back to Dubai for an overnight in port. I tend to head ashore in the morning before it gets to hot and then back on the ship for an afternoon of sunbathing. I left the ship in…… Abu Dhabi: I had afternoon tea at the Emirates Palace the only 6 star hotel in Abu Dhabi omg, it was amazing and I would definitely do this again Oman: I did a half day city tour on a coach. It was 4 hrs long and took us around the old Quarter, a Souk, the Sultans Palace, Opera House and Grand Mosque Dubai: Rather than an excursion in Dubai, I took the open top hop on hop off bus from outside the cruise terminal into the city and stayed on the bus for two of the different routes which took you all around the city, Jumeriah Beach, & the Palm. Had I been there longer I would have got off at a few of the stops, but I only had one day, then in the evening I went back into the city via Taxi to the Dubai Mall to see the fountain show at the Burj Khalifa. I have cruised a number of times with various cruise lines and each one is different, each cruise line caters for different people and depends what you like and what you are looking for. MSC is Italian owned, it is international with its clientele with guests mainly from Italy, Spain, Germany and the UK, the ship is busy and has a party atmosphere to it, the dress code is casual even on the formal night it is a more casual formal than other cruise lines I have been on, if you like to dress up then this is not the cruise for you. If you are looking for a laid back cruise with a casual feel, that has a busy go go go atmosphere, beautiful big ships, then MSC is for you with a big choice of destinations around the world for you to enjoy.

01 November 2019

Why Use a Travel Counsellors? Why book your travel arrangements with me? In the last 25 plus years that I have been in the travel industry the way we research and book our travel has changed massively. Gone are the days of using guidebooks from the library to research your trip and solely having a travel agency to book your flights and accommodation – there are now a huge number of booking websites, travel apps and travel companies which you can book your arrangements through – unfortunately not all are legitimate and not all will take the stress out of booking travel arrangements. So why entrust your travel plans with me, a Travel Counsellor? 1. I’M A PROFESSIONAL There are lots of things we could probably attempt ourselves, but (from experience!) a professional will certainly do the job better. I have been in the travel industry for 26 years in various roles at a high street travel agency and for the last 7 years running my own business as a Travel Counsellors, this and the ongoing training I take part in has given me a heap of knowledge, experience and contacts. 2. I ADD THE HUMAN ELEMENT Each client is completely unique, an online search engines can’t tell this or care about them/you! They are a computer after all. I listen, get to know you and suggest some options for your holiday. Together we define what you want from your trip and end up with a holiday that’s perfect for you. I’m your contact from your initial enquiry until the time you get home – no web contact page, call centres, aftersales departments, just me. I really do care about your booking and ensuring everything is perfect. Happy customers recommend me to their friends and referrals are what my business is based on. 3. I SAVE YOU TIME Your time is valuable. There was a report that said holiday research takes the average person an equivalent of 4 working days! I’ll do the research for you or build on yours – sometimes it will take me a few days to narrow down the options for you or to find the perfect holiday but I’m using your brief on what makes a holiday great and ensuring what I offer you ticks the boxes. Again, that human element comes into play! 4. I HAVE THE RESOURCES At Travel Counsellors we have one of the best reservation systems I have ever seen in the industry. I can view live availability for all components of a trip – flights, transfers, car hire, accommodation, cruises, excursions – everything! We also have partners in many countries to assist us with more complex itineraries and tour operators that we use for more niche products. Every supplier we use shares our values of fabulous customer service and have completed our stringent health and safety and financial checks. 5. MYTC APP If you don’t have this on your phone or tablet – download it now! This is the most amazing app – you can view quotes, make payments, view your booking documentation and it will give you live updates on your flights and not forgetting the “holiday count down.” Nothing not to love! 6. I ADD VALUE I’ll always add value to your travel plans - we call it the TC Experience! That little bit of Travel Counsellors magic. The aim is to make every client know how valued and appreciated they are and add some special touches to every trip you take. 7. 100% FINANCIAL PROTECTION Travel Counsellors offer the highest level of protection you could wish for because it’s fully independent. Set up in 2004, it sits alongside our ATOL cover and financially protects every part of every trip, whether it be the whole holiday, a flight, hotel stay, car hire or even airport parking. It’s completely robust meaning no matter what happens, your money is safe. 8. ROUND THE CLOCK SUPPORT Things happen – that’s just the nature of travel! At Travel Counsellors we have a 24/7 Duty office staffed by an incredible team who have a constant eye on what’s going on in the world and at the touch of a button can work out which of our clients may be affected, allowing me to check in with you and make sure you’re OK. If you have an issue and you can’t get hold of me personally, the Duty Office are always on hand to take the call and between us we’ll sort it out – whether the problem is getting there, getting home or anything in between! This is just a few of the benefits of booking with me, I look forward to helping you with your next trip.

26 May 2020

I feel very privileged to have spent 4 nights on the stunning island of Mauritius with my fellow Gold Travel Counsellors. Mauritius had been on my bucket list forever so as you can imagine I was very excited for this trip. Landing in Mauritius on the overnight flight from Dubai (7hrs) we were met for our private transfer 1.5hrs north to the resort of Trou aux Biches and the stunning Beachcomber Trou Aux Biches which would be home for the next 4 nights. A beautiful 5* hotel located on a white sand beach, the low rise property is spread out along the beach with suites and villas located along the beach front, and set amongst the tropical gardens are Junior suite for two and the larger 2 & 3 bedroom family rooms. The property has direct beach access, water sports included, 6 restaurants, a number pools and kids/teen clubs from 3 – 17 yrs making it a great hotel for families and couples. I am not sure what I was expecting the island to be like but on day 2 of our stay I headed out on an island tour. The island is very green and lush, with a big Indian influence along with waterfalls and amazing scenery there is a number of temples and religious statues, oh and even a rum factory! The island reminded me a little of St Lucia in the Caribbean due to the lush landscape but also very different at the same time. If you are feeling a little more adventurous why not try a speed boat tour, some sea kayaking or even a zip line. I travelled in September which is the end of their winter but each day was a balmy 26/27 degrees with the odd short tropical shower, absolutely perfect Would I go back? Yes I would go back in a heartbeat, the Mauritian people are so friendly, fabulous hotels and service with amazing food, I would definitely recommend for foodies, couples, families. It is also easy to get to via direct flights with BA or Air Mauritius or use Emirates via Dubai and make your holiday a two centre trip staying in Dubai or Abu Dhabi.

06 March 2020

Abu Dhabi a short stop on my way to Mauritius. Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, is just 7 hours from London. Leaving Stansted on a horrible wet September evening I landed in Dubai to 42 degrees and sunshine at 7am. Why did I not fly directly to Abu Dhabi I hear you ask, which is a very good question when Abu Dhabi airport is around 30 minutes from the city instead of and 1hr 20 minutes from Dubai by car/private transfer! This was a short stopover as a few days later I flew onto Mauritius from Dubai. I split my time between the city staying at the Jumeriah Etihad Towers which is located around a 10 minute walk from the Corniche (or Corniche Road which is a long stretch of road which sweeps in a curve and includes children’s play areas, separate cycle and pedestrian pathways, restaurants, cafés and the Corniche Beach) and the Abu Dhabi Mall. My room had a stunning view of the famous Sheikh Zayed Mosque and Emirates Palace hotel, and a 360 degree view of the city can also be seen from the observation deck on the 74th floor which is free to all hotel guests. The hotel has three swimming pools, a choice of bars and restaurants and a small man made beach. Staying in the city is best for sightseeing but if you are looking more for a beach based holiday I would recommend staying on Saadiyat Island which is located around 30 minutes outside of the city. Jumeirah Saadiyat Island was my home for the next few nights, an eco-hotel less than a year old located on the only natural beach in Abu Dhabi. The hotel is low rise and spread out along the coast with a choice of restaurants, direct beach access, four pools and great kid’s facilities. If you want to venture away from the beach there is a shuttle into the city or why not take a taxi to Yaz Island which is home to Ferrari World, the F1 circuit. Yaz Mall and Yas Waterworld which is approx 15 – 20 minutes away. Would I return to Abu Dhabi? Yes I would! Fabulous hotels, friendly people, amazing service and great food, I would maybe travel between October to April though when it is cooler as 40+ degrees is just too hotel for sightseeing What would I recommend? Abu Dhabi is great for a short stop or a longer week long stay. If you are staying 3 or 4 nights I would stay in the city as you have everything you need a short walk away, but if staying longer I would split my time half in the city for sightseeing and half on the beach giving you the best of everything Abu Dhabi has to offer.

26 May 2020

As a family we love to cruise and over the years my mum & dad have taken their grandchildren away individually on their own special short cruise just the three of them. It was now the youngest’s turn! My 9 year old nephew Ollie is a bit of a livewire and it was decided that auntie Sharon would replace grandad, and it would be a cruise for four nanny, Ollie, auntie Sharon and his big brother Jack. The cruise was booked, a 3 night cruise from Southampton in August 2019 with Royal Caribbean. Auntie Sharon was praying for great weather, so we could use the pools and I could also hopefully get a bit of a tan whilst in and out of the pool with a 9 year! Royal Caribbean Freedom of the seas is a family orientated ship with lots going on: • Swimming pools • Splash water park for the younger ones • Water Slides for the bigger ones • Surf Simulator • Hi Fly – Sky Diving Simulator • Climbing wall • Crazy golf • Kids clubs • Outdoor Cinema screen • And lots more…… After arriving in Southampton we parked the car in the designated car park next to the ship (this has to be pre-booked) and walked to the cruise terminal. This is the bonus of sailing from Southampton being able to park and walk to the check in area, or for the less mobile there is a drop off zone right outside. After a quick check in and trip through security with photo taken for our cruise cards we were on the ship. We headed straight to the buffet for lunch, there is a huge choice to suit all tastes and any special diets, we tucked into some lunch and ignored the fact the bread and cookies was the lunch of choice for Ollie, The cabins on royal Caribbean when sailing from Southampton are generally ready for around 1300. I had booked an inside promenade view cabin which sleeps 5, the cabin had two large windows which overlooked the main promenade of the ship. It is still an inside cabin but these windows give you extra light and also something to look at. There was a large king size bed, 2 x window seats, a large lounge area with sofa bed, a walk in wardrobe and separate room with bunk beds. There were no internal doors just curtains to separate each sleeping area, by cruising standard this cabin was huge and plenty big enough for 5 people on a longer cruise. The kids are safe on board and the older ones are OK to wander around on their own, we just made sure we arranged a meeting point and time they he needed to be back. The children are all given their own cruise card which has to be scanned to get off the ship and they are not allowed off without an adult with them so they cannot get off on their own. The cruise card will also get them into the cabin and if you have given them signing privileges they can also use the card to buy drinks. The children are also all given a coloured wrist band which tells them which muster station they need to go to in an emergency so if this was to happen whilst they are on their own a member of crew will take them. Royal Caribbean has a mix of set dining times, early and late sitting as well as freedom dining where you can eat when you wish. They also have a mix of casual and formal nights or as my nephew called them “fancy pants night”. On our 3 night cruise we had one fancy pants night and two casual nights which is smart casual I usually describe as what you would wear if you were going out to a nice restaurant at home. This time we went for early sitting dinner which was 1830 and had a table just for the four of us, the crew were great and it was all about the children being happy whether it was chicken nuggets along with two deserts every night for Ollie or a fillet steak for Jack. They could accommodate most things and if there was nothing they liked on the menu then after dinner we went to the buffet for round 2 where there is so much choice they could find something they liked! My prayers were answered and we had glorious weather, we swam, played on the slides, crazy golf, table tennis, climbing wall and more I was in charge of water based activities which meant I was in the pool and on the slides as Nanny is not the best swimmer and Nanny was in charge of all dry activities. Over the 3 nights we had a day at sea and a day in Zeebrugge in Belgium. From Zeebrugge you can head into Bruges which is approx. 2 hours away on one of the tours or we used the shuttle bus which took us to the closest town a lovely seaside town of Blankenburg, which has a couple of shopping streets, a lovely sandy beach and a promenade with restaurants. After a spot of souvenir shopping for Belgium chocolates and an ice cream we were back on the ship for more swimming pool fun. These short cruises are a great insight into cruising if you have never been and want to give it a go before booking something longer, or a great long weekend away for family or groups of friends. My top tips Book parking early to get next to the ship Choose cabin wisely Book set dining time Relax and enjoy

02 July 2019

Travelling solo has seen an increase in recent years, with many people choosing to please themselves and have a solo adventure, rather than compromising to keep their friends, kids or partner happy. I took the plunge last year and travelled solo on a Caribbean cruise. Now I have travelled solo before, I have been to Australia and also a beach stay in the Med, but what would a cruise be like? I have cruised before but would travelling alone be different? I chose P&O Britannia for my trip having sailed on her before I liked the ship the lay out and I felt comfortable, Britannia also has some solo cabins. Cruise lines are notorious for single supplements as the cabins are based on 2 sharing, but these solo cabins do offer good value for money but they are smaller than a normal cabin. On this occasion I decided to go with a standard inside cabin as you are only in there to sleep, get changed and I would be spending most of my days on deck sunbathing or ashore. The things that went through my head in the run up to my trip, “Would I talk to anyone? “ “What would eating along be like “ “will I be lonely “ “Will I get lost “ Yes we all have these crazy thoughts and ideas and I am a travel expert so have travelled a fair bit but to put your mind at rest this is what I found: You will talk to people! Cruising is the friendliest type of holiday, you come out of your cabin to walk to breakfast you will automatically say “Good morning“ as you walk past a fellow passenger, at lunch in the buffet the person on the next table may say “ooh that looks nice or anything nice on the there today”, next thing you know you are chatting away. At dinner you have a choice; you can book a set dining time so have a specific time each day usually 1830 or 2030 and you sit with the same table or people each evening or you can book anytime dining where you head to the restaurant and the time you want and choose to be seated alone or with a table or others, this is a great way to meet people. Now don’t get me wrong, you will not get on with everyone at the table, there were some evenings I ate my meals quickly and other evenings we were the last table to leave, we were laughing so much others wished they were on our table. Over a few nights you will find you gel with people and you may find yourself in the bar having after dinner drinks (if you want to of course.) If you want to eat alone you can, I did a number of times when I ate in the speciality restaurants, if you are not comfortable people watching take a book or your phone with you, even if it sits on the table unread like a bit of a comfort blanket On Britannia a few times a week there was solo meet up or solo afternoon tea, where you could meet and get to know other solo travellers. I didn't go along to these but I met a few people who did and they are a good way of meeting other solo guests. You will also keep bumping into the same people, don’t ask me how when the ships are so big but you will, I kept bumping into the same two ladies I sat next to on the plane! You will get lost, as all the corridors look the same, but there are deck plans on the wall, just go back to where you started and start again or go find the nearest bar grab a drink. I promise you will get your bearings the day before you are due to come home. In each port I booked an excursion, mainly the beach trips which was a transfer to the beach, a chair and transport back to the ship, but you could easily jump in a taxi to do this. I found the excursions better value for money as it was just me. If the beach is not for you there is a huge selection of trips which give you a flavour of each island. If trips are not for you, most islands in the Caribbean you dock in a port which is close to the town or a purpose area with shops and bars so you can get off the ship and wander. Just make sure you take note of what time you need to be back on board by as the ship will not wait for you! I could go on for a few more pages about cruising but I don’t want to bore you. I can safely say that cruising is the friendliest solo holiday I have been on, I spoke to more people in one day on the cruise than I spoke to on a whole week on a beach based holiday and would not hesitate in cruising solo again! Please feel free to give me a call 01582 809530 to find out more about cruising.

25 June 2019

If you are wondering where your family should travel this year for your summer break or for an Autumn half term escape, consider Sri Lanka, which is an ideal family destination. Why? Sri Lanka is tremendously family friendly. The island is incredibly diverse and comprises ancient ruins, colonial forts, beaches, wildlife reserves, tea estates and coconut plantations. Thanks to Sri Lanka’s relatively small size, many of these sights can easily be visited on a round tour and together they offer plenty to keep the youngest family members busy. Sri Lanka doesn’t have water parks, theme parks and interactive museums. Instead, kids can absorb themselves in a different culture and have fun whilst learning as they soak up their unfamiliar surroundings. Sri Lanka’s beaches are perfect for sandcastle-building; however, kids might return home having learnt how tea is made and where rubber comes from. They might kayak on a lake or see elephants, leopards, crocodiles and bears in their natural habitat. Kids might learn a little too about Britain’s colonial history as they wander the atmospheric streets of Galle Fort, about Sri Lanka’s ancient cities or absorb Sri Lankan culture as they experience the hustle of a street market or experience a vibrant local festival. Where to travel Along with our preferred partners in Sri Lanka, I have suggested a great family itinerary. After a long flight, the Wallawwa hotel is great for a first night's stay - an 18 bedroom beautifully renovated country house hotel set amongst tropical gardens and just 15 minutes from Colombo airport. Fully recovered from the journey, the next few days are spent in the historic Cultural Triangle. One of the region's newest boutique hotels is the Water Garden at Sigiriya - and a must visit is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sigiriya Rock, a former fortress from the seventh century. The hotel has lovely pools and water gardens as well as spacious villas. After a few nights here, travel south to Kandy, a university town and home to the Temple of the Tooth - Sri Lanka's most sacred shrine. Our recommended hotel here is around an hour south of Kandy, set in acres of landscaped gardens in a former tea planter's residence. There are plenty of options for entertainment here - tennis, croquet, swimming and exploring by bike or taking a hike with a dedicated nature guide. After a week in Sri Lanka, you will now travel to the Western Hill Country, and the brand new Nine Skies hotel - voted one of the best new properties in Sri Lanka in 2018 by CN Traveller magazine. It is best approached by train, with a 360-degree loop of track and spectacular views. There are tea factory visits, tea trails, waterfall swims and hill walks to take part in here. Yala National Park is the island's premier game reserve, home to a dense population of leopards, as well as elephants and sloth bears. Camping at the edge of the park is a magical once-in-a-lifetime experience that all the family will love, with family tents, wildlife art classes and animal identification games as well as the game drives to the spot the real thing. The summer months are ideal for spotting big game on safari as the onset of the dry season and die back of the bush in July and August makes them much easier to see. Complete your circular tour of the island by travelling west along the cove-sprinkled southern coastline to Galle, a 17th century Dutch fort and a town with a cosmopolitan vibe. After sculpting sandcastles in the beach, take a guided bike ride along the scenic inland lanes, or a boat trip on Koggala Lake. It's possible to see whales and dolphins (Nov to Apr) and even visit local turtle hatcheries. Our accommodation here is Why House - all rooms can fit extra beds for children and the staff are so accommodating - arranging cultural shows, snake charmers and even an elephant visit at the drop of a hat! Sri Lanka is perfect place to visit in the October Half term or Easter Holidays, and is also perfect in the quieter summer months too. Get in touch now on 01582 809530 and we can start to plan your ideal family itinerary, which is unique and perfect to you!

27 October 2017

It’s Friday morning 6am and I am Gatwick about to embark on a week Island Hopping in Greece courtesy of Olympic Holidays, I am off to the Sporades Islands of Skiathos, Skopelos and Alonissos. I am not sure what the week will bring but I am excited to see the film locations from Mama Mia and I want to come back with more knowledge of Island Hopping. The flight to Skiathos is 3 and a bit hours and landing on one of the shortest runways in the world was a bit hairy but I am told taking off again is worse! On arrival we are met by the lovely Jo, the resort Manager for Olympic in Skiathos, who will be looking after us for the next few days. Home for the next 2 nights is the Aegean Suites a stunning 5* adult only hotel on the outskirts of Skiathos Town. All of the rooms are 1 bedroom suites with the most amazing views over the bay, the hotel has a lovely modern feel, nice pool with comfy sun loungers, a pool bar and a restaurant everything you need from a small boutique hotel, but this hotel is not for the faint hearted there are no lifts and it is built into the hillside from reception to my room 307 there are 126 steps! I fell in love with Skiathos, it has accommodation for everyone from your Traditional small Greek property like the Paschalis Studios with 10 rooms run by the old Greek lady who speaks no English but she will give you a big hug, to the big Hotels such as the Skiathos Palace whatever your desire Skiathos will accommodate you. I met guests who had been visiting for the last 20 years staying in the same place! Skiathos is 12km long and 5km wide with one main road running through the island from the Harbour in Skiathos town ( stop 0) to Banana Beach the other end of the island ( stop 26) buses run back and forth along this road all day and into the early hours with each journey costing 2.50 Euros it is easy to get around, each area/hotel has its bus stop number Aegean suites is stop 5 and Skiathos Palace stop 23 - you hop on pay your money and get off wherever you like. I would recommend staying close to Skiathos Town, with its cobbled street, shops, Tavernas, Harbour views to die for and a few spots you will recognise from Mama Mia, it was my favourite resort. Next stop Skopelos an hour on the Ferry from Skiathos Town, Skopelos despite being bigger than Skiathos has a quieter feel to it another lovely Harbour and cobbled street but not as big as Skiathos, the hotels here are more traditional in style here and I would recommend being close to Skopelos Town to be able to walk into the Harbour area in the evening. Skopelos is the home of Mama Mia, this is where most of the filming took place if you love the film you will love Skopelos visiting the Church on the Hill where they married, the beach and more a Mama Mia excursion is a must, but if you do not want to stay on Skopelos but love the film there are day trips from Skiathos. Next stop Alonissos which is 20 minutes on the fast cat from Skopelos Harbour or just over an hour from Skiathos. Alonissos is your small traditional Greek island it is like stepping back in time, the Harbour is full of Yachts, there are tavernas and restaurants on the harbour selling the days produce caught that morning. Home for the next few nights is Paradise Inn owned by Costa and his wife, it a traditional Greek in décor with the friendliest of people. Alonissos it beautiful amazing scenery, relaxed chilled vibe which is why people return year after year, the accommodation on the island is all small 2* properties you will not find a big chain hotel herer but this is what people love about the place and why they return. Stay near the harbour and a visit to the old town is a must. What are the Must Sees: • Watch Mama Mia at the open air cinema in Skiathos Town • Stop of coffee at the Bou ryzi is Skiathos Town and admire the view • Visit the old town in Alonissos, amazing view and beautiful sunsets • Take a Mama Mia Tour in/to Skopelos What did I learn: • Relax and enjoy the Greek hospitality; it is infectious and you will return • Greek Ferries change times when they feel like it and if the weather is rough the ferries don’t go, I would recommend staying in Skiathos the day you arrive and the day before you fly home. • 3 islands in 7 days is too much, savour each place and do a minimum of 4/5 days on each island • The islands close in the winter, season starts around 6th May and end around 29th September the most popular time for repeat guests is May and September, but watch out for the weather it starts to cool down in September With great food and infectious friendly Greek Hospitality you can see why people visit year after year and treat it like their second home. The islands are easy to get around whilst on the island and between the islands by ferry, it is a great way to experience more than one place on your next holiday. Would I go back? Yes I would!

27 October 2017

The nights were drawing in and days getting colder, I felt the need for a few days of lying on a sun lounger and enjoying the sunshine. Tenerife was the place and the Hard Rock Tenerife looked amazing but I had my preconceptions would it be too cheesy and over the top like the Hard Rock Café! Within seconds of walking through the doors I knew I had made the right decision and could not have been more wrong, the hotel is stunning light, airy and helpful staff from the moment you step out of your transfer. It would not be Hard Rock without the Music and memorabilia but it is not in your face and the music is a mix to suit all tastes. The rooms are located in two towers which are joined together by the lobby and buffet restaurant. I had the lead in Silver room which was amazing beautiful décor and comfy beds, English TV channel so you won’t miss your favourite programme and not forgetting the music you have access to free downloads for your favourite tunes or you can Bluetooth the music from your phone to the speakers, but don’t worry if this all sounds a bit too technical, like it did me the Hard Rock team will come and show you! There are three swimming pools, a Family pool with a splash area for the little ones, an Adult pool with swim up bar and Beach Club pool which is set around a manmade beach, with a DJ playing a mix of tunes from around 11am, whether you are a couple or a family there is a pool to suit you, my favourite was the Beach Pool then about 3pm we would head the adult pool for cocktails at the swim up bar. The food is fabulous really good quality and tasty, I am personally not a lover of buffet restaurants as they are usually a bit repetitive but not at Hard Rock there is a great array of food and choice both at breakfast with fruit, cooked, waffles, pastries, omelette station, pancake station and chocolate fountain! I can thoroughly recommend the waffles with fruit and melted white chocolate! It is the same again at dinner a huge choice, lovely salads, meats, fish, potatoes and a meat station and fish station where your food it freshly cooked for you. There are also 4 A La Carte restaurants, if you are on Half Board like me there is either a set menu to choose from or you receive a credit towards the normal menu, giving you the option to dine around and eat in different places, the Mohawk Steak restaurant is a must! Entertainment is all around you with Kids clubs 6 months to 16 years you can get time alone, there is music everywhere but it is not loud it is just there, from musicians in the lobby or serenading you at breakfast or dinner and singers with the best voices there is something for everyone, Hard Rock Tenerife is one of the best hotels I have stayed in and would recommend to both couples and families alike. I think my lasting memories will be the smell everywhere had the most amazing aroma like a spa, the music, from the Electric Guitar at breakfast to the amazing voices of the singers and the mix of tunes from the DJ at the pool and finally the sunset at the 16th Bar on the 16th floor. Hard Rock Tenerife I will be back.

02 July 2017

Does your family love theme parks but the thought of a roller coaster fill you with dread? I don’t like rides, anything high or fast fills me with terror so a trip to Universal Resort on a FAM trip, I thought I will be holding the bags whilst everyone else had fun! I could not have been more wrong, Universal Studios has something for everyone, yes if you like to sit at the top of a high roller coaster and plummet at speed to the ground before being whisked back up into the sky whilst screaming your head off or get soaked on a water ride there are plenty of these rides to keep you entertained! But if like me you like something a little calmer you will be happy too! You have Shrek, Minions, Spider Man, Transformers, Jurassic Park, Kong, Jimmy Fallon race through New York and ET which was my favourite and not forgetting for all Harry Potter Fans out there the Wizardly World of Harry Potter is amazing, from walking through Diagon Alley, pop into Ollivanders to purchase your interactive wand where so you can undertake magic spells around the Alley, if you are brave go into Gringots bank and ride the indoor rollercoaster, then run through the wall and King Cross Station Platform 9 ¾ and take the Hogwarts express over to Islands of Adventure arriving at Hosgmeade for more rides, thrills and a Butter Beer, I personally preferred the frozen Butter Beer. Both Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios have kids zone (Seuss Landing & Woody Woodpecker) for the smaller members of the family, and every ride has a family room and child swap so you can queue with your family then wait in the family room in the cool whilst they enjoy the rides. Not forgetting the shows, the parades and the opportunity to meet your favourite Marvel Character or a Minion. Do you love a waterpark? Volcano Bay is the new waterpark opened this year, with many thrill rides where you shoot through the floor to my personal favourite the lazy river but watch out you will get wet! This park does get very busy so get there early. The parks are open in the evening too, the opening times depend on the time of year and each day there will be a notice of the opening times, I definitely recommend the Cinematic show at Universal Studios, showcasing 100 years of Universal films with water show and fireworks, and a top tip is eat at Lombardos in the park who offer a set 2 course meal followed by sweet treat buffet while watching the show on their seated veranda a great view. City Walk is open until 2am every day with a huge choice of different restaurants and bars, if you are staying on site the water taxis run until 2am to take you home. The park does get busy, I would recommend staying onsite even if it just for a few days at the beginning or end of your stay. All of the onsite hotels are walking distance to the entrance but it is much easier to use the shuttle bus or Water Taxi. Every hotel offers you early admission to Harry Potter from 8am which is a must. Three of the hotel, Lowes Porofino Bay, Lowes Royal Pacific and Hard Rock also include express passes, a 1 night stay at either of these hotels will include a 2 day express pass each, with express passes costing from $99 per person per day on top of the normal ticket price a stay in one of these hotels will pay for itself especially in busy school holiday and peak times when queues are long. When is the best time to go? June, July and August are hot and humid with rain most afternoons, If you need to go in school holidays I would recommend Easter or Christmas, or if you are not tied to school holidays, March, May or October. There is much so say about Universal, so please get in touch for some more hints and tips.

24 March 2017

I love Singapore - it has to go down as one of my favourite cities, the people are friendly, amazing hotels for all budgets, great food and lots to see for both adults and children. This trip I dotted in and out of Singapore three times over a few weeks, a stop the day before my Christmas Cruise, another day before my flight to Sydney and then an overnight and day stop on my way home to London, but I still crammed in loads so whether it is a quick stop on route to Australia, a few days pre cruise stay or a longer stay Singapore has it all. I stayed at the Marina Mandarin located in the Marina area of the city a good location walking distance to Marina Bay area with the Famous Merlion, and the Long Bar at Raffles Hotel for a Singapore Sling, plus surrounded by shops if shopping is your thing. I also stayed at the Holiday Inn Express Clarke Quay on my way back to London, this hotel is a short 5 minute walk from Clarke Quay with a huge choice of bars and restaurants which is also where you can get a boat trip around the Singapore River. The hotel also has a roof top infinity pool so you can swim looking out across Singapore. What can you do in 24/48 hours - Singapore Sling in Raffles - Open Top Hop on Hop off bus - three different routes to choose from each one taking around 1.5 hrs - Designer shopping on Orchard Road - Boat trip around the Singapore River (45 minutes – 1 hour) - Marina Bay and see the Merlion - Drinks on top of the Marina Bay Sands – it is expensive but the views across Singapore are amazing - Marina Bay Gardens - Botanical Gardens - Universal Studios at Sentosa island - Singapore Flyer As you can see there is so much to see and do in Singapore it is great for a longer trip too. Would I recommend Singapore? Definitely !

24 March 2017

I have been away at Christmas before but always a big house in the UK with all the family, this year I was heading to the sunshine and a Cruise, really not sure what to expect and would it feel like Christmas? 11 Day South East Asia Cruise on board Diamond Princess, I have cruised many times and love it mainly for the fact you are entertained day and night, there is great food and you wake up in a different place every day, this cruise was no different leaving from Singapore and visiting Kota Kinabalu - Borneo Nha Trang – Vietnam Phu My – Vietnam – stop for Hoh Chi Minh City/Saigon Sihanoukville – Cambodia Laem Chabang – Thailand – Stop for Pattaya and Bangkok Koh Samui – Thailand I would recommend pre booking excursions as the ports are a long way from what you actually want to see, my favourite stops and highlights were Hoh Chi Minh City. It's an amazing city - best way to describe is it is like Bangkok with its hustle, bustle and mopeds! It's very clean and lots of history from the Vietnam war I would definitely go back. Feeding the Elephants at Pattaya Elephant Village, visiting a school in Cambodia, next time I will take more pens and paper as gifts, not an iPad or computer. But did it feel like Christmas - it was hot, the ship had a tree and decorations, each port we stopped at there were trees and decorations but it didn’t really feel like Christmas even watching Christmas movies on the big screen under the stars all felt a bit strange. On Christmas Eve singing Christmas songs with the officers around the Christmas Tree in the Atrium was magical, and Santa arriving to the ship by Tender on Christmas afternoon before gifting presents to each of the children on board it - these were one off experiences. It made Christmas albeit a different type of Christmas, I missed my pigs in blankets for Christmas Dinner and it did feel very strange to say “Merry Christmas“ in my swimsuit but would I recommend it? Yes I would! Would I recommend cruising in Asia? If you love cruising and you have been to the Med and Caribbean what feels like a million times try Asia, the ports are amazing, the boats are the same, the clientele is mainly Japanese, Asian and Australian with probably around 20% being British, the food does have a more Asian feel to it than other cruises but still plenty of choice for all tastes. The only downside is the ports are quite small to get the big ships into, so many of the stops were Tender ports with transfers of around 20 – 30 minutes.

29 October 2016

Valletta is the Capital of Malta and an UNESCO World Heritage City, in 2018 it will also be the European Capital of Culture, but most importantly my favourite place in Malta. I had never thought of a Malta as City Break location but if you are looking for a short break, somewhere warm/hot, great food, great people, a coastline, lots of Culture then Valletta and its neighbours the Three Cities are perfect Valletta is full of Baroque architecture as well as quaint streets which are home to quaint café’s and wine bars, a definite visit is the oldest Café in Valletta dating back to 1837, Café Cordina whether it’s a quick coffee and cake, a full three course meal, or an ice cream this café should be on the list, its location is also great for watching the world wander by. Valletta is built on a grid system so easy to navigate and get around, for Culture and history you have the Grand Harbour, St John’s Cathedral with its imposing bastions and priceless paintings, Casa Rocca Piccola, one of Valetta’s Lived in house museums still owned by the noble De Piro family, you may even be shown around by the Marquis herself, or walk through the Barrakka Gardens and Saluting Battery for amazing views over Malta’s famous Grand Harbour. After your time in Valletta take the ferry from the harbour over to Vittoriosa for an amazing view of the Grand Harbour looking back over Valletta, wonder the Three Cities or take a self-drive tour on a Rolling Geek some of the best fun and a great way to see the Three Cities. Cruise ships dock in the Grand Harbour if you are spending the day in Valletta my top tip would be don’t head straight into Valletta with the thousands of others people off the ship, take the ferry over to the Three Cities ( Vittoriosa ) hire a Rolling Geek http://www.rolling-geeks.com/ and explore the Three Cities, have a spot of lunch in one of the harbourside restaurants then head back to Valletta and explore everything the capital has to offer by which time most people will be heading out of Valletta or back to the ship leaving less crowded attractions I hope you fall in love with Valletta too.

29 October 2016

Gozo has always been on my list to visit but I had preconception that it would be difficult as you had to get the ferry from Malta, I could not have been more wrong! The ferry to Gozo takes 25 minutes and takes cars and foot passengers. The journey across is quick and smooth and in low season cheap at only €5 return for a foot passenger. The ferry run every 45 minutes and you buy your ticket for the return journey in Gozo before you come back to Malta. Gozo is a smaller version of Malta - very laid back, lots of history and culture, great food and lovely people. The capital Victoria has quaint streets with a great choice of cafes and bars, the Citadel is full of history or why not visit Ggantija Temples at Xaghra the oldest free standing Neolithis temples dating back 7000 years - older than the Pyramids in Egypt. If you are a diver Gozo is perfect with many dive sights including the Blue Lagoon, Azure window Xlendi Bay and Qbajjar Bay. I don’t think I have ever seen as many divers as I did in my few days on the island. The best part of my trip despite being very apprehensive was a quad bike tour. The tour is a half day tour with a guide and you follow them on your quad bike seeing the whole island, its rugged coast line and quaint city streets. A brilliant adventure and a great way to see the island. If you are travelling to Malta, a visit to Gozo is a must even if it is just for the day. Why not go for a little longer and twin a bustling Valletta with a relaxed Gozo.

29 October 2016

I have always had preconceptions about Malta, popular with the older generations, no beaches and not really for me, but after my four days on the island I fell in love and this has changed. There are some great holiday resorts such as St Julian’s which has some lovely 5* hotels and great restaurants in the Spinola Bay area overlooking the small harbour. I can recommend ‘Girosole’ a great fish restaurant, lovely Sandy beaches in Mellieha or Golden Sands and if you like somewhere to walk Qawra has a promenade which overlooks the bay. At the end of the promenade is the Malta Aquarium, great for a family day out and there’s more great food in their Bistro but be warned the portions are huge. In fact everywhere I went the food portions are huge! Must see places… The Mdina – Malta’s original capital is a walled city - a great place to wander, soak up the atmosphere, look at the amazing view and stop for some food in one of the many restaurants or cafes, and home to the best ice cream shop in Malta. Mdina Glass – Not for children as there is far too much beautiful glass around for small people. Watch how the famous glass is made and then look around the shop trying not to buy everything you see. Valletta – The new capital and a UNESCO world heritage city. Please take a look at my Valletta blog. The Three Cities – Vittoriosa, Sengea and Cospicua. Vittoriosa is Malta maritime city with a view over the famous Grand Harbour looking back over Valletta, home to hundreds of boats. Why not try Don Berto for some food and a great view over the harbour. Rolling Geeks – What are these?! A rolling Geek is an electric car similar to a golf buggy. They offer a self-guided tour via GPS of the three cities, which lasts around 2.5 hours or take the longer tour and head out to the Malta film set. All tours start and finish in Vittoriosa, the best few hours of fun!

19 May 2016

After a long journey of 3 flights and a 35 minutes Yacht transfer I arrived at Outrigger Konotta to be welcomed by the hotel GM and his team, fresh coconuts and garlands, I very quickly realised I had discovered Paradise. I had pre conceptions of the Maldives, isolated, full of honeymooners, I would get bored being on an island, not for families, how wrong was I, within seconds of arriving I relaxed, and the long journey seemed like a distance memory. After a quick lunch and time change to Outrigger time, we moved our clocks on 1 hour this is so that the guests can enjoy more of the sunlight hours ! I was shown to my Beach pool Villa, I lost count of the number of times I said WOW and OMG as I was shown around, the villas are huge, an entrance hall, which leads to a lounge area with corner sofa, TV and mini bar before heading down to the biggest bed I have ever seen which looked out onto the beach and the ocean, a dressing area and huge bathroom, then heading outside on the lower deck there is my private pool, direct access to the beach, a double day bed, a table & chairs, and the upper deck is home to another double day bed in the shade, 2 sun loungers and an outdoor shower. WOW! Home for the next three nights is amazing. The resort is so chilled and relaxed with attention to detail top of the agenda, the staff are friendly and think of what you need before you even knew you needed or wanted it! An afternoon on the beach is topped off with a meal of sushi and tepanyaki, before sinking into the most comfortable bed and sleeping soundly with the sound of the waves in the distance. I wake up the next morning, open the curtains and just stare at the ocean, I could stay here forever! Breakfast is served as with lunch and dinner in the Blue Fin restaurant, there is no buffet at Outrigger Konotta everything is chosen from a menu and cooked freshly for you, next stop is a lecture from the onsite Marine Biologist and then out onto the reef to snorkel, this is a plus for the hotel as not every island has one of these and you can see the passion Katarina has for the reef through her talk and the ongoing preservation of the coral, did you know that sun cream damages the coral and you should not go into the sea for 30 minutes after applying your cream? Over the next 2 days we escape from the island on a sunset cruise with Bubbles and Canapes before returning to the hotel for a BBQ on the beach with a local band to entertain us, I visit the spa for the most relaxing aromatherapy massage and a dip in the hydrotherapy pool which looks out over the ocean, I escape again this time on a dolphin cruise in search of dolphins alas they did not want to come out to play but this gives me a reason to return. I very quickly fell in love with the Maldives especially Outrigger Konotta, my pre conceptions were completely wrong, you will never get bored, you have the spa, snorkling, diving, every water sport you can imagine non motorised & motorised, you can spend the day alone on the uninhabited island with just you and a picnic, there are excursions to escape the island including surfing. There is a children’s club for the little ones and watersports and great wifi for the teenagers, everyone is taken care of, it is great for anyone families, couples or even singles I felt completely safe and would not hesitate to return. Thank you Outrigger Konotta I have found my Paradise, I shall return but next time I it will be for longer, maybe twin with Sri Lanka, Dubai or India. Until next time

21 December 2015

There is only one reason your alarm clock should go off at 0330 and that is if you are off on holiday! Taking the 0600 flight from Luton meant my Mum and I arrived at our hotel in Tenerife for our Mum & Daughter long weekend by 1100 and by lunchtime we were changed from winter clothes into swim suits lying by the pool soaking up the sun. The Bahia Del Duque in Costa Adeje is a stunning 5 star hotel on the beach front at Del Duque a great place for a bit of winter sunshine and pamper, your every whim is catered for from the choice of pillows available in your room to whether you want to eat Italian or Asian food, plus the happy, friendly staff offer the best service – even it a was a bit of a shock to be greeted by my name at the front desk on arrival – if you wonder how they knew who I was the guard at the security gate called ahead and advised we were on our way ! those extra touches along with an Hola or Buenos Noches every time you passed a member of staff, made you feel at home ! Tenerife offers a mix of hotel choices from your 5* hotels to you 3* apartments whatever your desire Tenerife can cater to your needs, it is a great location for some winter sun with average temperature of 24 degrees in December even if it was cloudy some days it was still hot enough to lie by the pool and relax with a book thinking of everyone back home in the cold. Taxis are cheap but if you are feeling fit and like to walk the promenade from Costa Adeje runs along the sea front past Playa Fanabe and down into Playa del Las Americas, there is a huge selection of restaurants from your typical holiday resort ones, I can recommend the Hawaii in Playa Fanabe good value, lovely food and great service a two course meal with soft drinks & tip costing around 40 Euros (£30) to the more luxurious Hacienda at The Bahia Del Duque where a two course meal with soft drinks & tip is around 80 Euros (£60) for two. Want to be entertained at night there is a choice of bars where you can enjoy a singer or maybe choose a quiet one and watch the world wonder by. The aim of my long weekend was to switch off from work, relax, enjoy some sunshine, and catch up with my Mum, If I had felt more energetic I could of gone to the waterpark ( Siam Park) , or taken a Dolphin Cruise, popped up to the North to Loro Park, or tried a bit of paddle boarding to name but a few - as you can see Tenerife has something for everyone young or old. The 1920 flight home on Tuesday evening soon came round – would I of liked to stay longer? Yes I would but this was a flying visit and I will be back! My top tip to get the most out of the long weekend is book an extra night at the hotel so you can have your room right up until you leave on the Tuesday giving you the whole day and pack your swim stuff in your hand luggage so instead of sitting waiting for your room to be ready you can be enjoying the sunshine !

25 April 2015

I love to cruise and was very excited find myself going on one of the largest ships in the world, Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas, with state of the art technology, world class food from a huge choice of restaurants, and spectacular entertainment. If you like to be active then Anthem is perfect! She has the Flow Rider - a surf Simulator, Ripcord by Ifly – indoor sky diving, a climbing wall and for the brave the North Star - a pod which rises to 300ft above sea level giving you a bird’s eye view of the ship ( too high for me!). Not forgetting the Seaplex, which is home to the Dodgems, Xbox live, and the Circus school. My experience of Anthem started at Southampton station. I was swiftly transferred to the ship, which can be seen rising above the buildings at the City Cruise terminal – she is huge! As we pulled up alongside we were met by the check in team with iPads checking everyone in on the kerbside, this was very quick and efficient and within 15 minutes I had checked in cleared security and was on board, first stop the Bionic Bar to sample a cocktail made by a robot, a very strange but fascinating experience watching the robot barman making a perfect Apple Blast. Time now to find my Cabin on deck 12 I had been allocated a balcony cabin which had a huge double bed (could be split into twins) a large bathroom, built in wardrobes and a lounge area with sofa bed if needed, perfect for a small family or three adults. The state of the art technology is apparent straight away on Anthem as you are allocated a key card but also a what looks like a watch, this gives you access to your cabin by swiping it over the door handle (no more fumbling for your key card) it can also be used to make purchases in the shops and bars, this made life so much easier. There is also free WiFi on board so you can keep in touch with the outside world if you wish - and don’t forget to download the app on your mobile phone, as from here you can make dinner reservations and find out what is happening on board. My first day was spent exploring the ship starting at the top on deck 14 home to the pool, the solarium, H20 kids pool with cute miniature sun loungers for the kids and the champagne bar, working my way down each deck. The Seaplex area on deck 15 is a must this - can be spotted easily as Gigi the 10ft Giraffe is next to the entrance. A quick spin on the dodgems, then it was time to head to the Royal Theatre for the naming ceremony, with a salute from the Reading Scottish Pipe Band, blessings from the Bishop and Rabi, a performance by Only Boys Aloud and finally the Godmother Emma Wilby. Naming the ship with flashing wrist bands and ticker tape, the ship officially became Anthem of the Seas. That night we dined in the American Grill with great food and great service before heading to the Two70 lounge to watch Spectre’s Cabaret, amazing singers, artists rising from the floor and down from the ceiling, computer screens coming to life the show keeps you attention throughout. It is a must see show! Rising the next morning to find us sailing along the South Coast in brilliant sunshine, breakfast in the Windjammer with every possible breakfast item you could think of was followed by a trip to the Spa for a hot stone pedicure - pure indulgence being pampered whilst looking out to sea! After more exploring of the ship, I think I am finally getting my head around where things are and which direction to go in! The afternoon was spent in the Royal Theatre watching the stage performance of We Will Rock You – another must see show! Chic Restaurant tonight for dinner with its beautiful décor - more great food and service, next stop the Two70 lounge again for Comedy night, before my eyes cannot stay open any longer and my feet are hurting I wonder back to my cabin heels in hand, Thank you Royal Caribbean for an amazing time!

20 December 2013

We arrived into Pisa airport on a hot day in August 2012 for my partner’s special birthday! Florence can be reached from Pisa by either train or bus, both are reasonably priced but we decided on the bus which took an hour so that we could see the picturesque Tuscan countryside on the way. We stayed at the 4* Brunelleschi Hotel which is located just behind the Piazza Del Duomo where the famous Duomo Santa Maria Fiore (cathedral) is located. Every time you look at the cathedral it looks different as the light reflects from the famous dome, I have hundreds of photo’s to prove it! Florence is easy to get around on foot without walking too far. There are many places to visit; see the amazing sculptures by Michelangelo and Leonardo De Vinci at the Uffizi, Michelangelo’s famous ‘David’ sculpture at the Academy Gallery (here the queues can be long so I recommend going early). Walk across the river Arno via the Ponte Vecchio bridge - the only bridge in Florence to survive WW2, visiting the tiny jewellery stores as you go across. Then walk up to the Piazzale Michelangelo (there are lots of steps so not for the faint hearted) to see the most amazing view of Florence, the one you see in all the pictures of Florence. If you want to get away from it all walk around the stunning Boboli Gardens at Palazzo Pitti; an ideal way to while away an afternoon. Eating in Florence is as cheap or expensive as you want to make it, there are lovely outdoor restaurants on the piazzas serving delicious pizza and pasta or there are many fine dining experiences. A must is the Gelato (ice cream). Florence is famous for its Gelato, there is a Gelato shop on nearly every corner serving most amazing choice of different flavours. Visit Florence and you will want to return. I know I do……………

20 December 2013

1 hour 50 minutes north by train from Florence is Venice. I arrived early afternoon into one of the most amazing cities in the world. I stepped out of the train station to see the city just like it is in the photographs floating in front of me, I will never forget that view. It had the WOW factor for me. I stayed here as part of a two city trip to Italy in August 2012. I was a little worried as people had told me Venice would be hot and smelly in the summer, so I was expecting a dirty canal and a bit of a smell, but it could not have been further from the truth. There was not a hint of a smell and the canal was the clearest blue I have ever seen! We stayed in a small 3* typical Italian décor hotel the ‘Ca Del Campo’ which is located a few streets behind St Mark’s Square. There is a word of warning here, take note of which Vaporetto (water bus) stop you need to get off at because if you get off at the wrong stop the directions you are given will not work and you will get lost, like we did! But the people are so friendly that with a few new directions we soon found our hotel! A must in Venice is a ride along the Grand Canal. The most romantic and the most expensive is a Gondola (around 100 euros) or there is a water taxi or the Vaporetto. I chose the water bus as I don’t like small boats and was too scared to get in a Gondola, because they do move quite a bit when a waterbus or a taxi goes past! Buy a one day pass for the water bus for about 20 euros each and you can ride the whole of the Grand Canal. There is lots to see and do in Venice. It is easy to get around on foot of by water bus, walk across the Rialto Bridge, stand in St Mark’s square, visit Doges Palace (get here early or late as when there is a cruise ship docked in Venice the queues are long). Or you can get a water bus to Murano Island and visit the famous Murano Glass. It can be expensive to eat in Venice, especially if you go to a restaurant in St Mark’s square as they will charge a cover charge for sitting at a table on the square. However it is an amazing location so it is worth it if you budget will stretch. If not, head out from the square and there are many beautiful little restaurants hidden away from the hustle and bustle - the choice is endless. I want to go back!