02 November 2014

This year we decide to take our family holiday to Lanzarote in the Canaries. I had already been to Tenerife and Gran Canaria and so was interested to see how Lanzarote compared. We stayed in the resort of Playa de Los Pocillos which is on the outskirts of the main tourist area of Puerto del Carmen. It is only a 10 minute transfer from the airport which makes this resort even more desirable. I must point out that whilst you can see aeroplanes coming in, they are in no way intrusive. We stayed at the 4 star Los Jameos Playa which offered superb food and accommodation in lovely surroundings. Playa de Los Pocillos is a lovely more relaxed area with its own selection of shops, bars and restaurants and once you venture a little further into Puerto del Carmen then there is a huge choice from gift shops to designer stores. There is also a casino and nightclubs for late night entertainment in Puerto del Carmen. I was pleasantly surprised with Lanzarote as it was a lot cleaner and tidier than I expected. It was very hot because it was August, but there was always a nice breeze and although it was over 30 degrees everyday it was never uncomfortable. Lanzarote is a volcanic island and is very desolate inland, with hundreds of volcanoes scattered throughout the island. The beaches are clean and the sand looks lovely, but because it is a volcanic island you do look like you are covered in mud once you step out of the sea. The resorts are geared up for cycling and it’s easy to hire bicycles. We hired a tandem and managed to cycle beyond Puerto del Carmen and up to the airport in the opposite direction. Because the area is mostly flat we also hired Segway’s and did a Segway Safari. This was great fun and if you have teenagers with you they will love it. On Sundays they hold a local market in Teguise. We purchased bus tickets for just 4 Euros each and they collected us around 9.30 and brought us back around 1.30. The market is quite big and has lots of local suppliers offering a whole host of things. If you have smaller children there is a water park in Costa Teguise. It was ok, but not the best water park I have been too. It's ok for a few hours of fun and smaller children will appreciate it but older children will soon get bored. Another excursion we chose to do was a day trip to Fuerteventura. Having never been, I was eager to see what the beaches were like as they are supposed to be the best in the Canaries. We went over by catamaran. The trip was not too bad going but it was very choppy on the return which I believe is normal. The boat docks in Corralejo which I felt was a little tacky and didn’t have the same feel as Lanzarote. The beaches however were amazing with beautiful white sand and blue waters. In summary Lanzarote turned out to be my favourite Canary Island. I liked how clean and tidy the island was, the cooling breeze, the choice of shops, bars and restaurants, the flexibility to visit other islands and the entertainment for all ages. Add to this that there is no time difference and short transfers, then it’s great for young families. It also offers some of the best value for money in Europe.

23 July 2013

In June 2013 I was lucky enough to be selected to take part in the Barbados Megafam, which meant I got to visit the island of Barbados for 5 nights along with 100 other travel agents. The journey was very straight forward and comfortable. Ours was a direct flight from Gatwick which took around 8 hours. On arrival we transferred to Turtle Beach on the South West of the island for our all-inclusive stay. The South West of the island is really stunning with its white sand beaches and turquoise waters. The views are simply spectacular. The popular St Lawrence Gap is only around 5 minutes away on foot and this is where a lot of the night time entertainment takes place. Just 10 minutes by car in the opposite direction will get you to a place called Oistins. This is popular for its Friday night fish market which I had the opportunity to experience – it is well worth a visit. I was surprised to see so many locals out enjoying a regular Friday night. They were so friendly and allowed us to join in and mix with them. They make you feel really welcome and don’t bother you or treat you like tourists. Besides visiting a whole range of hotels across the island we also had the opportunity to do an afternoon catamaran cruise and swim with turtles. As soon as I jumped into the sea and put my face in the water there were 2 enormous turtles swimming alongside me. Being able to get so close to these creatures in the wild is absolutely amazing and a once in a lifetime experience. I would highly recommend doing this trip whist in Barbados. One of the many carnivals took place whilst we were there and we had the opportunity to join in and follow the procession through the St Lawrence Gap. A great time was had by all, in a fun party atmosphere, with calypso music beating out and street entertainers keeping everyone in the party mood. Another exciting day was spent taking part in a funfari. This is a jeep safari and a treasure hunt all rolled into one. In Barbados they drive on left like in the UK, which makes it easy. The island is quite small and you can get around quite effortlessly. The contrast between East and West is quite diverse with the Atlantic Ocean beating the rugged East coast and the calm Caribbean Sea caressing the West. The countryside inland reminded me of England and the names of the towns and parishes all sound familiar. It’s like a small piece of England in the Caribbean. If you are interested in aeroplanes then the Concorde Experience is a must. One of the decommissioned Concords is on show in a hanger next to the airport. Here you not only see one of the iconic aircraft that carried the rich and famous to Barbados, but you can also go inside the plane to view it. Barbados is not just about sun and sea, but is a complete destination for everyone to enjoy. It’s perfect for couples, honeymooners and family holidays alike. It is not the cheapest place to go in the Caribbean and this helps to give Barbados a certain ambiance. It is not affected as much with hurricanes as other places in the Caribbean and is the closest Caribbean island to us. I saw a whole range of hotels from 3 star to 5 star so if you are thinking of going and want to discuss options give me a call – I’d love to hear from you.

31 October 2012

In September 2012 I visited Mexico for my fourth time. I got engaged and married in Mexico so enjoy a special bond with the country. It is 14 years since I had last been to Cancun and, when driving through; little had changed apart from the quantity of hotels and a lovely new shopping area called La Isla Shopping Mall. The beaches are still amazing and rank as my favourite beaches in the world. Cancun is very commercialised and geared towards the American market. There are plenty of things to do such as swimming with dolphins, shopping, water parks, snorkelling, scuba diving and site seeing at historical places like Tulum and Chichen Itza. There are plenty of restaurants, bars and nightclubs as well. On this trip I stayed on the Riviera Maya, whereas previously I had stayed in the main hotel zone in Cancun. It is very different in the Riviera Maya and a completely different holiday experience to that in Cancun. It is more laid back, yet you are only around 30 minutes from the hustle and bustle of Cancun. Most of the hotels are low-rise, as opposed to Cancun’s high-rise, concrete buildings. The beaches are beautiful but I don’t feel the sea is as clear on the Riviera Maya as it is in Cancun. The hotels are nearly always all-inclusive and they can be quite isolated so you may need to take a taxi into Playa del Carmen or Cancun if you want any shops, bars or entertainment. I stayed for four nights at the Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort and Spa which is a lovely five star family hotel. I then stayed for three nights at the five star, adult only hotel Secrets Maroma Beach which is set in an amazing location and perfect for weddings and honeymoons. While in Mexico, we also had the opportunity to visit the ruins at Tulum. Xcaret is also a great place to visit, especially for families. As well as having the opportunity to see some Mexican culture, you can see dolphins and turtles and can swim in an underground river! It was also Mexican Independence day whilst we were there and we watched dozens of children trying to break the record for the world’s biggest tortilla. For anyone going to Mexico around 20th March or 21st September, a trip to Chichen Itza is a must. This is because on these dates every year, the sun casts a shadow in the shape of a serpent on the steps of the Pyramid. This is another one of the mysteries surrounding this area and something not to be missed. As a word of warning, between June and October, Mexico sometimes experiences hurricanes and it gets very hot. Mexico offers two very different holiday experiences. If you want everything at your disposal then the hotel zone in Cancun is for you, but if you want something a little more laid back, with a much more tropical feel, then head to the Riviera Maya.

03 August 2012

In June 2012 we went to Cayo Coco in Cuba for our family holiday. This was our 3rd time to Cuba and also the 3rd time to the Hotel Sol Cayo Coco on the Island of Cayo Coco. We keep returning to this hotel because it suits our needs and Cuba offers excellent value for money. June is the start of the hurricane season and we were a bit concerned about the weather and we did have an occasional shower but thankfully no hurricanes. What we didn’t plan for were the mosquitoes. Having been before without any problems it wasn’t something on our mind, but because it was the rainy season, the mosquitoes were quite a problem. Please take a good mosquito repellent if travelling between June and November. We go as a family with our daughter who is now a teenager. We first went when she was just 4 years old. She loves it just as much now at 13, as she did then. The people, the location, the entertainment are all great. The animation team work tirelessly to entertain you with dance classes in the day, kids club, beach volleyball and beach parties at night. Every evening they entertain the kids with a disco before the nightly show starts in the outside theatre. The hotel is rated 4 stars and the location is wonderful. It is a safe haven for kids as there is nothing to worry about outside the hotel. There is virtually no traffic on the Island, no locals live on the Island, no hawkers, and the lagoon beach is so shallow it’s perfect for kids. We had a typical family holiday spending quality time together, playing, swimming, relaxing, eating and sunbathing and we also went swimming with dolphins at the Islands new Dolphinarium. They now have an open top double decker bus that runs between Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo and you can hop on and off throughout the day for just a few pounds. We used the bus to go to the Dolphinarium and again one day to go to Pilar Beach at the far end of Cayo Guillermo, (this is an absolutely stunning beach). Afterwards we hopped off at the sister hotel the Sol Cayo Guillermo where you can use their facilities. You can also take trips to Havana from Cayo Coco if you want to see the real Cuba. These generally mean an overnight stay in Havana. I’m sure this is not the last time we will go to Cayo Coco as it is such a stress free holiday and if my daughter could choose she would go every year. All in all if you want somewhere that is very reasonably priced, with beautiful beaches, genuine people and very child friendly then Cuba ticks the boxes.

21 December 2011

In November I was lucky enough to be chosen to take part in an educational visit to Goa. There is quite a bit of preparation to do before your holiday begins. This entails applying for a tourist visa (which is not the most straightforward application I have come across) and arranging with your GP to make sure you are up to date with your vaccinations. Once this is all done you can look forward to your holiday. After a 10 hour flight we arrived in Goa and stayed for the first four nights in Candolim in North Goa. We stayed at the 4 star Fortune Select Regina. On first impressions it did not reach the expected standard, but after visiting other hotels in the area I can see why it is rated 4 stars in Goa. The roads were the thing that surprised me the most. I have been to many countries where you think the drivers are chaotic, but in Goa it really is a free for all. There doesn’t seem to be any rules and bikes, cars, buses and cows just go aimlessly on their way. There are very few footpaths as well, so this means walking on the roads to get about. You really do have to have your wits about you. Due to the infrastructure I would not recommend it for families (especially if you have a pushchair) or anyone in a wheelchair, as it would be impossible to get about. Cows are everywhere and are sacred in India and are allowed to roam freely, so much so, that they wonder up and down the beaches without a care in the world. When we were at the Wednesday market in Anjuna, we even had a cow walk through the middle of a cafe where we were having a cold drink. The beaches in Goa go on for miles and have any array of beach shacks up and down the coast. The best beaches are in South Goa where the sand is whiter. Hawkers do approach you to sell their wares but a polite “no thank you” and they leave you alone. The people are very friendly but not too pushy. The Goans are ingenious when it comes to making a pound or two and I watched in amazement as a young girl built a makeshift tightrope on the beach out a few poles of wood and performed in front of us. She then dismantled it moved 50 yards further down the beach and did it all over again. At night the beach shacks play music and beach parties take place under the stars. North Goa is more geared towards the younger crowd with many bars restaurants and nightclubs in the resort of Baga. Tito’s nightclub is known all over Goa and Mambos is where we danced until 4am one morning. Drinks are really cheap as is everything in Goa and your money does go a long way. Whilst in the north we did the Jungle Book tour which is centred round elephants. We drove for a couple of hours to Shanti Hamlet where we rode the elephants through the forest and up a river before watching a show where the elephants were the stars. After lunch we were taken to a lagoon to swim and cool down before the elephants arrived and went for a swim in the lagoon with us. We had the opportunity to wash the elephants using coconut husk and then took turns to sit on the back of the elephant whilst it sprayed a powerful jet of water over us. The original power shower!!! For the final three nights we ventured to South Goa stopping on the way at Panjim (the capital of Goa) for a bit of sightseeing. There is a great Portuguese influence here with many churches dotted around. There is also a big shopping centre with lots of branded stores selling originals at bargain prices. On arrival in South Goa we stayed at the Hotel Dona Sylvia in Cavelossim. It is much less hectic down in the south and the hotels are more spread out and of a better standard. South Goa is better suited to couples who just want to relax and enjoy the wall to wall sunshine over the winter months. The roads are much less busy here so I felt calmer. They still have the beach shacks and the souvenir stalls so you still get the same atmosphere just at a slower pace. All in all if you want some guaranteed winter sunshine at value for money prices then Goa fits the bill. The people are lovely and if you want to party head north but if you want to relax head south. I would recommend the north to groups of singles and younger people and the south to couples and retired people. I think doing a two centre holiday staying near to Panjim first would be ideal. This gives you the opportunity to do the sites of the capital with all that shopping on your doorstep before moving either north or south for the beaches.

27 May 2011

In May 2011 I was fortunate enough to experience Disneyland Paris Resort. May is a good time of the year to go as the weather is pleasant, without being too hot and the parks are not as busy as in the summer months. I arrived by Eurostar from St Pancras station in London after a journey that took around 2 hours 45 minutes. This was my first time through the channel tunnel and my first time on Eurostar. I really enjoyed the experience and believe that if you are not too far away from London then this is definitely the way to go. It is far more relaxed than flying, with fewer restrictions on luggage and more comfortable seating; if you are taking small children then this is definitely the best option in my opinion. The train arrives at Marne la Vallee - Chessy Station right outside the park gates and your luggage can be left at the station and delivered straight to your Disney Hotel room leaving you time to go and play straight way. Likewise, at the end of your break your luggage can be delivered straight to the station for you to collect on your way home. I was in the park on the last day until 6.15pm and the train left at 7.30pm, allowing me to squeeze every last minute of Disney time into my break. I stayed at Disney’s Newport Bay Club, which is a three star hotel about a 10 minute walk to the park gates. The hotel is good and is worthy of its three stars but it’s not luxurious and serves as a good base at a reasonable price. I was able to visit some of the other Disney Hotels whilst I was there to see how they compared. The two star Hotel Santa Fe and Hotel Cheyenne are the best value hotels and personally I preferred The Cheyenne from these two. If you would like a little more luxury and to be nearer to the park then the four star Hotel New York would suit. But if money is not a problem and you really want the wow factor then you must stay at the Disneyland Hotel. This is right at the entrance to the Park. The Disneyland Paris complex is divided into three main areas, Disneyland Park, Walt Disney Studios, and The Disney Village. The Disneyland Park is where the magic happens and the dreams come true. From Sleeping Beauty’s’ Castle to Space Mountain there is something for everyone, with shows and parades going on throughout the day and into the evening. Based along the lines of Disneyworld in Florida, but on a smaller scale, the park has enough to keep children of all ages entertained. The studios next door are also similar to Disneyworld Florida but again on a smaller scale. All the usual favourites are there such as the Tower of Terror, the Rock and Roller Coaster and the Studio Tram Tour! If you are interested in Finding Nemo, then Crushes Coaster will appeal to you. It’s a family roller coaster ride in the dark! When you are ready for a change of pace then the Disney Village is the place to go. Here you can shop and dine and even go to the cinema. If you are feeling hungry then why not eat at Annette’s Diner where the staff are on roller skates, or watch a Wild West Show at Buffalo Bill’s with Mickey and Friends! I have to say that I did see the characters more often in the Paris parks than when I was in Florida - probably because it is not as big. If this is important to you and you have small children you won’t be disappointed. All in all, a trip to Disneyland Paris would be well worth it for anyone, but especially for families with young children. I stayed for 2 nights but in all honesty I think that 3 nights are needed to see everything properly. Paris itself is easily accessible from here so if you wanted to see some of the sights of the city then perhaps extend your break to a 4/5 night and soak up some of what else Paris has to offer one day.

07 November 2010

The flight to Alice Springs from Melbourne takes about 3 1/2 hours. From the air I had seen one of the road trains that they use for transporting goods in Australia, they are huge. Tonight I was staying at the Crown Plaza Alice Springs. This hotel is home to Hanuman Thai Restaurant where I had the most delicious Thai meal in lovely surroundings. It’s very popular and gets busy so reservations are recommended. Alice Springs itself is set between the Macdonnell Ranges and is well equipped for a town in the middle of nowhere. It is home to the Royal Flying Doctors and the School of the Air. Both organisations have been set up to help people who live in the outback. At the Royal Flying Doctors you can see how they go about helping sick and injured people in the most inaccessible places and at the School of the Air I sat in on a lesson that was being conducted over the airwaves (and today with webcams) to a number of children living in the remote Australian outback. The town has a few hotels, a pleasant shopping precinct, a conference centre, a casino, a small zoo as well as a number of bars and restaurants. It did feel more Australian and less touristy with the locals going about their day to day business. In the evenings in some of the bars I did feel a little uncomfortable and unwelcome. The River Todd runs through Alice Springs and is usually dry, but once a year they have the annual boat race called Henley on Todd. The difference is, they run down the river carrying the boat! Whilst in Alice Springs I was fortunate enough to take a helicopter flight up and over the town and the Ranges and from here you fully appreciate the remoteness of the town. There is nothing but desert and few Kangaroo’s as far as the eye can see. The next morning I checked out and joined a guided tour heading for Kings Canyon. We drove through the desert and only passed 2 other vehicles in 3 hours. We eventually reached Kings Canyon where we did a rim walk. It takes about 2-3 hours to complete the walk and apart from the original climb to the top of the rim it’s fairly easy. The views and the rock formations make it worth the effort. I stayed overnight at the Kings Canyon Resort and this was the first time I had ever seen a night sky without any light pollution. I even saw a shooting star. Back on the road and through the desert we headed next to Ayres Rock. Not a car or a bend in sight, just a straight track going on forever in the distance. On route we saw what we thought was Ayres Rock in the distance, but this turned out to be Mt Connor. As we got ever closer I was on lookout for the famous rock. Then there it was in all its glory. At this point we were still about 50 miles away! That just goes to show how huge Ayres Rock is. When we finally arrived at Ayres Rock we went straight to our hotel, Voyages Sails in the Desert. The hotel is beautiful, and Ayres Rock can be seen from the roof terrace. After unpacking we wasted no time and began the sightseeing. First we headed to Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) for the Valley of the Winds Walk. Please be prepared for flies. According to the locals there were hardly any about but I found them to be quite annoying and I was constantly removing them from my face. I would advise wearing a fly net. Later that evening we watched the sun set over the Olgas and Ayres Rock before having a barbeque in the desert. The sky was clear and again we marvelled as a million stars sparkled above us in a perfectly clear sky. It was so good that I could easily see the Milky Way with the naked eye. The next morning we had a very early start. Today we are about to see the sun rise over Ayres Rock. We drove into the national park and took our places on the viewing gallery. As the sun began to rise the rock changed colour. There was perfect silence and an eerie, mystical feeling as everyone watched. After taking more photos than I can count we had breakfast in the desert with Ayres Rock in the background. We then drove to the base of the rock and did a walking tour around it. On closer inspection it was not what I expected. Hidden in the rock is a semi permanent watercourse. I never imagined I would see water actually nestled inside the rock. The guides told us the history of the rock and pointed out the rock art which is still significant in Aboriginal teaching. You can climb the rock but it has a very severe gradient and is not encouraged. That night we experienced the Sounds of Silence dinner. A gourmet dinner set under the stars with a lone didgeridoo filling the air. Before we sat down to eat we watched the sun set over Ayres Rock. Again every hair stood on end as the rock changed colour. After a delicious meal we did some star gazing and had a talk from an astronomer who pointed out the stars in the sky. He even set up telescopes so we can get a closer look. He pointed out Saturn with the naked eye and then showed it to me through a telescope. I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was so clear; I could see every ring around the planet. After a very long day we made our way back to the hotel to get some sleep as the next morning we were making the 6 hour journey back to Alice Springs for our flight to Darwin.

07 November 2010

In May I was lucky enough to visit Australia with 300 other travel agents from all over Europe as part of the Aussie Specialist Programme. I took a flight from Heathrow to Singapore and then connected on to Melbourne. The flight was much more comfortable than I anticipated and time passed by much faster than I expected. If you have ever considered going to Australia and the length of the flight has stopped you - please reconsider. I arrived in Melbourne and was transferred to my hotel. I was staying at the brand new Crown Metropol which is part of the Crown Entertainment complex. It's a very contempory 5 star hotel in a perfect location for making the most of Melbourne. After unpacking we hit the streets of Melbourne. The Yarra River runs through the heart of Melbourne and on the south side it feels more modern, high-rise and business like, and on the other side it’s more traditional with shops, bars, theatres and street cafes. It felt like America and London all in one city. We started touring the city and eventually arrived at the Eureka Tower. This is the tallest building in the southern hemisphere. We took the lift to the 88th floor where you have amazing views all over Melbourne. I went one step further and took ‘the edge’ challenge where you step inside a glass lift that protrudes out of the side of the building 88 floors up. Wow – what a fantastic experience but not for the fainthearted. Afterwards, we crossed over the river and checked out the street cafes in the lanes of Melbourne, a complete contrast to the other side of the city and very European feeling. Later using our Melbourne Metcard we took a tram to St Kilda which is the beach side area of Melbourne. It has quite a British feel to it, with a funfair and tourist shops. St Kilda is also famous for its cake shops which display their delicious mouth-watering temptations in their windows. A short tram ride back to the city and we were outside Federation Square in the centre of Melbourne. This is the cultural heart of Melbourne with street entertainers, shops, museums and visitor centre. In the evenings we were treated to various events. The Long Room a popular meeting place on Collins Street, Flemington Racecourse – home to the Melbourne Cup and a race that stops a nation and Melbourne Park – home to the Australian Open. Over the next 3 days we had a number of business sessions to attend and met more than 100 Australian suppliers to gain as much knowledge as possible. The funniest part of the trip had to be a trip to Ramsey Street and the set of Neighbours. We toured the set walked the street and even met a member of the cast. On our final day in Melbourne we took a trip along the Great Ocean Road. It reminded me very much of Wales or Cornwall as we zigzagged our way along the coast and through the coastal towns of Lorne and Apollo Bay. We passed through forests of Eucalyptus trees with koala sleeping in them and stopped at a pub for Fish and Chips. Our ultimate destination was the iconic twelve apostles: a collection of limestone stacks over 10 million years old standing in the Southern Ocean. On the way back to Melbourne we stopped at the Otway Fly where you can take a tree top walk and lastly called in at one of the local brewery’s to sample the local beer. The perfect end to a very enjoyable day. The next morning we checked out and made our way to Melbourne Airport for our flight to Alice Springs and the red centre.

11 July 2010

I, my wife and 11 year old daughter took our family holiday to Dubai in May 2010. What an amazing place! We arrived from Birmingham, and were transferred to our hotel, The Hilton Jumeriah Beach. The hotel is exactly what you expect from a Hilton, clean, friendly, comfortable and unpretentious. It has a good pool set beside pleasant gardens in a fantastic location. The beach in front of the hotel is lovely – white sand and clear blue sea reminiscent of the Caribbean and a sea temperature in May of 35C. From the beach you can see the Atlantis the Palm Hotel in the distance and The Burj al Arab. When you step outside the front of the hotel you are instantly on a new area known as The Walk. Here you will find a multitude of restaurants, fast food outlets, shops and a supermarket. There isn’t anything else quite like this in Dubai at the moment. If you go back a block you come to the Dubai Marina. Here you will find Marina Mall with dozens of shops and a food court as well as the boats moored on the Marina. This diverse mix is what makes the location so good – the beach, The Walk and the Marina. On day two we visited Wild Wadi Waterpark. It’s not a huge park but has everything you need for a fun filled day. Most of the flumes are interconnected which means that you never have to get out of your tube and queue, you simply float from ride to ride. They have a great kid’s area for smaller children and a wave pool. For the brave try Sceirah it’s worth it just for the views. The next day we took a 25 minute cab ride to town (approx £5.00). Our destination was the Dubai Mall – the world’s biggest shopping mall. We weren’t there for the shops though. We were there because we were going up the Burj Khalifa. The world’s tallest building with 160 floors reaching almost a kilometre into the sky. We took the lift to floor 124 where they have the ‘At the Top’ experience. I can’t put into words the view; you’ll have to try it yourself. Above us were another 36 floors, equivalent to a skyscraper and we were already 124 floors up – incomprehensible. One hour later and back down to earth we were in the Dubai Mall. Here you will find over 1200 shops, a huge food court, amusements and even an Olympic sized ice rink. We shopped until 6pm then made our way outside and stood under the Burj Khalifa next to a massive lake area. Here they put on a show from the world biggest water fountain. Set to music it takes place every 30 minutes throughout the evening. The next day we just chilled. Daytime temperatures were reaching 50C but a faint breeze coming from the sea made it bearable. The following day we hit the Mall of the Emirates. Although smaller than the Dubai Mall it still has 400 shops. In the Mall is an amusement area with funfair rides, bowling, arcades etc and from here you can see Ski Dubai; a full size indoor ski dome complete with real snow and ski lifts. Our next stop was the Burj al Arab; the world’s only 7 star hotel. I had arranged a viewing of the hotel to see for myself what it was like. Breath taking, elaborate, over the top luxury. Apparently the Eiffel Tower will fit inside the lobby. All the rooms are suites set over 2 floors and if it looks gold, it probably is. The room we viewed had a spiral staircase leading from the lounge area to the bedroom. The views are stunning. We could see ‘The Palm’ and the Burj Khalifa from here. No visit to Dubai would be complete without seeing The Palm and the Atlantis. The sheer size and scale of what has been created is unimaginable. We took a tour of the hotel and on arrival the lobby just blows you away. A huge glass centrepiece and highly polished marble floors, it definitely has the wow factor and I understand why it was used for filming during the X factor. The hotel is a resort within itself and has its own aquariums and the Lost Chambers as well as waterpark and dolphin swim. We spent a day in the waterpark and had a fantastic time. It’s a bigger park and has an extensive lazy river with torrents, waterfalls and rapids incorporated in it and make’s a wonderful family day out. We never got time to do all the other amazing things available so another trip is a must. I wonder what will have changed when we go back, as Dubai’s skyline and facilities are continually evolving.

03 November 2009

When someone approaches me to discuss their wedding arrangements it fills me with great pride. To know that they are prepared to put their trust in me for their special day is very endearing. So when the opportunity arose to experience how one of my wedding suppliers (Planet Holidays) works in Cyprus I jumped at it. I was escorted by the Managing Director of the company Mathilde and her husband Harry. I have to say that from the very first moment we met, I had complete trust in them. They are professional and take things very seriously. They have more connections in Cyprus than anyone else (Harry is Cypriot) which means that they can and will make anything happen. They are respected all over the Island from Paphos to Protaras with hoteliers bending over backwards to assist them. This often means that hotels that generally perform more than one wedding a day will guarantee that our wedding will be the only one. This is extremely important for the Bride and Groom as the last thing they want is to see another wedding taking place on their special day. The wedding coordinators, Louise and Sally, are absolutely fabulous at what they do. They are so experienced that they know where every member of the wedding party needs to be at any time of the day. They take care of everything from flowers, to photographer; cake, to canapés. They can arrange virtually anything, which means that when someone wants Calla Lilies in Cadbury Purple they will get it. They can suggest wedding venues and also places to eat afterwards, whether it’s a restaurant in the hotel or a Taverna down the road. They will assist in getting all the legalities done and help with any transport issues to coordinate getting all the guests (often staying in different hotels) to the wedding on time. I know after meeting them that any clients of mine that choose to marry in Cyprus will have a perfect day. The stresses and strains will be taken away by the organisation of Louise and Sally and the pleasures of the day will shine through. The type and standards of the hotels I visited varied from the three star Kefalos Village where you can have a budget wedding, ideal for families, in a beautiful beachfront setting, to the five star luxury of Columbia Resort in Pissouri. This is a very high end hotel but comfortable and friendly. The rooms are fantastic and the hotel was built using reclaimed materials to help it blend with its surroundings. The wedding venue here is in the gardens but quite close to the beach. It is very calm, relaxing and beautiful. If total privacy is the order of the day then the Royal wedding at the Athena Beach Hotel in Paphos is a must. Here you get upgraded to a first floor suite on the day of the wedding and this is where the ceremony takes place - on your own terrace. Being elevated means total privacy and unobstructed views of the sea in the background. Cocktails are served after the wedding on one of the adjacent terraces and the wedding breakfast takes place on another. If you want beautiful lush gardens to wander through on your wedding day, then Nissi Beach Hotel is ideal. Once you have walked up the aisle, the crystal blue waters of Nissi Bay frame the background. Even all inclusive hotels are in on the act. The five star St Raphael in Limassol is family run and very friendly. Again you could marry by the beach or in their chapel, but to round off the day, the hotel has a fantastic restaurant set beside the Marina. Also in Limassol is the Elias Beach Hotel where you can marry on their own pier for uninterrupted views out to sea. Further around the coast I came to Protaras and Fig Tree bay. Here I stayed at The Capo Bay Hotel. The manager of this hotel is very passionate about what he does and very proud of what he has achieved, and rightly so. The wedding set up here is super. A raised decked area, overlooking Fig Tree Bay for the ceremony, followed by a meal situated in an area surrounded by Koi Carp. The food and the hospitality at this hotel are excellent. I also visited Ayia Napa, Larnaca and Aphrodite Hills. If you are thinking of marrying abroad please contact me as I have a huge library of information.

16 November 2008

We visited Hawaii back in 2000. It was a long journey with a flight time of about 17 hours. It is a good idea to do a stopover on route if possible, as this helps to break up the journey and also allows you to visit somewhere else. We flew via San Francisco outbound and Los Angeles on return. We were staying on the Island of Oahu - probably the most well known of the Islands that make up Hawaii. Oahu’s capital is Honolulu and the famous resort of Waikiki is only 10 minutes away. This is where we stayed. On arrival at Honolulu airport they placed the obligatory garland of flowers around my neck and welcomed me with Aloha. We set off on the short trip to Waikiki and I could see the hotels that make up this resort in the distance. I was a little disappointed as I had imagined it to be very lush with palm trees swaying in the breeze. The reality is a tourist resort with huge hotels reaching for the sky. Waikiki caters for the masses. Everything is on hand from large shopping centres to the International Market place and a convenience store is on every street corner. When we visited it was only a few weeks off Christmas and outside the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Centre they had a huge Christmas tree decorated with seashells alongside Santa’s sleigh been pulled by dolphin. There is zoo in Waikiki too, this will keep the children entertained for the day if you have small children with you. The beach is where I spent most days either watching the surfers, chilling out, playing in the water with my daughter or looking for dolphins from one of the many boats that tourists can sail on. The Island also has its own Seaworld Centre where you can watch dolphins, sea lions and whales performing. Along the back of the resort is a canal. Nothing like the canals in England, much wider and set against a backdrop of mountains. Here we were able to see the Hawaiians practising in their outrigger canoes most evenings. There are lots of Japanese tourists and lots of Japanese weddings taking place in the hotels. Stretch limousines are everywhere and people like to flash their cash. After a couple of days I embraced the resort and everything around me. I couldn't’t change what it was like so I had to accept it. The rest of the Island is tropical and once you get out and about you see this. A favourite place of mine was Hanauma Bay. It is easy to find and has a true Hawaiian setting. The bay is protected and smoking on the beach is not allowed. It is home to Hawaii’s first Marine Nature Reserve. Oahu is also home to Diamond Head Crater, an extinct volcano just outside Waikiki rising more than 700 feet. Pearl Harbor is another very famous tourist attraction and is only minutes away from Honolulu. There is a very calm and eerie feeling here, but a place that lots of people like to visit. The people are very friendly and although Hawaii is the 50th State of the USA it still retains a Polynesian feel. Lots of the night time entertainment revolves around their culture with singing and dancing displays taking place somewhere every night. If you want low rise and low key then go to one of the other Islands like Maui. I thoroughly enjoyed my stay in Waikiki and would certainly go back again; it’s just a case of accepting that it is geared towards tourists, and not as lush as you would probably think.

04 November 2008

We visited Bali in 2002. Having been to the Far East on a number of occasions we had a good idea of what it would be like. We flew via Singapore with Singapore Airlines and they were excellent. On arrival in Bali we were taken to our hotel, The Grand Bali Beach in the resort of Sanur. Sanur is the original resort in Bali where tourism began. It is quite a busy place with lots of traffic on the main roads. But once you get into your hotel, Sanurs secret unfolds. Our hotel like many others was beachfront. Along the edge of the beach is a path. This path passes by all the other beachfront hotels, and delivers you straight to the local shops, bars, restaurants, and market stalls. This makes it particularly good for families, as it is safe. Here you can buy just about anything, have a drink, a meal or get your clothes laundered. This for me is what makes Sanur special. You don’t get to see or hear the traffic unless you go out of the front of the hotel. The beach itself is a lovely broad expanse of golden sand. The sea contains lots of coral which makes it tricky when entering the water. The locals are very happy to serve you and always carry a smile. Our hotel had a sister property in the resort of Nusa Dua . This is a purpose built resort and although the beaches here were far nicer, the resort didn’t have the same traditional feel as we got in Sanur. It is a more modern resort, more upmarket and would appeal to couples. We also visited the resort of Kuta. Kuta sits on the western side of the island and this is where the young free and single head for. The beach here is full of surfers, many from Australia as Bali is only about 4 hours away. This area is much more commercialised and has shopping centres and department stores. Kuta is also home to the islands waterpark. This is the most tropical waterpark we have ever been too with the slides hard to see between the trees. Out and about in Bali we were able to visit temples, rice fields or other islands and things are very reasonably priced. We took a two day trip to the island of Lembongon. We stayed in a round villa with a thatched roof set in the hillside overlooking the sea. If you want to be alone, then you will be happy here. We took the opportunity to snorkel in the clear waters of Lembongon. In comparison to other places in the Far East, Bali has retained much of its character without becoming too commercialised. Although it does have areas of neon lights and discos it is still more laid back than Thailand for instance. It also takes about 16 hours to get there, so a stopover is a good idea, making 2 centre options very appealing. If you are interested in Bali or the Far East and have any questions please call or email me. I will be happy to help.

05 October 2008

With so many places to go to in the world, I like to go somewhere different for my annual holiday. So for me to go back to somewhere I had already been, meant that it had to be somewhere very special! The place is Cayo Coco in Cuba. The hotel where I stayed was the Sol Cayo Coco. The hotel is rated as 4 star and I think this is a fair rating. It’s not elaborate, but it’s very clean, friendly, comfortable, well planned out, with good food and excellent staff. It’s not just the hotel that makes this place so special, it’s the location, the value for money, the family friendly beaches, the people, and the facilities. The hotel sits on a headland which means it has two fantastic beaches to choose from. The main hotel beach is typical of the Caribbean, white sand, blue water, and palm trees with all the hotel facilities there. As it’s an all inclusive hotel things like pedalos, kayaks, catamarans, and snorkelling are all included. The other beach has to be the most child friendly beach anywhere. It is so shallow that even the sand is raised out of the sea in places, forming small islands where you can pull up your sunbed and be completely surrounded by water. You can paddle out with small children in the warm water forever as it’s so shallow with hardly a ripple in sight. The next thing that makes it so good for families is the animation team. They work tirelessly all day long entertaining adults and children alike. They have a kids club which is set beside the beach which means you can see your children whilst you do your own thing. They even do trips out from the hotel for the children. Parents can go as well; we took the trip to El Baga to see the animals and the natural beauty of this island. At night they do the usual kids disco but also once a fortnight they do a full Disney production on the open-air stage. My daughter was lucky enough to be chosen for the part of the cub in the Lion King. A very proud and memorable moment. They love children and go out of their way to keep them entertained which in turn means happy parents. Other evenings, more adult type shows take place like Broadway style musicals, magic shows, cultural dancing and comedy shows sometimes with audience participation. They have a sister hotel on the neighbouring island of Cayo Guillermo. For a small fee a bus will take you across to this hotel where you can use their facilities. This makes a pleasant change and the beaches there are just as good. One day we went horse riding along the beach and even into the sea, a great experience. Another day we did the jungle safari where you get to steer your own speedboat through the mangroves, zigzagging through like something out of a ‘James Bond’ movie. We took a day trip to swim with the dolphins and had to fly to the south coast of Cuba, to the City of Cienfuegos. First we toured the city, photographed the architecture, saw the old cars and funny little yellow taxis and watched the locals going about their business, before moving on to the dolphinarium. What a fantastic experience. Two dolphins pushed at the soles of my feet and lifted me out of the water. My four year old daughter was pulled around the pool holding onto the fins of her dolphins. This is not to be missed and excellent value for money. Another day we hired a minibus and driver and he took us over to the mainland to the nearest town of Moran. It reminded me of the village square in the movie 'Back to the Future'. Time seems to have stood still in Cuba and this adds to the charm of this country. The Cubans are quite poor by our standards but are very happy and contented. Because Cayo Coco is not commercialised and most things take place in the hotel you certainly feel very relaxed after a couple of weeks there. I think this is due to the fact that everything is more or less hotel based, no crossing busy roads, choosing which restaurant to eat in, you don’t have to get dressed up if you don’t feel like it, no worrying about how much things cost. For a family holiday Cayo Coco is hard to beat.

14 September 2008

I went to Mauritus with my family and some friends. We flew out from Heathrow via the Seychelles so that I could experience Air Seychelles and came back direct using Air Mauritius. I have to say that it would be hard to choose between the two airlines as they were both very good. We stayed at the North of the island in a resort called Anse la Rai at the Marina Resort Hotel. A very good hotel with high standards and this is typical of Mauritius. We stayed on an all inclusive basis as we thought this would be more cost effective with children. Although we got good value for money, food, drinks, and excursions outside of the hotel were not expensive. We got out and about most days, whether this was jumping on a local bus to Grand Baie - a few minutes away, or doing a full island tour. We went to the waterpark down on the East coast of the island at Bella Mare and had a great day out with the children. We hired a minivan and a driver for the day and he took us to all the places on the island that we wanted to see. Once you get inland it is very lush with treeclad mountains and waterfalls around the Black River Gorges. We saw wild monkeys and looked down into a volcano at Grand Bassin which is home to a natural lake. He took us to a small zoo and a beautiful beach. We criss crossed the island from North to South and all in a day. On the West coast we visited Chamarel where 7 different colours of earth occur naturally, and is home to some giant tortoises. The best excursion for me though had to be Ile aux Cerfs. This is a lagoon on the East coast and it is like paradise. Here we did a full day excursion and at lunch time we were taken by speed boat to see a waterfall where locals were jumping into the sea, before been whisked away for lunch on the beach. Back at Ile aux Cerfs the beach is amazing. I took the opportunity to take my 6 year old daughter parasailing. The views of the lagoon from the air are stunning and her first experience of parasailing will stay with her forever. The backdrop of the mountains and the beach coupled with the azure blue water of the Indian Ocean make this location 'Paradise on Earth.' Back at the hotel, the benefit of being all inclusive meant that watersports were included in the price. I took the opportunity to try waterskiing and found it to be much more difficult than expected. Even though I managed to get upright I didn't stay that way for long, but I had great fun trying. We also joined in the sailing, canoeing, glass bottom boat ride and took out the pedalos with the kids. As far as children are concerned Mauritius caters very well for them. Our hotel had all the usual kid's clubs and disco's at night for them and wherever we went the children were always made a fuss of. Although Mauritius is aimed more towards couples and honeymoons it is certainly a place worth visiting for everyone. It's a small island which only takes about an hour to travel from North to South, but has a massive array of things to see and do. It is also very diverse in it's natural beauty from white sand beaches to blue lagoons and it's lush green interior. Well worth the 12 hour flight and an excellent choice for a 2 centre holiday.

02 September 2008

In February 2006 my family and I visited Egypt for some winter sunshine. We stayed at The Concorde El Salam in Sharm el Sheikh. February is their coolest month, but even then, daytime temperatures are in the low 70's which is very pleasant. Evenings tend to be cool, so a light jacket is needed. As Sharm el Sheikh backs onto the desert, the area is quite barren. The hotels are spread over quite a long distance, on either side of the main tourist area Naama Bay. Naama Bay is a compact resort, partly pedestrianised, and caters for everyone. Here we found lots of bars, many types of restaurants, a few casinos, gift shops and a small shopping centre. Most people sit outside with their drinks and watch the world go by. The main reason a lot of people come to Sharm is for the scuba diving. It is said to be one of the best places in the world. The sea is very clear and has a huge assortment of marine life and coral. You don’t even need to go into the water to see it. Just stand on one of the jetty’s that lead into the sea and you will see many different species of coral and fish. If you are not into scuba diving, then snorkelling is a great alternative. We took a glass bottom boat trip from the hotel and half way through the excursion, the boat stopped and allowed us to get off and snorkel in the warm clear waters. It’s amazing what you can see with just a snorkel mask on. Back on dry land we went quad biking through the desert. This was brilliant and so much fun, and made even funnier with the helmets and scarves that we had to wear to protect ourselves. We also went ice skating. Our hotel had its own ice rink where my young daughter took her first tentative steps onto the ice. She loved it so much we couldn't’t keep her off it. No trip to Egypt would be complete without seeing the Pyramids. There are various excursions that will take you there, but we chose to do the overnight trip and I would advise everyone to do the same. We left Sharm at around 1am and travelled through the night by coach and arrived in Cairo at about 8.30am. The first stop was the Egyptian museum. We had an excellent guide who spoke perfect English and was very knowledgeable. We toured the museum and the highlight had to be the treasures of Tutankhamun. We had lunch overlooking the Nile and were then taken to our hotel. I couldn't’t believe my eyes when I entered the bedroom and could see the Pyramids. This was jaw dropping; I just stood on the balcony looking in amazement. WOW. Later we were taken to the Pyramids for the night time extravaganza. This is a light and laser show where the Sphinx is brought back to life with a voice over from Omar Shariff and the Pyramids are illuminated in the night sky. The next day we went out of Cairo to see the first Pyramid ever built – the stepped pyramid of Sakkara. After lunch we returned to Cairo to see the Pyramids of Giza again. This time we were able to go right up to them and we even went inside one. It’s unbelievable to think how they built these huge structures 5,000 years ago. Later we saw the Sphinx which is carved out of just one piece of stone. It's so interesting that even my daughter who was only 6 years old at the time was soaking up the information with great enthusiasm. We also visited a perfume factory and a papyrus factory before finishing the day off with some free time to visit the markets in Cairo, before returning to Sharm in time for bed. This is the most amazing trip and should not be missed by anyone. Egypt is a fascinating country with something to suit everyone. Once you begin to explore the history around the Pyramids and the Pharaohs you just want to know more and more; it’s so enticing. Next time I visit Egypt, I hope to do a Nile Cruise and learn more about the ancient Kings and Queens.

10 August 2008

I have been to Thailand on three separate occasions and to three different resorts, Phuket, Pattaya and Ko Samui. Even though each destination is different you can just tell that you are in Thailand. The Thai people have to be the friendliest people I have met, they are the most gracious and treat tourists with great respect. Nothing is too much trouble for them and even though they don’t have any of the luxuries that we take for granted they are not begrudging people. When we were in Phuket, we hired a taxi to take us to a different beach for the day. The driver took us and waited all day in his car until we were ready to go back to our hotel. When we arrived at our hotel later that afternoon he couldn’t change the note I had given him so he asked me to bring him the money the next day. This shows how trusting they are and how warm they can be to tourists. In Thailand, new rubs shoulders with old. You may see a shanty town one minute and then the most modern up to date hotel or shopping centre the next. The Palaces and Temples of Bangkok have to be seen to be believed and the reclining Buddha is enormous. You can stop over in Bangkok before moving on to a beach location, or like me visit the capital for the day to see the most popular sights. One of my favourite reasons for going is their cuisine. I love to try different dishes and even sample food from street vendors. The food on offer is very international right down to all the regular fast food outlets that we are familiar with. The beaches vary from resort to resort, with the best I have seen being in Ko Samui, soft white sand and clear blue water. Of course you can take excursions to places like Phi Phi, which we did when we visited Phuket and here the beaches are to die for. The film 'The Beach' was filmed here and I took the opportunity to go snorkelling in the blue/green waters there. The backdrop of the limestone cliffs is amazing. Another thing that I like to see in Thailand is the elephant. Sometimes you will see them freely walking down the road in amongst all the traffic. There are numerous day trips that will take you to an elephant farm, park or zoo where you get the chance to ride one and watch them perform in arenas. In the past we have been through the jungle on these beautiful creatures. We were even sitting in a bar one night when a young elephant popped his trunk on the table looking for bananas. If shopping is your pleasure then you can buy just about anything in Thailand and probably at a fraction of the cost back home. They even have Tesco. There are lots of markets and small shops where you have to barter to get the best price. I love this and have great fun with the Thai people who all seem to have a very cheeky smile. My wife and I also like to get clothes made to measure. I take time to find a reputable tailor by asking around and I have never been disappointed yet. My last purchase was a silk lined cashmere suit for £45 made to measure in 24 hours. Jewellery is another good buy in Thailand and many gem factories will give you a guided tour to show how the jewellery is cut and made. Nightlife in Thailand covers all extremes from the most upmarket restaurants to some very colourful bars and nightclubs where anything goes. Don’t let this put you off. We took our daughter to Thailand when she was 2 and again when she was 6. The more risqué parts can be avoided. It caters for everyone. Lots of bars will have a Thai boxing ring in them as well, where you can watch a fight live. If you are looking for somewhere with culture, friendly people, easy on the pocket, modern hotels, super beaches, great cuisine and a friendly smile, then Thailand is the place. It is also a great twin centre option with places like Hong Kong, Bali, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur or Sri Lanka. If this has wet your appetite and you would like more information then please contact me with any questions.

21 July 2008

I’ve visited Cancun three times now as it’s my favourite destination. When you consider that the first time I went I experienced a hurricane, then perhaps you can appreciate how nice this place must be for me to keep going back. Well I did go back the following year, and that was to get married. This was back in 1996 and the reason I chose Cancun was because it has the best beaches I have ever seen and the sea is so blue you can’t describe it. My wife and I flew out there by ourselves as none of our families were able to come. We did however, have two friends who were already going to Cancun for their annual holiday, and would be in resort at the same time, so we asked them if they would like to attend and witness the ceremony for us. We arranged a stopover in an airport hotel the night before we departed in order to make the journey more relaxing. When we arrived in Cancun the next day, we found out that another couple from Scotland were also there to get married. They too were by themselves. As it turned out we each needed four witnesses for our weddings, so I asked this couple if they would like to be our other witnesses. They agreed and asked us if we would return the favour and witness their wedding for them. We stayed at The Fiesta Americana Condesa and the wedding co-ordinator took care of all the arrangements for us. We had a meeting with her to decide on the location of the ceremony, the bride’s bouquet, the buttonholes, the cake, the photos and video, the music, and the wedding meal. We chose what we wanted and she took care of everything for us. On the day of the wedding we had breakfast served in bed and ordered everything on the menu. Later we went for a romantic stroll along the beach, before sipping cocktails at the pool bar. This was OUR day and it was so much more relaxing than it would have been had we been getting married at home. The wedding was scheduled for 5pm, so at around 3pm we went our separate ways to prepare for our big day. The hotel had given me another room in which to change so that I didn’t see my bride in her dress before the wedding. A surprise bouquet of flowers was delivered to our room, sent from our families back home wishing us good luck and best wishes. We had decided to get married in the gardens of the hotel, so I made my way outside at about 4.45pm. Fifteen minutes later the music played and my gorgeous wife made her way towards me for the ceremony. It was perfect. An early evening wedding is ideal as the heat of the day has subsided and the light is perfect for the photographs. We exchanged our vows, cut the cake and popped a bottle of Champagne, before making our way through the hotel and onto the beach for the photographs. Afterwards we ate in one of the hotels speciality restaurants before taking to the floor for the first dance. The next day we did it all again but this time we were the witnesses. We still had 10 days left in Cancun but this was now our honeymoon. The resort itself had everything we could want and more. There are at least 3 different shopping malls as well as local markets, and enough bars and restaurants to eat somewhere different everyday of the year. The main hotel strip has a range of nightclubs and entertainment venues as well as every type of water sport going (especially snorkelling in the crystal clear waters). Sightseeing trips are also available to other Islands as well as to the ancient Mayan ruins. Cancun has something to suit everyone and remains my favourite destination, as well as being that little bit extra special to me. I don’t know when I will get the chance to go again, but I know I will. I just hope I don't have to wait too long.

17 June 2008

In October 2007 I had a special birthday to celebrate. I was about to turn 40. What did I want for my 40th birthday my wife asked? My reply, have dinner with Mickey Mouse. After all I was still a big kid at heart. I also have an 8 year old daughter and I had planned to take her to Disney once she was big enough to go on the rides with her dad. So it was agreed, and I booked a party of 8 people to go to Florida for 3 weeks. Before going we sat down and planned where we go each day. I believe this is a very important part of the holiday, as one, it gets you all excited, and two, it helps to make sure you see as much as possible. We arrived in Orlando Saturday evening, and had planned that Sunday would be a day of rest. We checked out the hotel and surrounding area, and had a day of relaxation before hitting the parks on Monday. The first place to visit had to be The Magic Kingdom. I can still remember the feeling as I walked up Main Street. The castle was in front of us and Mickey and Minnie were singing and dancing outside of it. Every hair stood up on my neck as I held my daughter in my arms so that she could get a better view. Afterwards we toured the park, played on the rides, watched the shows and had a magical first day. Over the course of the next week we visited Blizzard Beach, where I dared to go down Summit Plummet - a 120 foot almost vertical water slide. Next stop was Epcot, home to Nemo and his friend Crush and also where they hold a nightly fireworks and laser show. We went to Tampa to visit Busch Gardens, which houses some of the biggest white knuckle rides in Florida, and went back to the movies at Universal Studios. Also at Universal is City Walk which is their night time entertainment area. It has a real buzz as the sun goes down, with many different bars, restaurants, and shows to see. By now my birthday was fast approaching. Today I was 40. Today’s the day we have dinner at Chef Mickey’s in The Magic Kingdom. We spent another day in the park doing all the things we hadn’t had time to do previously, then, at around 6pm we made our way to The Contemporary Resort, where the restaurant is situated. What can I say, the best birthday ever . We all had a fantastic meal, but to meet Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy and Pluto was the best thing ever. The kids’ faces lit up as one by one each character came to our table for photo’s and autographs. For two hours we had the pleasure of these characters at my birthday celebrations. A hard act to follow, but day after day we had the time of our lives. We watched the night time parade in the Magic Kingdom followed by the firework display, visited the Animal Kingdom where we went on safari and climbed Mount Everest in search of the Yeti. I went back in time at Disney Studios, at the Hollywood Tower of Terror, a fantastic ride, and finished the day off by watching Fantasmic. I stood trembling in The Bomb, a capsule that drops you at random, vertically down a water slide at Wet and Wild. This was the scariest moment of my holiday. Back on dry land we went to Universal Islands of Adventure, home to Duelling Dragons, a twin track rollercoaster where you race each other. You have to be in the front seat of this ride to experience it properly. Next it was off to Seaworld to see Shamu, the famous killer whale in his show, Believe. Yet another great day with dolphins, seals, and more rides to keep the heart racing. Back in the water again and it’s off to Typoon Lagoon, home to Crush and Gusher, a water rollercoaster where you are blasted around whilst sitting in a tube, great fun for all the family. All in all it was 3 weeks of pure fun. Everyone had a great time and I believe everyone should experience it at least once in their lifetime. I’ve been twice now and my daughter says she wants to go again. I know I’m not going to stop her, as long as I get to go as well.

17 June 2008

In May I was lucky enough to go on my first ever cruise. I had an idea of what to expect from what I had read and what I had been told from other people, but it never prepared me for what was in store. I flew to Barcelona where I was transferred to the ship. This was the first time I had seen a ship of this size up close. I couldn’t believe the enormity of the vessel. To say she was massive was an understatement. I checked in and was shown to my cabin and told that my cases would follow shortly. A few hours later we set sail to Nice in France. I expected to feel the ship move as she pulled away or at least hear the roar of the engines or feel some vibration, but nothing. She moved away gracefully without me even knowing. I spent the next four days cruising around the Mediterranean, visiting Nice and Ibiza and living the light fantastic. On board the ship were a number of restaurants from waiter service to buffet style. Room service was also available for the less energetic and the obligatory midnight buffet took place on deck with the band playing and the stars sparkling in the night sky. There was no shortage of entertainment either. A typical evening would start with an incredible Ice Dance Show, followed by drinks in one of the many bars, before sitting down to a meal in one of the restaurants. After dinner I would go to watch a show in the theatre, then maybe to the pub on the Royal Promenade. Later I would hit the nightclub and dance until the early hours and then if I had the energy I would round the night off in the casino. Daytimes are just as busy with bingo, golf, swimming or the gym. If you want to relax, why not be pampered in the Spa, or just sunbath on deck. During the day you can also take one of the many excursions available. From Nice I had the chance to visit Monaco, home of the famous Grand Prix and Café de Paris. Ibiza was an overnight stay so that you had the chance to sample the famous nightlife there. All ages are catered for, with various kids clubs for children of different ages. To say that a ship is like a floating hotel is an understatement. It’s a floating resort. I understand now why people cruise again and again. The service on board, facilities, and attention to detail rank with the best of hotels and the scenery changes every day. It’s hard to get off the ship each time you dock because there is so much to do, but what a way of seeing so many different places. After all the worlds a big place, but a cruise makes it seem a little smaller.