14 September 2021

My husband and I have recently returned from a trip to Portugal. Here are the steps we took to ensure a hassle-free exit from, and re-entry to, the UK. Note that there may be alternative rules for different destinations. 2 weeks before departure - we ordered an antigen test that we took with us to qualify for re-entry to the UK and we booked pre-departure test at our local airport 48 hours before departure. We also ordered our Day 2 test for when we arrived back into the UK. 48 hours before departure - we took an antigen test at Southampton Airport and got the certificate 15 minutes later. We filled in the Portuguese Passenger Locator Form and uploaded both forms to the airline which meant that we could then check-in for our flight. 48 hours before returning to UK - we took an antigen test (the one we had taken with us from the UK) and photographed the result and our passport page which we then uploaded to their site. We got the certificate in 4 hours so filled in UK (PLF) Passenger Locator Form and uploaded both to the airline so that we could check in. No later than 48 hours after returning to UK - we took our Day 2 test and dropped the swab in a sealed package in to a designated collection point, which in our case was a local pharmacy. 24 hours later we got the all-clear email. Important points: * all countries are different and rules do change frequently. * start preparing 2 weeks before. It is worth noting that you will need to take with you the reference number of your Day 2 test as it is required when you fill in the PLF before arriving back in the UK. * print everything as it is so much easier than flicking through your phone with a queue of people breathing down your neck! * queueing at London Heathrow to go through the eGates at passport control was no worse than any summer holiday arrivals. Please do talk to me, an independent travel agent for help and advice. You can call me on 01722 567540, or email me at caroline.treleaven@travelcounsellors.com. Not only will I recommend the best options for your trip, but I will also happily help you through the bureaucracy above. Don't be dissuaded by the perceived hassle. It really is not that bad, and I am always here to help with any business or leisure trips you are planning.

29 May 2019

Are you active and love the outdoors? Are you inspired by travel, destination immersion and like educational experiences? Well, expedition cruising might be just what you are looking for. Your trip will be filled with adventure, conservation, education and out-of-this-world excursion experiences. There is a lot of emphasis placed on visits made ashore, the wildlife and visiting remote destinations, many of which can only be accessed by smaller or specially built ships. Hurtigruten are launching two new expedition ships, one of which will be hybrid and powered with large battery packs to reduce emissions. They are also the first cruise line in the world to have banned all unnecessary single-use plastic, including straws. When you travel on a Hurtigruten Expedition voyage you will not just cruise past stunning scenery, you will immerse yourself in it and take part in exciting landings on small fleets of polar circles and zodiacs and then land on remote beaches for the ultimate exploration experience. Destinations visited by the Hurtigruten Expedition ships include Antarctica, Iceland, the Northwest Passage, North and Central America, Svalbard (Spitsbergen), Russia, Norway and South America. Whilst this type of cruising is not cheap, it will include the following; • An introductory Photography lecture to help you capture the stunning scenery you will experience. • Guidance from the Expedition Team with experts on hand for each itinerary. • A programme of activities designed to immerse you in every destination including onshore exploration. • A science programme designed to teach you about the environment you are visiting. • All meals with ship beer, wine, soda and mineral water in all restaurants with meals. • Complimentary wind and waterproof jacket. • Loan of boots, trekking poles and all equipment (not hats, gloves or scarves). • During the day you might find yourself kayaking, snorkelling, whale watching, stand up paddle boarding, visiting UNESCO sites, beach cleaning, hiking, dog sledging, visiting National Parks; in fact Hurtigruten offers over 300 excursions on 4 different continents, you will be sure to find something that suits you! If you are concerned that the ship will be a bit basic and be lacking in comfort and amenities think again! The Expedition ships carry between 100 and 530 passengers with a range of accommodation, including accessible cabins, from inside cabins to expedition suites, all of which have en-suite facilities. At the end of the day, after a casual or fine-dining experience, you can look forward to snuggling under a soft duvet in your cabin. Some of the facilities on some of the ships include floor to ceiling windows, two-storey panoramic lounge areas, inside and outside observation decks, an infinity pool, a gym and a hot tub! There is low-key evening entertainment which usually takes the form of a recap of the day’s activities and a presentation of tomorrow’s programme or maybe sitting in the lounge with your new expedition friends watching the stunning scenery pass by. An expedition cruise is definitely on my bucket list; I rather fancy the most remote continent - Antarctica which is the coldest, driest, highest and cleanest continent on Earth. I would love to get close to icebergs and encounter penguins, seals and whales in their stunning natural habitats. I might even do a polar plunge, but then again, I might not! If this type of cruise ‘floats your boat’ please get in touch as I would be delighted to tailor-make a trip to suit your requirements. You will have the most amazing holiday with memories to last a lifetime!

15 March 2019

I was delighted to have been invited to MSC Bellissima’s star studded launch event last weekend. Arriving at the port of Southampton by car, I speedily proceeded through security and on to the ship, leaving my suitcase in my well-appointed deluxe balcony cabin. Wow! What an amazing spectacle. The ship is seriously glitzy with a fantastic Swarovski staircase in the middle of the ship, linking decks 6 and 7. There are 10 restaurants to choose from including 5 speciality restaurants; I sampled some amazing food at the wonderful Kaito Teppanyaki restaurant where the food is cooked in front of you. The Marketplace Buffet Restaurant is open 20 hours a day so if you become peckish late in the evening after a show or boogie in the disco, then you can pop in for some late-night dining! There are an impressive number of bars, cafes and lounges, 20 in total including 5 outdoor bars, so there is sure to be something to satisfy every mood and taste. Many of the venues have live music or comedy so are the perfect place to catch up with friends and family, or perhaps just a quiet drink with your travelling buddy. I have to say that two of my favourites were the Champagne Bar - it is located on deck 7 close to the central Swarovski staircase and there was a great atmosphere and lots going on around, and the Sky Lounge - a fantastic place to sip a cocktail or enjoy an after-dinner aperitif. I went on a fact-finding mission and saw some amazing entertainment venues. These include the world-famous Cirque du Soleil at Sea where artists perform 6 nights a week in the Carousel Lounge and the London Theatre where Broadway-style shows are presented twice nightly. There is also an indoor promenade, the Galleria Bellissima which is 96 metres long and houses, at 80 metres, the longest LED screen at sea showcasing amongst other things monuments, natural beauty and space travel. Here you will find many boutiques offering watches, clothing and beauty products, to name but a few. What about the children and the ‘big kids’ amongst you? MSC Bellissima offers 5 children’s clubs ranging in age from babies and toddlers up to 17-year olds, the latter having their own dedicated area allowing them independence. Additionally, there is a bowling alley, a Formula 1 simulator, a virtual games arcade and an interactive cinema - all designed for the family to enjoy together. If you are looking for some ‘me time’, there is an incredible spa offering more than 150 massage and body treatments as well as a thermal area. Ladies, and gentlemen, can be coiffed and groomed in dedicated rooms ensuring that you are always looking wonderful! There is also a fully equipped gym. I was able to see a variety of cabins, 70% of which have a balcony. Some cabins have a shower over the bath whilst others have a shower only. Each cabin has ZOE, an interactive intelligent assistant designed to help guests by answering hundreds of frequently asked questions, in seven languages. She can also help reserve restaurants and excursions and you can also check your bill. On board MSC Bellissima there is an exclusive area, the MSC Yacht Club, where guests can enjoy the luxury of being part of a private club whilst also enjoying access to the rest of the ship and all the facilities that the ship has to offer. Each of the 95 Yacht Club Suites have their own 24-hour butler service and have exclusive access to the Top Sail Lounge, a private restaurant and a large outdoor area with pool, whirlpool, bar and cabanas. MSC Bellissima really does have something for everyone, including three different cruise experiences allowing you to choose base on your requirements; Bella is for guests looking for a pleasant stay and good value for money, Fantastica is for those wishing for extra comfort and flexibility with dining times whilst Aurea is for passengers wishing for a truly relaxing experience and all-inclusive comfort. I would recommend this wonderful ship to families, as there is so much to do, and to those looking for a more relaxed experience offered by the MSC Yacht Club.

21 November 2018

Have you considered South Africa for your next trip? It offers a diverse range of activities in its nine provinces; from safaris and shipwrecks to vineyards and Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated for 18 of his 27 years. Getting there - British Airways flies direct to Johannesburg and Cape Town and is the only European carrier to fly direct to Durban. It offers seats in World Traveller, World Traveller Plus, Club World and First Class, so will have a cabin class to suit every budget. There are over 60 direct flights from the UK to South Africa every week including Virgin Atlantic, South African Airways and KLM. Most of South Africa is in the same time zone as the UK, although at most it will be two hours, so no jet-lag! Visas are not required, although you need to have at least two blank pages in your passport. There are only two National Parks in South African that are situated in Malaria risk areas, the Kruger National Park and Mapungubwe National Park. It is therefore very easy to avoid taking such medication by visiting one of the many other game parks that abound in this country. There are three capitals in South Africa; Cape Town - the legislative capital and where you can find the Country’s Parliament, Bloemfontein - the judicial capital and Pretoria - the administrative capital. The weather - it rarely gets too hot or cold and the sun shines most of the time allowing you to make the most of your time. • Spring - September to November • Summer - December to March • Autumn - April and May • Winter - June to August Sights, activities and experiences - you may choose to combine the iconic Blue Train from Pretoria to Cape Town for a truly memorable five-star experience and see some of South Africa’s spectacular scenery with a self-drive along the south coast Garden Route from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth. Or perhaps you seek more adventurous activities and would prefer to take the 216-metre plunge from Bloukrans Bridge, the world’s highest bungee jump or experience shark cage diving south of Durban; the list is endless. No trip to Cape Town would be complete without a trip to Robben Island and a cable car ride up Table Mountain. There are also numerous world-class golf courses; there are 20 along the Sunshine Coast alone! Wildlife - South Africa is one of the top game-viewing destinations in the world, several of them offering the opportunity to see the Big Five – rhinoceros, leopard, elephant, lion and Cape buffalo. You can also experience the Marine Big Five – whales, sharks, penguins, dolphins and seals. Other wildlife attractions include crocodile and hippo tours, whale watching in Hermanus, bird watching, seeing meerkats in the Kalahari or spotting black mane lions. Accommodation - the range of accommodation available is vast and there will be something for every budget, from award-winning five-star luxury lodges to great value for money budget properties. Infrastructure - South Africa has excellent transport networks, whether that be by road, train or plane. It has safe drinking water almost everywhere, numerous ATMs countrywide and mouth-watering eating experiences.

20 November 2018

I was lucky enough to be invited by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines™ to experience 5 nights on board Boudicca as part of their Arabia cruise at the end of September. It is so helpful going on these trips because, when I am asked about a trip and/or destination, I can give you independent and honest advice about where to go and what to do. I took the coach to London Heathrow to board a British Airways overnight flight to Muscat, in Oman. Walking out of the terminal building 7½ hours later was a pleasant shock to the system as it was much warmer than I had anticipated. As the ship had not yet docked, I was taken to a lovely hotel, the Grand Millennium, to have a sumptuous breakfast. A couple of hours later I was on board the ship in my Junior Suite which included a lovely fruit basket and complimentary water which was replenished daily. I decided to explore the ship and was able to visit the bridge and have a chat with the captain. All the food onboard was of an exceptional quality, very tasty and beautifully presented. I was a little worried that I would return rather heavier than when I boarded the ship and was relieved to see a small, but perfectly formed, gym on the top deck. The ship also has a spa – I had a deep tissue massage and was aware of the masseuse kneeling up my back! There are three salt water pools, one of which is an endless pool, and two hot bubbling Jacuzzis along with plenty of sunbeds to watch the Arabian coastline pass by, and to have a cocktail. My schedule was jam-packed; on my first full day I visited the Sultan Qaboos Grande Mosque in Muscat which covers 416,000 m² and can hold up to 20,000 worshippers! The Mosque is adorned with beautifully colourful mosaic patterns and a single piece carpet that was once the largest in the world covering 4,343 m². I then went to Muttrah Souq, a vibrant delight of colour and smells from the spices which were a pleasant assault to the senses. It was a perfect place to become absorbed by the local bustling commerce with shops stacked high, and sellers coaxing locals and tourists in to look at their wares. Having gone to the Bait Al Zubair, a private museum that houses many Omani artefacts including weapons, jewellery and clothing, I moved on to the old fishing village of Sidab where the official residence of Sultan Qaboos, Al Alam Palace is found. It was a palace like no other that I have seen as it looked rather space age! We sailed from Muscat during the afternoon and arrived in Khasab the following morning. Dubbed the ‘Norway of Arabia’, I opted to explore the magnificent Omani Fjords onboard a beautifully traditional wooden dhow boat and was rewarded by dolphins swimming majestically alongside; it was a truly memorable and magical experience. Having sailed overnight, our next port of call was Doha, the most populous and fastest growing city in the state of Qatar. The contrast between the old (dhows and traditional souqs) and new (commerce and hospitality buildings) was rather striking and highlighted the diverse nature of the city. I also visited the newly opened Museum of Islamic Arts which showcases manuscripts, ceramics, textiles and much more from three continents. My final destination was Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates. The name dhabi means Arabian gazelle and these were once found in abundance here, hence the city’s name. I visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, a resplendent piece of architecture to peace and brotherhood which can house an astonishingly large 40,000 worshippers! Disappointingly, my time onboard the recently refurbished Boudicca came to an end. I met so many lovely people on board who had also thoroughly enjoyed their trip. Several passengers were doing back-to-back cruises, anything up to 180 days, a perfect way to escape the slightly cooler climes of the UK! Have a look at my Facebook page to see a short video clip of my trip to Arabia.

18 September 2018

My husband and I have wanted to visit Vietnam and Cambodia for a long time, so we were very excited when I actually got around to booking our own holiday with AmaWaterways. We flew Business Class with Emirates, so our experience started from the moment our complimentary chauffeur-driven airport transfer collected us from our front door (there is a 70-mile as-the-crow-flies mileage limit for London Heathrow and Gatwick; additional miles are paid for separately). Our first flight was on an A380 to Dubai, we then transferred to a 777 bound for Bangkok. Our final flight was to Siem Reap where we were picked up and taken to the 5* Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf and Spa. We were up at 04:15 the following morning to watch the sun rise over the breath-taking Angkor Wat. It was almost pitch black when we arrived at the UNESCO World Heritage Site, also known as the ‘City of Temples’, but the dawn soon made an appearance, with the sun rising over the darkened peaks of the temples; what an amazing spectacle. The religious buildings looked incredible in the morning light and showed the true majesty of the archaeological site. After such an early morning, the rest of the day was spent unwinding by the pool! The next day we transferred to AmaDara, our ship and home for the next seven nights. With a maximum of 124 passengers, the ship never felt crowded and there were always lots of relaxing spaces where one could read a book or simply watch the world go by. Our stateroom was spacious, beautifully decorated in French Colonial style and benefitted not only from a French balcony but an outside balcony too. The ship offered Vietnamese and Cambodian cuisine as well as traditional Western dishes, all of which were superbly presented. Unlimited wine was available with lunch and dinner whilst house spirits, beers and soft drinks were available throughout the day. We visited some amazing places including silk, rattan mat and rice paper factories, floating villages, local markets, an English-language school (sponsored by AmaWaterways) where the children read to us and then sang a farewell song and a Buddhist monastery where we received a special blessing. We also took several rickshaw rides (they were often the easiest and least congested way of getting around Phonm Penh), an oxcart ride, a trishaw ride, just as the heavens opened, and visited a sweetcorn-farming family at their immaculate house in a small village, known as Evergreen Island. Visiting the Killing Fields and the rather grim Tuol Sleng S21 detention centre in Cambodia, the War Remnants Museum and the Cu Chi Tunnels in Ho Chi Minh City bring to life the atrocities that took place in the 1970’s but also shows the resilience of these people and their incredibly positive spirits. You cannot fail to be moved by the recent historical events that surround you in these places. These were very moving and thought-provoking places to visit; made more incredible by the fact that these appalling events happened during our lifetime. At the end of our cruise, we were transferred to the Sofitel Saigon Plaza, another 5* hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. The hotel had a rooftop pool; from here we could take in the sights of this city at night with many buildings coming alive in all colours of the rainbow. This is an incredibly bustling city with mopeds and cars vying for tarmac space, giving new meaning to rush hour – it lasts all day! This trip would be perfect for couples, and those with teenagers, who want to experience visiting both historic and cultural destinations each day - without the chore of having to unpack daily - whilst sailing along the Mekong River. Please call me for more details on this, or any other, trip that you are considering.

19 April 2018

We departed from Gatwick on an Easyjet chartered flight. Because Caroline had booked our seats we sat together near the front. The flight took 3.5 hours and, following a 15-minute bus transfer from Kittila to Levi, we were quickly in our hotel. We arrived 170km north of the Arctic Circle in Levi, Lapland. The hotel room was excellent. It was a family room with a second double bed on the mezzanine floor. To our delight the en-suite included our own sauna and the room had an enclosed balcony. All the food was buffet style and I managed to eat plenty of reindeer, moose and wild boar. We were warned by the rep about the Finnish practice of not eating hot food, so we got used to lukewarm food including soup. On the Monday we walked around the town. We were surprised by the amount of skiing available as we hadn’t considered doing any skiing on this trip. Levi has 43 drag or chair lifts and the only two gondolas in Finland. Levi also has a World Cup piste. On this day we went up the gondola and visited the Samiland Museum. This was quite interesting especially the outside area. That night we went out to try and see the Northern Lights but no joy. On the Tuesday we went on an 8km Husky safari and a tour of their kennels. The surprise was, having signed our lives away, we took it in turns to drive the sled! We met Jack the stroppy husky who lay in his kennel and ignored everyone. We ensured we did as we were told and left him to it. That evening we stayed in a glass igloo about 20 minutes from the hotel; the igloo was great and the food from the restaurant was some of the best I had ever eaten. On Wednesday we decided to do a bit of skiing and went on a cross country ski taster. After my wife fell more times in an hour than she does when we go downhill skiing for a week and I fell and jarred my neck, we didn’t finish the lesson. We did however see the Northern Lights that night. On Thursday we went on a reindeer safari where we were looked after, and driven, by some locals in traditional dress. We were then shown round the farm where she explained that the reindeer are half wild as they spend winter on the farm but are then let loose in the summer to be rounded up in October. The sight of reindeer racing pulling a man on skis was incredible as the competitiveness of the reindeer was surprising. On Friday we decided to go into the spa across the road which included two jacuzzi pools outside surrounded by snow. Then that evening we spent the night in a room at the Snow Village. Everything is made of ice and, this year, the theme is Game of Thrones. The carvings were just incredible. There is even an ice chapel where people (90% of who were British) get married. That night we got our best view of the Northern Lights. We had a lazy day on Saturday before returning home on Sunday with our reindeer crisps and cloudberry liquor!

26 July 2017

An early flight from London Gatwick got us into Marrakech Menara Airport around three and a half hours later. Stepping off the plane was like opening the door to a steam room, it was rather warm! The airport building was architecturally stunning with holes in the fabrication to allow pools of sunlight to filter through the Jali-style fretwork. We easily found our waiting transfer and 20-minutes later we had arrived at our Riad within the city walls of the Medina. Characterful, cool and inviting, the Riad, which means a traditional house with an interior garden or courtyard, had the added advantage of a rooftop terrace and provided the perfect start to our trip. The hustle and bustle of street life was left firmly outside the doors of the tranquil haven that was to accommodate us for our first night in Marrakech. Our host suggested that we might like to experience a hammam and massage and arranged for us to visit one a couple of minutes’ walk away. Once inside, we were shown to a room where we were sloughed and massaged to within an inch of our lives but it was great! Had we been a bit braver we might have opted for the more authentic experience which would have seen us at a public hammam. After covering yourself in black soap, leaving it to soak in and then washing it off, the hammam ladies arrive to scrub and exfoliate EVERY part of your body from head to toe! The amount of dead skin that gets removed is staggering, and a little mortifying too. Marrakech is often described as the ’Red City’ with many minarets, mosques, palaces and gardens including one created by Yves St Laurent called Jardins Majorelle. We decided to explore the Medina feasting our eyes on a multitude of experiences; traditionally dressed people and those in more Western attire, cars weaving around other vehicles, calèches (horse-drawn carriages), cargo-laden rickshaws, the wonderful aroma of spices and the general hustle and bustle of a city at work. In the evening we dined on traditional Moroccan falafel, humous and grilled vegetables; being the last day of Ramadan no alcohol was being served but the mint lemonade was a thirst-quenching treat. Returning to our hotel, we enjoyed a chilled bottle of rosé wine whilst cooling down in the small dip pool, a perfect way to end our first day in Marrakech. After a good nights’ sleep and a fabulous breakfast consisting of local bread, pastries, cereals and a mushroom omelette, we took a taxi to Club Med La Palmeraie, our home for the next 3 nights, and only a 15-minute journey north. After checking in, we were taken to our room which looked out onto the beautifully manicured gardens. We had a sumptuous lunch in the buffet restaurant, with so many choices it was difficult to decide what to have. I plumped for a bespoke salad prepared by the chef in front of me from ingredients that I had selected from the huge range available; avocado, lettuce, carrot, artichoke, mushroom, tuna, tomatoes, onion, sweetcorn……. There were two swimming pools, one of which was an adults only Zen pool. There were plenty of sunbeds, umbrellas, cabanas and shady areas to protect you from the midday sun. Platters of fruit were brought to your sunbed by staff every morning, followed by the welcome addition of a cool orange or lemon juice drink. The resort can be as relaxing or full-on as you like with a range of activities to try, maybe for the first time. These included golf, mini-golf, cycling, running, trapeze skills, Pilates, yoga, a fully-equipped gym, horse riding, tennis and volleyball. Our time at the premier all-inclusive Club Med was excellent. The resort is very relaxing, staff are very friendly and the grounds are wonderfully maintained with many water features. Nothing is too much trouble; the multi-lingual staff are always on hand to offer assistance and solve any problem that might arise. The hotel offers a complimentary air-conditioned shuttle service into the city several times a day. The local souks sell pretty much anything that you could wish for. However, it is customary to haggle and you can expect to pay around 50% of the original price. In the evening, the area around Djemma El Fna Square is an eclectic mix of snake charmers, water sellers, acrobats, dentists, magicians, storytellers, dancers and you may even see a boxing match! Djemma El Fna is one of the symbols of the city since its foundation in the eleventh century, it is a very lively and popular place attracting around one million visitors a year. The square is edged along one side by the souk and on the other sides you will find hotels, gardens and cafes with narrow streets leading in to the alleys of the medina quarter. The towering Atlas Mountains can be seen from the city to the south and, in winter the snow-capped peaks are visible against the clear blue winter sky. Be aware though that, in the summer, the city can reach temperatures of 50°C in the shade! Our time in Marrakech came to an end all too quickly but it is a place that we shall happily revisit. The warmth and genuine hospitality shown to us by the Marrakchis was fantastic and they are incredibly proud of their city. If you are looking for an easy-to-reach short haul destination which is steeped in history, offers a rich and cultural heritage then Marrakech is definitely a place that you should consider.