26 June 2023

In May, I embarked on a remarkable journey through the stunning landscapes of the Vale of Glamorgan, venturing into the picturesque Gower Peninsula, the majestic Brecon Beacons, and discovering charming towns like Cowbridge and Swansea Mumbles. This travel article unveils the wonders of these destinations, highlighting the must-see attractions and activities that made my trip an unforgettable experience. Brecon Beacons: A Hiker's Paradise As I ventured into the renowned Brecon Beacons National Park, I was greeted by the allure of nature's wonders. For the energetic, I highly recommend the exhilarating hike up Pen-y-Fan, the highest peak in southern Britain. The challenging ascent rewards hikers with spectacular views of the surrounding landscapes, leaving you in awe of the breathtaking beauty. While exploring the park, be sure to visit the captivating Brecon Beacon waterfalls, where the cascading waters create a serene and picturesque atmosphere. Swansea Mumbles: Coastal Serenity My journey led me to the tranquil town of Swansea Mumbles, a hidden gem on the coast. Take a leisurely stroll along the seafront promenade, immersing yourself in the refreshing sea breeze and soaking in the views of Swansea Bay. Don't miss the opportunity to walk along the Mumbles Pier, where the iconic lighthouse stands tall, providing a perfect backdrop for memorable photos. Indulge in the local cuisine and explore the charming shops and cafes, offering unique experiences and delightful discoveries. Cowbridge: A Quaint Haven During my stay in the Vale of Glamorgan, I visited the enchanting town of Cowbridge. Nestled amidst the picturesque landscapes, this charming town boasts historic streets lined with boutique shops, antique stores, and local cafes. Wander through its captivating lanes, immersing yourself in the unique ambiance. I had the pleasure of staying in Cowbridge, where luxury accommodations provided a comfortable sanctuary after days of exploration. The combination of rustic charm and modern comforts made for an unforgettable stay. Conclusion: My recent trip to the Vale of Glamorgan was a journey filled with enchantment and natural splendour. From the awe-inspiring heights of the Brecon Beacons to the serene coastal beauty of The Gower Peninsula, and the quaint charm of Cowbridge, this region offers a captivating blend of experiences. Luxury Accommodations: Your Gateway to Indulgence Whether you're traveling with family, friends, or even four-legged companions, the UK offers a wide range of luxurious accommodations to suit your preferences. From elegant hotels in bustling cities to cozy lodges nestled in scenic locations, and pet-friendly cottages that welcome your furry friends, there's something for everyone. Contact me to learn more about the premium luxury accommodations I can offer throughout the UK. Immerse yourself in opulence, relax in style, and create treasured memories in the comfort of exceptional accommodations.

18 May 2023

Singapore is a vibrant and exciting city, full of stunning landscapes, delicious food and an abundance of things to see and do. With its clean streets, efficient transportation system, and an array of attractions, this city-state is the perfect place to spend a few nights. Recently, my daughter and I had the chance stay in Singapore for 3 days and experience a few of the city's highlights and wanted to share my top tips for a holiday in Singapore. First on our list was Universal Studios Singapore. This theme park is a must-visit for any traveller and offers a range of attractions and shows for visitors of all ages. From the high-speed thrills of the Battlestar Galactica coaster to the enchanting world of Shrek 4-D Adventure, there is something for everyone. My personal favourite was the Transformers The Ride: The Ultimate 3D Battle, which takes you on an action-packed journey through the Transformers universe. We then headed to the Bay at The Gardens Avatar, a stunning outdoor garden filled with the world's largest collection of tropical flowers and plants. The garden is home to an immersive, multi-sensory exhibit inspired by James Cameron's Avatar. I was blown away by the beautiful and intricate world they had created, with towering waterfalls, lush vegetation, and incredible creatures that seemed to come straight out of the movie. Next, we headed to the Marina Bay Sands, the stunning architecture of the building is extortionary as are the amazing views from the rooftop infinity pool, a Instagram paradise. Although we didn’t get the time, you can also visit the ArtScience Museum and see a variety of interesting exhibitions. Our last day we spent at Singapore Zoo is a great place to see a wide range of wildlife, including many species native to Southeast Asia. The zoo has a unique open-concept design that allows you to see the animals in their natural habitats, and there are also a variety of interactive shows and exhibits to enjoy. Some of the most popular attractions include the white tiger exhibit, the primate kingdom, and the underwater world exhibit. My favourite part of the day was walking through the “Fragile Forest” exhibit, it has a wide range of primates and other animals in their natural habitats. This exhibit showcases the importance of conservation and the efforts being made to protect these species. So, what are my top tips for a holiday in Singapore? Firstly, take the time to explore the food. Singapore is famous for its street food and hawker centres, and I would highly recommend trying some of the local dishes such as Hainanese Chicken Rice or Laksa. Additionally, take advantage of the city's excellent public transportation system, as it makes getting around a breeze. Finally, be sure to plan ahead and make the most of your time in Singapore. With so much to see and do, you'll want to make sure you have a solid itinerary to ensure you don't miss out on anything. In conclusion, my trip to Singapore was an unforgettable experience filled with excitement, adventure, and incredible sights. Whether you're a theme park enthusiast, nature lover, or simply seeking a city break, Singapore has something for everyone. So, pack your bags you’ll have an unforgettable stay. I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this article and please do contact me and let me plan your ultimate holiday.

18 May 2023

In February, my daughter and I had the pleasure of staying at the magnificent Conrad Rangali in the Maldives. Nestled in the heart of the Indian Ocean, this exquisite resort captivated my senses and left an indelible mark on my soul. Join me as I take you on a journey through my unforgettable stay, where paradise became a reality. and the memories of crystal-clear waters, pristine beaches, and warm hospitality still linger in my mind. Join me as we explore the wonders of the Maldives and discover why it is a destination like no other. After a magnificent 30-minute seaplane transfer from Male we arrived at the hotel landing stage, and we were greeted with warm smiles and a sense of tranquillity. The resort boasts a range of luxurious accommodations, from elegant beach villas to breath taking overwater bungalows. We were fortunate to stay in an overwater villa with a private pool, where waking up to the gentle lapping of the waves and stepping onto our private deck to witness the mesmerising ocean views became a daily ritual. The room was exquisitely designed, featuring modern amenities and an ambiance of pure relaxation. Renowned for its exceptional dining experiences, we were treated to a culinary journey like no other. I savoured the finest flavours from around the world at the resort's renowned restaurants. From fresh seafood delicacies at the underwater restaurant, Ithaa, to exquisite Asian fusion cuisine at Ufaa, every meal was a feast for the senses. The resort also offered romantic dining options, such as private beach dinners under the starlit sky, creating cherished moments of pure bliss. Blessed with breath-taking natural beauty, I made sure to explore every corner of the resort. The house reef in turquoise waters surrounding the island were a paradise for snorkelling and diving enthusiasts. I immersed myself in the vibrant underwater world, marvelling at the kaleidoscope of coral reefs and swimming alongside exotic marine life. The resort also offered complimentary thrilling water sports activities, such as kayaking and paddle boarding, allowing me to experience the crystal-clear waters in a different way. My stay at Conrad Rangali in the Maldives was a true escape into paradise. From the luxurious accommodations to the indulgent dining experiences and the captivating natural beauty, every aspect of the resort exceeded my expectations. The Maldives are place where dreams come true, where serenity and luxury harmoniously coexist. Will a holiday to The Maldives be right for you? The Maldives is the epitome of romance, making it an enchanting destination for couples seeking a dreamy getaway. With its idyllic setting of turquoise waters, powdery white sand beaches, and secluded luxury resorts, the Maldives offers a perfect backdrop for an intimate and unforgettable experience. Imagine waking up in an overwater villa, surrounded by the gentle sounds of the ocean, and enjoying private candlelit dinners under the starlit sky. Indulge in couples' spa treatments, take romantic sunset cruises, and explore the vibrant underwater world hand in hand. Whether you're celebrating a honeymoon, anniversary, or simply looking to rekindle the flames of love, the Maldives provides the ideal environment for romance to flourish. Immerse yourself in the serenity of this tropical paradise and create timeless memories with your loved one. The Maldives is where love stories are written, and where every moment is filled with passion and enchantment. Although, The Maldives is not just a destination for couples seeking romance; it also offers an array of experiences that make it an ideal choice for families. This tropical paradise caters to the needs and desires of all family members, ensuring a memorable and enjoyable vacation for everyone. My carefully selected family-friendly resorts in the Maldives go above and beyond to provide a wide range of activities and amenities that will keep both children and adults entertained. From exciting water sports and snorkelling adventures to dedicated kids' clubs and spacious accommodations, the Maldives has something for everyone. Families can bond over thrilling excursions, explore the vibrant marine life, and create lifelong memories on the pristine beaches. With its warm hospitality, safe environment, and abundance of family-friendly facilities, the Maldives truly is a haven where families can come together and embark on an unforgettable adventure in paradise. In conclusion, The Maldives is a paradise that exceeds all expectations. Its idyllic climate, awe-inspiring natural beauty, luxurious resorts, and unforgettable experiences create a destination that captivates the hearts of all who visit. Embrace the tranquillity, explore the underwater wonders, and immerse yourself in the warm hospitality of the Maldivian people. Whether you seek romance, a family holiday, adventure, or simply a retreat from the everyday, the Maldives offers a truly magical escape. We have cultivated special relationships with numerous hotels and established direct contracts, ensuring that we can offer you exclusive benefits and seamless arrangements during your stay. Rest assured that I have the expertise to guide you in selecting the perfect islands and hotel choices that align with your specific preferences and requirements. For more information on The Maldives please contact the office on: Tel 01778 338530 Tel 01733 212087 email clare.lockett@travelcounsellors.com ??Sunset from Water Villa ?? Sundowners in Paradise ?? Photo of Katie snorkelling ??

11 July 2019

I was meant to be enjoying a relaxing break from work, but I feel compelled, no duty-bound, to share with my clients my wonderful experiences this week, enjoying this indulgent and luxurious escape hiding in the Indian Ocean. The long flight was less arduous than I had anticipated being overnight affording me some sleep ready for the week ahead. It was a tad unique offering chicken for breakfast! As it turns out this is a common start to the day in this part of the world, it may not however be something I’ll be bringing home, fortunately a more conventional breakfast awaited me. Arriving on resort was a treat in itself, with a cultural musical welcome and a flower adorned cocktail overlooking the pool. We were shown to our room, via a winding path, over a long bridge leading to a little island suite; a spacious modern room, laden with luxuries, the ocean lapping at the shore right outside our terrace doors. The next few days held much in store to relax the mind and soul. As a Frangipani Suite guest, I could enjoy the exclusive infinity pool, a jade green oasis leading out to our private beach offering Bali beds and relaxing social areas around the Republic bar. Staff were like shadows, popping up with the occasional sorbet or cool face towel, it’s like they could read our minds. Another treat included in our stay was a 10-minute boat hop to our very own private island paradise. We spent the day enjoying the sunshine taking in the dramatic shoreline of turquoise waters breaking over fossilised black coral toward the tropical green lined shores. Always an extremely polite shadow in the background happy to clean the boat spray from your shades and carry your bags to your sunbed. I felt like royalty! I think the best part of our stay was the standard of food on offer. Put aside memories of that traditional holiday buffet, this was like dining out at a Michelin starred restaurant every night. A culinary delight to behold with everything from sea urchin to pork belly mostly cooked to order, and something to suit every palette. Not a particular noodle fan myself, I was astonished at just how delicious they could be cooked by an expert. That is something I wish I could take home, the chef! Toward the end of our time here a short break in the weather took us to the spa, a real treat for the body and soul. A cornucopia of treatments was on offer, alongside a steam room and sauna. I chose a Thai massage and pedicure. The pressure was perfect, and my feet felt like silk following the gratifying paraffin wax treatment. As the holiday drew to a close, I knew I had to share what a wonderful time I’d had here at Shangri-La's Le Touessrok Resort. It really was an experience I will never forget and comes highly recommended as a luxury destination for my most discerning clients. Interested in taking in this experience for yourself, then please contact me to find out more about how to book.

16 June 2015

This June saw me jetting off to explore South Africa with 10 Travel Counsellor colleagues. Our tour started in Cape Town, along the Garden Route finishing in Shamwari Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape. Flying with South Africa Airlines to Cape Town via Johannesburg, the transit in Johannesburg was very speedy and efficient. June in South Africa is their winter, so temperatures are cooler and rainfall common. Upon arrival in Cape Town the weather was wet and windy. Not to be deterred by the weather, we took a lovely winding journey via the Atlantic Coast road passing by the stunning Camps Bay before arriving at the famous Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. We had lunch at ‘The Market Place’ an undercover gathering of local traders selling all a large variety of food from Crocodile dishes to Asian stir-fries and everything in-between. The Market Place is only a stone's throw from the V&A Shopping center, so after a hearty lunch we browsed the shops for a while. Staying at the 5 Star Vineyard Hotel, a stunning property situated in the leafy green Newlands suburb approximately 15 mins drive from the centre of Cape Town, you feel like you’re in a peaceful oasis. The Vineyard is situated on beautiful landscaped parkland with Table Mountain as back drop. Idyllic setting. The hotel caters well for all types of clients. They have family rooms, luxury rooms and beautiful Suites, something to suit everyone. A laid back elegant hotel for people who wish to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Thankfully the weather the next day was much more favorable and we headed off on a full day Cape Point Tour. Our first stop was Houts Bay, a local working port. This lovely fishermen's town, twenty minutes outside of Cape Town. We took a boat trip operated by Drumbeat Charters to Seal Island, a huge colony of Cape Fur Seals. We saw hundreds of seals laying on the rocks and playing in the water. We were able to get up really close and see them in their natural habitat. Proceeded along the coast to Boulders Beach, home to the African penguin colony. A walkway has been made for visitors to view the Penguins nesting and breeding sites. Not far from Boulders Beach is a delightful restaurant ‘Black Merlin’ promotionally a seafood restaurant. Black Marlin offer a set menu. The food was superb and the seafood lovers amongst our group were blown away with the variety, quality of the food served. I personally highly recommend this little gem of a restaurant. Heading on to Cape Point, driving over the famous Chapman's Peak Drive, this drive offered spectacular scenery. Once at Cape Point we took a drive through the natural reserve. We took a ride on the Flying Dutchman funicular up to the viewing point and climbed the many steps to the lighthouse at the top. After two days in Cape Town, we left to explore the Winelands. After a short drive we arrived at Babylonstoren, a Cape Dutch farm with vineyards and orchards surrounded by the dramatic mountains of the Drakenstein Valley. Guests staying at the farm have full access to the entire farm so they can choose ingredients and pick from the fruit, vegetable and herb garden. A wide range of activities including spa, yoga, cycling, canoeing, swimming, guided walks and hiking and wine tasting. Children are most welcome here and can be involved with all activities. All food and wine sold at Babylonstoren have been made a produced on site. Daily tours take place daily at 10am. Arriving early afternoon at the quaint and picturesque Stellenbosch. The oldest ‘town’ in South Africa. Pleasantly located amidst the many wine farms and vineyards. I fell in love with Stellenbosch, this quaint town was very different to what I had imagined. Offering a very historic, leafy town centre with individually owned restaurants, outdoor cafes, art galleries and boutiques. You could easily spend a day wandering amongst the little quirky shops and eateries. Food, wine and the arts are very prominent and rightly so the town is very proud of it offerings. We took "Foodies and wine tasting walking tour", we walked our way around the town, learning about its history as well as sampling many culinary delights en-route. This was a fabulous enjoyable way to explore Stellenbosch and something I certainly will be recommending to my customers. My home for this evening was Oude Werf Hotel. Ideally set amidst the towns many heritage sights, museums, galleries and vibrant cafe and boutique culture. A beautiful hotel, with a relaxing outdoor pool. High standard chic elegant hotel. The following day we started along the famous ‘Garden Route’. The roads are very good and easy to drive (which is the case for all the places we visited) with spectacular sea and mountain views, as we were only on a short visit we drove after five hours straight through to Knysna. Nestled on the banks of a spectacular lagoon and surrounded by indigenous forests and the Outeniqua Mountains. A market town, there are many craft and flea markets and Knysna is also well known for its oysters. Featherbed Nature Reserve, across the lagoon, offers day tours to spot the sea horses and Knysna Loeries. The Knysna Heads and the twin sandstone cliffs at the mouth of the lagoon are also worth seeing. We stayed at the Protea Hotel Knysna Quays, set on the Knysna Quays Waterfront with the lagoon at your doorstep. This is a good 4* hotel offering everything you need for a convenient base. After a short one night stay in Knysna, we set off for one of the most famous private game reserves in the world. Shamwari Game Reserve. The crown jewel of private game reserves situated in the malaria free Eastern Cape. Shamwari has six lodges all of which are very different in personalities. Our base was Riverdene, the more family focused lodge. This lodge has a welcoming ease and warmth and is a place where families would feel its a home from home. Offering elegant comfort and provides many additional activities to entertain children of all ages. Children can engage in the “Kids on Safari” program, visiting the Animal Rehabilitation and Born Free Centers. I’m delighted to say our driver ‘Phil’ managed to find all of the 'Big 5' a truly magical experience. Shamwari is home to Born Free Foundation Animal Rescue & Education Centre. The goal of this foundation is to create an awareness of the horrific way in which wildlife is exploited in captivity around the world. We were very lucky to meet some of the rescue big cats. Shamwari guests have complimentary guided tour, believe me, it’s very much worth a visit. There is also a Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre in Shamwari. The aim of this centre is to rehabilitate and return all animals back into the wild. It was a very moving experience – the dedication of the game keepers/vets are second to none. Their passion for the wildlife shines through them. I hope my travel journal has ignited a spark in you to explore the wonderful and varied South Africa. Let help you tailor your holiday to South Africa.