11 April 2024

My wife and I have been watching a tv series called Secrets of the World's Most Expensive Cruise Ship on channel 5, featuring Regent Seven Seas Cruises. We both been very intrigue by this cruise line, As we been on several other cruise lines except for Regent Seven Seas Cruises. What makes Regent Seven Seas Cruises different is it all inclusive which means drinks.excursions,24 hour room service,gratuities,laundry,speciality restaurants are all included. We found a cruise around South America for 7 nights .We flew with Lufthansa from London Heathrow Via Frankfurt.Transitting via Frankfurt which was very easy. Once we arrived at Rio De Janeiro after 12 hours and 25 minute flight from Frankfurt .We took a taxi to our hotel staying at Windsor Guanabara which was 1 hour ride from the airport depending on traffic costing around 98.00 Real. When we arrived at the hotel our room wasn’t ready, As check in isn’t until 15.00 hrs. Once we checked in, we were given room number 2116 on 21st floor. Avoid this room, As its near to the lift which is very noisy. A tip would be to book the room night before, if early arrival at destination, To avoid waiting around until check in time. The hotel was in a good location, and walking distance to the port 20-25 minutes. The hotel offered a good choice of breakfast buffet choice hot and cold dishes. It has a swimming pool, Sauna & Fitness centre. We only stayed 1 night, As our cruise was the next day. We had been to Rio previously on another cruise, and really enjoyed the city. A word of caution avoid some areas at night time for safety reasons. The next day, We were really excited about boarding Regent Seven Seas Voyager. Some ship facts it takes 698 guests,349 suites and 9 decks, tonnage 42.363.We arrived at Rio port at 11.00, where we checked in for our cruise, which was a very smooth process as we done most of the process online to save time. After we checked in, We then went to lunch at La Veranda, which was buffet style, but the staff served the food which I thought was a better way of serving the food with less wastage. Our suite was ready by 2pm.we had suite number 878 category C-Penthouse suite on deck 8, which was at the back of ship. It had large balcony space and the suite was lovely with a spacious bathroom and lounge area. We were greeted with fruit,canapes,well stocked fridge with drinks including beers, soft drinks and champagne in our suite. Our butlers came and introduce themselves to us. They were both very lovely. After check into our cabin, we decided to take advantage of the free bus to Copacabana mall, As Becky my wife hadn’t been there before, I thought it would be a great opportunity for her to visit. Whilst at Copacabana ,we went to the shopping centre where I purchase a few Havana’s flip flops for my family.Havanas are made in Brazil, and are very cheap to purchase. Copacabana beach was very busy, with plenty of people playing beach volley ball. It did rain whilst at Copacabana beach. Thinking we need to be heading back to the ship before 6pm. We headed back to the ship for our sailing departure at 9pm. Our cruise itinerary Friday 26 January 2024 Rio De Janerio,Brazil depart 9.00 pm Saturday 27 January 2024 Ilha Grande, Brazil arrive 08.00 am depart 06.00 pm Sunday 28 January 2024 Santos, Brazil arrive 07.00 am depart 06.00 pm Monday 29 January 2024 Itajal,Brazil arrive 08.00 am depart 04.00 pm Tuesday 30 January 2024 day at sea Wednesday 31 January 2024 Montevideo, Uruguay arrive 09.00 am depart 08.00 pm Thursday 01 February 2024 Buenos Aires, Argentina arrive 08.00 am Friday 02 February 2024 Buenos Aires, Argentina The next day we arrived at Ilha Grande where there are no cars on this island. It really nice and peaceful. With Regent Seven Seas cruises you can choose a free excursion for each port that you visit. We chose historical and cultural walking tour around the island which lasted 3 hours. The tour started from the pier through the Ilha Grande state park, Then church, Visitor Centre, The guardhouse,Preta Beach. Trail to aqueduct before returning to village Abraao village then pier.Ilha Grande has a rainforest with some beautiful beaches. We booked onboard our cruise speciality restaurant called Chartreuse which serves French cuisine. It was lovely food.

03 November 2023

I was lucky to win a trip to Thailand for two people courtesy of Tourism Authority of Thailand and Centara Hotels & Resorts I decided to take my wife Becky, as we have never been to Krabi before. Thailand is very close to both of our hearts, as we had our first ever holiday as a couple plus we got married in Koh Samui. Our trip started with flights from London to Berlin with British Airways with an overnight stop in Berlin, quite excited as we’ve never been to Berlin before. We stayed at the Premier Inn near the airport. We were both very impressed with Berlin, as a city break destination. We saw Brandberg gate, German parliament building- Reichstag Building and Alexanderplatz. We found getting around Berlin very easy and cheap. A Berlin card for the day cost 10.70 per person which includes unlimited bus, tram metro and train within Berlin city with a lot of history and wonderful buildings. We tried Berlin food speciality Currywurst, which we found very enjoyable. Currywurst is street food curried sausage which will be served on a cardboard plate. It is cut into 1-inch bite sized bits, and topped with a curry ketchup sauce and often with a good dash of curry powder as well, with a plastic or wooden disposable fork that comes with it. After a day in Berlin, it was time to fly next day to Bangkok first, via Singapore with Scoot Airlines flying time 17 hours. This airline is low cost airline ,where you have to pay for everything including seating, blankets and in flight meals. There is no in flight entertainment on their flights. I was surprise how packed our flights were to Bangkok. Transiting in Singapore was very easy ,with no need to re check our bags. Once we arrived at Bangkok clearing customs and immigration we then took a domestic flight with Air Asia, another low cost carrier. Flying time Bangkok-Krabi around 1 hour and 30 minutes. When we arrived in Krabi we booked a private transfer to the hotel via road transport and boat. Journey time around 1 hour and 30 minutes. Once we arrived at the hotel by boat, we had to walk along a floating pier pontoon. Be prepared when taking the boat to the hotel, not to dress up with best clothes as you have to walk on the sand to get into the boat plus also have good sea legs as the floating pier pontoon could be rough when high tide. Once we arrived at the hotel. We checked in and were greeted with a welcome drink and then shown to our room which was 1034.The staff were very friendly and helpful around the resort. We had a lovely room with great views and a spacious bathroom with rain shower. The hotel Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Krabi is a big resort offering a spa, 4 restaurants, kids club, Cascading Pool with Waterslide, Fitness, Water sports centre, Sauna, Steam room and Children's Pool. Our first night, we ventured out taking the monkey trail which consist of lots of climbing steep stairs. It took around 10 minutes to get into resort of Ao Nang where there were lots of shops and restaurants. We found a lovely restaurant called The Last Fisherman Bar, which was very reasonable priced offering authentic Thai food. The next 5 nights we had breakfast at the hotel, which was offering a buffet breakfast with hot and cold dishes from western and Asia dishes. It was a good selection. The hotel is suitable for honeymooners, although the hotel caters for families too, and offers a complimentary Shuttle Speedboat transfer to Nopparat Thara Pier, where you can take a taxi to Ao Nang night market, Krabi night market weekends only or Ao Nang town centre. We did the monkey trail during the day, which was nice. As we did see lots of monkeys and the cute babies one too, as the trail suggested. Along the route you see beautiful beaches and cliff edges. The monkey trail is well lit at night time, Ao Nang resort has lots of shops, restaurants and bars plus exchange currency bureaus. I suggest changing your money in Thailand for better rates of exchange. In October, when we went is considered rainy season, but we only had one morning of rain during our stay so we were very lucky! We managed to visit the sister hotel Centara Ao Nang Beach Resort & Spa Krabi which impressed us both. Krabi is a great place to island hop to places like Phuket, Phi Phi Island and Koh Lanta. We visited Ao Nang night market and also Krabi night market, both very good for eating cheap street food. We found Ao Nang very reasonable for eating out in restaurants and offered great beaches. We both loved Krabi for the food and the people, we would love to go back again. Sadly after 5 nights, it was time to go back home via Bangkok and Singapore with Scoot airlines and Air Asia. Again we stopped off in Berlin for the night. We stayed at the Riu Plaza hotel. Great hotel with great views of Berlin. We had room 1702 with a nice bathroom. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The hotel was in a good location with metro station within 5 minutes walk, and near to the famous Berlin Zoo. On our return back we visited the Berlin wall which was very poignant and also Checkpoint Charlie. We both think Berlin is a great city to visit, with lots to see and do. We plan to take another visit in the future. A special thanks go to the following people Betsie Barr from Tourism Authority of Thailand and Dan Vo from Centara Hotels & Resorts for making this trip possible for me and my wife.

14 August 2023

During the Covid period (dare I say that word?), I was lucky to win some free nights at hotels in Jamaica. I hadn’t been there since 2013 when I stayed at Sandals in Ochios Rios with my wife Becky. We decided that it would be nice to visit Jamaica again, but go to Negril. I had lots of good reports ,especially about the beaches and the restaurants so we booked return flights with Virgin in economy Class to Montego Bay. We was really surprised to find that both flights were fully booked as we weren’t travelling in a school holiday period. Also considering its low season in the Caribbean. June, the weather can be rainy season, although this wasn’t the case. I had many of hot sunny days to bathe on the beach! We split our holiday into two hotels accommodations staying at Azul Beach Resort hotel for 3 nights on all inclusive basis, then Sandy Haven Resort hotel for 4 nights on bed and breakfast basis. We flew from London Heathrow, the flying time to Montego Bay is 12 hours with a stop over in Nassau, Bahamas just over 90 minutes. You don’t get off the plane in Nassau and you don’t need to re check your luggage. Bags go to your final destination. We also booked with VIP attractions which included fast track immigration, Meet and greet and Mobay lounge arrivals and departure package. We have to say it was well worth the money, when we arrived off the plane, we were met and greeted by Mobay rep with my name on a board then we were fast track through immigration. We felt like rock stars beating the queues through passport control! Once we collected our luggage, we were then led to a lounge where we could have snacks and drinks including rum punch and red stripe beer. Our rep was very friendly and polite and it was a nice to have a lounge to relax before our transfer that I had arranged to our hotel. The package we booked for our trip with meet and greet plus lounge arrival and departure cost $83.00 per person, which is well worth it. The transfer was a shared one and the journey time was 2 hours. There was a lot of traffic in Montego Bay area, although our driver seemed to bypass a lot of traffic by driving like Lewis Hamilton! Once we arrived at our first hotel, Azul Beach Resort hotel, we were greeted with a welcome drink and the general manager (Jose) introduce himself to us which was nice. The lobby area was nice and welcoming with views of sea. Once we was checked in, we were taken to our room which was 10301 in building 10, the room was amazing. We was given a free room upgrade with great views of the beach plus lounge sitting area and bedroom. We were very impressed, it was spacious and had a great bathroom with separate shower and bath plus his and hers sink. As we arrived late at the hotel on the first night, we had dinner at the buffet restaurant which was Mexican theme night. It was okay, plenty of choices of food, but we are both not fan of buffet food especially for dinner. The next day we woke up and couldn’t believe the room we had been given was just amazing! We had a minibar which was stocked with beers and soft drinks daily. Our room was 2 minutes to the beach. There are different types of rooms at this hotel including swim up rooms, Adult only rooms, a total of 283 suites. The hotel had two restaurants for breakfast. We tried both which were buffet breakfast which offered hot dishes where you can have omelettes, pancakes etc as well as continental with cold meats etc. After breakfast we would spend time at the beach just chillin out. Beach towels and sunbeds are free. The beach is on a lovely stretch of white sand in Negril. We were amazed at how warm the water was, like bath water! The 3 nights we were at the hotel, we swam and spend time on the beach. During our stay I booked Ackee restaurant, which is Jamaican cuisine with lovely views of the sea. It was a lovely meal. We were disappointed we didn’t get a chance to try Hua Hin which was Thai cuisine. The speciality restaurants Thai, Italian and Jamaica need to be pre booked in advance. We did try Garfield Beach house for lunch, which was nice as it served Jerk chicken plus other Jamaican dishes. We found our 3 nights went very quickly. We loved the coffee shop, which was part of the all inclusive package where you can have teas, coffees, cakes, ice creams, milk shakes and snacks during the day until 11pm.The hotel has a great spa and kids club. There are also 9 bars plus 7 swimming pools. We saw many families with well behaved children. This hotel is suitable for couples, singles and families and we would definitely want to go back. After our 3 night stay at Azul Beach Resort, we arranged a local taxi to our next hotel Sandy Haven Resort in Negril. It was a 5 minute drive costing $15.00. When we checked in again, we were given a welcome drink and was greeted by Rohan, the Reservation manager and Edwardo both very friendly. We were again given a free room upgrade, which was lovely as it was overlooking the beach. The room was lovely and spacious with shower only. There was a fridge to put your cold drinks plus coffee machine. After we checked in we decided to venture out where we found plenty of restaurants plus super markets.

14 August 2023

The hotel is in a good location for the beach. We had continental breakfast daily, which consist of a fruit platter plus toast and one choice of juice pineapple or orange together with tea or coffee. You could also have a samosa with your breakfast. The restaurant for breakfast was open air, which was nice. After breakfast we would again have a swim and chill out on the white sandy beach .Sunbeds and beach towels again were free. We did have walks along the beach, where we saw plenty of restaurants and bars. Negril has 7 miles of sandy white beaches. The Sandy Haven resort is in a more lively area. 10 minutes walk is Margaritaville Negril where parties and cruises depart. The Sandy Haven resort only has 35 rooms which makes it a small friendly hotel. It has a swimming pool and Jacuzzi plus restaurant for dinner. We didn’t get a chance to eat at the hotel restaurant. We did eat at local restaurants which were found to be great value for money and great food. We both love Jamaica and would return again. Maybe doing some excursions next time. Jamaica is a safe place and the people are friendly. We especially loved the food, drink and the beaches. A special thanks to the following people for making this trip possible. Donovan from Jamaica tourist board, Nicholas from VIP Attractions, Megan from Essential detail, Rohan from Sandy Haven, Denise & Teddy from Karisma hotels.

01 September 2023

I was lucky to win 2 free nights at The St. Regis Dubai, The Palm during covid period. I have been checking flight prices since Covid and air fares have gone up! I found a way of getting value for money, by going on a two centre holiday with the benefit of going to two destinations in one trip. The other benefit is your holiday doesn’t quite feel finished after one destination. The cost of two centre holidays sometimes don’t cost that much more and I decided to take my wife Becky on this holiday in mid June when it should be quieter as no school holidays. I decided on Mauritius and Dubai as our holiday destinations. We flew with Emirates from Stansted in economy class. Staying 4 nights at Sunrise Attitude on all inclusive basis then 2 nights at The St. Regis Dubai, The Palm on bed and breakfast basis. Flying time to Mauritius was around 12 hours via Dubai. The flights were busy on our trip which surprised me, as it wasn’t school holiday period .Once we arrived in Mauritius airport. we were greeted by our transfer driver who took us to our hotel, the driving time to our hotel from the airport was around 90 minutes. We went through lovely scenery and beautiful fishing villages during our journey. When we arrived at our hotel we were given a cold towel and welcome drink. A bonus for us, our room was ready after arriving early in the morning. The staff were very friendly and helpful during our stay, we even met the general manager. We stayed in room number 3008 which has a private pool. It was lovely and spacious with a beautiful bathroom. I would highly recommend this room type if you have the budget to spend. Once when checked in at this hotel .you can have your meals straight away, no need to wait until check In time which at some hotels this can be around 2-3 pm and also there is no check out time at this hotel which means you can have meals up until you leave which is what we did on our trip. I think this is a unique selling point, as most hotels check in and check out times means your meal plan finishes. The Sunrise Attitude is a 4* hotel located on the east coast of Mauritius near Belle Mare, across the road from the beach and no Tv concept It has 8 private pool villas plus 28 swim up pool rooms and other room types available. It is great with its sustainable programme as no plastic is allowed. The hotel has the following restaurants. MAIN RESTAURANT The Market serves breakfast, lunch or dinner. It has Live cooking and offers Local & international cuisine. No reservation is required at meal times. Lunch was lovely as a la carte menu was served. A-LA-CARTE | PLATTERS The Social House. The place to go for healthy dishes, a great choice of vegan food and traditional buffet breakfasts. At dinnertime, The Social House transforms into a tapas restaurant with a relaxing lounge. You need to make reservation at dinner time. SIGNATURE RESTAURANT Kot Nou Is only available at dinner time. you can try classic Mauritian dishes that have been revisited with creativity and originality. Green papaya salad and chilli cakes, chicken skewers with tandoori spices and other local delicacies are served in the form of tapas. Eat indoors or outdoors, wherever you desire. You need to make reservation for this restaurant at Dinner time. LOCAL STREET FOOD Taba-J A true Mauritian institution, the Taba-J is a small shop where you can find everything! It is also an unmissable gourmet stop at 4* hotel Sunrise Attitude, a place where you can taste some of the best street food in Mauritius. Rotis, faratas, dholl puris – even Mauritian sweets and cakes from 3-6pm – come and sink your feet into the sand and embrace an authentic taste of the island. There are plenty of activities at this hotel including water and land sports. Plus other activities including this one I really wanted to do, but was leaving on the day - Have dinner with a local family! Get to know the real Mauritius nightlife by having dinner with a local family. A few of the Family Members – staff who work at Attitude Hotels – are ready to warmly welcome you into their home and cook you a delicious meal. It’s the perfect chance to learn about their traditions and share a special evening together. It will be fun and relaxed, too! You can help your Mauritius dinner guide prepare the meal (if you’d like to), perhaps frying up the chilli bites or kneading the dough to get the faratas ready. Each home offers a different experience and many of our guests say it is the highlight of their stay! The cost was around £40 per person. If I stay at this hotel again I would like to try this experience. The hotel has 3 bars plus 2 swimming pools and a spa. This hotel is great for couples and honeymooners, we had a lovely 4 night stay before heading off to Dubai.

01 September 2023

Our flying time to Dubai was just over 6 hours and we arrived at Dubai just before midnight it was over 35c. We booked a return private transfer to our hotel as it seemed easier and sensible that time of the night arriving in Dubai. Once we arrived after a 30 minute drive, we checked into our room which was room number 722 deluxe king city view. The view was stunning as we could see the Palm and the city. The room was amazing with a lovely bathroom. The next day we had a lovely breakfast with a great choice of hot and cold dishes. I arranged to meet Fady who organised my trip and I got to see many of the hotel room types including the presidential suite. I was amazed by the rooms and services they have to offer at the hotel. Fady was lovely as he arranged tickets for me and my wife to see The View Stunning 360-degree views 240 meters above the world famous Palm Jumeirah. At 240 metres high, The View on level 52 of the iconic Palm Tower offers panoramic, 360-degree views of Palm Jumeirah, the Arabian Gulf and beyond from an outdoor terrace and a premium lounge. Spot iconic landmarks and hidden gems of this beautiful city. The cost to see The View is 100 AED per person price subject to change at anytime. We also went to Nakheel Mall as its linked to the hotel. One of Dubai’s most luxurious malls; The Nakheel Mall offers world class shopping, a wide array of culinary venues and a variety of entertainment options. More than 140 shops including Waitrose and Marks and Spencer’s,A food hall and more than 30 food and beverage outlets. Sadly we didn’t get a chance to go to KYMA Beach Club due to lack of time and were going home next day. We found eating in Dubai mall very reasonable priced. This hotel is great for families, couples, solo and business travellers. Wish we could have stayed for longer, as a great hotel. A special thanks for Fady at The St. Regis Dubai, The Palm for donating prize. We would definitely go back.

05 August 2023

I decided 2 weeks before Easter weekend to take my wife Becky to Boston. She had never been before, and I hadn’t been for many years. I found some cheap flights with JetBlue in economy class for 2 nights, which I thought would make a great weekend stay. Flying from Gatwick to Boston takes just over 6 hours. The flight was busy on both journeys and what I loved about JetBlue is that you could order your meal from TV screen, just choosing what you wanted to eat instead of the unnecessary waste of rolls and salads. The entertainment was good onboard, plus you got a lovely amenity kits which you could keep. There was plenty of leg room which was surprising. When we arrived at Boston airport, it was busy with other international flights arriving around the same time. We did clear customs and immigration fairly quickly. Once we left the airport we took a bus to Back Bay, where we were staying at the Fairmont Copley Plaza hotel. Logan Express is free from the airport and $3.00 per person back to the airport. When we checked into our hotel we were given a free room upgrade to Junior suite room number 680 It was lovely and spacious with its own seating area, plus a big bathroom. The hotel is in a great location area with subway stop only 5 minutes walk on the green and orange line. There are many shops and restaurants near by plus famous Newberry Street. Once we checked in, we decided to dump our cases and venture out to see Boston, as we were only here for 2 nights we wanted to take full advantage of seeing much of Boston on this trip. The main reason why we chose Boston, was to see the Blue Man Group. I had seen them previously on a cruise ship, but Becky hadn’t seen them. On our way out venturing, we found the box office that sells tickets for the Blue Man Group, so we purchased tickets for the show next day. We were both excited to see them, plus we got great tickets at the front. Then we went to Chinatown, searching for a reasonable restaurant, before deciding that a Korean restaurant was cheaper and better value plus nearer to our hotel, as next day was going to be a full day. The next day we were up early planning the places we would like to visit. Our first stop was Boston Common followed by Cheers Bar. It was so nice to see these places. We decided in the end to walk around Boston instead of using the subway. We did the freedom Trail which was really interesting covering lots of history and famous sites. The trails is 2.5 miles covering 16 location including Quincy market. We had a lovely lunch including the famous Lobster Roll costing around $32.00 with soft drink. Quincy Market reminded us of Covent Garden, as there were street performers plus plenty of food stalls. After lunch we continued our tour on the Freedom Trail, as it’s a self guided walking tour and great to see Boston this way. We went through the Italian neighbourhood and also Irish. The final destination on the trail is Bunker Hill, which has great views once you climb up to the top of the hill. On our walk back to the hotel we stopped off at one of the Boston farmers market to have a famous Boston Crème pie. The Market was lovely with lots of fresh produce including vegetables, fish, bakery.etc.The market had a great feel and vibe. We did notice that there were plenty of churches in Boston whilst walking around this is due to its history There is the option of hop on off tours if you prefer not to walk around Boston. We found Boston to be very safe, even at night. Once we got back to the hotel, It was time to get ready for the Blue Man Group. We walked to the show, as it wasn’t that far from our hotel around 25 minutes walk. The show was amazing and worth it, we both laughed lots throughout the show and thought Blue Man Group was part of our highlight on this trip. Our final day before heading to the airport, we had a lovely breakfast at The Friendly Toast restaurant, it was busy with lots of local people which is always a good sign. After breakfast we decided to go back to Quincy market for our lunch as we had such a lovely time the day before. Again we walked around Boston, taking in all the sights including Old South Meeting House, Old State House, and Faneuil Hall. We took the subway back to the airport which was easy and cost $2.40 per person based on April 23 fare. We definitely want to go back there, seeing more of Boston plus New England. The weather was dry, but very cold with sea winds. I would suggest going to Boston in the fall. Loved Boston. A special thanks to Fairmont Copley Plaza. For amazing stay.

15 August 2023

I was looking at a winter sun destination for me and my wife Becky, that we could go in December that was also reasonably priced. I found that prices of flights to the Caribbean were very high on direct flight but I found a way to beat the system, by doing a two centre holiday via America. I found some reasonable flights with American Airlines staying in Miami for 3 nights then flying onto Punta Canta for 4 nights. I stayed with my wife at Henrosa hotel on Miami beach on a bed and breakfast basis. From the airport there is a direct bus to the hotel costing $2.25 per person each way. Journey time is just under 45 minutes depending on traffic. Once we arrived at the hotel we had to pay a resort fee of $28.00 per room per day, which included free WIFI, a reserved spot at the beach plus other amenities. The hotel is art deco since the 1930’s, it has a nice lobby area where you can get cold water plus tea and coffee. There are 40 rooms at this hotel, we stayed in room number 306, a spacious double room with a bathroom plus TV, Safe and a small fridge. The windows don’t open, due to it being a listed building. The hotel is in a good location for the beach, shops, restaurants and bars. During our stay we went to Lincoln Boulevard mall and also spent time on the beach seeing the sunset plus cruise ships sailing by. Breakfast was disappointing as you can only order one breakfast item from the menu, otherwise additional cost to be charged and there were no juices in the free breakfast menu order. However, breakfasts were served at another hotel around 5-10 minutes walk away. It was served at a nice restaurant, with views of the beach if you wanted breakfast at the front. We saw plenty of roller skaters in the morning during breakfast time. Whilst staying at Miami Beach we did hire a car for the day, so that we can do some shopping in the mall plus visit Walmart for grocery shopping. We managed to get some bargains in the shopping mall which was good. We tried some lovely Cuban food plus Rosetta bakery restaurant for diner. Hotel is suitable for young couples and party goers as located on Collins Avenue. We would like to try another area of Miami if we visited again as resort fee put us off

15 August 2023

After 3 nights we flew to Punta Cana in Dominican Republic. Flying time 2 hours and 30 minutes. This destination is very popular with Americans and Canadians. I arranged a return private transfer to our hotel, where we were staying at the Hard Rock hotel for 4 nights on all inclusive basis. The hotel has an amazing lobby with plenty of stars memorabilia on show. When we checked in at the hotel, we checked in VIP Rockstar area where Joseph checked us in. He was very friendly and knowledgeable and offered us amazing deal for insurance which we both never heard or experience before in the past. Up to 7 days $12.00 per person to cover all treatment and hospital cost which we both decided to take. We stayed in room number 5379 which had a lovely view of the gardens. The room was lovely and spacious with TV, Minibar, Safe and an amazing bathroom with shower and bath. The hotel has 9 restaurants see below. ZEN After sunsets, this teppanyaki eatery main attraction is our chef ´s show performance while creates memorable meals right before your eyes. Don ´t miss our authentic sushi experience! HOURS Dinner: 5:30 PM - 10:30 PM TORO At night becomes hotel´s steakhouse offering Premium cuts grilled to perfection & an extensive wine list. HOURS Dinner: 5:30 PM - 10:00 PM LOS GALLOS Los Gallos offers exceptional international cuisine. For dinner try our traditional ancient Mexican recipes paired with a selection of tequila-based cocktails while listening to the “Best Mexican artists hits.” HOURS Dinner: 5:30 PM - 10:00 PM THE SPLIT Inspired by the classic Italian-American restaurants of Submarine Sandwiches, The Split offers a variety of options made with fresh ingredients on homemade breads that can be served hot or cold. Enjoy all the possibilities and customize your sandwich by selecting the ingredients of your choice. HOURS Open daily: 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM STACKED Stacked brings a contemporary approach to a laid-back burger joint. Made exclusively with certified angus beef, our burgers undergo the smash technique to ensure a decadent finish and natural caramelization. The menu also features a variety of milkshakes, chicken alternatives and even plant based options. HOURS Breakfast: 8:00 AM - 10:30 AM Open daily: 11:30 AM - 11:00 PM IPANEMA BRAZILIAN HOUSE HOURS Breakfast: 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM Lunch: 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM Dinner: 6:00 PM - 10:30 PM CIAO TRATTORIA Inspired by Italian-style restaurants, Ciao Trattoria offers a variety of artisanal pizzas and a selection of Mediterranean-influenced dishes, all made with fresh ingredients. HOURS Open daily from 12:00pm - 10:00pm CIAO Ciao offers exceptional international cuisine for dinner. We invite you to experience this contemporary Italian restaurant offering antipasti, fresh pastas made to order or a “dolce” treat, indulge yourself with a true Italian dining experience. HOURS Breakfast: 7:00AM a 12:00 PM Lunch: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Dinner a la carte: 5:30 PM - 10:00 PM BISTRO MED Drop by and enjoy Bistro Med, Mediterranean and Lebanese fresh food full of flavour! Hours Breakfast: 8:00 AM to 10:30 AM Lunch & Snacks: 11:30 AM - 6:00 PM Dinner: 6:00 PM - 12:00 AM THE MARKET The Market Food Hall offers guests a culinary journey through the world's most appealing street food cuisines, made-to-order with seasonal locally sourced ingredients and a selection of hand-crafted cocktails. Inspired by the lush greenery in Punta Cana, the design represents a contemporary chic greenhouse featuring a hanging tropical garden, details crafted from Dominican artists and a hint of modernism in the furniture and environment. HOURS Breakfast: 7:00 AM - 11:30 AM Lunch & Snacks: 12:00 PM - 4:30 PM Dinner: 5:30 PM - 10:00 PM We ate at the IPANEMA BRAZILIAN HOUSE for dinner which serves a vast selection of meats & poultry. You were given a red and green card when you sit down for your meal, with lots of various meats served to you at the table. As you can guess green card keep serving meal and red stop! We both came out of the restaurant being fully stuffed after that meal. We also had breakfast, which was hot and cold buffet choices. The all inclusive package has to be one of best packages I’ve had in the Caribbean, as it included the following - Top-shelf drinks, 24/7 in-room service, Delicious snacks, including poolside service, Land sport Nightly entertainment. The hotel has 23 bars and lounges. We didn’t venture to all of them all due to the short time at this hotel. It has an amazing bowling alley, Arcade Center, Mini Golf. Nightclub and 20 shops plus Casino for over 18 years old. The Hard Rock Casino is biggest in Dominican Republic 4,459 square meters with 25 tables and 435 slot machines. The hotel has a spa with 52 treatment cabins. My wife had a spa treatment, saying it was amazing and one of her best spa treatments. We managed to witness a pool party during our stay, there were plenty of people participating. We also saw the amazing water park ,which is probably one of the best water park I have seen in the Caribbean. The hotel features 13 expansive pools, 4 swim-up bars and 3 kids pools with flume waterslides. The hotel also has a conference centre too. Sadly I had to go to hospital during my stay as I had an abscess on my finger which was really painful. I had to stay overnight but I was well looked after by the hospital and I was discharged the day before I was leaving to go back home. Lucky I took out the hotel insurance as all the cost was paid which was over 4K. I was gutted to miss out on using all the hotel facilities and trying out all the restaurants. This hotel is great for families, Couples and groups. We would definitely like to come back to this hotel. A special thanks to Graham Brooks and Hilda Pinto at RCD hotels for arranging this complimentary hotel stay for me and my wife at Hard Rock Punta. This hotel is incredible and highly recommended by me.The hotel sounds big but plenty of space and something for everyone, it certainly beat my expectations! We were impressed that check out at the hotel was 12pm, but you could still have a meal or snack at the coffee shop before catching your flight back home. We were sad to be going back, we flew back via Miami to London with American Airlines. My top tip would be to book your restaurants in advance at Hard Rock Punta Cana and also take out hotel travel insurance when checking in at the hotel.

01 February 2023

After a year long wait, due to covid restrictions and lockdowns. I finally managed to take a trip to Vienna with my wife. We were both very excited to be taking this trip to see the Christmas markets, as I’ve heard this is the birth place of Christmas markets and the best place for Christmas shopping. Our flight was under 2 hours from London Heathrow with Austrian Airlines. It was a busy flight, which we weren’t expecting as it was before the weekend! and not school holiday period. When we arrived at Vienna airport, passport control was quick and efficient. Before I left the airport, I went into Vienna tourist office where I found a very helpful and polite lady, who gave me directions to our hotel plus she also gave me a Vienna pass which includes public transport, discounts to museums and other attractions. The pass is worth the money valid for 24, 48 and 72 hours. There are two rail services from the airport, express which is expensive, and local. We took the local service which cost 4.30 euros per person each way, this is subject to change. The journey took around 25 minutes to the city centre, where we took a tram D to our hotel taking another 30-45 minutes getting off at Bauernfeldplatz. During our tram journey we went past some lovely Christmas markets and beautiful buildings like the town hall. Once we arrived at the hotel, we were greeted by friendly hotel staff with a free room upgrade. We stayed in room 413, which was lovely and spacious with a good size bathroom. The hotel was a good location as the tram stop is less than 5 minutes walk plus there are restaurants, shops and Christmas market nearby. The hotel offers daily complimentary afternoon tea but once we checked in we decided to get out and explore as we were only only staying for 2 nights. We hadn’t seen so many Christmas markets in one city! They were all beautifully decorated with lots of character and atmosphere. It really felt like Christmas whilst being in Vienna. We explored most Christmas markets by tram. We had lunch the second day at one of the markets which was nice to experience but a bit pricey! We went to over 8 Christmas market during our time in Vienna. My favourite market was the Townhall as it had lots of atmosphere including carousel, ice rink and a love tree. We did find that all the markets were the same price, and had some of the same stalls. I guess it’s down to the location for Christmas markets and buildings. We found getting around Vienna very easy by public transport. It’s cheap, cost around 8.00 euros per person for day pass unlimited public transport subject to change .The day passes are sold at the hotel, also available 48 and 72 hours at extra cost. We managed to get to see St Stephen Cathedral, which has amazing architecture. We wished we had longer in Vienna, as two nights is not long enough to explore this amazing city. We also saw the Belvedere Palace and Schönbrunn Palace and their beautiful grounds, we definitely would like to go back again for longer! We were impressed with The Harmonie hotel as it offers a good choice of organic buffet breakfast along with hot dishes buffet choice. The hotel is off a quiet side street. Great hotel.

29 November 2022

I was lucky to win a prize with Lisbon tourism which included 2 nights accommodation on bed and breakfast, return flights flight with Air Portugal in economy class and 48 hour Lisbon passes for two people. I decided to take my wife as we both always wanted to go to Lisbon as it’s been on our bucket list. We decided the best time to take this trip would be August bank holiday weekend. We flew from London Heathrow to Lisbon flying time just over 2 hours. The flight was very busy. When we arrived at Lisbon it was straight forward with no covid vaccinations needed to be shown. Before we left the airport we went to information tourist desk to pick up our 48 hour Lisbon passes. They offer 24, 48 or 72 hour Lisbon passes which are good value for money as they include train, bus and tram as well other attractions including museums and discount on tours. We took the Lisbon metro to our hotel and found the metro system very easy to use. Getting to our hotel was very interesting, as we had to climb hills with our suitcases. Once we arrived at Olissippo Castelo hotel where we were staying for 2 nights we had great views of the city. We stayed in room 401 which was a very spacious room with a bathroom. We loved hearing the church bells chiming during the day. Our room was ready when we check in, before the usual check in time of 2pm, for which we were grateful as we had an early morning start getting to the airport. Being on a short city break we decided to put our cases in the room and head straight out to venture this amazing city. We took a bus number 15 to Belem monastery as my wife was intrigued by the monastery plus pasta de Belem (egg custard tart) as the originals were made here. The trip on the bus took around 45 minutes passing some wonderful sights on the way. When we finally arrived there was a queue for the monastery but we didn’t realise that our Lisbon passes were included as entrance. After walking around we decided to go the original place for try the delights of Pasta De Belem. There was a big queue but it was worth it! They cost 1.20 euro each tart. Belem town was lovely to venture around as there were many shops and restaurants in this town plus a marina and train station so it’s a great place to venture out for the day. On the way back we stopped off at Praça do Comércio in the city of Lisbon which is a beautiful square with lots of shops and restaurants plus great views of the river where we saw The Ponte 25 de Abril suspension bridge which reminded me of Golden Gate bridge in San Francisco. We would have loved to cross this bridge if we had more time, but we then walked back to our hotel where we went past plenty of pasta da nata shops. Lisbon is a hilly city with plenty of steps and therefore not suitable for wheelchair customers. The next day we had buffet breakfast, which is served between 7.30 and 11.00 it’s the latest breakfast I have stayed at any hotel. There is a choice of hot breakfast which consist of scrambled eggs, sausages and bacon or continental with cold meats, cheese, cereals, rolls, cakes, etc. We decided to take the famous tram 28 as seen on TV programmes. The queue for the tram was long and waiting time over 1 hour so you need to be prepared to wait a long while and get up early. Tram 28 route didn’t disappoint as the view and places on route was amazing, it takes in some historical sights plus steep and narrow hills. Journey time 1 hour so after the tram tour we decided to take a train to seaside town of Cascais. The train ticket was included in our Lisbon pass normal cost €3.00 each, journey time 40 minutes with some lovely views of the coastline. This train route was busy especially as it was a Sunday and the weather was nice. Once we arrived at Cascais it was lovely to see the shops and restaurants plus a lovely marina and beach. We had a lovely Indian lunch whilst in Cascais at reasonable price. During our time in Cascais we managed to see a religious parade, where the priest and other local people were parading with statues of Jesus and Mary along the street, it was joyful to watch. Cascais is lovely seaside town not far from Lisbon city and we headed back by train, which was packed with locals and visitors. There we walked on the river waterfront which was pretty to see the boats along the river. We then went to The Elevador de Santa Justa which is one of the city’s most famous sights. Designed by Mesnier du Ponsard, it was originally called the Ascensor Ouro-Carmo, it connects Rua do Ouro to Largo do Carmo via a neogothic-style structure completely unlike any of the other elevadores in the city. The lifts themselves, made of wood elegantly decorated with brass, evoke a journey in time as they ascend and descend towards the most exclusive areas of the city. The queues were long even at 6pm and the viewing tower wasn’t open. When we got to the top we did have some amazing views of the city which was worth it, the lift was free as part of the Lisbon passes. We then went back to the hotel walking and taking in the wonderful views of Lisbon, it’s a great city with so much history and culture plus great transport system. Sadly the next day we had to go back home. We both had an amazing time, and want to go back again to explore more. Two days is not enough to see this wonderful city. My suggestion would be 4 days, and get a Lisbon pass as it’s well worth the money, current prices for passes are 24 hours €19.95, 48 hours €33.25 and 72 hours €41.80 although these prices are subject to change . Lisbon is easy getting around by foot or by public transport. Lisbon airport is nice as it has plenty of shops, duty free shop and restaurants. A special thanks for arranging this amazing trip . Emma Cashmore Joana Brandão, and Helena Ribeiro at Turismo de Lisboa

15 August 2022

I was lucky last year to win a prize for two people including flights and accommodation sponsored by the Malta Tourism Authority. I decided to take my wife on this amazing prize to see Malta as we hadn’t been for a while. We flew from Stansted on Saturday 11 June flying with Ryanair early morning flight. The flight to Malta was very quick under 3 hours. The flight was fully booked with NO seats left! I hadn’t realised that Malta was such a popular destination but it’s great for a short break or even a city break. When we arrived at Malta airport, Passport and immigration was very quick. It was our first flight since the lifting of Covid restrictions which felt great not having to complete any forms or show any proof of vaccination. We took a shared transfer to our hotel which I had pre-booked in the UK. We weren’t any rush to get to our hotel as check in at the hotel is normally around 3pm, but luckily when we arrived our room was available at the InterContinental in St Julian Bay where we were staying for the next two nights. We had a lovely room on the 13th floor room number 1312 which had great views of the town and sea. A word of warning though that this area is a lively area and music will be played in clubs and bars and you might hear noise from your room. As we only had two days we dumped our bags and explored St Julian which is a lovely town, very lively especially at night time with the clubs and bars. We managed to see the shopping centre plus the beaches whilst walking around St Julian during the afternoon on our first day. The weather was very pleasant with a lovely sea breeze. We had to try the Malta bubble waffle which contains some yummy toppings like Nutella, M&Ms, marshmallow and Kinder Bueno, the cost around 7.50 per waffle as a special treat to ourselves. It was a lovely dessert to try. We decided to have an early night after getting up so early for the flight plus wanting to explore more of Malta the next day! The hotel is in a great location with shops, bars and restaurants on the doorstep. The hotel has its own private beach area with beach club only 10 minutes walk from the hotel. It also has an outdoor pool plus indoor pool onsite. The hotel was very busy over the weekend we stayed. It seems to cater for everyone as there were families, groups and couples staying and enjoying themselves. I would certainly stay at this hotel in the future. Breakfast was great with a good choice of options as buffet choice with an egg station for omelettes, pancakes, etc. The next day (Sunday), we decided to explore some of Malta by foot. We walked from our hotel in St Julia to Silema ,which was a lovely walk along the coast seeing beautiful churches and lovely waterfront restaurants and bars. Along the route we did see a few buses pass us. We found Malta to be very big with families spending time together on Sundays which was lovely to see. Another wonderful day with the weather. We were tempted to get into the sea as the weather was very hot, over 34c. Once we arrived in Silema it was nice to see the boats in the marina. It also has a nice shopping centre. We particularly loved Spinola Bay, it had a great vibe with nice restaurants and bars plus a marina, it’s a must when visiting Malta. Paceville is the party area of Malta if you want to go clubbing. Later that evening we had dinner in the St George Bay area near to the hotel. The restaurant was reasonable priced for food and drinks. There are a few restaurants in this area and we both would love to try a Maltese restaurant when we come back again. Our final day (Monday) we had lunch at Corinthia Palace Hotel with Louise the sales director who also showed us around her hotel which was amazing. We had a lovely lunch with drinks. The food was excellent with fresh produce. We both loved the hotel, it serves a lovely afternoon tea. The hotel is having a major refurbishment at the end of season so it will look amazing when it reopens again. The hotel is great for pre and post stay cruises. We would love to stay at this hotel as not far from Valletta. Sadly it was time to go back home after a wonderful 2 nights and we would definitely come back and explore more of Malta and Gozo next time. Our flight back home was also fully booked. A special thanks to Peter from the Malta Tourism Authority and Louise from Corinthia Palace Hotel for making this trip so brilliant.

01 September 2022

I went to a training in event in London, just before Covid, where I was lucky to win two business class tickets to Paris, Amsterdam or Brussels. At Eurostar, Stephen and Cara were very good and understanding about me taking this amazing prize at a later date, after so many date changes. I finally decide to go on 02 June 2022 for 3 nights with my wife, as this weekend was the Queen’s platinum jubilee. I decided to take advantage of the two extra days and go to Brussels with my free tickets. As I have been to Paris and Amsterdam several times before. I booked the 09.01 train from London St Pancras to Brussels. When we arrived at London St Pancras terminal it was very busy, to be expected for a bank holiday weekend. It seem like everyone had the same idea as me to go away. Before we arrived, I had heard media reports that there would be massive delays at Eurostar terminal so we were prepared! Unfortunately, there was a delay but this was due to a fatality in France which was beyond Eurostar control. I have to say we were impressed with Eurostars handling of the situation and announcements made. The delay was only 15 minutes in the end leaving London, and the train arrived in Brussels on time. During my train journey, we were seated in business class, where we were served a hot cooked breakfast with orange juice, coffee, tea and water served plus croissants. I found the train journey to be very quick and couldn’t believe we arrived in Brussels under 2 hours. There are three types of services on all Eurostar trains, standard class, Premier and business class. Standard class there is a buffet car to buy meals and snacks. Premier and Business, a meal is provided in the fare and is served at your seat. There is a choice of meal including vegetarian option with Premier and Business class. When we arrived in Brussels we decided to walk to the hotel, but got lost slightly as I forgot to take the directions after Grand Palace. The walk was very pleasant and the weather was very hot. We finally arrived at the hotel Marivaux four stars where I had booked us for 3 nights with our bed bank supplier. Our room was ready when we arrived at the hotel, and we were given a free room upgrade. A city tax is required to be paid when check in at the hotel. Our room number 5601 was lovely and spacious with a nice bathroom. The hotel was in a great location where there was shops and restaurants. Grand Palace is 15 minutes walk and metro 5-10 minutes walk. The hotel served a hot and cold buffet breakfast with a good choice. I especially loved their chocolate croissants. Breakfast was small and can get busy at peak times. I have been to Brussels a few times, but thought this time to do something different. Day one my wife and I went to European Parliament we walked from the hotel which was a bit of a walk but great to see Brussels by foot, and we saw some amazing buildings including the royal family palace. We were both amazed by the European Parliament and the tour was free. I learnt so much about Europe from the time it was formed plus the future. It was great to have so many interactive experiences. What I have seen of the European Parliament looked positive and bright for the future. I would definitely recommend a day at European Parliament. After the tour we walked back to the hotel. Day two we walked around the Grand Palace and saw Manneken Pis is a landmark 55.5 cm bronze fountain sculpture in central Brussels, Belgium, depicting a puer mingens or naked little boy urinating into the fountain's basin! The city was lovely to see but very crowded. We also treated ourselves to the Belgium local foods of Fries and waffles. It was yummy! Another must try is Belgium local beers including the fruit beers. We visited The Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula where we saw some amazing architecture at this church, I find churches to be a peaceful place with time to reflect. There is so much to see and do in Brussels. I love this city and will always keep coming back, there’s always something new to discover. The weather was very good, in fact too hot! Brussels is a walkable city or you can use their cheap transport system to get around. There are plenty of bars and restaurants in this lovely city so you never go hungry and prices. Day three was our final day to go back home. We walked to the train station, not getting lost this time! The walk was a pleasant one, where we saw a lovely street market outside the train station selling everything including food, clothes etc on Sundays. Our train was booked 12.56 back to London in business class. In Brussels we were allowed to use the business class lounge where there was drinks and snacks. There is also a business class lounge in London St Pancras too. On the train home we were served lunch a Vegetarian options was available with wine or soft drinks. Our train was busy both journeys. Again another quick journey back to London. I love Eurostar, as it’s a quick journey to Europe with a great way of exploring. I will definitely be going back on Eurostar in the future. This was my first train journey since Covid and we found the experience to be good ,as no forms needed to be completed or vaccination requirements. Border checks are required before boarding the train in London by French immigration and Brussels by the UK immigration. A special thanks for Cara, Stephen and Nigel from Eurostar for arranging this wonderful trip for me and my wife.

23 August 2022

I was looking for ideas of what to do for my wife’s special birthday. I finally decided on a river cruise, as my wife and I have always wanted to try one. I have been to a few presentations where Uniworlds representative has presented that product to me in training, plus hearing such good things about them. so I felt it was time to sample their product and I decided to book with them. My choice was 7 November 2021 for 7 nights on S.S Sao Gabriel in a French balcony cabin sailing on the river Douro. We both always wanted to go to Porto plus sailing along the Douro which was perfect opportunity. I booked return flights with Tap airlines from Gatwick in economy class. For Portugal no Covid testing was required, just proof of vaccination to get into Portugal which was another reason for choosing this cruise. No further test was required when boarding The ship had strict protocols which were enforced with no buffet meals and hand Sanitizing. When we arrived at Porto airport our Uniworld rep was at the airport to take us to the ship. Transfer time around 50 minutes due to traffic. We were group of 90 people with two nationalities Americans and British. We were given cabin number 221 which was a good cabin with a nice bathroom. A tip - make sure you don’t take big cases as space is very limited for suitcases. The staff onboard the ship were very friendly and welcoming. That evening we had a welcome meeting and with details about excursions as some excursions you need to sign up in advance. You are given a free audio guide with headsets for all tours to be given back on the last day. With Uniworld river cruises all food and drink plus most excursions are included in the price. We had a spa on the ship but we didn’t use it. Dress code is smart casual for river cruise ,although one night is formal dress. Most night there was entertainment. Also be prepared to cross over other ships to get onboard at any docking stations. Every day you are given a free daily program left in your cabin the night before to help you plan your day ahead plus you can see any interesting sights whilst cruising along including dams. Meals time Breakfast 7.30-9.30am Lunch 12.30-2pm Dinner 7-9pm there was always a vegetarian meal option plus they cater for other dietary requirements if given advance notice. DAY 1: Porto (Embark) Arrive in Porto, the port city at the mouth of the Douro. we decided to have an early night ,as next day we had arranged to go on a city tour of Porto which we both looking forward too. DAY 2: Porto, Entre-os-Rios Portugal’s second city (after Lisbon), Porto gave its name to the nation’s most famous export, Port wine, and to the nation itself. We chose Porto city tour which was really good, as we walked around the city of Porto, we also took a city tram. We also stopped at The S. Bento railway station, in the city centre of Porto which is often described as one of the most beautiful train stations in the entire world. And this is not an overstatement. Indeed, we are talking walls and ceilings covered with 22 thousand tiles - azulejos - by Jorge Colaço, painter, caricaturist and potter. We saw the Jewish quarters which was interesting to hear the history. The Harry Potter book store. Livraria Lello is arguably one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world (Lonely Planet ranks it 3rd in the world). Many say that J.K.Rowling was inspired by the bookstore’s old, ornate staircase and magnificent detailing throughout. Many also say that it resembles the book shop, Flourish and Botts. J.K. Rowling frequented the bookstore when she lived in Porto. Travel tip: This bookstore is normally flooded with people and lineups so I suggest you pre-purchase a ticket online and arrive early in the morning, after lunch or later before closing. Off-season is even better. Tickets are 5 Euros each and will be applied towards your purchase of a book. We also walked on the Dom Luis bridge with great views of Porto. The double-decker Dom Luis I bridge is an icon of the city of Porto. It spans the River Douro linking the Port wine houses of Vila Nova de Gaia with the bustling downtown Ribeira district of Porto. Construction took place between 1881 and 1886 with the bridge being built adjacent to an existing bridge which it replaced. The granite pillars of the original bridge are still in place, standing on the Ribeira like a pair of gate posts. It is probably no coincidence that the bridge passes more than a fleeting resemblance of its neighbouring bridge, the Dona Maria Pia bridge. Both bridges consist of huge and complex ironwork frameworks with a great arch supporting the transit way. This should come as no surprise as the D. Maria Pia bridge was designed by Gustave Eiffel of Paris tower fame! One of the notable features of the Ponte Dom Luís I is it's two levels; one on top of the arch and the other suspended below it. Both decks were initially intended to carry road traffic but these days the top carries the Porto Metro trains as well as having a pedestrian walkway. It is worth making the crossing on the upper level, although being 60 metres (190 ft) above the waters of the Douro, it might not be for everyone! Later that afternoon we started sailing down the Douro seeing some magnificent views of vineyards and landscape. In the evening, a special Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner DAY 3: Entre-os-Rios, Re´gua, Pinhão DOURO MUSEUM The Douro Valley is the oldest demarcated wine-growing district in Europe. Why? What makes Port the wine it is? Learn about the region’s unique geology and winemaking history—Romans planted vines in this region 2,000 years ago—at the Douro Museum. Exhibits laid out in buildings that were once home to Port winemaker Real Companhia Velha let you see how the process of making Port evolved over the centuries: You’ll find the tools of the trade and even a rabelo (a boat that carried wine from the vineyards to Porto) on display. An interactive map shows where the quintas are and how the region developed; and by sniffing vials of concentrated fragrance, you can learn to identify the many aromas that a good Port exhibits. It’s fun and informative—plus you can sample some regional Douro wine. We travelled up winding roads with spectacular views—and breath-stealing drop-offs—for lunch at a local quinta. Which was amazing venue with great food.

23 August 2022

DAY 4: Pinhão, Pocinho, Vega de Terrón We headed ashore for a choice of excursions, including a tasting at a prestigious Port wine estate or a vineyard hike with a wine tasting at a local quinta. In the afternoon we went to Castelo Rodrigo, both the name of a hilltop castle as well as the village that surrounds it. The view from the top is incredible and the village is a charming place to ramble, relax and replenish. wonderfully scenic countryside—the region is noted for its honey, which derives its flavour from the fields of wild lavender and the almond groves you’ll pass—to Castelo Rodrigo, the name of both a castle and the village it shelters. The castle ruins stand high atop Marofa Mountain, telling the tale of border strife and Portugal’s struggle for independence in a single structure. Construction on the citadel began in 1209 under the auspices of the king of Leon, but it became part of Portugal within a century—though its local lords sided with Spanish rulers from time to time over the next four centuries. That’s why the palace adjoining the castle lies in ruins: Outraged citizens destroyed it after its Lord sided with Castile. Take in the amazing view from the ancient stone walls, then step down through the tiny cobbled lanes of the village, passing the old pillory, the Manueline church, and the town’s market square. It’s not all history, of course. You’ll also get to sample delicious local treats, such as honey, almonds, olive oil and cheeses, and a newly restored tea-house DAY 5: Vega de Terrón (Salamanca), Barca d’Alva Early start with breakfast provided at a hotel for us when we arrived at Salamanca which was a nice touch. We visit the historic university town of Salamanca—the “Golden City”—famous for its sand-coloured buildings and abundance of churches. Feel the centuries fall away as your ship winds its way through the pristine, dramatic UNESCO-protected landscapes of the Douro River Valley. Called the “Golden City” for its tawny sandstone buildings, Salamanca boasts a dozen beautiful and historic churches, including two cathedrals: the new one, built in the early 16th century, and the Old Cathedral, which dates to the 12th century and can only be entered from the New Cathedral. Walk with our guide through Plaza Mayor, lined with wonderful baroque buildings, to the university, which was founded by Alfonso IX in 1218. The ornate plateresque façade is stunning, and the interior rooms you see are equally beautiful. Salamanca’s food hall is one of Spain’s best, as you will discover when you sample chorizos, cheese, olive oil and ham. We had time to browse through the shops on Rua Mayor. You get back late on this trip as a long day but well worth it.The journey is 5 hours but toilet break stop is included. On my wife’s birthday they made her a special dinner which included scallops which she was very touched. She didn’t want any fuss or happy birthday sang to her as she gets embarrassed. In the evening Flamenco show DAY 6: Pinhão, Régua In the morning we had a cooking demonstration with onboard pastry chef, in making Pastel De Nata (Custard Tart) it was very good as we had samples to taste them. Our journey through the hills to Quinta do Seixo, a prestigious Port wine estate, We saw a unique landscape that has been shaped by wine growers for two millennia. The stone terraces curving around the steep slopes hold soil that is largely the creation of human intervention: People have laboriously broken up the native silver schist stone over the centuries and turned it into usable sandy earth; it’s called “anthroposoil.” The process of producing Port wine is a fascinating blend of tradition and modernity; the steepness of the slopes requires that grape vines be tended almost entirely by hand, but the wine itself is made using the most modern techniques. We toured the state-of-the-art facility and sample some exceptional Ports in a tasting room whose wall of windows looks out over spectacular views of the Douro Valley. In the evening, a special Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner DAY 7: Re´gua (Guimarães), Porto We explored Guimarães, the town where Portugal was born. Its well-preserved architecture and stylish young residents make it a pleasure to visit. “Portugal was born here.” So the sign on the city wall proclaims. Guimarães was home to the first king of Portugal, Afonso I, who managed to win his kingdom’s independence in the 12th century from neighboring suzerains. The wonderfully well-preserved Old Town, with its unique architecture (houses here combine granite with half-timbering) and charming little plazas, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site; overlooking it is the grand castle that appears on Portugal’s coat of arms. Rove with your guide from the castle toward the beautiful main square, the Largo da Oliveira, and to the splendid Monastery and Church of Our Lady of Oliveira and the 14th-century Gothic Padrão do Salado. But remember that despite these historic beauties, Guimarães has the youngest population of any city in Europe, so the pedestrian area is full of lively and fun cafés and shops. DAY 8: Porto (Disembark) Sadly back home to the U.K., there was no need to pre pack our cases the night before. The highlights for us was seeing the 9 locks which are all very different whilst sailing on Douro plus the railway line running along the Douro with stunning scenery. Also going to the Port wine estates like Sandeman,etc sampling the different types of port including white,rose,and ruby port Plus Porto city tour. Porto is lovely city and would definitely go back again. A special thanks to Angela and Amy at Uniworld for arranging this wonderful trip. Amy was amazing before I made this booking .she was giving me lots of tips and advice, which really help make this trip enjoyable. I am now able to pass on my experience and advice to my future customers. Uniworld is good, as you don’t need to pay for anything like alcoholic drinks but you need to pay for spa treatments and some excursions. River cruise is for people wanting to experience new destinations most days in a smaller group with different nationalities. This cruise you never miss out on the scenery as no cruising during the night. The boat has to moor overnight which is good time to experience Portuguese culture. Please note some of this information could have changed since Covid.

15 August 2022

Due to covid ,I decided to book a mini cruise for me and my wife around the UK with Princess cruises as covid testing and rules was making it difficult to get away. I thought this would be a great alternative option. I never been with Princess cruises before, although I have been with other cruise line so I was intrigue to find out more about them and their services. I booked 4 night cruise with ocean view balcony from Southampton on Regal Princess. I found check in, for my cruise to be straight forward even with extra checks of taking a covid test and showing paperwork that I had been double vaccinated before getting on the cruise. Wearing of face mask was compulsory and had to be worn in all public places including the port. I didn’t find this a problem wearing face mask. I was very impress when I entered my cabin as it was very spacious. Princess cabins are keyless wearing a medallion opens your key to your cabin which I really liked. I found the meals to be very good and a great choices for breakfast, lunch and dinner at main dinning restaurant My favourite dish was the freshly made pizza made fresh to order. I had ham and mushroom which was amazing. I also indulge in the coffee shop, which was free to have cakes and sandwiches 24 hours. I didn’t go to any of the shows on this cruise but heard reports the shows were very good. My wife had a great time in the spa having treatment every day. On this cruise it didn’t stop at any ports in the UK just cruise along the coast which was nice. I was lucky with the weather as it sunny every day and sailing was smooth. I found the cruise to be very relaxing just doing nothing eating and drinking lots. I would recommend this cruise if you just want to get away and for relaxation.

21 February 2020

I have always been intrigued by Christmas markets especially in Germany as I have seen them on TV, and I have also booked lots of these trips for my customer in the past. I decided it was time for me and my wife to experience one! I booked flights for us to fly with British Airways economy class to Dusseldorf on 08 December for 3 nights staying at Hotel Stadtpalais in Cologne. When we arrived in Dusseldorf we did find it complicated using the train ticket machine to buy train tickets to Cologne as neither of us speak German. We finally found a ticket office where we could purchase tickets and got helpful information including the next time train. The cost to Cologne was 12.00 euros per person but this depends on the train company. There is a regular train service between Dusseldorf and Cologne with a journey time under 1 hour. When we arrived at the hotel our room wasn’t ready but this wasn’t a problem as we left our luggage at the hotel and went out into Cologne city centre to explore. We took the U Bahn which is equivalent to our underground system. The journey to city centre was about 10 minutes costing 2.00 euros per person based on up to 4 stops. You can purchase day passes or 2 days passes if planning on doing lots of travel. When we arrived at Christmas Market on the Rudolfplatz we got right into the Christmas spirit as the stalls were selling Christmas gifts, for example candles and nothing is more romantic than a Christmas candle, and each market has an abundance of sizes and scents from which to choose. Also, many stalls sell decorative candleholders and cases. There are bronzed metallic cylinders decorated with small perforations allowing light to seep through and illuminate a room gently or can be placed directly on a Christmas tree. German Christmas Ornaments - where to start! The largest market, Weihnachtsmärkte at Roncalliplatz, in front of the Dom Kolner Cathedral have stalls selling a stunning array of decorations for the Christmas tree. There are the standard baubles glazed and glittered, but varieties also include real glass with exquisite patterning and some with snowmen or a Santa contained inside. Some decorations are true works of art with nativity or festive scenes painted on them. Pendants made of silver or glass can be purchased, adding something different to the tree. There are ranges and prices to suit everyone. Another choice is wooden Christmas ornaments, many of the markets sell stars and religious decorations ready to hang on trees. Nativity scenes and angels exquisitely carved are beautiful. They can create a natural, warm atmosphere in a home and are very inexpensive for the quality! There are also more exotic gifts such as life-sized crows and gnomes for sale. Christmas just isn’t complete without fairy lights, and mostly every market in the city has a stall that sells different types of lights. There are standard LED lights on wires, but for something unusual, try hanging globes made of ceramics and paper, decorated with stars and snow. Many come in varying lengths and sizes, so do ask the vendor before purchasing. Lanterns can also be bought patterned with different types of glass and reminiscent of the stained glass in the magnificent Dom Cathedral. Puppets are not usually the first gift that comes to mind when thinking of Christmas, but they are plentiful. Rudolfplatz, one of the larger markets, has marionettes in the form of dolls and soldiers dangling on strings and ready to come to life by a puppeteer. Some are in traditional German dress while others are in festive costumes, but each one has a unique, cheeky, expression on its face. A whimsical gift, a puppet would entertain all year-round, and it’s no surprise that Cologne has its own theatre dedicated to puppetry; The Hanneschen-Theater has been in operation since 1802! Sweet Gifts are another choice, from the markets by the cathedral to the Neumarkt and beyond, confectionery is sold in abundance. There are fudges, candies, jellybeans and biscuits (the almond flavoured varieties are delicious) that would make a sweet treat for anyone. Handmade chocolates in every possible flavour, size, and cocoa percentage are available. Some chocolates are sold in tins with Cologne images that will make for a good souvenir. However, if in a decadent mood, try a foot-long slab of chocolate to nibble on while wondering through the merriment of the markets. plus food and drink. We tried the lovely hot chocolate and glühwein which is mulled wine together with Bratwurst (German sausage)in a roll. If you return your glass or cup empty, after your drink you get a refund for your glass or cup. I thought this was a great way to help with the environment. We also ventured to the other Christmas market including The Angels’ Market at Neumarkt, Old Town Christmas Market which is great for the whole family. Huts and stalls sell the best of German Christmas foods and drinks, gifts, handmade products and more. The market’s highlight is the ice rink that’s open all day for the season. You can rent skates right there and cruise around the market or participate in a round of curling. Christmas Market at the Dom Cologne’s largest and most popular Christmas market certainly has the most imposing setting, having the giant gothic Cologne Cathedral as a backdrop. Vendors sell typical trinkets, crafts, food and drink at their red-roofed wooden huts. Under a roof of fairy lights, the stage at the centre hosts musical performances that make for the Christmassy atmosphere. We then headed back to the hotel by U Bahn, where our room was ready at the hotel. We were amazed at the size of the room for a city hotel, big and spacious. We booked on bed and breakfast basis. It has a good location as It’s only 5 minutes to U Bahn or you walk to the city centre in 20-30 minutes. Breakfast was good with a choice of hot and cold dishes buffet style. The hotel we stayed in was a four star with friendly and polite staff. A tip? If I went back to this hotel I would ask for a higher floor room to avoid the noise of U Bahn trains. Every evening whilst in Cologne we went out to the Christmas markets where we would eat at the markets. There was a great choice of food. My favourite dish was garlic mushrooms and the prices were reasonable. We visited the cathedral which was amazing inside with its impressive architecture.

21 February 2020

My favourite Christmas market was Saint Nicholas’ Village. At the Nikolausdorf, half-timbered houses decorated with evergreen garlands and fairy lights spread across Cologne’s Rudolfplatz. The cosy market with 60 stalls is a highlight for families where the grown-ups can do the Christmas shopping and enjoy a mulled wine while kids can join supervised arts and crafts classes or meet Saint Nicholas. Cologne is a great city with a marvellous vibe for Christmas markets. We are so pleased to have visited this city and we would return again in the future. Best time to visit Christmas market is the end of November until Christmas Eve but try to avoid weekends as it can very busy at the markets.

14 May 2020

We were told at the hotel that we would see monkeys during our stay. Guess what we saw monkeys on our last day of trip. We thought they were so cute especially the babies. We would definitely go back to this hotel and spend longer time. We want to go come back to both islands, as both were stunning in scenery and beautiful. They are both unique in the own way. We found the food and the people that made our holiday special. We felt safe on both islands. A special thanks to Victoria from Bay Gardens Beach and Spa and also Victoria from The Abidah by Accra for arranging this amazing trip.

14 May 2020

I decided to go away for some winter sunshine in November to warmer climates like St Lucia and Barbados. My wife has never been to St Lucia so I thought it would be nice for her to see another Caribbean island. I have been to St Lucia before and stayed at Sandals Grande St Lucian. I had a wonderful time when I stayed in St Lucia last time. My wife and I treated ourselves to British Airways Club World on the way to St Lucia. The flying time was around 8 hours 30 minutes. I have to say that British Airways has improved their onboard services a lot since I last flew with them last year. Better TV screens and food service. The flight was fully booked as I think everyone had the same idea as us. When we arrived at St Lucia we were one of the first passengers off the plane. Customs and immigration was very quick. I had booked a transfer to our hotel which was waiting for us when we cleared customs and immigration. The transfer I booked was a shared transfer with other people and the journey time was 1 hour 40 minutes. The journey was scenic with lots of winding roads and some beautiful villages along the way. We did get a traffic jam in Castries, as there were four visiting cruise ships which caused the traffic delays. We finally arrived at our hotel where we were given a cold towel and welcome drink before checking into our room which we thought this was a nice touch to start our holiday. We booked on all-inclusive basis which is well worth it and I would advise anyone staying at the Bay Gardens Beach Resort & Splash to upgrade all inclusive. The benefits are amazing like the dine around and a free massage per stay. Also free entrance to the waterpark, plus other benefits. We stayed at this hotel for 3 nights in room number 703 which was a lovely room with a great view of the pool with a nice balcony. I would suggest staying in beachfront view, as the view of the beach is amazing. Breakfast is buffet but lunch and dinner offer an a la carte menu which includes lobster on the menu at no additional cost. There are two restaurants Hi Tides and Seagrapes both have great views of the sea for dining and the food was excellent with great choices. We had a chance to experience dine around, which means you go to a local restaurant outside the hotel to taste free the local food or other international food. We thought this was a great idea. We chose Indian for our dine around, which was really good food with plenty of food. Drinks served at the hotel include premium brand names at no extra cost. The hotel is only 15-20 minutes’ walk to Rodney Bay Village or the hotel offers an hourly free shuttle bus to Rodney Bay village. The staff are lovely and helpful. We wished we had stayed longer to experience more of St Lucia as 3 days is too short. We were disappointed that we missed Friday local night out in Rodney Bay known to the locals as Jump where they have local food and drink plus street parties. We also missed going to the Pitons but this has given us an excuse to go back to St Lucia as it is a beautiful country. Whilst staying at Bay Gardens Beach Resort & Spa we managed to see the other hotels in the group including Bay Gardens Hotel and Bay Gardens Inn both different properties. My favourite is . Bay Gardens Beach Resort & Spa. After our 3 day stay in St Lucia we took a flight with Liat from Castries the local airport. Castries airport is small but next to the beach which was nice to experience a last minute swim plus a beach bar/restaurant. Flying time to Barbados was 45 minutes. As there weren’t many people on the flight the aircraft left early and we arrived at the time we were supposed to take off. Once we arrived in Barbados we had arranged return private transfers booked in the UK to take us to the hotel. Once we arrived at the The Abidah by Accra we were pleasantly surprised as the brochure did not do the hotel justice. The hotel was newly opened in July 2019 based on adults only. We did arrive to a power cut when we arrived which meant we couldn’t check in but we were given a welcome drinks plus a cold towel to refresh after our flight. The hotel dealt with the problem very professionally by offering us dinner at their sister hotel with free transportation. The next day the power cut had continued and spread to the whole island. I felt sorry for the hotel as this was beyond their control. Again they arranged dinner and transportation to their sister hotel. The food on both days were excellent with a good choice of menu. We ate at an Asian restaurant on both days. During the days the power cut was on we were able to adapt by going to the beach across the road and swimming with the locals. The beach was lovely, white sands with clear blue waters, called Miami beach. The hotel staff were serving cold drinks including beers at the beach for hotel guests as part of all-inclusive package plus free beach towels and sun loungers with umbrellas. The beach wasn’t crowded enough spaces available. We walked to Oistins during our stay as we found it was only 15 minutes to walk from the hotel. Oistins on Friday is the place to go in Barbados as this is where local food and music is played. We had a lovely room at Abidah hotel, room number 203 which had a lovely side view with a jacuzzi hot tub on the balcony. The room was large and spacious with modern furnishings and a separate toilet and bathroom. After 2 days of power cuts the hotel returned to normal service serving buffet breakfast, a la carte lunch and dinner. The food was amazing with good choices from the menu. We were surprised to find that all drinks are included on the all-inclusive package so check before ordering drinks. The hotel has a fitness centre and spa treatment rooms. During our stay we bumped into Kyle who works for Barbados tourism, It was lovely to see him again as I normally see him at events in London. We also got a chance to meet the staff including Victoria who booked our prize. All the staff were friendly and helpful. It’s a great 4 star boutique hotel for adults only, so for couples and honeymooners with good vibes. The hotel has no entertainment which suits us.

27 May 2020

My wife and I decided to book a cruise around the Greek islands plus the Mediterranean with MSC. My wife had never been to the Greek islands before although I have been to a few Greek islands including Rhodes and Corfu but not Santorini or Mykonos, so I was intrigued to visit, as I have booked my customers to these islands in the past. We sailed on 05 October for 7 nights from Venice on MSC Sinfonua in ocean view cabin number 1183 on Deck 11. Venice is a fantastic port to sail from, as you get to see some great sights including St Mark Square whilst sailing along. Our itinerary Day 1 Venice. Italy We flew with Ryanair from Stansted to Venice. Once we arrived at Venice we were met by MSC rep, as we had arranged return transfers from the airport to the port as part of the service. When we arrived at the port, we had a long wait for checking on board the ship as we were called by colour code. We had included in our cruise package drinks and gratuities. The ship was a little dated but onboard facilities were okay. Day 2 Split. Croatia We arrived in Split which was familiar territory to us as we were in Split last year for a city break. We loved it and we can both recommend Split as a great city break. Whilst there we had a lovely ice cream on the harbour and also visited the local market where they sold local produce and lavender. We ventured around the city reminiscing the places we saw on our last trip, more than happy to visit Split again on this cruise. Day 3 Day at sea Day at sea we had a lazy day and spent time in the casino losing lots of money! We also took the chance to explore the ship facilities. We found the ship had entertainment during the day including dance lessons, bingo, quizzes etc plus evening entertainment which was daily throughout. Day 4 Santorini, Greece We arrived in Santorini around 8am where there were 4 other ships also arrived at the port. It was busy with queues for the donkeys up to Fira town and also the cable car. We took an alternative option of taking a ferry from Fira port to Ammoudi Town with a short bus ride to Oia town. This option was cheaper and better costing around euro 15.00 per person. Oia Town is a pretty little town with lots of character, especially with the white and blue buildings like you can see on the picture postcards. We were told that Oia Town has amazing sunsets and sunrises plus it offers lots of bars, restaurants and shops. Shame we didn’t get chance to explore. we were on a tight timescale to get back to the cruise ship by 2 pm so we took a bus back to Fira port, missing a chance to explore Fira town which looked lovely with lots of souvenir shops and restaurants. We would definitely like to go back to Santorini, when there were less cruise ships around as we would love to explore this beautiful island. Day 5 Mykonos,Greece We arrived in Mykonos late evening 8pm when restaurants and bars were coming alive in the evening. We ate onboard the ship, which meant we missed out on trying the local food which was a shame. We would love to have seen Mykonos in the daytime, to see what it has to offer. Our short time spent in Mykonos felt like this could be amazing island. We would love to come back again to experience it, staying for a few days. Day 6 Dubrovnik,Croatia. We arrived in Dubrovnik at 1pm where we had to pay for a coach transfer to take us into the city centre. Once we arrived in the city centre we were both pleasantly surprised by Dubrovnvik and what it had to offer. We both thought this would be a great city break another time? Dubrovnik is famous for being the setting of the TV series Game of Thrones. It also has a lot of history including city walls tour and a medieval castle. Again we would love to visit this city for a break to experience lots of great restaurants and shops. Day 7 Ancona. Italy We arrived in Ancona at 10am. We both didn’t know much about this city and were surprised to find the amount of things you could do in this wonderful city. Again Ancona has a lot of history plus shops and restaurants. We managed to explore the cathedral, which has amazing architecture with great views of the city and port (it’s a hilly location). We also went to the local market where we found local fresh produce. Whilst in port we saw the ship builders yard, where we saw the Silversea ship Silver Moon being built which was fascinating. We think Ancona would make a city break as it has some lovely parks and squares. Day 8 Venice/Home Sadly time to go home. We were delayed due to fog in Venice and almost missed our flight home. Luckily we had booked transfers with MSC to return back to the airport from the port. On this trip we saw some amazing places, and would love to spend more time in these destinations. A good thing about a cruise is that you get a chance to see lots of places, and decide to go back there in the future to explore. My tip would be to check the itinerary of sailing to make sure you get the maximum time in port. Also check you are suited to the best cruise line for food, entertainment, excursions etc.

01 August 2019

My wife and I don’t normally go back to the same place twice in such a short time, as we both believe there are so many other places to visit in this world, but we decided on this occasion to visit Tunisia again. There were a few places that we wanted to visit on our last trip but missed out as there is so much to see and do there. Sami from Tunisia Tourism kindly helped and assisted with our trip to Tunisia for Easter time. We were so happy to be going back again, especially to the same hotel, Les Orangers Garden Hotel, on an all-inclusive basis. We had an amazing time when we were there last time, so we were really looking forward to it. We booked 18th April for 7 nights flying with Tunis Air in economy class. The flight was fully booked both journeys, obviously very popular! We had the same driver pick us up from the airport and take us to the hotel which was nice. He remembered us! When we checked in, it felt like being back at home with the warm welcome by the staff. We had another lovely room with sea view and balcony, similar to the one we had last time. The hotel was busier this time, we guess because it was Easter and school holidays. We found mainly French and German families at the hotel, and their very well-behaved children especially at mealtimes and around the pool areas. One of the things we wanted to do on this trip was to book a 2-day Sahara Explore which includes staying in the desert area for 1 night. We booked this tour with the hotel with pick up and drop off at the hotel. We had a small group for this tour, mainly Italians which meant the guide spoken Italian lots of the time. We had packed an overnight bag for the stay at a hotel. There were many highlights which included a visit to El Jem, the third largest amphitheatre in the Roman Empire (UNESCO listed). We then visited the village of Matmata where we saw Troglodyte houses and apparently, they filmed Star Wars here! Troglodyte houses are underground where some local Berber residents live. Whilst driving the scenery changed from greenery to complete desert, where the roads were uneven in some places. We were thinking this was not the place to break down or run out of petrol as there is nothing for miles! During the tour there were optional trips including riding a camel at sunset and 4x4 discovery adventures. Maybe next time? Our overnight stop was in a town called Douz in southern Tunisia at a 4* hotel. Dinner and lunch were provided during the tour. On the last day of the tour we drove to Shott el Jerid which is the biggest Salt Lake in Northern Africa, and into Algeria before going to our next stop Chebika which is believed to be the most beautiful of all Tunisian mountain oases. On the way we had a short walk (about 40 minutes) through the Atlas Mountains and to Thamerza which is another mountain oasis famous for its spectacular canyon and waterfall. Our final stop was at the Great Mosque of Kairouan (also known as the Mosque of Uqba) which is situated in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Kairouan, Tunisia and is the fourth most holy city of the Muslim faith and as such a major destination for pilgrimage. The Great Mosque of Kairouan is one of the most impressive and largest Islamic monuments in North Africa; its perimeter is almost 405 metres (1,328 feet). This space contains a prayer hall, a marble-paved courtyard and a square minaret. In addition to its spiritual prestige, the Mosque of Uqba is one of the masterpieces of Islamic architecture, notable among other things for the first Islamic use of the horseshoe arch. We were unable to enter the mosque as it was Easter Sunday. We wandered around Kairouan, a busy place for shopping and souvenirs. We arrived back in the evening in time for dinner at the hotel. Maybe if we were doing the tour again, we would do it with a tour operator like Thomas Cook as we think they would cater towards the British holidaymakers more? We were happy to be back at the hotel after tour as it had felt like two long days travelling. We didn’t realise how big Tunisia is as a country. Great to see local, fresh produce along the roadsides like oranges, fresh bread and meat. For the rest of our stay in Tunisia we relaxed at the hotel and enjoyed the hotel facilities, although we did get a taxi into Hammamet to do some shopping, where we bought a tagine at a bargain price after bartering. Hammamet is a lovely town with marina and beach plus Medina and water park with amusements. This is a great place for families for a day out. Depending on traffic, it’s a 10-minute drive from our hotel to Hammamet costing around 8.00 dinar each way. There are plenty of taxis around this resort, and we would suggest you negotiating your fare before entering the taxi. Our week seemed to go very quickly. We had a lovely time and would go back again to this hotel as the standard of accommodation and food is very good. We would like to thank Sami from Tunisia for arranging this trip for us, as it gave a great experience of the hotel. The staff at the hotel are so friendly and helpful especially Mohamed at concierge department, nothing was too much trouble. Tunisia is a great place to travel with less than 3 hours to fly, where you can experience lovely sunshine with some great standard of hotels and beaches plus history.

31 July 2019

I decided to have a long weekend with my wife in Ibiza as she had never been to Ibiza before, and I went many years ago. We thought it would be an ideal time to have a last-minute break from our local airport London Southend. We found some cheap flights with EasyJet for Bank Holiday weekend, with some reasonable price accommodation staying at Marble Stella Maris Ibiza 4*hotel on an all-inclusive basis for 3 nights. Our flight was delayed by 1 hour but that wasn’t a problem for us. The flight was packed with young holiday makers and a few families. Once we arrived at Ibiza airport, we had return coach transfers booked to take us to and from the hotel. Transfer time was around 45 minutes from the airport, to the hotel which is on a hill and not suitable for disabled people. We checked into the hotel, where we were greeted by friendly hotel staff and reminded that we need to pay 3.10 per person per day eco tax as part of Ibiza Balearics tax. Rates of this eco tax depends on hotel star rating. We arrived quite late, around 10pm, and were surprised to find that food was still provided, as some all-inclusive hotels stop serving food at this time of the day. We were given an obstructed sea view room (number 3115) with partial view of San Antonio. The room was lovely and spacious with a nice bathroom and TV. Our room was on a hill, so our driver took us to our room with our luggage after checking in. We left our luggage in our room and went for a late snack which offered a choice of meatballs, chips, vegetarian lasagne, duck etc plus desserts. We were both very impressed for late snack choices, plus drinks were served including alcoholic drinks until 2am. The hotel caters mainly for the German and Dutch markets with families. The next day we explored the hotel facilities. The hotel is surrounded by six hectares of lush gardens and pine trees. With a large variety of facilities, such as sport facilities, shops, restaurants and bars, outdoor swimming pools and a children’s pool, children’s facilities and free Wi-Fi. The nearest beach in the picturesque coves Cala Gracio which was around 15 minutes downhill and 20 minutes uphill. It was a lovely sandy beach which seemed popular with locals. Our all-inclusive package consisted of buffet meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner plus drinks including local alcoholic drinks. The buffet offered a choice of meals at mealtimes. There is an option at dinner to use the a la carte restaurant at additional cost of 15.00 per person, while we were there in May 2019. At Coffee Bazar Good Things shop for delicious pancakes, croissants, toasts, doughnuts and cake. In the afternoon, you can also enjoy some freshly made pizza opening times 10am to 6.30pm. The Piazetta Pool Snack Bar serves delicious burgers, fries, hotdogs, pasta, salads, fresh fruits and desserts opening times 10am to 6pm. The Marble Stella Maris Ibiza has 5 bars in total and next to the Marble Beach Bar, the Lobby Bar, Theatre Bar, the Pool Bar and the Elite Pool Bar they serve between 10am and 2am. The children will not get bored with the indoor and outdoor playground, Fun and Games room, treasure hunts, mini discos and various other creative activities. Some activities are only available during summer season. Marble Stella Maris Ibiza offers 3 outdoor swimming pools and a special children’s pool. You can enjoy a refreshing drink or snack from pool bar La Piazzeta and relax on one of the comfortable lounge chairs. All lounge chairs and umbrellas are free of charge. A towel service is available for a small deposit. The private Marble Beach club (access from 16 years and for a fee) also has a swimming pool. The resort also offers 6 tennis courts, table tennis facilities, mini golf and a bike rental service. For sports fanatics, a fitness centre is available free of charge. The hotel is on the outskirts of San Antonio with a very limited bus service from outside the hotel otherwise 40 minutes’ walk into San Antonio or 10 minutes’ drive by car. The next day we ventured out on the local bus to Ibiza Town where we explored Ibiza Castle with great view of Ibiza and marina where we saw some very expensive yachts! Ibiza Town is also known as Eivissa. The old town has been awarded historic status by UNESCO. The busy port area is buzzing with an eclectic mix of nightlife, whereas in the marina the style is distinctly upmarket, with some of the finest restaurants on offer and luxury yachts in their moorings. The marina is also home to a casino and the famous Pacha nightclub. The historic Old Town is held in by impressive 16th century walls, which hide a labyrinth of streets, restaurants, boutiques and a magical atmosphere, where the ancient meets the bohemian. Shopping in Eivissa (Ibiza Town) is a fabulous experience, there are a mix of unique boutiques, which sell their one-off pieces to the beautiful people of Ibiza, mixed with bargain stores, and of course arts and handicrafts shops, where you can pick up hand-made pieces from Ibiza’s artist community. The magnificent cathedral is worth a visit; built during the 13th and 14th centuries, it was constructed on the site of a former temple dedicated to Mercury. Plus, there is the beautiful Santa Domingo church, constructed at the end of the 16th century for the Dominican order. The roof is particularly impressive, decorated with frescoes and mosaics. After our trip to Ibiza Town we decided to take another bus ride to Santa Eulalia. We had a lovely walk along the seafront promenade and went past the marina. Santa Eulalia is the third largest town on the island. It has a fantastic choice of restaurants, beaches and shopping. We only had a short stop at Santa Eulalia, as time was getting on, but we had a lovely time. One tip: check bus times as some bus routes stop during the afternoon for siesta. Buses are a great way to get around and are very cheap. The best way to get around Ibiza, is hiring a car as that gives you more flexibility to visit more places, especially with the off the beaten track places.

31 July 2019

Sadly, the next day was time to go home. We both enjoyed Ibiza and thought it was not the party place we thought it might be. There is lots going on for couples, families and singles. The hotel we stayed in is more suitable for families with a village feel to the hotel. We would definitely go back again in off peak season. Ibiza is a lovely place with history, culture and food. With a flying time of only 2 hours and 30 minutes, it a great place for a long weekend or short break.

11 April 2019

This trip came about after doing Ontario training via their website which I found very knowledgeable in helping me sell this wonderful state to my future customers. After completing my training, I received a lovely phone call from Emma at Ontario tourism, saying “Congratulations you have won a prize for two including flights, hotel and tours”! I was overjoyed to receive this phone call as I have never been to Niagara, and it was on my bucket list. I decided to take this wonderful trip in October with my wife Becky. When we arrived at London Gatwick, we were treated to a lovely surprise of being upgraded to Club World, British Airways’ business class with airline lounge access. Neither of us had flown business class from London Gatwick since British Airways moved to South Terminal. We were both very impressed with their new lounge. Whilst onboard, the service was amazing especially with the flat beds as you could sleep on the flight. The other nice thing seated in business class was Club Kitchen during the flight, which meant you could help yourself to any snacks like crisps, chocolate, sandwiches and drinks which were served in the galley. We thought the flight went very quickly, a flying time of 7 hours and 55 minutes, which makes a good option for a long weekend city beak to Toronto. When we arrived at Toronto, we cleared customs and immigration fairly quickly. Before entering Canada, you require an ETA which must be done online before you go. The cost is CAD 7.00 per person and lasts up to 5 years or if passport expires within the 5 years. We had a short wait for our shuttle bus to Niagara Falls from Toronto Airport as the shuttle works on a timetable. Journey time is around 3 hours, as it drops people off at their homes and hotels plus feeder service. The journey was interesting as we saw lots of countryside with the autumn leaves colours on the trees. When we finally checked into our hotel Best Western Cairn Croft, where we were staying for 2 nights, we were given a free room upgrade which had a jacuzzi bath and large spacious bedroom. We also received a lovely welcome pack from Christina at Niagara tourism which included maps, discount vouchers and ice wine. We thought this was a lovely touch to the start of our 8-day tour of Ontario. This hotel has a Irish bar, which is very popular with the locals plus an indoor swimming pool. Nearby there are shops and restaurants. Outside the hotel there is a bus top to the lakes taking around 15 minutes’ drive. The bus service in Niagara Falls is called Wego with 4 bus routes and a 24-hour pass starts from CAD 8.00 per adult. The first night we took a walk near to the falls for something to eat and we found lots of restaurants, souvenir shops plus an amusement park, Niagara Skywheel. On the way to the falls we went past The Battle of Lundy's Lane which was an interesting place. The Battle of Lundy's Lane was a battle during the Anglo-American War of 1812, which took place in present-day Niagara Falls. It was one of the bloodiest battles of the war, and one of the deadliest battles ever fought in Canada. We were really surprised how lively Niagara Falls is, we were expecting a small sleepy town with not much going on. The next day, we were treated by Niagara Tourism to a lovely winery tour which included sampling ice wines and ciders. It was amazing to see how ice wine was made, and to see how many grapes are used. We now know why ice wine is so expensive to produce and sell, as it is made when the grapes are naturally frozen on the vine. In order to be Ice wine certified in Canada the grapes must be harvested at -8c or colder, have no artificial refrigeration and no added sweeteners. The winery that stood out for us was Small Talk, we thought it had a great name. We had a lovely stop for lunch at Niagara on the Lakes, a nice small town with lots of character. We would love to visit this place again maybe staying a couple of nights. After lunch we visited another winery, it was a great day out and we learned loads about ice wine and table wine. I would recommend this tour. My wife made a purchase of ice wine at all 3 stops. We both love the taste of ice wine; it has a sweet taste to be served with deserts. Later in the evening we decided to take a trip down to the Niagara Falls. It was breath-taking to see the falls in full view and the changing of colours at night-time. You could hear the water from miles away along with the mist. We both stood as close to see the water flowing from the falls. Seeing Niagara Falls at night is a must! The next day we did an amazing tour called Journey Behind the Falls which is a year-round attraction that offers a unique view of the falls from below and behind. Visitors descend 150 ft. by elevator, where a short tunnel (150 ft.) gives access to two outdoor observation decks and two portals located directly behind the falls. On this tour we had great views of the boats entering the falls and feel the vibrations of the falls. Our next tour which we were both really excited about was Hornblower Niagara Cruises. We experienced the 30-minute boat tour of the great gorge, American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and of course, up close and personal connection with the thundering water, awesome power and amazing mist of the mighty Horseshoe Falls. Niagara Cruises has taken this legendary experience to a whole new level. State of the art, 700 passenger catamaran boats feature all new on-board passenger comforts and conveniences including tiered decks for 360-degree unobstructed viewing, dry viewing areas and on board seating. You are given a poncho free of charge. Our tip for this trip is to head upstairs for great views and make sure you have a waterproof camera. It was lovely to see both American and Canadian sides by boat. Doing Hornblower Niagara cruise is a must do and of our list in Niagara’s was the highlight of our trip.

11 April 2019

Sadly, we had our helicopter tour cancelled due to the weather, but it gives us an excuse to come back again. We used the rest of the afternoon to reflect on the day we had at Niagara before heading to Toronto that evening. We stayed at the Chelsea Hotel for next 3 nights. The hotel was in a great location just steps from the city's best shopping, theatres, nightlife and attractions. It features 1590 guestrooms, 3 restaurants and separate adult and family recreation areas, providing travellers with essential amenities and comfortable accommodations at an exceptional value. CF Toronto Eaton Centre is an unrivalled retail destination in the heart of Canada’s most populous city, featuring more than 250 shops. CF Toronto Eaton Centre attracts almost 50 million visitors annually and ranks as one of North America’s best performing centres. CF Toronto Eaton Centre is the first Canadian shopping centre to feature both a Nordstrom and a Saks Fifth Avenue. Whilst in Toronto we took advantage of the hop on/hop off sightseeing bus tour, it was a great way to see Toronto and explore the city. We especially liked St Lawrence market, as it was a great place to see local food market. Our favourite desert “beavertail” is a fried sweet cakey pastry dusted in cinnamon not unlike a flat donut. The shape is like a beaver tail owing to its name. I loved them hot, slathered with melting. We also went up CN Tower for some amazing views of the lake and the city. With the sightseeing hop on/hop off we were also given a free boat cruise around Toronto Island. It was good to see the city skyline from the water. The ticket was valid for 48 hours with 20 stops visiting some very nice neighbourhoods. After our 3 nights in Toronto, Sonia at Ontario tourism arranged return rail ticket for us to travel to Ottawa. Again, we were really excited as we had never experienced train travel in Canada. The train had plenty of leg room as we travelled in economy class from Toronto Union station to Ottawa. The journey was 4 hours. There was staff serving food and drinks on the train. The journey was picturesque as went past the trees and rivers on the route. We thought the journey went very quickly and a great way to get between cities. Once we arrived in Ottawa which is the capital state of Ontario it had a different feel from Toronto which was busy city life. We stayed at Sheraton Ottawa hotel for 2 nights and were given a free room upgrade with lounge access. We both very impressed with the hotel and service. Great location for sightseeing, shops and restaurants. We arrived quite late on our first night so we decided next day we would do all the sightseeing we could do in Ottawa. We again did hop on and hop off which was great to see Ottawa. We went into the state of Quebec and we passed Justin Trudeau’s house, the Canadian prime minster. Ottawa has some lovely buildings with lots of history involved. After the tour we stopped at the local market which was amazing to see so much fresh produce and lovely gifts including maple syrup which sold at very reasonable prices. We both loved this market. The weather decided to turn so we had to abandon the rest of our plans for the day, but it gave us a sight into Ottawa, and we managed to see their shopping centre. After our 2 nights it was sadly time to come back home on the train back to Toronto union station then airport express to airport before heading back to London Gatwick on our flight. On the way we were again given club class seats and lounge access at the airport. This trip certainly spoilt us, and we saw loads! We both thoroughly loved this trip and would certainly go back to Ontario again. Canada is special as the people are so friendly and kind. We found prices very reasonable for eating out, getting around by public transport, etc. We certainly would recommend Toronto as a city break with Nagara Falls.Another reason for us to go back would be to watch an ice hockey match as I think its a must whilst in Canada! My special thanks go to the following people for making this trip very memorable and special: Emma, Victoria and Sonia from Ontario tourism and Christina from Niagara Falls Tourism.

22 January 2019

My wife told me that she had a couple of days off and asked for my suggestions of where to go over the Christmas period. I came up with two places, either Cologne in Germany or Puerto Banús in Spain as destinations we could fly to from our local airport, Southend. My wife finally decided on Puerto Banús in Costa Del Sol, as it would be warmer, and we could relax and chill out. We flew from Southend to Malaga, a flying time of 2 hours and 55 minutes. Our flight was full, I guess everyone had the same idea as us to go away for Christmas. When we arrived at Malaga airport, we had a transfer booked with Holiday Taxis, which took us to our hotel. Journey time with our transfers was around 50 minutes as we had to drop another couple off at their hotel along the way. We passed some lovely towns and scenery on the way to the hotel. We stayed at Gran Hotel Guadalpin Banús for three nights in a junior suite. We were given a free room upgrade to sea view, which was nice. The room was spacious with its own mini kitchenette and lounge area. Our room was ready when we arrived at noon, which was nice as we had got up very early for the flight. We had a few hours’ sleep before we took a look around our hotel, and then ventured into town which took 15 minutes walking along the promenade on the beachfront. Along the promenade we saw lots of people walking their dogs and jogging. It seems a popular route. We finally arrived into town where we saw a mini Christmas market and lots of shops including designer shops like Louis Vuitton etc. We realised that this destination is for the wealthy people, as we saw lots of nice yachts and top range cars. Having seen this lifestyle, we thought that eating out would cost an arm and leg in the restaurants, but we were surprised by the prices as they were very reasonable. Unfortunately, we didn’t get a chance to sample the local restaurants as we were booked on a half board basis at the hotel. We had decided on half board basis, as we weren’t sure that restaurants would be open over Christmas period. In the past we have been to some cities where shops, restaurants etc are closed so we were amazed to see everything opened like a normal day in this town. The food at our hotel was okay. We had a choice of an la carte Italian restaurant or set menu at another restaurant within the hotel complex. We preferred the a la carte Italian menu option. The food was very filling in the evenings, so I decided to walk it off one evening by walking along the promenade from the hotel. Breakfast was a buffet with a choice of hot and cold dishes. We found it to be very busy at breakfast, with limited spaces to eat. The quality of food and drinks could have been improved, in our opinion, especially as a five-star hotel. We saw a few families at this hotel. The hotel didn’t do any special entertainment over Christmas period, but they did offer us a gala Christmas Eve and day at additional cost. We decided against it as we didn’t understand the menu as it was in Spanish. It suited us that there was no entertainment as we came for a relaxing break. The hotel has a nice spa and a lovely outdoor swimming pool. The weather was glorious around 24c and a bit chilly in the evening where a jacket or coat was required. Most days we went into town to see what was happening and to see if we would bump into anyone famous! We had been to this part of the region before but for work, so it was nice just to come to relax this time. We decided if we ever come back, we would like to go to Gibraltar for the day which isn’t far away. I have never been to Gibraltar but my wife many years ago. Puerto Banús was handy to stay in, as not far away from Marbella which is a much bigger town, about 13 minutes’ drive depending on traffic. Our three-night break went very quickly. We had a transfer back to the airport. We had an evening flight back home which was packed again. We flew with EasyJet on this trip. This destination is very busy June-September and very popular with couples and families.

18 January 2019

I received a lovely call from Sami at Tunisia tourism telling me that I had won a holiday for 2 including return flights and 7 nights’ accommodation on an all-inclusive basis! I was overjoyed by this news, as I never been to Tunisia before. I was intrigued to find out more about Tunisia, and what it had to offer as a destination. My only problem was who I was going to take on this trip, my wife or a family member? I finally made a decision that I should take my wife on this trip, as she never been either, plus we could celebrate our wedding anniversary. Sami at Tunisia tourism went ahead and booked my wife and I for 7 nights on 08 December flying from London Heathrow staying at Les Orangers Beach hotel on an all-inclusive basis. Our flight was 3 hours in economy class, and we thought the flight went very quickly even though there was no inflight entertainment! We flew with Tunisia Air who served us a complimentary meal with drinks. When we arrived at Tunis airport, we were given a private transfer with TWS to the hotel, journey time 1 hour to the hotel. The driver was nice, he gave us a bottle of water when we met him at the airport which was a nice touch. We couldn’t see much of the country as it was night but when we arrived at the hotel, we were given VIP treatment including a welcome drink and cold towel. We were also given a free room upgrade to Seaview room, which was lovely. As we had arrived late, the hotel laid on a special dinner in our room. We had never seen so much food in our lives including dessert and drinks We were both very impressed with this service as most hotels won’t provide any meal after a certain time if the kitchens are closed. The next morning, we woke up to amazing views of the sea and the hotel surroundings. We had a lovely buffet breakfast with hot or cold choices. The speciality was Tunisia donut which I had to try and it was yummy with chocolate sauce. At the hotel there were two swimming pools, outdoor and indoor, free Laundry service, daily and nightly entertainment, bars and a spa. The hotel was on a lovely beach stretch of Hammamet with sunbeds, it was not crowded at this time of year. The weather was very pleasant during our stay in Tunisia around 20c. I know in peak season this can be around 40c which would be too hot for me! At lunch we had a buffet with choice of cold or hot dishes plus pizza, wok and crepes. We did try out the wok, pizza and crepes which were all very nice. Drinks were served during the day; local drinks were included. Dinner time was again buffet with a choice of hot or cold dishes plus a cook station for theme dinners. We explored our four star Les Orangers Beach, the facilities and the beach. The hotel has a good evening entertainment programme and for the kids too. On our wedding anniversary which was 9 December. We were booked at the a la carte restaurant which was lovely as we had a special meal together with an amazing cake. We were both touched by the lovely service given to us on our wedding anniversary including a note and roses. The next day we decided to do a site inspection of their sister hotel next door called Les Orangers Garden which is a five-star hotel and had only opened in July. As soon as you enter you could tell the hotel was brand new. We both totally fell in love with this hotel! We saw a few rooms including villas, with 322 rooms they can suit everyone taste and budget? With an indoor pool plus outdoor infinity pool, it has a buffet restaurant (including “show cooking” of tandoori grill or sushi) with an outdoor terrace with ocean view, 3 à la carte restaurants (Mediterranean, Tunisian and Asian). They also offer a 24-hour snack restaurant so you can never go hungry! After a site inspection we returned to our hotel which is a four star. I asked Mr Wajdi, who arranged our accommodation, if we could move for the last two nights so we can compare hotel and service. He was very accommodating with our request! Before we moved, we went into Hammamet town where we had a look around. Journey time from our hotel 10 minutes costing 8.00 Tunisian Dinar. We were surprised by how much there is to see including a Marina, the Medina, but the theme park and waterpark were both closed due to winter season. This destination suits all, but especially families. We did feel safe whilst walking around in Hammamet’s restaurants and shops. When we moved hotel, our stay was amazing as we were treated to a room upgrade with amazing views. The meals were fantastic, buffet choice for breakfast and lunch with choice of hot or cold dishes. Dinner was a choice of buffet or theme cooking stations which was good. In our room we had a free minibar which was replenished daily and included was Becks beer, cola etc. After staying at both hotels, our preference is Les Orangers Garden, although both have great things in each hotel. The service at both hotels was amazing, including staff being very helpful. I would say Les Orangers Garden is more suited to couples and honeymooners, and Les Orangers Beach is suited for families, singles and groups. Both share a lovely stretch of beach. We met a beach hawker one day, who was very kind and friendly. He was saying he was sad that the UK market were not coming to Tunisia as he missed them. We will certainly be going back to Tunisia, as it surprised me how friendly the people are and the amazing food in a year-round destination. Security has been tightened, even on the beach you could see evidence with security guards, so we felt very safe. This is a great alternative to Canary Islands at a cheaper price. On our next visit to Tunisia, we are going to do a Sahara Desert experience, as we missed this on our trip. We had been told it’s an amazing experience and one that you shouldn’t miss! Our main purpose for this trip was a relaxing beach holiday, which we did get. This holiday was better than our expectations. We owe our thanks to Sami from Tunisian and Mr Wajidi from the hotel for making this trip truly amazing! Currency is Tunisian Dinar, but it is not allowed to be taken in or out of the country so at the airport they have an exchange to change currency. Tunisia is a great destination including lovely beaches. We highly recommend this destination and will be going back again.

11 August 2018

In Bonaire we walked around the town and ventured out to see some flamingos in a field which was nice to see. Aruba is a shopper’s paradise with plenty of duty free goods and tee shirts. My wife went diving and I went to the beach. The beaches are lovely but very packed at the popular Palm- Eagle beach. Sunbeds are chargeable on the beach with lots of restaurants and bars. We would to visit here again to explore more of Aruba. Before we headed back to the ship we bought tee shirts and souvenirs. Aruba is known as the happy place or happy island. In Curacao it rained when we arrived, but it didn’t stop us enjoying ourselves. We went to the local market and bought some massive avocados, then we went on the moving, walking bridge also known as the Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge. The two parts of the city are connected by a moving bridge, commonly called the Swinging Old Lady. The bridge which dances on the water while you walk from one part of the city to the other, was built to ensure it could move as it lies in the middle of one of the busiest harbours in the world. You can explore the entire city without a taxi – just be sure to stock up on water and take breaks in between as it can get really hot. If you’d like to go to the beach or explore the areas right outside of Willemstad, you will need a taxi. Willemstad, Curacao’s capital city, is picturesque with colourful buildings overlooking glistening water, quaint cobbled streets, street art, bars and restaurants galore. There’s outdoor dining overlooking the sea, floating fruit markets and the Queen Emma Swinging Bridge. The city is divided into two parts – Punda and Otrabanda. Nestled in the Southern Caribbean, Curacao is a constituent of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Most people are fluent in Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese and English which all combine to create their local language Papiamento. Currency used is Antillean guilder or US Dollars. We would recommend this cruise for couples. Sadly, after the cruise we had to fly back home via Antigua with Liat and Virgin Atlantic. We treated ourselves to upper class from Antigua to London Gatwick. We loved this trip, as we got to visit a lot of new places and had an amazing time in Barbados. A special thanks to Kyle from Barbados Tourism for arranging all the tours and transportation in Barbados and also thanks to Victoria at Port Ferdinand Marina & Luxury Residences for providing the accommodation in Barbados.

11 August 2018

Our driver Silvester picked up from Port Ferdinand Marina & Luxury Residences the next day, pointing out Rihanna’s home on our way to Mount Gay Rum tour. Sorry, a spot of name dropping! This was another treat by Barbados tourism again kindly arranged by Kyle. We did the signature rum tasting tour discovering the history of Mount Gay, included in the tour was a welcome rum punch, history of rum and craftmanship, rum tasting of five signature rums. The tour lasts one hour and was well worth it, after the tour we went to the shop where you can purchase rum and other gifts. We thought the prices were very reasonable although we admit that we did come out of Mount Gay very light headed after drinking five shots of strong rum! We would suggest you book the Rum tour in advance as this tour can get busy, especially if cruise ships are in port that day. We were glad that lunch followed, again kindly arranged by Kyle at Barbados Tourism. We ate at the Waterfront for a lovely lunch before boarding our cruise ship for the following itinerary: Bridgetown, Barbados | Bequia, Grenadines | St Georges, Grenadines | Kralendijk, Bonaire | Oranjestad, Aruba | Willemstad, Curacao | At Sea | Bridgetown, Barbados The Silver Wind is a smaller size ship with less than 300 guests. Nevertheless, there are four restaurants onboard this ship and all suites come with a personal butler service who welcomes you to your luxury suite and presents a selection of bathroom amenities, including a choice of goose down, hypoallergenic or therapeutic pillows. He explains the entertainment controls, offers to unpack your luggage, hangs your clothing and sets out personal items. Then he discusses any special food preferences with the chef, ensures your drinks are chilled, makes onboard dinner reservations and can arrange private fitness sessions. The level of service and attention is exemplary, and you can expect that your butler will keep your suite immaculate during your stay on board then he will prepare, clean and pack your luggage. You can expect a divine selection of Italy’s best cuisine to be served à la carte in La Terrazza. Offering authentic recipes and the freshest ingredients coming together with flair and passion, they say it’s a flavourful expression of Silversea’s distinctive Italian heritage. La Terrazza uses the best regional ingredients like buffalo mozzarella from Naples, organic balsamic vinegar and olive oil from Umbria, air-dried ham out of Parma and aged Parmigiano Reggiano, while the pasta is made fresh daily onboard the Silver Wind. La Terrazza opens for casual, buffet-style breakfast and lunch with indoor or al fresco dining on the outdoor terrace. During the evening, La Terrazza transforms into an à la carte traditional Italian restaurant with reservations recommended for dinner. The Grill is the venue for the healthiest cuisine and features lava stone cooking using volcanic rock at a temperature of 400°C. Guests are invited to cook their food directly at their table, in the evenings, to your very own taste. During the day, The Grill becomes a rotisserie and gourmet salad and burger bar with a casual dress code. The Restaurant is the main dining room and sparkles with silver, crystal and candlelight, serving contemporary and international cuisine with the sophisticated elegance and impeccable service as part of your prestige travel. Menus feature regional specialities unique to the voyage destination, for example, Roasted Chilean Sea Bass while cruising the Chilean fjords and Indian Chicken Korma en route to Mumbai. During days at sea, choose something from La Collection du Monde, a series of signature dishes created exclusively for Silversea cruises by the Grands Chefs Relais & Châteaux. You don’t need to book or reserve a table as you can dine when, where and with whom you please. A fabulous evening is the La Dame by Relais & Châteaux where you indulge in an evening of fine wines complemented by a set tasting menu of regionally-inspired dishes in an intimate, elegant setting. An extraordinary six-course experience celebrating the world’s most distinguished wine regions aboard your luxury cruise ship with a reservation fee of US$60 per guest. Also, onboard there is a casino, spa, fitness centre, swimming pool, show lounge for entertainment and a library. Gratuities are always included. Our wedding anniversary was on the 9th December and our cabin was beautifully decorated with a cake and balloons, which was a nice touch. We had a mid-ship veranda suite with great views from our balcony when coming into port. During our cruise we were on full board basis which consists of breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. The package also includes selected wines, premium spirits, specialty coffees, as well as bottled water, juices and soft drinks are complimentary in all bars and lounges. Your suite’s mini-bar is also stocked with your preferred beverages including wines and spirits. Your butler will replenish them upon request. The meals were good, especially at the Grill restaurant at dinner time. We didn’t manage afternoon tea everyday as too much food! plus we were ashore some of the days. Whilst onboard we did see a live cookery show which was good. Bequia we had visited before on a previous cruise, but it was lovely to visit again so we spent the day at the beach. At Grenada we went to the local market which was good to see the local food and spices produced at the market. Afterwards we went to Grand Anse famous beach by local maxi taxi costing $2.50 per person. It’s a cheaper way to get to the beach stopping off picking and dropping off locals on the way, but it is a great way to see some places on the way. After the beach we went to the town to buy some souvenirs before heading back onto the ship. Currency uses Eastern Caribbean dollar and US dollar.

22 August 2018

My wife and I decided that we should do another cruise for our wedding anniversary in December 2017. We have always fancied the following places Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao, known as the ABC islands in the Caribbean. We found a cruise with Silversea perfect for us, taking in the ABC islands and sailing from Barbados so we decided to book this cruise which sailed on 09 December 2017 for 7 nights on Silver Wind. We flew with Virgin Atlantic in premium economy and we were lucky to be seated upstairs, also known as the bubble on a Boeing 747. Whilst waiting to board our aircraft, we saw Cedric from Barbados tourism who looks after Travel Counsellors. He was going to visit his family for Christmas, what a small world! Premium economy is lovely as you get a separate cabin with a complimentary drink before take-off perfect when you're flying 8 hours and 40 minutes to Barbados. Before the cruise, we thought it would be nice to stay in Barbados for one night. We have sent lots of people there so thought it would be good to experience it ourselves. We stayed at Port Ferdinand Marina & Luxury Residences kindly arranged by Victoria and we were kindly treated by Kyle from Barbados tourism to a wonderful experience which includes FastTrack passport control. Our names were on a board with a young lady waiting for us as the aircraft landed on the tarmac. We were then escorted through security and passport control. We felt like celebrities as everyone else was queuing for passports to be checked. Once we cleared passport control and security, we were given our own private driver to drop us off at our accommodation Port Ferdinand Marina & Luxury Residences. Journey time is around 90 minutes depending on traffic. Our driver name was Silvester, he was very knowledgeable and knew everything about the island and gave us some vital information. We had some great chats with him and met his daughter who was also lovely. We were delighted to have him as our driver for the next two days. When we arrived at Port Ferdinand Marina & Luxury Residences we both said “wow” and were amazed at this stunning property, this is the best villa we have stayed in. Port Ferdinand’s has an impressive array of amenities including the best water sports, access to pure white sandy beaches, idyllic relaxation at The Sandbox Tree Spa, fun days and adventure activities at the kids' club and adults' recreation centre, a well-equipped fitness centre and an on-site yacht berthing services. The waterfront dining options range from casual at The Quarterdeck Poolside Bar & Pizzeria up to fine dining at 13° 59° Restaurant and Bar Lounge. There is a stunning selection of one, two and three-bedroom villas, all designed to allow maximum enjoyment of all the facilities that this marina and resort have to offer. The beautifully designed villas feature large living spaces and relaxing areas, to give you a peaceful yet luxurious haven for a Caribbean family vacation. Suitable for a romantic getaway or a special event. Ours was a one-bedroom Harbourside Villa where we enjoyed luxurious splendour in these large (2,000 sq. ft) villas. They are located on the first and second floors and are modern with sweeping views of the marina and offering convenient access to the world-class amenities. They have features of marble and limestone finishes, coral stone walls, a fully equipped open plan kitchen, large living spaces, a grand master bedroom and a lavish bathroom in which no luxurious detail was spared. Opening onto a large, covered terrace offering a panoramic marina view perfect for outdoor living and lounging. These villas comfortably accommodate 2, 3 or 4 adults with complimentary Wi-fi and cabled internet access, laundry area, room safe, air conditioning and ceiling fans throughout, plus a 60" LCD flat-screen television with cable TV, a private telephone with direct dial. It goes without saying that there is a hairdryer, non-allergenic pillows, bathrobes and slippers, housekeeping every day and a turndown service every night. After we freshened up, we were treated to a meal at Pat’s Place, Oistins by Barbados tourism kindly arranged by Kyle and hosted by Crystal at Barbados tourism where we experienced a lovely Bajan dinner with drinks. Oistins is a must on Friday night in Barbados. Make sure you get there early as this place gets packed with locals and tourists. Oistins is an active fishing town on the south coast and is a busy hive of activity on weekend nights. Particularly, the big thing to do is go to the fish fry at Oistins Bay Gardens. The specialities are excellent fish including tuna, swordfish, marlin, mahi-mahi, flying fish, lobster plus chicken etc served in an extremely informal setting. You can get your food grilled or fried and it's all cooked on the spot in front of you. Seating is somewhat rustic, and in amongst the diners, the old-timers are playing dominoes. Also on sale are art and craft items including jewellery, pottery, ceramics, leather craft, local wood carvings, straw craft, clothing and original paintings and prints. There are two sources of music, including back-in-time Bob Marley and Jamaican ska, the other calypso so you can dance or watch the others dance! Food is available from about 7 pm, but if you go earlier it’s great fun to walk on the pier and watch the sunset after collecting fish scraps from the vendors in the fish market to feed the turtles. It's a great place for families to spend the evenings and is a must whilst in Barbados! Sadly, the next day we left Port Ferdinand Marina & Luxury Residences after spending such an amazing night at this property. We both said we should have stayed longer at this place as it is magical, and we would recommend this place for high-end customers, honeymooners and families. We were so impressed that we looked at buying one of the villas, but sadly it was out of our price range! Nikki Beach Barbados opened next door, which will see this area being very popular in the future especially with tourists. You could order groceries etc in advance at cost price, and this would be delivered to your villa on arrival, these are nice personal touches and are a great start to your holiday. We thought the view from our balcony was amazing, the best views with a spacious balcony. We loved it here and want to go back again soon!

11 August 2018

We were greeted by the Sumbavati rep at the airport and taken to our lodge, which took around 90 minutes. Once we arrived at the lodge we were given cold towels and whilst checking in we were lucky to see a herd of lions close to our lodge! It was an amazing experience. We had a lovely lunch before freshening up and going on our first game drive which started at 3.30 pm. Our ranger name was Clement plus we had a tracker. There were two other families in our jeep from other countries. On our first journey we saw leopard, elephant, giraffe and zebra. We had a lovely Sundowner where we had free drinks including alcoholic/soft drinks with snacks. We were so pleased that we saw so many animals on our first trip. Our luxury tent lodge was amazing, and we had all the facilities of a modern hotel except for TV. Our lodge tent was called Bush Tuck where we stayed for two nights at Sumbavati on full board basis. We were not allowed after dark to go back on our own from the restaurant or after safari early morning for fear of animals roaming around. Our lodge was in an area where all animals can roam. My wife and other guests heard lions coming past our tent lodge during our stay, plus we saw hippos. The food was also good at breakfast, lunch and dinner. There were choices at meal times with a buffet breakfast and hot breakfast to order. We had two game drives per day 5.30 am-9.30 am with early morning tea, coffee or hot chocolate and 3.30pm-5.30 pm with a Sundowner. Our game drive was in a Land Rover 4x4 and every time we came back we were given a cold/hot towel plus hot chocolate or any other drink. The lodge had an outdoor swimming pool and spa, although we didn’t get a chance to use those facilities as most of time we were on safari or resting. During our time we managed to see the big five (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino) plus many more animals. I really loved this lodge, again the staff were friendly. This would be suitable for families, couples and honeymooners and we would stay here again. On our final two nights we stayed at Camp Jabulani in superior suite room on full board basis. We were met by Andre at the airport and taken to Camp Jabulani. The journey from the airport was a 30-minute drive. When we arrived, we were greeted by Chantel and Stefan who gave us a welcome drink and cold towels, which was a nice touch. They explained about Camp Jabulani and the game drives. We had an amazing room with lovely open fire and beautiful open bathroom and shower plus private plunge pool. There were no TVs which has suited us throughout this trip. We saw monkeys from our room as animals can roam. We also had a welcome fruit bowl and every evening we had turndown service with bottles of water and chocolates provided. The food was out of this world, probably one of the best meals we have ever eaten at any hotel restaurant. We love the idea that the chef was there for every meal time, to take any of your requests for meals. During breakfast we saw giraffe and wildebeest roaming close to our lodge, what an amazing experience to witness. We had our own ranger called Ruan. He was brilliant and we had a dinner with him on our last night. Ruan found some great spots for our Sundowner where we had free drinks including alcohol and snacks. During our stay we managed to see the big five again plus cheetahs, wild dogs and vultures at The Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre which comprises in excess of 100 hectares of natural bush and has established itself as one of the leading private research and breeding facilities for endangered species in the country. We also had an Elephant Experience where we met elephant keepers, each of whom had a fascinating story to tell about his unique and touching journey with the elephants. During this interaction, we had the opportunity to touch and feed the elephants, and to have photographs taken in very close proximity. We met up with the elephant herd as they enjoyed their last drink at the dam at sunset. A very special moment, where the view was as beautiful as the sight of the animals in such a relaxed and contented space. As the herd made its way back to the stables, we followed at a short distance (although Jabulani likes to linger behind with ‘the humans’). The Jabulani Stables are unique as they have been custom designed and built for the herd. The Elephant Manager explained the stable layout, how it is cleaned and refreshed daily, and how the elephants are grouped into camps (based on their preferences), highlighting the relationship clusters that have formed within the herd. A particular treat is watching the babies at their bedtime. We love Camp Jabulani as its fits in with Travel Counsellors ethos - it’s personal with us. All the staff and management team are so friendly and helpful. The lodge is a member of Relais & Chateaux and has a high repeat return of guests, mainly American’s who visit this lodge. We are definitely going back to this lodge as it’s pure luxury. All the staff really care at this lodge including the management team. Both lodges are in Greater Kruger Park and are both different in their own ways. It was great that we saw the big five plus many more animals. This trip is once in a life time. The food and the staff have made this trip for both of us. We would definitely do another safari in the future. We would need to save the pennies up as it’s not a cheap holiday! This trip was one of our top five holidays ever. Our highlight was seeing the animals so close including the lions and leopards. My wife plans to go back next year to do volunteer work at The Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre as she loved this trip so much. Sadly, we had to return back home by flying with Cemair and Qatar Airways via Doha in economy class. Back home to reality. A tip is to make sure you get your visa for Mozambique in London before you travel. No visa is required for South Africa. Also check with your GP about Malaria, we took anti-malaria tablets. We would like to thank the following people for making this trip possible and for their kind hospitality. Loné at African Synergy, Megan and Davina at Machangulo Beach Lodge, Monique and Sue from Peermont hotels, Christen at Simbavati Safari Lodge and finally Adele at Camp Jabulani.

11 August 2018

I attended an event last year in London learning about Africa and safaris. I was one of the lucky winners and won a prize for two which included two nights at Camp Jabulani on full board basis in South Africa, two nights at Simbavati Safari Lodge on full board basis in South Africa and two nights at Machangulo Beach Lodge on full board basis in Mozambique. Although the prize excluded flights, these were kindly donated by Loné at African Synergy. I was over the moon when I won this prize, as I had never been to Mozambique or Greater Kruger park. I decided that 29 June 2018 should be the date when my wife and I should take this trip for seven nights. We flew with Qatar Airways via Doha to Johannesburg in economy class then South Africa airways to Maputo in Mozambique. Once we arrived at Maputo airport, a rep from Machangulo Beach Lodge was waiting for us to take us on a short car drive to the marina. We then had to take a speed boat from Maputo Marina to Machangulo Beach Lodge, where we stayed for two nights in a lovely ocean view with great private deck on full board basis. The view from our private deck was amazing as we could see the ocean. When we arrived by speed boat, which took 60 minutes, we were greeted by the management team on the beach and given a welcome drink on arrival. Getting up to the room we had to climb up 80 stairs from the beach which takes several minutes so unfortunately this hotel would not be suitable for disabled people, and there were more stairs around the property. Dinner is a three-course meal served by a waiter and is pre-ordered at lunch time. Breakfast is buffet choice, but hot breakfasts can be ordered. Lunch is one meal and must be ordered at breakfast time. The food at the hotel was fantastic and the staff are lovely and helpful. We met the manager Jacques, who meets all the guest during their stay. This hotel offers great activities including fishing, diving, kayaking, birding, snorkelling etc. It’s right on the beach which is great for relaxing with plenty of space to sunbathe. Our large and spacious room had a private deck, en suite bathroom, air conditioning, mini bar, ceiling fan, hairdryer and a room safe. We had evening turndown service and a complimentary bottle of water daily as you are advised not to drink from the taps. Machangulo Beach Lodge has 17 rooms which are all luxurious rooms and a great bar area where you can see the sun set. We treated ourselves to a lovely massage, which was reasonably priced, and overlooked the ocean. The hotel gives you a surprise treat on the last evening of your stay, which is a lovely touch. I would recommend this hotel for honeymooners, couples and families. We would suggest road transport to this hotel, as although it takes longer, our experience on a speed boat was very rough seas. This hotel offers a personal touch service which fits with Travel Counsellors. We would love to go back to this hotel in the future. Mozambique is an interesting country where most people speak Portuguese with very little English spoken. The currency used is South African Rand or US dollars. After two nights we flew back to Johannesburg where we stayed for one night at Peermont D’oreale Grand Machangulo Beach Lodge hotel in a classic room on bed and breakfast basis. We were given a lovely surprise - a free upgrade to lounge access. During our stay we had a site inspection with Junese to see the other hotels within the group which were Peermont Mondor 4* hotel, Peermont Metcourt 3* hotel and Peermont Metcourt suites - all good hotels and suitable for everyone’s budgets. We had a chance to experience the lounge at our hotel which offers complimentary drinks during the day and snacks for two hours in the evening. The hotel has a lovely indoor pool plus a great spa including gym. The hotel also offers complimentary transfers from the OR Tambo International airport to all the hotels within the group every 20 minutes from 6am until 11pm. There is also a service to Johannesburg downtown from the hotel taking 15 minutes by train costing around ZAR 100 per person. The hotel has a lovely restaurant called Aurelia’s which serves dinner and breakfast. We were able to sample the breakfast in the morning, which consisted of buffet breakfast plus cooked eggs and a pancake station. The breakfast was lovely with a great choice of breakfast items plus Asian and Indian dishes too, fruit juices and smoothies. The hotel is next door to the casino with several restaurants to suit everyone’s taste. This hotel is suitable for couples and honeymooners. We would love to stay at this hotel again but for longer next time, so we can explore Johannesburg. The next day we flew to Hoedspruit with Cemair. We were impressed with Cemair as they served free snacks and drinks on the short flight, around 50 minutes. When we arrived at the airport, it had a different feel to many other airports we have been around the world. This airport is very small and used to be an old army base, it opened to the public in 1996. You could see your luggage coming off the plane and as there is no luggage belt, you simply collect the luggage from the van.

13 July 2018

Last year I attended a training event in London on Las Vegas. I was one of the lucky two winners of a prize including return flights, hotel, helicopter tour and renewal of wedding vows for two people. I was overjoyed to win this prize as I hadn’t been to Vegas in over nine years. It was also a perfect opportunity to go to Maui and Oahu whilst on this trip as my wife has never been there before. We checked in with Virgin Atlantic and were given a nice surprise when boarding the flight, being upgraded to upper class. The experience in upper class is so different including the marvellous food and service. Our flying time to Las Vegas was just under 10 hours and the time went quickly watching the movies. Once we arrived at Las Vegas it was hot! 99 degrees F. The queue was as long as to be expected when going to America. After clearing customs and immigration we decided to get a local bus to the hotel MGM Grand where we were staying costing $2.25 per person. The bus service runs hourly, so I would recommend a taxi as a cheaper and quicker option if you are travelling with two or more people. Journey time to hotel from the airport by bus is 20 minutes and by taxi 10 minutes both depending on traffic. Once we arrived at MGM Grand hotel we were greeted again by a long queue, again this should be expected as the hotel has over 6000 guests. The check in staff were helpful and polite then we went to our room which was on the 21st floor, unfortunately not much of a view. We had a Grand King style of room. A suggestion if you like tea is to take a travel kettle with you as the rooms do not provide kettle and they charge $30 to hire one! We stayed at this hotel for four nights on 6 May. The MGM Grand Las Vegas is a hotel and casino located on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. The MGM Grand is the largest single hotel in the United States with 6,852 rooms. It is also the third-largest hotel complex in the world by number of rooms and second-largest hotel resort complex in the United States behind the combined The Venetian and The Palazzo. When it opened in 1993, the MGM Grand was the largest hotel complex in the world and ideally suited for groups. Las Vegas has changed lots since I last went there in 2009. New hotels and shopping malls have sprung up. I found Las Vegas to be very expensive this time due to the weak sterling and I particularly noticed it on buffet and food courts. Whilst in Las Vegas we decided to renew our wedding vows at Graceland Wedding Chapel having only our closest family. The Graceland Chapel has been a part of the Las Vegas Strip for over 70 years and is one of the most prominent chapels for a wedding here. A Las Vegas wedding is one of the most appealing wedding ideas to celebrities too. Jon Bon Jovi was married here and in 2001, actually held a concert in our parking lot with 75 couples who renewed their vows with him! Other musicians such as Billy Ray Cyrus, Aaron Neville and members of popular groups such as Def Lepard, KISS, Deep Purple and The Thompson Twins have all tied the knot here as well. Last year Jay Leno even stopped by with plenty of entourage to check out the chapel. Joining us were my brother who came with his fiancée. I hadn’t seen my brother since he left the UK in 2009 plus my cousin from Baltimore. My auntie and uncle from Florida came, and another cousin flew in from Trinidad. It was a hot afternoon, record weather for Las Vegas this year, but luckily the chapel was air conditioned. We were picked up by limo from the hotel and taken to wedding chapel and dropped back at the hotel. It was a nice touch to be picked up and we felt special. We had a lovely pastor who did our service, together with a photographer who took all the pictures for us on the day. The day went very smoothly, and I would recommend it to anyone wanting to get married in Vegas or wanting to renew their wedding vows. The service was less than 15 minutes and we chose white and yellow for our decorations. You can choose other colours plus music, Elvis package etc. Thank you to Brandon Reed at Graceland Wedding Chapel for making our day special. We were also happy to have my family around us for this special occasion. After the service we went to Excalibur for the evening dinner. The day after our renewal of vows, we had an early flight to Honolulu via Los Angeles. We were lucky to be given lounge access in Las Vegas by account manager Chris. The lounge was a lovely experience and I would recommend it, as you get snacks and drinks plus it’s a good place to relax before boarding your flight. Both flights to Los Angeles and Honolulu were very busy. When we arrived at Honolulu we took the local bus to Waikiki beach journey time under one hour depending on traffic and cost $2.50 per person or day pass $5.00 per person. A word of warning - the bus does not allow luggage on the bus but luckily for us if you get a nice driver they will allow you on. When we arrived at Holiday Inn Express, where we are staying for the next three nights, we were greeted by friendly check in staff and advised our room was ready, even though check-in is at 3pm. I had requested early check in once I made my reservation and I was thankful as we had left Las Vegas at 4am and we needed some sleep once we got in. We had an ocean view room on the 17th floor which to be honest, we wouldn’t call ocean view, as you can see lots of building ahead of you. The room was very compact and included a microwave. This hotel is suitable for families and about 15-20 minutes’ walk to main Waikiki locations like beach, shops and restaurants. Remember the resort fee needs to be paid at check in, at our hotel it was $22 per day plus taxes. The next day we were able to experience the Holiday Inn express breakfast which was good, as it offered hot dishes together with cereal and Cinnabon which I thought was good for hotel breakfast.

13 July 2018

We decided to head out on a bus to Pearl Harbour using the day pass costing $5 per person. The Pearl Harbour tour was very moving for both of us, remembering an event on December 7th 1941 that changed not only the United States but the world, eventually shifting the tide of history in favour of the United States and her allies. Today, visitors have the opportunity to stand directly above the remains of the USS Arizona, one of the ships sunk during the attack. Be sure to visit the Battleship Missouri, the ship on which the Japanese signed the Instrument of Surrender that ended World War II. Pearl Harbour tours are available daily and include round-trip transportation, we can recommend this. The next day we went to Diamond Head and again we bought a day bus pass. Diamond Head, one of the island’s most-photographed landscapes, is a remnant of a volcanic explosion that occurred some 300,000 years ago and is 3,500 feet in diameter, with a 760-foot summit. We hiked to the top of a formation called Leahi, the “brow of the tuna”, by Hawaiians. This easy/moderate hike took us on a self-guided audio tour that encompasses the history, culture, geography, and flora and fauna of the Diamond Head State Monument. I would suggest half day for this trip. Whilst in Oahu I would recommend car hire to explore the rest of the island. Shame we didn’t stay longer as I would love to see more of this beautiful island of Oahu. I think 5-7 days should be considered for Oahu. We then took an internal flight to Maui, flying time is around 50 minutes. We hired a car in Maui as public transport is not so easy there. Journey time by car from the airport is one hour depending on traffic. We stayed three nights at Ritz Carlton in a Deluxe, Guest room, 2 Queen, Resort view. We were greeted by helpful and polite staff. This hotel is suitable for couples and families. The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua captivates guests with luxury amenities including two golf courses, a locally inspired spa, six restaurants and outdoor activities that highlight the surrounding natural beauty. The Alaloa Lounge is the place to view the Maui sunset or enjoy an informal lunch. The hotel offers complimentary bus service to the beach and shops. About 5 minutes’ walk away there is a local convenient store to drinks, food, snacks etc. A must is Old Lahaina Town to explore the shops and restaurants. We visited whilst a cruise ship was in dock, so it was very busy. Again, we should have stayed for longer to explore Maui as it has so much to offer. Driving around Maui was easy and it’s a great way to sight see plus car hire was a reasonable price. We then flew back to Las Vegas via Los Angeles where both flights were busy. We stayed two nights at Planet Hollywood in Ultra-Hip room. We arrived at 1am and were surprised to see so many people check into the hotel, so we had to queue. We stayed on 16th floor with no view but the room was funky. This hotel is suitable for groups to explore Mile Shops, featuring the glitz and glam of Hollywood. Located inside Planet Hollywood Las Vegas, the 1.2 mile retail mecca is beyond amazing. Here, you can have your retail therapy and a workout. Miracle Mile Shops features 200 shops, tempting restaurants and live entertainment venues at the heart of the famed Las Vegas Strip. Coveted brands include Victoria’s Secret, M·A·C Cosmetics, GUESS, Urban Outfitters, Flight 23 at Footaction Steve Madden, H&M, White House/Black Market and more. Miracle Mile Shop's restaurants include Buffalo Wild Wings, Cabo Wabo® Cantina, PBR Rock Bar & Grill, Pampas Brazilian Grill and more great Las Vegas restaurants. We managed to do some last-minute shopping at Las Vegas South Premium outlet which is some of the world's finest outlet shopping where you can save up to 65% every day on designer and name brands including Coach, Gap Outlet, Nike and Polo Ralph Lauren. Go by bus SDX service and suggest that you buy a day pass or three day pass for the buses. On our last night we were treated to a helicopter tour over the Strip at night by Maverick, which is a must while in Las Vegas. Vegas Nights is an amazing Las Vegas helicopter tour flying over the mega resorts of the Strip from the New York-New York skyline to the Bellagio fountains and the never-fading light of the Luxor pyramid. We were also afforded unparalleled views of Downtown historic Fremont Street, home to the city’s first casinos. Prior to our departure from our Las Vegas terminal, we were served champagne. We certainly recommend doing this tour as it’s a great way to see Vegas at night and would suggest booking it to depart just before sunset. Sadly we went back home in economy class. Some tips: Pack lots of sun cream. Las Vegas and Hawaii make a great twin centre holiday. Remember resort fees in America and also paying for baggage on internal flights. Buy lots of bottled water in Las Vegas as the hotel do not provide this as part of the service. Try going midweek to the hotel as rates are lower plus there are less youngsters, as we found at weekends, there were some rowdy youths. We regret not seeing a show like Blue Man group. Las Vegas has changed a lot and we are glad we went back. Vegas was very hot when we visited with the hottest months are June, July and August. We would like to thank the following people for making this trip possible Natalie from Virgin Atlantic, Heni from Planet Hollywood, Niamh from Hawaii tourism, Kelly from Maverick, MGM Grand hotel, Brandon Reed from Graceland Wedding Chapel and finally Rosanna from Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

12 March 2018

In May my wife and I were looking at going somewhere for Christmas, which would be warmer than the UK, so we decided on Malta. I had been many years ago, but my wife hadn’t been, so we thought it would be a good opportunity to try this destination out. As a travel agent I send lots of people to Malta. We booked our flights with EasyJet from London Gatwick. The flight was busy in both directions with many families going to Malta, which surprised me. Once we arrived at Malta airport the airport seemed to be very modern. We took the local bus to our apartment, which took some time but was a great way to see Malta. We stayed at Sunny Coast apartments for three nights in room number 507 on a room only basis. We were greeted by friendly reception staff, who explained all the facilities at the apartments and leisure centre. We had to pay a local tax of €3 when we checked in. We had booked a one-bedroom apartment with a sea view and balcony which was nice and spacious with good kitchen facilities. Nearby there was a supermarket, shops, bars and restaurants all within 10 minutes walking distance, with a bus service to other parts of the island outside the apartments. We had some lovely meals whilst in Malta at great prices. I loved the location of the apartment as it was near to the promenade. On Christmas Eve we took a local bus and thought we might visit the tourist attraction at Popeye village, but we missed the bus stop! Instead, we decided to go to Gozo which was lovely. We took the ferry from Cirkewwa-Mgarr which runs regularly during the day and less frequently at night. The ferry is modern with a cafeteria and toilets and the journey time is only 25 minutes between Malta and Gozo. The price is from €4.65 per adult and €1.15 per child. We got on a Gozo sightseeing hop on and off bus taking in some great sights, and as we arrived late into Gozo, we only paid half the normal cost of €20 per adult and €13 per child. The bus was an open-air double decker and is Gozo’s only hop-on and hop-off sightseeing bus, allowing you to explore the island at leisure. Audio commentary is available on board in 16 languages, and drivers are English speaking. We caught the tour bus from Gozo Channel Ferry at Mgarr Harbour and stopped at the following places en route: • Maritime Museum • Ramla Bay • Savina Creativity Centre • Ggantija Temples & Ta’ Kola Windmill • Calypso Cave (10-minute photo stop) • Marsalforn Bay • Victoria Bus Station • Ta’ Pinu Sanctuary • Ta’ Dbiegi Crafts Village • Azure Window (Dwejra) • Xlendi Bay • Fontana Buses run every 45 minutes from 09:40 until 15:00, allowing for great flexibility throughout your day. The highlights for us were: • Great views of Gozo from an open-top sightseeing bus • Ability to get off at all the important landmarks and attractions, such as Ta’ Dbiegi Crafts Village, and Ta’ Pinu Sanctuary • Stopped at sandy beaches and rugged bays, such as Xlendi Bay and Marsalforn Bay • Visited the Savina Creativity Centre • Toured Gozo's capital city of Victoria • Beautiful seaside village of Xlendi After Gozo we went to a lovely Italian restaurant in Qawra for our dinner. On Christmas Day we went to Valetta for the day by local bus. It was packed with locals and tourists for the Christmas day service. We went past some beautiful churches en route and we were told that Malta has 365 churches! Valetta is a nice city with lots of history. On the way back, we went another route via Silema and St Julian. Both looked busy and great places to visit for our next time to Malta. We had dinner at a restaurant opposite Qawra bus station. The prices were very reasonable and great service for our Christmas dinner. Qawra has lots of shops, bars and restaurants with a lovely seaside promenade. On Boxing Day we took the airport bus back to the airport and I would recommend the bus to and from the airport if you have plenty of time as it’s much cheaper than a taxi. Bus price Tickets can be purchased from the bus driver on all the buses using cash to buy single journey tickets that can be used to get to any destination within two hours, including interchanging. Rates vary between summer rates, €2 between mid-June to mid-October, and winter months €1.50. Night rates are €3 per person. Airport Services They operate a number of routes which link the airport to various localities around Malta. Most of these routes are express routes meaning that they have limited stops to get to their destination quicker. These airport routes are denoted by an “X” followed by the route number and operate to many localities around the island, catch them just outside the terminal, across the road from the departures hall. Next time, we would like to stay in Malta for longer, as there is a lot to explore. Perhaps hire a car, as they drive on the left so it’s very easy. We had a great Christmas, everyone was so friendly, and we can imagine both islands get very busy in the summer months.

02 March 2018

We also went to Blue Mountains by train on Christmas day which was really cheap! The receptionist gave us a tip that on Sundays you can travel anywhere in the Sydney area for $2.50 all day unlimited travel by train or bus. This tip saved us a lot of money as we were going to book a tour. The Blue Mountain area was busy as was expected. The scenery was amazing even on the journey getting there. We are so pleased we went there as we have always wanted to go every time we’ve been to Australia. We went to some beach destinations too, including Watson Bay and Manly, both nice places to see whilst in Sydney. Christmas in Australia seemed strange to us, as it was a hot sunny day, not like the UK cold weather days. We were so pleased that we extended our stay, to experience more of Sydney and to spend Christmas day as that has been one of our dreams. We both love Australia and would love to explore more of this amazing country. Sadly, we had to go home on Boxing day. We flew home in premium economy with Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong. Jen at Cathay Pacific kindly arranged lounge access for us to experience at Hong Kong, which was a nice touch to the end of our trip. The lounge was lovely and spacious, and we would like to thank her for arranging the lounges at Hong Kong and Heathrow, as this has given me a great experience to pass onto my future customers. We think cruising is a great way to see so many places and great value for money for what is included.

02 March 2018

TUE 13 DEC WELLINGTON In the morning we explored Wellington city by foot and went up the cable car from Lambton Quay (lower terminal) and had great views of the city on the way up. It cost 7.50 NZD per person and a journey time of just 5 minutes to get to the top of Kelburn Hill, 119 metres above the city. Once you arrive at the top of the cable car, head to the indoor or outdoor viewing platform to enjoy the panoramic views of the city and harbour Te Whanganui-a-Tara. There’s a telescope for viewing too, just make sure to bring some coins! The Krupp Gun is another lookout area with lovely views. We also walked down famous Cuba street, a bohemian haven with some of the city’s most colourful shops, bars and cafes. Street entertainers play percussive guitar, put on a marionette show, or play with fire. We had a photo of the one and only Bucket Fountain. Half Day Lord of the Rings City Tour This half day tour brings out the best locations in Wellington City and is the best way to see Wellington’s Lord of the Ring locations with a knowledgeable specialist guide. Around the city the tour takes in Courtenay Place and the Embassy Movie theatre where the world premiere of some of the movies, including the Hobbit have been held. Then it’s up to Mt Victoria for some magnificent views of the city and harbour, on the drive down a stop will be made at ‘Green Belt’ a forest location where several of the movie scenes were shot. It is then off to ‘Wellywood’ the Wellington film studios and post production facilities, including the Weta Workshop. We visited the brand new ‘Windows into Workshop’ exhibition. This is a guided tour of the physical prop-making and makeup side of the studio. Great fun if you’re a Hobbit fan! WED 14 DEC AKAROA Banks Peninsula Christchurch City Sights Tour We were met at the port by a Cruising Excursions representative who guided us onto air-conditioned transportation ready for us to commence our sightseeing tour. The highlights were the Peninsula plus the city landmarks, beach suburbs, Port Hills and Lyttleton Harbour. After meeting our guide, we departed the quaint town of Akaroa for Christchurch, travelling via the Akaroa highway with breath-taking scenery of Akaroa Harbour, Little River, Lakes Forsyth and Ellesmere, the Southern Alps and the Canterbury Plains. We explored the famed Christchurch Botanical Gardens before we headed off on a Christchurch City Tour of the old Central Business District, an area that experienced the largest amount of earthquake damage in the recent quake. We visited the Central city’s pop-up container mall, an assortment of shops and cafes operating out of converted containers – a temporary city centre shopping and dining hub whilst the city is being rebuilt. This stop allows time for lunch and refreshments (at your own cost). After lunch, we departed the central city to complete the rest of the tour which includes Sumner Beach, Lyttleton (the port of Christchurch) and the Sign of Takahe for a spectacular photo opportunity of Christchurch. We then re-boarded the bus to return back to Akaroa and re-join the ship. THU 15 DEC DUNEDIN Taieri Gorge Railway & The Otago Peninsula Full Day Tour On this tour we had the opportunity to enjoy two of the "Jewels of the Otago", the famous Taieri Gorge Railway and the scenic Otago Peninsula. With collection from the cruise terminal, we were collected by a local guide and departed to join our train at the beautiful Dunedin Railway Station, an architectural masterpiece. We had some time to enjoy and take photos before joining our train. With historic wooden carriages we followed the course of the Taieri river, climbing towards the gorge, travelling through almost a dozen tunnels and passing over several viaducts before we arrived at Pukerangi to stretch your legs and enjoy magnificent views of the countryside. It was then time to re-board our train for the return journey. Arriving to Dunedin, our guide collected us to continue our tour in a comfortable mini bus. From here we headed out to the wonderful Otago Peninsula to see some of finest New Zealand beaches, rolling hills and an intriguing Coastline. The roads are quiet and less travelled as our guide let us take several photos stops to capture panoramas of the more remote parts of the peninsula. The return was via the low road, as we weaved in and out of bays and local villages before returning to the ship. FRI 15 DEC DUNEDIN Due to bad weather, we had an extra day in Dunedin where we were able to explore Dunedin train station and Cadbury factory both great places to see whilst in Dunedin. We also saw the world steepest street where at Easter they throw eggs down the street. SAT 17 DEC MILFORD SOUND We saw Milford Sound from our balcony which was amazing to see the Fjords. It reminded me of Norway and although it was very wet when we went through Milford Sound, the views were amazing. SUN 18 DEC AT SEA MON 19 DEC HOBART, TASMANIA Unfortunately, we missed Salamanca market which is normally held on Saturday, but we had a walk around Hobart, which is very quaint but we didn’t have enough to explore further afield. TUE 20 DEC AT SEA WED 21 DEC MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA Having been to Melbourne before it was nice to come back again. This time we went to St Kilda Beach by tram and we also went to Melbourne south market. It’s a fabulous city! THU 22 DEC AT SEA FRI 23 DEC SYDNEY When we arrived at Sydney it was a mixed feeling to see the opera house and the Harbour Bridge, and difficult to decide where is best, as we did have a lovely time visiting some amazing places in New Zealand. We were happy we added an extra three nights in Sydney so we could spend Christmas Day. We stayed at Macleay hotel in a studio room overlooking the harbour bridge, it was lovely to see by day and lit up at night. In our room we had a small kitchen area plus toilet and bathroom with daily maid service included. The neighbour we stayed in King cross area was nice. We had a Woolworth supermarket 5 minutes’ walk plus other shops and restaurants in the area. Train station 15 minutes and bus stop 2 minutes’ walk away. Whilst in Sydney we went to Paddy’s Market which is must if you are in Sydney. The market sells everything from food to souvenirs. We went to Rocks area including the famous market.

02 March 2018

It has always been on my bucket list to travel to New Zealand and spend Christmas in Australia and here was an opportunity to go on a cruise with my wife around New Zealand and finish in Sydney Australia having a 3-week holiday. We flew with Cathay Pacific and Air New Zealand in premium economy class. We were lucky to be given lounge access to the new Cathay Pacific lounge at London Heathrow, which was amazing. One of the staff members (Christina) went beyond customer service when I did a stupid thing and left my mobile phone in the car. She managed to retrieve my phone for me - without me having any stress. We flew straight to Auckland via Hong Kong with just a change of aircraft which was easy, and we arrived in Auckland two days later, due to time difference. We took the city bus to our hotel where we stayed at Auckland City Oaks for four nights on bed and breakfast basis. We stayed in apartment number 708 where we were given a daily boxed breakfast, consisting of a sandwich, a piece of fruit and juice. Our view from the apartment was overlooking the police station, so we would suggest asking for a view at the front of the hotel as a better choice, although it could be noisy as then you would overlook a main road? However, the hotel was in a central location to the shops and restaurants, which was very convenient. Whilst in Auckland we took a tour of Devonport which is a suburb of Auckland. We found it to be really pretty away from the hustle and bustle of Auckland. We both agreed if we ever moved to New Zealand, we would like to move to Devonport. The tour was interesting, as it gave us the history on Devonport plus there are some lovely shops in this area. An absolute must-do is the Sky Tower - just wow! We also went to another suburb, Watson Bay, which was again very nice. After four nights in New Zealand it was time to board our cruise. We sailed with Celebrity cruise on Solstice ship Concierge ocean balcony cabin number 2111 on deck 12. The port of Auckland seems quite small for the Solstice ship. We were allowed to board early, as we booked Concierge class which enabled us to have lunch and have a look around the ship. Our cruise was for 14 nights with a drink package plus five-day speciality dinner package. The cruise was full as it was very popular itinerary with Chinese and American tourists. Our cruise had the following itinerary:- FRI 09 DEC AUCKLAND SAT 10 DEC TAURANGA Tauranga Highlights - Including Mission Station (Morning Tour) After meeting our guide just outside the port gate, we departed along Pilot Bay where we saw great views across Tauranga harbour to the city and Matakana Island. We passed Mount Maunganui, the iconic landmark of this area where you can see evidence of the early Maori settlements around the base of the mountain. Traversing the narrow strip of land between harbour and ocean, passing the new high-rise hotels and apartments, we reached the famous Mount Ocean beach, site of many major surfing competitions, a popular spot for locals and visitors to enjoy the beach front cafes and restaurants. We continued along the very affluent "Marine Parade" where some of New Zealand's most expensive homes are located and when we saw the view out across the Pacific Ocean we realized why this is one of our most popular summer holiday destinations. Leaving the Mount Maunganui suburb, we headed across the harbour bridge to Tauranga City, first settled by English missionaries in the 1830's. Our first stop on the tour is at a very popular local arts and crafts centre on the waterfront in Tauranga where we had time to browse the exhibits and talk with some of the local artists at the restored historic Cargo Shed. We then took a short drive north to the outskirts of the city to a Kiwifruit orchard where our guided tour gave us a short talk on this most iconic New Zealand fruit. After the orchard visit we then headed up into the hills which surround Tauranga to a lookout point where we saw stunning views of the city, the harbour and the surrounding region and our cruise ship visible at the base of The Mount. Our final stop on the tour is the Elms Mission Station, one of New Zealand's most important historic buildings. Here, after a short introduction by one of the volunteer guides, we were able to walk through the grounds and learn about the life of the area's earliest settlers, the Reverend Brown and what a significant part the Mission Station played in the history of Tauranga. We then boarded the coach for the short drive back over the harbour bridge to the ship. SUN 11 DEC TAURANGA As we overnighted on Tauranga, I decided to explore on my own the next day while my wife relaxed on board. I went to the beach then explored the town of Tauranga before walking around the base of Mount Maunganui. MON 12 DEC AT SEA

02 March 2018

I flew with my wife from London Gatwick to Split, travelling with Croatia Airlines in economy class. We went for a long weekend and the flying time was only two hours five minutes. When we arrived at Split airport we took the airport shuttle bus which runs every 30 minutes to the bus station in Split. The cost was very reasonable costing 30kn for a 30-minute journey (depending on traffic). You pay when you board the bus so there is no need to pre-book a ticket. Once we arrived at the bus station, which is situated on the harbour, our hotel was a 10-minute walk although we got lost, going by the directions given to us by Google. After asking a local person for directions, we arrived in no time. The hotel we stayed at was the 4* Cornaro Hotel in a central location. We stayed in room number 325, a double comfort room. I would suggest asking for rooms away from the street as it can get noisy during the night. The hotel offered a great choice of breakfast including a buffet and hot and cold selection. Also at the hotel there is a wellness centre which includes a gym, steam room, sauna and jacuzzi. A must at the hotel is the 6th floor terrace where you can take a look at the view and see all the city of Split. There is also a bar and jacuzzi on this floor. The hotel does allow pets and it was less than 10 minutes’ walk from the shops, Riva (waterfront), Diocletian Palace and many restaurants. Organised by Croatia tourism we visited a local restaurant called Tinel, about 15 minutes’ walk from our hotel, which served local cuisine plus international food. Prices were very reasonable, and the staff were very friendly. I would return to this restaurant again and would recommend trying it. The following day we went on a guided walking tour which again was organised by Croatia tourism. We had a lovely guide called Vedran who showed us the city. He had a great knowledge of the city and all its history. Our tour lasted about an hour. I would recommend a guided walking tour during your stay in Split, as it is a great way to see and explore the city. During our stay, we walked to the beach from our hotel, taking around 15-20 minutes. We saw the lovely harbour and Riva waterfront. One thing we did miss was taking an excursion to one of the islands, like Hvac or Brac etc. This is easily organised by going to the local tourist office, shops or at the harbour. I recommend booking at least 24 hours in advance. Split has a very Venetian influence, including the buildings and their cuisine. There is a market that sells fresh produce, plus local products and souvenirs, like honey, lavender and olive oil. We stayed three nights in Split but felt we should have stayed for longer, as there is so much to do and see. Things that you must in Split are the Diocletian's Palace, The Riva (Waterfront), Cathedral of Saint Domnius and Marjan. This was my first time to Split and I was really impressed as to what this lovely city has to offer. I would recommend it as a city break but also as a holiday/beach destination. The destination is great for history, food and culture. Split is good for families and couples. I would certainly go back again in the future and would stay for longer. I would like to thank Croatia tourism and Croatia Airlines for arranging this wonderful weekend break.

02 March 2018

After our three-day trip to Japan, we returned to Vietnam flying from Tokyo Haneda airport which was much quicker and cheaper to get to the airport from the Ritz Carlton hotel.l I would recommend this hotel to couples and families. I’d also recommend flying into and out of Tokyo Haneda airport. We flew business class, with a flying time of four hours, and enjoyed access to the business class lounge. We had to get a visa (because it was our second visit) when we arrived at Hanoi airport in Vietnam. The queues were long plus we paid $25.00 per person and we had a letter from our DMC to enter Vietnam. Once through immigration and customs, we took a taxi to our hotel in Hanoi called The Quoc Hoa Hanoi Hotel. The journey to the hotel from the airport was under 50 minutes depending on traffic. We arrived late at the hotel and didn’t get a chance to venture out as the next day we had an early start to Halong Bay for our cruise. We both were really looking forward to our cruise on Halong Bay with Orchid Cruise. The journey from our hotel to cruise port was two hours and 30 minutes. Once we arrived onboard we were given a welcome drink plus cold towel and greeted by all the staff that would be looking after us for our entire cruise together with a briefing on the cruise itinerary. We then checked into our cabin with suite balcony, as we wanted to see the views of Halong Bay. We had a great surprise, as we were given a free upgrade to Orchid Executive Suite. This cabin was amazing, number 202 and there are only two cabins of this type on this boat. The cabin features an en-suite bathroom, music entertainment, air conditioning, LED TV, safety box and hair dryer. Our cabin was situated on the second floor with personal cabin size of 45 square metres with private sun lounge and lounge chairs on our private balcony. We also had a private jacuzzi and a secluded private bar in-cabin. This has to be the best cabin we have stayed in! The food was excellent, we had lunch, dinner and breakfast on our one-night cruise. We were impressed that we were shown the menu for our dinner during our lunch, so they can cater for any special requests we had. Drinks were an additional cost including soft drinks. We had three courses for dinner and there are set meals times. During our one-night cruise, my wife went kayaking and we both visited the caves at Halong Bay which are breath-taking, although we were disappointed by the rubbish that is dumped in this area. Although it rained all day and night and we had a thunderstorm during the night, we still enjoyed our cruise and wished we had done the two-night cruise to experience more of Halong Bay. After our cruise we went back to our hotel in the afternoon and we went straight back out to explore some of Hanoi, as our flight was in a few hours’ time plus we were meeting Thu from our DMC who arranged this trip for me. The few hours we had in Hanoi was great to explore the city and we wished we had more time. Our hotel Quoc Hoa Hanoi Hotel was in a great location, the old quarter and near to the night market at the weekend plus near to shops, restaurants and bars. Breakfast was a limited choice of cold and hot dishes. The rooms were okay, clean but need updating. It was lovely to meet Thu from Easia, our DMC partner. We met at a bar called Ca Phe Pho Co with great views of the river, we would recommend this place to anyone that is meeting up as it is very popular with locals and a great place to see the sunset too. My wife tried coffee with an egg! It sounds odd, but I tried some too - this drink is a speciality for Vietnamese. We were touched that Thu made time to meet up with us in her spare time, and she also gave us a present which was really sweet of her. We have now built a friendship between us which is good for both of our companies and I can trust Thu to look after my customers in the future and give them a great experience whilst in Vietnam. Thu really has the Travel Counsellors ethos - with us it’s personal. We took a taxi back to the airport from the hotel and flew back business class with a flying time of 12 hours, but I watched a few movies on the way home. Vietnam Airlines offer a great food and onboard service. We definitely want to go back to Vietnam and Japan to explore more, as we felt we didn’t get a chance to explore enough of these wonderful countries. Vietnam is very cheap, and Japan is very reasonable. Vietnam Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh are both very busy cities, and you have to watch out for all the motorbikes as this is a popular mode of transport in Vietnam. The people are very friendly in both countries. Our highlight was Halong Bay Cruise and Tokyo. A special thanks for arranging this trip Thu from Easia Travel and from Valentina and Desiree at the Ritz Carlton In Tokyo.

02 March 2018

We were both looking forward to Japan, and after a four hour flight in economy class from Ho Chi Minh city we arrived at Narita Airport to a very efficient customs and immigration system. After we looked at options to get to Tokyo city centre, we decided to take the cheapest option. This was the frequent coach taking 90 minutes depending on traffic to Tokyo centre costing 1000 yen per person, compared to the train which was 3000 yen per person. From Tokyo centre we had to take two subway trains, which was easy once we had a subway map. We finally arrived at our hotel - Ritz Carlton which is linked to a shopping centre. The hotel lobby is on the 45th floor, and every room has a great view of the city. We were greeted by reception staff with a friendly smile and a hot towel and drink. We had arranged a meeting with Desiree Overhage, the International Sales Manager, for a tour round the hotel. We were really impressed with the hotel’s facilities. During our tour we saw Azure, one of the top Michelin star French restaurants in Tokyo. After our inspection, we went to our room where we had a lovely surprise of chocolate eggs plus a hand-written message from Desiree and the general manager welcoming us to the hotel. We were very touched by this personal service of hand written letters welcoming us to the hotel. We had another surprise from Desiree as she upgraded us to Club lounge facilities which was lovely as it includes continental breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and light meal and snacks plus unlimited drinks. We think this would be a good option as the usual cost is around $200 per room per day and food and drinks can be expensive in Japan. The staff were friendly in the lounge and gave us tips of where to see and go whilst in Tokyo which was handy. Breakfast in the main restaurant was buffet option with hot and cold dishes with bakery choices too, plus a la carte. The breakfast room had great views of the city. Our room had a view of Mount Fuji on a clear day, plus city view of Tokyo. We had the following facilities in our room - Marble bathroom with deep relaxing tub, individual rain-shower, double sinks, TV in bathroom, laptop-compatible in-room safe, TV with CD/DVD player, complimentary wired and wireless Internet in guest rooms, fully stocked refreshment bar, complimentary bottled water at the evening turndown with twice-daily housekeeping attention. During our three-day stay in Tokyo we managed to get to Ginza, a place where they made silver coins for the Tokugawa shogunal government in the 17th century. Today, Ginza is a place where people enjoy shopping as the most established area in Japan. You will find authentic Japanese shops such as kimono, pearls, stationery, sweets and more. Our tip is to visit the basement floor of the department stores which is dedicated only to food both from the country and the world, it’s at the famous intersection outside Shibuya Station. On sunny afternoons or clear evenings, the surrounding area is packed with shoppers, students, young couples and commuters. When the lights turn red at this busy junction, they all turn red at the same time in every direction. Traffic stops completely and pedestrians surge into the intersection from all sides, like marbles spilling out of a box. You can observe this moment of organised chaos from the second-story window of the Starbucks in the Tsutaya building on the crossing's north side. After experiencing the "scramble", follow the trendy teens into Shibuya 109, a big shiny mall with more than 100 boutiques, for a look at the latest in disposable fashion. Or duck back into Shibuya Station and down to the bustling Tokyu Food Show for an elegant array of gourmet eats and an education in local tastes: grilled eel, fried pork, tiny fish salad, octopus on a stick, seafood-and-rice seaweed wraps and much more. My wife also visited VR Park Tokyo, a virtual reality entertainment space, and Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa. The oldest temple in Tokyo, Senso-ji Temple is located in the heart of downtown Tokyo. The shopping street of over 200 metres, called Nakamise, leads from the outer gate to the temple's second gate, the Hozomon. Besides typical Japanese souvenirs such as kimono cloths and folding fans, a variety of traditional local snacks such as rice crackers, sponge cake with sweet bean paste, are sold along the Nakamise street. Tsukiji Fish Market is one of the largest fish markets in the world famous for the Tuna auction. By visiting in the morning, you will get to see a vibrant market with many buyers. Stroll around the inner and outer markets to see more than 1,000 specialty shops with fish, seaweed, dried beans, vegetables, Japanese kitchen utensils and more. You can also try one of the freshest sushi ever for a light morning snack. Our tip is that, due to regulations at the market, it is required to be on line for 30 - 45 minutes to get admission for the tuna auction with your guide. Admission is not guaranteed, first-comes and first-serves basis. We also went to Meiji Jingu Shrine, one of the established Shinto shrines in Japan dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. It is surrounded by vast woods located in the centre of the city, and visitors can enjoy the sacred atmosphere. After our three-day trip, we returned to Vietnam.

02 March 2018

On my wish list of places to visit was Vietnam and Japan. With the help of my DMC (Destination Management Company) Easia Travel, based in Vietnam, a lovely lady called Thu helped me arranged this amazing trip for me and my wife. We flew from London Heathrow with Vietnam Airlines non-stop in premium economy class, the flying time was 12 hours. The food and service onboard were very good, and we relaxed with drinks and a choice of movies. We arrived at Ho Chi Minh city airport the next day and I had booked a return transfer to our destination Phan Thiet which took five hours with a refreshment stop. This is a long transfer time, but we did pass through some lovely villages and scenery en route. When we arrived at our hotel, Pandanus, we were greeted by friendly reception staff and although our room wasn’t ready, it wasn’t a problem as we had a look around the resort and had lunch. After lunch we checked into our room at the normal check in time of 14.00 hrs. We had beach bungalow room number 102 and we were so happy as our room had direct beach access. I would advise anyone staying at this resort to request bungalow room number 102 or 104 as they both have direct access to the beach. The room was lovely with a king size bed, outside bathroom with shower and bath plus mini bar and TV with lots of channels. Plus, air conditioning, coffee/tea making facilities and free safety deposit box. There are six different room types at this hotel and with our package we had dinner and daily spa included which was brilliant fun. We managed to sample different spa treatments and my favourite was the hot stone massage. The staff were very friendly - we got to know all the staff before we left the hotel. We loved the a la carte menu for dinner as there was a great choice of both Vietnamese and Western options. Barbecue buffets are offered once a week while we were there, and up to four times a week in the high season. Breakfast was a buffet with hot and cold choices. The hotel offers an all-inclusive option, but I would suggest bed and breakfast basis only as meals are so cheap in Vietnam. The hotel offers many other facilities which include: Complimentary shuttles to Mui Ne, Ham Tien Complimentary bicycles Fitness room Karaoke room Games room with table tennis and fussball Outdoor swimming pool with Jacuzzi Beach and poolside parasols and lounge chairs Sports including tennis courts, badminton courts, football field, beach and lawn volleyball and basketball Yoga and Tai Chi classes Wine and cheese welcome reception We were lucky to sample a complimentary Mui Ne walking tour which was good as it included seeing the local fisherman catch the fish from the night before, then a visit to the local market which was an eye opener! We also sampled a complimentary ‘The Fairy Stream’ (Suoi Tien) trip which traverses a small canyon that has been created over the centuries by a stream that cuts through bamboo groves, boulders and the multi-coloured dunes. Visitors take off their shoes and trek through the mostly ankle-deep water of the stream while taking pictures of the surreal-shaped colourful canyon walls. One evening we went to the Red Sand Dunes (Doi Cat) located adjacent to the Pandanus Resort which covers an area of about 50 hectares. They are the smaller of the two Phan Thiet area sand dunes. A visit to the Red Sand Dunes is most popular at sunset, as people gather to watch the sun setting into the ocean from the top of the sand hills. Don't forget to take a bottle of water! I suggest getting to the Red Sand Dunes early for sunset and sunrise as it gets very busy. The hotel offers a daily wine and cheese reception where you get the chance to meet the general manager and other hotel guests. We thought this was a great idea. Our eight days at Pandanus were enjoyable. A few tips to mention - watch out for sand flies and mosquitoes so make sure you take repellent with you. The beach is not great, but the hotel pool would be a good alternative. This hotel we would recommend for families and couples. Soon it was time to head back to the airport for our next part of the trip to Japan.

02 March 2018

I decided to take a weekend break with my wife to Amsterdam flying from our local airport, Southend. I haven’t flown from this airport since it was taken over by Stobart group. I have to say my first impression was very good. We arrived by local bus from the town centre taking 15 minutes and costing £2.50 for a single journey. Once we arrived at the airport, we were straight through to security as we only had hand luggage. Security was fast, not like Gatwick or Heathrow where there are long lines. Once we cleared security we were waiting to board which was a quick process. Flying time to Amsterdam was 40 minutes with EasyJet. When we arrived at Amsterdam we took a train to Amsterdam Central station costing €4.10 per person and a journey time of 15 minutes. When you arrive at Central Station you are greeted by lots of bikes and trams. I have been to Amsterdam several times before. I love this city as it has a great culture and history. Also, I feel very safe even with their liberal views. We stayed at Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam for two nights on bed and breakfast basis. Great location - only 5 minutes away from restaurants and bars. Nearby is the flower market which is a must-see, plus other museum including Van Gough. The service was amazing at this hotel - the best I have ever received for a city hotel experience. When we checked in we were given a hot towel plus ice tea, then we were given a choice of perfume for our bed pillow which would be in our room and on our pillow for during our stay. I thought this was a nice touch. The receptionist was very friendly when we checked in giving us a map and all the places we should see whilst in Amsterdam. At night time we had bottled water and a full turn down service. The bathroom was amazing as was the room overlooking the gardens and the beehive. We were given a free upgrade when we checked in. The hotel is in a nice location with beautiful gardens. We had breakfast both days with a great choice from the buffet or from the menu. The hotel has a lovely indoor pool plus gym and two bars. The hotel offers afternoon tea, but I didn’t get a chance to experience it as I was sightseeing around Amsterdam. Every time we went out we were greeted to complimentary cold bottle of water due to the hot weather. I thought this was a lovely touch as some hotels would charge for this service or not even provide it. This hotel would suit upmarket customers, and those wanting to celebrate a special occasion. Amsterdam is a great city to explore by foot, but you can also use the good tram service that Amsterdam offers or by bike. I love the fries with sauce. I feel at home with this city, and always love going back. It has plenty of restaurants to suit everyone's tastes and budgets. A must is to take a canal boat trip plus sample Dutch cheese at the shops. Dam square can be very busy as most tourist venture here. My next visit to Amsterdam is to see Anne Frank’s house as I have never been, but you need to book well in advance for this tour. I would also like to go to Chinese floating restaurant. Amsterdam has something for everyone including families, couples, and stag and hen parties. I think prices are cheaper than London even with the weak Pound against the Euro. I would like to thank Waldorf Astoria for arranging this wonderful trip for me. I will be back to Amsterdam again soon.

16 November 2017

I was so lucky to win a competition with Switzerland Travel Centre (STC), and the prize was two first class rail passes around Switzerland for 8 days. This was a great opportunity for my wife and I, so we used my Avios points for the flights with British Airways. We had access to their flagship lounge at Heathrow which is superb and as an extra treat, we booked Club Europe (Business class) for ourselves. Although the flight is only two hours, we were served a meal and drinks; this was going to be a very special trip! Once we arrived at Geneva Airport, we took a train to Wengen via Interlaken and Lauterbrunnen. The journey time was three hours, passing through some amazing scenery, although the time went so quickly as there was so much to see. Once we arrived in Wengen, we had pre-booked a Chalet Silence with Interhomes. We needed to pick up keys for the chalet, which had been left in a post box for us to collect. I did a stupid thing and forgot to collect the directions plus information on, which I discovered the next day. So entirely my fault that we had to wander around looking around for the chalet we were staying in, until luckily I bumped into our Business Development Manager for Switzerland Travel Centre (STC) James, by accident while I was asking for directions. I hadn’t realised that James was living in this resort, and our chalet was near to his home. It was nice to see him again, and to meet his family. He has now moved to Switzerland after living in York. We met up for a drink before we went back home plus he gave us some advice and tips for travelling in Switzerland which was useful. Our chalet was on a steep hill, but with great views of the valley. The studio had all modern facilities including kitchen and bathroom with an outside view overlooking the valleys. It took 20-30 minutes to get to the train station and the village of Wengen. We both knew we were totally unfit after walking up the hill each day out of breath. However, it’s a great alternative and a cheaper option to rent a chalet instead of staying in a hotel for 7 nights, which could be costly. Wengen is a pretty village with no cars in this resort. There are shops, restaurants and bars, with a great atmosphere. You can get cable cars to other resorts from Wengen. Day 1 - We took a train journey to Interlaken which was pretty to see the lakes. Interlaken has some great shops and restaurants so this resort is perfect for both winter and summer stays. Day 2 - We went to Zermatt using our train pass (as it was valid for eight days, we took advantage of it!) My suggestion is buying it before you leave the U.K. as it’s great value for money and a convenient way of getting around Switzerland, plus the train is clean and punctual. Arriving into Zermatt, we found more shops and a great choices of restaurants. This resort really comes alive for the skiing season in the winter. The Matterhorn is in this area but we didn’t go to there as the lift passes were very pricey. Maybe another time? Day 3 - We took a really scenic train journey to Lucerne on Luzern-Interlaken express, again using our rail pass. The journey time was under two hours and we would say that this journey was the most stunning scenery on our trip. We passed many tunnels lakes and bridges on this journey. The train had a lovely dome carriage to capture the views, plus a restaurant carriage. We stopped at Merrigen on route, which was a lovely village. Once we arrived at the station we were greeted by the lakes with lots of boats including a paddle steamer which is a great way to explore the lakes and breathtaking scenery. Plus lots of lovely shops, restaurants and bars with a picturesque lakeside setting, against an impressive mountain backdrop. Architectural gems, such as the celebrated KKL Luzern by Jean Nouvel or the famous Chapel Bridge can be found here. Just WOW! Day 4 - We went to Basel which advertises itself as “a feast for all the senses”. Living where they do at the meeting point of three countries, and on the Rhine, its people have a great deal of savoir-vivre. Good food and drink are as important to them as art and culture so when the museums and shops close their doors, Basel shows its more exuberant side with a lively nightlife and something for everybody of all ages to enjoy. Day 5 - We went to Locarno which I have to say was was the highlight of my trip. The views were breathtaking both there and on the journey. They boast of 2,300 hours of sunshine per year and a church established after an appearance of the Virgin Mary - this is Locarno, the town with the warmest climate in Switzerland, located on the shore of Lago Maggiore. Southern Mediterranean plants such as palms and lemon trees flourish in Locarno and give the city its special charm. The heart of the city is the Piazza Grande, well-known for its annual film festival. The narrow lanes of the Old Town all lead to the Piazza. Castello Visconteo, a castle dating back to the 12th century, lies at the edge of the Old Town and you can see where parts have been preserved in its original state. The pilgrimage church of Madonna del Sasso is located above Locarno, in Orselina. Our guide book said that the church was established as a result of an appearance of the Virgin Mary, it is the most notable sight in Locarno, and boasts an extraordinary view of the city, the lake and the mountains. Highlights •Pilgrimage church of Madonna del Sasso – a holy place above Locarno with fantastic views over the town, lake and mountains. •Old Town with Castello Visconteo – wander through the picturesque Old Town behind the Piazza Grande to the medieval castle with its archaeological museum. •Verzasca valley and Maggia valley – romantic and largely unspoilt valleys in Locarno's hinterland. Bus connections from Tenero and Locarno. •Lago Maggiore – swimming, water sports and excursions in, on and around the lake, e.g. to the Brissago Islands. •Lido Locarno – a unique oasis for leisure, sport and wellness. The best equipped and most modern bathing complex in Ticino, it is open throughout the year with its thermal baths, swimming pools, water slides and leisure pools. The Lido Locarno is located by one of Lake Maggiore's most beautiful beaches and surrounded by an impressive seascape against the backdrop of the Alps. On the way back to Wengen we went through the longest railway tunnel in the world. The Gotthard Base Tunnel (GBT) opened in 2016 with a route length of 57 km (35.4 mi) and a total of 151.84 km (94.3 mi)

16 November 2017

Day 6 - We went to Schynige Platte – since 1893 the cogwheel train has been transporting nature lovers and hiking enthusiasts from Wilderswil near Interlaken to Schynige Platte, the starting point of beautiful hiking tours and mountain trails. Then we went to Bern the capital of Switzerland. Bern has six kilometres of arcades lining the streets of the old city with busy market stalls livening up the squares, and pubs and restaurants with plenty of character serving wholesome food under ancient arched ceilings, while small theatres in cellars below the arcades offer stimulating entertainment. You can swim in the river in the summer. Day 7 - We left Wengen early as check out time so it was time to head back home via Zurich city where we can explore as we were flying back from there. We enjoyed the pretty old town, the trendy new Zurich-West district and the glorious lake. With opera, ballet, theater premieres, shows, musicals, art exhibitions in over 50 museums and 100 galleries, time never drags in Zurich. The famous Bahnhofstrasse and the Limmatquai are a shopper's paradise. Over 1,700 restaurants and bars serve both traditional Zurich and Swiss dishes as well as exotic specialties. The evenings will leave you spoilt for choice: indoors or outdoors, anything is possible as far as the nightlife in Zurich goes. I think Zurich would be great for Christmas market also a fascinating city break. Switzerland is a great country which has something for everyone, it’s not cheap but offers good quality. We love this country and would definitely come back again in the future. The time we visited Wengen we found lots of groups especially walking groups. Switzerland is a great destination for activities like walking, hiking, skiing etc but also good as a city break destination. Having been in winter and now summer Switzerland, we would consider it as a year round destination as it has so much to offer in any season. I would like to thank Switzerland Travel Centre (STC) for arranging these wonderful passes for me and my wife to explore Switzerland.

14 November 2017

II recently went on a trip to Oman with the help of Oman Air and Oman Tourism. I flew with my wife in economy class return with Oman Air. The service was good - free drinks throughout the flight plus one main meal and a snack. Flying time was around 7 hours and 35 minutes. When we arrived at Oman Airport we had to pay for a visa on arrival for up to 30 days. It costs 20 OMR per person, and can be purchased at two exchange bureaus before entering immigration. Once clear of customs and immigration there are loads of taxis available to all parts of Oman. We took a taxi to Al Bustan Palace hotel costing around 15 OMR, and the journey took around 30 minutes. During our journey we saw lots of historical places including the opera house and Oman parliament. Once we arrived at the hotel we checked in and our room was already ready. We stayed in room number 302, a Garden Deluxe room on a bed and breakfast basis. During our check in service, we were given a cold towel, tea and dates. The hotel entrance lobby was amazing, with lots of glass chandeliers. The hotel offers a complimentary shuttle bus service at 4.30PM to the souk and museum, returning back at 7PM. I would recommend pre-booking the shuttle bus for the souk as the bus can get busy at peak times. Our room had all the modern facilities plus a nice bathroom. We had a lovely view of the gardens, plus a sea view. Breakfast was great with a good choice serving from 07.00 hrs until 11.00 hrs. Fresh pancakes, omelettes, smoothies - all served plus fresh coconut water which was popular with the guests. One of the days we just relaxed by the sea which has a private beach area. We were greeted by a pool butler who gave us complimentary cold water in a cooler box plus a cold towel. Later, we were given free ice lollies. We thought the service was amazing, and never experienced this before. You could order food from your sun lounger too. The pool butler even made up your lounger with the towels. There were plenty of sun loungers, so no need to fight for them and free of charge. The hotel also has lovely pools and great kids club facilities. We did take a dip in the sea. The water was warm, and the sand burnt my feet. In the daytime the temperature was 42 degrees most days, which was really hot. I hadn’t experienced temperatures as hot as this before on any of my holidays ever. We had lunch on our first day of arrival. The food was good but on the pricey side, but this is to be expected at hotels. There are no other restaurants or bars near by the hotel, apart from the hotel's own restaurants. Therefore I suggest you use the hotel complimentary shuttle to the souk for all your needs. The hotel did suggest hiring a car or taxi to get to the supermarket. We did use the complimentary shuttle bus service to Souk for shopping and dinner. The journey time is 15 minutes and it takes you to Muscat Souk where you can find lots of shops plus restaurants. The souk is popular for its frankincense. The souk is also the place to try to your hand at haggling. Whilst in the Muscat area, you must see the sunset go down in the evening which is pretty. Muscat has a lot of history and beautiful forts, and palaces to visit. We were there for four days. We thought it was a great place for a city break. We would recommend the hotel we stayed at for both high end couples and familes. The staff were friendly and helpful. The food was very good at the hotel. The hotel was closing for refurbishment whilst I was leaving, and will be opening again in November. We were already impressed with the hotel, and couldn't think of what else can they can do to improve it more, as it was so good already. We would love to return to see the improvements in the future. Hotel facts 5* hotel 198 guest rooms and 52 luxurious suites Expansive 1-kilometre private beach, the longest in the country Five outdoor swimming pools, including a 50-metre-long infinity pool, children’s pool, and children’s playground Six Senses Spa: 33,000 square feet of facilities including 17 treatment suites and a ladies-only members area Fitness centre offering the latest cardio and weight equipment with separate aerobics room, sauna, steam room, and relaxation rooms Recreation facilities offering sailing, kayaking, and snorkelling Three restaurants Two bars Beauty Salon Tennis courts Business Centre Concierge Services Art Gallery and Boutique featuring emerging artists from Oman and abroad, located on Level 1 Muscat is for those who want to see the culture of the Middle East. I would also suggest a tour overnight in the desert as part of your experience in Oman. The best way to get around Oman would be to hire a car and explore this great country.

31 October 2017

I was lucky to have a chance to return back to Thailand with my wife after getting married on the island of Koh Samui in 2009. We flew with Emirates Airlines and Bangkok Airways economy class. We arrived at Phuket airport via Dubai airport after a flying time of around 13 hours 20 minutes.Transitting via Dubai very easy, just a change of gates plus screening of hand luggage. We were greeted with long queues once we arrived at Phuket as it's a busy time with lots of flights coming in the morning. After clearing customs and immigration, we had a private transfer arranged to Phi Phi island by speed boat. Transfer from airport to port journey time was 30 minutes. Once we arrived at the port there is a private lounge with soft drinks, tea and coffee. Journey time with speed boat around 90 minutes. A tip - take sea sickness tablets if you don’t travel well with the seas and make sure you are not wearing your best clothes. Once we arrived at Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort we were greeted with a cold drink and cold towel. The check in service was good - our room wasn’t ready but we were given complimentary hors d'oeuvres whilst we waited. The room was lovely with all facilities - we stayed in a Deluxe Garden Bungalow inclusive of breakfast. The breakfast was good with a good selection of choices. Within a 5 minutes’ walk of the hotel there are lots of shops, bars and restuarants. We stayed for 3 nights - wished we stayed longer. Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort is like paradise chilled out beach destination, with its own beach which is not crowded. Phi Phi Island is great for scuba diving - my wife tried it as she is a scuba diver. This hotel is great for honeymooners, families and couples. Hotel facts 4.5 star resort Private 800 metre stretch of pristine white sand beach Four restaurants and three bars 201 rooms comprising 189 traditional Thai style bungalows and 12 private Hillside Pool Villas After our stay at Phi Phi Island village beach resort, we took the public ferry back to Phuket via Tonsai pier on long boat. A tip - make sure you allow enough time to transfer between long boat and public ferry and also check the timetable before you leave and pre-book your ferry and long boat. I prefer this option even though it can be crowded on the ferry. The crossing was smoother but it depends on the weather. Taxis were available when we arrived at Rassada Pier in Phuket. We took a taxi to our next hotel where we stayed at Kalima Resort & Spa in Phuket for 2 nights on bed and breakfast basis in a Deluxe Sea View Room. The first night we had a lovely dinner at the hotel - steak and chips plus starter together with a drink. The hotel offers a complimentary shuttle bus to the town with a journey time of 20 minutes depending on traffic. We love this hotel for its great views and modern facilities in the room. The bathroom was lovely and spacious. The room was modern and funky, and the staff are very friendly and helpful. We had a chance to meet the general manager and his assistant showed us around the hotel. We managed to see the private pool villa plus other room types. We would love to stay at this hotel again. It's a great location as it's away from busy nightlife of Phuket but you can use the complimentary shuttle if you want nightlife or for shopping and eating. Hotel facts 4 star hotel Spa Swimming pool Fitness centre Kids club Mini Golf Artificial sand beach 2 restaurants and 2 bars After 2 nights in Phuket we flew with Bangkok Airways to Bangkok with a flying time of 1 hour 25 minutes. With Bangkok Airways all customers get free lounge access where tea, coffee, soft drinks plus food is served. During your flight free meals and drinks are served too. Once we arrived in Bangkok we tried the new airport rail link. In the past we always went on the bus or taxi. The airport is much faster and quicker to the city. Transitting between Airport rail link and sky train/subway with suitcases can be tricky as there are long walk ways and lots of stairs. We stayed at Rembrandt Hotel and Towers in Bangkok in a Deluxe room on bed breakfast basis for 3 nights. Asoke Sky Train is only 10 minutes’ walk away from the hotel. The breakfast was good with lots of choices although iit was busy with not many spaces available. On the way to the sky train station there are a few massage parlours. The hotel is off Sukhumvit main road so away from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok. The hotel is a great location for shopping and restaurants all around 10 minutes’ walk. We also experienced Chatuchak Weekend Market which was good but very busy. You need a map to get around the weekend market - it opens from Saturday - Sunday but check with hotel reception for opening times and closing times. The best way to get there is taking the subway or sky train station - the stop is Chatuchak.This is world's largest weekend markets, covering an area of 70 rai (27 Acres) altogether divided into 27 Sections. It contains more than 15,000 booths selling goods from every part of Thailand. Chatuchak Weekend Market is a very popular shopping centre to Thais and has become a popular place to tourists and foreigners who stay in Bangkok, with over 200,000 visitors each day. Almost everything can be found here at a bargaining local price (not a tourist price), and most vendors actually come from local factories, like antique wood carving, clay handicrafts, local souvenirs from every parts of Thailand, Buddhist amulets, wooden furniture, handmade decorated flowers, plants, ceramic wares, dolls, Thai Bejarong, Chinese wares, garden decorated plants, stones, trendy fashions, silk, hill-tribe outfits, fluffy dogs and more miscellaneousi items. Another place we visited was MBK shopping centre. It has 7 floors of shops covering everything from food, clothes, electronics, jewelry, souvenirs - it is massive. The nearest sky train station is National Stadium for MBK. We also visited Patong night market. Here you will find souvenirs, clothes and other items. This area is more suitable for couples rather than families, due to its proximity to adult entertainment nightlife. The nearest sky train station is Silom. A must visit is the Grand Temple, Bridge of the River Kwai and the floating market. We visited these places on our previous visits to Thailand. I still love Thailand and will continue to come here. I agree it’s the land of smiles. We love the food and the people are friendly. I always think of Thailand as my second home. Hotel facts 4 star hotel Sanctuary Wellness and Spa, fully equipped Fitness Center 2 Bars and 5 Restaurants Swimming pool Business center. We'd like to thank Thai Tourism for arranging this wonderful trip for me. It was good to go back to Thailand after we got married as we have seen so many changes for the better. My tip - change your money in Thailand as you get a better rate of exchange on your money. Also book bed and breakfast basis as there are many restaurants to be found to sample the different cuisine and flavours.

02 March 2018

After our trip to Seychelles we went to Dubai for two nights, flying with Etihad airways in Economy Class to Abu Dhabi. The flying time is around four hours and we then took a coach to Dubai which took around 90 minutes. During the coach journey they provided water, refreshing towels and mints which I thought was a nice touch. The bus terminates at Etihad Bus Mall Station where there are good connections to downtown Dubai and other parts of Dubai by metro. We stayed at the Intercontinental Dubai Marina hotel. This hotel opened in 2015. It’s a great hotel in a good location two minutes’ walk to a tram stop, five minutes’ walk to the marina where there are restaurants and 10 minutes’ walk to the beach where there are shops, restaurants and bars. The breakfast is a buffet with a great view of the marina. We stayed in room 1811 which was a corner deluxe room. We had a great view of the marina plus in the distance a view of the Atlantis Palms hotel. There are several different room types at this hotel. A studio has complimentary Wi-Fi with a kitchenette equipped with a microwave, cooking range, dishwasher and washing machine. A one-bedroom suite is ideal for families. You can relax in the chic living area equipped with a 46-inch TV and browse the internet using complimentary Wi-Fi. Home comforts include a kitchenette with cooking range, microwave and dishwasher. A two-bedroom suite has two bedrooms and bathrooms. Make a meal in the kitchenette and enjoy it in the plush living and dining area. Complimentary Wi-Fi and a flat screen TV in every room make it easy to stay connected and entertained. Whilst in Dubai for less than 48 hours I managed to see the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building and Emirates Mall - the biggest shopping mall with ice skating and an aquarium plus Atlantis the Palm Hotel. Dubai has changed since we last visited 10 years ago with many improvements. We would certainly go back again. This destination has something for everyone. I think this two-centre holiday was a great way of getting best of two worlds and I would certainly do it again in the future.

31 October 2017

I flew with my wife with Etihad Airways in Economy Class via Abu Dhabi. The flying time is around 11 hours to the Seychelles. We stayed at Constance Ephelia Resort in a Junior Suite in a room with great views of the ocean. Situated on two of the most beautiful beaches on the island of Mahé, overlooking the marine national park of Port Launay, Constance Ephélia enjoys a unique location set within 120 hectares of land with luxuriant and rare vegetation. There are five restaurants. My personal favourite restaurants were Adam & Eve plus Cyann for dinner and Corossol for breakfast. The spa has 18 treatment rooms making it one of the biggest treatment rooms in the Indian Ocean. They also offer Shisido spa, a yoga pavilion, a reflective pool, jacuzzi, steam room and sauna. The tourist board of Seychelles in London office kindly put together a lovely itinerary for me including an inter-island trip of Seychelles. During our stay in the Seychelles I was privileged to do the following things. I had a transfer from the International Airport to Constance Ephelia Resort which took around 40 minutes. We then had a transfer from my resort hotel to the Inter Island Quay where we boarded the Cat Cocos ferry passenger service. This only takes one hour to Praslin Island. The other option for people who don’t like ferries is flying with Air Seychelles. The flight time is 15 minutes and there are over 20 daily flights. Once we arrived at Praslin we changed to another ferry company, Cat Rose ferry passenger service, to La Digue, which is a 15 minutes crossing. There is no other way to get to La Digue. There is a regular service between Praslin and La Digue. On arrival in La Dique we were met by La Dique tourist board. Seychelles tourist board kindly arranged a bicycle for me to see some of the island, seeing places of interest to visit including L’Union Estate, Anse Source d'Argent which is reputed to be the most photographed beach in the world. With its soft white sand, clear turquoise water and huge granite boulders sculptured by the elements and time itself, it is not difficult to see why photographers and film makers still love to come here. The sea is sheltered by the reef, and is very calm and shallow, with only sand underfoot which makes it safe for children. Access to the beach via L'Union Estate requires an entrance fee of SCR100 for non-residents (payment direct). Our short time in La Dique was brilliant. It is the third largest island in Seychelles. We would certainly go back again and spend longer time. Accommodation is mainly bed and breakfast guesthouses but they offer accommodation for everyone standards and needs. Transport is by bicycle or ox and cart. I thought this was a great way to get around the island. I found the people to be very friendly and it’s a very safe place to walk around, even at night time. After two hours we hopped back onto the same ferry company to Praslin taking the 15 minute ferry crossing back followed by a tour of the island of Praslin. Again I was wowed when I arrived at the harbour. We had lunch at the Bonbon Plume Restaurant. This restaurant is very popular with locals and is on one of the best beaches in Seychelles. We managed to visit Anse Lazio Beach and the Vallee de Mai – UNESCO World Heritage Site. The legendary Vallée de Mai is Seychelles’ second UNESCO World Heritage Site. Entrance fee is at €20 per person. After a tour of Praslin we headed back on the one hour ferry crossing to Mahe. This is a good option for a day trip and very popular as a two centre day trip with tourist. The next day we stayed in the Constance Ephelia Resort enjoying the hotel facilities. The following day I had a nice local driver with lots of knowledge about the island. He picked me up from my hotel and give me an island tour around Mahe, the biggest island in the Seychelles. I went to Mission Lodge, Tea factory, Victoria, La Misere View Point and Jardin du Roi (the Spice Garden). The Mission Lodge affords one of the most extraordinary views of Mahé’s west coast. Once the site of a farm and boarding school for liberated slave children that opened in March 1876, it was first known as ‘Venn’s Town’ and then renamed ‘Capucin’. Today, ruins of ‘Venn’s Town’ can still be seen at the beginning of an avenue that leads to the viewing lodge that commands a breath-taking view of verdant mountainsides. Victoria Clock tower is the most prominent feature of Seychelles’ small capital and has acted as a focal point for nearly 100 years. The Clock tower is an elegant replica of the clock (Big Ben) that was first erected in London in 1897. We visited Mahé’s busy and colourful market, a way to get a feel for the Seychelles and their way of life. It is the bustling heart of the capital and definitely the best place to buy fresh fruits, fish, vegetables and spices. We had a lovely lunch at the Jardin du Roi Restaurant which is popular with the tour buses. After lunch we continued the tour of the beautiful island including a stop at the Banyan Tree and Hilton hotel before heading back to the hotel. On our last day we reflected back on an amazing holiday. I would say it was one of my best ever holidays. We wish we had more time in the Seychelles as our experience was a good one with lots of places to explore together with the lovely people and food. My concept of the Seychelles was that it would be an expensive destination and I would not be able to afford it but I have now changed my mind. There are hotels to suit everyone’s budget and airfares are cheap if booked in advance with several options and airlines including Emirates and Air France. There is no direct service from the UK. The Seychelles is a year round destination and a good Indian Ocean option. Climate Seychelles enjoys a pleasant tropical climate all year long. The islands lie outside the cyclone belt and there are no extremes of weather. The temperature seldom drops below 24 degrees or rises above 33 degrees Celsius. Between the months of October and May the sea is generally calm and the weather hot and humid. This is the best time of the year for diving and other water sports. However short-lived tropical downpours can occur at any time of the year. Health Regulations Seychelles is proud to be a disease-free environment. There is no risk of contracting malaria or yellow fever. Entry/Exit Formalities There are no visa requirements to enter the Seychelles. Documents required for immigration clearance are a passport valid for more than six months, return or onward ticket, proof of accommodation and sufficient funds for the duration of your stay.

31 October 2017

My weekend break in Edinburgh for my birthday. I flew with Ryanair from London Stansted. The flying time was 1 hour. My flight was busy both on journeys. I didn’t realise this route is so popular for Ryanair. Remember to take photo Id for your flights. I stayed at Waldorf Astoria the Caledonia hotel for 2 nights. It is a great location just off Princess street. Easy to get and from the airport by using the tram which cost £5.00 per person each way or the X100 bus which cost £4.50 per person each way to the hotel. Bus and tram stop is 3-5 minutes walk away. The hotel has great views of the castle in certain room types and I would recommend staying in this room type. Great buffet breakfast with lots of choices including Scottish porridge. Princess street is busy and buzzing like Oxford street in London with lots of shops including marks and spencer and other brand names. Royal mile is great place to see with lots of tartan shops in this area. A must see is Edinburgh Castle. I didn’t go into the castle but I walk around the grounds and the scenery around Edinburgh is amazing. Another place to visit is The Scotch Whisky experience tour where you can sample the whisky. I found Rose street has lots of restaurants and bars. To see more of Edinburgh I would recommend the hop on and off bus tour this way you can see Edinburgh at its best My highlight for me, was my wife being able to find some information and coats of arms on her family which includes a tartan. I would certainly like to go back to Edinburgh and also spend some time in the highlands exploring Scotland in spring time, as it has some amazing places which I didn’t know before

31 October 2017

I was very much looking forward to this holiday, as I never been to Nevis before, but I have been to St Kitts for the day on a cruise ship. My expectations were very high for this trip, especially as I have heard such good things from my colleagues and friends that have been there. I went with my wife and we flew with British Airways economy class return via Antigua from London Gatwick, which operates this service twice a week. The flights were busy both ways - flying time to St Kitts is 10 hours and 10 minutes. We had arranged a private transfer with the hotel prior to arrival to pick us up from the airport which was great. Transfer time to hotel Ottleys Plantation Inn is 15 minutes’ drive. My first impression was wow, what an amazing place. The hotel has a panoramic ocean and mountain views and situated on the edge of a pristine rainforest. It is the perfect tropical hideaway, surrounded by beautifully maintained gardens, with the most peaceful ambience. This family run, former 17th century sugar estate offers an idyllic, relaxing retreat. I was greeted with a warm welcome from Karen Keusch and her team. The resort comprises of 23 attractively furnished rooms and suites each with air conditioning, ceiling fans, mini bar or fridge, tea/coffee making facilities and a balcony or terrace. Standard Rooms are located in an original stone cottage close to the croquet lawn; Deluxe Rooms are more spacious and most are found in the historic Great House, whilst the highly recommended Supreme Rooms are located in cottages dotted around the grounds and feature a private plunge pool and an ocean view sundeck. Royal Suite cottages have a private plunge pool and can be reserved either as a generous one bedroom suite with separate living room, or as a two bedroom suite, ideal for families. The Grand Villa has two bedrooms, each with a plunge pool, a separate living room/kitchen and a wraparound verandah with ocean views. The Royal Palm restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a menu that changes nightly. An extensive Sunday Brunch is offered each week and should not be missed. There is a spring water swimming pool, tennis court, croquet lawn and the exquisite Mango Orchard Spa which is tucked away in a tranquil spot overlooking the rainforest ravine. A complimentary shuttle service is offered to the capital, Basseterre, and to two nearby beaches, approximately 15 minutes’ drive away; picnic lunches can be arranged on request. Complimentary WiFi is available throughout the property There are few places as relaxing as Ottleys Plantation. I would recommend stretching out on a lounger on the lawns and just soaking up the peace and quiet and the beautiful views. Ottleys has been owned by the Keusch-Lovel family for 25 years, and Innkeeper Karen Keusch takes immense pride in the historic estate. You will often see her around getting to know her guests. Explore the rainforest trails next to the hotel and you will discover some beautiful tropical flora and fauna. You might just catch a glimpse of the wild vervet monkeys that live in the ravine. Perfect for couples, chilling out, getting back to nature and honeymoons. After 3 nights in St Kitts we took the local ferry over to Nevis which took around 45 minute. We then took a local taxi to Nisbet Planation Beach Club - another wow from me again. Nisbet is one of the friendliest hotels I know. The staff here greet returning guests like old friends, and first-timers are immediately made to feel at home. Weddings are commemorated at Nisbet with a coconut palm being planted in the bride and groom’s honour. Couples return year after year to see their palm grow. Don’t miss the weekly gourmet barbecue, open to guests and locals - it’s a great night with live entertainment and fantastic food. Once the home of Admiral Nelson’s wife, Fanny Nisbet, this charming property was originally built as a sugar plantation in 1778 and it remains the Caribbean’s only original plantation house to be located on a beach. Much of the grandeur and colonial charm remains and, naturally, there’s a croquet lawn to complete the picture of colonial good living. There are many other excellent facilities and you’ll certainly enjoy high standards of service, accommodation and cuisine. Accommodation 36 beautifully furnished, air-conditioned, plantation-style rooms are set in cottages throughout the grounds. All have a ceiling fan, mini bar, tea/coffee making facilities, complimentary WiFi and a private balcony or terrace. Superior Rooms and Deluxe Garden Suites are located in semi-detached, single-storey cottages in the gardens; the Deluxe Garden Suites have a separate sitting room with sofa bed. The more spacious Premier and Deluxe Junior Suites are located in two-storey buildings closer to the beach with beautiful ocean views; Deluxe Junior Suites are on the ground floor whilst the Premier Junior Suites are located on the upper floor. Restaurants And Bars The original Great House is home to the cocktail bar, lounge and fine dining restaurant, where dinner is served most nights; it is furnished with original antiques and retains a delightful colonial ambience. Coconuts poolside restaurant is open daily for breakfast and twice weekly for less formal evening dining; it is also the venue for the popular Thursday night beachfront barbecue. There is also Sea Breeze on the beach, a laid back beach bar which is perfect for lunch and snacks during the day. A relaxing outdoor lounge area is the most recent addition to the beachfront, providing guests with a comfortable venue to savour another of Violet’s delicious cocktails. Facilities there is an oceanfront swimming pool with hot tub, fitness centre, tennis court and complimentary water sports including kayaks and snorkelling. The excellent Palms Spa is a calming sanctuary set in the gardens, offering a full menu of body and beauty treatments. Scuba diving, rainforest hikes, birdwatching and a host of other activities can all be arranged. Nevis is a small island, just thirty-six square miles in size. So it will come as no surprise to learn that you can comfortably drive around the island in a short period of time along its twenty mile main road which runs all the way round. Perfect for couples, foodies, beach-bliss, and chilling out. I visited the following beaches in St Kitts, South Friars Bay, I found the most action-packed strip of beach on the Caribbean Sea. And here the party goes on until the wee hours of the morning. This one-mile stretch of white-sand beach, is ideal for swimming, windsurfing, water-skiing and various other water sports, Cockleshell Bay is a secluded stretch of powder-white sand. Over two miles (3 km) long, it offers a splendid view of our sister island of Nevis .I visited Pinneys Beach Probably the most famous and most popular beach on Nevis, Pinney’s Beach runs for about three miles and can be found on the outskirts of the capital, Charlestown and Nisbet beach Its gentle ocean breezes make it a popular place to spend a relaxing day. Getting around both islands is easy with taxis or car hire.Currency Eastern Caribbean dollars but US dollars is widely accepted in most places. Great holiday which passed my expectations.

09 March 2018

This classic itinerary visits the three most famous cities of China: cosmopolitan Shanghai, historic Xian and bustling Beijing. Included are the must-see sights of the Terracotta Warriors, the Forbidden City and the Great Wall. For contrast we also visited the historic canal town of Wuzhen with its old-world charm and picturesque setting. China continues to amaze, fascinate and thrill our passengers, many of whom have travelled to one country in Asia with us, then another, year after year. We urge you to keep in mind all the rewards, as well as challenges of travelling in a country with a history, culture and attitude so unlike your own. A typical day’s sightseeing may include the bustle and noise of a city street, sights and smells of a local market and interacting with the locals. Travelling in China requires patience and potential delays are to be expected due to standards of service. There is a low level of English spoken throughout China, so your local guides or National Escort will be indispensable during your trip. Almost everything will be different to what you may be used to. We have found that our passengers who embark with a sense of humour and adventure, who accept that things do not always go to plan, are those who find their experience most rewarding. It is essential that all passengers recognize the demands of factors such as basic facilities and cultural differences they may encounter in some areas. A China Experience - Comfortable Paced Tour These tours are accessible to most people with an average level of fitness and normal mobility. They involve sightseeing on foot and some climbing of stairs. This is the easiest pace of tour which Wendy Wu Tours offers in China. Anyone with a reasonable level of fitness should be able to complete this itinerary. Of course, our local guides always endeavour to provide the highest level of service and assistance, but they cannot be expected to cater for customers who are unfit to complete the itinerary. Days 1-2: UK/Shanghai You will be met at Pudong Airport in the arrivals hall by your local guide and/or National Escort from Wendy Wu Tours. Together with all other group members who may be arriving at a similar time, you will transfer (approx. 1hr drive) to your hotel. Day 3: Shanghai –Zhujiajiao This morning a tour introduction will either be held in the hotel or on the coach. This is simply an opportunity for your group to meet and learn more about travelling in China. You’ll then drive one hour to the water canal town of Zhujiajiao. Sightseeing here is leisurely and involves several hours exploring on foot. Return to Shanghai in the afternoon and visit the Shanghai Museum and dine on Shanghainese cuisine. Day 4: Shanghai Sightseeing today involves a full day of touring around the centre of the city including 3-4hrs on foot, including visits to the Yu Gardens, the Old Town, Xintiandi and a stroll on the Bund. Be mindful of your valuables while in the Old Town (Yuan Bazaar) as it is very crowded. Day 5: Shanghai to Xian Any time before your airport transfer this morning is at leisure. Your group will transfer to Shanghai Hongqiao airport and fly to Xian (flight approx. 2.5hrs). Transfer to your hotel (1hr drive) and check-in. Enjoy a traditional Shui Jiao dumpling meal and a Tang Dynasty dumpling meal. Day 6: Xian The Museum of the Terracotta Warriors and Horses is located more than a 1hr drive outside of Xian. From the bus park to the museum entrance is a 15min walk. There are electric carts offered by private vendors which can be organised at your own cost. There is no electric cart available for the return from the museum exit to the bus park. Within the museum area the warriors can be seen in three different ‘pits’, which are active archaeological digs. The site is large and, towards the summer months, can be hot outside. Sightseeing here involves approx. 2.5hrs on foot. This afternoon you will visit the City Wall. The local guide will give you time to explore at your own pace. There are options here to hire a bicycle or an electric cart to drive along the length of the wall. These are offered by private vendors and can be organised at your own expense. Day 7: Xian to Beijing Sightseeing at the Little Wild Goose Pagoda - 1.5hrs walking. Be mindful of your valuables while in the Muslim Quarter’s alley market stalls. In the late afternoon you will transfer to the airport and fly to Beijing (flight duration 1hr, 40mins). From Beijing airport, transfer (1hr drive) to your hotel for check-in. Day 8: Beijing Sightseeing around the centre of Beijing involves 3-4hrs walking during the morning to see Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. This afternoon, visit the Temple of Heaven where there will be at least 1hr on foot. Day 9: Beijing You’ll rise early this morning to drive two hours (60km) northwest of the city to the Juyongguan Pass section of the Great Wall. The aim of this is to avoid the crowds of tourists who will arrive later in the morning, and the heat of the day. Your visit here involves walking from the bus to the first section. After your group has been given an introduction to the Great Wall’s unique history you will have free time to explore the rest at your own pace. After lunch, drive 1.5hrs to the Summer Palace in the north of the city. The palace is set over an extensive park and man-made lake complex and there is 1.5-2hrs on foot involved at this site. Day 10: Depart Beijing Any time before your flight is at leisure. You will be transferred from your hotel to the airport, according to the departure time of your international flight.

31 October 2017

I flew with Virgin Atlantic premium economy class return. Flying time around 10 hours and 10 minutes. Transfer time from airport to hotel 140 minutes. I stayed at Hard Rock hotel in Riviera Maya for 7 nights. I was upgrade to room DELUXE PLATINUM GRAND SKY TERRACE which was amazing. I had the following facilities in my room One king bed, Balcony with hammock, Access to a private 2nd floor grand sky terrace with lounge chairs and hydro spa tub, Liquor dispenser, Mini bar with soda, bottled water, juice & domestic beer, Coffee maker, Bluetooth-enabled wireless alarm clock radio, Bathrobes & slippers, 24-hour room service, Free wireless internet, Rock Spa® bath amenities, Iron/ironing board, Private bath with shower, flat screen satellite TV, Iron/ironing board, Turndown service I stayed in heaven section which is adults only 18 years and above. There are two sections to this hotel Heaven is adults only and family section. The staff are friendly and polite. Lovely check in and check out area at this hotel. At this hotel there are 75 Treatment rooms, 4 Adults-only pools , 2 Expansive pools, splash park, & water slide, Tranquil sea cove & a private white sand beach, Kayaking, snorkeling, beach soccer, and more, Outdoor hydro spa tubs Music Lab Introducing the ultimate way to live out your fist-pumping guitar-shredding fantasy with expert instruction and accelerated stage training at the Music Lab of the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya. As part of your all-inclusive stay, there's no experience needed and all guests ages 12 and over are welcome to play. Enjoy fame, amigo. As far as we're concerned, you're in the band. The Little Big Club™ Experience All Your Kids’ Favorites, All Included. Hang out, learn, and play with all your kids’ favorite friends like Barney™, Angelina Ballerina™, Bob the Builder, and Thomas The Tank Engine™! The Little Big Club™ is loaded with all the amenities of an All Inclusive luxury resort, with fun, kid-oriented activities scheduled throughout the week for a vacation parents appreciate and children will never forget. RIVIERA MAYA POOLS & BEACH PRIVATE BEACH Enter the serene beauty of a private white sand beach nestled along the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea . Go in style with crystal blue waters, cool drinks , and the perfect environment to snorkel, kayak, swim, and relax. ZERO ENTRY KIDS' POOL + HEAVEN POOLS & BEACH Splash. Play. Chill. That’s the idea behind this legendary pool with good tunes, great activities, and snacks served all throughout your stay. A family pool is also available. CENTRAL POOL Exclusive to adult guests, the central pool at Heaven is the perfect spot to grab some sun, lounge, or cool off with never-ending cocktails. SEMI OLYMPIC POOL + CROSS CURRENT RHYTHM POOL PRIVATE BEACH & NATURAL SEA COVE Enter the serene waters of private beach surrounded by the natural sea cove and enjoy all the Caribbean has to offer. The Body Rock® Fitness Center Open daily from 6AM to 10PM, our Body Rock® Fitness Center features all you need to stay active during your stay at the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya. Find inspiration with daily classes, expert instruction, professional equipment, and world-class facilities. There are several restaurants, bars and clubs. My favourite restaurants are Zen and IPANEMA THE MARKET Enjoy fresh and exotic ingredients from around the world with a breakfast buffet by morning and themed dinner buffet by night. Cusine: International Buffet Service: Breakfast and Themed night Dinner PIZZETO Step outside and step into a world of flavor with a wood burning stove, crispy brick-oven pizza, salads, soups, and pasta à la carte. Cuisine: Dig into brick-oven style pizza that’s piping hot and crispy with salads, soups and à carte pastas. FRIDA Discover the fiery flavors and festive atmosphere of Mexico at Frida, serving Mexican cuisine and regional specialties à la carte. Cuisine: Mexican à la carte IPANEMA Head to South America with authentic Rodizio service and the passionate flavors of Brazil. Sit, sample, and share with traditional ingredients and modern style. Cuisine: Authentic service in true Brazilian style. Indulge in the finest cuts of beef, pork, poultry and more, cooked fresh over spitfire and sliced tableside just for you. ZEN From sushi to stir fry, Zen offers the very best of traditional Asian cuisine with dishes served à la carte. Cuisine: Find your Zen at our Asiatic-themed hot spot. Zen offers an extraordinary fine dining experience composed of expertly prepared Asian cuisine. During the evening, savor Asian specialties such as Teppanyaki. CAFETTO Grab a continental breakfast for the perfect way to start the morning or enjoy snacks, coffee, and tea throughout the day. Cuisine: Continental breakfast, snacks, coffee and tea Schedule: Breakfast – 6hrs to 10hrs, Snacks, coffee and tea – until 23hrs TORO —located at Heaven section adults only The good life deserves a great steak. Step inside and enjoy premium cuts of the finest steak and a menu of lavish dishes served à la carte. Located at Heaven for all adult guests. Cuisine: Buffet restaurant, lunch international style. Steak House themed dinner. CIAO —located at Heaven section adults only Savor the finest Italian specialties à la carte as you take your taste buds on a journey to the heart of culinary paradise. We’ve got your favorite table ready and waiting. Cuisine: Sit down to an Italian feat at our very own fine dining spot. In the mornings, indulge in a sumptuous breakfast of International fare. In the evening, the restaurant becomes a dazzling setting for savoring the finest Italian specialties and expertly prepares pasta dishes.. LE PETIT COCHON —located at Heaven section adults only Serving remarkable dishes à la carte, Le Petit Cochon features the finest ingredients for a delicious taste of the rustic French countryside. LOS GALLOS —located at Heaven section adults only An icon of Latin American cuisine, generating countless of flavors, customs and traditions. Los Gallos boasts a magnificent decorative ambiance and freshly prepared classic Mexican cuisine: tacos, tlacoyos, fajitas... it is all part of our vocabulary. FLOAT Enjoy snacks by the pool with a selection of top-shelf cocktails to match. Cuisine: Snacks on the side of the pool DIVE —located at Heaven section adults only Refuel with great snacks, top-shelf drinks, and service by the Heaven pool. Cuisine: Snacks on the side of the pool SUN BAR The perfect place to raise a glass, the Sun Bar is located off the main lobby and offers exotic cocktails, old favorites, and a premium selection. CLUB HEAVEN An Adults Only Experience Just steps from the main lobby, Heaven Bar & Disco features live DJ entertainment, the finest selection of international spirits, and the very best vibe in the Caribbean. RHYTHM BAR An Adults Only Experience Part of the Rock Spa® experience, Rhythm features a relaxing environment, premium cocktails, and international favorites just steps from the cross current pool. THE CAVERN -Teen lounge & club Your teen shows all the classic signs of a mega Rock Star. So we've carved out an exclusive teens-only space for a backstage experience even the most extravagant junior icons enjoy. I would certainly recommend this hotel for couples and families. Great hotel and fantastic service. I would definitely go back.

09 March 2018

Turks and Caicos was on my wish list of places of that I really wanted to see in the world before I die but always seems an expensive destination. I managed to get my dream to come true. I flew with my wife to Turks and Caicos. We flew with American Airlines from London Heathrow via Miami and went economy class outbound and business class homebound. Flying via America is the cheapest way to get to this destination but be warned, there will be a wait via the American gateway together with collecting your baggage and re-checking in your bags for your next flight to Turks and Caicos. You will also need an ESTA to enter America. Return connections are very good but there will be the same process as your journey on the way out such as checking bags etc. Please also note flying via America is very popular with the American market so flights will be very busy. My advice would be book in advance if you want the cheap air fares and this option. Flying time is around 11 hours. There is a direct service with British Airways on Sundays which may be better for families and for people on a short holiday period. Turks and Caicos has a small airport, so we cleared immigration very quickly but had to queue for a bit to clear customs. Once we cleared customs I saw our Beaches rep, as this was the hotel we were staying at for a week in May. The transfer time is around 20-30 minutes. We arrived late at night, so I couldn't really see anything. The Beaches hotel is situated in Grace Bay area. We checked in at the hotel and were given cold towels and a welcome drink. We were then given our room key. We stayed in the Caribbean village, room number 207, and room type Caribbean Deluxe. The room was lovely and spacious with a lovely balcony and view of the gardens. The rooms also have an Xbox games console. This hotel is a family hotel for kids but to be honest it’s suitable for everyone including honeymooners. I hardly saw any kids during my stay. The hotel is situated on what has been voted one of the best beaches in the world. Sandals and Beaches have a no wristband policy and the hotel has 20 restaurants. I managed to get into most of them in my seven-night stay at the hotel. My favourites were Kimonos and Arizona’s for dinner and for lunch Barefoot by the Sea and Jerk Shack. One tip is to make sure you book Kimonos on arrival at the hotel as this restaurant gets booked very quickly and is very popular. There are 12 bars at this hotel. This hotel is divided into four villages; French, Italian, Caribbean and Key West. I found the French and Key West to be the quietest villages. I would love to stay in Key West village if I ever returned, as this was my favourite. The Italian village is more for families and has the big room types to cater for larger families. There is a water park at this hotel which is really good and has free admission and unlimited rides. I managed to go on the lazy river. I think this hotel is great for kids and would bring my kids here in future. I would say you need to save up your pennies, as it’s not cheap but it’s well worth it when you get here. My highlight was the Sesame Street character parade - this was amazing. I think everyone should see it, kids or adults, as it has a great atmosphere. Get there early, as it does get packed and make sure you bring your camera to get pictures with the characters. It happens weekly around 7pm but check with the reception desk for times. Also, there is a daily stage for Sesame Street characters before the kids go to bed around 6.30pm plus daily activities with the characters. I wish they would bring back the Sesame Street TV show, as I loved it as a kid. The hotel offers day and night entertainment. It also offers free water sports and beach games. I was very impressed with this hotel and would definitely return soon. I thought it was amazing and was one of my top 10 best holidays. Don't be put off by the size shown on the map of the resort, as I thought it would take ages to get around, but the villages are very easy to walk to. There is also a train if you don’t feel like walking between the villages. Each village offers something different based on their theme name. For example, the French Village will have things like a French café or restaurant. The hotel offers free kids club as part of the package. This hotel is very popular for weddings and honeymooners. I saw a few weddings taking place during my stay. It has some great locations for weddings and I would recommend this hotel to get married if you wanted a family wedding. Beaches offer a departure lounge for if you are travelling after you need to check out of your room which is around 11am. In the departure lounge there is a TV where they serve cold water, and there are toilets and shower facilities. This is where you get your transfer bus back to the airport. Try to avoid flying home on Saturdays as the airport is very busy and chaotic as they have several flights on this day. I think Turks and Caicos is a great destination and would highly recommend it. Turks and Caicos are made up of 40 islands and currency is US dollars. The capital is Cockburn Town. They drive on the left and international driving licence is needed.

01 August 2015

My wife and I have always wanted to go to this destination French Polynesia, as one of our dream destinations. We both decided we should book a cruise for my birthday, We flew from London Heathrow via Los Angeles to Papette in economy class. Flying time 18 hours. We had a long stopover in Los Angeles so decided to go to Santa Monica by bus, which was really good. It took around 45 minutes with one change of bus, and cost around $1.00 per person per journey bus route number 3 with Bus Company Big Blue bus and Airport shuttle bus which is free to bus transit terminal. I was very impressed with Santa Monica, as it was over 10 years since I last went. Santa Monica has plenty of restaurants, shops and bars. I think it’s a great place to spend time, if you have a long stop over. We finally arrived at destination Papette in the early hours of the morning, where we met by the cruise line rep, who took us to hospitality area until ship was boarding was ready. I heard lots about Oceania, so I was really excited to be boarding this cruise, especially for its food. The service whilst boarding and on board was excellent. The staff is very friendly and polite. We were on Marina which takes 1250 guest and has 11 decks, mid size ship with a swimming pool and spa. We booked a Veranda stateroom.The bonus with booking Oceania your flights, gratuities, free and unlimited soft drinks, bottled water, cappuccino, espresso, teas and juices, speciality restaurants are included. It's full board basis with afternoon tea included daily. My tip would be to book a suite if you have the money, as you get a chance to visit speciality restaurants 2 times per visit whilst other cabin grades it is only 1 per visit, but you can try again to visit, Just note that you will be on a waiting list for the restaurants. I have to say the food was amazing and out of this world on this cruise. This is definitely the best I have ever eaten on any cruise. I have been on several cruise lines, and no cruise line at this stage can beat Oceania for me. I totally agree with their statement they spend the most on food. I love all the restaurants, but my favourites were Jacques. Red Ginger and Polo. The great thing with Oceania cruises, you don’t need to dress up, and its smart casual is the dress code on their ships. I would recommend pre booking your restaurants once dinner reservation are available to book in advance online or first day onboard. They also offer complimentary room service 24 hours a day. The Grand Dining Room Handsomely decorated in rich woods, designer tapestry fabrics and oversized armchairs, the expansive dining area exudes classic splendour. The Grand Dining Room’s formally attired and classically trained wait staff graciously serve course after course of European-inspired cuisine or delectable alternatives such as healthy Canyon Ranch® signature dishes. Menus change daily with a brilliant choice of at least ten appetisers, soups and salads and twelve entrées at dinner. Polo Grill Polo Grill embodies all the elements of a classic steakhouse, expressing them with timeless reverence. Each course stands as the very definition of time-honoured favourites, most notably the beef dishes, all of which are USDA Prime and dry-aged for 28 days to enhance tenderness and flavour. Toscana Presented on elegant, custom-designed Versace china, masterfully prepared dishes exemplify the essence of Tuscany and celebrate Italy’s culinary passion. Classic dishes from various regions of Northern Italy are featured, many from recipes that originated with the mothers and grandmothers of our own Italian culinary staff. Open for dinner only. Reservations required. Jacques Exquisitely decorated with heirloom antiques, pickled wood furnishings and art from Jacques Pépin’s personal collection, Jacques was modelled after a Parisian bistro. Each country French dish served is a classic, ingeniously reinterpreted by Master Chef Pépin--Jacques is absolutely magnifique! Open for dinner only. Reservations required. Red Ginger Red Ginger’s chefs have created contemporary interpretations of Asian classics. The interior simply glows with ebony woods, a soothing waterfall wall and striking, modern Asian artworks, all with a nod to feng shui. In Red Ginger, the gustatory pleasures are as striking as the visual ones.Open for dinner only. Reservations required. Terrace Café Informal and carefree, the Terrace Café is wonderfully inviting any time of day--feel free to dine inside or alfresco at one of the shaded teak tables on the terrace. First thing in the morning, enjoy sumptuous breakfast selections. Come lunch, the expansive menu of international-inspired dishes changes entirely. Evenings, the impeccably clad wait staff shines, and the cuisine takes on a more sophisticated flair. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Waves Grill Open for lunch and afternoon dining only. No reservations required. Afternoon Tea A celebratory daily event that irresistibly draws guests to Horizons at four o’clock sharp. As a classical string quartet plays softly in the background, our staff glides through the room presenting bountiful four-tiered pastry carts filled with freshly made finger sandwiches, colourful petits fours, richly textured scones with clotted cream, and wonderfully sinful desserts. Daily at 4pm. No reservations required. Privée Host a private party for up to 10 privileged guests in our most exclusive onboard dining venue. Reservations required. A room reservation surcharge applies. La Reserve Oceania Cruises brings you the brilliant union of La Reserve and Wine Spectator, the foremost magazine for wine connoisseurs, with the resulting La Reserve by Wine Spectator offering not only wine seminars and vintage tasting but also gourmet dinners pairing fine wines with delectable courses that allow devout epicureans to enhance their appreciation of fine dining.Open for dinner only. Wine Experience surcharge applies We also had a chance of doing a culinary class on board the cruise which was really good. No photography onboard. Plus minimum on board announcements. Evening entertainment is varied shows. They have a very good library, where you can also plays games like scrabble.etc. My itinerary 04 Jan Papette Tahiti French Polynesia, 05 Jan Papette Tahiti 05 Jan Moorea French Polynesia, 06 Jan Raiatea French Polynesia, 07 Jan Bora Bora French Polynesia, 08 Jan Bora Bora, 09 Jan Day at sea, 10 Jan Nuku Hiva Marquesas Islands, 11 Jan Nuku Hiva, 12 Jan Day at sea, 13 Jan Rangiroa French Polynesia, 14 Jan Papette Tahiti French Polynesia On this cruise I saw some amazing places including Vanilla plantation churches and beaches. My favourite place was Moorea. I found the French Polynesia islands to be very green with the people very friendly. On my last day of our trip we did hire a driver to take us around the island of Tahiti, which was nice. I manage to see more of Tahiti including some waterfalls. French is official language spoken. Currency CFP franc although Euros also is accepted.No visa is required for UK Citizens staying less than 90 days. This cruise was truly amazing, and my best ever cruise. I can’t wait to go on Oceania again. This cruise would suit customers who like country house style hotels.Not suitable for young children.

01 August 2015

I had mixed views about Dominican Republic before I booked this holiday, but thought I should try it myself as I book a few customers to this destination. I wanted to find out for myself the fascination on this destination. I booked me and wife on this trip. We flew with British Airways from London Gatwick via Antigua economy class outbound and pre economy home bound. Now the service is non-stop with British airways flying from London Gatwick on Thursdays and Sundays in Summer Tuesdays and Saturdays in winter. When I arrived at Punta Cana Airport there was lot of confusion as where to queue and where to pay for tourist cards on arrival. There is a charge of $10.00 per person payable on arrival for tourist cards, then you have to complete a form for immigration which is in Spanish. I would suggest getting this form beforehand may be from the cabin crew staff on board the aircraft, or check in desk at the airport, as it gives you more time to complete the form and to ask any questions. The immigration staff will happy help you fill the form in for you for a fee. Once I collected my bags I booked a shuttle bus transfer. There are lots of shuttle bus transfer companies in the airport, make sure you read the paper work in advance to make sure you get the right transfer company. Transfer time around 30-40 minutes. I stayed at Secrets Royal Beach 5* for 4 nights Junior Suite Tropical View room. I had a lovely room with an outside Jacuzzi bath. The hotel shares the grounds with Now Larimar hotel which means you can eat at all there restaurants too. Just a note that Secrets is adults only and Now Larimar is family hotel, which means only guests at Secrets are allowed to use Now Larimar facilities free of charge. They have a great spa which my wife tried out at Secrets. I have been to other Secrets hotels, this one a smaller resort. Secrets are all inclusive brand which includes water sports and premium brand drinks. The resort is big when you combine Secrets and Now together. I love the idea of combined hotel restaurants and facilities. I ate at the following restaurants Oceana for dinner speciality seafood but I had a steak which was really nice, La Riveria for buffet breakfast self-service offering bucks fizz complimentary. There is lots of choice including hot options, bakery and fruit. I had lunch at Seaside Grill which served burgers, hot dogs and ribs plus salad and fries. I also dine at Spice in Now Larimar which services Asian food for dinner together with Capers which serves Italian food. There is a Casino plus lots of entertainment in the day and the night. I then stayed at Zoetry Agua Punta Cana 5* for 3 nights junior suite. This is Am resorts top brand product, where is it ultra luxury all inclusive. All Am Resorts hotels is no wrist band policy which is really good. There is no check in and check out times for this hotel. Also included 20 minutes massage 1 per guest per stay plus 45 minute horseback 1 per guest per stay. My room overlooked the pool on 1st floor 3 minutes’ walk to the beach. It’s a small hotel with 96 suites. I would recommend going for a junior ocean view suite or penthouse suite ocean view. There are 4 restaurants and 3 bars at this hotel. My favourite restaurant was Indigo for lunch. Breakfast is waiter service set menu. Don't expect an American or English breakfast at this hotel it's more organic options for breakfast. I manage to experience the free laundry service. A few tips pre book your horseback ride. Massage and laundry service. The beach is lovely at this resort. I manage to do a bike tour ride staying at the hotel. This hotel is good for honeymooners. I suggest getting a Spanish phrase book as most of the people speak Spanish. Transfer back to the airport took around 50 minutes. I went in October and the weather was good. Airport departures has a few shops and restaurants, Before going through security you must complete immigration forms which you get a check in desk when you drop your bags off. Best buy in Dominican Republic is Rum and Coffee.

31 October 2017

Continued from Part 2... Day 12 We did a Hamilton Island tour including lunch then, afterwards, went to Whitehaven Beach by boat. Hamilton Island is one of Australia’s most spectacular and sought-after holiday destinations. On a holiday to Hamilton Island, you'll be surrounded by pristine white beaches, and a kaleidoscope of coral and marine life. There's plenty to do during your Great Barrier Reef holiday on Hamilton Island. You can enjoy a wide selection of bars and restaurants, year-round cultural exhibitions and performances, an abundance of water sports and activities - and that's just the start. For sailing enthusiasts, there’s the Hamilton Island Yacht Club, and for keen golfers, the Hamilton Island Golf Club is the only Australian 18-hole championship course on its own island. Plus, with six different levels of accommodation to choose from across the island - ranging from plush, couples’ suites, to family-friendly apartments and holiday homes, a holiday on Hamilton Island really does offer something for everyone. Whitehaven Beach is a pristine, award-winning beach on Whitsunday Island, the largest of the 74 islands in the Whitsundays. Whitehaven Beach stretches over seven kilometres and boasts brilliant white silica sand that is among the purest in the world. Sink your feet into the sand and wade into the warm waves that gently lap the shore and you'll soon realise why people come here from all over the world. At the northern end of Whitehaven Beach is Hill Inlet, a stunning inlet where the tide shifts the sand and water to create a beautiful fusion of colours. Many people claim Hill Inlet and Whitehaven Beach are the most beautiful places they've ever seen. The lookout at Tongue Point is the best spot from which to view the swirling sands of Hill Inlet, so if you don't mind a short bushwalk, book your Whitehaven tour with an operator that visits the lookout (I can do this for you) Day 13 We left Daydream Island by boat via Hamilton Island to Sydney. We flew with Virgin Australia, in economy class. We stayed at Menzies Sydney for 5 nights. Day 14 We went to Paddy’s Market in Sydney. It’s a great place to get good bargains including, for us, a new suitcase and souvenirs! Afterwards, we went on the Sydney Bridge Twilight Climb. It was amazing to see view of Sydney. This was also my second time and I was presented with a certificate, which was a nice touch. It’s a must-do when you are in Sydney. There are 3 different types of climbs. A tip, don’t have any alcoholic drinks 24 hours before you climb as you won’t be allowed to climb. In the evening, we went to Rocks, a great, buzzing atmosphere. Day 15 We had an impressive guided tour of Sydney Opera House. It was great to hear how Sydney Opera House was built and designed. In the afternoon, we went on a cruise around Sydney Harbour with afternoon tea. Another great way of seeing Sydney and some of those lovely bays including Manly and Watson Bay. Day 16 My wife had a private surfing lesson in Bondi. She had a great time, as it was her first lesson. Whilst she was having her lesson I sat and admired Bondi Beach and all the surfers around. Day 17 We met up with my wife's cousin at our hotel in Sydney! Day 18 We flew from Sydney to Singapore in business class, with Qantas (flying time 8 hours 35 minutes). We stayed at Quincy hotel for 2 nights. We ventured onto busy Orchard Road where there are plenty of shops, like Oxford Street in London in the UK. Day 19 We had afternoon tea at the famous Raffles Hotel. I thought afternoon tea was amazing. We also had afternoon city tour of Singapore taking in some of the famous sights. Day 20 The hotel arranged Hop-on and Hop-off tour where we took in more sights of Singapore and we even went to Sentosa Island. I wish we had had more time to explore Singapore as Singapore had so much to offer. We want to come back again and for a longer time. Day 21 We headed back home from Singapore via Dubai to Heathrow, flying with Emirates in business class. This trip was an amazing adventure. I would love to do it again, but spending more time in each destination as I felt it was a bit of a rush, cramming lots into a short amount of time. As is often said of Australia, I didn’t realise how big Australia is and the distances you cover! If you're thinking about a trip to Australia, get in touch and I can give you more information.

31 October 2017

After my trip on Corroboree (a travel industry event), I decided to return to Australia again but this time with my wife as she had never been before and has always wanted to go. Australia has always been one of her dream destinations so I decided we should go as life is too short! We flew with Emirates in economy class to Melbourne via Dubai (flying time is around 20 hours) I been to Australia twice before but hadn’t been to Melbourne so I didn’t know what to expect. The only transport to the city is bus or taxi. We took the bus which takes around 30-45 minutes and runs 24/7 service. Day 1 We stayed at Citigate Melbourne hotel for 4 nights in a city view room on bed and breakfast board. The hotel was great as it had a view of the river and the train station. The hotel is near the main attractions with lots of restaurants and bars nearby. After our long flight from London, we just relaxed and had a little wander around the area. Day 2 An early morning start for our Great Ocean Road Tour. The scenery was amazing on this lovely coast road. The highlight of the trip for us was the 12 Apostles. The Great Ocean Road day tour is a full day trip spent exploring this truly majestic stretch of diverse coastline, taking in its amazing array of spectacular attractions. The scenic Great Ocean Road journey in an air-conditioned bus is a highlight as you absorb some truly amazing coastal scenery, with new views being revealed around every bend. Experience the roaring surf, white sand beaches, rocky outcrops, and towering cliffs. The day trips make stops at numerous beaches, lookouts and other scenic spots allowing you an opportunity to take plenty of happy snaps and time to simply relax while enjoying the stunning views. We visited an area on the Great Ocean Road day trip where the local koalas are particularly abundant, ensuring excellent koala viewing while enjoying a stroll amongst the sweetly-scented eucalyptus forest. We also met some of your favourite feathered friends, as numerous colourful local parrots at the Great Otway National Park home. The tour's lunch stop is at the foot of the Otway Ranges in the beautiful town of Apollo Bay, Australia. Included was lunch that was provided in a local restaurant, with time allowed to explore the shops and the marina or to have a dip in the bay itself. After lunch, the Great Ocean Road tour takes you into the mountains, where you take a stroll in the Great Otway National Park. Wonder at the intricate beauty of the ancient rainforest and marvel at the region’s towering native hardwoods, some of the tallest trees anywhere in the world. Then, onwards to Port Campbell National Park, where we were awestruck by the world-famous rock formations including of course the 12 Apostles, the sensational (but much underestimated) Loch Ard Gorge, and the collapsed London Bridge. A long day but worth it. I would suggest doing this trip as a self-drive as you have more time to explore places along the route. The tour lasted around 13 hours. Day 3 Phillip Island Penguin Parade and Koala Sanctuary Tour (with lunch included). The highlight was seeing the penguins come out of the sea and going to nest for the night. Leaving Melbourne, we journeyed through the Gippsland region directly to Phillip Island and made our first stop at Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park for a unique Australian wildlife experience. Here, we enjoyed a guided wildlife walk and had the opportunity to meet and hand-feed many species of native Australian animals. We learnt about iconic species such as kangaroos, koalas, emus and wallabies, as well as some of our lesser known favourites including quolls, owls, bandicoots and Tasmanian devils. A visit to Point Grant and The Nobbies gave us an opportunity to enjoy views over Westernport Bay and Bass Strait, including Seal Rocks, home to Australia’s largest population of fur seals. Then, onwards to the main event, where just after dark every night the world’s smallest penguins waddle ashore after spending the day fishing out at sea. We were truly enchanted as the stars of the show emerged from the surf and passed right before our eyes on their journey back to their homes. We got the best vantage point to enjoy the Penguin Parade and were kept toasty warm with a complimentary hot cuppa. After the parade, we had time to explore the Visitor Centre before beginning our journey back to Melbourne. Day 4 Neighbours TV Show Tour. Having come all the way to Melbourne, it would have been wrong not to go on a Neighbours TV tour! (Although we wished we went at the weekend as it seems that you see more on tour as the Studio is not busy.) The bus driver was funny with his jokes and the highlight was taking a picture of character Saskia on the Neighbours set with her signed autograph and being on Ramsay Street. After the tour, we visited our Travel Counsellors Australia Head Office in Melbourne, where I met my colleagues and they later showed us around Melbourne, as it was our last night. We were very impressed with the city and would certainly come back again as it has so much to offer including bars and restaurants, culture, and shopping. Day 5 We flew Melbourne to Alice Springs with Qantas, in economy class. We took the local shuttle bus from the airport to the hotel, the Ibis Styles Alice Springs Oasis Hotel, where we stayed for 2 nights. It was 15 minutes’ walk to centre... ...Read Part 2 to discover what we got up to next!

31 October 2017

Continued from Part 1... Day 6 Uluru (Ayers Rock) Adventure tour (lunch and dinner was included) We had an early start but enjoyed a light breakfast on-board the coach and headed south through the magnificent Western MacDonnell Ranges. (The highlight for us was Uluru at sunset. For the trip, make sure you get a fly net as there are plenty of flies around!) First stop was the Mount Conner, an amazing photo opportunity. We continued through the desert to Uluru (Ayers Rock). We joined a base tour of Uluru and had a guided walk to Mutitjulu Waterhole where you can view Aboriginal rock paintings. We visited the Uluru Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre and learned more about Tjukurpa (law of the Anangu people). Afterwards we headed to Kata Tjuta National Park to view the Olgas. We took a walk between the massive domes at Walpa Gorge. We travelled back to Uluru to a sunset viewing area to witness the changing colours of Uluru while sipping wine with a sunset dinner and light refreshments. After sunset, we settled in and watched an on-board movie and enjoyed the return journey back to Alice Springs hotel. A long day but worth it! Day 7 We explored Alice Springs Town as, unfortunately, our Outback Ballooning Adventure tour was cancelled due to bad weather. Day 8 We flew from Alice Springs to Cairns with Qantas, in economy class. We stayed at Holiday Inn in a premium ocean view room on a bed and breakfast board for 3 nights. It was a great hotel and in a nice location, only 5-10 minutes’ walk to the esplanade, shops, bars, and restaurants. Day 9 Scenic Rail Gold Class, rainforest, lunch & Skyrail Kuranda Tour. Our day of discovery started with a spectacular journey aboard the Kuranda Scenic Railway through fields of sugar cane and virgin tropical forest as we headed for Kuranda, nestled in mountaintop rainforest splendour. Here, we had time to explore the famous Kuranda Markets before soaring high above the rainforest canopy in our Skyrail Gondola. We enjoyed stunning panoramic views of the beautiful rainforest, explored the boardwalks and the CSIRO Interpretative Centre. From here, we continued to Caravonica Lakes and on to Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures, for some of the best crocodile viewing in Northern Queensland. We had a leisurely lagoon cruise through the Melaleuca wetlands, which gave us a unique opportunity to see these deadly predators up close in their natural habitat before exploring the rest of the park with its huge variety of native wildlife including cassowaries, wallabies, venomous snakes, and turtles. The highlight for us was Scenic Railway in Gold Class. Day 8 Daintree Walkabout Toue. We travelled north from Cairns along the scenic Captain Cook Highway and caught glimpses of the Coral Sea, offshore islands, and surrounding sugar-cane farms as we followed the palm tree-lined coast. After arriving at Mossman Gorge, we were treated to a guided rainforest walk along private, easy graded tracks, visiting special places and culturally significant sites, past traditional bark shelters and over cool rainforest streams. Our experienced interpretive indigenous guide demonstrated traditional plant use, identified bush tucker sources, shared their dreamtime legends, explained the history of cave paintings, and provided an enchanting narrative of the rainforest and their special relationships within this unique tropical environment. After our 90-minute walk, we enjoyed tea, damper and question time with our guide. A delicious chicken lunch was enjoyed at Silky Oaks Lodge, a beautiful oasis amidst the rainforest, overlooking the Mossman River and then we drove to Daintree National Park to enjoy a one-hour cruise on the Daintree River. The experienced river guide points out the river's varied wildlife, including the estuarine crocodiles and water birds living in the mangroves. We heard how the Daintree Rainforest is the oldest intact rainforest habitat on the planet, with more species of flora and fauna than any other rainforest in the world. The day concluded with a short tour of the historical town of Port Douglas. Then we headed back to Cairns. Day 9 We flew from Cairns to Hamilton Island with Qantas Airways, in economy class and took a boat to Daydream Island resort and Spa. The journey time 30 minutes. We stayed for 3 nights When we landed on Hamilton Island I thought it was picturesque. Our room was upgraded to an ocean balcony room, and we made sure to use the spa here. Its Rejuvenation Spa has 16 treatment rooms offering salon services, naturopathy, therapeutic and pampering treatments. Here, you interact with marine animals at the unique Living Reef – one of the world’s largest outdoor aquariums or snorkel around the island’s fringing coral reef. There’s a Putt Your Way Around Australia themed mini golf course, lagoon pools, stunning waterfront restaurants and bars, gym, tennis courts, and an amazing 44-foot outdoor movie cinema. Day 11 We went to the Great Barrier Reef on a day trip with a change of boat in Hamilton Island, though the crossing was rough both ways due to the winds and time of the year. I had been to the Great Barrier Reef before but a different Great Barrier reef region. Lunch was included in the day trip tour together with snorkelling gear plus guided tours. There is an option to do a scenic helicopter ride. The Great Barrier Reef is a stunning area - I went to an underwater viewing area to view all the fishes and sea life... ...Discover more of my adventures Down Under with Part 3...

04 August 2015

I flew with Air Mauritius on 09 November 2013 Heathrow-Mauritius economy class and returned home on 16 November business class. Flying time 12 hours and 30 minutes. I decided to treat my wife to Mauritius, as her birthday present as we both never been to this destination. When we arrived at Mauritius airport we are booked car hire with Avis. The great news the drive on the same side as us in the UK, the minor point not many signpost around the islands. We got lost several times when we ventured out, but manage to make it back. I was told it was cheaper to hire a driver for the day then you can choose the sights you want to visit with less hassle of finding the places. Next time I think I will take that option. There is also a bus service outside the hotel to Grand Baie and Port St Louis (The capital) the times are not displayed, so I would check with hotel reception before venturing outside especially if it’s a hot day, as there is not much shelter around at the bus stop. We stayed at Lux Grand Gaube hotel 5* for 5 nights on all inclusive basis. I was greeted by the general manager on our butler for the duration of our holiday. I was given a great surprised by being upgraded to the best villa in the hotel, which came with private beach. Butler, Jacuzzi, 2 bedroom villa. The hotel facilities at this hotel are excellent. I rate this as one of my best stay holidays ever. It felt like paradise. LUX* Villa The stylish Villa offers unparalleled views over the shimmering blue lagoon and its own private beach. Lounge in the two spacious bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms or take a dip in the swimming pool and whirlpool amongst the private landscaped gardens. There's even a barbecue area and gazebo for romantic outdoor dining, along with a personal butler to see to your every need. I would recommend this hotel for honeymoons, couples and families, My favourite restaurant for lunch was Banyan Tree... Banyan - The Island Kitchen Sheltered under the graceful boughs of one of the islands' oldest banyan trees, Banyan - The Island Kitchen invites you to sample our take on traditional Mauritian street food. All the classic flavours, colours, tools and techniques have been retained to bring you an authentic taste of island living. There are plenty of other restaurants and bars at this hotel... The Kitchen Set against a breath-taking lagoon backdrop, The Kitchen is LUX* Grand Gaube's main gastronomic attraction, offering everything from fresh, healthy and bountiful breakfast buffets to lively themed evenings and flavourful Chef's Specials throughout the week. The Beach Kick back with some relaxed Mediterranean cuisine as you gaze out over the lagoon and the many beautiful islands scattered like jewels across the Northern coastline Abalone Located right on the beach, facing the blue lagoon, Abalone entices with a blazing barbecue set up on the sand. Enjoy a tasty array of light dishes in a laid back island environment for lunch. When the stars come out, so does Abalone's incredible selection of fresh seafood platters. Create your own or get some advice from the Chef for a meal you won't soon forget. The Bar Located right next to the main swimming pool, The Bar is a lively hang out for guests to quench their thirst throughout the day while lounging on comfortable sofas and bar stools facing the lagoon. At night, The Bar offers a simple yet tasty menu with an extensive range of drinks, along with live music and entertainment. A tip for you when you arrive, make sure you book the speciality restaurants as they get booked quickly and you are only allowed one visit per stay. Another of mine was Lux café and Lux Ice cream truck. Ice cream was made with fresh waffles cones and fresh homemade ice cream. Yummy! Café LUX* Nothing beats a really great cup of coffee. That's why at LUX* we only serve our very own delicious Island Blend of certified green organic beans. Roasted on the island and prepared for you with passion by our trained baristas. Hotel also offers daily challenges, where you can win free gifts like a bottle of rum, free spa treatment, Candle light dinner for two,etc. To get the challenge you have to find one of the hotel bottle messages which lets you know what gift you have won. This is held daily in the mornings. I would get up early for this one, if you want to win a prize! You can call home free of charge from their red phone box. I thought this was a brilliant idea. I manage to sample a spa treatment after winning the daily challenge. I felt totally relaxed after spa treatment. On site at the hotel there are three beaches with a golf course. This hotel offers various packages from bed and breakfast to all inclusive basis. They also offer water sports. During my stay at this hotel. I also visited Sands Resorts and Spa 5* for lunch and The Maradiva Villas Resort & Spa 5* site inspection. I have to say from the outside nothing special, but when you entered in, It had the wow factor for me. All suites have private pools. I certainly want to come back and stay at this hotel when I return to Mauritius in the future. After my stay at Lux Grand Gaube I thought I was truly spoilt. Well, I was in for more surprises with the next hotel! I stayed at Le Prince Maurice Hotel 5* half board basis for two nights in a Double Junior Suite. The hotel entrance to this hotel is truly amazing. I look at all hotel room types at this hotel and I would be happy to stay in any of the room types. Junior suite on stilts, I would suggest for honeymoon couples as they are intimate and very secluded. I had breakfast and dinner at Archipel and I also ate at Le Barachois they food was divine at both restaurants especially at Archipel. At the beach they offering free bottles of cold water which comes with a cooler bag, whilst you are laying on your sunbeds. I thought this was a nice touch. You must visit the floating bar for a drink whilst staying at Le Prince Maurice it's a great experience. I certainly want to go back to Le Prince Maurice hotel and spend a longer time. This hotel suits a honeymoon couple. Families with older children and couples. The beaches are amazing. The people in Mauritius are very friendly people. I would recommend for this destination half board or all inclusive basis. I also suggest you explore the whole island as there is so much to do and see. The standard of accommodation in Mauritius is very high. Mauritius has something for everyone. My dream would be that I return to Mauritius soon. My wife loved her present, and now wants to go back soon. This holiday certainly ranks in my top 10 as best ever holidays I have ever had.

01 August 2015

The last time I visited Australia was in 1999 when I was going out with my ex-girlfriend in Brisbane. I had a wonderful time and I extend my holiday leave from two weeks to four weeks, because I was having such a good time. I went to Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast plus Sydney. I was so impress with Australia but I hope one day I would go back in the future. My dream come true to return to Australia again. I completed Australian Tourism course and became an Aussie specialist. I was selected to go on Corroboree which is held every two years. I felt privileged to be selected for this trip, as places are very limited. I went on my trip 14-27 May 2013. I flew from London Heathrow-Cairns via Dubai and Sydney flying time 26 hours flying economy class with Qantas Airways. It was a long flight but enjoyable, as I was able to watch lots of movies and self-service snack bar available on the international flights to Sydney. There were over 300 travel agents from around Europe on this trip. The word Corroborree means gathering. Once I arrived in Cairns I was given a warm welcome along with other travel agents. I have to say I was very impressed with Cairns when I arrived. This city has a lot to offer for everyone. During this trip we were split into different groups and given names for the groups plus a group leader. My group name was Galah. I attended a workshop in Cairns for four days speaking to different suppliers around Australia learning about their products, this was great way to get to know the supplier product and pass this knowledge onto my future customers. Whilst in Cairns, I did visit the zoo and held a Koala. They are so cute. I wish I could have one as my pet! Queensland is the only state that you can hold a Koala. I also went to the Great Barrier Reef which was one of my highlights of this trip. I went from Port Douglas on Quicksilver wave piercer service on a full day outer reef cruise tour. I took a brave decision, as I cannot swim to do the helmet dive at Great Barrier which was amazing. It was lovely to see so much fishes and coral in the barrier reef. I also saw Tjapukai Aboriginal cultural show when I first arrived in Cairns. Whilst in Cairns I stayed at Hilton Cairns hotel. Great hotel and location. Near to shops,restaurants, casino and promenade. Cairns also has a night market. Gilligan Backpackers Resort is great place to hang out at night time in Cairns. After Cairns the groups were split up and went several places over Australia. My group which was Galah we went to Byron Bay and Sydney we flew to both destinations in economy class with Qantas. I stayed at The Byron At Byron Resort Spa hotel set amongst a stunning 45 acre sub-tropical rain forest only moments from Tallow Beach and short drive or cycle to Bryon Bay township. This is the place to indulge with nurturing spa treatments and daily yoga or simply relaxing on the wide open verandas. Apartments Inn Byron is 43-room apartment complex in the centre of Byron Bay. Surrounded by restaurants and cafes. The hotel is minutes’ walk from the beach and everything that is Byron. Whilst in Byron I learned to surf with a company called Let's Go Surfing and kayaked with a company call Cape Byron Kayaks - both of these activities I'd never done before because of my fear of water and cannot swim. I enjoyed surfing but it was hard work. Cape Byron is Australia most easterly point which I visited. I also saw the following hotels whilst in Byron Bay. Beach suites, Breakfree Eco Beach. I ate some amazing places The Pass café for breakfast, Italian at the Pacific for dinner, The Balcony for lunch. Fish Heads for dinner and Marvis Kitchen in Uki for lunch. Byron Bay has an amazing sunset and is a must in your are in this area. I love Bangalow a small stylish village close to Byron Bay. It has a picturesque largely 19th century streetscape of tall verandah buildings shady trees and quiet parks. Its single main street reveals Bangalow sophisticated tastes with cafes,galleries,and boutiques nested under wide verandas. On the fourth Sunday of each month.Bangalow comes alive with its market perhaps the most popular on the North Coast showcasing yet more of the regions art, craft and produce. I stayed at Quay West Suites Sydney. Located in the historic rocks precinct at the doorstep to Sydney Harbour, Circular Quay. Quay West offers a unique hotel experience each suite boats a separate living area, bedroom, fully equipped kitchen, laundry and spectacular views over Sydney Harbour or the city skyline. Whilst in Sydney I did bridge climb, another highlight of my trip. I visited The Rocks area. Went to Sydney Opera House and had an essential tour. I went on a bike tour with a company call Bonza bike tours super easy ride featuring stunning harbour view as I pedalled past circular quay, the piers at Walsh Bay, Darling Harbour, Hyde Park and the royal botanic gardens. Finally I did a cruise with a company Sea Sydney Cruises cruise like a local for four hours aboard Calypso a 52 foot motor yatch. I cruised the foreshores of Sydney Harbour past world famous and iconic landmarks including the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House before dropping anchor in a secluded cove where I enjoyed a gourmet BBQ lunch. I ate the following restaurants whilst in Sydney Cyren Bar-Grill for dinner, Opera Kitchen for breakfast, Waterfront Restaurant for dinner. I managed to see Vivid in Sydney, a festival that transforms the city into a specular canvas of light, music and ideas. Colouring Sydney with creativity and inspiration, Some of the highlights of vivid Sydney include immersive light installations and projections, performances from local and international musicians at Vivid live at Sydney Opera House .Vivid Sydney take place late May and is a must if you in Sydney. All the cities I visited on this trip were easy to get around by foot or public transport. Remember if you are going in summer to take lots of sunscreen as it does get very hot especially in Queensland state. I love Australia and I would return back again. I have many fond memories of this country. The people are friendly here and welcoming. I would have no hesitation in recommending this country and destinations to anyone else. I am now a Australia premier specialist.

01 August 2015

I flew London City-Rome via Milan flying time 3.10 hrs in economy class. There is now a direct service from London City to Rome. Check in time up to 30 minutes before departure at London City Airport. Great airport only takes 22 minutes to get to Bank on docklands light railway. I arrive at Rome Fiumicino where are lots of airport shuttle bus service cost around 5.00 euros per person each way, plus an airport rail express service which takes 30 minutes cost around 14.00 euros per person each way, make sure you validate your train ticket before boarding train otherwise you can be fined. I stayed at Demetra Hotel 4* near Rome Termini train station. The hotel is a good location not far from the main sights like Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps and Colosseum. There are many shops and restaurants in this area. Whilst in Rome I visited all the main sights including the Vatican I would suggest getting fast pass tickets for these sights during busy period as the queues can be very long. Rome is a city that you can walk but be prepare to have your walking shoes. You can also travel by metro or local buses very cheaply. When I visited Rome and Vatican the city was buzzing as it was pope Benedict first Easter mass.The crowds were massive. I would recommend visiting the Vatican for Easter mass. Local food pizza and pasta they are several restaurants around in Rome. I would avoid tourist areas where you can eat cheaply. A must is Italian ice cream it’s the best ice cream I have ever tasted, There are so many flavours to choose from. I would certainly visit this city again in the future it’s a great city with lots of history.

31 October 2017

Having done Alaska cruise. I thought it was only natural to do Norwegian Fjords as my next step of adventure. I went with my wife as we both never cruised around Norway. We stayed the night before in Southampton at De Vere Grand Harbour hotel. I would recommend staying the night before at a hotel, as some packages give reduce parking at the port. It was first time I sailed from Southampton, so it was an experience for me.The port was busy, as other cruise line was also having debarkation and embarkation. I sailed on Ventura P& O cruises for 7 nights on 13 May . I had ocean balcony cabin which was great for the views. I had two lovely meals on the cruise ship restaurants, White and Asia both had an additional supplement to pay. Currency on the ship is pound sterling. Most of the guest were UK. Afternoon Tea was served in the main restaurant on a daily basis. My Itinerary 13 May Southampton 14 May Day at sea 15 May Stavanger 16 May Skjolden 17 May Geiranger 18 May Bergen 19 May Day at sea 20 May Southampton I have to say the scenery was stunning on this cruise. I particularly liked Skjolden and Geiranger as both of these destinations were more like Norway and less touristy. I would like to visit Norway again for a short break. A tip- Norway is not a cheap place, but the scenery makes up for it along with the food. This cruise would appeal to couples and families especially if you like scenery.

12 August 2015

I have been to Trinidad several times, but I hadn’t experienced Trinidad carnival. I have to say it was a great experience and one of the best carnivals in the world I have been to. I went with my wife. We flew with British Airways world traveller plus via St Lucia and returned home with British Airways club world.The flight was full as you can image. This period is very busy and would recommend booking your trip early as seats and fares will be high for this period. Trinidad’s Carnival started in the 1800s as masquerade balls held outdoors, which had elements of European, African and Indian cultures fused together. Today, Trinidad’s Carnival is an entire SEASON of events that begin immediately after Christmas and end right before Lent (on Ash Wednesday). On Carnival Monday and Carnival Tuesday, the city of Port of Spain comes alive with an EXPLOSION of ENERGY, VIBRANT COLORS and huge trucks playing the latest and greatest SOCA, CALYPSO and STEELPAN music! Visitors and Trinbagoians alike are all enjoying themselves, smiling from ear to ear, dancing and “Freeing up” in the SPIRIT of Carnival! Trinidad is the MOTHER of ALL carnivals! You haven’t LIVED until you’ve experienced “THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH!” And the BEST way to have the ultimate Caribbean Carnival experience There is also children's carnival day on Sunday. You will see amazing costumes during this period. My advice would be to make sure you take your walking shoes. Have plenty of water and a mobile phone as you may get lost with your group. This happened to me and wish I had a phone or arranged a meeting place. The carnival is a big route and procession is around Port Of Spain area. I would say get to Trinidad early two weeks before so you can try you costumes if you decide to play in the carnival. The prices are reasonable for playing carnival it’s a two day package which includes your costumes, breakfast, lunch, snacks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. The popular bands like Bliss,Tribe.Mcfarlne need to book early around August the year before as it is very difficult to get in, hence arriving two weeks before carnival starts you can shop around for carnival bands and try the costumes. My wife played in the band and loved it. J’ouvert is also poplar this is Monday event. J’ouvert or Jouvay is at the heart of Trinidad carnival, and is also celebrated in other Eastern Caribbean islands. The name J’ouvert originates from the French jour j'ouvert, meaning day break or morning, and signals the start of the bacchanalia that is Carnival. Jouvert is highly traditional and full of symbols culture and heritage. It is steeped in tradition and playing mud mas involves participants known as Jab Jabs. covering themselves – from head to toe – and others in paint, chocolate, mud, white powder or anything for that matter. It is J’ouvert custom that everybody gets involved and it’s common to see a newcomer being hugged by a muddy revellers. This traditional part of Carnival starts at around 2 in the morning and finishing after sunrise. Calypso and soca music are the dominating sounds of J’ouvert in Trinidad the mass of revellers takes the street party winning and chipping their way to the savannah in Port of Spain in the early hours of Lundi Gras, before the daytime carnival parades. The roots of J’ouvert in Trinidad go back 200 years, with the arrival of French plantation owners. The French never colonised Trinidad, however elements of their culture remained. J’ouvert evolved from the Canboulay festivals in the 1800’s, which were night time celebrations where the landowners dressed up and imitated the negres jardins (garden slaves). Following emancipation the newly freed slaves took over canboulay, now imitating their former masters imitating them. Canboulay revellers, who carried lighted cane torches, were seen as a potential risk by the authorities, and the tension mounted leading to the Canboulay riots. It was eventually banned, and then was re-established as J’ouvert. The spectacular costumes represent characters and events from the history and folklore. Moko Jumbie Bats, Bookmen, Baby dolls, jab molassie, devil mas are all traditional Carnival characters that capture the elements of the past, and continue to tell the story. Wednesday after carnival is known as cool down day which means going down to Marcas Beach for beach party and eating shark and bake the local food. Relaxing after two days of carnival. Local food is Doubles: Curried channa (chickpeas) sandwiched between two baras (fried flour and split pea bread), usually eaten with a dollop of hot mango kucheela, Roti: A flour wrap, accompanied by curried meat (goat, chicken, lamb, beef, shrimp) or vegetables. Dhalpouri roti made with split peas, is a thin wrap; paratha roti (often called buss-up-shut) is served in fragments, used to scoop up the accompanying dishes; sada roti is slightly stiffer, usually served with choka – vegetables sautéed Indian style. Shark and bake: Fried leavened bread (bake) filled with a well-seasoned shark fillet, dressed with a variety of spicy condiments, including pepper, garlic, and chadon beni (cilantro) sauces Souse: Pig trotters boiled and served cold with a salty sauce of lime, cucumber, pepper and onions. Pastelles: Meat-filled corn dumplings cooked in banana leaves. Vegetarian variations are filled with soya or lentil peas Pelau: Pigeon peas and rice cooked with meat, sometimes flavoured with coconut milk. Local drinks- Carib beer, Mauby, Solo Snow Cone or Sno-cone: Shaved ice, syrups made from guava, pineapple or kola and, if you ask for it, delicious, sinful condensed milk. Not just for kids My tips for carnival book early your flights, hotel and band. Make sure you have comfortable shoes, bring a camera, Have plenty of sun cream,and prepare to party 24 hours of the day. I am looking forward to going back to Trinidad again soon. I love the food especially Roti and Doubles plus Solo drink.