11 November 2020

So 2020 eh? Not been much fun has it so far, I’m always one for looking on the positive side of things, but that really has been put to the test during the last year for sure. But I really do believe that there have been some core elements of this session of general misery for humanity which does lend itself to a different perspective, a dive into our personalities and our focus on what is really important to us? As someone who has travelled the world and has made it his career to send people on journeys of discovery I do sometimes realise that over the years I’ve taken that experience for granted. Most people on earth simply don’t travel (usually based on economic boundaries) the same amount as I or many of my clients do, we are fundamentally blessed to be able to travel the world and pop away for various holidays each year. Now this article is not to make us all feel guilty about the fluke of birth and our luck in living in a wealthy country, but the reality is I’ve taken this all for granted for far too long. After a socially distant game of tennis the other day with a friend, we discussed our absolute desire to travel again, but it wasn’t discussing the 5* hotels, or the business class flights that we missed, it was the smell of spring rolls frying in Hanoi, or the fresh sea air in Camps Bay South Africa, or god forbid seeing loved ones who we’ve been constrained to viewing through a laptop zoom front door. The joy of travel which I remember feeling so blissfully was when I was about to get on a bus from my home town to go on my very first overseas adventure to France on my French exchange. Fear and excitement were equal bed fellows and all the new smells and sights were the thrilling accompaniment to the desert of seeing incredible world renowned sights like the Eifel tower and the Louvre. Fast forward 20+ years and I’ve been to most of the places I could ever have dreamed of, but sometimes that same fear/enjoyment just hasn’t been there, and I’ve gone through the motions somewhat. Don’t get me wrong I’ve had an amazing time….it’s just that raw/exhilaration and feeling alive is difficult to recreate when you know how easy it is to do anything. But during lockdown taking away that ability to just jump on a plane/train or automobile and journey off beyond the horizon has really focused my imagination. What is it that I truly love about travel? It’s the adventure, the differences from your existence at home….the true excitement of going to the airport and looking at the board of potentially unrecognisable places and realising that in not very many hours you could be landing somewhere truly incredible? That’s what I love about travel, and its something I’m going to really try hard to hang onto as one of the few positives from lockdown, the inspiration to pick places that I truly need to go to because its exciting and challenging, not just go on another holiday because I can. I’ll be looking at taking my two daughters to places that challenge them too, so they too can try and experience the unusual and exciting and I only hope that they don’t lose sight of how lucky they are to be able to do such amazing things. This pandemic has reminded me and hopefully yourselves too of the power of travel on our mental wellbeing, the beauty that the world around us and further afield holds and the importance of a change of scenery has on all our perspectives. So if you’ve had similar reflections or simply want to travel somewhere different for your 2021 holidays and beyond then get in touch and lets inspire each other, I truly love putting together exciting trips for my clients, almost as much as I like travelling on the same kind of journeys for myself! And if it’s a work trip then don’t just settle for another generic A to B experience, let me help to make it that little bit different and make a dull work trip something to look forward to. So as the year progresses towards 2021 and thoughts turn to hope and dreams of what the new year holds for us, lets make some new years resolutions, for health, happiness and hope for a future which excites and challenges us, be it our careers, family time or our leisure time. Let us look forward to the future and put this year behind us, look after yourselves and those around you.

11 September 2019

As I walked into the car park in Reims dressed as a pirate and walked past an inflated panda followed by someone who would not look out of place in a remake of deliverance I did question whether I'd not made another serious error of judgement? But here we were in Champagne country getting ready for the travel trade crusade. After enjoying the benefits of this region the day before I'm not sure I was truly ready for 4 days of intense driving but I was here and our team of four were ready to go. A few months previously I'd travelled to Mexico with a colleague on a familiarisation trip (see previous blog) and had found out that we both share a love of the random experience of travel, and so a few weeks after this when she won a place and therefore a car on the travel trade crusade 2019, she couldn't think of anyone else who could share this experience with than yours truly..... silly her eh! (and two other foolish Travel Counsellors). So what is the travel trade crusade, well basically its about 20 teams who all have their own vehicle (bought for less than £450 ideally) which they can decorate however they want. We had cars that resembled a dog, cars that resembled a panda and our delightful vehicle which resembled a palm tree, as we were being ably assisted financially by a Caribbean hotel chain, hence the pirate outfits and numerous coconuts we seemingly had to carry with us on this adventure. The plan for the journey of four days is to set out on day 1 where you find out where you are driving to that day, with various "tasks" on the way. The route is planned to go via some amazingly scenic outposts and to view some parts of Europe which you would not normally visit. So day 1 in France was to Loonyville (possibly spelt differently but sounded close enough) where one of the team had to ride me like a horse...to mimic a famous statue....then through the black forest and a stop on Konstanz, and for me a dip/jump into Lake Constance to try and win some points. The points get totted up and you can win spot prizes for your charity and fundamentally overall points winner wins a wad of cash for your charity, so the aim is fun and having a laugh while the true target is to help your charity out big time. After Konstanz in southern Germany we drove up via Hockenheim race circuit where we drive two laps of the famous circuit at about 15 mph....roughly 1mph above top speed. Then onto Bernkastel-Kues on the Mosel river and wine country. Every evening we would socialise with the other teams and gather together our experiences of the day, find out who had had technical difficulties....usually everyone.....found out what hilarious things had occurred in the drive to give impetus for some "videos" for more points and finally just get to hear lots of blackmail material for future events when not dressed as a pirate back in the UK. After a few too many shandies the night before and possibly some Blue Nun....when in Rome and all that.....we leisurely left after midday and sauntered our way over the border into Belgium, wandered around Liege picked up some chocolate and tried to board a ferry (pirate style of course) for the charity you understand, before our last stop of the crusade in Rotterdam, Holland. Here we boarded our last vessel and nothing to do with pirates here, the last night was on board the SS Rottedam permanently docked in the harbour and changed into a hotel. We checked in and got our glad rags on for the finale and champagne reception. A great night was had by all and we won £100 for our charity for me jumping into the lake.....needs must and overall we almost raised £2k before tax based increases on peoples generous donations, so we were really proud. But fundamentally we got to see loads of interesting and random places through France, Germany, Belgium and Holland. And for its inspired me to crack on and get my two young daughters travelling and exploring for themselves. I especially enjoyed not knowing where we would be each day, so for our next family holiday I'm instigating the "who knows where rule". Basically we have three envelopes with three destinations in them that can be got to from the current destination, so for example if we fly into Paris, maybe Marseille, Frankfurt and Lyon? Then we pick one of those and get on a train and off we pop, then after a few days exploring somewhere new, we do the same again. Its all for fun but I really want my daughters to have that sense of the unknown and to want to explore and find out about places and just wander about seeing what they find. So that's my plan and the travel trade crusade has really inspired me to focus on this as a travel style, so if you want to do something similar or want to plan a really random self drive around Europe then get in touch and I'll happily help or if you want to sponsor me for the next one in 2021, I'll be in touch!! Happy travelling Dave

24 June 2019

"Cruising? Really?" I exclaimed as my fiancé floated the idea of doing some of our honeymoon on a boat. Now it wasn't that I was totally against cruising, simply that my travel preferences had previously always been on the less static and more fluid kind of focus. Just rocking up in a place and seeing what there was before moving on, I always preferred to immerse myself a little in the place something which I always felt would be difficult with 1000's of other passengers disembarking at the same point into the same place. But what my now wife (yes, the cruising thing didn't get in the way of us actually getting married) was referring too was not an ocean liner, cruising the more popular Med or Caribbean, she wanted us to do an expedition cruise. Navigating the waterways, fjords and inlets of Patagonia and specifically Tierra Del Feugo and Cabo Dos Hornos, the most southerly tip of South America. This was more my kind of thing and while I still had my reservations, I was willing to give it a go and see what it was all about. Given my reservations we planned a detailed itinerary around Argentina, sipping coffee and watching the beautiful people of Buenos Aires mooch about, getting on our bikes and cycling through the vineyards of Mendoza and its mountainous surrounds before finally donning our hiking wear and walking away through Torres Del Paine and Fitzroy National Parks, before finishing on the Australis, our home for the next five days. The whole reason I mention this is to move away from the kind of holiday where clients just fly in, stay in a random hotel for a night, do the cruise and fly home after a day hanging about transport hubs. Tailoring the entire holiday makes for a more rounded experience and a more relaxing experience so you don't feel to rushed but also get to see some of the rest of a place away from the ports. Our trip began in Punta Arenas and we cruised down through the Straits of Magellan and part of the Drake Passage, happily sitting in the aptly named roaring 40s. This is a wild place at times and even though we went at the best time to visit it was, at times, still bitterly cold and windy (understatement of the year), but again you are travelling in an extreme place and the reward of doing so far outweighs any minor inconvenience of having to put an extra scarf on. Part of my reservation with cruising was being deposited somewhere with 1000's of others but with expedition cruising we had only 100 guests as well as 50 staff, so the activities felt personal and specific to people’s interests. We did Zodiac trips (small motorized dinghies) to Elephant Seal colonies in inaccessible bays which the ship couldn't reach. We sipped whisky and watched glaciers carve into the turquoise waters around us, and did treks with the Captain, where he pointed out nameless peaks where no human had ever climbed. The desolation and space and fundamentally lack of people was something enticing to me and I will never forget sitting on a hillside staring down at our vessel in the bay below just in awe of the size of the world around me, and at my own insignificance, quite humbling to say the least. Another area I always relish on any trip I've done is to learn about the place I visit so that I have a head start when it comes to trying to understand a place and get beyond the basic tourist facts. When we were introduced to our "experts" on board this was something I looked forward to every day. On Australis there is a daily lecture by one of the leaders in their field who were on board, we had Miguel who was a world leading academic on all the flora of the region, Klaus a swede who knew everything there was to know about penguins (and every other living thing in this part of the world) and also Anita who was a descendent from the local people of Tierra Del Fuego who educated us on the culture and traditions of the area. As well as daily briefings from the Captain and the crew on the route, possible changes with weather or simply when whales had been sited somewhere and so we'd want to have a look. This kind of flexibility was very appealing to me and didn't feel like I was locked to my cabin each day but had the fluidity to be able to explore, learn and enjoy the whole cruise. It is still one of the most enjoyable things I've ever done and will be something I'll be looking to repeat in the future, hopefully with a trip down to Antarctica if I can save some pennies. But although I've highlighted a trip to the frozen extremities of the earth, expedition cruising does not have to be the sole exercise of woolly hats and gloves. You can sail around the Philippines or Maldives perhaps, what about Tahiti and its outlying islands, or cruising down the Amazon? And this is what I'm here to help with, tailoring the trip so you get the most out of your experience and have a truly unforgettable holiday. So where's your next adventure going to take you?

02 June 2019

"What’s spring break" I heard one of the group exclaim, as we queued up to get into Coco Bongos, a nightclub with some level of infamy but also with an equal level of fun attached. I'd luckily won a place on a work trip to Cancun and the Riviera Maya and joined 20 of my fellow Travel Counsellors on a trip to explore the region and some of the best hotels around as well, tough gig! The only issue was (unbeknown to us) we'd entered Mexico around the same time as half of America’s teenagers coming to Cancun for the legendary party that is spring break. Luckily for us we were visiting some of the best hotels in the region and thus off limits in the majority to young Americans wanting to get drunk, PHEW! I'd been to Mexico before and backpacked around the region, but this was a lot more civilised and we got to enjoy the hospitality at some incredible "Dreams", "Secrets" and "Breathless" properties. They are all unique in their style and branding and offer something different for the groups they focus on. Dreams would be considered as a 4*+ experience generally focused on families. Properties like the Dreams Playa Mujeres has its own lazy river, and flumes and a water park to keep the kids (and big kids) entertained. Larger rooms accommodate families better and the range of facilities to keep the kids entertained was superb, everything from basketball courts to indoor football and everything in between. If you wanted to leave the resort and explore, the beautiful island of Isla Mujeres (Island of Women) is visible from the resort and a short cruise can be booked locally to drift across to investigate another piece of paradise. Breathless was more in keeping with our time coinciding with Spring Break. This place is all about having fun, and I'd recommend couples or groups of friends who like having a good time and enjoying themselves to visit. I was lucky enough to be here on my birthday and we had a big private cocktail reception with views over the ocean with our own DJ and private electric violinist as well. Its uber cool and really a place to be seen, DJs play by the pools all day and staff get involved with dancing around the pool. What I always advise my clients is to upgrade to the preferred club. This gives you loads of added benefits but the main one being access to the more serene and chilled preferred club pool. If you are a little tired of the party atmosphere at some of the other pools, you can get your own private cabana and fall asleep to some eclectic tunes before you get ready for another night of partying. Secrets is 5* Luxury for sure, Secrets Akumal was my favourite and the facilities and beachside location oozed class and sophistication. The food at the resorts was great but was just something that bit more special here, with the Asian restaurant Himitsu being my personal favourite. With the Unlimited Luxury concept you can basically eat anywhere and as much as you like, so fancy 5 starters rather than a main, no worries at all, don't do that with the Sushi though, as you'll competing for a sumo competition with the portion sizes they generously hand out. The pool and beach area are also lovely and for me a massive draw to this region is the powder white sand and gorgeously warm Ocean that laps up against these superb resorts. The Secrets properties are really suited to couples or older families but I for one would return in a second given the quality service and incredible food on offer. All in all, staying at any of these properties would make for a wonderful holiday but using a travel professional whose been means you can avoid going to a property which just doesn't suit you. Looking at the images of each of these properties and brands means they all look superb and they are, but if you are a bit more reserved for example Breathless would be a nightmare and wouldn't be a fun holiday at all, whereas Secrets would be perfect. If you take your family to Secrets, then you would have a lovely time, but Dreams would be better suited especially if you have active children who want to be entertained 24/7 like mine. If you have ever fancied going to Mexico and the Riviera Maya we visited over 20 hotels with all their unique pros and cons so let me guide you to the one that will be perfect for you and yours. Hasta Luego

01 September 2018

I realised after I'd met Gianfranco my driver, who was about to chauffeur me towards my river cruise, that I was about to be immersed in a world that I was not used to. The immaculate new Mercedes S Class was luxury defined, the handmade leather interior and refreshing towel to cool my sweaty brow was a welcome from the oppressive heat of a Bologna summer. This is how all clients who cruise with Uniworld are met and extracted from the hustle and bustle of the airport and transported into a world of elegance, sophistication and class like no other on their cruise around the great rivers of the world. I'd been picked up to meet our vessel the River Countess in Chioggia where it was docked for a few days. River cruising was a new concept for me, and while I had some pre-conceptions I soon realised these were born out of ignorance and advertising which needs to pigeon hole areas of the travel industry. As I boarded, a family of six comprising of mother, father, three daughters and one of the daughters’ partners, departed for a cycle tour of the nearby market town. I was expecting Zimmer frames not peddle power, but while the average age of river cruisers is still higher than some other forms of cruising, it’s the nature of the traveller which I found to be different. The need to explore and immerse rather than to gaze from afar was crucial to m and, to the demographic of those looking to try this out. I checked in and was whisked away to my luxurious cabin. With Uniworld every vessel is designed with the area it cruises in at its heart. As is each cabin, so no two cabins are the same. This makes for a unique and special experience, with your own specific works of art on the walls or your own tastefully decorated interior, matching the furnishings, it truly is a lovely place to relax. Though the reality of a river cruise is not spending all day in your cabin, it’s about getting out there and enjoying the outdoor delights on offer from the ship. The beauty of a river cruise is you are often docked right in the centre of a town or city, unlike the huge cruise ships which often have to dock miles away. Then the wait to get on the bus to get you to the "place" is another time consuming fact. On a river cruise you often just walk off the ship and there you are. I found myself one day simply finishing my delicious breakfast and two minutes later I was standing in St Mark’s Square in Venice with barely a soul around (I visited in August - which for anyone that's been before will know what an extraordinary statement that is). We did trips to keep away from the crowds, as we could be there when they were not. An exclusive visit to the Basilica at night, where they turned out the lights and we were the only ones in there, was a once in a lifetime experience. They chartered water taxis (James Bond style) to the market, and lo and behold we were there with the locals and only a few at that, wandering about the deserted streets. We took our private vaporetto to the outer islands, again to get there before the hoards descended and got to visit the Church at Torcello before anyone else was there. We were regaled with stories of medieval Venetian society while we gazed on the glittering magnificence of what has to be the best preserved pieces of ceramic art in Europe within the church, again private to us. The guides do this every day and know when and where to go and at what times to maximise the experience. I was truly flabbergasted by some of the trips and the knowledge and expertise of the guides, so if culture and experience is your thing, I would highly recommend Uniworld. Now, the food - where do I begin? It was delicious and while I need to buy a new wardrobe as I'm clearly a few inches larger around the waist, it was worth it. You can order what you want, this is luxury all inclusive, so if you want two starters and a pudding, go for it. If you prefer some soup, a main and the cheese board, no one will stop you. If you are like me and try every course with every matched wine and finish with the cheese board and recommended port.... well get ready to go to the gym when you get home. The food was like the rest of the cruise - local to where we were at that exact time. The chefs visit the local markets each day and produce local dishes with specialist focus on the region we were in. Obviously, we've all eaten Italian food before, but seriously some of the flavours and complex simplicity of the dining options were truly sublime and was an absolute highlight for me. Every day I woke up trying not to think about the food ahead as I got too excited and it distracted me from taking in the greatness of the rest of the experience. To summarise, I'd never done a river cruise before I did this one and have to say I was blown away. The relaxing meandering of the journey combined with small number of guests on board meant you got to know people onboard but not in a forced set seating kind of way. The standard and excellence of Uniworld is really second to none and I would recommend them to any of my clients who were looking for a really top end experience. I would say that 5* means so many different things to different people but where you can get a nice 5* Hilton, it’s not the same as the Four Seasons and that's what Uniworld is all about, the extra details, the attention to each and every guest. Two minutes after arriving everyone I met knew my name (even those who'd not met me before). Very impressive level of service and the bar staff especially remembered my preferred drinks orders which was handy as I'd had so many I'd forgotten. If you'd like to experience Uniworld or indeed any river cruise for that matter I've extensive experience to be able to recommend the cruise, flights, journey for you and yours perfectly. Get in touch and I'll make your dream trips a reality.

10 June 2018

Most of us who like to slide down mountains for fun have a pretty good gauge on European destinations, what works for us, our families etc and what's the kind of place that suits. Most of us have been on a few of these trips in our time and for some of the lucky few it’s a yearly adventure into the snow. However, with the changes in foreign exchange rates and simply the massive differences in experiences for all levels of slider in the U.S and Canada this market is massively opening up, but where are the luxury resorts, the family friendly resorts, where would you try and twin with other experiences not just snow based? I'll do my best to try and explain all below but as always if you have any specific questions or comparisons give me a buzz and I'll be happy to discuss further. I've picked three of my favourites but I'm here to get it right for you, so if these don't suit let me know and I'll find the perfect place for you. Canada - Whistler/Blackcomb I've been privileged enough to visit this incredible resort and enjoy myself here. Some have a pre-conception that as the largest of all the ski resorts in North America (8000+ acres) that Whistler is the Disneyland of skiing, but this could not be further from the truth. Whistler village is pedestrianised and very small, about 15 minutes to get from pretty much any point in the village, there are a few bars and restaurants with the hotels but otherwise it has a relaxed vibe and didn't seem overly busy when we were there. Given its size the positive is that with so many runs, so many cable car stations you have more opportunities on the mountain to ski/snowboard wherever you like, and with the peak to peak cable car, you can go up Blackcomb and come down Whistler mountain or vice versa. Once you've checked in you get access to an app which is linked to the resort which tells you if there is a wait at one station or another, how many people are in certain areas etc and also tracks all your skiing for the day and week and year, which is great if your away with competitive family members (not that I'm talking from experience of course), but being able to miss the queues means you have more time on the mountain, which is quite frankly the reason you are there. This resort is mainly geared to those who are improving, intermediate runs are shown as 55% of the entire resort with 27% being designated for those who are advanced. If you want a really testing experience there are probably other resorts which will challenge you, but if you are away with family or friends and want to be able to ski and snowboard some of the best runs in Canada, Whistler is the place to be. It can be easily combined with a trip to Vancouver or indeed some incredible train trips or road trips around the Rockies. Colorado/USA - Vail This place oozes class and is a very special place to enjoy the winter. Soft dry powder and the most groomed slopes on earth make this is a unique experience and would be focused on those of you that want to visit somewhere truly special and are prepared to pay for it. The front side of the resort has everything from gentle beginner slopes and rolling corduroy cruisers to moguls, glades and terrain parks. The back bowls are where things get serious, seven enormous powder bowls measuring up to 6 miles across, wilderness skiing at its best, the 10th infantry division of the U.S army used to train here for winter survival skills and thus why the ultra-exclusive restaurant here is called the "10th". But if the level of skiing hasn't exhausted you then world class dining, shopping, galleries and accommodation await in Vail Village and Lionshead (next door). As a guide to the focus here 53% of the terrain is advanced, but with the wilderness element to this resort you could be out in one on the bowls on your own enjoying true peace and solitude at whatever level you are. Great to mix with Denver or to pick and mix with other resorts like Beaver Creek and with the Epic Pass (discounted entry to all the Vail Resorts) you can do it relatively affordably without the hassle of paying each time. Class personified if you want to dine and slide with the elite. Colorado/USA – Breckenridge Want to ski for longer than most other parts of North America? Breckenridge will be the place to start, its higher than most other resorts and thus the snow arrives earlier and departs later. Before we get onto the slopes, the town is something to mention, as an old silver mining town its historic (in a US sense) and offers a really nice old world feel with wooden shuttered fronted boutiques and bars and restaurants, it’s not just a place to ski, and thus there is a local feel to it does not have that "fake" quality which you may get somewhere that has been purpose built for the ski season each year. But the town is a bonus and the slopes that surround the area are the reason to come and visit and experience superb terrain. Its five peaks offer numerous levels to enjoy, Breckenridge itself caters for all but would realistically be suited more for those wanting to improve or learn how to ski/snowboard, as its lower slopes are not as severe as elsewhere. However, there are surprises and the Imperial Express Super Chair (the highest lift in Northern America) serves an area of awe inspiring advanced and expert bowl terrain, so really something for all. I've not mentioned Sun Peaks or the world famous Aspen or even Park City which allows for a 30-minute transfer from an international airport unusual for the standard of resorts we are talking about. The value especially when you use the passes on offer can make for a better priced holiday than you would have imagined when compared to France, Austria or Switzerland as an example. This is why it’s important to talk to an expert like myself and combined with excellent offers and buying power through my chosen partners like Ski Independence. Why not give North America a go, I've never had anyone complain once they have tried it and with the rules there meaning you can ski/snowboard in the entire resort, things like the harsh European insurance cover when you go "off piste" does not apply the same way in the U.S and Canada and the spaces available are wide open to carve your way down the mountains. I look forward to planning your next winter holiday be it in Europe, or possibly North America or even further afield? Chile/Japan/New Zealand anyone but that's for another blog!

05 June 2018

I'll be honest, I didn't have massive expectations for our first family holiday as a foursome to Majorca. I mean we already have a lunatic raver of a 3-year-old and a 4 month old who quite frankly looks like she enjoys a buffet, so I thought they'd fit right into my perception of how the holiday was going to go as a stereotypical Med trip. I am happy to say my perception was 100% incorrect and we had a fantastic time exploring places I never knew existed in Majorca! We'd decided to pick a family orientated hotel in Costa Da Calma, near to Santa Ponsa. A chilled out and secluded area that allowed us some privacy but also close enough to be able to get out and about. As my daughters first words most mornings are "what are we doing today", this was quite important. Myself and my wife have travelled the world as well before our beautiful daughters arrived and so we are still very keen to explore, all be it with a skip worth of nappies and baby wipes in tow. So sitting on a beach for 10 days was not going to cut it for our overactive family unit. It was with this in mind that we'd heard about a scenic train from Palma that sounded just about plausible for our band of adventurers who need a nap every hour. A short taxi ride from the resorts of the south and you are at Palma train station, Grand Central it is not, but a quaint and relaxed tourist office awaits as you go and await the next train. They are pretty regular but make sure you check the schedule for returning as they are a bit staggered and we decided a one way and taxi back was the best for our/all of Majorca’s peace of mind. The train carriages resemble something out of a Thomas the Tank engine cartoon (sorry my metaphors can only be children’s story/TV related now), and Annie and Clarabelle and their friends clattered along gently across the plains of Majorca towards the jagged peaks in the north west of the island. The scenery really is a lot more dramatic than I'd imagined and was truly beautiful with the cloudless sky as a back drop. We trundled up to the base of the mountains and wound our way through a few tunnels and out into verdant valleys of olive and lemon trees. Quiet villages and villas clung to the hills watching our relaxed progress down the valley and through the passes. The end of the line is a gorgeous town in the shade of the Tramuntana mountains called Soller, with a quintessentially Spanish plaza and an old church. Locals sip coffee and while away the days as tourists dot in and out of boutiques. But the main reason for the train trip, via a short tram ride is Port De Soller, the marina and bay for the rich and famous, and us! The tram again from a bygone age trundles along the shoreline, past contemporary hotels and old tavernas, past sailing boats and super yachts that wouldn't look out of place in Monaco for the Grand Prix. This place oozes class and I can't believe I'd never heard of it. A lovely sandy beach with the backdrop of cloud shrouded mountains makes for a vista I really would never have expected in Majorca. One of the top hotels in the country let alone on Majorca is situated just around the bay, as well as more affordable villas and hotels closer to the marina itself. When I come back I'm staying here for sure, it’s awesome - and there is a playpark near the tram stop - winner! As mentioned before, the schedule on the train meant that to spend a decent amount of time we could either leave at 2pm or 6pm, so given a guaranteed meltdown was assured if we hung about till 6pm, we opted for a taxi (about €50 back to Santa Ponsa). The train is pretty much the same for a return so it’s more expensive, but we have a policy of where possible, if it’s easier it’s the choice we make! Anyway, the road back from Port De Soller goes through a big tunnel and onto the motorway, exciting eh? Luckily for us the tunnel was closed. How would we get home we asked the taxi driver in what can only be described as English with a Spanish accent? He advised us that the coastal road was beautiful and while it would take 10 minutes longer, it was better than waiting for the tunnel to open again. Seeing the fury in our children’s eyes at being delayed for 5 seconds we decided to get moving. And I am so happy this chance happening occurred. The coastal route is stunning, winding up and up into the mountains with views down over secluded homes with terracotta tiles on their roofs, private pools gave views down the hundreds of metres to the azure sea below. But it’s the town of Deia and its neighbour Valdemossa that captured our hearts. If you'd said we were in Tuscany I'd have believed you. The view as you arrive outside of Deia is like arriving at the gates of Rohan (apologies I like Lord of Rings), a hill piled high with old buildings and narrow streets rises to a citadel with a clock tower on the peak, surrounded on all sides by rugged arid mountains. Beautiful is the word that doesn't even come close, the history of both places is forged around artisans and musicians staking their claims to peace and solitude. And while individuals like Chopin and Borges spent much time in the villages I can understand why. Peace and restfulness abound in both places and again with Port De Soller I can't think of three places that are further away from my ridiculous pre-conception of Majorca than these. Not a British pub or Sunday roast in site, thank goodness. And only about 30 minutes away from the majority of the South Coast resorts so easily reached either as a day trip or as an interesting twin centre. I'll be back with the Bishop family and next time we'll be staying in a secluded bay and in the mountains of Majorca.

14 January 2018

This was one of many adventures I'd done in Australia while I lived there for over a year, and this country has everything to offer the first-time visitor or the frequent traveller. My favourite state is Queensland. I lived in Brisbane for six months and so found the relaxed lifestyle and incredible weather very appealing. There is even a beach in the middle of the city, what's not to love? With the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Whitsundays and Barrier Reef, the aquatic focus is obvious but there are some gems in the interior as well. The Glasshouse Mountains just north of Brisbane are stunning and the Atherton Tablelands outside of Cairns are well worth a visit and a Hot Air Balloon trip over them is a great way to see somewhere often missed. Tasmania is my next favourite state, but I'm a little biased as I have family who live in the wonderfully named "Paradise" in the north of the island. Gourmands will love Tassie, as the food and drink here are arguably some of the best in the country and with such a diverse eco system, the variables on your plate for dinner are something to be enjoyed! The wilderness of Tassie is my main reason for loving this island, the interior is huge with virtually no roads, the Cradle Mountain National Park is very beautiful and if you can get as far as the Walls of Jerusalem National Park you really are in the middle of nowhere. The Bay of Fires in the north west and Freycinet are also incredibly beautiful and in Wineglass Bay you have one of the top ten beaches in the world. But my absolute favourite part of the Tassie is the Boags Brewery in Hobart. Cheers! Last but not least it has to be New South Wales. Sydney is one of the most incredibly situated cities on earth. The harbour is awesome and If I was going to choose the best commute in the world it has to be by ferry from Manly to the Circular Quay, the view of the bridge all the way to work, the sunset over the Pacific on the way home, not too shabby! The Blue Mountains and Hunter Valley nearby give a great contrast to the hustle and bustle of the city, and allow you to get out and walk through some virgin Eucalyptus forests and drink some superb wines as you relax at one of the many vineyards. Further up the coast you have the interesting Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour before you arrive at Byron Bay and the surfing mecca of Australia. All in all, Australia truly has something for everyone and even if you have been loads of times there are so many areas to explore you can never get bored. I've been to every state and territory apart from Canberra (ACT), so I class myself as somewhat of an expert. If you fancy visiting this incredible country, or you've been but want some inspiration to see somewhere new, get in touch as I'd love to help make your dream a reality. I pride myself on my customer service and so if you get in touch for your holiday or business trip I guarantee to focus on your specific requirements and tailor the trip to you and you alone, no one person is the same so why would your holidays be the same? I'm here to make the best for your budget and include experiences you had never thought possible.

27 November 2017

Walking into the lobby, Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody moving me closer to the feathered Brazilian Carnival ensemble once worn by Sir Elton, I did question what was I getting myself into. Our next adventure with our daughter Summer was a bit of winter sunshine in Tenerife and more specifically staying in the Hard Rock Hotel initially, before moving to one of the Luxury Hotels of the World, the magnificent Bahia Del Duque. We were only away for a week and this was as far as we'd travelled since our Mauritius exploits when she was 8 months, see previous blog. Obviously given the fact she was now mobile and conscious of every face on the flight we knew that this would be a bit different. I can't speak highly enough of Norwegian Airlines who we flew with direct. Normally I enter a plane of the "budget" variety with a sense of dread, and that's without a 2 year old in tow, but this experience was very different. I've been on scheduled carriers, such as BA, which I found to be a lot more cramped than the generous seat pitch offered by Norwegian so I was pleasantly surprised when I could stretch out and relax (I'm 6ft 6 inches so that really is a pleasure for me). Given the access to special fares that I have with Travel Counsellors I was able to pre-book seats (free of charge earlier than non-prepaying passengers) and had a massive 46kgs per person in baggage free of charge too. The lowest fare when I checked online was £60 more per person and did not include any of the above so a great deal to a wonderful destination. Once we arrived we were whisked away to Playa Paraiso and the Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife. I'd been told only good things by numerous colleagues and friends about this newly opened property and it did not disappoint. Music was always playing much to the delight of my daughter, and she danced and skipped about most days to various Michael Jackson tracks or ACDC anthems. Now this does not mean that at every corner there is a tattooed, long haired rocker waiting to thrash out an air guitar, it's actually pretty relaxed and a lot classier than I thought it would be. They have live music at various points through the day, from the classically trained Spanish guitar player at breakfast to the Prince tribute act playing in the lobby. There are DJs playing at the pools (including the kids pool) which Summer absolutely loved, and it gave a really chilled out vibe to the entire resort, which I really enjoyed. The Beach club area was awesome and to be honest would be magic to just while away a few weeks, sipping cocktails at the swim up bar, but Summer preferred the heated kids pool with small slides and inflatables so we hung around there most days. The rooms were incredible and the Silver Suite was well worth the relatively small upgrade cost as it was huge! We had a balcony overlooking the beach club as well so lots of space to relax when Summer was taking her afternoon nap. After four days rocking out at the Hard Rock we got to change hotels so took a taxi the short distance to Costa Adeje and the Bahia Del Duque. What a hotel this is, a very famous property on Tenerife but overall one of the finest properties in the Canaries and we loved it. A far more tranquil experience here, and while the average age was certainly older than Hard Rock it had a more refined feel to it and we really enjoyed the architecture and ambience. We were upgraded to a Seaview suite at check in which was really an amazing gesture and I would recommend this suite any day of the week. Especially having a wee one, it meant we had our own room where we could relax at night when she slept next door, and with our own balcony with sunset views of the ocean and beautiful gardens below it was a great way to end each day. For such an upmarket hotel the kids facilities were really good and staff were so friendly and accommodating. If you don't feel comfortable eating in the restaurants at the hotel with a little one like we did, a 2 minute walk out the door of the hotel led you onto the promenade where there are lots of restaurants and bars to suit all budgets. Equally the stretch of beach just outside the hotel is superb and it is really reasonable to hire a lounger for the day, but to be honest the facilities inside the hotel are so good, I'd probably just pop out for a swim and then head back into the resort. Overall a fantastic holiday which gave me a real contrast into two hotels and areas of an island I'd not visited before. So if you have any wishes to visit the Canaries or Tenerife specifically please get in touch to find out more and I'll be happy to share more details of my trip and insights I got from my contacts at the hotels and through the Tourist board. Look forward to speaking to you soon. David david.bishop@travelcounsellors.com 0131 516 3920 or 07896 496 727 www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/david.bishop

17 August 2017

As I sat in a Mongolian Ger in my shorts, with the raging blizzard whirring outside, sipping vodka neat and wondering on my clothing choice, knowing I would soon need to use the facilities and would have to brave -45 temperatures, I did wonder how I had got to this point? And also why there was a board game with Sheeps Knuckles in front of me? But I've jumped ahead a little too far, let me roll back a few weeks. Myself and my girlfriend (now wife) had decided that our first holiday after leaving university was to be something predictable, something mainstream, something which involved learning Cyrillic and travelling across the largest country on earth. Yup, we were off on the Trans Mongolian railway adventure....in winter! I'd always been fascinated in Russian history and after finishing various courses at University on the subject I could not wait to go and visit the country to make real in my mind the stories and accounts I'd learnt about over the previous four years. Walking down Nevsky Prospekt in St Petersburg, to gazing across Red Square at the magnificence of St Basil's, to wandering into the eery quiet of the church in Yekateringburg where the last Tsars were buried were all unique experiences and ones I revelled in. But the real memories that we made on that trip revolved around the wonderful Russian and Mongolian people and the bizarre activities that we were involved in almost on a daily basis. One morning in Yekateringburg on the border of Europe and Asia, we were picked up by our guide Anatoly in a 1970s Russian army 4x4 vehicle. Within the vehicle sat Anatoly his driver friend Grigor and 6 blue eyed huskies, who stared at us hungrily. Now when I'd booked this "additional activity" in the travel agents I'd thought how romantic it will be to be whisked around a snowy Russian forest by huskies with images of Dr Zhivago running through my mind. As Anatoly sat my girlfriend on the front of the sledge and motioned for me to shout "hack" at the dogs to get them going, it soon sank in that I was the one steering the sled. He walked back to the vehicle shut the door and drove off down the forest track ahead of us. What followed was one of the most knackering 30 minutes of my life, desperately shouting at the huskies to get them going while pushing the sled through 6ft snow drifts, when they did actually go for it I had to balance on one leg while depressing the metal bar at the back which was the break, it was on one of these moments that I fell off! As my girlfriend careered off around a corner only being powered by out of control huskies I did fear for the worst. Luckilly the lazy beasts slowed and didn't mutilate her around one of the numerous pine trees. We travelled on to the magnificent Lake Baikal which given the time of year was frozen over with 5m of ice. Trucks were driving over the new motorway which would thaw and disappear in a few month's time, better them than me. Onwards over the border to the Mongolian Capital of Ulaan Bator, I climbed down onto the icy station to be greeted by a digital display stating minus 45 degrees! Yikes! My eyelids began to freeze shut. We were taken from the city to a definite contender for middle of nowhere top spot in the Gobi Desert. Four Ger tents were erected, one for food preparation and the others for us, the guests. We rode ponies the next day to visit some locally camped nomads, that night the Vodka drinking began, by this point I was somewhat of a connoisseur of the potato juice. Out came the Sheeps' Knuckles, well to be honest obviously sheep don't have knuckles as the concept of a sheep with hands is a bit terrifying. Anyway, they are actually discs from the sheep's spine, which is a lot better? You roll the "knuckles" and depending on how they fall you get a score. I never understood the scoring system and after the third bottle of vodka between the 6 of us I don't think my fellow travellers did either but I remember that night in the roasting hot Ger tent, with the raging snowstorm outside billowing at the tent pegs. What an experience and what a place to visit, still one of the best adventures I ever took part in and even better as it was the first trip I took with my wife. I can highly recommend it in winter, though make sure you take your thermals and gloves, and maybe some de-icer for your eyelids! Sundowners offer group tours as well as bespoke tailormade touring all of which I can ably help to get arranged. The Trans Siberian is the classic, but a Mongolian side trip and finishing in Beijing is highly recommended or why not do the last place on my bucket list - the Silk Route? Give me a buzz or email to discuss what you are into so I can make it the best trip you'll ever experience and if it's the Silk Route I may even see you out there! Dasvidanya, David

28 July 2017

Were we prepared for a journey of 16 hours to Mauritius? Well if by taking 15 bags of nappies, enough baby biscuits to fill a Mcvities convention and furry toys that could rival a clear-out at Toys R Us, then possibly?! Of course though like all good plans, something was bound to go wrong. My wife alas, the true organiser and in control of everything fell ill on the way out, literally as we passed over the cliffs of Dover - not a good start. What was there to do? Well in the case of Emirates who we were lucky enough to be flying, take my daughter off my hands for a few minutes and take polaroids of her. Something which kept her amused for atleast 10 minutes - but that was 10 minutes less that I didn't need to worry about. I won't bore you with the details but after two long flights which thankfully mummy and daughter slept for the majority we arrived in paradise, timing of the flights is key! Now my daughter Summer, has never been abroad, well unless you count Wales, has never been on a plane, and certainly never been to the Indian Ocean. So why did we decide to take her away on such a trek? Simple really we have both travelled extensively all our lives and while I know that she won't regale dinner parties when she is older of "the first time I dipped my feet in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean", I do hope that she may get some experiences which may stay with her - donuts for breakfast was one! Oh dear -10 traveller/parent points. We were lucky enough to stay in 3 resorts over our three week trip, Le Touessrok, the Four Seasons Anahita and for Mum and Dad our second stay at the Oberoi. Let me be honest with you now, the main reason for this trip was so Mum and Dad could eat again at the Oberoi, as the food was nothing short of sublime. So yes please call me a fool for subjecting my daughter to this journey on the back of a need to indulge in Michelin star dining, but I would also ask you to hold fire till you have gone there yourself and tried the Indian Thali, or the divine ice cold cooking of the baked Alaska in carbon dioxide. The food at all three hotels was superb as you would expect, but away from the fine dining in the evening, the staff were so helpful and on hand to help with our daughter's needs and even took her away to her shrieks of delight to see the chef and his sous-chefs in the kitchen. What happened in there I never knew but she always came out with chocolate on her face and a smile from ear to ear, so can't have been all bad. The staff at every possible opportunity did everything they could to make our life easier, from the food, to making sure we were shaded when eating to giving us tips on when certain pools were quieter so we could take our wee one and not upset any of the other guests. I know we had as much right to be there as everyone else but I just thought it was a nice touch so everyone could feel comfortable and not have a selfish, as long as I'm alright policy. I could not recommend these properties enough for families, as I was not sure how it would go down before I left with such a young child in such luxurious settings, but the staff were amazing and made this holiday, the best holiday my daughter will never remember! If you would prefer to go on holiday and remember it, then please get in touch and I'd love to help plan your next trip to paradise.