12 December 2017

In October I experienced the inaugural short flight of two hours, 15 minutes from Stansted to Oradea, Romania. Our transfer took 15 minutes to Bali Felix staying in the new President Spa Hotel. This hotel is part of a group of hotels on the same resort built on a thermal plain. The temperature of the thermal water is 37-38C and this is used in all the 17 pools within the complex. Adjacent to the hotels is a health centre, which includes medical consulting rooms and offers over seven types of medically managed treatments. I experienced a mud wrap and I would highly recommend the complex for rest and post op recovery. Next to the President Spa Hotel is the Aqua Park, which includes indoor and outdoor pools with a gaming area and sports facilities. The hotels also offer conference facilities (for 350 people) and a traditional log building where we experienced a themed Romanian evening with a rustic meal, and costume dancing with singing. The weather was very warm at 24C in the daytime and rather cooler in the evenings. A local horse riding centre was a five-minute walk from the hotel and a small group of us took a hack around the area. We also visited Oradea, with fabulous architectural buildings around the main square of the city. There is lots of history and inside the medieval fortress of Oradea is a sister property of the President, Hotel Cetate. There are only 17 rooms but it’s totally boutique and authentic, with high arch ceilings and tiled floors. It’s an ideal base to explore the city and I would recommend a twin centre stay with the President Spa. We visited the Meziad caves, a maze of 7km of huge caverns and then on to Rosia Village for a traditional rustic lunch passing through the Aspusen National Park, which reminded me of New England, beautiful autumnal colours at this time of year. The people were very welcoming, and the prices are extremely reasonable for Europe. Fantastic destination for a short break or extend to a week to explore this wonderful region.

08 January 2013

On my recent trip to the Gambia our group met at Gatwick for our six hour flight with Monarch airlines. We arrived at Banjul to a welcome blast of African heat! Our home for the next five days was the 5* Kairaba Hotel. My terrace room was very spacious, overlooking the landscaped gardens. I instantly felt relaxed and was taken back with how friendly everyone was. Every morning the resident peacocks strolled around the grounds! Breakfast offered a large selection including local specialities. I visited various other hotels and my favourites were the following: Mandina Lodges are unique lodges offering an escape from the buzzing Banjul area. I was privileged to be among three fellow travellers on a sunset cruise along the river Gambia. We were escorted by a knowledgeable guide who pointed out hidden wildlife along the banks. Centred in the Makasutu Forest, the lodges are a true way to experience life in the wilderness (with some home comforts) from the star filled skies to the abundant birdlife. It’s definitely an escape to nature. Ngala Lodge is a small boutique hotel situated in Fayara in a fantastic location with tiered garden terraces down to the ocean. There are only 18 suites, all individually designed, and many have their own Jacuzzis and private gardens. We experienced a superb lunch at the cliff top restaurant, it was exquisite dining! Bakotu Hotel, although not directly on the beach (100 yards across the road) is a small and friendly hotel with a unique layout and its own peaceful forest appeals. Walking off the main street in Kotu, through reception to the pool area offers instant tranquillity and a relaxed atmosphere. The rooms are like mini bungalows dotted round the gardens, simply furnished, but of a good standard. To the side of the grounds is a large decked viewing platform, ideal for bird watching. Senegambia Hotel is next door to the Kairaba. It’s quite a lively resort with an outstanding flat beach. There is lots of entertainment, including the resident Vulture's feeding at 11:30am daily. There are excellent dining choices and we were privileged to view a wedding ceremony in the beautifully decorated gazebo. Just outside the hotel is the main “strip" with plenty of bars, restaurants and gift and essential supply shops. My Top Tips: - No time difference from GMT which means no jet lag. - Return the local welcome smiles and engage in conversations. - Expect to barter a little in the craft markets where you can buy great wooden carvings and dyed sarongs. - Try a local excursion with a knowledgeable tour guide. - Trace the history of the slave trade. - Try a cooking class.

19 June 2012

Colorado, a state of contrasts. After a comfortable flight with American Airlines via Dallas I arrived in Denver, the “mile high” city. With a short transfer time of 30 minutes you reach Downtown. Our overnight stay was in the historic Brown Palace Hotel. The rooms were spacious and included unique period features. The location was ideal as it was only a brief walk to the city centre but as an alternative, a complimentary shuttle bus operates along the main high street for further transportation. A must visit is the Colorado History Museum and the Denver Mint where Quarters, Dimes and Nickels are produced. There were also great tours available if you have the time. Just outside Denver, we were lucky enough to stop at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre and Visitors Centre. What a view! Naturally shaped through the Red Rocks, the acoustically perfect theatre is the only one of its kind in the world! The venue attracts many famous performers illustrated by their extensive “Hall of Fame”. Next, it was off to Granby to experience the C Lazy U dude Ranch. Rated in the top 50 ranches of America, the Ranch had, as you expect, outstanding facilities set within 8,000 acres. From horseback riding to fly-fishing, all activities offered were once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for both singles and families alike. The lodges were first class with luxurious characteristics but in keeping with a homely vibe. My next adventure was a 3 hour drive away at Glenwood Springs. We were whisked straight onto an ATV tour, assigned a tour guide and began our exploration of the Colorado wilderness with an energising trek up the mountains. After a very active day, the ultimate relaxation followed at the “Glenwood Hot Springs Pool”. Surrounded by the Rocky Mountains, the thermal waters were 91 degrees Fahrenheit. Great for the aching muscles! The next day before we set off on route to Grand Junction, we zip lined over the Colorado River. In addition we visited Glenwood Cavern's Adventure Park arriving via a Gondola-ride up the side of Iron Mountain. Grand Junction is Colorado's Wine country, full of natural beauty and plenty of outdoor activities. Not to mention the mouth-watering gourmet dining. Colorado National Monument was our stunning location for breakfast at 2000ft above the Grand Valley of the Colorado River. The vistas were astounding and spanned further than the eye can see. Thereafter we visited the charming historical town of Salida. Filled with art galleries, sculptures and specialist stores, it offers a refreshing timeout. Onwards from Salida we travelled to Colorado Springs. At the “Garden of the Gods” we experienced the breath-taking spectacle of the 1,350 acre park, filled with 300 million year old rock formations. A guided jeep tour proved the best way of seeing the sights through the park. Afterwards we went to Manitou Springs. Another historic town but larger than Salida, Manitou Springs had a retro ‘hippy’ feel which seemed to result in a chilled artistic inspiration to the bars, shops and restaurants. That evening, we had a scrumptious gourmet dinner at the award-winning restaurant, Summit, based in the Broadmoor Hotel. On our final day, we got to experience the famous Pikes Peak Mountain. At 14,115 foot above sea level, Pikes Peak, towers above Colorado Springs. Early next morning, we travelled 9 miles to the summit, with a scenic ride on the Pikes Peak Cog Railway. After acclimatising to the altitude and eating their legendary doughnuts, I was ready for the bike ride of my life! What an experience! Lead by a guide, we descended down 11 miles of Pike's Peak highway. An appropriate dynamic ending to what was indeed both a challenge and tremendous adventure. To sum up - Colorado is an action-packed state. Not only is there awe-inspiring scenery, copious history, and exceptional gourmet dining, the people are genuinely wonderful. And with such an abundance of energetic activities offered, you are thankful to have the therapeutic hot springs to take a moment to truly be inspired by your surroundings!

23 May 2011

On a short visit to Turkey we flew from Gatwick on Easyjet to Dalaman, a quick 3.5 hour flight. Visas are obtained on entry so don't forget your £10 note! It was my first visit to a Turkish resort. Our transfer was by minibus and took an hour and forty five minutes. During the journey we passed through green valleys, mountains and acres of greenhouses filled with ripening tomatoes - very scenic! HOTEL OASIS was our base for 3 nights, located in the heart of Kalkan, which is an adult only hotel outside the school holidays. The hotel has 17 rooms & suites. My room (301) overlooked the pool and roof terrace, and was very spacious. I found the hotel staff to be very attentive and the buffet breakfast offered a large choice of hot and cold options. LIKYA RESIDENCE Another adult only luxury resort, all the rooms offered plenty of space and generous terraces overlooking the sea. I was impressed with the outside areas, there was a garden breakfast terrace and opposite the hotel rooms a giant pool surrounded by decking with plenty of loungers. It was also a short 15 minute walk into town. I can highly recommend the Aubergine restaurant, which you can find on the harbour front. It offered a superb menu with local delicacies. We enjoyed a traditional Turkish Menze to start with sea bass dressed with prawns and vegetables to follow, all topped off with a Turkish coffee. Opposite the dining room we retired to a lounge area with soft seating and when the temperature dipped the waiter came over with fleece blankets! All part of the service! ASFIYA HOTEL Asfiya Hotel is a family property, which features a vast selection of room types. Four people were able to share a room with the addition of sofa beds. The penthouse for that special treat includes your own rooftop pool and uninterrupted views over Kalkan. The Deluxe suites were also impressive with a Jacuzzi bath overlooking the pool areas which is why many repeat guests return year after year. KAS PENINSULA HOTEL & SPA A short transfer of 15 minutes took us to Kas and the Cukurbag Peninsula. This is a brand new hotel with fabulous views from each of its decked terraces and 13 of the 18 suites have their own plunge pool. The hotel also offers a shuttle bus into Kas, which is only a short five minute drive away. The Discerning Collection villa properties were all of a very high standard. I would also say that Patara is well worth a visit, it is an ancient archaeological site adjacent to a magnificent beach, so offers an interesting combination for beach lovers and historians alike! All in all they were excellent resorts and a great idea for a short break as well as a longer stay.

30 November 2009

This was a fantastic short visit to Jamaica which definitely exceeded my expectations of the island. I travelled on the re-instated flight with British Airways on the Montego Bay service which has resumed after a sense year absence. On my first day I climbed Dunn's River Falls at Ocho Rios, which was a exhilarating experience - all 600ft! The guide was very sure footed and I highly recommend wearing beach shoes! After wandering around the adjacent local craft market I headed on to Dolphin Cove. The centre offers a Dolphin swim experience, nature walks and getting up close to Sting rays. The highlight of my trip was a swim with Clypso & Mitch, the resident Dolphins, where I was pulled around by their fins then pushed up by them, making a truly unique and memorable day. They really are amazingly gentle creatures with big personalities. I enjoyed a large variety of local cuisine - Jamaican Jerk (spicy, hot chicken) was a taste sensation. We also visited Rose Hall Great House, which is a fantastic plantation set in beautiful grounds with very interesting history and my guide had lots of stories to tell. Jamaica is a beautiful destination which offers plenty of activities or if you prefer you can relax on the wonderful palm lined beaches. During my visit I experienced friendly people and great hospitality. The catch phrase from the Tourist Board is" Once you go you know" and this is so true!

11 September 2008

Experiencing my first cruise on Cunard as we left Southampton with the sounds of the ship's band playing and accompanied by many small boats escorting us from the port, I felt quite emotional. I was very impressed with the layout of the ship, she is very grand. I've never seen so many Grand Pianos in one place! There were also plenty of bars (12in total) and three main restaurants. The journey up to Bergen was very smooth. We arrived in fantastic weather, which continued all week. Bergen, a UNESCO World Heritage City, is Norway's second largest port. We disembarked from the ship along the Northern Quay, which is lined with timbered Hanseatic houses. Most of these have been converted into craft shops. Lots of leather, crystal and hand knitted beautiful sweaters. In the centre of the city is the Fisketorget (fishmarket) which was a feast for the eyes, all locally caught fish. Bergen was quite lively with a band playing in the shopping centre. We found a small bar, but the drinks however were expensive compared to the UK. The following day we arrived at Hellesylt, the views from our balcony were amazing. We continued sailing along the deep narrow fjord,viewing stunning waterfalls on the way to Geiranger. We took the excursion to the Geiranger Fjord Centre (very interesting) and then up to the Eagles Bend by coach.The views of the Seven Sisters waterfall are magnificent. Photos just do not do the area justice! Saturday and Aalesund; we docked right next to the marina. The town is very pretty built in the Art Nouveau style, colourful houses line the area. We tried the local delicacy Klippfisk (salt cod) and Svele (a crisp pancake), both of which were delicious. I've never seen so many Trolls! Our last destination, Stravanger. The fourth largest city at the mouth of Gandsfjord. A very scenic harbour with wooden buildings and cobbled streets. We took a cruise from Strandkaien to Lysefjord. It was a relaxing afternoon viewing dramatic scenery, covering a part of the 31 mile Fjord. The cuisine on the ship was excellent and the service superb. Nothing we asked for was too much trouble. There were comprehensive daily activities with something suitable for every guest as well as activities for those choosing not to go on shore excursions. A great holiday with some amazing and unforgettable memories!

02 June 2008

I experienced a multi centre stay in Egypt. Spending 3 nights at The Grand Rotana,1 night at The Hilton, Coral Bay and 3 nights at the Hyatt Regency, Taba Heights. I travelled along with 15 other Travel Agents, including a fellow Travel Counsellor. We flew out from Gatwick with Monarch Airways. I would recommend upgrading to premium class as the seat pitch was considerably more comfortable and was a great start to my holiday. As soon as I arrived, I experienced a totally different landscape. Lots of golden sands, camels and a fantastic sunset! Suprisingly I found Sharm El Sheikh to be quite a lively resort. As we walked down the main high street the atmosphere was 'buzzy' with lots of authentic shops selling local crafts and plenty of bars with fragrant smells drifting from the spice shops. My first full day in Egypt I took a snorkelling trip from Naama Bay, the water was crystal clear and very warm. The array of colourful fish were amazing. I would highly recommend this trip as a must do. We then travelled up the coast to Coral Bay by coach. The beach at the Hilton was located very close to the hotel, a real bonus as the views were amazing. We also took advantage of the many market stalls selling hand -made jewellery. On to Taba Heights, a smaller resort than Sharm with a manicured feel about it. As we arrived the sun was reflecting off the mountains and we headed for a golf lesson at the course which surrounds all the hotels. It was my first experience at golf and I enjoyed it. The manager was on hand to pass on his expert tips. Our hotel here was very spacious with a Mediterranean feel. The beach was just a few steps from our room, with level paths down to the very wide, flat golden sands - perfect! In the evening we caught the shuttle bus to the town, located on the mountainside. This also linked the watersports centre with all the costal hotels. The following day we had an early start, travelling to the local canyon for a quad bike ride. Another first for me, and after feeling a little apprehensive we set off. Once I had mastered the controls it was a fantastic, unique experience. I really enjoyed my visit to Egypt. It has transformed my knowledge and pre informed opinions of this amazing country. Whether to relax by one of the many beautiful beaches or experience the fascinating culture, I would have no hesitation in re visiting. The food was of a very high standard, and if you are looking for guaranteed winter sun, Egypt is the place!