05 September 2025

Day 1 – Southampton & Embarkation My adventure begins in Southampton. Check-in was swift, despite the 5000 people all trying to get on board at once. Once onboard, Iona charms with its soaring triple-deck Grand Atrium, glass walls framing the sea, and Italian-marble staircase. We unpacked in our balcony cabin (midships Balcony cabin.) and headed up to explore. The ship was buzzing with excitement

21 November 2024

The Final Solution (A Krakow short break) I recently had the privilege of travelling to Krakow for a long weekend. It is something that I have had on my mind for a long time, as something I wanted to do, but never quite got round to it! It is a very simple and easy destination to get to. You can fly from Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted with flights at most times of the day. We flew out of Gatwick

02 August 2024

We all know the Relais and Chateux brand, right? Nice hotels, good food. Thats it? How wrong was I? I have recently returned from an amazing experience in 3 hotels, from Bulgaria to Greece. I did one of their Route de Bonheurs (Trip to happiness), and it certainly lived up to its name. If flew into Sofia (Bulgaria's capital city). I wouldnt say the city has much to stay for, so we headed out st

02 August 2024

Well, after the last year, I deserved a holiday, right? So, I took myself off to St Lucia. I wanted a few days on my own with just good books and the sun to keep me company. I treated myself to business class there and back on BA, and the service was amazing. I was greeted in St Lucia like a VIP, and after clearing customs, I was whisked off to the hotel. The journey is about 2 hours, but I saw

23 June 2023

Nestled in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea, the picturesque island of Sardinia is a true gem waiting to be discovered. With its crystal-clear turquoise waters, pristine beaches, and rugged landscapes, Sardinia offers a perfect destination for a memorable getaway. Join us as we delve into an itinerary for a captivating 3-night adventure in this enchanting Italian island. Day 1: Arrival in Cagli

23 June 2023

In the world of luxury travel, few experiences can match the opulence and grandeur of Celebrity Cruises. From lavish accommodations to exquisite dining options, this renowned cruise line offers a truly unforgettable journey for discerning travellers. I will delve into the world of Celebrity Cruises, exploring what sets them apart, their exceptional amenities, and why they continue to be a top choi

24 October 2022

After 13 years running my own business, I have finally made it to be a GOLD Travel Counsellor. This puts me in the top 10% of the business, which is a great pay off for the hard work over those years, and vindication for the number of times I just missed the qualification period by a few pounds! As a Thank you from the business, I was invited to attend the Gold Travel Counsellors conference in D

06 May 2020

I decided late in the summer that it was time to give myself a holiday! I haven’t had one in a while, and while booking other peoples trip is all well and good, it’s not quite the same as going yourself So I researched my favourite winter sun destinations, and I landed on Tenerife. I wanted to be in the south of the island, so I decided on the Sheraton La Caleta Hotel. I booked my flights, and ac

06 May 2020

Jumping on the Eurostar and heading off for an adventure in Paris sounds like such a great idea doesn’t it? You buy your ticket, board the train and spend two or three days in a lovely city interacting with the locals and sipping Rose wine while an accordian player serenades you and your significant other….so how come we all aren’t doing it all the time? Well, life gets in the way doesn’t it? Pari

17 December 2018

It’s been a couple of weeks since I returned from conference in Glasgow. What a beautiful city Glasgow is. Not that I spent a great deal of time sightseeing. I must admit that I went from the train station to my hotel, and then on to the conference centre. What I did see was lovely, and I will definitely be going back there again soon. I have great friends that live quite close by, so it won't be

21 August 2018

It’s not often you get a call on a Friday afternoon inviting you to travel to the other side of the world, with two weeks’ notice. That is the situation I happily found myself in. With a few emails and calls made to clear my diary, I gladly accepted the offer. We flew to Denpasar Bali with Qatar Airways, travelling via Doha. I found the airline to be excellent, with good seats having decent leg

25 July 2018

Surprisingly, Bridget Bardot wasn’t born in the south of France (or in particular, St Tropez), but the place has become synonymous with her. In the 60s and 70s, she became the face of the Cote D’Azur, and made it one of the most fashionable places to holiday and be seen. The wonderful beaches of the Pampelone area were where I spent most of my holidays growing up. My parents owned a villa withi

28 September 2017

A couple of weeks ago I was lucky enough to be invited by Air France and KLM to take a day trip to Paris to see the airlines' facilities at their hub, Charles de Gaulle airport. In order to get the most out of the day we had an early start, and I decided to let the train take the strain, and catch the Heathrow Express from Paddington station in central London. It's been a long time since I used

29 December 2016

It’s said that you need a car to visit Los Angeles- NOT TRUE!! If you take the Movie stars homes tour or a 72-hour bus pass, you’ll be on your way to having the keys to the city!....and even if that isn’t enough, it’s one of the easiest cities to find an Uber cab! The 24, 48 or 72-hour passes are convenient…you don’t need a reservation, and pass holders can board at any one of 70 stops in the

19 September 2016

Kia Ora, Some of the best trips you go on are not necessarily planned that far in advance! I had a very last minute trip to New Zealand at the end of August. Sadly, it was for the funeral of a close family friend, so the reasons for travelling were not ideal. I found a great deal with Qantas airlines to fly me from London to Wellington (via Dubai and Sydney). The inflight entertainment on

27 April 2016

Last week, I went on a little trip to Dubai! Flying there with Emirates was an absolute delight. I flew on the A380 aircraft and with the space I had, I could easily have been travelling in business class. Include in that the big screen, and the mammoth entertainment system (with far more to watch or listen to than you could ever sit through even on the longest flights) and the great food, it w

11 April 2016

I hadn't been to Tenerife for a very long time, so was looking forward to paying another visit to this amazing island. I flew with a good friend from London Gatwick with British Airways. The flight was only 4 hours, and BA service was good. We were served breakfast after take off, and then I was able to get an hour of sleep before we landed We decided to hire a car, as it gave us so much mor

04 June 2015

It was with a certain amount of trepidation that I started presenting a weekly radio show! 2 Friends introduced me to Wandsworth radio where they present their own show on a Tuesday evening. Looking at the schedule, there appeared to be an opening for a travel related show, so I contacted the organizer to see if there may be an opportunity. I received a pretty swift response, and I made arra

07 November 2014

As if you needed them, but here are 10 Top reasons to visit The Sultanate of Oman: 1 5000 year old traditions and culuture, four Unesco World Heritage Sites and more than 500 forts and castles 2 The variety of accommodation, from luxury boutique resorts and spas to eco friendly desert and mountian camps 3 Amazing Wildlife, from Ras al Jinz Turtle reserve to flamingos in Dhofar 4 Re

29 October 2014

When Mr George Clooney got married recently in Venice, the floodgates opened, and a tidal wave of interest was sparked for the Italian City. Also, Cheryl Cole’s recent nuptials in Mustique drove up interest in the Caribbean destination. Media coverage of celebrity weddings abroad can also encourage us to consider destinations that we might not otherwise have thought of for the big day. Even if

30 May 2014

I just had a thought as I was sitting in my office...... How lucky am I to be able to work from home...with the cat for company, answering calls and emails from the comfort of my office, next to the kitchen. It doesn’t seem like five years have passed since I started this! I don't miss the daily commute up the Northern Line, or the traffic on the south circular. Today, I was up early to a

29 May 2014

I have just returned from an amazing week exploring the beautiful island of Majorca. Of course, we all know the island, it’s been on the tourist map for decades, and we have all seen the photos of sunburned tattooed bodies on the beach at Magaluf and Palmanova…that’s what Majorca is like everywhere, right? Well, if you think that, you would be wrong! Don’t get me wrong, if you want to spend you

02 January 2014

I have just returned from seven amazing days on the beautiful Azamara Quest cruise ship. I spent a week cruising from Nice to Monte Carlo, on to St Tropez, then on to Propriano in Corsica, then Amalfi and Sorrento before reluctantly disembarking in Rome. I left a cold London Gatwick airport and 1.5 hours later, landed at Nice Airport. We were whisked directly to the ship, and were comprehensive

05 December 2012

Having only passed through Los Angeles briefly on my last trip, I was very much looking forward to seeing a bit more of the city and what it has to offer. I was also intrigued as to what there is to do outside the city. I think we all have some preconceptions of what life is like outside the metropolis, so this was my chance to find out! I flew into LA. Virgin Atlantic flies directly from Heath

27 April 2011

Earlier this month, I was lucky enough to travel to a country that doesn't always get the attention it deserves. I travelled to Jordan with slight trepidation, as the region has had a mixed history, but I am so glad that I did. The country is incredibly diverse, with barren desert regions leading on to verdant grassy areas. We flew with Royal Jordanian airlines directly from Heathrow to Amman,

09 July 2010

I discovered the region recently during a short break to Porto with an old friend. Getting to Porto couldn't be easier, with regular scheduled flights from both Heathrow and Gatwick with BA, TAP and Easyjet. Once you arrive, you can catch a tram directly from the airport to the city centre (around a 40 minute journey). You will discover a modern, but still quaint city, which retains a lot of ol

30 October 2009

Cairo is a most extraordinary destination! If you have ever thought about travelling to this part of the world, think no more...just go!! From the moment you leave the plane, you realise you are in somewhere unique in the world. The journey from the airport to our hotel was certainly an education. Driving in Cairo has been turned into an artform, and it is definitely not for the faint heart

11 May 2009

Bora Bora is a true pearl in the Pacific Ocean. I travelled with Air Tahit Nui from Los Angeles to Papeete, and then had a 50 minute flight to Bora Bora. Bora Bora, situated as it is, in the mid pacific is ideal to be included in a "Round the World" itinerary. Many people choose to spend a few days in this unique paradise before continuing their journeys round the world. On arrival, I was

11 May 2009

If you have never thought of travelling to the charming city of Lisbon, or indeed anywhere in Portugal, now is the time to go! Having just returned from a weekend break in the charming city of Lisbon, I thought I would share my experiences of travelling to this great, and sometimes forgotten European treasure. Lisbon is one of the prettiest cities in Europe. Located on the shores of the Rio T

14 April 2009

Canada is one of those destinations you always think about going to...but then something always more exciting comes along, and it gets relegated to the shelf for another time. After too many years of relegation, I finally got to go!! I decided to fly into Calgary and out of Vancouver. This way I would never have to backtrack, or waste time travelling through areas I had already seen. This

14 April 2009

My one and only visit to India was one of the most moving experiences I have ever had! My first impression of India (once leaving the airport) was a scene of utter chaos. Sights, sounds and smells invade your senses immediately. As we drove from the airport to the hotel, the streets were teeming with market traders, vehicles, cows, camels and every imaginable creature. There seemed to be a sens