27 September 2022

Yes you read it right I spent just 13 hours in Amsterdam and most of that was spent sleeping in my hotel room. I'll forgive you for thinking that I sound a bit mad as only 8 of those 13 hours were spent exploring. The main reason for my short visit to Amsterdam was to board an NCL Cruise from Amsterdam Passenger Terminal but I'll tell you more about that another time. I took an EasyJet flight from Birmingham Airport to Amsterdam and I was delighted at how nice Birmingham Airport is. I've not flown from there before, although I do have lots of customers travel from there so it's good to have some first hand experience. I would 100% fly from Birmingham again. Amsterdam arrivals was very smooth with a fairly prompt luggage collection and quick passport control despite the queue looking long it went down very fast. The signs walking out of the airport are very clear, written in English and it's easy to get a train or a taxi. There are hotel shuttles, however I didn't understand the signage for these. I would normally take the train into Amsterdam, however my hotel was nowhere near the station and I was in the Leidseplein area around the corner from the Rijksmuseum and in my opinion a very lovely area of Amsterdam. I chose to take a taxi and this cost me 43 Euros direct to my hotel. I stayed at the 3 star Hotel Cornelisz situated on Hooftstraat where you'll find some lovely boutique shops. The hotel itself was boutique style, small and exactly what I needed for an overnight stay. It would be perfect for a couple of nights in Amsterdam with comfortable beds, clean bathroom, all fairly basic but was fine for what I needed. I landed at 6.20pm and by the time I go to the hotel it was 7.50pm. I had a corner room with windows on two walls (my top tip would be to ask for a high up room as I was on the first floor and I could hear the traffic). I did have breakfast here the following morning but I think next time I'd give that a miss if I was to stay here again as it was not good value in my opinion and the choice for breakfast was very small indeed. I've been to Amsterdam before so I'd already visited many of the attractions on offer so I squeezed in something new instead. I had planned ahead by booking myself onto an evening canal cruise. Booked via Travel Counsellors of course so I had a pre-paid voucher with instructions of where to go. This was a time saver as it gave me a plan for my evening. The Blue Boat Canal cruise starting point was just a 3 minute walk from my hotel so it was perfect. There was a small ticket booth/shop where you can purchase drinks or snacks ready to take on board the canal boat. Inside the boat it had tables to accommodate 4 - 6 people and they provided headphones to listen to the commentary in the language of your choice if you wish. I was with a few friends so we chose to chat and enjoy the sights out of the window and what we saw was beautiful. Each arched bridge we went under was lined with lights, we saw loads of unique house boats and the buildings either side of us were really pretty. 90 minutes cruising the canals was such a lovely way to spend my evening. The next day I was due to go to the Passenger Terminal ready for my cruise embarkation, however I had a few hours spare to explore in daylight hours on foot. I checked out of my hotel and left my luggage in their secure luggage room so it was just me, my back pack and my friend Donna ready to venture into Amsterdam with the help of Google Maps. It took about 30 minutes to take a relaxing stroll to Dam Square, passing the canals and pretty buildings along the way. To get back to the hotel I purchased a tram ticket and managed to get back to a stop about 5 minutes walk from my hotel so that worked out perfect and although it was a whistle stop tour, I felt like I'd managed to see Amsterdam even if very briefly. Moto of this story is, if you ever wonder if a place is worth visiting even if for a very short time, I'd always say go for it as any experience can be worthwhile. Look out for my next blog where I will tell you all about the next part of my journey when I board the new Norwegian Prima (NCL) for a 3 night cruise experience.

24 June 2019

Expedition cruising is so much more than a cruise experience. It’s a sustainable nature experience offering unique destinations for adventurers. Do you love nature, exploring, photography, listening to expert talks or maybe you’d love your children or teenagers to have a fun learning experience focusing on fun eco-friendly organised activities about the world they live in and their surroundings? Would you love the chance to do something you’d never get to do on most holidays? Then an expedition cruise is for you. You’ll get to follow footsteps of pioneers in the destination of your choice creating incredible unique memories of a lifetime. Choosing your expedition cruise will be the hardest challenge as the choice is huge and so varied, however they all look incredible. I love holidays where I get to relax on a sun lounger with a cocktail in my hand, but even though that’s my first choice when I think of a holiday I actually think I’d prefer to travel to one of the colder climates for my first expedition cruise. I’d love to see wildlife and visit places I wouldn’t normally have the chance to see. My ultimate must do would be to see the Northern Lights in the Arctic Circle where there is no light pollution plus, I’d love to see Polar Bears too in their natural habitat. Whatever you have on your own wish list, I can help you choose your Expedition by chatting about the time of year you’d like to travel and what your interests may be. What are you likely to experience if you choose an expedition cruise? You could be looking for a true Polar expedition, exploring a frozen wilderness, setting foot on the most unique and remote places on Earth. Meet wildlife like penguins, whales and seals in their natural habitat in the Antarctic or you might encounter the polar bear in the Arctic! In the Arctic you will also have the chance to take part in a beach clean-up in Albertinibukta and Kapp Brun in the area of Svalbard where sustainability and understanding their eco-system is a priority. Maybe a warmer climate is for you discovering Cays, Coves and Reefs in the area of the Caribbean Sea. Would you prefer an adventure cruise in Central or South America to explore stunning landscapes such as lush rainforest, getting close to rich biodiversity – monkeys, mangroves, hummingbirds and more! What’s your style? There’s even a choice of the type of vessel/ship you’d cruise on (destination dependent) so it’s worth having a think about what type of cruise experience you’d like whilst on board the ship too. Some are basic whilst others are more luxurious so it will be a very personal choice for you. Did you know that an expedition cruise could also be a perfect choice for wheelchair users? They have adapted cabins, although not all destinations might be suitable, I can help you discover the best destination for the best experience for your personal requirements. Depending on what type of style cruise ship you would love to have and what destination experience you would like too, I’d highly recommend either Hurtigruten, Silver Sea or Celebrity for your Expedition Cruise. With so much choice on offer I can help you to discover the perfect expedition cruise experience that is just right for you.

13 June 2019

Traditionally when I mention a cruise option to my customers many have a vision of a large cruise ship, dressing up for dinner, and visiting ports of call. Of course, all of that is an aspect of cruising, however, there really is so much more on offer and so many different types of customers are loving cruise experiences than you may realise! I’m going to tell you about 3 types of customers that love to cruise, could this be you? Are you one for adventure, exploration, and learning with professional expedition? I highly recommend Hurtigruten, the world’s greenest cruise company who are experts in this field. Cruising to destinations like Svalvard, Greenland, Arctic Canada, Iceland, Alaska, South Americas, the Caribbean, Russia, the Northwest Passage or embrace the Seventh Continent, Antarctica! You’ll enjoy a relaxed atmosphere with a relaxed dress code where there’s no need to change for dinner. You’ll find fellow passengers and crew all share a love of the natural world. You’ll still have great food experiences, pools and leisure facilities but more importantly you’re there to enjoy some unique experiences. Go ashore with the expedition team to go kayaking or hiking, small boat whale watching, maybe you’ll brave a polar plunge! Will you see polar bears in the Arctic, or Grizzly, brown and black bears in Alaska or Canada, or maybe you prefer the warmer climates of the Caribbean Sea to discover historic cities and sandy beaches. In South America you can see wildlife of the Galapagos, or maybe you’d visit Machu Picchu. All of this but still in the comfort of elegant suites and comfortable cabins. Family cruising is popular and cruise ships cater for the most incredible family holiday, perfect for adults and children so everyone in the family will be happy. There’re a range of cruise companies I’d recommend to families but 3 that spring to mind are NCL, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises. With destinations available all over the world such as Europe, Australasia, Caribbean, Alaska, Canada and the USA there’s always somewhere new to explore. Did you know that some cruise ships have these incredible facilities; an ice skating rink, Zip lining, waterslides, iFly sky-diving simulator, bungee trampolines, clubs for every age group from 6 months to 17 years old all with their own unique area’s on board just for them. Plus, they all have amazing restaurants, spa’s, nightclubs, casino’s and theatre shows plus so much more. Some even have their own private islands just for the guests on your cruise ship for the day. Some people cruise to totally have a break from everyday life with the main aim to de-stress and relax, however, although so many of us do need this we still often need a proportion of our day where we need to work and keep in touch with our career. A cruise is the perfect holiday to work remotely and still have time to enjoy your time on-board or offshore. Most cruise ships offer WIFI, desks and work friendly locations allowing you to take less annual leave, keep up to date and in touch with work, and still enjoy an incredible cruise experience with the rest of your family or friends. If you’d like to discover what type of cruise may be perfect for you then please get in touch with me and we can have a chat about what would be just right for you.

28 May 2019

From the moment I arrived at Southampton Port, I felt looked after by the staff who collected my luggage ready to deliver to my cabin. Being a cruise novice didn’t matter as all the staff were friendly and looked after me 100%. It was so easy to check-in and wait for my 'letter' to be called out to go through security (like the airport but much quicker). I was greeted by the QM2 crew who welcomed me on board and directed me to easily find my cabin. My cabin was a Sheltered Balcony Cabin on deck 5, this was perfect in my opinion (of course I’d love to be in one of the Suites, but this was perfect for me on my own). I certainly wasn’t short on storage/wardrobe space and if I had been sharing a cabin there still would’ve been loads of room and plenty of hangers too; so important for my clothes, dresses and all my shoes! Next, my cabin steward knocked on my door to introduce himself very briefly. I’ll tell you later why he impressed me so much in ‘Highlight 1’ I explored the ship and thankfully there were plenty of deck plans to refer to, to find my way around. When it was for time for the Southampton Sailaway party, I took myself outside on one of the high decks to get the best views looking back towards Southampton. I felt a real sense of occasion as the ship began to move, with everyone on deck waiving Union Jack Flags kindly handed out by the crew and the live band was playing making the whole occasion feel magical. . I really could write a book about my time on the QM2 as I truly loved my experience, but I’ll tell you about some of my highlights instead. Highlight 1: I felt valued and like a VIP Remember my cabin steward I mentioned earlier? I was so impressed when he saw me walking down the corridor he said ‘Hello Mrs Bass’ He didn’t even see me exit my cabin yet he made me feel like a VIP. How he remembered my name and knew who I was I'm not sure! It’s all part of the Cunard White Glove service. Highlight 2: Bubbles on ice On entering my cabin I was greeted by a bottle of fizz on ice. Every single cabin gets this no matter what cabin category you book. What a fabulous way to start your cruise. Highlight 3: The Spa I purchased myself a pass to cover my full duration of 5 nights and it was only $95 USD for unlimited use of the Spa pool, saunas, and steam rooms. What incredible value! This is the cost of one day back home. Highlight 4: I didn’t feel out of place I was worried I may not be the right ‘class’ to be on board the QM2. Instead I felt comfortable, right at home, I could really dress as I pleased with my casual clothes and footwear during the day, no segregation of classes, I was welcomed anywhere. If you didn’t want to dress up at night (after 6pm) then you didn’t have to at all and you could choose to eat in one of the more casual areas such as the British Pub (The Red Lion) or in the buffet area. I for one lavished the chance to dress up every night and especially on the Gala night when it was a black-tie event in the Britannia restaurant and in the ballroom. Highlight 5: There was so much space! I was amazed at how the ship hardly ever felt busy even though it was at full capacity! Even the spa only ever seemed to have around 5 or 6 other people in it even on ‘At Sea’ days. Highlight 6: My private sunrise Watching the Sunrise every morning from my own private balcony was magical. Each night my steward left a newsletter for the following day listing detail such as sunrise/sunset times, and a what’s on guide. If it was a day at port there would be information about that too. Highlight 7: There's so much to do! The QM2 has so much to offer from concerts, comedians, dance productions, musicals, insight lectures, film screenings, quiz nights, Karaoke, Pub games, Ballroom dancing, Sequence dancing, board game, Afternoon tea, G32 night club, Themed nights, Swimming pools, Sports coverage and so much more. With so much choice I really could not see or do everything in just 5 nights. I loved to walk on deck and take in the atmosphere, taking a dip in the Jacuzzi on the very back on the ship felt amazing. I went shopping, I tried ballroom dancing (if you didn’t have a partner there were hosts on hand to whisk you around the dance floor). I could party the night away in G32, the nightclub on board located next to the ballroom. I went to the cinema for a late-night showing of The Greatest Showman and I watched Bohemian Rhapsody in my cabin! There was even a ‘kids club’ for younger guests. Highlight 8: Guest speaker John McCarthy I didn’t expect to have someone so well known on board speaking about such a historic moment. John McCarthy told the emotional and even comical story over two talks in the theatre. There wasn’t a spare seat in the house and the audience was transfixed on everything he had to say as he told his story from the moment he was held hostage in the Lebanon as a British Journalist for 6 years, until the day he was released. He really is incredible, and I feel privileged that I had the opportunity to hear him talk. Highlight 9: Ports of call It goes without saying that the ports of call to both Zeebrugge to visit Bruges and Guernsey St Peters Port were excellent days, however one thing I was really impressed with was how smoothly and quickly we could exit and re-enter the ship. Even in Guernsey when we had to travel by tender boat (the QM2 lifeboats) into port, it really was very easy to do. They even had a lift for those less able to exit the ship and the only criteria was to step from the ship to the actual tender boat itself. Highlight 10: Room service I loved the luxury of ordering room service whenever I wanted to. I made the most of this by ordering breakfast to my room, this was easy to do by simply hanging my order outside my cabin door the night before. Perfect for the mornings, I got up early to watch the sunrise. Alternatively, I could have breakfast in the buffet of Kings Court or I could have table service in the main Britannia restaurant. I’m now a cruise convert. I didn’t expect to love cruising quite as much as I did. It really was one of the best holiday’s I’ve been on and I loved every single moment. I really could go on telling you more, the highlights alone really aren't enough information to tell you everything about why I loved it so much. If you’d like to hear more please do let me know and I can help you decide if the QM2 is for you.

10 September 2018

Majorca or Mallorca what every you decide its name is, there’s no denying this is one of the most gorgeous places to travel and very close to the UK. At just over 2 hours flying time from most London Airports, I can highly recommend Majorca for some beautiful sunshine and beautiful surroundings. This year we took our family holiday in the resort of C’an Picafort located on the northern coast of Majorca. It’s situated along the beautiful bay of Alcudia that has one of the best beaches on the island. Like many families we were quite price conscious, so we decided to go for an All-Inclusive property slightly inland from the beach itself. We wanted All-Inclusive to easily budget prior to our trip and relax knowing that the children could easily get themselves snacks, drinks and ice creams without having to ask us constantly all day long for money or to add it to our room bill. For myself and my husband, this made our holiday far more relaxing instead of always thinking about how much we were ‘dipping in our pocket’. I truly understand the importance of good value for money and I am always happy to find you as my customer a great deal as I would when searching for my own holiday. Accommodation: We stayed at Vell Mari Hotel and Resort, just 10 minutes by shuttle bus inland from the beach. It was perfect. Vell Mari Hotel & Resort is a 4-star hotel that has everything a young family could really need in terms of facilities. There was an onsite shop, pool bar, Spa, large pool that never seemed to get overly busy, and plenty of sunbeds. We never had trouble getting 4 sunbeds together, even in the middle of the day, as the hotel has a ‘no reserve’ policy meaning you will not have to rush to the pool after breakfast to get the best spot. There is also a smaller children’s pool with small slides that even my children who are 9 and 12 enjoyed. The hotel provides a regular shuttle service to the beach, it really does not matter about the hotel location and if you really prefer to walk it’s very easy to do that too if you can cope with the hot sunshine. For children, there is a fantastic kids club and entertainment facility (no pressure to join in) and a children’s disco every night before the adults show in the evening. The evening show was excellent with The Lion King, a Live Band, Magic/Knife throwing act, and comedy too. Perfect for an evening drinking a cocktail or two! The restaurant had different food every night and even the fussiest eaters will be happy here. My girls were particularly excited about the chocolate fountain with skewers full of fruit and marshmallows ready to hold under the running chocolate (I joined in too of course!) Would I stay here again? Definitely. Where to visit nearby? We decided not to take a traditional excursion but instead took ourselves off on our own little adventure. I love to explore without the restraint of a group of people with time restrictions so as my children both wanted to experience a boat ride we decided to take the local bus (TIB number 352 and just 10.60 Euros for the 4 of us) to Port de Pollensa just 1-hour journey along the coast from C’an Picafort. From here we purchased tickets at the harbour for the small ferry to take us over to the Formentor Beach (16 Euros per adult and 8 Euros per child for an open return ticket) one of the most beautiful spots on the island. The ferry took about 20 to 25 minutes and we sat upstairs in the open air to get the best views and photo opportunities. The ferry drops you right at the beach where you’ll find a couple of nice cafés and lots of other people. It’s very busy on Formentor but don’t let this put you off as it is very pretty. With no sunbeds or sun umbrellas available, we decided to just put our towels down on the sand (luckily in a shaded area) and we spent all our time in the glorious crystal-clear sea. I’d recommend taking a small beach umbrella if you want to guarantee some shade for yourself, I found some umbrellas at a local supermarket for as little as 10 Euros much cheaper than paying to hire to sit under one on the beach. The sea is perfect for snorkelling, swimming or just playing together and having fun. We spent a few hours here playing and relaxing with our children and had drinks in one of the cafes where we also found showers/toilets so there is no need to travel home all sandy. C’an Picafort Beach The local beach C’an Picafort is situated in the Bay of Alcudia and really is gorgeous. The beach is wide and long and has loads of space with an abundance of sunbeds and sun umbrellas to higher each with safety deposit boxes too. I can’t explain how lovely this beach really is with soft clean sand underfoot and warm crystal-clear waters. It’s perfect especially for families with young children, great for snorkelling as you can see fish even just standing in the water, there are no rocky area’s and you can hire a beach pedalo with a huge slide on it which is so much fun. Will I return to Majorca? Of course, it’s a huge yes from my family and there is so much more I’d love to do and see. If you’d like to hear more about Majorca to discover if it’s for you I’d be very happy to have a chat with you so just get in touch.

25 April 2018

Getting married is a whirlwind of emotions, from saying yes to the most important question of your life, followed by ups and downs during the full-on organisation of your wedding day together. You may be very lucky to have a wedding planner or a best friend around you to help with all the important details. One part of your planning that a wedding planner or best friend may not be able to help you with is your special honeymoon. Your honeymoon is so much more than a holiday after you’ve got married. For most couples your honeymoon is an experience that you will want to remember for a lifetime together, a holiday of all holidays. Honeymoon dreams are very personal to the happy couple. You will hear suggestions from your friends and family, however, only you as a couple will really know exactly how you see your honeymoon. Ask yourself this, when you close your eyes and imagine yourself there, how do you want to feel, what can you see? The world is your oyster! The choices are endless. If you’d like some inspiration I have a honeymoon brochure I’d be happy to send to you if you get in touch, but for now here are just a few options to get your imagination started: • Beach breaks: Maldives, Thailand, Caribbean, Mexico, Dubai • Off the beaten track: Safari in Africa, India, Sri Lanka, Bali, Iceland with personalised itineraries • Mini Moons: Canary Islands, Greece, Italy, France • Multi-centre adventure: Uson Road Trip or New Zealand and Fiji • Cruise If you’ve not set your date yet you may like to consider your dream honeymoon destination first to fit in with the destination seasons, but if your date is already set I can help you decide the best destinations for the time of year you are travelling. For example, if the Maldives are what you are dreaming of then you will need to plan your honeymoon in the months of January to April to get the best weather conditions. May to September you may consider Italy, Mauritius, Borneo or the USA. Between October and December, I’d suggest places such as South Africa, Seychelles, Dubai or the Caribbean. The decision around the seasons also depends on what you’d like to do in your destination. Would you prefer cooler weather to explore and see the wildlife or are you looking to do nothing but relax on the beach with a cocktail in your hand? With so much to consider it can become overwhelming if you are doing this all yourself. So how do you find this amazing honeymoon without adding to the ‘job list’ of your wedding planning? As your honeymoon planner it’s my job to make your dream honeymoon a reality. I’m an expert at turning the image you see when you close your eyes into a reality. I have a wealth of over 20 years’ experience and the knowledge to suggest destinations, accommodations and experiences that will be exciting and perfect for you. I understand how important it is to get this just right. It’s also my job to lighten the load by doing as much of the research that you need me to do (of course you may be involved during this process too.) I’m here to take away the stress, to give you more time for wedding planning. Let’s face it you’ve got enough to do without the added hassle of sitting in a travel agent’s shop or trawling the internet and hoping what you’re creating will be right! In an ideal world it’s best to feel cared for and looked after and that’s exactly how you will feel when I look after you. I will craft your honeymoon, so it fits you perfectly. On top of that nobody protects your money like Travel Counsellors – our unique financial protection is the very best in travel. To discuss your perfect honeymoon destination please get in touch and we can have a chat.

10 March 2018

Living in the UK, we are fortunate to be close to many beautiful destinations that are within easy reach for a short break or longer. One such place is Malta which is situated in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily. Flight times from the UK are around three hours and with over 7,000 years of history and culture, Malta has lots to discover with endless opportunities for sightseeing and exploration. Malta is the biggest of the Maltese islands and next in size is Gozo then the smallest Comino which is mainly uninhabited. Although Comino is the smallest, it is popular with visitors wanting to explore beyond Malta and Gozo for nature walks and surfing plus it’s a paradise for snorkelers and divers. Most people visit Comino for a day trip from Malta or Gozo to explore the Blue Lagoon, a sheltered inlet with white sand and aquamarine water, its beauty alone is worth the visit. Spotlight on Malta: Malta is an area I’d personally recommend exploring is the capital city of Valletta. A small city crammed with historic points of interest all within a fortress giving the feeling that you’ve taken a step back in time. My hotel of choice in Valletta would be a boutique hotel called Palazzo Consiglia. Within the walls of Valletta, it offers 13 unique lavish rooms all individually styled. You’ll be able to take full advantage of spectacular views of Valletta itself and the Grand Harbour whilst eating breakfast or taking an afternoon dip in the mini pool all on the hotel’s roof top terrace. The reason why I’m drawn to Malta is how picturesque it is with the historic buildings, walkways and beautiful harbours and coastline just waiting to be captured by my camera lens. If you are looking for more history then you must visit The Three Cities (Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua) where the palaces, churches, forts and bastions are older than those you can find in Valletta. Climate: Average temperatures reach 27 in July and August cooling to around 21 in October and with stunning scenery and architecture, Malta is well worth a visit all year round. Fun Fact for Popeye fans! On Malta you can visit a family attraction called Popeye Village. This was the film set of the 1980 musical production of Popeye. You can take part in a filming experience plus a number of other fun attractions such as boat rides, wine tasting, mini golf and Santa’s toy town! Here you will also find a great fun park with rides for kids! To find out about booking your holiday to Malta, please get in touch as I can tailor make your perfect holiday to any destination around the world.

10 July 2017

Living in the UK, we are extremely fortunate to have a choice of countries easily accessible by rail. European trains are unrecognisable from what we know in the UK; luxury comes as standard with more space, on-board restaurants and a network of reliable high speed rail networks. You can travel from city to city, no time is wasted hanging about and you’ll arrive in your destination feeling relaxed and refreshed. I arranged a trip for a customer whose dream was to embark on an adventure to Germany visiting the historical sites they’d longed to explore. They wanted a smooth, easy journey, so travelling by rail meant there were no lengthy waits at airports. With my expert advice, together we planned their adventure; they managed to travel completely by rail right from their home town, to London and then onto four German Cities: Cologne, Berlin, Dusseldorf and then Frankfurt. Europe by rail is a must as you’ll see some of the most picturesque landscapes on the continent, travelling through dramatic mountainous areas, magnificent coastlines and beautiful cities. You can visit so many places all on one holiday experiencing history, culture, along with the unique accommodation on board a sleeper train; a wonderful way to wake up in a new destination feeling refreshed and ready to explore. Utilising the expert knowledge of a travel expert like myself will mean you can make the most of your time and budget and travelling Europe by rail is more affordable than you think. My European Rail Highlights: - Switzerland – stunning scenery and breath-taking views as you travel through the Swiss Alps on the world famous Glacier Express train. - Italy – travel in style and luxury when you board the World famous Venice Simplon-Orient Express. Step back in time with vintage cabins, gastronomic cuisine and into a world of romance as you travel through Paris, vibrant Milan and Venice. - Scandinavia – Travel to Stockholm, and through Sweden’s glorious scenery as you head to Lapland and cross the Arctic Circle, followed by a magnificent journey on Northern Europe’s highest railway line, the Bergen Railway. - Croatia, Slovenia and Montenegro – Enjoy this perfect combination all in one holiday. Taking in the mighty Austrian Alps on route to Slovenia. You’ll visit the picturesque Plitvice Lakes one of Croatia’s most beautiful national treasures. Discover the UNESCO World Heritage site of Dubrovnik old town. Travelling along the beautiful Dalmatian coastline to Montenegro and Bay of Kotor. If you think a rail adventure could be perfect for your next holiday please get in touch.

23 June 2017

Close your eyes and imagine pure relaxation, 5-star surroundings, award winning chefs and your own private butler, plus an ever changing view throughout your holiday. You can only experience this reality on a 5 star European river cruise. Multi-centre city breaks are very popular, however, one of the best ways to experience Europe is on a relaxing, opulent river cruise. There is so much choice available with variable itineraries, all you need to choose is the main area you would love to explore and I can help you select the perfect river cruise to suit you. Where can you explore? The main options for river cruising are: Europe (multi-country) France Portugal Russia Even as far as Asia! I deal with many different river cruise suppliers, so I’m in a perfect position of helping you match the right style river cruise that will be just right for you. I personally think it’s always advisable to choose a river cruise that will look after you in the luxury and style you deserve, offering unforgettable experiences and creating lifelong memories. You’re next consideration is your cabin. This is a personal choice, as some customers prefer to spend time in the privacy of their own veranda cabin or opulent suite while taking in the beautiful scenery of the waterways, whereas others are happier with more time outside of their cabin in the public areas enjoying al fresco dining and floor to ceiling windows with views that are unbeatable, therefore they are happy with an inside cabin. What should I expect from a river cruise? River cruising is all about the views. You won’t be disappointed when you experience al fresco dining with vast windows that bathe the interiors in sunshine, enabling you to enjoy fresh air, natural light and the exhilaration of the outdoors. Some even offer a wellness centre and gym facilities, electronic bikes, sun decks and walking tracks and vitality pools on selected ships. Enjoy destination focused dining with menus inspired by local cuisine and wine tasting. Experience local excursions Explore somewhere new everyday with ‘optional’ and ‘included’ excursions covering cultural and historic highlights. You could be visiting a new town, city or vineyard on any given day, so you’ll be spoilt for choice! All of this is provided without the hustle and bustle of a large ocean cruise ship, and with only a small amount of people of board you’ll enjoy an intimate trip of a lifetime, perfectly tailored to the waterways of Europe. Popular rivers to explore The most famous and most popular rivers are the Danube and the Rhine, because of the spectacular scenery and the ability to visit more than one country along the way. These cruises get booked up very fast, so be sure to book early to save disappointment. I can offer you amazing last minute bookings if you are flexible on your destination choice, and special added extras where available, not to mention a personal 24/7 service. If a river cruise sounds like the perfect holiday for you, then please get in touch to find out how I can help.

15 March 2017

Disneyland Paris is a destination that evokes so much excitement in my customers when they hear the words “that’s all confirmed for you”. I finally got to feel the same emotions for myself when I arranged a Disneyland Paris trip for my own family! It was a challenge keeping our magical Disneyland Paris break a secret from my children, but it was well worth it to see the look of excitement in their faces when I finally revealed my surprise to them just 48 hours before we travelled. My girls have always looked in awe at my Disney themed children packs that I enjoy creating for my customers' children and they were super excited to finally receive them for themselves. With our cases packed we were ready to start our journey. My girls were equipped with colouring packs, sweets, a plush Mickey and Minnie, the only thing to add was a smile across all of our faces as we travelled from our home town of Peterborough by train to London St Pancras to board the Eurostar to Disneyland Paris. As you can imagine there were lots of excited happy children waiting to travel to Disney and it was lovely to see all their faces light up as we heard Mickey Mouse announce over the loud speaker of the Eurostar lounge that it was time to board and take out seats! If you want to experience the Disneyland Magic for yourself, Paris is just a few hours away from the UK, perfect for a short break. With a wide choice of travel options available you can choose the Eurostar service, flights into Paris, or maybe you prefer to drive in your own car on the Eurotunnel or over sea by ferry. Eurostar seemed the easiest way to travel with children in tow as it meant less waiting around and we knew we would arrive just a few minutes walk from our Disney Hotel and parks. For the ultimate Disney experience stay on-site at one of the seven themed Disneyland Paris Resort hotels. Benefit by being closer to the parks (between 10 and 20 minutes’ walk) plus you will enjoy the Disney ‘Magic Hours’ giving you extra time in the parks exclusive to Disney hotel guests. Maybe you will prefer Disney’s Davy Crockett Ranch where you’ll stay in a log cabin for a wilderness experience but be aware your own car is essential for the 15 minute drive to the parks. There are also partner hotels which are all recommended by Disney, still within easy reach of the magic on a free 10 minute shuttle service. We decided on Disney's New York hotel for the location, just a five minute walk to the Disney Village where you'll find loads of restaurants, shops and entertainment plus a further five minutes to the two Disney parks themselves. Disney's New York has a swimming pool and this would be a great facility for many couples or families but we just didn't have time to use it in our three night break as we didn't want to forsake our time in the parks to swim. The bedrooms were nice and big for our family of four, and the beds were like heaven after long days of walking around the park. It's impossible to create the feeling of actually being there, hearing the music and the emotions that you feel when you actually walk in and see the Disney castle for the first time or watch the amazing parades and the fireworks over the castle. Here is a little information about the parks: Explore 5 incredible lands with attractions, shows and colourful street parades. Test your nerves plunging 13 unlucky floors in The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. I can't tell you what the Twilight Zone is like myself as I was too nervous to go on, however my 6 year old daughter who is a thrill seeker loved it over and over again! If you are staying in a Disney hotel I'd advise using your magic hours to take advantage of shorter queues for rides and to beat the crowds and long waits for the character "meet and greets". Better still book a Disney character breakfast for the best character interaction and to personally meet some of your favourite characters. My favourite memory is still the enchanting firework and animation display against the back drop of the Sleeping Beauty Castle whilst singing along to my favourite Disney songs. In the Disney Studios Park you will be amazed with stunts, stage shows, and live entertainment to excite all ages. Shrink in size to sit in Andy from Toy Story’s RC Racer (not a ride for the faint hearted) for the thrill of the half pipe! Feast your senses on the 4D Ratatouille experience, excellent for all ages. Learn how the Disney magic is made in the Art of Animation, here you can have your very own drawing experience. Drawing is my eldest daughter's passion, so having the experience of a Disney animator helping her create a unique moving animation to bring home was out of this world for her. When the park gates close, the fun doesn’t have to end, as you can discover more fun at Disney’s Village with live music, a 15 screen cinema and IMAX theatre. More entertainment can be found in the games centre, shopping, and of course plenty of dining is available in the Village just like it is in the parks. My top tips: • Download the Disneyland App to your mobile device • Pre-book your restaurants (if you book with me I will do this for you) • Pre-book your Half Board or Full Board vouchers as it can be expensive to eat in the parks • Pre-book special experiences like a Character Breakfast or Disney Princess Lunch - it is so much easier to meet the characters this way • Visit the rides during parade times to cut down on queue times and use the fast pass facility • Take your water bottles with you to fill up at the many water stations around the park. To find out more about this exciting destination or to combine it with a trip to France for further exploration, just contact me to you book your perfect itinerary. All you need to do after this amazing trip is to start saving as you'll want to return to the magic soon.

13 May 2016

I have fond memories of this enchanting city as I recently went there for my honeymoon. It’s the perfect destination for a couple of nights away and getting there is easy too - we travelled via Eurostar from London to Brussels, and then hopped on another train to get to Bruges itself. Thanks to Google maps, we navigated our way on foot from the station to our central hotel in about 25 minutes rather than taking a taxi or bus – it saved us money and we got to see some of the sights along the way. I recommend staying in a hotel near to the Markt (Market Square) for a fantastic central location - we stayed in Hotel Navarra, a 4 star hotel just 150 metres walk from the Market Square and shops. Bruges is a wonderful destination for both couples and families looking for culture, beautiful architecture, fantastic shopping and relaxation – all can be squeezed into the perfect 2 night stay. Enjoy the scenic views the city has to offer by taking a romantic but fun canal ride under the low bridges and through the historic waterways, soaking up the sights. We really enjoyed a traditional horse-drawn carriage ride setting off from the market square through the cobbled streets, clip-clopping down narrow walkways past the beautiful old buildings, with a few local facts and stories from our enthusiastic guide along the way. A trip to Bruges wouldn’t be complete without sampling the local food and drink. What I really mean by that is chocolate, waffles, beer and frites (chips)! We discovered that the traditional tea rooms sold the best waffles with a huge choice of accompaniments like cream and melted Belgium chocolate drizzled over – heavenly! Our favourite tea room was called “de Medici” - if you go here make sure you sit upstairs as it’s very pretty. Once you’ve tried the waffles and chocolate you might like to wash it all down with a local beer. There are plenty of places to find a good beer in Bruges but our favourite is ‘Cambrinus’ which had a choice of 400 beers and great food to accompany it. Another personal recommendation is ‘De Garre’ but you’ll need to keep your eyes peeled as it’s hard to find – a real hidden gem! There is so much to choose from, you can tailor-make your Bruges experience to suit you. Whether it’s sampling the famous local cuisine, taking a photo from the ‘Rozenhoedkaai’, visiting the famous Basilica of the Holy Blood, or climbing the 366 steps of the Belfort (Belfry) in the market square, there really is something for everyone here. This fairy-tale medieval town is not to be missed and certainly worth a visit (or two!).

05 June 2015

I booked our family day trip to Lapland as a surprise for my two young daughters Eloise (aged 7) and Amelie (aged 5). Just two weeks before Christmas December 2013. What a better way to get in the Christmas spirit than to visit the real man himself, Santa Claus? Our day trip was with Thomas Cook and we also flew with Thomas Cook Airlines. We were about to embark on a truly magical experience of a lifetime. If you love Christmas I would recommend a visit to Lapland even without children as it is magical for 'big kids at heart' too. We travelled from London Gatwick to Rovaniemi airport (2 hours and 45 minute flight). The airline staff were brilliant and kept the children entertained with colouring and a few songs along the way. Each child was given their own red Santa hat and it was lovely to see lots of little Santa's dotted about the plane. The flight touched down in Lapland and we were greeted by miles of pure white untouched fresh snow crunching under our feet. At this stage it was early and still daylight. We went through the airport very smoothly and onto the transfer coach. After a short journey we were taken to a building where we were provided with a very warm thermal snowsuit, socks and boots. They do not provide hats or gloves so I'm pleased we were well prepared with our own. We were now looking twice the size with our big padded snowsuit over our clothes and coats but at least we were warm. The daylight was disappearing now and the temperature was dropping to -20! We were all ready now to visit Santa's home. Although still only late morning it was dark now in Lapland, flakes of snow looked like glitter was falling from the sky as it glistened in the moonlight. Before meeting Santa we had plenty of time to make snow angels, race down a hill on sledges and play snowball fights. Rudolph and his reindeer friends were all set to give us a magical sleigh ride. The whole family sat in a sleigh together and we sped off on the smooth snow. I will never forget being eye to eye with the reindeer from the sleigh behind that was catching us up. It felt unreal that we were being whisked along by these magnificent creatures. It was now time to go inside Santa's house to meet him. My children were a little shy at first but then felt at ease as his soft voice spoke to them (and he knew their names!) about how their year has been and what they would like for Christmas. With his long white beard and big boots he looked amazing. There was a professional photographer ready to capture the experience of the whole family. Santa handed out some early gifts to Eloise and Amelie then invited us to his huge dining room for warm three course lunch. After lunch we went inside a Kota Teepee to listen to traditional stories all about Santa and his Reindeer told by a mystical Shaman. All of the children were captivated by every word he told them especially when they were given their black little nose that would magically disappear meaning that Rudolph now knew them and where they lived. Next we were taken back outside to where the Husky Dogs were noisily waiting ready to give us an exhilarating ride through the woods. They were much faster than the reindeers and our sled slid much closer to the trees! We felt very safe knowing we were being steered by an expert standing on the back of our sled. This was another thrilling experience for our family to enjoy together. Our time was now over visiting Santa's home but we had lots more fun still to come. We transferred by coach to Santa's Village where we could visit the toy factory and have another photograph opportunity with Santa. Here we were met by giant snowmen and heavy falling snow. It was a lot colder now so we were grateful of the many indoor area's to visit along with some little gift shops to purchase a memento. Here there was also cafe's to buy warm drinks and food. In Santa's Village you have the chance to cross the Arctic Circle. After a long but magical day it was now time to start our journey home. We returned our thermal snow clothing and we could suddenly tell how cold it was back in a normal coats and luckily only had to venture outside for a very short walk back to the coach. Once back at the airport we were on the plane in about half an hour so no waiting around with tired children. The flight home was very quiet with lots of very happy sleeping children. I would recommend a Lapland experience to anyone who loves Christmas. The day trip is wonderful and if you have the budget and time to stay longer I would recommend this also. To sum our experience up in two words "Truly Magical"