13 June 2023

Qatar! What a country. When I talk about Qatar, most people tell me they don’t know a lot about it, it’s it a nice place, safe to travel, are there beaches etc. well let me tell you, Qatar is stunning, and somewhere that needs to be explored. Qatar is the 2nd safest country in the world and the 4th richest. It is drenched in culture, magnificent buildings, sculptures, shopping malls to die for, as well as out of this world hotels offering the finest hospitality, amenities, sun drenched pools and private beaches. The weather is hot ( at times humid ) but the hotels are well air conditioned. We had the pleasure of staying 4 nights at the Waldorf Astoria Lusial, 5 miles from the city of Doha. We had the best hospitality courtesy of this years ITT conference. I would highly recommend either a few nights stop over in Doha or even a short break as the flight is just short of 7 hours and there is so much to see and do. We took the Dune Bashing excursion, a must for anyone travelling to Qatar. A fabulous day out starting with a drive around Doha taking in the sights, amazing sculptures and buildings, including The Emir’s Palace where we witnessed the changing of the guard (but they have Camels not horses) Back to Dune bashing, so after pulling into the petrol station ( where Haribo was only 80p or so a bag ) the drivers deflated the tyres of the jeeps, as we accessed the dunes for what can only be described as a thrill seeking, crazy, laugh a minute experience. 80mph over the sand dunes, falling down steep hills before taking a few minutes to get your breathe back as they take you to the coast where you can see Saudi Arabia. such an amazing day! We also went to the Regency Sea-line Camp. A remote, stunning place where we stopped for lunch and a bit of relaxation. The camp offers rooms, pods and amazing hospitality where on an evening turns into a relaxed spot with open fires as you enjoy your favourite drink under the stars. Such a peaceful and beautiful spot. Whilst in Qatar we took a trip to the Katara cultural village, where we had the pleasure of visiting the Katara Masjid mosque, to be dressed head to toe in an abaya (traditionally worn robe) by the local ladies. We then headed to Souk Waqif where we had a stunning lunch at Parisa, check out the photos to see how stunning this restaurant was. After a stunning lunch, we went on the see the 974 stadium where the World Cup was played last year, as well as the impressive Katara towers, home to the Raffles hotel Doha and the Fairmount Doha. We also visited Hamad cruise port and a very elegant Fish market. Overall my experience of Doha, Qatar was one I will not forget and I will highly recommend it to clients for short breaks and stop overs.

28 February 2022

Fresh back from New York, I wanted to share with you how it was to travel with Covid restrictions still in place, NYC vaccine requirements for Children and of course what we got up too. To travel to the USA children aged 17 and younger do not have to be fully vaccinated BUT it is important to note that each state in the US has it's own rules and in the state of New York, children aged 5 and over must be vaccinated to gain entry into some attractions, restaurants, bars and even some shops. Fortunately we were aware of this and my youngest was double vaccinated. Prior to travel we had to undertake a Covid 19 Rapid antigen test ( RAT ) the day before we travelled and receive a negative result and a fit to fly certificate, this had to be done under a clinician supervision ( video call in our case ) and we had to receive an negative test and fit to fly certificate to submit to the airline. We also had to complete an Attestation form for the US. As well as paper copies of all the details we had to submit PDF copies to the airline for an easy check in. We flew United Airlines from London and they were spot on. On arrival in NYC we took a taxi from the airport, this is quick and easy as the local taxi's charge a flat rate of around $70 plus tolls and tips. We headed straight to our hotel which was The Row NYC on 8th Avenue. The hotel was excellent, in a fab location, only a block from Times Sq and eateries and shops on the door step. The hotel was great for us, rooms were a little cramped ( have you seen how tall my kids are ) but for 4 nights it was perfect. Rooms were clean and tidy and bed's VERY comfortable. The weather in NYC whilst we were there was quite strange as we had days of below freezing temperatures, spring like days and one day temp in the late 60's. But the one thing I always wanted to experience was Snow in Central Park and in the very last hours before we flew home it snowed ?? We are blessed to have been to New York three time prior to this visit and it honestly always blows me away. The bright lights of Times Sq, constant beeping of cars and taxi's as well as the piercing sirens of the NYPD/FDNY never fail to send shivers down my spine. it really is magical each and every time. As well as the usual shopping on Fifth Avenue, exploring Times Square, Grand Central Terminal and visiting ground zero, one spring like day we decided to walk 1.5hrs to Lower Manhattan. Along the way I made a plan to stop at my idols fictional apartment on 66 Perry Street, This apartment is Carrie Bradshaw's from the Hit TV series/films ''Sex and the City''. I must admit I was a little in ore and just gazed at the building like she was actually in there ( please don't judge LOL ) and just around the corner from 66 Perry street on Bedford street we happen to stumble across the ''Friends'' apartment block. We continued to walk on through Chelsea, the Tribeca and Greenwich and then we saw it, the One World Trade centre, Freedom tower, all 102 floors of it. We paid to go up the tower ( it is much cheaper to pre-book in the UK ) WOW it was amazing, emotional and the views were quite simply phenomenal. Definitely worth a trip up. Another spring like day we hired bikes around central park. This is a fun and cheap way to see Central Park at your leisure with bike hire costing around $16 each for 1.5 hrs. On route we saw various famous film locations, the Alice in Wonderland Statue as well as the ever popular 'Imagine' memorial to john Lennon which is located in the park pretty much along side the Dakota Building where he lived with Yoko Ono and where he was shot outside of. Its a quiet place to remember and you will often find someone singing music by John Lennon. You can actually cram a lot of the park in within 1.5hrs but be sure to stay in the cycle lanes and not ride on the sidewalks or you will soon be told off by the locals (like we was ??) On a much warmer day ( Late 60's) we took a walk over the Brooklyn Bridge to Brooklyn/Dumbo. The walk each way over the Bridge is about 15 mins each way unless you stop to take photos. Again the skyline views are simply amazing. We didn't venture far over the bridge just took in the views and greenery of East River Waterfront. As you can see from my photo's the views are stunning. Another good tip for whilst in Lower Manhattan is to take the Staten Island Ferry to Staten Island, as you take in amazing skyline views again as well as great shots of the Statue of Liberty. And best of all it is Free!! Overall our trip was amazing and its fab to see Broadway fully open and the lights shining brightly but the area around Times Sq can be a little overwhelming. You are still to be on guard of local touts trying to sell you things, trying to encourage you to have photos taken with them for money and of course although this is a rich city there is a lot of homelessness and to see people stood over the road grills and crouched at the side of street food generators just to get warm was heart breaking to witness, but as a tourist you are best to just ignore and go about your business like typical New Yorker. Oh and one final thing, If you like CAKE ( those who know me well know how much I LOVE CAKE ) you must make a visit to Magnolia Bakery as their cakes and cupcakes are divine. There are bakeries in Greenwich, Grand Central Terminal and at the Rockefeller centre. When the sad time came to fly home, all we had to do was to complete the Return to the UK form which is on the FCO website, no pre-departure tests or anything. If you have any questions re a potential visit to New York or would like me to enquire into some prices for you please let me know and I would be more than happy to help x #Newyork #Unitedairlines #timessquare #broadway #magnoliabakery #oneworldobservatory #grandcentralterminal #brooklynbridge #sexandthecity #carriebradshaw #friends

18 June 2019

At our annual Travel Counsellors conference in November 2018 I was very fortunate to have won an adults-only week in Mexico, flying with American Airlines and staying in two stunning hotels, the Hilton Playa Del Carmen where we stayed for 4 nights and then to Cancun for a 3 night stay in the Hyatt Zilara Cancun. To say my husband and I needed this trip badly was an understatement as lets just say the start of 2019 wasn't the best for us! In June 2019 my husband and I where whisked away by American Airlines to Mexico for a week of luxury and relaxation! Our first hotel was the Hilton at Playa Del Carmen. On arrival we pulled up to this stunning grand looking hotel, all open plan and we were greeted with a smile and immediately our luggage taken from us and we were handed over to a member of the concierge who swiftly checked us in and showed us to our room. The room was very traditional yet modern, with a large vanity/shower area with a separate bathroom. The bed was HUGE, we had a hot tub in the room as well as a smart TV and mini bar, everything was amazing. The wow factor was our view from the balcony over looking the stunning pool and in the distance the Caribbean ocean. This hotel was a real mix of traditional and modern as well as a very high spec when it came to service and quality. The hotel has six restaurants, only one of which is buffet and a fantastic buffet it is. SPICE/ASIANA offers upscale contemporary gourmet dining with the fresh, bright taste influences from Japan, China and the rest of Southeast Asia PELICANOS is a beachfront restaurant and bar that serves local fare with a delicious twist, offering à la carte Caribbean-fusion cuisine that ranges from spicy to light and fresh, complemented by fantastic ocean views. Waiter service. RINCON MEXICANO is a traditional restaurant offering small dishes with big hit tastes of Mexican food including the Mexican Tacos. MARIA MARIE - a must-visit for those with adventurous palates, Maria Marie presents the best of what Mexico has to offer, with a delightful twist of French fusion. Waiter service. CHEF'S PLATE - INTERNATIONAL HAUTE CUISINE ( Part of the all inclusive when staying in a junior suite oceanfront or a charge of around $70pp is payable to use the restaurant) Experience international haute cuisine, prepared by the deft hands of our gourmet executive chef. A new dinner menu is crafted each day at the chef’s discretion, based on the best-available or most enticing ingredients. This makes each meal a new delight and every visit a one-of-a-kind event. As well as 6 restaurants there is a 24 hour snack bar offering all different types of snacks and deserts openly available whilst you play pool with friends or watch a sport of your choice. Many alcoholic and none alcoholic beverages are available for you to just help yourself also. The hotel has a Spa and treatment area which is bookable at a charge and an gym which is free to use. In the evening there is a occasional entertainment or you can sit in the hammock on your balcony with a glass of something cold and relax. The hotel is beachfront and the views are stunning although this particular part of the beach is found to have a large build up of seaweed which is removed but by locals using buckets for the beach to soon enough become full again, they really do try their hardest to clear the beach but this does make the beach not very appealing to sit on. The hotel is located in a great area of Playa del Carmen, were you can easily walk to the local shopping mall and market selling traditional souvenirs and gifts. There is also plenty of bars are restaurants on your door step too although I don't think you would need to step away from the Hilton Playa Del Carmen as it has everything on site to satisfy your needs. Around the pool each day you will have waiters who will serve you fresh fruit and drinks to you, or you can walk to the smoothie bar and get yourself a healthy fresh smoothie. or why not head to the bakery and grab yourself a cake or 2 and a coffee to your taste! In an afternoon they play games and have music on to create a lively atmosphere. This hotel attracts a lot of Americans and locals who come for a short stay so some afternoons are louder than others, but it is entertaining to sip a cocktail and people watch! The next hotel we moved onto was the Hyatt Zillara in Cancun...TALK ABOUT THE WOW FACTOR!

03 April 2017

I'd never visited Morocco before so to be offered a trip to Morocco, along with 40 other Travel Counsellors was an ideal opportunity to see for myself what Morocco has to offer! We flew out to Marrakech on the 21st March 2017 and on arrival at Marrakech airport I immediately felt safe and welcomed into this colourful and culture rich country. Medina/Souks. We had the pleasure of staying at the Movenpick Mansour Ebdhabi Marrakech hotel for 3 nights and after settling in and having lunch we was taken to the Medina, Souks within the iconic Jamaa El Friaa Square where we were given the opportunity to browse and shop the stalls offering leather bags, purses, sandals and shoes galore. For a lover of shoes and bags I was in HEAVEN! Winding little alleyways filled with shiny lanterns and explosions of colour and sparkles from all the beautiful scarfs and kaftans. The souks are a beautiful site. It's fun to be able to barter with the sellers to get the best price on your purchase. It is advised to barter the sellers down by a third of their original asking price to get a real bargain and believe me in most circumstances and the odd 'its OK I will leave it then', this did work and I got some real bargains. The souks/medinas are a hectic but fun place to be. The best time to visit the medina is from around tea time, 5pm onward, as this is a beautiful time to watch the sunset and atmosphere the medina at dusk. Restaurants and nightlife Restaurants are plentiful in Morocco serving traditional Moroccan food to include tapas style starters of vegetables, salads and olives to main courses of tagines filled with lamb, chicken and potatoes. Lots of fish dishes are available too. You can pretty much order anything your taste buds desire. On arrival to your table you will usually be welcomed with a cup of mint tea, which was very nice. Desserts varied from locally baked pastries to the traditional Ktefa (or ktifa) Moroccan Pastry with Custard Sauce (looks a little bit like poppadoms/pancakes with custard) unusual but very tasty. There are lots of nightlife spots available in Marrakech, from the contemporary sit down meal where you will be entertained by belly dancers and dancers with trays full of candles on her head, to upbeat night clubs offering fine dining, cocktails and dancing. We had the pleasure of visiting the following restaurants; Le Salama Le Palace Restaurant Jad Mahal L'Heure Bleue (Essaouira) During our time in Marrakech we had the chance to visit some amazing hotels (names of which I have detailed below) but as well as working we had the chance to do Go Karting which was great fun, whilst others went off for an afternoon of cookery in true Moroccan style. Morocco is also host to some world-famous golf courses and as a lot of the courses are within hotel grounds this makes an ideal base for couples or groups of friends looking for a mix of relaxation whilst also being able to have a round or two of golf. Ouirgane Valley and the Atlas Mountains. One of the days we was in Morocco we escaped the hustle and bustle of Marrakech to discover the natural beauty of the Ouigane valley. Here we visited the L'Amandier boutique hotel which just blew us all away. Located with a view of the lagoon at the foot of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains, this was a perfect place to lay back, enjoy the sun and admire the view. The L'Amandier Luxury Boutique hotel is a new hotel with rooms and private villas. A little piece of heaven on earth! Essaouira - Morocco's windy city on the Atlantic coast, argan oil factory and TREE GOATS! Three hours' drive from Marrakech is the beautiful coastal resort of Essaouira which we had the opportunity to visit to see a different side to Morocco. Before travelling to Morocco we was told about the tree goats and en-route to Essaouira we pulled up on the roadside to witness that very thing.....GOATS PERCHED IN TREES! This was a fascinating site but also very valuable to the farmers of the goats. These goats climb the trees to eat the Argan fruit, the stones/nuts of the fruit when pooped out by the goats are then sold to local community, cooperative workers who grind them into the very famous Argan oil, which leads me nicely onto our next stop, The Cooperative Marjana. This is were argan products are produced and sold. Local women work tirelessly, sat on the floor in clean, well ventilated conditions, grinding stone by stone, nut by nut to make argan products for their country and sold to locals and tourists alike. On arrival in Essaouira you immediately knew you was away from the madness of Marrakech. This beautiful coastal resort was a picture perfect, sandy beaches stretching for miles, people enjoying camel rides, windsurfers riding the waves and horses galloping into the sunset. The Medina we visited was a lot more laid-back than those in Marrakech therefore allowing you to browse a little easier. I would definitely go back to Essaouira knowing of its laid-back atmosphere and beauty. This was an ideal place to end our trip on a high. Overall my experience in Marrakech and Essaouira was truly wonderful. I can honestly say I would be more than happy to recommend this clean, vibrant, picturesque and mysterious country to my customers, whether it's for a break away with friends, as a couple or even for a corporate golfing trip, or a family holiday residing in one of the Riad style hotels. Honeymooners would be in heaven particularly at the L'Amandier boutique hotel at the foot of the Atlas Mountains (most hotels offer weddings packages) The hotels we visited on this trip are as follow; Movenpick Hotel Mansour Eddhabi - Marrakech Beachcomber Royal Palm - Marrakech Royal Mansour - Marrakech L'Amandier - Ouirgane Valley Atlas Hotel & Spa - Essaouira Sofitel Essaouira Mogador golf and Spa - Essaouira. Thank you for taking the time to read my Moroccan experience and please feel free to get in touch if you have any questions or are thinking of visiting this wonderful country yourself.

28 September 2015

I was extremely lucky enough to have been chosen to visit Dubai as part of a familiarisation trip hosted by Dubai tourism, Emirates and Arabian adventures and to describe Dubai in one word - SPECTACULAR! We flew from Birmingham Airport with Emirates Business class. Emirates lounge was a lovely way to start the journey, with all drinks (including Champagne) and everything you could possibly want to eat for breakfast at your finger tips. And the service didn't stop there, the service and comfort of business class on board was really good, meals were exceptional and again free flowing drinks, champagne....pretty much anything you wanted was available to you. Not forgetting the seats which form a bed and all the amazing in-flight entertainment and Rugby Union. Please note Dubai is a developing Emirate but the amount of cranes and building work does not put you off in the slightest. During our time in Dubai we resided for two nights at both The Ritz Carlton Dubai and the Kempinski Palm Jumeirah which were fabulous hotels, but we also had the opportunity to visit the following hotel's for site inspections; 'One & Only' resorts to include, The Palace at the Mirage, Arabian Court and the Residence & Spa. The world famous 'Atlantis the Palm' The Iconic 'Burj Al Arab' 'Madinat Jumeirah' resort featuring; 'Jumeirah Al Qasr' and the 'Mina A' Salam' 'Jumeirah Zabeel Sarah' 'Taj Dubai' 'Four Seasons Hotel' The 'Address Hotels & Resorts', Manzil Downtown & The Palace Downtown All of which I have written personal reviews about. We did some amazing activities during our trip to include Aquaventure at Atlantis the Palm, Dubai's best water park, home to adrenaline pumping water slides with record breaking rides but also the chance to get up close and personal with sharks, rays and Dolphins. You can relax on its very own beach or sit back in your dingy and drift around the lazy river - a definite for thrill seekers and a great family day out. Downtown Dubai was definitely a wonderful experience. We first went for drinks in FAI which is a chic and intimate cocktail lounge with elegant sofas and a stunning outdoor veranda. The vibrant lounge offers good music, great cocktails, and breathtaking views of The Dubai dancing Fountains and Burj Lake. Downtown Dubai is busy but very safe to walk out and about and visit the bars and many malls, also it's home to the worlds tallest building, the Burj Khaliffa. The Dancing fountains take place from 6:30pm and run every half hour till 11pm every evening and dance to songs from Michael Jackson's Thriller to typically Arabic music. Simply beautiful!! During a break from hotel visits we experienced a breathtaking Seawings flight over Dubai, giving us the opportunity to see the lay out of the Palm itself, panoramic views of the city as well as the Burj Al Arab and the World islands which is home to one of the Sheikh Mohammed many houses. The flight is approximately 40 minutes long and is a very well organised excursion - must for those who would like to see the true beauty of this ever growing emirate this trip is a MUST! Overall my time in Dubai was breathtaking and for what we saw in 5 days was exhausting but well worth it. I now have lots of memories but most of all knowledge which I can pass onto my clients who are maybe considering Dubai for the future whether it be a family holiday, couples break or even a stop over. Thank you for reading my journal and please do not hesitate to get in touch if you are looking for a holiday to Dubai.