04 March 2025

When people decide on heading East for the first time, Thailand tends to top the list. And, with elephants, idyllic islands and a feast of food and culture, it’s little wonder. But, delve a bit deeper, and Vietnam could well come up trumps for you. This long, skinny nation pays tribute to its sobering war history, but does so with the most beauty and peace you can imagine. Mix that with ancient towns brimming with colour and life and stunning scenery straight out of a screensaver and you can easily spend two weeks here without even thinking about hopping to another Asian destination. I was lucky enough to enjoy a 10-night North to South Vietnam with the wonderful Intrepid Travel recently. Intrepid are always on my radar when I know that my guests are itching for an adventurous holiday with the insight of travelling with a passionate local guide and the comfort of travelling aside a small group. They’re perfect for solo travel, couples, friends and families (they offer specific tours for families, ages normally start from 5 upwards). Vietnam had been on my periphery for a while, but not enough that it’d worked its way up to anywhere near the top of the list. Apart from Forrest Gump, I didn’t know anything about the Vietnam War, and I had it pegged as somewhere that could be a bit complicated to get around, and not necessarily somewhere to get the beach hit that’s so popular after exploring. I flew Turkish Airlines into Hanoi which is Vietnam’s capital, set in the north of the country. I don’t know what I expected of Hanoi, but I absolutely loved it. There’s lots of skyscrapers on the skyline, but as you get into the city itself, it’s a ramshackle mix of crumbling French Oriental architecture, huge Banyan trees, elegant avenues and totally chaotic Vietnamese life with millions of scooters (our winner had a family of five on one), street food and stalls proffering every tropical fruit and weird sea creature in a bucket known to man. Most people use Hanoi as a jumping off point for Ha Long Bay, but it also definitely deserves some time in its own right. If you’re on a tight schedule though, Ha Long is the must do in these parts. It might not be a name you can instantly pinpoint, but you’ll more than likely have seen it on idyllic travel ads and even films like James Bond, Kong and Pan. Ha Long Bay is the main, touristy bay but there are also quieter parts. We were in neighbouring Lan Ha. Wherever you go, the waters are a deep jade green and punctuated with limestone islands and karsts covered in emerald forest. We stayed on a boutique cruise for the night, anchored in the bay and with complimentary activities like kayaking and starlit squid fishing. We had an incredible time drinking cocktails as the sun set behind the landscape. Then a less-fun-but-still-beautiful-nonetheless time watching it rise again from the privacy of my balcony at 5am with both jetlag and a hangover. The consensus in the group was that nothing could top Ha Long Bay. But then we went to Hoi An. Pictured Vietnam with lots of lantern-strung streets and ornate wooden teahouses? This is your place. Part of the Silk Route, ancient Hoi An is a gorgeous treasure trove of street markets, tiny traditional craft shops and tailors. In the evening, when thousands of colourful lights shine from the trees and streets, you can pay a couple of pounds for a paper lantern, and gently bob up the river by rowing boat to release it into the water in memory of someone you love. A really special experience. There’s also a pumping nightlife here, so if you’re shots over sombreness, it’s got you covered too. Hoi An’s ancient town is in easy proximity to the beaches, and this central stretch of the country is where I’d suggest heading for some down time. What’s so special about it here is that the coastline rivals the beauty of more well-known spots, but it’s still just a bit more undiscovered, by most UK clients at least. Hoi An is also where I fell completely in love with the Vietnamese people who are the most gentle, peaceful and industrious you can imagine. We took a countryside biking tour through the rural islands of Hoi An, calling in at a rice wine business run by Mr Gao. A veteran of the Cambodian Civil War, he’d lost a leg in the fighting but, despite all the terrible things he’d seen and been through, was the most positive and hopeful person you’ll likely ever meet. His walls were filled with snapshots from his career as a musician and proudly pointed out photos of his wife and children. He’d risked and put everything into starting his rice wine business, taking the rice from every stage from harvest to labelling the bottles at the end. He told us cheerfully about everything he’d experienced in his life, and then sang us a song with his guitar. It goes without saying that I was a wreck. He summed up what’s so enormously endearing about Vietnamese people: they don’t harbour grudges or ill-will, they just want to live a happy, contented life. Our final call was Ho Chi Minh City, and, to me, this put into perspective the rest of the journey. The city is more fast-paced and futuristic, a bit more like the Asia you imagine. It’s also home to places like the Cu Chi Tunnels and War Remnants Museum. We did the latter, and it was harrowing. As someone with little knowledge on the Vietnam War, it was confronting viewing, but also essential to understand what the people have endured, and come out the other side of. This incredible tour gave me an experience I’ll truly never forget, made even more special by sharing it with other people along the way. If you’re considering Vietnam, or wondering what’s so special about Intrepid or small group touring, I’d love to talk you through the options to help you decide what’s right for you.

27 October 2024

Complimentary food when you order wine is such a thing of the past now that it made the freshly baked bread, oils, olives and selection of unctious Greek dips even sweeter. Welcome to early season in Halkidiki where the restaurants are quiet and eager owners wait to lure you in with jugs of cut-price local sweet wine at a table Shirley Valentine would be thrilled with. Our jaunt to Greece was on account of the opening of the new Domes Noruz Kassandra, an as boujee-as-they-come hideout on one of Halkidiki's trio of peninsulas. Domes is a collection of 5* hotels located across Greece, and slowly spreading to the rest of the Med with the opening of their first one on the Algarve. Ours was a Domes Noruz, shorthand for uber-trendy interiors, an adult-only guest list and a series of extra highlights (think a DJ appearing from mid-air to play ambient beats, attentive staff floating round in slouchy pyjama garms to cater to your every whim and a choice of coffee beans at breakfast allowing you to curate your very own caffeine hit) that can only feasibly be described as a vibe. Set along the sand and shingle beachfront at Hanioti, the hotel overlooks a millpond-like sea with the neighbouring peninsula providing sheltered conditions and stunning scenery in one fell swoop. The great thing about Domes was the absolute nailed-it balance of glorious escapism in the resort (a stunning tiered rectangular pool with inset loungers, sunrise and sunset yoga, a scrumptious breakfast inspired by all the Greek eats) but the ability to easily dip into life outside the hotel too. Of course, the restaurants (and their ever-so-tempting wines...) but also the option to hire bikes and cycle along back routes alive with cicada chirping to neighbouring towns, poke around nice boutiques with treats ranging from olive oil soaps and local herbs and spices to rails of colourful silky clothes and handmade jewellery befitting of a beach club. And, if you're feeling inclined, there's plenty of options for that too. While our hotel undoubtedly had that 'vibe' (there, I said it), it can be hard to conjure up the party atmosphere when the hotel is at about 30% capacity with a medley of Instagrammers and travel agents in a pre-season sneak peek. But, a quick amble in to the town, or along the beach, yielded bars, clubs and sunset-perched soiree spots for when a wilder time beckoned. For me though, by the time I'd gorged myself on breakfast, lingered over lunch and finally worked up some hunger for an evening meal, I was mercifully happy to simply roll back to my bungalow, sink in to the sumptuous bedding of my king size and drift off to sleep with a slow loop of chilled Ibiza drifting round in my head... I was lucky enough to sneak off here for a girls' trip with my bestie. But it's equally great for luxury loving couples seeking an escape in super stylish surrounds too.

05 December 2023

It doesn’t take much to persuade me to book a holiday. Late last year I was scrolling through Facebook and read the sad story of a travel consultant who had lost her husband. It had been his dream to go to New York, but he had never made it. So, she’d booked a whirlwind trip for herself and her son, determined to make it happen in his honour. Fast-forward a couple of hours and I have also booked myself a trip to NYC, a surprise for my husband who I have a welling up of gratitude and love for after this whole episode. We would go at the end of May, and to heck with the people who say that it’s absolutely not a place for young children. At the end of May, we are stood at an emptying luggage belt at JFK, our pram and buggy board nowhere in sight staring down the barrel of four nights in the city with two kids and no wheels. There had also been some tears as we transited in Dublin (mine), one favoured sandal somehow snapped clean in half (also mine). But we were there, we had MADE IT – the Big Apple was ours to discover. This was our first time to NYC, and so I was keen for us to be right in it. Unless you’ve been to Times Square, it’s very hard to get a steer on exactly how insane ‘right in it’ is but if you can picture a lady in nothing but a thong, pumping Nigerian nightclubs (in the day), spinning selfie wheels and throngs of people spilling onto pavements surrounded by huge flashing billboards, you can get a rough idea. NYC is five hours behind, so landing mid-afternoon was actually nearly bedtime for the kids. We had managed to score a random pram from baggage reclaim but the chorus of ‘my legs hurt’ from Lois was wearing a tad thin. With both kids dead on their feet, we ended up in the bright lights of a 99-cent pizza slice shop and then plodded back to the relative calm of our hotel, The Michelangelo, to crack open a box of wine from our suitcase (husband goals) and enjoy the smug peace of two slumbering children. As 2am rolled round, the inevitable happened, and both kids woke, presuming it to be morning. With much cajoling and a full bed, we all managed to get some sleep, waking up at a time we would have been delighted with at home, but somehow in NYC was actually only 6am. This turned out to be one of the very best(?) things about going to New York with kids. It was early starts making the most of the full day, but equally early to bed, and a bit of downtime for us. A side note here on The Michelangelo, which is perfect for families. We had a suite with a living room and a separate bedroom. By New York standards it was ginormous, plus every room has a huge marble bathtub too. It’s a real slice of old school Italian glamour in a great location, somehow managing to be both on the doorstep of everything, but also homely, safe and peaceful. Day two, we started with a proper American breakfast at an old-school diner called Johny’s Luncheonette. We all sat in a row at the counter watching them make our pancakes and eggs over easy. Johny's is one of the most popular, and had a pretty big queue outside constantly. But you'll find plenty more great diners dotted across the city. We’d gone to NYC with our eyes open knowing prices are really high now, so our plan was a humungous breakfast and then a light lunch and dinner so we weren’t going too mad. That being said, we still managed to average £500 a day in spends! And I will never eat another tater tot again… That afternoon, we’d booked tickets for the baseball. This was one of our absolute favourite parts of our trip - the atmosphere in the Yankees Stadium was incredible. We had no idea of the rules, and it was $17 for a beer, but I would recommend as an absolute must do if you are in NYC during the season. You can easily hop on the subway from Midtown to the Bronx, and tickets to the game were about $35 each. Day three we activated our NYC Pass. This is one of my biggest wins – The Pass includes access to loads of attractions, some need pre-booking, others you just scan on the door. Each day you buy it for, the average price becomes cheaper, so it’s worth doing it for at least three days in my opinion. We managed to squeeze quite a few things in but could have done more. The Empire State was fabulous. It was the whole history of the place which blew me away. They have an area where the windows are screens, playing King Kong scrambling up and peering in at you. Billy was absolutely beside himself screeching “MONKEY!” for the remainder of our trip. New York does viewing platforms brilliantly and we climbed the Edge, Rockefeller and One World during our trip, but I’d say Empire State pips them all to the post. We also did a day’s pass on an open-top bus tour which was very, very welcomed by day four when my ankles felt as though they would buckle if I dared take another step. This was a great way to tick off Wall Street and Lower Manhattan but, in honesty, I could have happily spent another full day exploring here. It makes sense to do One World, the 9/11 Memorial and Statue of Liberty while you’re in this part of the city. While we didn’t make it to everything, we did hit One World at sunset with helicopters at virtual eye level, which the kids loved! Four nights taught me that to experience it properly, you’d be so much better with longer. We barely brushed on Central Park. I’d have loved to have made it to the old school fairground at Coney Island. I was desperate to have a wander around Chelsea and Greenwich although we did make a stretch of the High Line, a disused railway route that’s been refashioned as a green oasis in the city making a great walk with artworks and events. The kids were too young to go to a show, but it would have been on our list. We did squeeze in Ellen’s Stardust Diner, an old school 50s joint where the waiters and waitresses suddenly start blasting out fabulous Broadway-worthy music performances. Rainbow bagel with lox and cream cheese, a huge Bloody Mary and glitter confetti raining down on you is so the best start to a day. So, New York, in summary, in your face, epic, flipping expensive and, quite honestly a bit lifechanging. Even though (for my own holidays) I’m very much take it as it comes, it’s definitely a place that requires a bit of an itinerary. But it’s also amazing to just walk round, looking up and soaking up somewhere you’ve seen thousands of times in movies and TV. We had a truly incredible few days and would return in a heartbeat, kids or no kids.

21 August 2023

Following on from our river cruise on the Rhine last summer, we decided to throw caution to the wind and try the Seine this August. The Seine runs through northern France, and this cruise started in Paris before winding its way up towards the Normandy beaches and back towards the City of Light. As is usual with me, I like to push my luck when it comes to holidays and so with a smidgen under the annual leave required for my husband, we missed the first two nights and met the ship (A-ROSA VIVA) in Rouen. This was good fun, involving a First Class train from Paris, a quiet carriage, two children eating their way through France’s most audible picnic and a cross man shhh-ing us every few minutes. So, let me tell you about the ship. I’ve done a few river cruises before (twice on the Rhine and once on the Danube). The ships are always roughly the same size, around 200 passengers, and are usually the same setup, three decks plus a sun deck. It’s SO personalised compared to a big ocean ship. I love ocean cruising so I’m not knocking it at all, but this is just another level: friendly, always the same faces, a barman who knows your drink, a first officer who carts your young son-turned-devotee around all week. It’s really impossible to not feel like you’re coming home at the end of a day ashore. We had two interconnecting balcony cabins. If you’ve not river cruised before, I would heartily recommend going for a balcony. There is honestly nothing like slowly sailing down the river and hearing the gentle lap of the water, watching life on the riverbanks just glide on by. Rouen is the capital of Normandy and famous as the place where Joan of Arc got burnt at the stake. It’s got a strangely Shrewsbury-feel, half-timbered buildings and cobbled streets, albeit a significantly more incredible cathedral (sorry Shrewsbury), a beautiful astronomical clock and even the oldest inn in France (1345!). Sailing out of Rouen was a spectacular experience. The landscapes are so green and lush with chalky cliffs and mile upon mile of untouched nature. The sun deck is the perfect place to enjoy this with a cocktail, chatting, sailing, the kids playing shuffleboard or trying to murder one another over a game of Dobble as the sun sets... After Rouen, we sailed to the pretty town of Caudebec famous for its camembert. On embarking the day before, we had got chatting to Hannes who was the DJ. Hannes had only recently joined the ship, a self-taught music teacher he was probably the most passionate and serious man I have ever met about music. He invited us on a ‘Musical Journey of Caudebec’. We met him promptly at the quayside at 10:15, with his guitar and canvas blazer slung about his shoulders and an instruction that we must only ask any questions via the medium of singing. As you can imagine, this was a very memorable couple of hours for us culminating in a pre-lunch shot of Calvados (a wince-inducing apple brandy). That afternoon, we took a tour towards the coastline at Deauville (holiday destination of choice of many Hollywood heyday stars and really beautiful), as well as Honfleur. This is where the Parisians come for a weekend break. Historic streets, a stunning harbour, super-chic and so many excellent places to eat and drink. We helped ourselves to a cider tasting here. It’s apparently a thing that they drink cider from these wide, shallow teacups so we sank a dry, a sweet and a rose, all from the region and all delicious. The next morning we woke in Les Andelys, a tiny town presided over by the hilltop ruins of Chateau Gaillard, which was where Richard the Lionheart fortified the border between the English-held areas of Normandy against the French. We – through a combination of strong calves and ice cream-related bribery – topped the summit admiring gorgeous views across the countryside. What struck me here was that this incredible piece of history had swerved the crowds of day-trippers. And that’s possibly one of my favourite things about river cruising. You are not entering into tourist traps, you are delving deeply into a region, and seeing things you probably wouldn’t know you wanted to visit otherwise. It’s great to do both, but in the crazy busy months of summer and with the words ‘over-tourism’ being bandied around, it is great see an alternative in action. That afternoon, we sailed out of Les Andelys towards Vernon, famously home to Giverny, Monet’s home and garden. We walked around the perimeter of the famous lily pond through the vibrantly coloured flowers and gardens. I don’t count myself a gardener but for an art appreciator or a hardline horticulture fan, it is surely heaven. On Tuesday, we sailed towards Paris all day. This is where you truly relax. Our new friend the first officer had taken Dave on a tour of the ship’s engine room the day before, so I took my couple of hours back in the spa. There are loungers inside and out, a hot tub and a sauna. I sat with my book in total peace and quiet watching the world go by. The next morning, we got up early to spend the full day in the city starting at the Eiffel Tower. I was absolutely awestruck by how many people were risking life and limb to stand in the middle of a main road to get a picture of themselves with it. There was also more than one couple in full wedding attire having a photo shoot. We walked along the banks of the Seine to the Tuileries Gardens. We stopped for a spur-of-the-moment lunch at a restaurant called Les Antiquaires enjoying every French stereotype – frogs’ legs, Normandy oysters, snails and a vat of wine. Afterwards, the kids took advantage of us and we withdrew 50 Euros and let them go wild in the fair which filled the Gardens. We finished at the Claude Monet Lily Pond exhibition at L’Orangerie which brought our entire experience full circle. In short, river cruising is the most relaxing, pretty and enjoyable way to really get to grips with a region. It’s not all big sights and box-ticking, and that is exactly its charm. Whether you have considered yourself a cruiser, or indeed a river cruiser, or not, I’d say the main thing to think about is whether a holiday off the beaten track with superb local food, drink and a truly boutique service are for you. For me, it’d be a yes every time! Fancy it? I work with an excellent choice of river cruise lines promising everything from kid-friendly to butler-runs-your-bath. I’ll guide you through the entire experience to find something absolutely perfect for you.

18 September 2022

Holiday planning for my own family can be a curious affair. My husband wants nothing to do with the logistics but will happily make my life a misery for a week if it’s not up to scratch. My kids are young and therefore fairly easy-going, but if there’s not enough to do, then woe betide you. For both parties, they don’t like very hot weather or lying around all day. For me, I like culture and history but a good bit of relaxation too. So, this year, a river cruise. We’ve ocean cruised plenty before, but the rivers are a different beast. Would the ship be too small, the itinerary too boring, the clientele too old? We got a great option on a family cruise with A-ROSA, and I will tell you all… It’s fair to say that the typical river cruise customer is a bit older, but with lots of work being done to highlight the active nature of many of the places you’ll visit, plus more of a trendy take on ship design and dining, you can now find many options where the age range is more of a mixed bag. On A-ROSA, who are fairly unique in that they welcome children on board, the split in the school holidays was probably about 70% over 50 and the rest a mixture of couples, multi-generational families and a few families with kids aged from baby to teen. The atmosphere was so lovely: relaxed, friendly and a great balance. It had that rare thing of being family-friendly in the school holidays, but not a playground of rampant, ear-splitting kid hell. We cruised the Northern Rhine, custom-picked for my husband for its variable weather. At the time of travel, Europe was locked in a weeks-long heatwave and drought meaning that river levels were reaching record lows making some stretches of the Rhine impassible. For our trip, this didn’t affect us except that we started an hour and 20-minutes’ drive north of our original starting point in Cologne. River levels rise and fall, and the cruise lines are great at quickly and expertly amending routes to make the journey go without a hitch. We sailed around Holland and Belgium to places we’d never really heard of which can sometimes be the case with a river cruise. And what a treat it is! Our own itinerary took in Hoorn, Lelystad, Ghent, Dordrecht, Antwerp and Nijmegen. On a river ship, you literally pull up in the centre of town so you can amble on and off when you want. It’s like a little city break every day. We squeezed loads into the week – some for us, some for the kids and I can share details of them all if you’re interested in this route. But, some concise highlights: Hoorn which is a really pretty Golden Age city (a bit like a mini Amsterdam) but somehow when we visited it was their biggest festival of the year and so instead of the lazy afternoon strolling through pretty streets and sitting in a pavement café, it was actually a full-on rave with a huge funfair and many, many Dutch people drinking Heineken and bellowing. Everyone got back to the ship in a state of shock but it was so fun! Lelystad we took the train to Amsterdam because canals and a Red Light District – where can you go wrong with a toddler and a five-year-old? In Ghent, we went to an amazing indoor/outdoor waterpark with loads of slides and pools and a big spa. In Dordrecht, we got a tour of A-ROSA’s brand new ship which has been designed especially for families with a kids’ club and cabins sleeping five. In Antwerp, we visited the MAS Museum which was spread over 10 storeys and did a corking job of keeping all ages engaged and happy. And there’s a lovely bar with 360-degree views of the city on the top! Nijmegen was my favourite place despite having never heard of it before. It was market day and it was so pretty and cosmopolitan I was having visions of moving here, perhaps shopping for local produce to carry home in the basket of my bike… In between being in port, you’re sailing which tends to be a mixture of daytime and overnight. The daytime sailing is lovely. If the weather’s good you can chill on a lounger on sun deck and have a cocktail and just watch the views go by. They held events like a brunch as you cruise down the river, food and wine tastings, games tournaments. The ships are small compared to ocean ships but you’ll find plenty to do and it’s a great balance of busy days exploring and relaxing time on board. Our ship had a beautiful spa right at the front with an outdoor jacuzzi. Lois and I got up at the crack of dawn on our first day, got our robes and slippers on and went. It was totally empty and we had the most surreal time sitting out in the jacuzzi slowly gliding along the river, going under bridges and watching the morning joggers and dog walkers go by. So many people have asked me since we’ve got back, ‘weren’t the kids bored?’. I’m the first to say this isn’t the type of family holiday for everyone, but honestly, it was one of the nicest trips we’ve had. The atmosphere universally was so friendly and welcoming and we instantly felt totally at ease. Our cabin setup was perfect with two interconnecting rooms meaning we had loads of space and all got a decent night’s sleep which is half the battle. There was music and entertainment in the evening, in the daytime games like mini golf and giant checkers. A little kids club that ran just in school holiday times. They made Lois mocktails in the bar and they left a highchair for Bill permanently setup in the restaurant. There were kids dishes at dinner. But mostly, being off ship in a new place every day was brilliant. It was all the things we love about a city break but made a million times easier with no packing and unpacking and loads of freedom to do what you want, when you want. There’s so many river cruise lines out there now, and I can help you choose the right one for you. A-ROSA are excellent because they offer a really relaxed atmosphere with lots of flexibility both on the ship and in port. Likewise, you can opt for cruises that are more structured with included tours, ones just for adults, boutique ones, ones with butlers! Similarly, there’s a huge choice of rivers and ports to explore too, both across Europe and with an increasing amount in places like Africa and the Far East. For me, I’d definitely river cruise again… they had me at Premium All-Inclusive and a complimentary spa! Considering it? I’ll use my first-hand knowledge and great relationships with a world of suppliers to find the perfect cruise line and itinerary for you.

22 July 2022

You’d be forgiven for asking twice where Montenegro is. Clinging to the coast just below Croatia, this tiny country flies under the radar, but packs an enormous punch in good looks, amazing food and a new line in luxe hotels. Yes, dear reader, you’ve just discovered a little-known gem… Our own trip to Montenegro was one of sheer pot luck. We were booked on a cruise, but the kids clubs got cancelled, and so we decided to look elsewhere. An easy three hours from Manchester later, and we found ourselves in Tivat, Montenegro’s main city and airport. It’s tiny, a bit Borat, and not the most salubrious entry to the country. On the drive over to our hotel, I have to admit more than a few furious brows were raised between hubby and I. The inland drive is a bit of a weird one and having read that Budva was the ‘Miami of Montenegro’ the outskirts told us the country’s PR department had had a field day. We’d been moved from our planned hotel, the Iberostar Herceg Novi, due to a late opening, and so instead were staying at the Iberostar Bellevue, a 4* perfect for families. Its with joy that I say that any misgivings immediately melted the moment we stepped into the hotel. Set in huge gardens filled with towering Cypress trees and beautiful pools, the resort had Italianate nailed, and too, fabulous kids’ facilities and impeccable service. Perched right on the beachfront, we were halfway between the resorts of Budva and Becici, but, being such a speck on the map, the rest of the country was in easy reach too. I’ll start with Budva. A fortified old town sitting on a headland on a wide bay with an island plumb in the middle, Budva is a spectacular gem of gloriously golden tiny streets filled with blooming wisteria trees making amazing lilac-coloured backdrops to photos. The transparent sea laps around the city’s walls as you look back along the coastline which changes from shingly beaches to dramatic mountains in the matter of metres. On the outskirts of Budva, beach clubs and restaurants line the shores and the approach to town goes from sketchy to chic with billionaire’s super yachts and traditional fishing boats bobbing along the harbour and tables and chairs pulled up on the sea’s edge serving local seafood, caught that day. Head in the other direction and discover Becici. Booming with the development of luxury hotels, Becici has the charm of a tiny village where a seafront promenade delivers you into a lovely corner of authentic tavernas. Life is undeniably changing here, but, for now, huge just-caught tuna hangs from its tail outside superbly quaint restaurants and the sound of the sea is the perfect backdrop to carafes of local wine and plates piled high with reasonably-priced Montenegrin cuisine. The sea in Montenegro is unforgettable. Totally crystal-clear. As you walk round the coastline, you’ll find untouched coves and amazingly beautiful rock formations and caves. If you keep going from Becici, you’ll discover a beach reserved for the royal family’s pad, and then, onwards, an island which has been transformed from historic fortified town to luxury resort where you can opt to stay in swishly-restored houses lining miniature plazas, backed by the sea. Grab a taxi to Kotor, and find yourself at the foot of a fjord dubbed the biggest in the Med. The sea here is emerald green and the scenery nothing short of spectacular. We enjoyed a few drinks at a bar set over the bay with a platform down onto the beach filled with pebbles perfected for skimming into the still waters of the Adriatic. The fortified town is well-hidden but no less a huge draw for cruise ships. When we visited, the Russia and Ukraine conflict had recently started, and so the streets were empty. The old town is stunningly beautiful: tiny churches and townhouses with brightly-painted shutters hiding from the sun. Cobbled alleys give way to atmospheric squares filled with restaurants and cafes. The feel of Italy is strong here; oh, and the food… The freshest seafood, pasta tossed in olive oil with chilli and parsley, huge slabs of something like a Spanish omelette, roasted potatoes with peppers and aubergine, enormous salads, mashed potato like you’ve never eaten (do you get the feeling we enjoyed it?). So, Montenegro, all in all, a little off the beaten track, and all the better for it. It has an unbelievable amount to offer luxury travellers, nightlife seekers, families and, with a startling number of national parks, adventurers too.

20 February 2020

That little pocket of opportunity between Christmas and New Year is always my favourite time to go away. Work is sleepy, civilisation is in a lull and most places are still all dressed up for Christmas. This year, we took ourselves off to Prague. Having previously visited (and adored) Vienna, I wanted more Austro-Hungarian oomph, hearty fare and good beer. It did not disappoint. Getting to Prague is a doddle, there’s regular flights and it’s a famously good value city break so expect it to stack up well on budget. It’s reasonable when you’re there too, but like most European cities now, prices are high once you hit the centre. We stayed in a leafy suburb of the city, around half an hour’s walk from the Charles Bridge and the main, big-hitting highlights. We’d picked an apartment, because, with a kid, it’s just easier to try and have a bit more of a defined living/sleeping set up, plus a little kitchen was a god send. I’m quickly realising that toddlers and city breaks can be a bit hard work, but, ultimately, worth it. I’d booked four nights, and with great flight times, it worked out that we’d have five full days, plenty of time to explore this beautiful city. Prague is definitely easy on the eye. As you walk into the handsome city centre, either through opulent wide streets lined with palatial buildings, or along the Vltava River where hills rise steeply in the background overlooking the city, you’re never far away from an enormous, gold-gilded gothic church, or a grand boulevard. Which, although imposing at any time of the year, are even more beautiful in the glow of wrought iron streetlamps and glittering Christmas trees. The winter months are obviously high Christmas markets time in cities across the continent, and Prague leads the way with some of the most notable in Europe. Our main entre to the city every day was a stroll down Wenceslas Square, watched over by a huge statue of a horseback St Wenceslas. Christmas markets line the road from around halfway down with towering Christmas trees and traditional treats (like a griddled camembert and doughnut curled into a cone, filled with ice cream). The main one though, is in the Old Town Square. We stumbled upon it by mistake and couldn’t believe how absurdly pretty the area was. It feels much more quaint around here, still grand, and very touristy, but filled with lots of narrow back alleys and tunnels through the buildings. This is also the home of the famous Astronomical Clock, the third oldest in the world, and the oldest to still be operating now. It comes alive at the hour with moving people and chimes. Hundreds and hundreds gather to watch it, even late at night. The main pull for many though, is the Charles Bridge. You know when you’re getting to the Charles Bridge because suddenly the streets are ten-thick. It’s so busy around here but crossing the Vltava across the beautifully ornate bridge lined with grand statues remains the top thing to do. One of my customers had mentioned to me that we must play Smetana’s The Moldau as we cross; a classical piece dedicated to the Vltava. So, with a pram to part the crowd, and our phone blasting out, we drifted back to a more peaceful place in Prague’s less touristy past. On the other side of the river, Mala Strana (or lesser town) crawls up the hillside, in a pretty higgledy-piggledy way with more of the same colourful grand buildings and a stately riverside park where a lovely restaurant aside a stream plays live music and offers blankets and roaring fire pits for cosy al fresco drinks, even in December. If you’re a low carb, vegetarian, non-drinker, look away now. Prague’s cuisine is heavy on the stomach, light on the vegetables and always with dense bready dumplings, perfect for soaking up the plentiful beer! Like most places now though, if the more traditional food scene doesn’t tickle your pickle, there’s plenty of more international choices dotted around the city. On the outskirts of town, expect to pay a couple of quid for a meal, and a pound or so for a beer. In the centre, easily times that amount by five or six (or more). I loved the city, and found it the ideal choice for a good value, family-friendly break. It could definitely also be tailored to something a little more romantic, or a little more lively. You’ll find some river cruise lines offer a pre or past stay here before heading over to the Danube which would be another superb way to explore more of this pretty and historically fascinating region. Planning a long weekend? Jetting off for a few days in a new city is pretty much my favourite thing in the world. So, I’d love to help you plan and get the most out of yours.

20 February 2020

Tuscany. The very word conjures images of slender Cypress trees and rolling hills. Divine wines and pretty towns. We spent a week self-driving through this famously beautiful region picking up tips, must dos – and a few very decent bottles of plonk! The rare example of a favoured holiday destination where the countryside wins out over the coast, we based ourselves just outside of Florence, giving us the option to dip into the city when we wanted, and discover the rest of the region easily too. We’re pack-it-all-inners and so I’d already earmarked several places I wanted to visit during our trip. Early June, when we went, is prime time for exploring, with temperatures inching up into the late 20s and early 30s so expect long sunny days made for strolling through beautiful squares, dining al fresco and cooling off with Italy’s famous gelato. Our first port of call was Florence. For me, I think we made a mistake by visiting over a weekend. Florence is so busy now. And it’s little wonder. With more than its fair share of beautiful architecture, great shopping and delicious food, holidaymakers are clamouring to get their fix of Firenze. I’d plan to stop here midweek, making time to admire the beautiful Duomo with less hordes, and the opportunity to wander a little more freely across the postcard perfect Ponte Vecchio – the city’s unique bridge complete with shops. Laidback Lucca was next, and for us, we found it much more our cup of tea. Friends had recommended this sleepier spot after their own Tuscan honeymoon several years back. Ringed by thick medieval walls, the old city is a pretty delight with a clutch of lovely restaurants, shops and cafes, a huge rambling street market with literally hundreds of stalls (we visited on a Sunday), and a much more local feel. Without a doubt, the best thing to do here is hire bikes from one of the many rental shops – we paid around seven Euros each for two hours – and cycle the wide tree-lined promenade atop the walls. The views are spectacular. It’s no visit to Tuscany without exploring Chianti. The famed wine region is beyond pretty with winding country lanes lacing through rolling hills. We found there to be quality vineyards dotted all across the landscape here, some demanding to be pre-booked, others with a more laid back approach. If you know your wines, and one is of a particular interest, I’d recommend getting booked in in advance. We dropped into a vineyard, met the owner and enjoyed a private tour and wine tasting. It was only around 15 Euros each, and a real highlight of our experience. Unfortunately our bill for taking wine home was a little higher! We’d just missed the famous Paleo when we travelled to Siena. If you’ve not heard about it, it’s when Siena’s neighbourhoods are at their most rambunctious, rivalling one another in a centuries-old horse race in the city’s main square. The floor is trodden with sand, and the whole place is absolutely alive. A little more sedate when we went, but still packed with character and charm, we loved this place with its atmospheric streets and a bit more of a rough-around-the-edges appeal. San Gimignano is the place that tops many an Italian wish list. Outlandishly attractive and perched above a hilltop, you’ll find cobbled lanes and grand squares loomed over by medieval towers. If I’m honest, I’d say this is likely a place that’s best enjoyed out of season. With spectacular settings like this come huge crowds, and as much as we liked it, we felt that it did dampen the atmosphere a bit. Spring or autumn would be just perfect here. And finally, with many of Tuscany’s drawcards already under our belt, we clamoured for something a little different on our last day. And beyond the big-hitters, more undiscovered gems still lie. We visited Arezzo, and absolutely loved it. In the process of gearing up for its annual medieval jousting event, there was a buzz in the air, but still a distinctly authentic feel in the quality restaurants, shops and historic spots. It was the perfect way to wrap up a Tuscany tour of two halves: part touristy, part hidden and all absolutely blissful. Planning your own Italy trip? I’ll fill it with tips and recommendations and wrap it up in a friendly expert service, tailored uniquely to you.

28 November 2019

I’m a pack-it-all-in kind of traveller. And I don’t just mean my cases (which are always ludicrous both in volume and weight). When I go somewhere, I love to squeeze in as much as I can. This November, without school holidays to worry about, and with a week to spare, we headed off to Florida to explore the Sunshine State. With year-round good weather, Florida is a sun-worshipper’s dream. Our summer months can make it humid and you’ll frequently get short bursts of heavy rain in the afternoon and in the evening. In our winter, the heat subsides a little, so it’s ideal weather to get out and about. Whenever you go, you’ll always find plenty to do. We started our trip in Orlando, with four nights at the Sheraton Vistana Village on International Drive. We only bargained a few days here because a) we were travelling with a two-year-old, and didn’t want to commit to too many hectic park days and b) we were desperate to hit Miami in our week-long stint. When I pictured International Drive, I had in my head a strip of restaurants, bars, hotels – the kind of hub of Orlando. What I quickly realised is that this is on a completely different scale. Hiring a car is the ideal way to get around if you’re not on site at Disney or Universal. If you don’t fancy driving, Uber is readily available and a godsend. Plus, parking is expensive, so you might find it weighs out in the long run. Day one, Orlando. Whacked from the flight, we chilled around the hotel, enjoying the huge heated pools and the gorgeous blue skies. My husband is a keen shooter, so he headed off to a professional range (which he LOVED) and then later we drove to Downtown Orlando and Lake Eola. This place has such a cool atmosphere with a walkway around the lake, swan pedaloes to hire and a laid back bar dishing up Margaritas while the sun sets. The perfect way to settle into Floridian life. Because we were travelling with a toddler, we’d opted to just go for SeaWorld and Universal tickets. We covered SeaWorld in our second day, and it was a great shout. It’s structured with regular animal shows plus a brill parade in the new Sesame Street land. There's big rides too, but because there was so much else going on, we didn't miss them. The Sesame Street area is great for tots with a handful of rides with toddler-friendly height restrictions plus a splash park and play area. I was the main driver behind Universal. We opted for Islands of Adventure because of Seuss Landings, a colourful zone aimed at smaller thrill-seekers. This side of the park also has Hogwarts and Hogsmeade Village. So, for a Harry Potter geek like me, kicking off the day with a butterbeer in The Three Broomsticks was paradise. Universal offer a really handy child swap system. You don't get to trade in your kid for a better behaved one, but you do get to jump the line by hopping into the single rider queue, splitting when you reach the front, with one going on the ride, and the other waiting it out in the family room. When they're done, they can go straight to the family room, trade places quickly and rider two goes straight on. Universal is much more ride-oriented and so this works really well for making sure you have a full day and get your money's worth out of the ticket price. We didn’t stay on site at Disney, but loved the chance to visit Disney Springs, a fun village filled with shops, restaurants and entertainment, and Disney’s Boardwalk, a romantic lakeside setting with a New England theme and a few restaurants (my favourite of the two). You can visit either of these without being a Disney guest, or holding a valid park ticket. Parking is free too. After a busy few days in Orlando, we headed down the coast to Miami. The drive was easy, but traffic can be heavy, and pre-paying your tolls is a must. On route, we visited Sawgrass Mills, a frankly enormous outlet mall with fantastic shopping. You may well need a spare suitcase! In Miami, we stayed on South Beach, a few blocks from Ocean Drive in a boutique suite hotel called ABAE. We’d picked both hotels on account of their spacious layout and separate bedrooms. I loved this area, South Beach with its low-rise, pastel-coloured Art Deco buildings feels like a proper beach resort compared to the skyscrapers of Downtown Miami. On our first day, we couldn’t tear ourselves away from the South Beach people-watching. Lined with trendy bars and restaurants, it’s the place to see and be seen with super cars rolling by and the great and good of the Miami scene eating brunch and sipping mimosas. It was straight out of a music video! The following day, we did an open-top bus tour aiming to take in the colourful Wynwood Walls and Little Havana. Traffic was heavy and with the best will in the world, we can’t make an early start. So Wynwood fell by the wayside for extra time in amazing Little Havana. A real Cuban outpost, Spanish is spoken here and bright murals, fabulous music and authentic restaurants make you feel like you’ve been transported straight to the Caribbean. We visited ‘the most famous Cuban restaurant in the world’, Versailles, for delicious roast pork and black ‘moros’ rice – as well as, of course, several mojitos! We missed our last bus home and ended up delightfully stranded at Bayside Park. Yachts bob in the harbour, al fresco cocktail bars circle a live music stage, and on our Friday night, a group blasted out live Latin music while people of every age salsa-ed under the stars. Amazing! We loved both Orlando and Miami and, on reflection, needed much more time to do it justice. But all that means is that we DEFINITELY have to return! If you're planning a trip to Florida and need some help, tips and advice on how to make the most of this fabulous destination then give me a shout. I can create you a bespoke itinerary tailored to your every requirement.

23 May 2019

Bologna is the perfect city break come rain or shine. Luckily for us, as we had three days of the former. In parts crumbling and charming, and others polished and preened, Bologna isn’t the grandiose buildings of Rome, or the romance of Venice. It’s got a charm all of its own – and notably, the best food in the whole of Italy too. The compact centre revolves around Le Due Torri, the Two Towers. Back in the day, (some 900 years ago), Bologna was a Medieval Manhattan. Wealthy families competed to build the tallest tower to showcase their riches; creating a skyline of soaring skyscrapers. And if they lost their money? The fathers of the city would literally cut them down to size, lopping off their towers in a public shaming. Days go by at a much more relaxing pace now, thankfully. With Le Due Torri at its epicentre, the city splits out into different quarters. A warren of narrow streets filled with restaurants and cafes opens onto a grand square perfect for people watching over a leisurely bottle of wine. High-end and high street shops line the main artery. The student quarter centred around the oldest university in Europe buzzes with brunch spots and start-ups. Over 40km of porticos line the buildings, protecting the Bolognese, and their city’s visitors, whether sun, wind or rain. The whole centre of Bologna looks like a Shakespeare play. We arrived in Bologna under instruction of Rick Stein and his Long Weekends. Lured by good food and wine, we had only two aims for our four days, climb the highest of Le Due Torri, and visit the university. Only time seemed to speed up when we were there. And within hours, we were in our own little melee where sightseeing become unimportant. Bologna isn’t particularly a tourist’s city. It’s a city for la bella vita. And so we re-focussed our intents on more achievable things. Now I’d come forewarned that one thing you cannot ask for in Bologna is a Spaghetti Bolognese. This a city that knows its pasta. And while you can enjoy tagliatelle with ragu, a spaghetti with ragu is off limits. I was gooier than the inside of a lasagne after my first taste of pasta in Bologna. Here, the things to try are the tortelloni and the tortellini; maxi and mini parcels stuffed deftly by hand with ricotta and spinach, ham and cheese, pork. Served in rich ragu, creamy sauce or most traditionally, in broth. Cotoletta, flattened, breaded veal crisply fried and topped with parmesan and proscuttio. Sausage ragu served with fat tubes of pasta pushed through a potato ricer. Bologna is known as the stomach of Italy on account of its fertile location in green Emilia Romagna, and alongside it’s foodie headliners, the wine here is also exceptional (maybe a little too much so!). So, a trip here… I’d say it makes the perfect relaxed getaway for greedy gourmets, keen shoppers, or those just after a romantic break somewhere that little bit different. I travelled with a one-year-old, and was delighted throughout by the locals gushing to cater for her. It’d also serve the perfect start or end point on an Italian multi-centre by road or rail coupled with the beaches of the Adriatic, the big-hitting cities of Northern and Central Italy and the rolling countryside of Tuscany. Dreaming of La Bella Vita? I’ll expertly plan you a tailormade trip that makes the most out of every moment. Contact me to find out more.

08 April 2019

Ready for Round Two? Read on... When you do the Golden Circle, you’ll quickly see it’s very busy, with lots of coaches jostling for position. And while it’s down to personal preference and budget, I would 100% recommend doing it in style, by super jeep. On the day of our tour, we were picked up at our hotel by two behemoths. A 4x4, and a Mercedes Sprinter van jacked up on humongous tyres – we were going monster trucking. After the Golden Circle, we passed a coach stop on the right. Here, the tourist buses were going no further as the terrain grew wilder and the road disappeared. It’s really hard to put into words what this bit was like because I’ve never done anything like it before. Our drivers, two expert Icelandic chaps, ramped up the rock music, and we went bumping and bashing across the landscape, over walls and through streams. It was equal parts terrifying and amazing. Slowly, the arid grounds gave way to snow as we headed up towards the glacier, until all around us was glittering white mountain peaks framed by bright blue skies. Our drivers were clearly having the time of their lives, competing against one another for the most hair-raising race up the mountain peaks as we screamed in the back seats. It was absolute boys and their toys – and I loved every second. Delivered safely at our next stop, an outpost in the middle of nowhere, we saw a line of snow-mobiles waiting for us. Cold doesn’t do it justice out here. The temperatures were fierce, and you need layers, practical, waterproof layers (my nemesis). Before boarding the snow-mobiles, we were suited in enormously thick overalls and given a briefing. Then, in teams of two, we set off zipping across the glacier. I didn’t know what to expect here, but at speeds of up to 60km an hour, it’s adrenaline-pumping and, given the setting, more than a little surreal. I would do it again in a heartbeat, and for something truly once-in-a-lifetime, I’d absolutely recommend it. That evening, we stayed in rural lodges in the Icelandic countryside. They were like walking into an Ikea set. The epitome of Scandi-chic and completely beautiful. This epic accommodation offers choices from bedrooms set in single-storey blocks to sweeping villas sleeping group parties. And the best bit? Each comes with bubbling hot tubs set under the stars, be they shared for the hotel rooms or on a private terrace steps away from your cosy villa. On site, a gorgeous restaurant serves up fantastic dishes, both for dinner and breakfast, the latter with complimentary Champagne. That evening, buzzing with the day’s adventures we sat in the hot tubs watching the hazy Northern Lights in the distance, and praying they put on a full show. It was hard wondering what could top, or at least draw even, with a day like the one before. Yet the following morning we were out again. This time, our destination was Europe’s second largest glacier, where we spent more time white-knuckled grasping onto our seats as we skidded and bowled our way through scenery that had Volvo ad written all over it. Eventually in the distance we spotted a bunker – all a bit anxious to what was coming next. Kitted up in crampons, we were ushered into a dark tunnel sloping downwards. We were climbing inside the glacier. Inside is eerie, the ice lit by soft colours, showing off fascinating layers built up over the years (a dark layer, telling the tale of 2010’s infamous ash cloud, was an astonishing 18 metres deep – in nine years!). Massive stalagmites and stalactites, humongous crevices in the ice, and even a chapel, deep in the glacier with an ice altar, await. There were other amazing points in our trip, from incredible restaurants to complete awe of yet another natural masterpiece, but I wouldn’t want to spoil it all for you. The salient points are, if you’re considering a visit here, summer or winter, a long weekend, or with a road trip in mind then I’d love to make sure you get to enjoy it like I did. That includes the best tips about when to go, where to go – oh, and where you should visit to rival the Blue Lagoon too. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime place, and I’ll help you do it in once-in-a-lifetime style.

08 April 2019

In October last year, I received a phone call from Travel Counsellors’ Head of Sales. It went something along the lines of, ‘Jasmin, you’ve had an excellent month, and so I’d like to ask whether you’d prefer to win a bottle of Champagne… or a trip to Iceland?’ Unsurprisingly, in March this year, I was sat (gin in hand) on an Iceland Air flight as the craggy coastline of Iceland came into view below me. Our trip was sponsored by one of Travel Counsellors’ favourite partners, the fantastic Obeo Travel, who know Iceland like the back of their hand. And had put together the kind of itinerary that makes your husband go off in a huff when he realises he’s not invited. On arrival at Reykjavik, and greeted by our hosts, we were whisked straight over to what is surely Iceland’s most famous hotspot; the Blue Lagoon. The ride here afforded us our first views of Iceland proper, a land where spurts of steam randomly erupt from the ground, of quiet roads snaking through almost Tenerife-like scenery, vast desert-like landscapes, and soaring snow-flecked mountains capped by volcanoes. The Blue Lagoon is unique in Iceland. The country has natural hot springs aplenty, but this place, with its incredibly mineral-rich steamy water is fed by the waste from the nearby geothermal power station. But not in a freaky way. The water is like a gorgeously hot bath, and its unusual make-up means it’s great for your skin. A couple of tips when you’re planning a trip here. One, don’t think you can just turn up and get in. This place is booked up in advance, and so pre-arranging is essential. If you’re short on time, you can visit straight from the airport like we did. And, secondly, while the minerals love your skin, they don’t love your jewellery, or your hair. Make sure you remove your valuables and bring a bobble. You can also slather your hair in the complimentary conditioner, found in the showers, where public nudity seems to be de rigueur. The Blue Lagoon is a haven for tourists from across the world, and in honesty I think you couldn’t come to Iceland for your first time and not go. However, it can be pricey, and as I’ll mention, there’s other [possibly better, if not as unique] alternatives. Most short breaks centre around the island’s capital. It’s very safe, quiet, and picturesque, with lovely painted wooden buildings overlooking the old harbour, bobbing with boats, including the ones taking you out Northern Light hunting. On our first night, we set off on a cruise under the night skies and away from the light pollution of the city. Unfortunately, there was no showing for us, and so, to give yourself the best possible chance, I’d recommend heading out on the hunt on your first night, because if you don’t see them, you’ll generally be offered another free tour the following evening. If the Blue Lagoon is number one, then the Golden Circle is a close second on any Iceland traveller’s bucket list. This trio of natural treats is covered off in a one day tour and includes the Pingvellir National Park (the fascinating site of Iceland’s first parliament) set in a beautiful landscape of glacial lakes and the dramatic rugged scenery of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates rubbing up against each other. Second is the Gullfoss Waterfall where torrents of water thunder spectacularly over a tiered ravine. And third is the Geysir, the king of geysirs the world over who take their name from this spot. Here, in a smoking hole in the ground, water bubbles furiously beneath the surface, being boiled in the giant kettle of Iceland’s active soils, before, every seven minutes, swelling into a huge blue dome and spurting high into the air – absolutely phenomenal, every time. The reason I compact the Golden Circle is not because it’s not fantastic, it really is, but for me, it paled in comparison to what came next. Because Iceland was so amazing, I can’t squeeze all this into one blog… so please check out how the cliff-hanger ends in Part Two…

22 February 2019

If I had £1 for every time somebody asked me how using a Travel Counsellor worked, I’d be a very rich woman. You see, having a Travel Counsellor is like having your own travel concierge: someone who takes your ideas from scratch and delivers you a selection of holidays to choose from, totally tailored around your preferences. Your plans can be big or small, simple or luxurious; the same care and attention will go in regardless. And you don’t pay a penny for it. There’s got to be a catch, right? The majority of my business is tailor-made trips, which allow me to create something completely unique, the right dates, flight times, a huge choice of hotels and cruises, incredible experiences, car hire and more. The system we use to pull all these elements together is cutting-edge, it ensures that the holiday runs seamlessly, and it also protects them in a package. So, if there’s an issue, you’re covered all the way. Working like this gives me a mind-boggling choice of options, from a huge selection of quality, tried-and-tested suppliers. And, even better, they’re normally at rates exclusive to us, so when I deliver your package, you’ll get a competitive price, wrapped up in an exceptional service. Likewise, I’m a totally independent travel agent, with access to literally hundreds of third-party companies from package holidays to escorted tours, river cruising to cycling specialists. The vast majority of which build paying me into the total cost. You could do all the legwork, find it and book it directly, or save yourself the hassle and let me do all the running. You tell me what you want to do, I’ll track down the perfect thing. The price is the same either way. Some of the big boys incentivise you to book with them online; TUI, Thomas Cook and Jet2 being the main culprits. They offer reduced prices on their website but without any advice or service. I’m always really upfront about these, they cut agents like me out of the loop and charge me more for their holidays. While I can book these for you, I will be more expensive than the internet. But then again, if anything goes wrong, you’ll quickly realise the difference is worth paying when you’re passed between awful call centres and live chats. Meanwhile, my customers have my personal phone number, and the back-up of our amazing 24/7/365 duty office too. Issues crop up all the time, from delays to drones, wild fires to ash clouds, and they’re mine to solve, not yours. Confirming your holiday with me doesn’t just finish after taking your money. You’ll get access to our handy app (which my customers LOVE!) and I’ll do all the annoying admin, like printing your tickets, completing your advance passenger information and online check-ins. I also pull whatever strings I can with my contacts to get you some VIP service along the way too. Nowadays, anybody can be their own travel agent. But having said that, anybody can be their own anything. If your car broke down, you could get a price off a mechanic, and then go and buy all the bits yourself, watch a YouTube video, and hope for the best. If you shopped around, and had the time and energy then yes, you might save a few pounds – or you might end up wasting a fortune on completely the wrong thing. Using a professional like me saves you the time, the effort, and - if my 100% positive customer feedback is anything to go by - will make the entire process, from planning to enjoying the perfect trip, an absolute walk in the park. Why not see what I can do for you?

03 January 2019

It was just as we were starting to descend that my husband turned casually to me and said, “Do you know Madeira has one of the most dangerous runways in the world?” Its combination of a short runway before a steep drop-off into the Atlantic had apparently given the airport this unfortunate title. And so, braced for disaster, we landed into the capital, Funchal, (safely) beginning our time on this surprising little island. Part of Portugal, but closer to the Canaries, Madeira is a quirk of nature. Volcanic, but with none of the desert landscapes of its near neighbours. Instead, lush green plantations jostle for position with tropical flowers and candy-hued buildings frame emerald-coloured gardens. And in December, with an added sprinkle of festivities, the place is little short of magical. Things to do Get lost in the Old Town Discovered by total chance (with our heads down absorbed in finding a no.1 restaurant on TripAdvisor) we looked up to realise we were in Funchal’s Old Town. Close to the city’s famous market, the atmospheric cobbled streets of the Zona Velha lace their way down towards the seafront. Here, fish restaurants and trendy cafes and bars enjoy the shade of the higgledy-piggledy historic buildings with their arty front doors. It’s the perfect place to while away a few hours, finishing up on the promenade with a poncha; a local drink made from rum and fruit juice – and certain to give you a headache in the morning! Climb Monte, and take the toboggan down One thing you’ll quickly realise about Madeira, it’s steep! From the moment your airport transfer snakes around the corner opening the bay of Funchal below you, you’ll appreciate its thickly-forested hills with houses clinging to their edges. But where there are heights, there are also views – and taking the cable car to Monte means you’ll see them in style. Hop on close to the Old Town, and sail skywards enjoying the full 360-degree panoramas of the city below you and across to the Atlantic Ocean. At the top, you’ll find yourself on the doorstep of some of Madeira’s most prized possessions, its glorious botanical gardens along with a clutch of restaurants offering spectacular vistas of Funchal and the sea. What goes up, must come down, and if you don’t fancy the cable car or the local bus, you’ll find straw boater-toting Madeiran men waiting to push you down the hair-raising slopes back to the city in a traditional wooden basket. Eat (and drink) like a local With a city centre huddled around a cornucopia of a market, this is an island that does food in some style. Expect to be bowled over by the gorgeous courtyard of the fruit market where stalls groan under the weight of a rainbow of beautifully-displayed tropical treats. See the catch of the day hauled in and sold from the fish market. Later, taste local favourite scabbard fish cooked up with banana in one of the backstreet restaurants. Visit the home of Madeira Wine, Blandy’s to sip the super-sweet tipple and hear how its fascinating history is interlaced with that of the island. Although part of Portugal for 600 years, Madeira still dances to the beat of its own (delicious) culinary drum. I visited Madeira in December, when Funchal was alive with Christmas. It’s festive lights alone make it worth the trip at this time of year when strings of twinkling bulbs festoon the city and the hillsides, and the streets and parks are transformed into grotto-esque wonderlands. As New Year rolls around, the city becomes one of the best places in the world to see in 1st January with an extravagant fireworks display holding court over the city and the ocean. Rarely dipping below 20 degrees, Madeira has the benefit of rarely being too hot, or too cold. Year-round, this makes it an attractive location for adventure-seekers too; Madeira’s network of levadas and laurel forests carve it out as a lush playground for activity holidays. But whichever of the island's particular pleasures charm you, you'll find it backed up with a beautiful choice of invariably smart hotels, proud and welcoming locals, and the fabulously smug feeling you’ve just found yourself one of the last relatively ‘off-the-radar’ locations in Europe.

20 August 2018

If there’s one kind of war I’m interested in, it’s a cake war. And so being served up competing wedges of rich, chocolatey Sacher Torte by impeccably dressed gents in the grandest of coffee houses is the perfect start to our 72-hour food tour of Austria’s capital, Vienna. Eagerly following in the footsteps of Rick Stein, who opened mine and my husband’s gluttonous eyes to the idea of short gastro breaks to the continent, we hot-footed it over to the former capital of the once-ginormous Austro-Hungarian Empire inspired by schnitzels, strudel, sausages and more. Arriving on a wintry January morning last year, the first thing that struck me was not the delicious food but the freezing streets of a post-New Year Vienna. Rick Stein had described sightseeing in this city as ‘feeling like a mouse trapped inside a giant wedding cake’, and with huge grandiose palaces, stately buildings and statues looming over us, I kind of took his point. Water froze where it met the air on slippery streets and out of drain pipes and it’s the first time I’ve genuinely considered the merits of a balaclava. Cold weather aside, we were on a mission, and spurred on by our taste buds (and a need to keep warm), we started our tour of Vienna in one of its most iconic offerings, its grand coffee houses. Here, you step back decades where you could easily be rubbing shoulders with Freud, Trotsky and even Stalin and Hitler. Unchanged over the years, with polished parquet, dark furniture, newspapers clipped to wooden boards, the gentle chime of classical music and charmingly austere service, these are the places to while away several hours people-watching and imagining the conversations these walls have heard. You’ll find these institutions dotted across the city, and we visited a few over the days, enjoying Vienna Coffees (strong coffee infused with whipped cream). Our stand-out favourites were Coffee House Landtman where we tucked into warm apple strudel topped with plenty of vanilla saus (custard), and Hotel Sacher which for us totally pipped Demels to the post in the battle for the best Sacher Torte. Hotel Sacher was a total find with a 24/7 queue groaning outside the door to the main café, and a chance discovery of a cosy side lounge offering up a leisurely and tourist-free take on the main café experience. Vienna is easy to navigate with a tram taking you around it’s regal Ringstrasse, lined with magnificent buildings like the Imperial Palace, State Opera and Parliament with the atmospheric old town at its centre. Half-way round the loop, you’ll need to swap onto a separate line with the short wait being high-time for trying another of the city’s famous treats, a huge wurst (sausage) in bread dripping with either sweet or spicy sauce. It’s impossible to look remotely glamourous whilst eating one of these, and as a kiosk food-phobe I was dubious to say the least – it was however, delicious. When in Vienna, a Wiener Schnitzel is an absolute must. We’d discounted Rick Stein’s choice (Hotel Imperial) as it was eye-wateringly expensive, instead opting for a café that wasn’t recommended but was across the road from one that was. Like with lots of European cities, the famous haunts had queues a mile-long, and we had stomachs to fill. Here, flattened veal was served hot and crisp in breadcrumbs with a delicious potato salad and wedge of lemon. One thing you’ll quickly notice in Vienna is that veggies are a bit of a non-starter. It’s a great destination for some serious carb-loading, washed down by steins of Austrian beer. If something a little healthier is on your agenda, we had the best night at the newly-opened Therme Wien, a massive spa and swimming complex a short drive out the city. Where we didn’t walk or tram, Uber was cheap as chips and very reliable. With 26 pools from family-friendly splash pools to romantic grottos and – our favourite – al fresco bubbling springs set under the stars, this was a lovely chilled respite from days of pounding the pavements. And, a three-hour ticket starts from just €18 each. If you are in Vienna over a weekend, a visit to Saturday’s Naschmarket is a must. This colourful flea market is just the right mixture of food stalls offering up exotic delicacies from around the world, and trendy pop-ups cooking everything from Israeli-Oriental to organic fare. For us, it was one last opportunity to tuck into the area’s famous kasekrainer (another sausage, but this time oozing with cheese) before, half a stone later, making our way back to the airport reflecting on a fantastic, and delicious, adventure. Wherever you choose to go in the world, I’ll help plan you a trip that makes the very best of your destination. So why not see give me a shout?

11 June 2018

We are the kind of parents who swore nothing would change on having a baby. I can safely say, now I’ve not had a night out since July 2017, that that was a little naïve of me. Something I absolutely refuse to give up however, is cruising. When you ask people about cruising with a baby, the reaction is mixed. You’re not guaranteed to be close to a hospital, you’re in one small room, there’s no facilities for babies, and so the list goes on. So, is taking a baby on the high seas a good idea? Last month, I set sail on my first cruise with a tot in tow, a week’s trip to Spain, Portugal and Guernsey, sailing out of Southampton. I was already a cruise convert – and now I’m a kids-on-cruise convert too. Here’s why. Sailing out of Southampton is so easy We had a relaxed morning ensuring we had everything we needed packed and ready to go. And by everything, I mean six suitcases, a pram laden with bags for life, and a baby walker. You’re not flying, so luggage is unlimited. Times vary, but our ship, P&O’s Ventura, was all aboard by 4pm. Plenty of time for pitstops en route and a panic-free first day. By the by, I’d fly-cruise too, but for ease, being able to jump in the car with the entire contents of your house and pile it straight into your cabin on the other end is just brilliant. Having a baby means VIP treatment Carting Lois round with us was basically like having Mariah Carey along for the ride. The staff were rushing to do everything for us, making a massive fuss of her, catering to her every whim, and not so much as an eyeroll when she chucked her dinner everywhere. Many of the staff on board are far away from their own children, and so love the opportunity to entertain babies and little ones. Family-friendly dining Something we were really worried about prior to sailing was how it would work with dining. I love the a la carte options, and I just didn’t know how a baby would fit into the mix. In honesty, a baby in a more sophisticated atmosphere probably wouldn’t be conducive to a relaxing experience. But the buffets were incredible. Sampling (read: throwing) lots of different foods, from full cooked breakfasts to traditional roasts, authentic Asian dishes, delicious puds and lots of fresh fruit and veg did wonders for her weaning. Most lines offer a dedicated kids tea too – ours was 5-6pm and had favourites like soup, mac ‘n’ cheese, sandwiches and baby jars. Highchairs, plastic plates and baby cutlery are on hand too. The chance to feel like a human again I know most holidays mean you’ll get your room cleaned up, and your food cooked for you, but a cruise is that and then some. You literally need think about nothing – top notch kids facilities and kid’s clubs with trained staff, a spotlessly clean environment, a massive wealth of entertainment and activities, attentive service, something for even the faddiest eater. Add into the mix incredible extras like a night nursery where you can leave your sleeping little one while you enjoy dinner and a West End show. An amazing spa! And all the fresh sea air you need to get them to sleep (all to the good when you’re in the same room as them). It’s absolutely a holiday for everyone. Like with everything baby-related, there are always things you need to think about. Most cruises have a minimum sailing age of six months, and on itineraries where you’re spending three or more consecutive nights at sea, this increases to 12 months. P&O’s Ventura had a dedicated baby splash pool – but some lines insist your baby is potty-trained before going for a dip. Feeling inspired to hit the high seas? I’ve cruised extensively and love chatting everything sailing-related, so drop me a line and find your perfect trip today.

04 April 2018

Double-checking my itinerary; Nuremberg, Regensburg, Kelheim, Durnstein, Melk and Vienna (with the exception of Vienna) I have to say I wasn’t exactly inspired by the idea of my upcoming river cruise. Although the thought of twinkling Christmas markets was a lovely one – the idea of these little-known destinations at the back-end of November paled in comparison to my normal – and sunny - ocean-going itineraries. As a new to river cruiser, I admit I had turned up with more than a handful of preconceptions. Would it be boring, claustrophobic, and maybe a bit like God’s waiting room? In my head, yes. Thankfully, on arrival at my ship, the 180(ish) passenger Emerald Sun, its elegant, ultra-modern silhouette set against the dramatic scenery of the Danube quickly quashed my fears. And, as a waiting member of the ship’s friendly staff handed me a welcome cocktail on stepping into the ship’s bright atrium – with possibly the most stylish lighting I’ve ever laid eyes on – my opinion had done a complete 180. My cabin, a Panorama Balcony Suite on the Sun’s middle deck was calm and minimalist. So minimalist in fact that it appeared to have no discernible storage. Not good when you have a suitcase full of thick winter clothes for exploring Bavaria in November, and a full gamut of swish evening wear. That was, until, my cabin steward started touching spots on the walls, behind mirrors, under the desk, to reveal cleverly-concealed storage. Because these ships may be smaller than their ocean-going counterparts, but every inch of space has been used to maximum effect. Take my balcony for example, a wall of glass with a button at the side. It might be a bit parky in November to sit outside, so your cabin features an integrated terrace where you can enjoy the spectacular views in the warmth (the in-cabin TV features a log fire, now how’s that for cosy?). But for those leisurely days when the sun shines and you simply want to put your feet up with a coffee and watch the world go by, a push of the button brings the top of the glass sliding down, letting the outside in. I could go on about the ship; slick in every detail and with such a laidback atmosphere, but I’ll focus on a key couple of points instead. Facilities-wise, you’re never going to be watching West End shows or surfing out on deck. There’s a lot to be said though for taking a dip in the ship’s small-but-perfectly-formed indoor pool after a busy day’s exploring. Or snuggling up under a blanket with a bucket of popcorn and a good movie in the evening. Sitting here at the back of the ship, with the twinkling lights of the quaint villages, historic towns and vibrant cities slowly fading away as you undulate gently down the river is really a whole other form of entertainment altogether. Because river cruising, as it turns out, isn’t trying to compete with ocean cruising – it’s carving out its own niche altogether. Itineraries, and dining, are all about the destinations you visit. And no, you probably won’t recognise a lot of the names of the ports you’re visiting when you first book, but by the end of your cruise, the perfect combination of relaxed and bustling will have you aching to cross off more unfamiliar spots. For me, my first foray down the Danube was exceptional. From the themed Bavarian lunch (imagine sausages, lots of sausages) washed down by copious amounts of beer after a day tour of medieval Regensburg, to the deliciously decadent a la carte dinners accompanied by regional wines. Included tours ticking off the main highlights of the area and a constantly evolving riverscape, rolling vineyards one moment, a fairytale castle the next guarantee you’re never short of something new to admire. So, it might not have been sunny, and I did come away with the mentality of ‘seen one Christmas market, seen them all’ but would I jump at the chance to eschew an ocean cruise to take to the rivers again? In a heartbeat.

28 February 2018

“Be careful with the car in the city, the streets are very narrow, and the drivers stop for no-one” was probably not the most confidence-inspiring welcome to Spain. Flying to Malaga Airport, me, my husband and our baby daughter were picking up a brand-new hire car to make the 220km(ish) journey to the capital of Andalusia, and the home of Flamenco, beautiful Seville for a long weekend of food, wine and walking. A surprisingly easy car journey later, we checked into our apartment in the city’s Arenal district. Close to the historic centre where the magnificent Santa Maria de la Sede Cathedral presides over orange tree-lined squares and cobbled streets, we were in the ideal spot for taking our pick of tapas bars and sightseeing ‘must dos’ for the long weekend ahead. Cold but clear January days made lots of layers a must, but as a time to visit, winter is perfect for avoiding the crowds and the queues that line the city’s famous attractions. Sitting in the so-called ‘frying pan of Spain’ only the brave take to Seville’s scorching avenidas in July and August. Famed for its Moorish masterpieces and Flamenco bars, the city offers plenty to cram into a short break. Or choose to take the more leisurely option and drop into a couple of the headliners, spending the rest of your time getting lost in the maze of charming old streets and colourful districts including the famous Gypsy quarter, Triana. For me, the Real Alcázar was a must. Hidden behind huge walls, the Royal Palace is an oasis in the middle of the city. Harking back to the days when Spain fell under Islamic rule, the beautiful gardens, domed roofs and breath-taking pools made for unforgettable viewing. Beat the queues by pre-booking a private tour from just £27pp and let a guide unravel the fascinating history of the palace – a great call for history buffs and culture vultures alike. Hop-on bus tours circle the streets if you prefer to get from A to B quickly but, with a pram in tow, the relatively compact and flat centre made walking easy enough. Plus, all the easier to spot cosy-looking tapas bars to drop into for a glass of the region’s sweet sherry wine and a huge choice of very reasonably priced small plates. Seville is the perfect destination for a short-haul city break full of vibrant culture, friendly locals and delicious food. With a bottle of wine and eight tapas coming in at around €30 it’s a treat on the pocket too. Getting there: Direct flights to Seville are available from London, but in my experience flying from Manchester and driving the inland road leading from the Malaga coast to the city offers up both amazing views and the chance to explore some more of the region on route. Don’t forget, if you’re visiting Cadiz on a cruise then lots of people use this as a gateway to Seville (although I loved Cadiz too, but that’s another blog!) Prefer your breaks a little on the hotter side? Spring, Autumn and early or late summer are ideal times to see the city – and a trip during March or April might even coincide with Semana Santa or Feria de Abril, where the Spanish take to the streets in their masses with colourful parades and parties to celebrate the passing of Easter. Has this whet your appetite for a trip to Andalusia’s capital? Let me use my insider knowledge to plan your perfect long weekend. I’ll be happy to help!