20 May 2020

I’ve been fortunate to visit Africa on a number of occasions – a safari/beach combination in Kenya and several trips to South Africa, incorporating safari, city and winelands. But I hadn’t returned in over 15 years, so it was with great excitement that I set off on an 8 night trip to Namibia in December. Namibia is easily reached with a connecting flight from Johannesburg to Windhoek, or, depending where you start your journey, you could also connect from Cape Town or Victoria Falls. I was fortunate to travel by private jet with my group between destinations, but self-drive is also very common (and very safe) here, utilising 4 WD vehicles. Landing at Okonjima game reserve, our pilot had to do a ‘fly by’ sweep of the landing strip, checking for wildlife, before landing. We headed straight out to see the Africat foundation centre, where they aim to educate the youth (and others) about the wildlife and is also a research centre. Conservation is very much key here. The camp is very open and what could be more special than enjoying a gin and tonic, overlooking the waterhole where warthogs were bathing? In order to see the best of the game, game drives take place early morning and late afternoon, when the heat of the sun is not so strong. Sometimes the 5am call is a bit of a killer, but spotting a female leopard and tracking and observing her for a couple of hours, more than makes up for it! I was certainly spoilt that morning, seeing plentiful game including elephants, zebra, giraffe, kudu and wildebeest. From Okonjima, we flew north to Etosha National Park, home to the Etosha Salt pan, the largest in Africa, it can even be seen from space. Another fly by before landing, saw elephant bordering the edge of the strip. A lot of the park is very flat, but we stayed higher up at the beautiful Etosha Heights camp, just on the edge of the park, with spectacular views to waterholes below. There’s accommodation within the park too, mostly Government run, but useful if you’re driving across the park from end to end. I was more than pleasantly surprised by the game reserves, my prior impression of Namibia had been that it would be a very ‘bare’ landscape, due to the desert. But the national parks are certainly not, despite very little rainfall. There is plenty of flora and fauna to be seen, as well as birdlife and the guides are extremely knowledgeable. For something very different, we headed into ‘Damaraland’, basing at Twyfelfontein. The scenery changed dramatically on our flight and became more as I had expected, lots of rock formations (very red) and more sparse vegetation. I was keen to see the desert elephant, who have adapted to the habitat very well – whereas elephants are often destructive and will rip shrubs from the ground or simply bulldoze them when they’ve had enough, the desert elephants take what they want from the trees and then move on, ensuring there’s plenty for them to return to. I was not disappointed, our guide found a herd of over 20 and we observed and followed them for a few hours, including a calf that was only 10 days old! We also experienced the bushman rock carvings – absolutely fascinating to see, our guide pointed out the different symbols depicting different animals or waterholes and how to work out which way they were pointing. These are thousands of years old and now roped off to try to slow down erosion of them.

20 May 2020

Another hour’s flight took us to the coastal town of Swakopmund, so interesting to see from the air, as it’s surrounded by desert on all sides. If you look to the west, the next stop is South America! The town was colonised by Germany in the late 1800s and then taken over by South Africa, gaining its independence in 1990. German architecture is subsequently to the fore here. It’s a very relaxed town, great food with a good variety of restaurants. Worth pointing out that food and drink is very inexpensive in Namibia and the food is great, with a variety of fish and game. Plenty to see and do here, we had an amazing morning on a boat trip out to the peninsula of Pelican Point, where we saw thousands of seals, dolphins and pelicans accompanied our boat the whole way. Followed by a hilarious afternoon being driven on the sand dunes in 4WD – in Sandwich Bay these dunes literally come down to the sea. Last stop on the trip was into desert and the area of Sossusvlei, staying at the aptly named Le Mirage hotel, surrounded by the raw, but beautiful landscape. Sunsets here are truly magical. Namibia is home to the largest sand dunes in the world, namely Big Daddy at around 350 metres and we set off early in the morning to the Namib-Naukluft park to climb him. The ascent took just under an hour – for every step you take, you slide back part of it! The descent is a lot quicker, but steeper – a steady run down takes you into the Deadvlei (a white clay pan), where trees died around years ago, but astonishingly haven’t decomposed because of the dry landscape. On the last morning, before we started the journey home, we took to the skies again, this time in a hot air balloon to see the sun rise over the dunes – another tick on the bucket list. Namibia is full of so many experiences, I only scratched the surface, and, like everywhere else I’ve visited in Africa, is full of heart and soul.

06 March 2019

Having been a Travel Counsellor for nearly 15 months, I am amazed at the developments that have happened since I started. The IT team constantly work on refining our Phenix booking system (and, having installed two systems in my previous lives, I know how difficult it is to satisfy everyone!) to ensure we have the best platform to work on, which ultimately benefits you, the customer. Through this, we have access to hundreds of thousands of hotels, airlines, cruise companies, car hire and all the 'extras' you need, such as airport hotels, transfers, attractions tickets like Disneyland and insurance. We also work with other retail companies who are specialists in their field, whether this be the whole holiday or just a part of it. Little known is that I can also make UK bookings for you too, whether it be hotels or a vast array of self-catering accommodation to suit all sizes, needs and budgets. And, the latest amazing news is that, as of today, we have a direct link into Amtrak, the United States rail provider, who operate the US railroad network of over 21,000 miles across 46 states and 3 Canadian provinces. In addition, I work directly with a fantastic range of overseas and UK suppliers to tailor make every holiday, that's as individual as you are. They are as passionate about my business as I am and truly go the extra mile, whether it be before, during or after your trip. No need to fit into a 'one size fits all' package with me! Many itineraries I have put together so far include way more than one destination, with my latest being a US West Coast trip for a family and a honeymoon that commences in the UK and is a drive through Belgium, France, Switzerland followed by 7 different stops through Italy, plus domestic flights. Every day we get new developments and I look forward to sharing them with you. With us, it truly is personal.

04 December 2018

Singapore was the last stop on our whirlwind tour which started in Perth, headed to Brisbane and then home via Singapore. With just 30 hours here before the flight to London, we hit the ground running! First stop was the Marina Quay, home to The Shoppes, a huge shopping mall with luxury brands and home to the most iconic of all Singapore hotels, the Marina Bay Sands. Singapore is famous for its nightly light shows on the quay and crowds gathered to watch ‘Spectra’, a magnificent symphony of music, light and water show powered by advanced lasers, fountain jets and visual projectors. There’s a great atmosphere at these events which are free to watch. Naturally we then headed up to the 57th floor of the Marina Bay Sands, to the rooftop bar and an extensive cocktail list. As befitting a 6-star hotel, the service here is exemplary and they are perfectly used to tourists gawking and asking for pictures with the rooftop infinity pool as the backdrop! We stayed in the Katong area of Singapore, just 10 mins/10 dollars taxi ride from the centre. Taxis are regulated and easy to hire on the streets – cheaper to do this than from the hotels, who charge a booking fee. Our Village Hotel Katong was well appointed, with amazing buffets (including curry!) for breakfast and lunch and an outdoor pool and gym. This is an area more inhabited by locals and a great place to stay if you want a more Singaporean experience with wonderful, inexpensive food, lovely coffee shops and bars and many restaurants open till 4am. A much quieter feel here than the bustle of the centre of Singapore, Katong was the location of villas and mansions belonging to the wealthy. Next stop was Sentosa Island, an integrated resort on an ‘island’ just off Singapore, linked by roads and tunnels. This is Singapore’s playground for locals and foreigners alike, with Universal Studios rides, cable cars to take you to the top of Mt Faber, indoor skydiving, one of the largest aquariums in the world, adventure park with zip wire experience, resorts world and shopping, as well as many 4- and 5-star hotels. I can see this is great fun for families for a few days, but I personally preferred Singapore itself. Singapore is now in its 56th year of independence and English is widely spoken as it is the language in which everything is conducted there, plus it’s compulsory in schools. The public transport system is easy to navigate and the whole island is beautifully clean, with fines for litter dropping, chewing gum being dropped etc. It’s a fun destination and well worth a stopover for 2 or 3 days either on the way to or on the way back from further destinations or even as a holiday in its own right.

02 December 2018

Brisbane may be a busier city than Perth, but the locals are just as friendly and helpful and rightly proud of their city. With summer temperatures of around 30C, dropping to only 18C in winter, Brisbane life is lived outdoors. Situated on the Brisbane River (the longest in South East Queensland), it flows through the city, with plenty of businesses and bars and restaurants on its edge. Much of the city is ‘low rise’ with the taller buildings mostly found in the business districts and whilst there’s plenty to do, it’s a relaxed city, without the freneticism of Sydney. One of the greatest ways to explore any city is by bike and Brisbane is no exception. We took a half day guided tour, proved by Ross, founder of ‘Brisbane by Bicycle’. Starting at the Wheel of Brisbane (a smaller version of our own London Eye) on the South Bank, we wended our way down to Kangaroo Point, passing numerous public barbecue sites on the way. Cycling over the Story Bridge was amazing, with views all round of the city and river. We then dropped into the suburbs, along to New Farm Park where the Brisbane Powerhouse is situated. This used to burn coal to provide the energy for the city, but is now a regenerated space with theatre, art, bar and restaurant. The park itself is stunning, with picnic spots and cycle paths and we made our way back along the waterfront, past microbreweries (a growing trend in Australia) along Eagle Street Pier, with more great restaurants and into the ‘business’ district. At lunchtime, it seems that the whole of Brisbane takes advantage of the weather and they’re either eating lunch outdoors or exercising. Take time to explore the Botanical gardens, a magnificent 56-hectare site in the heart of the city. Brisbane is a vibrant city, which takes pride in its art and culture and there are numerous galleries and plenty of live music venues. It’s also got fantastic farmers’ markets and street food markets, popular on the weekends. They also love their wildlife and Steve Irwin’s zoo is just an hour’s drive away by bus, in the heart of the country, where you’ll pass numerous pineapple and avocado farms! There are beaches aplenty here, with both the Gold coast and Sunshine coast within easy reach and plenty of surfers to feast your eyes upon. Or head to Moreton Island for whale watching, dolphin spotting and amazing scuba diving and snorkelling amongst shipwrecks. Hiking and walking are in abundance with nearby mountains to explore. Whether you’re basing yourself in Brisbane, or it’s part of a larger itinerary, I defy you not to fall in love with it.

25 November 2018

One of the musts when visiting Perth, is Rottnest Island. Easily reached on the ‘Rottnest Express’ in just under 90 mins, you pass down the Swann River with informative and often hilarious commentary, past Fremantle, before heading across the Indian Ocean for just 20 minutes to reach the island. Originally a prison for Aboriginal prisoners, it became a holiday island in 1903 and, after being requisitioned during the World Wars as a base to protect the Port of Fremantle, it is now a protected nature reserve, home to the ‘Quokka’, many birdlife species, spectacular flora, marine and wildlife. The beaches boast white sand and turquoise waters. You can hire bikes and cycle around with a choice of short or longer routes or take the bus tour and learn more about the island. Margaret River is not to be missed. You can hire a car and drive yourself (just 3 hours south of Perth) or book a one- or two-day escorted tour. Visit the Bussleton foreshore, with the longest jetty of nearly 2km stretching into the Indian Ocean – at the end you can descend 26 feet into an underwater observatory and view coral and tropical and subtropical fish at this artificial reef. Visit nearby boutique vineyards and sample the local wine – the climate of this area is perfect for grape growing and indeed produces over 20% of all Australia’s wine! The vineyards offer a wide range of dining from café to 5 star. I can suggest several routes and accommodation options for a bespoke wine tour! Craft beer is becoming a big feature of Australia and you’ll find plenty here. You can also explore over 150 limestone caves, lighthouses, or go whale watching – either from the shore or on a cruise – they are frequently sited from June to December. There’re also hundreds of miles of coastline to explore on bike or by horseback. Margaret River is worth a few days trip to add on to your Perth adventure. Heading north from Perth, you can visit the ancient desert ‘Pinnacles’ rock formations. Made of limestone and up to 3.5m high, they sit amongst the sand dunes of the Numbung National Park. Just 2 hours’ drive or escorted tour, this is an ideal day trip. Closer to home is the port city of Fremantle, easily reached by river or car. As well as a bustling container port, it’s also known for its mixture of markets, arts, theatre and music. Enjoy a guided bike tour, walking tour or hop on a tram!

25 November 2018

Perth is situated on the Swann River and surrounded by beautiful beaches. It’s a very attractive city, being mostly low-rise buildings apart from in the business districts and with plenty of vegetation and easy to navigate around. Getting around Perth is easy, with free buses offering a hop on, hop off system. The locals like to describe it as the ‘sunniest Australian capital city’ and indeed summer temperatures average 29c (with gentle breezes to keep the climate manageable) and winter around 19 – 21c. Expect pleasant temperatures during the day with cooler evenings. Just 30 minutes from the airport to the centre of the city, there is plenty to do in Perth itself, but it’s also a great base to explore further afield or even do a two-centre holiday. Qantas now fly non-stop to Perth (in under 17 hours) and onward flights to Brisbane and Sydney are around 4 hours and Melbourne 3 ½ hours. The best way to explore somewhere is with a local, so I took advantage of a 3-hour guided walking tour to get my bearings. First, we headed up to Kings Park, beautiful and expansive botanical gardens overlooking the city, a favourite place for people to hang out and picnic or barbecue. Then we headed back into the city for a tour of the historical areas, including the government buildings and treasury. There’s a large arts and cultural area, with theatres and museums situated on the edge of the shopping area, in the Northbridge area, as well as many restaurants and bars. Note that many bars do close at around 10 – 11 pm, but later nightlife can be found. We also visited the Elisabeth Quay, a new initiative linking the river and the city, where many local events take place (a weightlifting competition was on at the time!) and the Bell Tower, home to the famous 12 bells of St Martin in the Fields, sent over by us Brits to commemorate the Bicentennial of Australia in 1988. A relatively new development, the Crown, is home to 3 hotels (4 and 5 star), casino, theatre, bars and restaurants about 5 mins drive from the city centre. This is a great cosmopolitan area to visit, even for just an evening and offers late night (or all night!) entertainment. There are also many river cruises on the Swann river, where if you’re lucky, you can spot dolphins and you can get close up views of the many millionaire homes that adorn the banks. I couldn’t get over the number of moorings for personal use! You can also take part in many water sports, including windsurfing and sailing. Or visit the AQWA, Perth’s aquarium, a very interactive facility where you can dive in the Shipwreck coast aquarium and come face to face with sharks and stingrays. Perth’s beaches are also worth a visit, particularly Trigg Beach, just a bit further up the river, with crystal clear waters and spots for swimming and surfing. Perth has great food of all styles – an inside tip is to dine in the Hotel Como Treasury, a boutique hotel with just 48 bedrooms and fine dining. I had an amazing Italian meal here, just 69 AUD/£40. Or head for the Epicurean restaurant, a buffet restaurant in the 5 star Crown Towers, where for 79 AUD/£45, you can feast on seafood, sushi, Asian and international cuisine and breath-taking desserts.

23 August 2018

Nothing is more exhilarating to me than a ski holiday. The opportunity to escape the English winter and get some fresh air, exercise, good food and have a serious laugh with my ski buddies starts to overwhelm me the moment the clocks change at the end of October and I find myself checking snow conditions and forecasts several times a day on the resorts’ apps. For those of you who haven’t skied before, I urge you to give it a go. Not only will it be the most fun you’ve had on a holiday, it’s the ultimate cure to unwind your mind – trust me, when you’re skiing down a beautiful white slope, with the sharpest blue sky above you, heading towards lunch outdoors in the middle of January, the last thing you’re thinking about is work. You probably think it’s a daunting prospect to arrange – you don’t know what you need, where to go, what to do, what the terminology is. So, my first suggestion is to contact someone like myself, a passionate and experienced skier with knowledge of several resorts to guide you through. I’m not going to lie, skiing is never going to be the cheapest holiday you go on. For first timers, I advocate staying close to home and picking somewhere in Europe. Unless you’ve got deep pockets, don’t head off to the USA or Canada with your experienced mates, where you could spend a lot of money to discover you don’t enjoy it. It’s important to get the resort right to start off with, with gentle slopes that will give you confidence. And when you’re tired at the end of the day, you don’t want a ski area where the runs back to the resort are difficult. Resorts also offer many activities apart from skiing, such as skidooing, so that might be a factor in your decision. So, we’ve chosen your resort. Next, we’re going to choose your accommodation. Typically, the choices are a hotel, catered chalet or self-catered apartments. They range from luxurious to basic in all areas. Some feature swimming pools, saunas or hot tubs – all lovely ways of looking after your tired muscles. It completely depends on your budget. Ideally you don’t want somewhere too far from your ski school meeting point – the combination of wearing ski boots and carrying those pesky skis for the first time will leave your goggles steaming up quicker than you can say ‘ski’. The choice of ski school is also important. There are many independent ski schools in the Alps as well as the ‘state’ ones. The independent ones frequently have smaller classes, which makes learning easier. If you’ve got an indoor ski centre nearby, it’s always worth a couple of visits before your holiday to get you familiar with the feel of the equipment – those ski boots with many sets of clips can look very daunting! You should also try to ensure you have a reasonable level of fitness beforehand because you are going to use muscles you didn’t know you had. Don’t get carried away and buy the equipment before you go, always hire in the resort. And don’t forget to hire a helmet, virtually everyone skis in them nowadays. You’ll also need a ski pass to give you access to the lifts to take you up the mountain. There are usually many varieties of this in each resort, but again, relax, I arrange all that for you before you go. When it comes to clothing, don’t kit yourself out head to toe in the latest designer gear. Again, it’s all going to be unfamiliar. Ask your skiing friends if they’ve got anything to lend you for the first time. The important thing is to be able to ‘layer’ your clothes up to keep you warm, or to be able to remove a layer when the weather’s warmer. No point in buying a tight-fitting leopard print jacket to find you can’t fit any layers under it – you’ll regret it when you’re on an exposed chairlift in a howling gale! You either want a good jacket and ski trousers, or an ‘all in one’ suit, which can look smart but can be tricky to manage in the loos though. Now we’ve got through all that, it’s time for you to go. Day one of ski school dawns, where you’ll hopefully be greeted by a tanned and good lucking instructor to teach you the ropes. You’re bound to fall over, everyone does. Then it’ll be time for lunch and the stories you share will be embellished more and more as the week goes on. And the exhilarating feeling of being slightly more in control by the end of the week will be all the sweeter because of the effort you’ve put in. You will laugh a lot and I guarantee that you won’t be thinking about work. You’ll be aching and tired. You will be trying to work out how you’ve put weight on, despite the huge physical effort of the week. You’ll realise you’ve eaten your own body weight in cheese and that drinking Poire William at 11 am is perfectly acceptable. But, I guarantee you will have had the best time of your life.