22 December 2016

This was my second time on Azamara Club Cruises, I absolutely love them! They only have two ships, the Azamara Quest and the Azamara Journey, which are delightfully intimate ships ready to take you to some of the amazing destinations around the world. Being smaller ships (approximately 700 guests) their ships can take you to ports where larger ships won't fit, like in the heart of Marseille, Amalfi, and Crete, or even to the doorstep of Bangkok (while other large cruise lines dock a few hours away). My trip took me from Rome to St Tropez then on to the port of Santa Margherita for Portofino and then back to Rome where I stayed for another three nights exploring the city. My personal favourite stop was Portofino, what a stunningly beautiful place! I was lucky enough to have lunch on the terrace at the famous Belmond Hotel Splendido, taking in the stunning views of the port and all the yachts. On board the Azamara Journey itself, you’ll never feel crowded as there are lots of areas, bars and restaurants including two speciality restaurants: Prime C and Aqualina. The food is amazing and you can even sample the famous Chef’s Table meal of five-course menus paired with the sumptuous wines. There are also lounges, a casino and nightly entertainment at the ships Cabaret. Azamara operate on an all-inclusive programme and all suites include select standard spirits, international beers and wines, gratuities, bottled water, soft drinks, specialty coffees and teas, self-service laundry, shuttle service to and from port communities, where available concierge services for personal guidance and reservations as well as the AzAmazing Evenings. Each private, bespoke AzAmazing Evening event offers an opportunity to experience the best of local culture in a unique way. Best of all, one is complimentary on all except transatlantic crossings and voyages that are less than seven nights long. I was lucky enough to stay in a Club Spa Suite, such a treat! Check out the pictures! As you can see I can't recommend Azamara Club Cruises enough. For anyone who wants a luxury small intimate ship experience with fine dining and fabulous locations, Azamara is the one! Please feel free to contact me for more details.

02 June 2015

The Kingdom of Morocco is only a 3-hour flight away from the UK and offers an exotic magical location for a variety of holidays. Whether you are interested in history and archaeology, want to experience some new water sports, test your bargaining skills in the souks or just “hang out” at the poolside, Morocco has it all. I spent a long weekend in the colourful bustling city of Marrakech where you see a fascinating mix of modern and traditional lifestyles. I stayed in the traditional Riad ‘Darhani’ – in the heart of the Medina. A very special little place and although it has only four bedrooms it has three sitting rooms and an amazing tented terrace, as well as a dining room. There is also a beautiful courtyard and a plunge pool inside. Only 15 minutes walk away, through the busy alleyways is the famous Jemma el Fna Square. During the day, you will be fascinated by the snake charmers, story tellers, musicians and the street food. Friendly stallholders offer a wide variety of local delicacies including fresh orange juice, goat heads and hot, tasty snails. It is probably safer to eat in one of the restaurants such as the Café Agrana on the edge of the square where you will be tempted with delicious, freshly cooked local food. A Pastilla – sweet or savoury – is a chicken or pigeon pie which melts in your mouth, and the Kefta tagine is definitely worth a try (ground beef and egg). There are souks throughout the city selling a number of products: hand-crafted lanterns, local spices, and the nutty argan oil, produced only in Morocco. Plus much more! The inquisitive will discover delightful mosques, Kasbahs, historical tombs and palaces. One secret delight I found is Le Bain Bleu – a traditional Hamman or ancestral ritual bath. Exfoliation, massage, cleansing and relaxing treatments using natural scented products are available in a peaceful atmosphere and at very reasonable prices. At night, the music in the city becomes louder and more exhilarating and you can wander into the new town to enjoy the sophisticated bars and nightclubs. Some of the hotels serve beer and wine in public bars and there is even an “English pub” in the Hotel Nassil which serves a decent pint of Moroccan lager. If Marrakech becomes too hectic, a stay in the High Atlas Mountains is the perfect alternative or 2 stop. Lush green valley’s sprawl between the snow-capped peaks and it is hard to believe they lie only an hour from Marrakech. The local Berber people live a simple rural life in this tranquil location, unchanged for generations. Accommodation on offer ranges from rustic retreats to the magnificent Kasbah Tamadot which belongs to Sir Richard Branson. An hour and a half in the other direction lies the long sweeping sandy beaches of the Atlantic coast. If you have the time, I recommend you stay a couple of nights in Essaouira – the “windy city”. This charming town sits on the flat open shoreline like a mini Marrakech. It is a lovely spot to relax and very popular with wind and kite surfers as the constant sea breeze makes conditions perfect for these activities. Again, there is a mix of accommodation to choose from: charming little Riads in Essaouira, Villas with pools in nearby Sidi Kaouki and opulent hotels in Oualidia and Agadir. Marrakech is a magical city!

31 May 2015

I’ve been to Playa Blanca in Lanzarote many times over the years, most staying in some of the lovely private villas, however this time I wanted to treat my mum so we staying at the luxury 5* Princess Yaiza Suite Resort. What a fabulous hotel! It enjoys a privileged location halfway between the exquisite Marina Rubicón and Playa Blanca Old Town Brisa Marina. All the rooms are huge and the hotel has a main buffet restaurant along with several themed one’s all of the food is amazing and I particulary enjoyed having our breakfast at Isla de Lobos overlooking the sea. We had a spa treatment whilst we were there and the Thalasso and Spa Center has lots to offer in a stunning beach front location. There is something for everyone here, I recommend it loads as it’s suitable for families (kids love the Kikoland club), couples and all age groups. Playa Blanca has a great range of accommodation to suit all budgets, including self-catering in apartments or villas, or being looked after in a hotel, ranging from 3 to 5 Star. The resort itself has a great variety of restaurants, including tapas, Indian, Chinese, and Italian, so we didn’t go hungry. Many overlooked the sea too. Prices were reasonable, although they did vary from restaurant to restaurant, and most places did sangria, which went down well with me!

31 May 2015

I visited Abu Dhabi on a reward trip hosted by the directors of Travel Counsellors to celebrate and congratulate its top performing ‘Gold’ Travel Counsellors. We were flown by award winning Etihad Airways and stayed at the 5* Fairmont Bab Al Bar which has a fabulous beachfront location with stunning views of the city or the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. The hotel is contemporary, with spacious rooms and suitable for both business and leisure clients. They have two specialty restaurants owned by Frankie Dettori and Marco Pierre White, serving Italian cuisine. Abu Dhabi has lots to offer, a visit to Yas Island where you can visit the F1 Circuit and Ferrari World where you can ride on the world’s fastest rollercoaster plus the amazing Yas Waterworld is definitely worth a visit. One evening we spent at The Skylite Rooftop Lounge a truly stylish and cool location that’s sits on the top floor of the The Yas Viceroy Hotel. There is a resident DJ and it is the perfect place for indulging in after work cocktails, time with friends or a romantic date with a loved one. The Yas Viceroy is positioned in the middle of the F1 Circuit and so it is a dream location for enthusiasts, whilst also having the luxury internal surroundings for those that enjoy the high life. Our final evening we were spoilt rotten with an exclusive night at the Saadiyat Beach Club nestled away on the island of Saadiyat. The Club has restaurants, spa, pool, bar, lounge, gym and more in natural surroundings, it’s fabulous! Overall Abu Dhabi is a great alternative to Dubai with great beaches where you can spend days sailing on the Gulf deep sea fishing or head to the horse racing or camel racing, plus lots of fantastic duty-free retail shopping!

31 May 2015

My trip to Barbados was something else…utter paradise! As well as the acclaimed Bajan cuisine, lush vegetation and white sandy beaches and fantastic hotels it is the people and their Bajan charm and hospitality that make it a stunning island. I stayed half my time at the Sea Breeze hotel, a fabulous beachfront hotel great for couples and also families. The staff are super friendly and will arrange excursions for you. They even took us in a 4 x 4 tour of the island and the boot was stocked well with Bajan food goodies and plenty of rum punch. Don’t miss out on Oistin's Friday Night Fish Fry, a must do in Barbados. My second stay was at Ocean Two, a stunning boutique property. They have live entertainment most nights and Beach BBQ’s it is lively and very close to St Lawrence Gap. The beach here is stunning and whilst I was there it was turtle hatching season which was amazing to see… check out my pictures!

15 October 2014

St Lucia is one of The Windward Islands in the Eastern Caribbean, famous for its lush rainforests, beautiful scenery, crystal clear waters, white sandy beaches and tropical cocktails. Only 32 miles long and 14 miles wide, so you can drive around the island easily on the mountain roads. There are lots of great places to stop to take photos and check out the amazing scenery! I stayed in 2 hotels, Cap Maison and East Winds Inn. Cap Maison is a wonderful luxury boutique hotel located on the Cliffside of the beautiful Smugglers Cove Beach in St. Lucia’s Cap Estate. It will most definitely be my preferred choice for my discerning clients. The staff here are brilliant and can’t do enough for you. If you are a foodie you will love it, both The Cliff at Cap and The Naked Fisherman restaurants have THE most amazing food! I would highly recommend doing a wine tasting session in the hotel’s very own wine cellar. Rooms are all great and the attention to detail is obvious. I’d recommend one of the ocean view villas. Cap Maison is one of the most beautiful hotels I have ever stayed in. It is in an idyllic location which is extremely private and sophisticated; it has its own charm, character and elegance! East Winds Inn – Fabulous quaint resort hotel situated on the beach, very laid back with amazing service from all the staff. It is an All Inclusive resort and the food is fantastic. They even have a weekly lobster BBQ! All the drinks and cocktails include well-known brands and around the pool area there is a self-service bar that even includes instructions to make your very own cocktails. Plus they serve Afternoon Tea each day. The island has many romantic retreats and also many family resort hotels. Whilst on the island I’d recommend a few 'must do's' – a trip to the top of the rainforest, you can take a gondola ride through the trees or for the adventurous the 9 wire zip lines 30m up across the rainforest and was truly fantastic! It is also worth a visit to the capital city of Castries on a Friday evening to experience the “Jump Up” which is the weekly St Lucian street party – once experienced, never forgotten. You can even charter your own boat and cruise along to see The Pitons from the sea or take a romantic boat trip from Rodney Bay. St. Lucia really is a beautiful place and is perfect for those who want a romantic experience, a relaxed experience or even an action packed lively experience.

07 January 2011

I was lucky enough to be invited to Jamaica by the tourist board, Visit Jamaica, whose motto is ‘Once You Go You Know’. So very true! Not only is Jamaica a beautiful destination with wonderful palm lined beaches with white sands and stunning turquoise seas, but there are many marvellous tours and excursions too. I stayed at Sandals Montego Bay and also Half Moon as well as visiting many other hotels. I climbed the beautiful cascading waterfalls of Dunn's River Falls. A truly outstanding treasure offering 600 feet of climbing pleasure for thousands of visitors and locals every year, it is arguably Jamaica's most popular and famous attraction. We also swam with 2 of the resident Dolphins at Dolphin Cove, a dance, a dorsal pull or a foot push and even enjoy a kiss with them. An experience I will never forget and one I will certainly recommend to my clients. A visit to the 1770 Rose Hall Great House is also a must, the legend surrounding Rose Hall and its infamous owner, Annie Palmer, also known as "The White Witch of Rose Hall," is one that has fascinated generations of island natives and visitors alike. There’s so much character and diversity to Jamaica that I’ll guarantee you will have a wonderful holiday!

01 January 2011

South America is a truly amazing place to visit, so when I got the chance to visit Peru I was over the moon. My trip started in Lima, the capital city of Peru, cosmopolitan and vibrant with a beautiful and historical center that boasts exquisite buildings dating back to colonial times. I stayed at the Miraflores Park, an orient express hotel, which enjoys a privileged location overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The city boasts a wide range of national and international restaurants and bars widely regarded as some of the best in South America. Next was the stunning Lake Titicaca, the highest lake in the world, and visit to the floating islands of Uros where the inhabitants still live as they did centuries ago, on floating islands they make with totora reeds. Finally a trip down the Amazon on a luxury river cruise with Aqua Expeditions, exploring the highlights of the Amazon Jungle and its wildlife. I know you will fall in love with Peru, its people and its cultures, just like I have. You can sample a “Pisco Sour" - a typical aperitif made from a grape brandy, lemon juice, egg white and syrup, it’s a very strong alcoholic local drink. Try the traditional dish of “Cebiche" - raw fish marinated in lemon juice... but fantastically delicious!