16 March 2019

I’ve recently returned from a fun packed weekend in Malta. I used to visit every year with family as my grandparents had a house over there. It’s now been over 35 years since I last visited so I was very excited to return. I was only there for 4 days, a perfect amount of time for a city break. It's amazing how much you can see in such a short amount of time! Day One From the airport we headed straight to Mdina, Malta’s medieval city and backdrop for all you Games of Thrones fan! The history of Mdina and its suburb Rabat is as old and as chequered as the history of Malta itself. The origins can be traced back to more than 4,000 years. It is still home to Malta’s noble families and impressive palaces that line its shady and narrow streets. Mdina is one of Europe’s finest examples of an ancient walled city and unusual in its mix of medieval and Baroque architecture. Lamplit by night, it transforms itself into the “Silent City”. A great way to see this city is to take a Segway tour! After a quick lunch stop at Gululu restaurant in Spinola bay, located right on the water’s edge we head for our hotel The Westin Dragonara Resort in St Julian’s. A fantastic 5-star hotel right on the sea. Rooms were large and spacious, and the balcony was lovely and enclosed. A great hotel for family/friends or business. Easily walkable into town too where there are a selection of bars and restaurants. Day 2 This morning we headed off to The Three Cities. The Three Cities are a collective description of the three fortified cities of Birgu, Senglea and Cospicua. The oldest of the three cities is Birgu, which has existed since the middle ages. The other two cities, Senglea and Cospicua were both founded by the order of Saint John in the 16th and 17th Centuries. On arrival we had a lovely little trip on a traditional Maltese fishing boat called a Luzzus (pronounced Luttsu). They are usually painted in bright colours and have existed since ancient times. It was great to see the cities from the water as it gave a different perspective. After the boat trip we enjoyed a Rolling Geeks Tour of the three cities. The Rolling Geeks are little electric cars like golf buggies that you self-drive around the narrow lanes, It’s the best way to explore the cities. Not only do you drive yourself, but they talk to you too, giving you a guided tour en route as well as directions! You can even take a selfie too! I highly recommend, they were such fun. Our next stop was Valletta, a beautiful city which is encased in a fortress of sandstone. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to elegant winding streets, stunning historical monuments and an increasing number of luxury boutique hotels. In 2018 it earned the accolade of being the European Capital of Culture. Places of interest to visit in Valletta: St Johns Co-Cathedral – a magnificent Cathedral with a jaw dropping interior and the home of the only signed work and largest painting by Caravaggio. Casa Rocca Piccola – a 16th century palace that provides a unique insight in to the customs and traditions of the Maltese nobility over the last 400yrs. The house is furnished by a historical collection of furniture, silver and paintings. Upper Barrakka Gardens – a beautiful public garden that offer a stunning panoramic view of the Grand Harbour. It dates back to 1661 when it was a private garden of the Italian Knights. Palazzo Parisio – a magnificent Palace with its beautiful surrounding gardens. One of Malta’s most opulent aristocratic home. It was acquired by Marquis Giuseppe Scicluna in the middle of the 19th century from the Arision family. It’s one of the premier heritage attractions in Malta. Day 3 Today we visited the beautiful Island of Gozo, a 30-minute ferry ride from Malta. It looked gorgeous on arrival, calm seas, stunning bays, cliffs rising from the water, beautiful sandy beaches, untouched countryside dotted with villages, churches, farmsteads and the oldest known human structures in the world - a relaxing contrast from the hustle of the city. We firstly visited the Ggantija Temples in Xaghra. They are the oldest freestanding monuments in the world, created 1,000 years before the famous Egyptian pyramids of Giza. The temple builders used locally available stone, hard coralline limestone for external walls and the softer globigerina limestone for the sheltered interiors. Next on the agenda was a visit to Ramla Bay, known in Maltese as Ramla il Hamra (Red Sands), it’s the biggest sandy beach on Gozo, the surrounding area is beautifully undeveloped too, except for a couple of small cafes behind the beach selling food and drinks. So, if you’re looking for a picturesque sandy beach to relax on for the day then you must head here! Next, we headed to Victoria, known to the Maltese as Rabat, Gozos capital city. It was named in 1887 in honour of Queen Victoria during her jubilee year. In the heart of Victoria is a small fortified city and citadel, it has been inhabited since the bronze age and in the medieval era it was known as the Gran Castello. Our next stop was a visit to the Ta Mena Estate to experience wine tasting and to meet the owner. He was great, he showed us and talked us through the whole process of wine production from the initial grape stage to the final bottle of wine on the table! The wine was delicious, as have all the Maltese wines we’ve sampled (unfortunately, they do not export their wine) and we got to taste it with a banquet of local produce from the farm too, including a selection of cheese and meats. Day 4 Making the most of our final morning we stop off at the village of Marsaxlokk on the way to the airport. A lovely fishing village with markets and cafes all along the key side, a great place to people watch. It’s been a fantastic and educational few days for me and I’ve a wonderful trip down memory lane. Restaurant recommendation: We visited some fantastic restaurants whilst we were there too. By far my favourite was Il Kartell Restaurant, right on the water’s edge in Marsalforn, Gozo. If you are ever in the area you must visit! Useful Info: Currency: Euro Language: Maltese and English Adapter: the three-pin rectangular plug system is used as in the UK & Ireland Emergency services: 112 If you’d like help planning your next break, please do get in touch, I’d be happy to help

19 September 2018

Croatia, where do I start? The 1,104 miles of rugged coastline, crystal clear waters perfect for snorkelling, island hopping adventures, national parks and waterfalls to swim in, fishing villages, medieval castles steeped in history, delicious local konobas to eat in, amazing wine. It sounds too good to be true - it’s not! There’s something here for everyone and its why I have returned time and time again. This visit was a one-week trip with the family before the schools started back. I wanted to take the girls to the island of Brac, somewhere I had last visited 13 years ago and somewhere I vowed I would return to again one day. We flew into Split and transferred to Split harbour where we caught the ferry to the island of Brac, the largest island of the central Dalmatian group of islands. The ferry transfer was very straight forward and took around approx. 1hr. You can either catch the car ferry which runs pretty much every hour and takes you to Supetar in the north of the Island or you can get the catamaran straight into Bol in the south of the island, but this runs less regularly. We stayed in the resort of Bol, home to the famous Zlatni Rat beach otherwise known as the golden horn. The very tip of Zlatni Rat constantly changes its shape due to the influence of winds, waves and sea currents. This location is a protected natural area and a favourite spot for surfers and kite-surfers from around the globe. Zlatni Rat beach is only 2km from Bol. You can reach the beach either by car or take a leisurely 20-minute stroll along the coast through the shaded palm walk. During the summer months, every half an hour there is a small tourist train going to the beach, as well as tourist boats that take off from the port of Bol. Our accommodation was situated between Bol town centre and Zlatni Rat, so each morning we would take a stroll and discover new and hidden beaches with lovely little beach bars. Beaches are mainly shingly/stony but comfortable enough to sunbathe on a towel and beds can be hired too. Bol town, although busier than I remember, still oozes charm and character and has a lovely selection of restaurants offering popular Croatian dishes as well as Italian food. You will always find a place to buy delicious ice cream to eat on the way home! My favourite restaurant was hotel Kastil, which was situated along the front but to be honest they were all lovely and in such a perfect setting. We also hired a car for the day as I wanted to explore the West Coast of Brac and revisit a small village I had also visited 13yrs ago, Bobovisca. The drive only took us around 45 minutes before we arrived in the beautiful small village of Bobovisca. Nothing had changed here, and it was exactly as I remembered. Locals here are mainly engaged in fishing, wine and olive oil production and tourism. This place is ideal for a quiet holiday away from the city bustle, and swimming is possible in the area called Bobovisca na moru which is approximately 1km away from the village. We stopped off for a swim, there are platforms you can sunbathe on and this is where you access the sea, it’s gorgeous and quiet even in the height of the season. We had lunch in one of the only two konobas there. You can find accommodation in rooms and apartments, and the port is a perfect place for smaller boats. Next stop Split, the second largest city in Croatia and a great place to see Dalmatian life as it’s really lived. Always buzzing, this exuberant city has just the right balance between tradition and modernity. Step inside Diocletian’s Palace (a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the world’s most impressive Roman monuments) and you’ll see dozens of bars, restaurants and shops thriving amid the atmospheric old walls where Split has been humming along for thousands of years. We stayed right in the centre of Split and had some fantastic views over the city. It’s an ideal spot to base ourselves for our last couple of nights as we booked onto a tour to visit KRKA national park for our last full day. KRKA is around an hour north of Split and the only national park in Croatia that allows you to swim in the waterfalls! On arrival we had a 30-minute boat ride along the river, I felt like Jane MacDonald on one of her river cruises! It was so beautiful and peaceful. We arrived at the entrance to the National Park where you can decide on which walking route you wanted to do. There are a few options depending on how energetic you feel! You are left to your own devices once in the park, so you can either relax by the beautiful waterfalls, have lunch and a swim or take a casual meander through the park exploring off the beaten track and beautiful hidden oases of water. They aren’t designated swim areas, but you can pop in for a quick dip if you get too hot. We also found a small Water Mill museum on our trek and behind here were some great little places for a quick swim! All in all, we all had a great time and the girls are sold on Croatia. We really packed a lot in for the week. You can keep visiting this country time and time again as there are so many beautiful, towns, villages, islands to experience. With a flight time of only 2hrs it’s not just a great destination for a summer break but also for a long weekend if you need a well-deserved rest! If you would like to discuss your forthcoming travel plans please do get in touch, I’d love to help.

26 June 2018

I was lucky enough to spend last Christmas on the sunny Caribbean shores of Barbados. I’ve been spoiled and would love to spend every Christmas Day in sunnier climates, BBQing fresh fish around the pool and swimming in warm blue waters! It certainly beats sitting around eating turkey and the cold dark mornings! So why not book a last-minute holiday and guarantee yourself some sun, sand and a Christmas day swim in the sea! Mauritius - a Christmas Paradise December is one of the best months to visit this lush Indian Ocean island. Children can enjoy the wonders of nature – swimming in the lagoons or under waterfalls, studying the coral gardens and exotic fish. There are glass bottom boat trips to be had, an undersea walk as well as The Mauritius Aquarium, hiking in the Casela Nature Park or a visit to the Tamarind Falls, one of the most beautiful places in Mauritius. Temperatures are 29C with eight hours of sunshine per day. Approx. flight time from UK: 11.5hrs Time difference: UTC +4 Thailand – magical kingdom for families Thailand has been very popular this year and I have had lots of enquiries to visit over the Christmas period and I’m not surprised. It’s the ideal season to travel between November and April, the heat isn’t too overwhelming, and the rains are less frequent. Children will relish in the mysterious jungles in the north and they will love the endless paradise beaches in the south. If you’re feeling more adventurous visit the Erawan Waterfalls and the caves and subterranean galleries of the Koh Sok national park where the forest – one of the most ancient in the world – conjures up Jurassic Park! Don’t miss a visit to Elephant Hills – Thailand’s first luxury tented jungle camp which is easily accessible from popular beach resorts. There are two camps, The Elephant camp and the floating rainforest camp. Two to four-day soft adventure tours are available to book - please contact me for further information. Approx. flight time from UK: 12hrs. Time difference: UTC +7hrs Festive Fun in Tenerife This is a great last-minute choice for late bookings due the high volume of flights and accommodation on offer, ranging from self-catering apartments to all-inclusive five-star luxury hotels that offer a range of water sports, kids clubs and entertainment and mouth-watering menus, so there really is something for everyone. Tenerife is the archipelagos largest islands. There are many scenic beaches, buzzing nightlife and stylish shopping. There are some great parks too to visit with the little ones such as Jungle Park which has birds of Prey, monkeys, caimans, tigers, white lions or The Loro Park, where 3000 parrots live. There’s also an underwater aquarium and an amazing penguinarium! Flight time from UK: 4hrs. Time difference: standard time UTC +0 Mexico – a Christmas of scenery, colours and sounds Book an all-inclusive package at one of the luxurious, all-inclusive hotels on Mexico’s Riviera Maya, meaning that you don’t have to worry, and that Christmas is covered, from the food and drinks to family activities and entertainment. Children will love The Olmec, Toltec, Aztec and Maya sites. You can spend a whole day wandering around the biggest – Chichen Itza; Palenque, half swallowed by the jungle or laid-back Tulum. Or swim through the turquoise waters in cenotes (natural wells) and explore the mysterious caves in Quintana Roo on the Yucatan Peninsula – for older children they also have the opportunity to snorkel among whale sharks off Isla Holbox. A yuletide speciality you can feast on is Tamales, which is made by steaming corn husks or banana leaves containing masa, a maize dough, wrapped around pork or beef Flight time from UK: 10hrs. Time difference: UTC -7hrs South Africa A wonderful atmospheric destination in December with evening carol concerts in Kirstenbosch Botanical gardens and the festive lights in Adderley street. It’s peak season and a busy time to visit. The children will love to try and find the Big Five; rhinoceros, cape buffalo, elephant, leopard and lion. The Waterberg Biosphere Reserve among others, is a particular favourite for families as it offers a chance to see the big five in a virtually malaria-free region. Between June and December, you can also see whales from the beaches or cliff paths in Hermanus and you can find ostriches and loveable meerkats at Oudtshoorn. There’s also lots of water sports offered along the 300km of coastline which is lapped by two different oceans. Certain beaches around Port Elizabeth and Durban are perfect for splashing about in the surf. In Cape Town itself, children can experience Two Oceans aquarium with sharks, seals and penguins; a ride on a camel at Imhoff farm or take the cable car to the top of Table Mountain where you can see the whole town and visit historic sites such as Robben Islands where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned or pay a visit to Victoria falls from a boat, helicopter or micro light! Flight time from UK: 11.5hrs. Time difference: UTC +2

20 June 2018

I was lucky enough recently to visit one of the most luxurious cruise ships ever built. The Regent Seven Seas Explorer! The newest all-suite, all-balcony ship that boasts the largest private balconies at sea has one of the highest space to guest ratio and is the only ship to feature an in-suite spa! There are 377 balcony suites that hold 750 guests and a crew of 542! The Seven Seas Explorer is one of four ships in the fleet, others include Seven Seas Voyager, Seven Seas Mariner and the smallest of the fleet, The Seven Seas Navigator with just 450 guests! The Seven Seas Explorer was moored in Southampton and ready to set sail to Copenhagen on a 12-night voyage. Before she left we spent the morning exploring this beautiful ship. As we stepped onboard friendly faces welcomed us with a refreshing glass of champagne and, first impressions - what a beautiful ship. Welcoming and classy, without feeling stuffy for a 6* ship plus fantastic modern artwork including works of Picasso! It had the feel of a modern boutique hotel. This intimate ship is just the right size, small enough that you never experience a queue and large enough that you can get lost in a best seller without interruption or distraction. The personal service you receive onboard is second to none. The crew anticipate and fulfil your every need and get to know you on a personal level. From a suite steward who will refill your mini bar with your favourite beverages to the maître d who knows that you prefer to sit by the window, the level of service sets a new standard of luxury. The cabins were gorgeous, very luxurious and have everything you need! The beds are so comfortable that guests are able to purchase them! We looked around the all-suite cabin, the concierge suite and the master 2-bedroom suite. All suite accommodation includes twin or double beds, expansive private balconies, separate sitting area, marble appointed bathrooms, spacious walk in closet, 24-hour room service with dinner served course by course, mini bar replenished daily with soft drinks, beer and water (all complimentary), L'Occtaine Mer and Mistral toiletries, interactive flat screen TV with extensive media library and complimentary movies on demand. Concierge suites and higher also include free 1-night pre-cruise hotel package, 15 minutes of free ship-to-shore phone time, priority online shore excursion reservations, priority online Prime 7, Signatures, Chartreuse and Pacific Rim dining reservations, discount on premium wines and liquor purchases as well as Regent choice shore excursions and hotel and land programmes, In-suite use of binoculars, Illy espresso maker and cashmere pashminas plus all Deluxe suite amenities and much more. In Penthouse suites and higher you can also enjoy return business class flights to Europe, personal butler committed to fulfilling your wishes, iPhone docking station to accommodate all iPhone models, complimentary use of iPad and iPod, Guerlain toiletries aboard all ships plus all concierge suite amenities and much more. The dining areas were filled with delicious looking lunch menus and the pool grill looked great with a huge choice of beautifully prepared food including fresh fish burgers, fruit platters, salads, miniature ice creams. You can enjoy up to five restaurants and they all offer complimentary wine and impeccable service, even the speciality restaurants are complimentary. We ate at The Compass Rose, which is one of the speciality restaurants. The menus change daily, and you can even design your own course. The food was out of this world! I loved the way the tables were laid with Versace plates! There are so many onboard indulgences! There is the Canyon Ranch Spa Club that offers rejuvenating massages, facials and therapeutic body treatments, a beauty salon, fitness centre and a gym. They also offer enrichment programmes with lectures by renowned experts, historians and leading authors to enhance your understanding of the destination you are going to visit, a cookery school in the Culinary Arts Kitchen and Broadway productions. There is also a library available for you to sit back and relax in, so no need to take a book, there's hundreds there! Itinerary Examples: Venice - Barcelona 12 nights, Cape Town to Rio de Janeiro 14 nights, Round trip Miami 7 nights New York to Miami 15 nights Singapore to Sydney 18 nights Barcelona to Rome 7 nights Barcelona to Southampton 12 nights Venice to Monte Carlo 10 night What did I love about the ship? Apart from the modern boutique hotel style it portrays, the beautiful art work displayed throughout the trip and the impeccable personal service, the fact that everything is included is fantastic. You can leave your wallet at home as everything is included in the cost! FREE Return flights and transfers FREE Unlimited shore excursions FREE Unlimited drinks including fine wines and premium spirits FREE Speciality restaurants FREE WIF onboard FREE prepaid gratuities FREE 1-night hotel package from concierge suites and higher FREE 3-night land programme on select voyages To summarise, if you're looking for gourmet dining, quality spacious accommodation, suites with a balcony, an impeccable personalised service or perhaps you would like to celebrate a milestone birthday or anniversary with a once in a life time holiday then this ship is the perfect choice for you. Once you've experienced it for the first time I can promise you will be back again! If you would like any further information then please do get in contact so we can discuss your requirements, I'd love to help.

06 June 2018

Skiathos is absolute heaven! A small slice of paradise in the North West Aegean, only 12kms long and 6km wide. With only a short hop of 3.5hrs on the plane its ideal for a fly and flop holiday. We always stay in apartments in Koukounaries. It's the last stop on the bus route, right at the end of the south coast of the Island. It’s one of the most famous and popular beaches on the islands. There's a great range of water sports here as well as beach bars, snack bars and lots of welcome shade amongst the pine tree forest set behind the beach. There is also a lake inland from the pines which is a protected natural reserve and a small inlet where local boats are moored and the ducks swim. The sand is powdery, and the warm shallow clear blue waters make it an ideal beach for kids and families of all ages. Out and about When we are there we always hire an open top jeep as we love to explore the Island. There are so many other places to visit that are off the beaten track. Skiathos has more than 50 beaches, not all easily accessible as some can be harder to access than others but because of this you can always guarantee the beach will be relatively empty especially in the mornings. Most of the beaches, even the more remote ones, have a beach bar which offer fresh fish, salad, chips, fruit, ice cold Mykonos (the delicious local beers) as well as ice creams etc, plus basic toilet facilities. Our favourite beaches are Agia Eleni, Mandraki Elias, Maratha and Banana beach. A word of warning - there are two banana beaches, one is a nudist beach and the other is for families. So, if you want to keep those white bits white check before you set off your heading to the right one! Another great way to see the Island is from the sea. In the past we have hired our own motor boat and headed off along the south coast for the day. Its great and costs around £80 for the day, the boats are quite small and have shade. You are given a map of the coast line and the time you must be back then off you head at your own pace. It’s fantastic, you're totally in control and can stop and jump in the sea wherever you want to or visit other islands only accessible by boat. If you’re not keen on taking your own boat out, you can organise private chartered boat trips that offer lunch and drinks too. Getting about If you don't want to hire a car, it is so easy and cheap to get around by bus. There’s only one main road along the south of the islands, starting in Skiathos town and finishing the other end in Koukounaries. Bus stops are labelled by numbers and run regularly too Skiathos Town The town is so pretty, its set around the gorgeous harbour that hosts lots of tasty restaurants, my favourite being the fish restaurant at the end of the harbour. There's also a wide selection of bars and restaurants, ice cream and pancake cafes as well as gift shops and an open-air cinema. The town extends up a hill via cobbled narrow streets with amazing views from the top. There is a fantastic restaurant right at the top called the Windmill which is worth a visit for the stunning views and food. In the harbour you will see the huge expensive ships that dock there, along the same dock you will also find the boats that offer day excursions to various beaches or sightseeing trips. There are also night markets along this stretch that lead round to further waterside dining, a car park if you’re driving and a couple of small night clubs that I've never seen open probably because I've never stayed out after midnight! Skiathos Dog and Cat Shelter If you’re a dog or cat lover, it’s worth a visit to Skiathos Dog Shelter. All the animals here are rescued strays. The shelter was first opened by residents in 1995 as there were so many strays on the street they were starting to form packs and worry the residents. The local monastery (Evangelistria) offered a piece of land well out of town – between another beautiful monastery (Panagia Kounistria) and the town landfill, which is where you will find the sanctuary today. The shelter relies heavily on donations from locals, tourists and international organisations to help with veterinary care, building projects and food. It's a struggle sometimes to keep going. The shelter has no electricity or running water. It’s a very happy place where many dogs are loved for the first time in their lives – and a stepping-stone to their new lives with a home and a family. They now offer a dog walking programme to encourage more tourists. There are many Facebook groups now set up by visitors that are keen to help and spread the word as they have been touched with what they have experienced on their visit. Don't go empty handed, give them a call before you turn up and ask if there are any donations in particular that they require, they may have lots of donations of dog food already but not much cat food or cleaning products etc. It’s best to ask so you can give them exactly what they need. On our last visit, we took a handsome young lab for a walk called Larry, he was so friendly. If we didn't have a cat at home I would seriously consider rehoming one of them! Please pay a visit here and see for yourself. Mamma Mia Lastly, I couldn't write a blog to Skiathos and not mention Mamma Mia for all you fans of the film! My family are also big fans too and whenever I hear the soundtrack it always takes me back to my Skiathos holidays! As you know Mamma Mia was filmed on the Island of Skiathos and Skopelos. We did the film location boat tour one year which was fun, we visited the beaches where they all danced on the jetty (which was only there for the film purposes) and we walked to the church at the top of the hill where they headed up on the donkey to get married, although the interior of the church was actually shot elsewhere. A visit to the open-air cinema in town is a must do for my family every time we visit, Mamma Mia is constantly running, it’s a great night out though and the girls love it, you can buy popcorn and hotdogs wine and beer, happy kids happy parents! Skiathos is magical, I have visited many times with my family and we are already booked again for 2019! I can’t wait! Once you visit for the first time you'll definitely be back for more! If you'd like help planning you next holiday to Skiathos please give me a call to discuss today, thanks Kate

06 June 2018

This was my first visit to the Caribbean and our first hot Christmas with the family. My in-laws go every January for two months and now I understand why! We fell in love with it instantly. It’s the perfect time to go away and swap the cold and gloomy British winter months for some hot Caribbean weather. On arrival I had organised for a private minibus to transfer us to our villa which was to be our home for the next couple of weeks. We were staying along the West Coast of Barbados in the Parish of St James. Our villa was at the end of a beautiful long stretch of white sandy beach that runs all the way into Holetown. As you meander along the beach to town you can admire all the wonderful hotels set in spacious tropical grounds, we often stopped off for a cold drink en-route and had a nose whilst we were there too! None of the hotels in Barbados are allowed private beaches so you are able to sit and relax wherever you wish. The walk into Holetown from our villa took around 15 minutes. Another route to town which my girls loved was the Reggae bus. We would often get these if we had shopping or were heading to town at night. The Reggae buses look like the yellow American style buses and are privately owned by locals. They drive like maniacs with the music blaring, they pick you up and drop you off wherever, there doesn’t have to be a bus stop, a great experience for the whole family and also very popular with tourists as they are so cheap to travel on. Tip: If there’s no available seats, hold on for your life! So much fun! Holetown Holetown itself is great and has everything you need. Running parallel to the beach you have the brightly coloured Chattel houses that have been converted into gift shops and coffee shops (a Chattel house is a Barbadian word for a small moveable wooden house that working-class people would occupy and still do today.) You will also find a large supermarket here as well as Limegrove shopping centre that offers designer outlets and lots of lovely delicious restaurants. There are also a couple of side streets that have restaurants along them too with one outside bar that has karaoke in the street every Sunday night. Good fun for the adults but the kids might want to sit this one out! There are also lots of lovely beach bars too where you can grab a cocktail, sit back and relax and watch the sunset in the evening Out and about We also hired a car for a few days which is a great way to explore the island. We saw lots of lovely sights on the way. First stop was the Flower Caves located at the Cliffs at North point. It’s known as the flower caves due to the tiny flower like anemones that sit on the rocks in the water. The cave has a coral floor and you can see some of the natural carvings the sea has created and there’s also a natural rock pool that is around 8ft deep at the lowest point where you can swim. Bring your swim stuff, my kids had a great time (they felt like they were in the Mako Mermaids cave, for those of you that have 8yr old girls will know what I mean!) Absolutely perfect and tranquil and closed off from the rest of the world. Humpback whale watching can also be seen at The Cliff Tops around Feb time. Second stop on our island tour was the Andromeda Botanic Gardens on the East coast, in the Parish of St Joseph, part of the Barbados National Trust. This was a self-guided tour where you walk through the winding pathways on a horticultural delight. You’ll be amazed at the variety of unique trees, some of which are not found anywhere else in the Caribbean. You can relax by the main pond where the kids fed the fish and enjoy the spirit of this wonderful space - one of the finest post-war gardens in the world. We also drove to the beach at Bathsheba. It’s beautiful, wide white sand beaches stretch along a dramatic coastline of striking rock formations against huge surf waves. What at first glance looks like huge rock boulders washed up on the beach are actually rock formations broken away from ancient coral reefs Beaches We did our fair share of beaches. Mullins Bay is a lovely bay just North of Holetown. Great for kids as it has inflatables in the sea and a great beach bar. Water sports are also available here. Paynes Bay also has a lovely long stretch of beach good for snorkelling and swimming - you may even spot some turtles. We also visited the beach next to the famous Sandy Lane, but we found the water got very deep here very quickly. Our favourite beach though was our stretch of beach right at the end of Holetown walkable from our villa! There also lots of beaches along the south coast of Barbados amongst the hotels which are great for a day trip. You can also tie in with a visit the famous Oistins Fish fry - very popular with the crowds on a Friday night, lots of great food and live music. Boat Trip We missed the UK boxing day sales, but we had made sails of our own that day and headed off on a full day’s catamaran trip around along the west coast. It was such a great day, the kids absolutely loved it. All food and drink were included throughout the cruise. We stopped in places along the way to snorkel and swim with the turtles and jumped and dived off the side of the boat. A great way to see the coastline if you’re not keen on driving. All in all, we had a fabulous holiday and a wonderful family Christmas in Barbados, even Santa visited on Christmas eve and left gifts for the girls. We spent Christmas day on the beach and around the pool with the girls singing carols whilst we BBQ-ed fresh fish and sipped cool rum punches. I definitely can’t wait to visit this island again, It really is a wonderful place, full of happy friendly people. With its endless white powdery sandy beaches to its lushes green interior, water sports, swimming with turtles, boat trips, amazing restaurants, mesmerising sunsets and its laid back vibe, there's definitely something here for everyone. If you fancy a visit to the Caribbean, please contact me today and let me help you to find your little slice of paradise. Key facts: Capital: Bridgetown, Language: English and Bajan Time Zone: -4hrs, currency BBD Barbados Dollar, Flight time: 9hours

06 June 2018

I was very fortunate enough recently to win a weekend mini cruise onboard Columbus with Cruise & Maritime Voyages. I was very excited as this was to be my first cruising experience! We set sail from the London cruise terminal in Essex, so ideal if you are a Londoner like me, a nice stress free 35-minute drive from SE London and there I was at Tilbury Docks. On arrival I pulled up alongside the ship where I dropped my bags with the concierge then headed off to park my car. Once I boarded, I headed off to find my cabin with my case already waiting for me outside the door. My cabin was lovely and compact, perfect for a couple, with all the facilities you'd need, including tea and coffee facilities, hairdryer, mini fridge, TV (although there was no time to watch this) and a picture window which was great to look out of first thing in the morning to see where I had just docked. Once all settled in I met up with my fellow Travel Counsellors on the sundeck, we had an ice cold drink, sat around the pool with music playing. The weather was amazing, we were so lucky. What a great start to the trip! Once we were acquainted we then headed around the ship to explore. Columbus has recently been upgraded and is now the proud new flagship of the CMV fleet. She is a medium sized cruise ship which is great as you can navigate your way round fairly easily. I was really impressed with the facilities she had to offer. • Five dining options including three fine dining options including two speciality coffee shops. • A wellbeing centre with a fully equipped gym. • 2 heated swimming pools with expansive deck areas including a large screen for outdoor movies and sporting events • Library and dedicated bridge and card room and a separate crafters studio • Fabulous tiered main show lounge spanning two decks • 8 lounge bars plus 2 deck bars and 6 entertainment venues • 2 large public launderette and ironing rooms • British themed Taverner pubs and Casino At 6pm we had a Sailaway cocktail reception at the Dome (by night this turns into a disco/nightclub where you can dance the night away!) We waved goodbye to England and headed out towards the North Sea. Pre-dinner drinks were in Tavernas then we had a 7-course dinner in the Waterfront restaurant. We were the second sitting at 2030. The food was gorgeous and had lots good vegetarian options. You certainly won’t go hungry on this ship! On Saturday morning I awoke to us sailing gently through the Netherlands towards Amsterdam. There is a fairy-tale quality to Amsterdam. It's the largest city in the Netherlands, a charming mixture of sedate canals, gabled patrician houses, ornate churches, soaring clock towers and excellent museums. Much of this intriguing city can be covered on foot allowing you to savour sights. Shops offering antiques or avant-garde art beckon everywhere. Masses of blooms can be found on the famous floating flower market whilst the throng of outside markets sell everything from postage stamps to parakeets. It’s easy to get lost crossing and re crossing canals, so I would definitely recommend a canal cruise which is what we did. It’s so relaxing and a lovely way to get your bearings and view the elegant buildings. There’s so much to explore if you get the time such as the Royal Palace, a onetime city hall built in the mid-17th century or the Rijks museum which in English means “The State museum” that was built over 200 years ago and houses collections of Flemish and Dutch painting from the 16-19th Century. The Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank’s House, The Hermitage Museum. The infamous region of the Red Light district is also worth a visit during the day to get a feel for the culture and history of Amsterdam. I love this city and will certainly be back soon but I for now I headed back to the ship to depart. Once back on board we had time to relax, so I had another little explore and found a hidden oasis at the front of the ship, this space is usually only available to certain paying room types on other ships but on Columbus the area is free for all to use. It used to be the kids’ area but now it’s an adult only ship (except for the month of August) it has been converted into a lovely decked area of sunbeds, a hot tub and bar. It was then time for pre-show drinks in Connextions bar, a lovely modern airy bar, then a show at the Palladium lounge which was great entertainment. We sang along to 80’s tunes, then went for dinner at the speciality Indian Fusion restaurant, the food was amazing! To work off some of our dinner we went to the Dome and danced the night away! The next morning when I awoke, I opened my curtains to see the beautiful city of Antwerp, Belguim’s second largest city and Europe’s second largest port. Antwerp lies right on the bank of the River Scheldt at the gateway to the North Sea so from the minute you arrive you are already amongst it all. Antwerp is a stunning city, it has an eclectic mix of modern and gothic style buildings. We stopped for coffee and people watched in one of the many cafes in Grote Markt, the main square of the city. It’s beautiful, framed on two sides by tall gilded renaissance style historical buildings and dominated by the majestic Italian influenced stadhuis (town hall). We hopped on a tram and took a 30-minute city tour which cost 7euros which was a great way to see lots in a short space of time. We also took part in the Antwerp beer trail (rude not to) which was a great way to see the city and quench your thirst all in one go. I stocked up on Belgian chocolates and truffles for the family before heading back to the ship. What an fantastic trip - so stress free from start to finish, waking up in a different place each morning , experiencing two stunning cities and seeing unforgettable sights. It’s amazing how much you can see and do in just one weekend and it’s so affordable too. I can’t wait to do it all over again and next time I should probably bring the husband! This would make a lovely birthday weekend treat or a fantastic Christmas present for a loved one. Go on treat yourself. If you’d like some more info or would like to experience this mini cruise for yourself please get in touch today, I’d love to help.

08 August 2017

I've just returned from a fun packed 7 days in Gran Canaria with the family. It's been a while since I was last there, 5 years to be precise, but nothing much has changed except for a couple of new hotels have popped up. The weather was hot and sunny all week long, food was delicious, sea was inviting & refreshing, everything was as I had left it, it was good to be back! It's just a short hop away with a flying time 3.5hrs making it a great short haul holiday destination as well as an all year round destination with average annual temperatures of 24 degrees, perfect for winter sun too. The currency is the Euro and the Time difference in the summer months is +0 hrs! Life's a beach! With a coastline of 236km, 60kms of that is beach so you will never be stuck for choice when finding a beach that is right for you, weather your after sweeping golden sand dunes, small pretty bays or more secluded rocky bays, Gran Canaria has it all. Our favourite beaches: Maspalomas for the stunning sand Dunes and Anfi Del Mar for its smaller gorgeous white sandy bay, cafes and greenery. An island of natural beauty Almost half of the island is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and offers dramatic differences in terrain throughout. The North of the island is green and leafy, the interior is mountainous and the South offers spectacular golden sand beaches. (Our highlight was visiting the Maspalomas Sand Dunes) Contrasting with this is a rugged coastline with white sandy beaches dotted throughout. Where to stay: There are many types of accommodation throughout. The most popular being along the south coast. From 5 star boutique spa hotels to self catering apartments there's something to suit all budgets. We stayed in a private villa in the area of Mogan a beautiful village In the mountains yet only a 5 minute drive to the sea in Puerto Mogan. Mogan is nicknamed ‘Little Venice’ and it is not difficult to see why. With its canals and abundance of floral canopies encompassing the streets, it feels more like being in Venice than it does just off the coast of Africa. The waters are so crystal clear you can see schools of fish swimming by. There are gift shops aplenty and a large selection of delicious seafood restaurants, tapas restaurants and pizzerias. Sit and have a coffee or an ice cream and watch the world go by If you'd like any restaurant recommendations please get in touch The Great Outdoors With the all year round warm weather, there's so many different sports and activities to take part in throughout the year. There's 7 golf courses within 50km radius, it's been named Europes top golf destination by IAGTO Awards. If you prefer to walk there are many hiking trails that cross the island as well as cycling routes. If you like your surf the Atlantic is great for fab waves. There's also amazing marine life to discover. Fun for the whole family There's lots to keep the family entertained. We spent a day at Aqualand/ Maspalomas, Gran Canaria's largest waterpark. Palmitos Park Zoo and Friday morning at the popular Mogan Market. Aqualand: Tips: * Arrive early to get a sunbed in a good spot and car park space if coming by car. * Take a picnic if you don't fancy long queues and want to save time Buy a fast pass, queues for the slides can be long, fast pass queues were very quick as you get priority of all the slides as well as the rings needed for some of the slides. You will definitely get more out of your day. * Flip flops/sliders can be taken on rides, people tend to slide them over their hands to keep them safe. We put ours in the lockers but the ground was extremely hot, so keep footwear with you. You can leave at the end of each ride if you prefer. *Prebook tickets online and print out the confirmation beforehand to take with you to save money and also queuing on arrival. You also get a better deal by booking 2 park tickets, Aqualand tickets with Palmitos Park. *You can cover the park easily in a day, it's not that huge but queues can be long. Palmitos Park A great family day out. We loved it here. The park is set in a tropical forest in the mountains. There are your usual zoo animals, flamingos, birds, butterflies, giant tortoises, Komodo dragons, monkeys, and parrots but you also have the amazing dolphinarium too, where you get to see a dolphin show and /or take part in an experience of getting up and close with the dolphins. We paid 90 euros each for a 30 min experience to get in the water with the dolphins, we got to cuddle and stroke them and teach them tricks, the kids and the grown ups had an amazing time. There's also the option of a 30 min poolside experience for 60 euros. At the end the kids were asked to take part in the show. My eldest was on a boogie board and pushed along by the Dolphins whilst my youngest and her cousin were in a canoe and pushed to the Centre of the pool whilst the Dolphins jumped over them! Such an amazing experience and well worth the money. They loved it! Tips: * Pre book tickets and print of confirmation before you go to save money and queuing on arrival If you want to do a dolphin experience you need to arrive early as there are limited spaces and they're not bookable in advance. * The zoo can get very hot so don't forget water, sun cream and a hat. * With the dolphin in-water experience you will be given a towel, hat and a wet suit, so wear your swim stuff underneath. * Keep luggage light - it can be quite hilly especially when walking up to see the birds of prey display. You can buy refreshments on the way. * The zoo is very manageable and not huge so you can do most of it by mid afternoon if you arrive first thing. It's a really great day out. Getting around: we hired a car from the airport. I would definitely recommend this if you want to explore the island and take a few day trips. The main road GC1 is pretty simple but we did find we needed a sat nav to negotiate our way around once on the smaller roads and in the other resorts, but maybe that's just us! We used our iPhone sat nav. Taxi boats and buses are alternative ways to travel as well as organised days trips. If you're thinking of visiting the Canary Islands and would like help and tips to plan your next holiday, please get in touch. Speak soon, Kate x

19 September 2016

What an amazing experience and one we will never forget! It was a long time coming, our trip to Lapland. I started planning a year in advance as I know how popular these holidays are on the run up to Christmas. Our girls were eight and five at the time so what better age for them to go in search of Santa and experience all the magic Lapland has to offer. We decided on a one week holiday over Christmas Day, so we could have a white Christmas. It was amazing and so cold! Minus 14 degrees on arrival! It took a while to get used to the temperatures but if you’re dressed right you'll be fine. We stayed in a beautiful self-catering log cabin in the woods, the cabins were huge with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a huge wood burner in the lounge (free wood provided) and even our own sauna. I took my own fairy lights to put up too to make it more Christmassy. I think you were even able to pre order a Christmas tree at an extra cost! The cabins also had floor to ceiling glass, to look out into the snowy woodland and we were fortunate enough to look out onto the reindeer pen, where the girls would feed the reindeer each day. Everything was in walking distance (or sledging distance I should say) as this seemed to be the preferred method of transport with all the kids! Most hotels have sledges laying around for everyone to use, the kids love this! All the ski slopes are flood lit with tobogganing areas at the bottom for the younger ones. They have to be as daylight is only around 5five hours a day and even then it is more like dusk. There are even dedicated areas for kids where they can toboggan and practice skiing using a mini ski (rope) lifts. There’s also a hut where you can help yourself to hot berry juice and sit around the fire to warm up and dry out or even toast a sausage! Ski schools are available for the kids. My five year old, Emily tried her hand at skiing and my eight year old, Bella took to snowboarding. By the end of the holiday, never having skied before, they both came down the top of the mountain with me! They loved it. Away from the slopes there are also many activities that you can enjoy. These were our highlights; Husky sledding Wow, what an experience! It’s scary at first but so much fun! They are so fast and you have to control them whilst the kids and other adult sit behind in the sled. The dogs are so excitable at first, then once they get going and we head into the open, it’s stunning, the scenery is amazing and it’s so silent and peaceful. Wrap up extra warm though and be sure to take hand and feet warmers for yourself and the kids. Snowmobile Safari Again this was amazing, myself and my husband shared a snowmobile (the kids were pulled in a sleigh behind the tour guide). He drove the first half to the reindeer farm and I drove back. The reindeer farm was lovely. After arriving we met with the local Lappish women who took us inside and warmed us up with hot chocolate, before feeding the reindeers. They were very friendly and hungry - the reindeer that is! Santas Workshop and the Elves cottage What a fab day trip with the kiddies. It was dusk when we arrived at the Elf village and everything was all lit up with fairy lights, it looked so magical. We met our Elf, Mimi who took us on a tour around the elf village by toboggans and sleds. We looked in the elves cottages, went through snowy woodlands and even played football with Elves, it was lots of fun. Afterwards we went into Santa’s Workshop, the kids had hot berry and mum and dad had mulled wine! We then made Christmas decorations and cookies with Mimi. Then to top the day off, we met the man himself! The kids actually got to sit on his lap too, as did mummy (must have been the mulled wine!) The major highlight of our trip was that we saw the Northern Lights! Of course you can never guarantee this, I even went on a Northern Lights snowmobile safari late one night with a group of others, but after searching for three hours in -35 temperatures we saw nothing. It was only when we were walking home after dinner one night we saw them, right there and then, above our heads dancing in the sky and changing from blue to green. It was the most incredible sight we'd ever seen. It lasted for 30 minutes then they were gone as quickly as they had appeared. I feel so lucky to have seen them and they've definitely made me want to go back for more! I can’t recommend Lapland enough - it is definitely a once in a life time experience especially if you have young kids. You get to meet the real life Santa! Now that's got to be worth it! If you’re interested in a similar holiday for this year or next, then please get in touch, I'd love to help. Don't leave it too long, Santa’s very popular!