15 July 2024

We fancied a different holiday for May half term with the teenagers so we opted for a cruise with P&O sailing from Southampton. It was the children’s first cruise and they really enjoyed it. We were delayed boarding due to the ship needing a deep clean after a break out of Norovirus on the previous sailing, but that worked well for us as it meant we could watch the FA Cup final in a Southampton pub. To avoid a further spread of the virus there were some key changes such as no self-service in the buffet and hand sanitiser on entry into the restaurants; thankfully there were no cases of sickness reported. We sailed on the Ventura and despite being an old ship she had been recently renovated with new carpets throughout. She holds around 3000 guests so is a fairly big ship and she did feel crowded at times such as in the buffet restaurant and around the main pools. However there were 4 pools and 2 other complimentary restaurants to choose from so we did find space elsewhere. We booked into one speciality restaurant, Sindhu, whilst onboard and the food was amazing. We used our onboard credit to pay for it and by the end of the week we had gone over our credit amount so the remainder got charged to the credit card we had on file. The first port of call was La Coruna after sailing across the Bay of Biscay. There was a lovely beach and a picturesque cemetery, but not much else to see. The stops got better as we went along. Second port was Gijon which again had beautiful beaches but also some pretty squares and we enjoyed some beers in a sunny courtyard while listening to some local Spanish music. Santander came third and the beaches were even better here. We walked to the Magdalena Palace which is perched at the top of the peninsula and then returned to the ship for lunch. Our fourth and final port of call was the medieval city of La Rochelle and it really was the highlight of the cruise. With brilliant shopping, a magnificent harbour and squares a plenty, we spent the whole day off the ship and will definitely be returning. The entertainment on board the ship was outstanding. From the brilliant theatre productions to the local busker playing acoustic guitar, we never had a dull moment. The sail away parties were always a giggle with the entertainment team leading the dances. And for those who like to extend the day, a dance in the nightclub was always an option. In summary, we enjoyed this cruise and think it was good value for money. It’s definitely family friendly and there is something onboard to suit all kinds of holiday maker.

09 April 2024

Time flies when you’re having fun and my first 6 months as a Travel Counsellor have certainly been that. From attending the amazing annual conference in November with guest speakers such as Louis Theroux and Fearne Cotton and to the whistlestop visit to Paris where I experienced the 5-star luxury of a Uniworld river cruise. I’ve made over £500k of sales and see no reason why I can’t hit £1million with a year. Finance The world of tax and expenses seemed incredibly daunting at the start but I signed up to an online accountancy software and have been tracking my business mileage and expenses from the start. There’s always an accountant online to chat to and I’ve read lots of guides as to how to operate as a sole trader. I’m also mindful of putting money aside for my pension and the dreaded tax bill. Marketing I’d worked in travel sales for 16 years prior to this and so I had a good database of customers, but my number one goal for my first trading year is to grow my client database. One way of doing this is to be very active on social media and so I attended a social media workshop and have watched many ‘how to’ videos. Again this is another task that seems overwhelming but I set aside time in my diary to post and if I see something interesting I share it. I’ve also written an article for a local magazine which goes to print next week. This is completely out of my comfort zone but hopefully it’ll reach a large audience and even if I only get 2 bookings it will have been worth my while. Networking Building relationships has been my biggest lesson over these last 6 months. Not only with customers but also with fellow travel counsellors, head office staff and suppliers. Working from home can be very lonely but if you make an effort to chat to others and attend meetings and events, your social circle soon expands. Networking is paramount but this doesn’t mean simply attending networking events. Everyone I speak to knows what I do for a living and I constantly ask for referrals. Time management Being my own boss means I set my own schedule. I make sure I’m dressed suitably (not trackies or pyjamas) and am sitting at my computer for 9am every week day. I take a lunch break and then try to clock off around 5.30pm. Having this routine helps me separate work and home life since they both take place under the same roof! Self-development There’s always something to learn in the world of travel and so another slot in my weekly schedule is a learning hour. I’ve completed the Global Sustainable Tourism Council exam so I can help guide the company and my customers into making more sustainable decisions. I’ve started learning more about cruising and also about ‘up and coming’ destinations such as Qatar and Oman. Call to Action If you’d like to chat about potentially becoming a Travel Counsellor or would like to discuss holidays or business travel please do not hesitate to get in touch. Also please follow me on social media and refer me to any friends or family I may be able to help.

18 December 2023

On our way to Western Australia we stopped off in Singapore for 3 nights. It’s a fabulous city any time of year as it has a tropical climate but we were there in April. We stayed in 2 different hotels which are next door to each other, so when we checked out of The Quincy, we simply crossed the courtyard into the Vibe Hotel. These hotels are walking distance to Orchard Road and a plethora of shopping centres and public transport options. We used the subway system a lot and simply tapped our bank cards in and out. It is really cheap at only a couple of pounds per day and it’s as efficient as the London Underground but much cleaner! People think that Singapore is expensive, and it can be, but we found ways to cost save. Our favourite of these was eating at the hawker markets. They’re nearly always busy with locals which proves that they are good, and you can eat an array of Singapore cuisine such as crab, duck, noodles and curry (if in Little India). Singapore is a very walkable city so make sure you wear comfortable shoes and prepare for the humidity. We walked over to Sentosa Island but a better way to get there is the cable car as then you can take in the great views at the same time. Sentosa Island is a playground and you can spend a few nights here as well as a few on the mainland if you’d like the variation. Universal Studios resides here as does the Adventure Cove Waterpark, Madame Tussauds, the aquarium and lots of beach activities. Gardens by the Bay is another amazing attraction in Singapore. This showpiece of horticulture and garden artistry presents the plant kingdom in a whole new way. There are areas you need to pay to access but we simply walked around for free and watched the amazing garden rhapsody. This is a sound and light show which occurs every evening at 7.45 and 8.45pm. Continuing on the nature theme, we headed to the botanical gardens and paid entry into the National Orchid Garden which was beautiful and fascinating with over 1000 species and 2000 hybrids on display. There are plenty of ways to spend money in Singapore and if you would like to experience something special you can book a table at the Marina Bay Sands rooftop restaurant Ce La Vie. It’s extremely popular at sunset so you will need to book early but the photos you’ll capture are definitely worth it. You can pay to visit The Long Bar at Raffles and have an iconic Singapore Sling, but as were on a budget we simply walked around the grounds of this majestic hotel. You can meander around the interior as there are other bars and shops inside. You’ll just not be able to go into the hotel guest areas which are roped off. I found parts of Singapore similar to New York but much cleaner and with less hustle and bustle. With a stop here on-route to Australia or New Zealand you’ll really feel the benefit as your body will acclimatise to the time zone causing less jetlag. It’s a very clean country and the locals are extremely polite and hardworking.

30 October 2023

I spent November to March in Ruka; a ski resort in Finland just 30 minutes south of the Arctic Circle. It’s a perfect winter wonderland and a great place to enjoy the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights). There isn’t much daylight in the winter months, usually around 3-5 hours, so the slopes are floodlit allowing full days of skiing or snowboarding. Once a week the slopes are open until 11pm and this is the perfect opportunity to enjoy the dancing sky when the Northern Lights come out to play. Accommodation - Did you know that all properties in Finland have saunas? Whether you choose to stay in a traditional log cabin, a hotel or a self-catering apartment, a sauna will be present to warm your cold bones and ease your sore muscles after a day on the slopes. Much more than just ski - My personal favourite excursion was visiting Joulupukki (the Finnish word for Father Christmas). You are welcomed to his house by elves and can enjoy sledging on the hill outside or baking gingerbread cookies with Mrs Claus before Santa makes an appearance. The first thing you hear are his bells and then as if by magic the big man arrives. Santa tells some amazing stories and he knows everyone’s names and will always have a present for you, even if Christmas has already passed. A close second favourite activity is husky sledding; mushing the huskies across frozen lakes is quite scary at first but once you learn how to brake, it’s a fabulous feeling, even if your eyelashes are prone to freezing! Fancy riding a skidoo / snowmobile? Racing reindeers? Ice fishing? Ice skating? Snowshoeing? Cross country skiing? Axe throwing? These are all activities available in resort and can be pre-booked or booked locally. Food and drink - Alongside the traditional ski resort favourites of fondue and raclette, the tastiest food in my opinion is the sautéed reindeer with mash and lingonberries. At first try it’s a bit weird as you picture Rudolph with every mouthful but once you get over that it’s delicious! Finland gets really cold; I experienced minus 40 degrees Celsius while I was there. So a recommendation is to keep popping into the slope side cafes and have a Minttu hot chocolate. Minttu is a Finnish liqueur with a peppermint flavour and the perfect solution to warm you from the inside out. Many Lapland holidays are only 2 or 3 days long but I recommend taking a full week to enjoy the numerous activities on offer. Please share my blog and get in touch if you fancy visiting this amazing country.