17 July 2019

I was lucky enough to be on board the MSC Bellissima for this brand new cruise ship launch in March 2019. This beautiful giant of the seas is the length or 3 football pitches and holds 4500 passengers. " MSC Bellissima, Beauty At Sea " If you are ever wanting a hassle free holiday, you should really try cruising from Southampton, I was blown away by how easy, fast and efficient it is to embark at Southampton. MSC Bellissima offers a stunning array of features to rival those of her sister ship, MSC Meraviglia. First of all, innovative MSC for Me technology provides an enhanced onboard experience, connecting guests with each other, the crew and the ship itself. Furthermore, guests on board MSC Bellissima will experience the world’s first digital cruise assistant, Zoe, a voice-enabled Artificial Intelligence device fitted in every cabin. In addition, guests will be spoiled for choice with 12 international dining venues and 20 bars to choose. For entertainment, you can enjoy 2 brand new Cirque du Soleil shows designed especially for MSC Bellissima, and relax in the desert themed Water Park - an oasis for kids and families. Enjoy exclusive world-class shows performed in innovative venues like the Carousel Lounge and the multi-purpose karaoke bar, comedy club, TV studio & Bar. Younger guests can take advantage of the super-amusement park and sports centre to play sports and games during the daytime and party and dance in the evening. And the whole family can enjoy hours of fun in one of the most intricate and exciting water parks at sea. A choice of 12 dining venues and 20 bars promises something special for every taste. Just to list a few, discover the new specialty restaurant, HOLA! Tapas Bar by Ramón Freixa, the Jean-Philippe Maury Chocolaterie and Chocolate Bar and the new French specialty restaurant, l’Atelier Bistrot. Choose from a wide variety of elegant accommodation, including family options, duplex suites with a private whirlpool bath, and the highest ratio of sea-view balcony cabins of any cruise ship. I would a highly recommend a balcony cabin for your MSC Bellissima experience. MSC Bellissima is based in the Western Mediterranean in the summer months and in the Middle East & India in the winter months. Offering superb itineraries.

25 June 2019

"Welcome to the Maldives, where the sands are white as smiles of the locals, where fish swim happily in the waters of the Indian Ocean, where the weather is a dream and the deep rays of the sun wait to engulf you in their arms" I visited the Maldives in the month of November. This is the tail end of the wet season. We had a few showers on our 14-night holiday but nothing that interfered with us enjoying this paradise. We landed in Male, which is an experience in itself, as you fly over the natural atolls the views are amazing and you can see the beauty that awaits. Once we landed and collected our luggage, it was an amazing short walk to catch our 20-minute speed boat transfer to Bandos Island Resort & Spa, home for the next 2 weeks. Bandos offers a wide selection of activities for all the family, with a popular pool area and kids club. The Sand Bar is the centre of entertainment, with late night karaoke and live music. It’s called the sand bar for good reason; the floor is sand, definitely no high heels needed in this resort. The Sand Bar was a favourite of mine with a spectacular cocktail menu. The snorkelling and diving at Bandos are second to none. What you can see just off the beach with a snorkel is an underwater oasis, truly remarkable marine life. Dive Bandos is the regions longest established dive centre and the house reef is considered one of the best in the North Male atoll. Definitely try the diving school and explore a variety of sites you can also gain PADI qualifications. Paradise Club is Bandos' sports complex. Use the gym, enjoy a spin class or badminton, beach volleyball or tennis. There is a great spa and a wide selection of water sports including windsurfing, cat sailing, kayaking, parasailing and more. Bandos had the right mix for us offering a tranquil paradise with plenty of water sports, amazing snorkelling and a nice atmosphere in the evenings. The a la carte dining was a magical experience, candlelit dinner out on a pier with the sand beneath your feet and the waves either side of you. We did a few excursions whilst we were here (though it was hard to leave the beach!) We went to Male for the day and toured then local markets and sights. We took a sunset cruise and saw genuinely hundreds of wild dolphins enjoying the ocean at sunset. There was also the opportunity to island hop and visit a few other resorts via speed boat which was a great day out and a good opportunity to see other islands. The locals are genuinely so friendly, happy and welcoming the staff and everyone we met couldn't have been nicer. The Maldives is a destination that really gives you the WOW factor. I often sat on the beach in awe of the natural beauty the surrounded me. The Maldives should definitely be on everyone's bucket list. Ultimate paradise.

25 June 2019

The Bahamas is comprised of 700 islands and over 2,000 rocks and cays, sprinkled over 100,000 square miles of ocean. The archipelago is an ecological oasis, boasting the clearest water on the planet. I was lucky enough to visit two the Islands in the Bahamas, Nassau and Exuma. I visited in the month of September which is classed as hurricane season but we had wall to wall sunshine the whole time, with a temperature of around 30. The Bahamas is a magical place and Nassau is quite a contrast to Exuma. First Stop Nassau. With the lure of a big city and the ease of tropical utopia, Nassau & Paradise Island are considered by many as, well, paradise. Nassau, the capital of The Bahamas, is a bustling metropolitan hub full of culture and modern amenities. The island boasts resorts, hotels, restaurants, shops, nightlife, a golf course, an aquarium and a casino. I stayed the Sandals Royal Bahamian which is a 5* all inclusive resort. The hotel boasts a beachfront location and a private island which is accessible by speed boat. There is an array of restaurants, bars , indulgent pool areas and beachfront whirl pools. The hotel has a lively atmosphere and hosts and excellent carnival evening once a week. I spent 4 nights at this resort before taking and inter island flight to Exuma. With sapphire-blue water everywhere, The Exumas are an exotic collection of dream destinations. Footprint-free beaches, ultra-exclusive resorts, and islands fit for celebrities make this tropical paradise an absolute gem. Here, nature outnumbers man, coastlines remain flawless and private homes play host to some of the world’s most famous stars. The Exumas truly are the ultimate escape. Here I was lucky enough to stay at the 5* all inclusive Sandals Emerald Bay Resort. This is a beautiful secluded resort with plenty of space and a range of room types to suits all. There is even the option to have your own private butler on hand 24/7. This hotel really is a tranquil oasis on one of the best beaches I have ever seen, a mile long with powder white sands which appear untouched. There are 11 restaurants on site, state or the art spa and an award winning Greg Normal championship golf course with views to die for. I spent a further 3 nights here before flying home with Virgin Atlantic via Miami. I had the most fantastic memorable time with the Sandals Resorts in the Bahamas and would highly recommend the Bahamas and Sandals to everyone. Bahamas you were amazing, I will be back.

24 June 2019

I have been fortunate enough to travel to some amazing destinations. What I once looked for in a holiday changed dramatically once I had my two children. These days happy children on holiday means a happy family. As a family we treasure our family holidays its such a precious time and my children have such amazing memories of our holidays. They love to talk about the experiences we have shared on holiday and all the fun adventures we have had. This genuinely gives me so much happiness to know their recollection is as happy as mine. When travelling with children I want hassle free, easy travel. Before booking your holiday, think about what's important to you as a family. What are your 3 key things you would like from your holiday.... for some it might me a beachfront hotel or a hotel with a waterpark on site. Some families seek adventure or want to be immersed in the local culture. what ever it is I will help you find and plan your dream family holiday. Here are my top tips for travelling abroad with a family... 1) Where possible fly from your local airport to reduce your travelling time 2) Pre book your flight seats so you can choose to sit together and where you sit 3) If you are travelling long-haul with a baby, book a seat with a bassinet 4) Take your iPad or electronic devices in your hand luggage for the flight 5) Pack your children's favourite snacks 6) Book a private transfer for your arrival and departure to avoid waiting for shared coach transfers, this also allows you to arrive at your hotel before a que of people for your check in 7) Look at room upgrade options to give your family more space.... an apartment, interconnecting rooms, suites or 2 bedroom apartments when staying in a hotel. This gives adults and children more space and higher quality room facilities. Swim up rooms can also be a great option for a family holiday 8) Don't pack unnecessary items at some hotels we can pre book baby and infant packs to include things like baby baths, high chairs, bottle warmers, strollers and sterilisers 9) Make memories. Pre book an excursion, something you normally wouldn't do at home. A real hit with my children is a water park! This can be arranged before you travel saving time and money whilst you are on holiday 10) Temperature at your holiday destination. Check the average temperature of your destination. Its worth bearing in mind young babies and children can be affected by the heat and their ability to cool down is less than that of an adult Make this years holiday the best yet, I will take all the hassle and stress out of planning your next family holiday and take care of all the small details which make a big difference

19 April 2019

I have been lucky enough to visit Australia on a few occasions. Australia has a positive feel good atmosphere and offers something for everyone, it feels to me like the land of opportunity. It’s a huge country and has everything. Amazing beaches, contrasting cities, rainforests, an abundance of wildlife both on land and in sea, magnificent countryside with mountains, gorges and rainforests and some of the best wine regions in the world and much more. Here is a whistle stop tour of my last trip to Australia. I flew from London to Perth for our first stop in Australia. Perth has a laid-back vibe and is a very easy-going city. This is Australia’s sunniest capital. I spent time exploring the city by bike as there are some fantastic cycle paths along the beautiful Swan river. For the best views of the city take a visit to Kings Park where you get a sweeping view across the city. The public transport system is very reliable and a great way to explore the surrounding areas and some of the magnificent beaches Perth has to offer such as Scarborough and Cottesloe. I would recommend a relaxing wine tasting river cruise along the Swan river which includes stops at some magnificent vineyards along the way. From Perth I flew to Sydney. The instant you land in Sydney there is a different atmosphere. Sydney is probably my favourite destination in the world. When you see the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge it really is jaw dropping. There is so much to see and do in and around Sydney. Jump on a ferry from the harbour across to one of the many beaches such as the world-famous Bondi beach. Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge for the best views of the city. Dine in one of hundreds of world class eateries that Sydney has to offer. Just a short drive from Sydney are the beautiful Blue Mountains and the Hunter wine valley which I was lucky enough to visit and are worth a trip. From Sydney I flew to Cairns and had a couple days rest – or some would say fly and flop, before heading by road to Port Douglas. Port Douglas is about 40 miles north of Cairns and is a small sophisticated town which has a lovely village like feel. The main street has boutique shops and some lovely restaurants and has a unique atmosphere. A place I would recommend and return too. It has a beautiful and virtually untouched 4-mile beach. This a is great place to explore the Great barrier reef with numerous types of trips available. Seeing the Great Barrier Reef really is an incredible experience. Port Douglas, where rainforest meets reef. Australia, the trip of a lifetime.