29 September 2017

We travelled up to Glasgow by train for eight hours but it seemed a much easier and more leisurely start to our break. On arrival in Glasgow we were staying for one night in the Park Inn, a very old building with lots of character. The location was perfect, just a short walk to all the main attractions and restaurants. We had a long wander around taking in all the sights and the atmosphere - I must point out we arrived on a sunny summers day and I would love to return for a long weekend and see it properly! The next day we took the short train journey to Greenock to board our Fred Olsen Boudicca cruise ship. It is the first time either of us had be on a cruise and we were amazed by the size of the ship - and this is one of the 'small' ones! After a pretty straight-forward check in we were on-board and waiting for our ship to set sail. You can use all the facilities too and it seemed very civilized to enjoy a glass of cool rose in the sunshine! As we left the port we were bagpiped out along with an extra-large Scottish dancer! The cabins were as expected - you are never going to have a massive room unless you are in a suite but they are well equipped. We had dinner in the dining room and here we met our dinner friends for the first time (you are put on a pre-assigned table) We got to know them quite well. After watching the evening’s entertainment, we had an early night ready for our first stop in the morning. Our first stop was Fort William and from here we chose to do the 'high in the Nevis Range' excursion. We were met by a local guide and taken by coach to Ben Nevis - she was very knowledgeable and told us all about the local area. On arrival at Ben Nevis we took the gondola to Aonach Mor (655 metres up!) Here we walked the local trials and descended at our leisure. If you get the chance at the bottom there is a rope jungle at Tree Adventure - it is definitely worth a visit. The guide, Jorgen, is brilliant - we were looking at the practice course but we were quite short on time and so he talked us into jumping off a high platform with just a harness - I can honestly say it was exhilarating and certainly not what I expected to be doing! We were transferred back to the ship and where we had some time at leisure as we set sail for Ullapool. Ullapool is an old fishing village - we had chosen to do the Gruinard Bay & Measach Falls tour. We had a really passionate guide, Donald, for this one! We trekked through some dramatic landscape and across a gorge - complete with a bridge that only 7 people could be on at one time! Here we had spectacular views of the Measach falls - the whole time Donald was telling us about the flora and fauna as well as the local folklore and the history of how the gorge was formed during the ice-age. After this we headed to Gruinard Bay and onto the beach. I had to have a paddle but safe to say it was not tropical! We then went to a local hotel for tea, homemade shortbread and the most divine fudge! The coach then dropped us back at Ullapool and we were free to browse the town - we saw a procession with a full Scottish band complete with bagpipers! It is a very quaint little town and I am glad we had the opportunity to see it. The tenders to the ship were frequent so when we were ready we returned to the Boudicca but not before marvelling at the sight of it out in the harbour. Our third stop was Invergordon for Loch Ness. Obviously you are not going to go all that way and miss the opportunity to see Nessie so we took the Loch Ness cruise. The scenery here is stunning and varied and you see a vast array of colours as you slowly meander down the Loch, whilst being entertained by your host who recalls all the times he saw Nessie! Needless to say, she didn't make an appearance today! We stopped at post card perfect Urqhuart Castle ruins - this is definitely worth getting off and walking round - the views are outstanding! We were then back on our coach to travel to Beauly a very old and small town where you can buy tweed and local crafts. We then headed back to the ship to prepare for our formal night on board. This was great fun and it was nice to see everyone dressed up in their finery! The next day was spent at sea. There was entertainment and games laid on so you were not bored - I even had a go at carpet bowls. Who knew people took it so seriously - it didn't go down well when I got my team disqualified as my bowl left the carpet! It's fair to say we were among the <1% of the cruise that was not retired but it was really good fun and everyone was very friendly. I think they enjoyed telling us 'young ones' all about their youth and I, for one, was very happy to listen! The cruise was a fantastic way to see a bit of Scotland in a such a short time and I would definitely recommend it. There was good entertainment, swimming pools, a gym, bars, restaurants, you could have afternoon tea and there was a midnight supper club but we never made it to that! On our last day as dis-embarkation was so quick and seamless and it wasn't long before we were back on the train homeward bound recalling the trip the whole way!

28 September 2017

After a very short flight (just under 2 hours) from Heathrow we arrived at Berlin Tegel airport, and by using the public bus, which cost €2.40 each, we travelled to our hotel. The Park Inn in Alexanderplatz is in such a good location to explore the city. The bus stopped just beside our hotel, which was linked to a shopping area and was a vibrant place with lots of restaurants and cafes right outside. Once we had checked in we set about exploring Alexanderplatz and the surrounding area. The Television Tower dominates the skyline here and we had booked a table for dinner here in the revolving restaurant as it was my partner's birthday (he deserves a treat every now and again!). The food here is amazing and although it is a bit on the expensive side it was a special occasion and it was worth it! They even gave Michael a birthday card which I thought was sweet. Ask to book a window seat and you have the most spectacular view of Berlin by night as you slowly revolve. The next day we set about on the trusted hop on hop off bus. We stayed on for whole loop as we had the front seat and it was freezing cold! It took in all the famous sights - Brandenburg gate, The Reichstag, Berlin Zoo, Checkpoint Charlie and parts of the remaining Berlin wall. Once the hotel returned to Alexanderplatz we walked to the Reichstag. You have to pre-book at least 72 hours prior to go in here and provide your passport information, unfortunately all the tours were fully booked but we were free to look around the main building and dome. We also had lunch reservations in the restaurant - when else are you going to eat in Parliament? After lunch we headed to the Brandenburg Gate for some photos and then to Check-point Charlie - I must admit I was a bit disappointed with this as I thought it would be a grand monument not just a booth next to McDonalds! We were flying back the next day but we had the most of the day to finish our sightseeing. We had a 48 hour ticket for the bus and so we took the second route which took us to the Berlin wall - this is the more iconic section of the wall with the infamous picture of 'the kiss' . There is so much to see and do in Berlin - there are statues and monuments everywhere and the architecture is amazing - you really notice these when you are walking around. I have always wanted to visit Berlin and it didn't disappoint (well apart from Checkpoint Charlie) - this is the perfect city for a short break.

28 September 2017

I only have one word to describe Mauritius and that is WOW!!! We flew out on Air Mauritus directly from Heathrow and after a 40 minute transfer we arrived at the Luxe Le Morne hotel - or as we nicknamed it paradise! If you are after the party scene then this hotel is not for you, however if you are after a relaxing break with stunning views of the Indian Ocean and the dramatic backdrop of Le Morne this is perfect! Everything is set to make you enjoy your stay from the second you arrive - no queuing to check in - you take a seat looking out at the Indian Ocean enjoying your lemongrass cordial whilst someone fills out all the forms for you. The rooms are all low-rise and we had a huge room with a patio area and a massive bathroom and a private outside shower. There is entertainment at night by way of low-key singers in the bar and an open air cinema - complete with popcorn! We took a couple of trips from the hotel including one on a private speed boat to swim with the dolphins - which is definitely worth doing. We also set out on a guided climb of the Le Morne Mountain - the guide here was very knowledgeable and fun. Be warned though this does involve ropes, but the sense of achievement and the amazing views when you reach the top make it all worthwhile. Trust me I am not really an outdoorsy sporty type but I would recommend this trip - when else are you going to climb a mountain? One good thing about this hotel is that it is set in the south-west, which is where most of the attractions are so you do not have long transfers. We did our trips after breakfast and back for lunch - the food was pretty good at this hotel! We stayed 5 nights at this hotel and spent time on the beach, by the pool, snorkeling and using the watersports at the hotel. We then took a 2 hour transfer to the North of the Island to the Zilwa Attitude hotel - this has more of a trendy vibe to it and has a lot more going on in the evenings with theme nights ranging from pop bands to local dancers. The rooms here are all kept in the urban feel and are made of concrete - they have thought of everything here and even leave you with your very own pair of flip flops! There are 4 restaurants here including a buffet, Indian, Chinese and a grill - all are very good. The beach here is more covey rather than long stretches of sands and there is a private island owned by the hotel which you can swim to. We took the hotel catamaran trip - which was brilliant. We went snorkeling in the sea and saw numerous types of tropical fish, swam in a mangrove, visited other beaches and had a BBQ on board - this was a good way to get to know other guests too. We also had a BBQ on the private island and swam back (the sea is not too deep here so it is good for children too). We spent an afternoon visiting Gran Baie - this is the place to go if you want to do a bit of shopping for local handicrafts - at the Grand Bazar be sure to barter and get a bargain. Again this hotel had watersports - it was here that I discovered I am not as good as I thought I would be a paddle-boarding! I also had a Mauritian massage - it was amazing. I would recommend Mauritius to everyone - I can honestly say this is the most relaxing holiday I have ever been on!

26 September 2017

This is my third trip to New York and I love this city - every time you experience something new. We travelled to JFK from Heathrow and I must admit I was surprised how easy it was to get through immigration and get a taxi outside. The rate is pre-set to Manhattan so don't be afraid to use these. There was a small queue but it was well managed and soon we were sat in our taxi en route to the Trypp Hotel Times Square South. We arrived late at night so we were treated to the iconic skyline at night as we travelled into the city. The hotel is in a great location - just a short walk to the Empire State Building and Macy's. We stayed in a premier room which was huge and had a seating area with a sofa-bed that could easily be converted into a second bedroom. There were 2 bathrooms and a small kitchen area with a coffee maker and fridge, so ideal for families or small groups. After a good night’s sleep, we heading out to the Empire State Building - we had bought our hop on hop off bus tickets in the UK and we could exchange our voucher for the tickets here, so it seemed a good place to start! A short trip up 86 floors in the speedy elevator and the view is amazing - you can see most of the famous landmarks - it is also worth going up to the observatory on the 102nd floor! We continued on the bus and did the whole loop so we could get our bearings and see where we would go back to - unfortunately Barack Omaba was in town so the whole city came to a gridlock and the rain started. We left the bus at the Rockafella centre as we desperately tried to dry off! People are very friendly and eager to help you in New York and we were fortunately pointed in the direction of an underground mall where we could take a breather! After walking back to the hotel, we headed out for dinner to Ellen's Stardust Diner - this is where all the would be actors work whilst waiting for their Broadway break. They will entertain you with an array of music whilst serving your dinner - it has a great atmosphere and don't be put off by the queue - we waited about 20 minutes. The next day we walked! My best piece of advice to you if you travel to New York is to bring your most comfortable walking shoes! Having got an idea of where things are (and having a partner with an amazing sense of direction) we headed off to the Freedom Tower. By walking you get a different perspective and can see down all the side streets - things you miss whilst on a bus. The Freedom Tower is amazing and very sombre at the same time - it dominates the skyline and represents the new New York but still respects the Twin Towers and the poignant day in history. As you travel the 102 floors in a glass elevator you get an unbelievable view - once you reach the top the short presentation is amazing (I won't spoil it for you but it is worth it!) Have a look around and check out the glass floor if you dare! We continued to Battery Park and the Statue of Liberty (you can't go to New York and not see this) and we stopped at Ellis Island. It’s definitely worth a stop and here I found some of my ancestors listed as they immigrated to America from Italy - so an emotional time too. Once back in Battery Park we took the Staten Island Ferry across the Hudson. There isn't much to see in Staten Island but it was something I had seen so many times in films that I felt I had to - it is free to ride on. Next, we walked across the Brooklyn Bridge, again such an iconic landmark. We had a quick wander around Brooklyn and then walked back and had a stroll back through Manhattan to the hotel. My favourite day was spent at Central Park! I had never been to Central Park and was looking forward to this - we spent the whole day there. We hired bikes but to be honest you are just as well walking - you are not able to take your bikes to all the areas so you spend a lot of time locking them up! We saw the John Lennon memorial, Alice in Wonderland Statue, Jackie Onassis reservoir, the fountain, the lake, the fort - I can go on! We walked the tree-lined boulevard that is so familiar and I even played the piano here (well tinkled!) There are street artists and entertainers here it is so easy to spend the whole day here! At night, we ventured on the metro system and went to Greenwich village for dinner. This is a real hip and trendy area and worth going to people watch! We walked back to the hotel and took in Times Square - it is buzzing. You just stand looking at all the lights and street entertainers - it looks so different from the day, As part of our hop on hop off bus ticket we had a voucher for the ferry - this was a scenic cruise along the Hudson with the stunning Manhattan Skyline as a back drop. I think you get the best views of the Statue of Liberty from here as it sails alongside it. We stayed on and did the circle trip before wandering into the city - check out Grand Central station and its food court and also the public library - both are amazing buildings to visit and not always on the tourist trail. We flew home on day 5 so we spent the morning just walking around and sat for a while in Bryant Park – every day you notice something new that you have not seen before. We went back to our hotel to collect our pre-arranged transfer to JFK. This is one city everyone should visit at least once in their lifetimes - I hope to go back again someday.

26 September 2017

II travelled to Hong Kong for three nights to attend the Travel Counsellors gold conference. Flying overnight, directly to Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific, we were swiftly transferred to the 5* Cordis hotel at Langham Place in Mongkok, Kowloon. The hotel is in an excellent location - directly opposite a huge shopping complex and just a five-minute walk to the Ladies market and Mongkok MTR. We had an early morning arrival and in a bid to stay awake we did the hop on hop off bus tour - and boy did that keep us awake! There is so much to see in Hong Kong. The peak is a must, the peak tram ride to the top is stunning. You slowly rise above all the sky scrapers of the city and admire the view from the top. The Star Ferry ride from Kowloon to Hong Island is also included and you get a sense of calm on the water as you cross and admire the skyline. This is a great way to see Hong Kong and to gain your bearings. After a brief siesta we headed down for pre-dinner drinks and a fabulous barbecue hosted in the outdoor area of the Cordis known as “the backyard” which is a little bit of an understated name. It’s more than just a backyard. The abundance and quality of food was second to none, with fabulous service from the staff at Cordis hotel. On day two we had our Gold conference presentation with our directors and sponsors Royal Caribbean, P&O, Cunard and Celebrity Cruises. Cathay Pacific and the Hong Kong Tourist Board were there too. We then headed out on our 'New Territories cultural tour'. The tour guides we had were amazing. We visited a temple, a walled village, the Railway Museum as well as a wishing tree - here you can buy an 'orange' and you throw it on to the wishing tree whilst making your wish (it is not as easy as it sounds!) This is a good tour to see another side of Hong Kong that is not as well known. At night, we had a wonderful hosted dinner at the Harbour Grand Kowloon and we dined with views to die for across Hong Kong harbour. Yet again there was amazing food and wonderful service and hospitality too. For day three we had arranged some hotels visits, so after a brief visit to the rooftop pool on the 42nd floor of the Cordis, we headed off to visit some fabulous properties such as Cosmopolitan Hotel (opposite Hong Kong Jockey Club) soon to be re branded as the Dorsett. They really have thought of everything for families with amenity packs, age appropriate books, snack packs and hidden treats for the kids – not to mention a portable bookcase with books and toys and baby packs where relevant. The hotel hosted a traditional “Chinese banquet” which really was delicious and authentic. Next stop Kowloon (from Hong Kong Island) to visit the Shangri-La hotel. This stunning hotel is in a great location with views across the harbour and shopping and dining on your doorstep. We then moved on the trendy Mira boutique hotel in Kowloon which is also in a great location opposite Kowloon park and the outdoor public pool in Kowloon. Later that evening we had a truly memorable evening at “Hutong”, a Michelin starred restaurant (the other one is at the Shard in London) with even better views than the first night across Hong Kong harbour. We enjoyed the infamous light show, followed by our very own Chinese dragon entertainment. The food was fabulous food and yet again service was second to none. On our last day in Hong Kong we were due to fly back very late at night. We decided to go and visit the Giant Buddha on Lantau Island. We travelled on the Metro and I have to say this is one of the easiest and cleanest metro networks I have ever seen! Usually you would get the cable car up to the Buddha but we went on the one day it was closed for maintenance. Undeterred we took the local bus, a 40-minute journey up the mountains! Looking out you see the city disappear below you and then you look out for the Buddha! A definite 'must see', the Buddha sits 34 metres high and I could not stop looking at it - you can wonder round it's base and take in the sights with amazement - there really is something magical about it! Po Lin Monastery is also here and I would recommend a walk around here. After our return journey using the same public transport, we had a quick wander around the Ladies Market and picked up a few bargains here! Then it was time to return to Heathrow - a very brief visit and most definitely a place I would recommend.