22 April 2017

Having just returned from a work visit to Morocco courtesy of the fantastic Moroccan tourist board, I would like to share my experiences with you. We spent 4 nights in Morocco experiencing the chaotic and captivating city of Marrakech, the stunning beauty and tranquillity of the Atlas Mountains and the coastal resort of Essaouira. 3 very different experiences but a 3 centre holiday that is very achievable in a week giving you the opportunity to experience and savour all sides of what Morocco has to offer. Our hotel in Marrakech was the 5 star Movenpick. This hotel provided beautiful modern bedrooms with large bathrooms and very modern and bright feel to the rooms and we were made very welcome with excellent service and good food. This is a large modern hotel catering for both families and couples alike and is within reach of the hustle and bustle of the busy Medina if you fancy testing out your bartering skills. I am a sucker for anything with a bit of bling and came back with 2 very sparkly pairs of flip flops at a reduced price of course! We also visited the The Royal Palm Hotel and golf course which is around 20 minutes from the Medina. Morocco is an excellent destination for a golfing trip and given the flight is under 3 hours, is a great place for a short 3- or 4-night break. This hotel is of an extremely high standard offering a fantastic golf course. From here we visited the luxurious Royal Mansour hotel which is a totally different experience and has accommodation ranging from large private riads to beautiful unique hotel rooms with lots of character and charm and with a completely Moroccan feel. This is the place to go for that special occasion and for the absolute wow factor. We were treated to a 5-star meal where the food and service were second to none. We were extremely honoured as this hotel doesn't usually host visits so we were very lucky and very impressed by what we saw! This property is around a 5-minute walk from the Medina and main square so close enough to be in the middle of it all but still set in its own haven of peace and tranquillity. From here we were taken to a cookery class at the Riad Le Maison Arab. This was an amazing experience and one I would recommend my clients to book. We were given a brief history of the Moroccan way of cooking with a demonstration and then proceeded to cook our own chicken dish using the authentic Moroccan Tagines and I have to say our attempt was pretty tasty and not too bad at all given I am definitely no cook! The following day we travelled to the Atlas Mountains which is about an hour and a half away from Marrakech and the journey was worth it! We arrived at the Luxury L'Amandier hotel and the only way to describe this was a little bit of heaven. What an absolutely breathtaking location the hotel is in. The private villas with pools are absolutely out of this world and I can't recommend this property enough and would without a doubt definitely recommend to twin this up with a couple of nights in Marrakech. For pure relaxation, excellent food and amazing, family-run hospitality this is the place to go. They can also arrange weddings here and private massages and beauty treatments. This is on my wish list to revisit but this time for my own holiday. The highlight of the trip up to Essaouira was without a doubt the goat tree. Yes, this is exactly what it says - a tree filled to the top with goats. Great photo opportunity and not a sight I have seen many times before! We also visited the argan oil factory too en route which was interesting. Our base for the night in Essaouira was the lovely Atlas Spa hotel and from here we visited the Sofitel Hotel and Golf course. Beautiful hotel with some fantastic quirky metal sculptures and a very modern and trendy feel to it. Next stop was the Medina of Essaouira which is a complete contrast from the craziness of the noisy Medina in Marrakech. My preference was the quieter feel of Essaouira and my recommendation for a trip round the Marrakech Medina would be to have a guide as we did, as it could be a little daunting at times if you are on your own and very easy to get lost as it is like a little hidden city. The Moroccan tourist board surprised us with a wonderful sunset cocktail party overlooking the sea on our last night with an amazing Travel Counsellors cake. Very special memories. Whist in Morocco we were lucky enough to be hosted at some wonderful restaurants all of which I would recommend and would need to be pre-booked, my personal favourite was Le Palace, a great fun night with exquisite food. The Salama Restaurant just off the main square in Marrakech was the venue for our first night. We were all provided with a Fez hat (good photo opportunity) and then were presented with an array of food all mezze-style and were entertained by dancing girls before going up to the beautiful sky bar to eat dessert and for those who wanted to try, smoking the shish. Le Palace - This is a Premier club with fine dining and a singer whilst dining and turns into a nightclub once the meal is finished. It is safe to say we all danced the night away and all had such a good night with lots of laughs - highly recommended Jad Mahal - This is in Marrakech and was a sit down 3-course meal complete with show including dancing girls, fire-eaters and then after the meal a live band playing into the early hours. Another great night and great venue and another one to recommend. The L'Heure Bleue - A fine dining Relais and Chateaux restaurant in Essaouira. A completely different dining experience from the others and the place for a quiet intimate meal in ornate surroundings Morocco is a diverse country with lots of different experiences to be had, for more information and to make a booking or get prices please give me a call and I will be happy to talk to you in more detail about my trip.

05 May 2015

I couldn't believe my luck when I was one of the few lucky Travel Counsellors to get a place to spend 2 nights on board the brand New Royal Caribbean Ship the Anthem of the Seas to be part of the Launch and naming ceremony celebrations. Having checked in online prior to arrival the boarding process couldn't have been simpler. On arrival at Southampton the Royal Caribbean staff were on stand by to welcome all guests on board and everything ran like clockwork and we were on board in a matter of minutes. As I stepped onto the ship I was totally in awe and the only words I could find were WOW! We arrived on board to a Caribbean steel band playing and the atmosphere on board was electric with people not knowing where to look next and cameras going ten to the dozen. We had a twin bedded balcony cabin which was amazing, extremely spacious, with a good sized bathroom and modern furnishings throughout. Considering how big the ship was navigating around it was surprising easy even for me whose sense of direction can be questionable at times! There is an abundance of restaurants on board and something to cater for every taste. The Irish bar, Hot dog and burger bar and the coffee shops were always busy during the day and ideal for snacks. The Bionic bar is an experience not to be missed! To have your drink made by a robot is a totally unique experience and I must admit we did revisit this a few times just for the novelty value. You order your drink on the Ipads provided then watch it being prepared and served to you by a robot! I was really impressed with the Divine Decadence restaurant where the whole concept is based on the idea of healthy and low calorie eating where all dishes are under 500 calories. The food we sampled was fantastic too! So for the health conscious there are the low fat options, the running track and of course the onboard gym. The North Star is the unique viewing experience on board the Anthem. A small version of the London Eye almost. It takes you up 300 feet above sea level and the view was just amazing. Although I did not try the Flow Rider (surfing) or the skydiving first hand I did take a go on the dodgems and the Roller disco in the evening which was great fun and just perfect for families. The large Xbox area, games arcade, Circus school and teen disco and the brilliant evening entertainment are also fantastic for families. My enthusiasm for this ship is clear to see and I would have no hesitation whatsoever in selling this to my clients so much so I have already booked to take my family on the 3 night cruise in the October half term and I can't wait to get back on board! The Anthem is sailing from Southampton until the end of this year and if you would like to book your space with me get or want to hear more about it please get in touch and experience it for yourself.

13 December 2014

Having just returned from an educational visit to Florence on a 3 day city break courtesy of the fabulous tour operator Classic Collection - I can’t recommend it highly enough. We had the extra bonus of not just seeing the City in all its original glory but being able to experience a real sense of Christmas as all the streets and shop fronts were dressed up with Christmas decorations which the Italians like to go big on! Florence is the perfect short break city location being only a 2 hour flight from the UK to Pisa and then a very easy 50 minute private transfer to Florence city centre. It’s hard to know where to start when talking about the cultural and sightseeing opportunities in Florence as there are so many. Our walking tour round the city was the idea way to experience them, and I would recommend to my clients that if they want to learn the history and see all the official sights, book this excursion as there is a lot to be gained from it. It’s an ideal way to burn off all that fantastic Italian food too! To name but a few of the main sights that mustn’t be missed are the famous Plazza Della Signoria - Florence’s main square. The Fountain of Neptune is the centre piece of the square and it is a bustling lively square crammed with culture and filled with several statues depicting historical events and famous people. The square is also home to the Uffizi Gallery, one of the top attractions in Florence displaying art from several famous artists including Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo and Botticelli. The Plazzo Vecchio ( Old Palace ) is also located in the square, with Ponte Vecchio (The Old bridge) another must - a 3 arched 14th Century bridge is lined with several jewellery and art shops and is a big tourist attraction. The Duomo (Cathedral of Santa Maria Dei Fiori) is the famous red tiled-domed landmark adorning many of the pictures we see of Florence. This 13th century Duomo took 170 years to complete, and many of the hotels offer rooms with a Duomo view. We stayed at the Brunelleschi Hotel which is mentioned in The Da Vinci Code and is created within a circular Byzantine 6th century tower and medieval church and although it retains its original character it also has a very modern feel to it too. For location you couldn't ask for any better as it is in the very centre of the city a few minutes’ walk away from the world famous shopping street. Perfect location and highly recommended. We also visited the Savoy Hotel And the Helvetia Hotel again both fantastic locations both right in the heart of Florence. The Helvetia Hotel is a much more traditional property with no 2 rooms the same and each different colours shapes and sizes and displaying art work whilst the Savoy is very modern in its decor with pictures of shoes being displayed all over the hotel as the hotel believes that this is one of the items that is most widely brought whilst on a trip to Florence. Could be very true in my case! For a more relaxed and low key break just a 10 minute drive from the city centre out in the beautiful Tuscan countryside there is the stunning Villa Cora. This hotel has the absolute wow factor and has to be seen to be believed. Although it is opulent and very grand the welcome from the staff and the general feel of the hotel is very much home from home as nothing is too much trouble and the service is second to none not to mention the food! there is also a beautiful outdoor pool area for guests and a roof top terrace which commands the most stunning views over the Tuscan country side. Several weddings are hosted at the Villa Cora and it’s easy to see why. The Hotel Villa Medici is another property we visited and were hosted with the most amazing meal. This luxury city centre hotel is the option for a more relaxing location as it is away from the hustle and bustle of the centre yet only a 20 minute walk from the main attractions and shopping area. It does offer a free shuttle service to and from the centre for those who would prefer not to walk and it is the only luxury city centre hotel that offers an outdoor swimming pool. It also boasts a fitness centre and a sauna and steam room. This hotel most certainly gives off the wow factor as soon as you enter the doors and for a special occasion or just a few days of luxury this is a hotel I would have no hesitation in recommending. The Hotel Il Salviatino is 3kms from the city centre set in beautiful landscaped gardens and was converted from a renaissance Palace in the 15th century. The hotel is full of character and with only 45 rooms is the perfect retreat for a romantic getaway. Free shuttle buses run from the hotel into the city centre. The unique restaurant is located in the old library serving an a la carte which we were lucky enough to sample. So to summarise Florence is a year-round destination with something to offer for everyone. Culture, shopping, excellent food and only 50 minutes from the Leaning Tower of Pisa. There's a wide variety of accommodation to suit all budgets. Give it a go and I know you will fall in love with this beautiful city - just as I did!

03 July 2013

I travelled to Abu Dhabi in May. To say I was excited about staying at the Emirates Palace is putting it mildly! It is a 7 star hotel and it was easy to see why. We flew with Ethiad Airlines from Heathrow overnight. The direct flight took seven hours. It was the first time I’d flown with Ethiad and I was extremely impressed. Nothing was too much trouble for the cabin crew. Free drinks were available throughout the flight and the standard of food was excellent. We travelled in economy but I was given the opportunity to look round business and first class. In the latter I was able to try out the beds in one of the enclosed compartments. I was shown all the meal options and the cabin crew talked me through everything that’s included and available. The Eithiad staff went to a lot of effort to show me all the facilities on board so I was able to have first-hand knowledge to pass on to my clients. On arrival in Abu Dhabi we were met by the chauffeur of the private transfer I had pre-booked. It took just 20 minutes to reach the Emirates Palace. It is an extremely palatial hotel. We felt like royalty driving up to the sweeping entrance of the hotel. We were greeted at the door by staff who immediately opened our doors, helped with the luggage and welcomed us in. I could tell we had arrived to complete luxury just by looking at the foyer and that was before we had even seen the main area or the rooms in the hotel. We were given hot towels on arrival and I was presented with a fresh flower. All these little touches made things that little bit more memorable. As we arrived quite early in the morning our room was not quite ready but our bags were taken care of. We were able to use the Palace Lounge where we had breakfast. When our room was ready our Butler came and got us and escorted is to our amazing room. Ours was a Coral room and overlooked the main pool. All these rooms offer Butler service and the mini bar is replenished with free cans of soft drink and water each day which was a welcome bonus in the hot weather. The hotel offers different meal plans but we had opted for half board which was a wise choice as food and drink are not cheap in the hotel. Therefore I would highly recommend either half or full board. There was a choice of 4 restaurants, an international buffet, fish restaurant, one serving local dishes and the Italian which was my favourite. It offered excellent food and was in a beautiful spot overlooking the fountains that were lit up. We were also treated to live music while we ate. There are 2 pools, a larger one which is more family orientated with 2 water slides, a lazy river and a spacious sunbathing area with one to one service direct to your sunbeds. The other pool area is at the other side of the complex and is for adults only. As it's quite far between the two pools golf buggies ferry guests between them. The adult pool has a swim up bar, is right on the beach and has the most amazing water hammocks plus luxurious garden hammocks. The Private beach offers water sports and free camel rides. The private marina is again a beautiful part of the hotel and it is well worth spending some time there. For the more active the hotel also offers a football pitch and tennis courts. Taxis are extremely cheap in Abu Dhubi and we used one to get to the Marina Mall . It is a modern shopping centre. We also visited the Central Market which is an indoor bazaar selling all the souvenirs, herbs, spices, and local gifts at reasonable prices . Abu Dhubi has lots to offer including Ferrari world with the marina circuit & world’s fastest roller coaster Yas Waterworld with over 43 rides Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque - one of the world’s largest Mosques Arabian wildlife park Al Ain Zoo Yas Beach & Marina Overall it is well worth a visit! If you’re interested in visiting Abu Dhabi I’d love to have a chat with you about my tips and experiences. I look forward to hearing from you.

01 July 2013

If I'm totally honest Vegas was more of a destination that was on my husband’s wish list rather than mine HOWEVER that was before I actually went there! We went in October and flew from Gatwick which took about 10 hours with Virgin Atlantic. We stayed overnight at the Hilton in Gatwick the night before and took advantage of the Twilight Check- in which was excellent – I would highly recommend it! As we already had our boarding cards the whole process couldn't have been easier. On arrival in Vegas we took our pre-booked transfer from the airport to our hotel, The Venetian which has a great location on the main strip. Driving down the strip is an experience in itself with its vast array of hotels and casinos and neon lights everywhere you look. The Venetian Hotel oozes opulence as you walk into the foyer and the check-in area is the one of the biggest I have ever seen. It is an all-suite hotel and our room really did have the wow factor. This was enhanced by our amazing view over the strip and the Mirage Hotel where we were able to see the daily dancing fountain show. The hotel is like a mini Italy. The main restaurants are set in what is a replica of St Mark’s Square. It’s very clever as you feel like you’re outside when you’re not. There are street stalls and musicians amongst other things as well as an endless list of designer shops. The hotel also boasts its own nightclub and a large food court where the choice could not be more diverse. However, the hotel is most famous for the Gondola rides. Couples can be heard being serenaded and it's hard to remember that you’re not in Italy and in fact indoors! On the strip you’ll be spoilt for choice as to where to eat. We opted for breakfast at Denny's on most days as it was a 2 minute stroll from our hotel and prices were reasonable. It’s worth pointing out that many of the casinos offer free breakfast or a heavily discounted rate but unless you want to gamble at 8am in the morning Denny's is probably the better option. The list of shows available in Vegas is endless and there are numerous booths along the strip offering tickets for selected shows at special prices. We went to see Rod Stewart at Caesars Palace and had a fantastic night. If you like to shop you will like Vegas. There are several shopping malls on the strip offering big name designer shops. In most of these you can get things a lot cheaper than in the UK. We chose to walk everywhere on the strip which can be a long walk. However, there is also a monorail that runs from one end of the strip to the other. Alternatively you can purchase a 24 hour bus ticket on a hop on hop off kind of basis. For those people who prefer a tour with commentary the big red bus tour operates in Vegas and again you can hop on and hop off. Of course the main trips that spring to mind that are usually taken from Vegas are the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam, tickets can be pre-arranged before travel if required. The weather was HOT with little respite from the sun, that’s one of the reasons we really appreciated the 3 pool areas at the Venetian. There was waiter service around the main one which was fantastic and helped to add to the feel of luxury! I can confidently say that Vegas is definitely on my list of top destinations now and somewhere I would highly recommend. If it's on your to do list then make it a definite. I would love to chat more to you about it and share some of my tips and insights, so if you are interested in Vegas just get in touch!

01 July 2013

As one of the amazing perks of my job I was lucky enough to be given a place on an educational visit to Cancun. As a result I was able to experience first-hand what Mexico has to offer and to sample a few of the many hotels available. Our trip began at Gatwick airport with an extremely quick and efficient check in via the BA self-service kiosks where I was able to print my boarding pass before proceeding to the baggage drop off desk. We were extremely privileged to be upgraded to BA world traveller (business class) for both legs of our journey. If you are able to upgrade I would recommend it, as flying business class definitely helped to ensure the time passed quickly! Overall BA was faultless and I would have no hesitation in recommending them. Most of the hotels in Cancun are around a 20 to 40 minute transfer so you can be in your accommodation in no time at all. En route to our hotel we stopped to take a look at the beach and everyones’ reaction was WOW! The first thing that hit me was just how crystal clear the beautiful aqua sea was and how white the sand was on this well-kept beach. It was at this moment that I realised how lucky I was to be standing there taking a picture – it looked just like postcard! We were greeted with a drink at the beachfront Fiesta Americana Condesa and quickly checked-in. The resort is all-inclusive and offers a wealth of amenities ranging from a spa, children’s club, and plentiful eateries including a Mexican restaurant. A lovely cake and coffee shop is also included in the all-inclusive. I can personally recommend after sampling the latte and cake from there. Fantastically, 24 hour room service is also included in the all-inclusive programme. The pool area was spacious with plenty of sunbeds. During our time in Mexico we also stayed at two other hotels in Cancan. The second was the Fiesta Americana Coral Beach resort and Spa which was my favourite. It is an all-suite hotel and the rooms were stunning. We were greeted with a hand massage on arrival and cocktails. The hotel was immaculate and the service was second to none. We ate in the Al la carte restaurant in the evening and were treated to a lesson in the art of tequila tasting. This hotel is also centrally located in Cancun with amenities close by. The third hotel we stayed at was the adults only Live Aqua hotel which again is very central and is opposite the Isla Mar Shopping centre. The rooms were all good sizes and there are several cabanas around the pool area. On the second day of our trip we went to XEL HA in Riviera Maya. It is classed as one of Mexico’s natural wonders and is the world’s largest natural Aquarium. The natural water park is about an hour and a half drive from Cancan and has many beautiful inlets, lagoons and caves. If you want you can snorkel, swim with dolphins, experience the zip wire, have encounters with stingrays and even cliff jump. Alternatively you could just relax and sunbath in one of the hammocks around the lagoon or ride the lazy river on one of the many inflatables provided. There are over 400 species of plants and fish living in this area. The park is all inclusive and there is a choice of 2 restaurants. Towels are also provided for the day and there are full changing room facilities with showers to freshen up at the end of the day. Our next stop was the natural park XCARET. It may appeal more to families with younger children as there is lots for them to do including a Butterfly Pavilion, Coral Reef Aquarium , Beach area ,Flamingos, Spider Monkey Island , Deer Shelter, Tropical Jungle trail, Manatee and stingrays Lagoon, and wildlife breeding farm. There is also the opportunity to swim with sharks. You can swim through the underground caves and rivers. That evening I experienced the Xcaret Mexico Espectascular show. It’s acted out by 260 performers and portrays the traditions and history of Mexico through ages right up to modern times. Tickets can either be purchased for show only or can include a meal which would probably be the better of the two options as the show is quite lengthy. I visited quite a few hotels during my stay including the Iberostar Cancun (formerly the Hilton), The Gran Oasis Cancun, the Sandos Caracol and the Iberostar in Riviera Maya . I will be happy to talk more at length about any hotels with you. An excursion I would highly recommend was a day out on the Albatros Catamarans to Isla Mujeres which translated means woman Island. This is a beautiful idyllic Island which boasts crystal clear seas and pure white powdery sands. It is a hidden gem that has to be seen. We spent the whole day on the Catamaran. During the course of the day our group enjoyed being able to snorkel, power sail, and swim in the amazing clear warm blue sea which was fantastic. If activities aren’t for you, then just lying on deck and taking in the sun and the scenery is a fabulous day out in itself. Overall I could not recommend this trip more highly! Another worthwhile trip is to Tulum which is the site archaeological ruins and is about an hour and a half by bus from Cancun. Tulum means wall or fence and it is in fact the old walled Mayan city. The entrance to the site is not quite what you would expect of ancient ruins as it has a subway, several tourist shops and a Hagen daz ice cream restaurant. Once we got to the entrance all hints of the modern day disappeared. Unfortunately it did rain. June – November is actually classed as the rainy season. However, this was the only bit of rain I had seen since arriving in Mexico having enjoyed glorious sunshine prior to this. For reference the other seasons are:- September – October is hurricane season – although the last hurricane was over 8 years ago Peak season is classed as November - April I would not have any hesitation about going back to Mexico during the month of June as it was extremely hot and we only had a little rain on one day. Another notable experience was Coco Bongos! This was an amazing experience! It is a show and disco in Cancun that starts at 11pm and goes through to the early hours. If you like loud music, a few drinks and some great entertainment then you’ll love it. There are acrobats who fly across your head, landing on your tables, several different themed shows and waiter service for the drinks (depending on your type of ticket). I loved it! As you can see my Mexican experience was very varied. If you would like to hear more about my Mexican adventure I would love to have a chat and share some of my insights and experiences. Mexico …. much more than just mojitos !