23 April 2019

Checking into the Hard Rock Hotel, Tenerife was certainly a great experience - staff were warm and friendly and the good service didn't stop there either. This hotel certainly has the wow factor! From memorabilia in reception to the hallways and paintings on every wall - it is a music fans heaven. The food here was great, especially in the Sports Bar. Good value for money and the portions were enormous. The 16th floor cocktail bar was a great place to be early evening and we watched the sunset whilst enjoying a cocktail or too. The main restaurant which hosted the buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner had an excellent variety on offer, and had a good choice for vegetarians and even a gluten free station. There were also a la carte restaurants, but we didn't use these, but other holidaymakers were saying they were excellent. The area around the hotel is still quite under developed but there are a few restaurants, a supermarket (opposite) and a great little bar (British owned) where they played all the football and had music till late - prices in here were very good value, with a great cocktail list. Worth a visit is Playa Fanabe, about 15-20mins away. The hotel runs a shuttle leaving late morning and returning late afternoon and this is free. It stops at the shopping mall if this is your thing or take a stroll down to the promenade where you have a lovely beach and a huge selection of bars and restaurants to choose from. Back at the hotel, the pool scene was the perfect opportunity to relax, the main pool played music and had live acts, the smaller pool round by the spa is quieter and both have swim up bars. There are also a couple of snack bars on offer for al fresco dining. There was live entertainment in the evening in the main reception area but also other lounge areas if preferring somewhere quieter. All in all, this hotel had something for everyone, I would definitely return.

06 December 2017

What can I say? Sorrento is fantastic! It’s very hot in the summer months so if you prefer it cooler then definitely avoid June, July and August. Wandering the small cobbled streets with so many small shops and eateries was a joy and if you are a foodie this is paradise! Depending where you stay in Sorrento, it can be very steep in places to get about so maybe not great for the physically challenged. Flat shoes are definitely recommended, it wasn't easy to totter about in heels, girls! The walk down to the beach is a long one but well worth a day on the front either on the bathing platforms or on the very small beach. There are restaurants and bars aplenty down there too and I would recommend a taxi back - very hard going back up! On our wanderings we found stunning architecture and churches. And you can rent a horse and carriage for only €40 to take you on a tour which was a real experience! A day trip to Capri was a highlight, the ferry goes frequently taking you over to the island and here you will find more cobbled streets to explore, fish restaurants galore and if you take the cable car to the top this is a real treat. Of course there is lots to see in the area, the biggest attraction is Pompeii which is worth ticking off your bucket list. The highlight of my holiday was going to Resorant Donna Sofia, this was idyllic! From the front you can see Mount Vesuvius in the distance and inside its full of memorabilia of Sofia Loren, in fact it’s like a shrine. The management here were brilliant and will do anything for you to make your meal special. The menu was truly fantastic, so much to choose from its hard to know what to have, then there are also specials as well. Excellent choice of wines and of course the famous Limoncello for after. I have the managers contact details, so I can pre-book your table before you leave and arrange for them to pick you up from your hotel or a central point in Sorrento, definitely worth a visit. Sorrento has so much to offer every holiday maker and it won't be the only time I visit!

18 October 2017

Cape Verde in August 2017 was blisteringly hot and although it had the occasional downpour of rain, to be honest it was needed to clear the air. What makes this destination so great is the people, they are so kind and caring and nothing is too much trouble. I stayed at the Riu Touareg which is a very large all-inclusive complex, set on a fantastic beach. It’s great for a chilled-out holiday. Families, couples and groups of holidaymakers will enjoy what this hotel has to offer - four pools and several themed restaurants, entertainment every night and always something going on around the main pool from aqua aerobics to funny games. Bingo every afternoon by the pool bar and volleyball and boules on the beach as well. Although this area is very busy and loud, there are quieter areas to enjoy plus an adult only area which is perfect for those looking to escape the noise of the crowds around the family pool area. There are lots more hotels on the islands to choose from, some all-inclusive but not all, if you prefer to experience the destination and not stay on a large complex then there are more choices. The downside for water sports enthusiasts is the sea is very rough in the area I stayed in and the red flag was up certainly the whole time we were there. Swimming in the sea was not an option. However, I have been chatting to another one of our suppliers who have smaller properties on the islands in better positions for going out and enjoying the town and in prime positions for water sports which is the complete opposite of what I saw. This supplier also offers twin centre holidays and some great excursions, even a stay at a safari lodge which I would never have thought of from my experience, so I obviously need to go again! Lovely island, somewhere to enjoy the sun and plenty of downtime.

10 January 2017

What can I say? Christmas on board Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas was amazing! Firstly 2 nights in Miami at the Epic Hotel was a great start to get over the long flight and start the cruise refreshed. Harmony is (at the moment) the largest cruise ship in the world - and it certainly lives up to its name. The facilities on board are fantastic - waterslides, rock climbing, ice skating, zip wire and an enormous slide which takes you from deck 15 right down to deck 5!!! My children loved it! The restaurants were great and the usual Windjammer for buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner had such an array of choice every day but if preferring something a la carte then the main dining room is always a hit. For a special night out we tried Wonderland and Jamies Italian - both very good - the WOW factor was definitely Wonderland with a menu that appears before your eyes when you paint it, the waiter will chat and get to know you before bringing out 5 delicious courses they recommend before the main you choose from the menu. Dessert was out of this world - an experience definitely not to be missed. Entertainment was second to none, always something to keep you entertained from guest singers in the Boot & Bonnet British Pub to RED the largest nightclub at sea! And the shows literally blew us away! Grease was a joy and we all had a good 'ole sing-along! This ship truly is enormous and has everything you could want, it is very family orientated and lots going on for all age groups. Doesn't mean couples or groups of friends wouldn't enjoy it too, though. I would recommend for holidaymakers who enjoy the fun and want a lively atmosphere, lots of entertainment and a laid back friendly service.I would highly recommend purchasing the drinks packages on board, as this offered much better value for money than buying each drink as you go. Also if wanting WIFI, their VOOM WIFI is excellent and you get a discount if you book it before you board - means you can stream and use social media till your heart's content. We extended our stay in Fort Lauderdale for 2 nights after the cruise which again, is great rather than rushing straight to the airport to fly home, so if you can fit it in I would recommend it. Nice beach, great shopping and eating out on Las Olas Boulevard so all in all a great end to the trip.

02 September 2015

Onboard the fantastic Allure of the Seas again but this time cruising around the Med. I visited Naples, Barcelona, Majorca, Marseilles and Florence/Pisa. The ship was amazing and offered the usual great choice of restaurants and bars and fantastic entertainment and activities. My two children very much enjoyed the Teen Club where they could chill out in there own lounge called the Living Room where games consoles were available, music and even their own refreshments bar! The staff in the Teen Club always had lots going on in the evenings from parties to games - always great fun! There are clubs for the younger passengers and with these they are supervised all day and evening (unlike the teens who are left to their own devices during the day). My two have been through all of the stages onboard in Adventure Ocean so any questions on this just let me know. The many eating choices is one of the highlights on this ship, Allure of the Seas still offers the traditional 1st and 2nd sitting dining in the main dining room but also you can choose 'anytime' where you can choose what time you eat. There are also speciality restaurants all varying in price - the newest after the refurb in May this year is Sabor on the Boardwalk - this was a relaxed Mexican themed restaurant and the food was excellent teamed with a great choice of Tequilas and Sangria's. For during the day the Dog House and Jonny Rockets are still on the Boardwalk, the Windjammer is available for all meals for a relaxed buffet option or the Park Café is great for salads and sandwiches freshly prepared. The Café Promenade is 24 hours so you can always get a snack when you fancy it if you didn't want to have it delivered to your room which is also 24 hours. My daughter's favourite was Sorrento's - unlimited pizza all day long !!! Now that you can take the option for drinks packages, I can say that these are well worth it. The Royal Replenish package I bought for the children meant they could have unlimited soft drinks and virgin cocktails throughout the week for just under $5 a day. The Ultimate Package I bought meant I could have anything from soft drinks, tea, coffee, beers, wine, cocktails and even champagne! At only $55 per day this was a massive saving. They do offer other packages in between as well so always something to suit. These prices could change of course. The live entertainment on board was very enjoyable - from the DreamWorks characters at the Aqua Theater shows or on the Royal Promenade Parade to the more adult shows including the Beatles Maniacs in the Theatre to a singer in the Bow & Stern where the whole pub sang along! The band in Dazzles were superb playing a range of different music. Quizzes in the Schooner Bar were funny! And just chilling on the Rising Tide Bar was a quirky way to go from the Royal Promenade up to Central Park. For the more active passengers the Zip Line, Rock Climbing Wall and FlowRider offer you an adrenaline rush. Mini golf, ice skating, swimming pools, even a kids zone pool with fun fountains and water guns for the little ones to play with. The gym and Spa are state of the art and offer treatments and exercise classes as well. There is also the Carousel on the Boardwalk which is great fun for adults and kids alike! This ship is still the largest in the world, and seriously offers so much for every age group that you cannot possibly go wrong. The different stops were interesting and Royal Caribbean offered lots of excursions but you can also take the shuttles into the centre and visit at your leisure if you preferred. We took a private excursion into Pisa which was well worth it, we even took a horse drawn carriage ride around the city for only 40 Euros! There are lots of different cabin types on offer on this ship, personally I prefer a balcony but on this ship you can have Boardwalk View or Central Park View which are the cabins facing the interior of the ship, bit more fun that looking out to sea!! And these are better value than the Sea View Cabins. But you can also have inside and outside cabins as well as the Suites - all depends on budget - there is always something to suit everyone. Its a resort at sea to be honest and even if you just stayed on the ship all the time you wouldn't get bored and with Harmony of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas - sister ships - offering even more itineraries next year you can enjoy even more from the Oasis Class ship with Royal Caribbean. Definitely a WOW holiday !!!

05 September 2014

Fort Lauderdale was my choice of pre-cruise stay this year and it was a great change to the usual Miami. The Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort was fantastic and in a great location so I can definitely recommend this hotel, whether for a holiday or just a day or two before a cruise. Driving up to the terminal and seeing Allure of the Seas is simply magical, it is a huge ship and the excitement builds right from getting out of the car! Check in was very smooth which was impressive for so many passengers to get on board. Walking on, straight onto the Royal Promenade, we took our first wander through the ship and enjoyed lunch in the Windjammer whilst waiting to set sail. I cannot put into words how brilliant this ship is! The kids loved the clubs, I didn't see my teenager from morning till some nights 1am! And my boy pleased himself from hanging out on the Promenade enjoying unlimited pizza and cookies to checking out the shows on the Boardwalk and having a sneaky ice cream! Needless to say I knew they were safe at all times. I don't have toddlers anymore, but even the youngest passengers are well looked after with a great play room. The entertainment on this ship was brilliant - West End Shows, DreamWorks Characters, Ice Show and the water fountain show was spectacular. And the parades are not to be missed! Food on board is so varied, you cannot possibly get bored. The fine dining room where you can still have set dining each night if preferred, or you can choose ‘Anytime’, so you can go anytime you like subject to availability. The speciality restaurants are worth the extra and Jonny Rockets was great (free for breakfast!). Whether you want fast food or a gourmet meal - everything is catered for. The British Bar had the largest array of beers and ciders I've ever seen! Another great little bar to discover is in Central Park, and you can sit as if really in a park, even birds singing in the bushes! The best one is the Rising Tide Bar - board on one deck and get off three decks up! Or just sit and relax going up and down - great cocktails. Take a look at my photos as this best shows off the ship!

25 May 2011

I boarded Celebrity Century in Venice and cruised the Italian Med for a week. This was a fabulous cruise, and although the Century class ships are a bit older and I'm used to travelling on the big ships with Royal Caribbean I was pleasantly surprised. The standard was really high, the staterooms were big enough, even the inside ones with lots of storage space and even though it was a smaller ship there was still plenty bars and restaurants to choose from. The Martini Bar was a favourite for me - so many different Martini's to choose from! You can even have a taster tray with lots of smaller versions of them so you can find one you like! The main restaurant was stunning, it offered an excellent menu with plenty of choice - even for someone like me with allergies - the Head Waiter made sure I was looked after each night and even had special plates put together for me a couple of times. It was really thoughtful and I was very impressed. Our stateroom attendant was marvellous, always kept the room looking good and even helped me sew a button back on a dress when it had come lose! The shows onboard each night were fantastic, and if not wanting to take in a show there is always something going on in the different lounges onboard, so whether you want a quiet night in the piano bar or to dance the night away in the disco, you've got it all. During the day the pool area was a great place to relax, plenty of sunbeds and if not wanting to sit in the sun or maybe the weather isn't so good, again plenty of entertainment in the lounges like bingo or there are a choice of films in the Cinema each day, you even get popcorn! I didn't get the chance to experience the Spa but they had a variety of treatments all at good value prices from facials to massages to pedicures and manicures. I would definately consider going on Celebrity cruises again, even this size ship without the children is great, as although its not an adults only ship it did have an older feel to it, so I would give the opinion that younger children would get a bit bored if they don't enjoy the kids club. However the kids club is brilliant right from young ones to teens there is everything to keep them entertained.

19 January 2010

Our post cruise stay in Miami was a treat, this time I stayed at the Marriott Biscayne Bay which is a good location but not as preferable as the Intercontinental Bayside where I normally stay. Biscayne Bay is 'the' place to be, it’s got lots of shops and restaurants and is overlooking the Marina. There is live music and entertainers, even a merry go round! So it’s perfect for the family as well. South Beach was easy to get, I stayed at the Marriott South Beach last time and this was an excellent location if wanting to experience the nightlife of Miami. The restaurants have outside seating areas where you can watch the world go by which was lovely. Now to board the ship and the fantastic Oasis of the Seas did not disappoint. The terminal at Fort Lauderdale purposely built for this new enormous ship was excellent, very smooth check in and we were on the boat within half an hour from leaving our taxi - we were early though which I am sure made a difference! I have been on the Voyager Class and Freedom Class ships with Royal Caribbean so this was very exciting to see the next generation of ship and experience the new innovations. The ever popular Royal Promenade was still there but was wider and had more eating and drinking options, as well as this there was the new neighbourhoods Central Park and the Boardwalk. You would never believe you are on a cruise ship when in these areas and I am sure my photos do it no justice. The Boardwalk is home to the AquaTheater where you can sunbathe and watch films during the day and at night theatre with a difference - water fountains lit up and dancing to the music and their show Oasis of Dreams with acrobatics and high diving like you've never seen! Here you've also got Johnny Rockets, a merry go round, donut and sweet shops and lots more. Central Park is more laid back and actually has real plants and trees so is really like sitting in the park! Here there is a cafe and a wine bar and also a couple of the speciallity restaurants. The usual bars are present like the Schooner Bar, and the On Air Club where they do Karaoke and Wii tournaments but the newest addition was amazing - the Rising Tide Bar which actually moves three floors - you get on on the Royal Promenade and can get off at Central Park or stay on till it goes back down!!! It was brilliant. The dining options on this ship had the usual formal dining room with 2 sittings at night, also open for lunch and breakfast. Another excellent option was the MyTime Dining which was organised very well, this is for clients that prefer to eat at different times to the 6pm or 8.30pm set dining, passengers can pre book or simply turn up and see what is available. The Windjammer with its extensive buffet where you serve yourselves, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner was even better than on the other class ships - lots of choice, especially for the more adventurous with Indian, Thai, and Chinese options every day. There are plenty of other choices though, the Cafe Promenade open 24 hours, Sorrentos offering freshly cooked Italian pizzas, Park Cafe, the Donut Shop, the Vitality Cafe and the Wipe Out Cafe are all included in the price of your cruise. Jonny Rockets is available for breakfast included in your price but you pay a surcharge for lunch or dinner, also on the Boardwalk the Surfside Shack which is open lunch and dinner at a surcharge. The speciality restaurants, all pre bookable and available at a surcharge are excellent and worth the extra as they are a dining extravaganza! Choose from Izumi offering Sushi and hot rock cooking, Chops Grille offering steaks and seafood, Giovanni's Table offering Italian family style dining, 150 Central Park which is a stylish taster menu and Chefs Table which is an exclusive interactive wine pairing dinner with personalized service. Other fun places to enjoy at a small cover charge is the Cupcake Cupboard, Ice Cream Parlor and Vintages serving tapas and fine wines. Activities onboard never end - from the rock climbing wall, the ice rink, the zip wire, crazy golf and the 4 swimming pools including fun park for the children, you can never be bored. Just ask me for more details !!!!

11 August 2009

I visited Andalucía and loved the vast contrasts between each resort. Firstly I stayed in Malaga, and although ultimately a city break destination it had a lot to offer – history and culture as well as shopping and high standard hotels with great facilities. Here I did a tour of the city and saw the bull ring. From here I visited Fuengirola for the evening which was a lovely resort and totally not what I expected. There was a quaint main square surrounded with small restaurants all offering typical Spanish fare. There was lots of entertainment including Flamenco dancing which was fantastic to watch. Everyone was friendly and although I didn’t get to see the resort during the day I definitely got the feeling this would be a nice place for a holiday. I then visited Granada which was amazing. The village had a wonderful atmosphere, very traditional with a lovely town with plenty of shopping on offer. The small tavernas and restaurants were so welcoming and the food was so varied and full of flavour. I visited the Alhambra Palace which was very busy but well worth a visit. The grounds were beautiful and to be able to walk through the different rooms and admire the architecture was an honour. The guide who took us round told us many stories which were fascinating. There is a new science museum just opened in Granada which we also had a look round, this is a great place to bring the children as there was lots of interactive pieces that they would enjoy. I only saw a small portion of the area, but there truly is so much to see and do in Andalucía its well worth a visit.

04 June 2008

If you want culture in spades as well as shopping and glorious beaches, then Oman is the place to visit. I only had a short stay here but what I saw was fantastic. I stayed at the Chedi Hotel first which is aimed primarily at couples as there are no twin rooms, and although they do accept families with children, the rooms aren't set up for them and there are no facilities for them either. However, an absolutely stunning hotel for the discerning traveller, the gastronomic delights in the restaurant will delight anyone - there is a station for different cuisines where you can watch the chefs cooking. The rooms here are huge and the lounge areas superb with lots of cushions! I visited the Mosque which was very interesting, we had a guide take us through who told us all about the local traditions. I also visited the town and the fish market which was an eye opener. I went on a desert safari which is definitely not for the faint hearted but a great experience. I got to stop at a bedouin tent and visit a family there, they made us tea and told us tales of how they live. They were very charming and even offered us a ride on their pet camel! The area is steeped in history and if you are a fan of Dubai then this is a great alternative. Our guide described Oman as what Dubai was 30 years ago. I then moved on to stay at the Al Bustan Hotel. Here I was bowled over with the mix of tradition and modern. The restaurants here were fantastic - from Chinese to Italian to traditional fare - you name it they had it. Compared to the minimalist rooms at the Chedi this was strange to then get carpet and sweeping curtains simply oozing charm and tradition. I could not fault how friendly everyone was in Oman, and although still very traditional this was not a downside at all. I just had to remember to cover up when out to respect their religion. However whilst round the poolside or on the beach normal beachwear was allowed. You simply had to have a kaftan for when going back through the hotel to your room. I flew with British Airways which although stopped very briefly to allow passengers to disembark and more passengers to board at Abu Dhabi this wasn't a problem and the flight was very good. I was lucky enough to fly home in First Class which is truly a wonderful experience, if you can afford it - do it. A humbling visit to a hidden gem in the United Arab Emirates which offers a truly traditional experience for the holidaymaker who doesn't just want to lie on the beach.

04 June 2008

Cape Town is a beautiful and varied province of South Africa, where you can actually experience all types of weather in one day! With such lush countryside, fantastic sightseeing and shopping, sweeping beaches, museums and the one and only Table Mountain - who wouldn't fall in love with Cape Town. I stayed my first few nights at The Bay Hotel which is a first class hotel across the road from Camps Bay. The service here was impeccable, the rooms were impressive and to be honest nothing was too much trouble. Along the road there was an amazing choice of restaurants to dine al fresco and literally watch Cape Town drive by. I then moved onto the Twelve Apostles for the rest of my stay which is a luxury hotel set in the mountainside; a 20 minute drive away from the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. Although its set on its own, it offers an out of this world experience, a fabulous restaurant, a lounge where they serve anything from cocktails to tea and the concierge here will help organise any tours or sights you want to take in whilst there. I did a full day tour of the Peninsula and the Cape of Good Hope, including wine tasting at Stellenbosch, a visit to Boulders Beach to see the penguins and a one day safari which was fantastic. We really got up close and personal with Rhino, Giraffes, Ostrich, Springbok and Wildebeest. We visited the Cheetahs in quarantine and some Lions which the rangers had rescued. Of course I went up Table Mountain by cable car, this takes only 8 minutes and the views are stunning. Unfortunately I missed Robben Island but some other guests were telling me its not to be missed. I also visited the famous Mount Nelson Hotel for dinner and cocktails in their new uba-chic bar. I had a quick tour of some of the rooms and cottages at the hotel which were lovely. Earlier in the year I stayed at the Table Bay Hotel which is a deluxe hotel down at the V&A Waterfront, this is a totally different experience of Cape Town as the Waterfront is set for the tourists, a huge choice of bars, restaurants and a shopping centre. It is very safe here to go out at night. The best thing is although its a 12 hour flight direct to Cape Town there is only a 2 hour time difference, so no jet lag. Also the value for money is fantastic, eating out, even in 5 star establishments is reasonable and of course the selection of wines to choose from is always good. No matter what anyone says about the area being 'unsafe' I must say that I have never met a more friendlier race and are immensely proud of their country and just love to tell you all about it. The private tours I took were very reasonably priced and well worth it as I had a private guide to tell me all about the vast history of the area which was very interesting.