08 November 2022

October half term saw us take the really short flight to Reykjavik from Edinburgh – it’s only a couple of hours away and I can’t believe I have never been before! It is on so many people’s bucket list but it has a reputation for being expensive which puts a lot of people off – see my tips at the bottom on how to save money! Tourism boomed in Iceland in the last 15 years with low cost airlines (and the national carrier, Icelandair) bringing over 2million visitors a year. It’s a relatively short distance from the USA, so there are lots of American as well as European visitors, and the attractions are many – it’s one of the Earth’s most volcanically active areas, giving us mountainous landscapes, black lava fields, black sand beaches, geothermal pools and geysers all topped off by stunning glaciers and even the Northern Lights in winter and 24 hours sunlight in summer. October was a great time to travel – it was cold, much colder than Scotland! And windy, but we came prepared with hats, gloves, walking boots and thermals. We were lucky enough to see the Northern Lights a few times over the week we were there, and it was amazing. The best place to view them was from the plane home! I was actually taken aback by the scale of the country – a lot of people never make it far from Reykjavik, but the whole country is 500km east to west and 300km north to south. With a population of approx. 375,000 – there is plenty of wide open spaces! Reykjavik is a buzzing capital city – world renowned for culture, arts and natural beauty. I loved the many bakeries with their cinnamon buns, fresh kaffi (coffee) and candle lit tables. In the afternoon, look out for one of the many happy hours in bars and hotels where you can sample the local beers for a fraction of the normal prices. We loved the famous hot dogs straight from the street stalls too, perfect after a brilliant whale watching trip. After our 3 nights in the capital, we picked up our hire car and headed round the “Golden Circle” which combines Þingvellir where you can see the crack in the 2 tectonic plates; Geysir hot springs; and Gullfoss waterfall. It’s a total round trip of 250km from Reykjavik, so a lot of driving. There are many day trips including snowmobiling on the glacier, which I highly recommend! We continued along the South Coast which was all about glaciers, waterfalls, black sand beaches, glacier lagoons and icebergs! Walking behind waterfalls, kayaking between icebergs, going on glacier hikes, driving through vast lava fields, visiting ice caves, and strolling along black sand beaches – you don’t want to miss out on this stunning area. Here are my top tips on how to save money on your trip! Book your accommodation and flights as a package – you’ll pay upfront in GBP, so no worries over the exchange rate, as well as being 100% financially protected. Book as far in advance as possible – we booked 10 months prior – you get the best availability, best prices and then pay it all off in advance, so you only need your spending money when you travel. Never buy bottled water in Iceland – the water is gorgeous! Every restaurant and bar has bottles of tap water available for your table, free of charge. Happy Hour! Alcohol is taxed heavily in Iceland so take advantage of the reduced prices – usually 4pm – 8pm every day. I’d love to help you with your plans, so do get in touch!

16 September 2022

As a fabulous celebration and recognition of those Travel Counsellors who achieve the status of "Gold" - which is the top performing Travel Counsellors worldwide in terms of sales and customer service - we were whisked off to Dubai for 3 nights of updates, supplier presentations and partying. I decided to go out to Dubai a couple of nights early and visit the neighbouring Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah - less than an hour's drive from Dubai airport. Included in Time magazine’s "World’s Greatest Places of 2022", Ras Al Khaimah offers visitors a unique mix of pristine beach resorts, adventurous mountain landscapes and stunning terracotta desert escapes. With year-round sunshine, making it the perfect winter-sun destination, RAK is easily accessible and offers great value for money. From great family friendly resorts to luxury honeymoon retreats, and an array of fascination historical attractions and popular adventure activities, there is a perfect holiday destination waiting in Ras Al Khaimah for all kinds of travellers. We arrived at the luxurious 5* Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah at around 3am, which wasn't too bad considering the 3 hour time difference from the UK, and the fact I had a little sleep on the flight! The room was palatial, with a walk in dressing room, enormous bathroom with separate shower, double sinks, the best bathrobes in the world - available online for USD165 - and 2 queen size beds. There was also a lovely large balcony with furniture. The hotel itself was originally built as the Sheik's guest house - the extravagant façade immediately sets the tone with its gold domes, fortress-like roofs and Arabesque arches. Inside, the attention to detail continues with local elements such as mother of pearl referencing the UAE’s pearl-diving history, Arabic calligraphy artworks and a grand clock, a Waldorf Astoria signature made from champagne gold, displaying the five daily prayer times. Ten restaurants and lounges offer global flavours from traditional, colourful Arabic mezze at Marjan to afternoon tea at the signature Peacock Alley. With a nod to the original Waldorf Astoria, Lexington Grill is a New York-style steakhouse serving air-dried beef cuts, while sophisticated UMI is the spot for first-class Japanese fare - we ate here and the teppanyaki set menu did not disappoint with the chef providing fantastic entertainment. The pools are temperature controlled - coming from Scotland I never thought I would be glad to get into a chilled pool! After a quick 2 night stay, we headed back to the bright lights of Dubai - and met up with colleagues at Caesars Palace Dubai - set on the manmade Bluewaters Island, accessible by both road and foot bridges. It was a hot 20 minute walk to Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Beach, but in the cooler winter months, this would be very pleasant. You may recognise the name Caesars Palace from Las Vegas, and this is their first venture outside of the US - but no casino here. They do however have a trendy beach club, cutting edge spa and a 500m private beach, which is lovely in Dubai to have an unobstructed view out to sea rather than other buildings. There are 5 outdoor pools, Michelin Star Celebrity Chef dining and the resort has been recognized by Forbes Travel Guide 2022 with Five Stars. We had a lovely drinks reception around the Neptune pool on the first evening - but in early Sept the humidity is still ridiculously high and most dining is taken inside! After our conference, we headed for the Venus beach Club which is an adults only area with swaying palms and loungers - lively beats and delicious Italian cocktails set the mood for a chic pool day. From Michelin chef restaurants like Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen and Demon Duck by Alvin Leung (listed on inaugural 2022 Michelin Guide for Dubai), multicuisine dining at the resort takes you from the sun kissed Amalfi-coast at Venus Ristorante & Beach Club to the streets of 1920s Cuba at Havana Social Club and authentic Japanese at TakaHisa. The Sunset Terrace at the Roman Lounge offers cocktails, Moroccan Tagines, shisha and scrumptious Arabian desserts over spectacular views, while Neptune and Fortuna Pools offer refreshing drinks and delectable poolside bites. The dining choices are endless, catering to every mood and palate. All in all, a fantastic few days in one of our top selling cities in the world - Dubai is constantly changing and it was good to experience an new area, as well as visit Ras Al Khaimah for the first time.

15 August 2022

My latest trip took me from Oban on the west coast of Scotland, sailing round the north coast of the UK and arriving in Edinburgh 4 days later. I was a guest onboard Windstar Cruises “Star Legend” – one of their fleet of 6 small luxury cruise ships. We were only experiencing the final 3 nights of a 10-night voyage which had taken guests from Amsterdam and around the Irish Coast, stopping in Dublin, Belfast and Portrush before heading over the Irish Sea to Scotland where my little group of agents embarked in Oban. We were very lucky with the weather, making full use of the sun deck, pool and hot tubs, which I can imagine doesn’t always happen in this part of the world! Windstar offers an experience which they say is 180° from ordinary. Their small ships (the Star Legend takes less than 320 guests at full capacity) allow an intimate and personalised connection with crew and fellow passengers, all whilst being able to access the best small ports and hidden harbours around the world. 3 of the ships are iconic tall sailing vessels, with 4 or 5 masts and wide-open teak decks offering a magical sailing experience with the other 3 (including the Star Legend) are traditional small cruise ships – all having benefited from a recent $250million and renovation. Once onboard we explored our spacious suites - all staterooms have ocean views and come with little touches such as fruit bowls, flowers, robe and slippers, L’Occitane amenities, mini bar and ice replenished as required. My suite had a bath as well as a shower which is unusual on a cruise ship – double sinks and French balcony doors. 3 nights was just enough time to sample the dining venues onboard – starting with an amazing al fresco lunch overlooking the island of Kerrera whilst we were in Oban harbour. Cooked to order beef Pad Thai and a crisp glass of white wine set the scene for an epic few days of lovely food and drink! An “all inclusive” package covering wifi, gratuities and alcohol can be added for USD79 per person per day. The first evening we ate in the main dining room – no set times, no reservations required. Breakfast can be taken in your suite or in the Veranda restaurant which is on Deck 7 at the aft of the ship – plenty seating both inside and out. The brand new “Cuadro 44 by Anthony Sasso” (10 Michelin stars to his name) Spanish themed restaurant blew my socks off! As we were eating as a group we had family style starters enabling us to try all of the tapas style starters – with the best melt in the mouth octopus I’ve ever tried… and then I chose lamb chops as my main course which was delicious! We saved the best until last though, as our final evening meal was in Candles restaurant – this is the same restaurant which is called Veranda by day, serving breakfast and lunch – but then transforms to a speciality steak restaurant in the evening. Honestly, the 6oz filet steak was absolutely delicious and cooked to perfection…. With no cover charges at any of the restaurants, and no charge for room service, dining is a highlight of the Windstar experience. Windstar ships sail around the globe, with “Wind Spirit” one of their tall sailing ships permanently in Tahiti; perfect for honeymooners, romance-seekers and others looking to escape the everyday routine in pristine atolls, crystal-clear lagoons, lush rainforests and more on some of the South Pacific's most spectacular islands. Combine the Panama Canal with Costa Rica for an active, adventurous itinerary, and see Alaska in a new light, using the water sports facilities to kayak through the fjords and get far away from the larger ships. The same water sports platforms allow snorkelling, paddleboarding and beach parties in the Caribbean. The ships are small enough to transit the Corinth Canal for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I would love to chat to you about Windstar and look at some itineraries for you, so please do get in touch if you have any questions.

02 August 2021

I am very lucky to have just returned from a 3 night Disney Cruise – sailing from Liverpool on the 27th July. I took my teenage children with me – ages 16 and 14. We have cruised with Disney before, from New York to the Bahamas in 2017 so we knew what to expect, and we were not disappointed! I’d love to share some of our special moments with you! The dining experience – without giving too much away, there are 3 main dining rooms onboard and on a 3-night sailing you eat in each one. They are all themed and the entertainment is amazing, as well as the food of course! Your servers will be with you in each restaurant and they really get to know you which is lovely. The character meets – some scheduled and some by chance – from Chip n Dale telling my 14-year-old son to make sure he had sun screen on, to Captains Mickey and Minnie welcoming us on board. As well as Disney and Pixar, there were lots of Marvel super heroes too. We saw so many amazing interactions between the characters and other families too – very cute to watch! The show! “Disney Dreams” is not to be missed! There is no reservation required anymore, and the show is repeated so you can catch it either before or after dinner, or in the afternoon. The adults only areas – there is a separate pool, bar and coffee lounge for adults on Deck 9 to enjoy the sunshine, as well as lots of bars and lounges on Deck 3 for drinks tastings and evening entertainment. There’s also the spa, gym and a speciality adult only restaurant. The teens loved the waterslides and “Vibe” which is the teen (14 – 17) space to hang out, play video games or win some cool prizes in competitions. We also really liked the family entertainment in the D Lounge where we took part in trivia games and “Sarge Says” – featuring the Green Army Patrol from Toy Story. We also took an “Animator’s Class” and learnt to draw Captain America. There was always something to do and we could never have done everything on offer. Funnel Vision – my favourite part of the cruise was sitting in the sunshine on the pool deck watching some fab Disney films on the big screen! They play movies after dinner too, so you can snuggle up under a blanket with a hot chocolate for a Movies under the Stars evening! My top tips if you are booked on one of these staycation cruises: Check out the kid’s clubs during the “Open House” events where anyone is welcome – even if you don’t have kids or they don’t want to go! The drink of the day (alcoholic or non alcoholic) is great value! Don’t be afraid to ask – whether it’s vegan ice cream or a dish from a different restaurant – the cast members are fabulous and will do everything they can to help and sprinkle some Disney Magic for you. If you are loving your cruise then you can book a “placeholder” whilst you are onboard – you have 2 years to use it and you will get 10% off your next cruise. Try the Mickey churro’s at breakfast in Cabanas – yum! But also try the main restaurants for a leisurely a la carte breakfast where you can get eggs benedict, French toast or a full cooked breakfast. Plug sockets are US – but there are also USB ports. There is a hairdryer in the drawer but it wasn’t the best! There is a safe in the stateroom.

17 August 2020

As the global travel industry reawakens to welcome guests again, it is understandable that people have questions about what it the experience will be like; what has changed and how does it feel? No better way than to actually experience it and report back, so at the end of July I booked a trip to one of my favourite destinations – the Greek island of Crete. I was comfortable that Greece had managed the Covid pandemic very well, and my chosen hotel had a very comprehensive protocol in place regarding safe spacing. The airport experience was very smooth – Edinburgh airport has a video online showing what to expect, so there were no surprises. Masks are worn throughout, except when eating and drinking, and with an average of 4 flights per hour, the terminal was fairly quiet. It was actually a very good time to fly! I have heard people say that they won’t get on a plane again “until this is all over”. Everyone has to make a decision for themselves, but the fact is that the risk of contracting a virus on a plane is lower than in a shopping centre or an office, according to IATA. Wearing a mask and good hand hygiene is always important and the airlines are introducing measures such as limited queues for the toilets, boarding by seat row and reducing the numbers of passengers on board transfer busses to help with social distancing. Although wearing a mask is a new experience for us all, it was generally a very pleasant flight and I wasn’t at all concerned. My son and I were both tested on arrival in Greece, nothing to worry about and we were soon out of the airport and on the way to Daios Cove Luxury Resort which is about an hour from the airport. We landed around 9pm, were in the hotel just after 10pm having a late dinner. Waking up the following morning to blue skies, warm sunshine was the best feeling – the travel bit was over – let the holiday commence! Our room had a private pool, so we all had a swim before breakfast and exploring the resort in daylight. The views are stunning – one of my favourite things was that you can’t see any other buildings. The hotel is set in a cove with every room having a sea view, and there are 165 rooms with private pools, so having your own space here is very easy. The hotel had only reopened for the season the day prior to our arrival, so it was fairly quiet, but by the end of the week they were at around 40% capacity. The Ocean restaurant, lounge and main pool area had undergone a renovation in the last few months, and it is a very luxurious, chilled out area. Sunbeds are comfy, towels are thick and fluffy and the cocktails are fresh and innovative. We hired a car for the day and visited the lovely picturesque town of Agios Nikolaos, Elounda and Plaka, where we had a lovely lunch of fresh fish overlooking the island of Spinalonga. I love Crete – we didn’t see a single cloud in the sky all week, and that deep blue sky, aquamarine sea, cypress trees, olive groves, mountains with ravines, tiny white churches dotted about, with pink oleander flowers growing profusely by the side of the road…. to me it is heaven. After being stuck at home for more than 4 months we really appreciating every minute. Everything felt very normal – it was lovely to see families enjoying their time together and relaxing – Daios Cove is very child friendly with kids menus available in each restaurant; age appropriate clubs provided by Worldwide Kids; water sports and tennis for the older ones. I love swimming in the sea as well as the pools. The food was exceptional here – either Half Board, or if you upgrade to a suite or a villa you get to experience the Residents Club where you have an elevated service for breakfast, can eat in any of the speciality restaurants, as well as unlimited cocktails and wine with lunch or dinner. Well worth it!

15 January 2020

Did you know that Walt Disney World in Florida is HUGE? It’s approximately the same size as San Francisco, so you definitely need to know how to get from one place to another, whether that’s from your villa to the parks in your own car, or from your resort hotel to Disney Springs, and back again. It can be fairly complex, so let’s have a look… The first thing to remember when navigating WDW is that it takes time to get anywhere. You cannot just zip from place to place instantaneously. Always allow yourself plenty of time. For most trips a good rule of thumb is anywhere from 45-60 minutes. The best way to visualize the system is to think in terms of various hubs. Each major destination (theme park, waterpark, Disney Springs) acts as a hub. Various transportation options leave from this and go out to other hubs or to the resorts. So if you want to go from theme park to theme park you can usually do this without any connections. If you want to go from resort to resort though you will most likely need to make a connection at one of the hubs. 5 major modes of transportation: Monorail – the most iconic mode of transportation, opened in 1971. There are 3 lines travelling between 3 resorts hotels and 2 theme parks – Magic Kingdom and Epcot. The ticket transportation centre (TTC) is where you will start, where you can board all 3 lines. Strollers and wheelchairs are accepted. Skyliner – opened in Sept 2019, the gondolas travel over 3 different lines – from the Caribbean Beach Resort, which is the central hub, to Hollywood Studios, to Epcot (via the new Riviera Resort) and to the Art of Animation and Pop Century. So, if you are staying in any of these properties, you have this exciting new mode of transport to look forward to. Each gondola holds up to 10 guests and are very friendly for strollers or wheelchairs, and can be up to 30 – 50 feet in the air so the views over the resort are pretty spectacular. Water Taxis – you can actually get to over a dozen places in Disney World by travelling in a boat! You can get an express ferry boat from the TTC to the front entrance Magic Kingdom. There are various different styles of boat, so guests with strollers and wheelchairs on the smaller boats may be better using a different form of transport. From Epcot you can take a boat to the Boardwalk Resort, the Yacht and Beach Club and Hollywood Studios, although the distances are fairly short and you can also walk this route. In the Disney Springs area, you can connect to 4 resort hotels by water taxis, running on 4 different flag routes – Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter resorts, Old Key West Resort and Saratoga Springs. Always check with a cast member before boarding to make sure you are in the right boat, and to find out what time the last boats run, as some of the experiences at Disney Springs will stay open later than the boats run. Buses – generally you can get just about everywhere throughout the whole resort by bus. Stollers will have to be folded, but wheelchairs are accepted. Buses generally run for at least an hour or longer after the parks closing hours. Minnie Vans – this is the only paid option, and is open to everyone, whether you are staying in a Disney Resort Hotel or not. You do have to be located within the Disney Resort area to start and finish your journey. Seating 6 people, the Chrysler mini vans have complimentary child seats, and you request the Minnie vans through the “Lyft” app. Prices are based on the distance travelled, and the price will appear on your app. Your Minnie Van has access right to the entrance of the Magic Kingdom where normal lift share services must drop you at the TTC (where you then have to get the monorail to the front entrance). I would recommend this service if you have little ones who need the car seats, or if you are short of time! Finally, and this is only open to guests staying in a Disney resort property, the Magical Express – a complimentary coach service operating between Orlando International Airport and your hotel. I happily pre book this for clients who have booked a Walt Disney World package holiday with me, and it’s a great way to start your holiday!

13 November 2019

I had been planning our trip to Sri Lanka for a long time, and we had an amazing time. I was blown away by the scenery, the friendly people and the fantastic food. We did so much, and saw so many things in our 10 night stay, and I always felt very safe and welcomed. The weather - we expected a bit of a mixed bag in Oct, and I was a bit worried about the forecast, but we generally had lovely hot sunshine during the morning - it clouded over in the afternoon and then heavy rain and thunder at night. It was perfect to be honest. We flew with Qatar Airways from Edinburgh, which was a great experience, and upgraded our flights on the way home to Business Class, which was a treat for us all. We arrived around 9.30am and I had booked a boutique colonial style property for the first night. I had heard great things about this property - and it did not disappoint. he Wallawwa is only 15 minutes from the airport, but it's set in 5 acres of tropical jungle and is a world away from the hustle and bustle of Colombo. I had arranged the airport pick up and our driver was waiting for us - with lovely cool bottles of water (in their own reusable bottles as they have a no-single-use-plastic policy) and a nice air-con 4x4. Our first sight of Sri Lanka on the short drive to the hotel and it made us all smile - cows in the road, colourful tuk-tuks and friendly people. It was great to drive through the smaller back roads. And then the hotel - wow! The bathrooms are huge. The 2 bedroom family suite we had was amazing; the grounds, gardens, pool and restaurant were amazing. Unfortunately we crashed out for the whole afternoon which felt like a waste, but it was infinitely better than having to travel a long distance straight after the flight. I will definitely be including at least 1 night at this property for all my clients in future. After waking up, we had a lovely shower and headed for a drink on the terrace and the stunning sunset - accompanied by lots of fruit bats. The waiters showed us how to play the traditional board game of carrom before a really enjoyable dinner. We then had a look round the hotel and off to bed, such a comfortable bed ensured that we all slept well, despite the good sleep in the afternoon too. My first taste of a traditional Sri Lankan breakfast the following day was a highlight! And before we knew it, it was time to leave. We were met at the hotel by our chauffeur guide for the next week - the lovely Ananda has been working in the Sri Lankan tourism industry for 30 years. A source of really interesting facts and great fun! Ananda set up an initiative where he asks his guests to help plant trees for local families and schools in the rural region of Habarana and we were delighted to do this, and to sponsor the next few trees that he plants. Our tour over the next week took us to Habarana, where we took a jeep safari to Minneriya National Park and saw scores of elephants - it was so lovely to see them in the wild - there are elephant "sanctuaries" in Sri Lanka but as a company we have taken the decision not to promote these as there are questions over their treatment of the elephants. We also took a "village tour" where we travelled by bullock cart and traditional boat to reach a rural village where a local woman showed us how to get all the meat from a coconut as well as make spicy chilli sambal and delicious okra curry cooked over a wood fire. The food was delicious and some of the best we had all holiday! After 2 nights in Habarana we drove past the famous Sigariya Rock (it was wet on the afternoon we had planned to climb it, so we swam in the pool instead!) and headed off to Kandy, stopping to visit the Dambulla fruit and vegetable market and the cave temples. An evening swim in the rain (this was becoming a habit!) and the following day we left Kandy and headed up through tea plantations and beautiful scenery to the town of Nuwara Eliya, which is at an altitude of nearly 2,000m. There were amazing waterfalls, people selling all kinds of fruit by the roadside, zig zag roads and impatient buses - all a feature of travelling through this beautiful countryside. Sri Lanka is the world's fourth-largest producer of tea, and it was really interesting having a tour of one of the factories. The following day was very exciting – we were off for a glamping experience at Noel Rodrigues Leopard Safaris in Yala National Park! I stayed in the family tent which was great as we all had enough space, and were spoiled with the air con. We had electricity to charge phones and cameras, but we loved leaving the tent after dark with just our torches. The walkways are lit by lantern and you eat by candlelight (torches attract the moths and insects so they are switched off). Looking at the stars was amazing. The team could not do enough for us, the food was all fresh, home cooked, and something different to try every meal. We went on 2 safaris, one on the afternoon we arrived, and the other the following morning to get a different experience. We were lucky enough to watch a leopard for about 20 minutes the first afternoon, and while other jeeps came and went, the location of our camp meant we had accessed Yala by the "back door" - the other jeeps all left to get back to their entrance before 6pm, and we could wait for the leopard to come down the tree... lovely. One of the main attractions to me of staying at Noel's was the location so close to the entrance of the park, but I soon realised there were more advantages - we had drinks and snacks in the jeep, binoculars, rain ponchos, bird books, and as well as the driver, we had our knowledgeable guide to explain everything to us. It really was the highlight of our Sri Lanka holiday. Finally, we had 3 nights’ relaxation on the beach at the gorgeous Fortress hotel just outside Galle. A lovely chilled out property, and similarly to every person we came across, the staff were so helpful and friendly.

11 June 2019

While many family travellers are looking for unique recommendations for their visit to Asia, sometimes it can be difficult to balance the need for creature comforts and well-sorted logistics. While Cambodia hasn't traditionally been high on the list of family-friendly destinations, a lot has changed in recent years to make the kingdom uniquely well-suited to family travel. Travel Counsellors have access to wonderful local agents all over South-East Asia, which enables me to make sure your holiday delivers the most exciting, authentic and transformative experience! Your trip will be tailor made to your exact requirements, and we are happy to suggest itineraries which can then be adapted to suit you and your family. I am proud to promote responsible travel and we work with local communities to ensure the impact on the destination is always positive. One of our Cambodian experts took me through some of their latest family friendly offerings - with some really unique touches such as an Instagram #treasurehunt through the temples of Angkor, an interactive street food tour customised for families and volunteering for a day with an elephant project. Patient yet energetic guides, carefully chosen hotels with 2-bedroom suites or interconnecting rooms, enough down time and a mixture of transportation methods - think bicycles, chauffeured Vespa's, tuk-tuks, and classic cars - all help maximise the family fun. It's possible to really explore your wild side and soar over the jungle by zipline, swim at the base of waterfalls before kayaking and camping on the riverside, watching the stars before sleeping soundly! There are lots of options, so if Cambodia appeals to you and your family, get in touch and I would be delighted to help you put together an itinerary just for you.

05 June 2019

Sampling some of the local delicacies is a huge part of the South East Asia travel experience, and you just must step out of your comfort zone a little bit to experience it! Food served on the streets in Thailand gives you a window into the local culture and finds an ideal balance of affordability and delicious taste! So popular is the allure of al fresco fare, it was showcased in Netflix’s recent appetite-inspiring “Street Food” documentary series, as they tell the stories of struggle from local hawker heroes who dutifully serve up iconic dishes against the odds in Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh and other areas of Asia. In such a dynamic, fast-changing environment it's important to have the inside scoop on the tastiest and safest locations to indulge, and this where our invaluable local destination experts share their own secret suggestions for hard to find delights. I can arrange for you to eat and enjoy the street food with the locals with tours such as "Bangkok - a fest in a Dragon's Belly" or "Disover the delights of Bangkok street food after dark by tuk-tuk"! Great culinary experiences are certainly not limited to the Thai capital, however. Food is an integral part of the culture in every corner of the country, and I can help you discover off-the-beaten-path gastronomy, with special experiences in Northern Thailand with tours such as "Explore Phitsanulok under the moonlight by local transport" or Chiang Rai "Nature walk with bamboo-cooked lunch at the waterfall".

26 May 2019

While our "normal" ski destinations from the UK tend to be in Europe, there is a wonderful alternative on the west coast of Canada, with spectacular scenery, reliable snow, friendly locals and no queues. We work with a great ski specialist company who know all the insider tips for avid skiers and snowboarders, whether novice or highly experienced. Ski Independence have first-hand knowledge of all the resorts in Alberta and offer the highest possible levels of service. These are their top Alberta resorts: Banff Venture into the awe-inspiring protected wilderness of Banff National Park and you'll find soaring peaks, frozen waterfalls and steaming thermal springs amongst the snow. The historic mountain town of Banff is a world-renowned ski destination famed for its legendary slopes and passionate winter sports community. The Banff Sunshine Village ski area is vast, and includes three different mountains; Goat's Eye Mountain, Lookout Mountain and Mount Standish. There is enough variety for both beginners and experienced riders and skiers, from wide gentle green and blue runs to out of this world free riding. High speed gondolas and chairlifts transport you easily around the slopes and you'll find no end of cosy mountain restaurants to take a break in. Lake Louise Not far from Banff lies the stunning resort of Lake Louise, undoubtedly the most scenic resort in Alberta. The frozen lake has a fairy-tale quality with ice skaters galore and even an ice bar set with liqueur laced hot chocolate, ice wine and sugar pops – hot maple syrup, poured over fresh snow and rolled on a stick. Delicious! There are over 145 ski trails, again suiting skiers and boarders of all ages and abilities. Most of the resort's dining and après ski takes place within the hotels, and there are plenty of non-skiing activities to be enjoyed, making the resort ideal for families. Jasper This is a true Canadian gem - set deep in Jasper National Park in the north of Alberta, this special destination offers visitors the chance to revel in wide open spaces, abundant wildlife and epic natural beauty. Skiers and boarders are spoilt with beautiful varied terrain, unbeatable snow conditions and uncrowded slopes. As the second largest dark sky park in the world, you can snuggle under a blanket and gaze up at infinite clear, starry skies and possibly even the Northern Lights. Other evening activities include a torchlit ice walk through the dramatic rockfaces and frozen waterfalls of the Maligne Ice Canyon. I'd love to help you plan the perfect ski trip, so why not get in touch today?

23 September 2018

I travelled to South Africa in Sept 2018. My overall impressions, having never been to South Africa, is that the country is safe, the infrastructure is excellent, food and wine is first class and the hospitality is great, with a huge choice of excellent accommodation in various categories. There is a focus on sustainability which pays more than lip service to conservation, community and culture. Being on the same time zone at the UK is a big plus as there is no jet lag. Cape Town It’s one of the most picturesque cities in the world and I’m glad that we had our first view of the city from Table Mountain. The view of the coastline, with white sand beaches and many hues of blue sea, Robben island and the city itself were stunning. There is a huge amount of wildlife viewing experiences available – from African penguins at Boulders Beach, to whale (July – Nov) and dolphin spotting from the shore, and even diving with great white sharks. The trip up Table Mountain should be planned for as early as possible in the stay, as the weather does stop the cable cars when it is too cloudy or windy. We stayed at the Table Bay hotel, the largest hotel in Cape Town, and situated in the compact Waterfront area, connected to the V&A Waterfront mall. It is very easy to get about the centre of the city with plenty of restaurants, outdoor entertainment, shops and markets for the whole family to enjoy. The rooms in the hotel have either a view of the mountain or the ocean, and the breakfast buffet is very extensive, with sparkling wine, oysters, fresh fruit and hot options. There is a lovely recently renovated outdoor pool area. Dinner in the Cape Grace hotel, the oldest hotel in the city, was a real treat, served in the Signal restaurant with the knowledgeable sommelier on hand to pair each dish with a superb glass of wine – our first taste of South African wine! Each hotel guest can choose a bottle of wine from the hotel’s cellar upon check in, which is a lovely and very unique touch! Cape and Peninsula Tour We left the hotel at 8.30am for our full day tour of the Cape and Peninsula Tour, passing through the affluent Camps Bay and Clifton areas before travelling along the spectacular coastal route and then through the Cape Point Nature Reserve (photo stop at Cape of Good Hope compulsory) where we had our first view of baboons. Lunch at “Seaforth” in Simonstown was a great place to stop, and we could walk from there to the African penguin colony at Boulders Beach. It was amazing to see these funny creatures, which are an endangered species, enjoying running into the surf. They are threatened by commercial fishing practices and are preyed on by seals and sharks at sea, whilst their eggs and chicks are targeted by mongooses and seabirds on land. Final stop on the tour was the tranquil Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, a popular spot for picnics set against the Eastern slopes of Table Mountain, with a fabulous canopy walkway through the treetops. We rushed back to our hotel for the night, the Leading Hotels of the World “The Twelve Apostles” – overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, where the terrace of the Azure restaurant is a perfect viewpoint for sunset and the African tradition of “sundowners”. The hotel has a modern, bright feel, with each room individually decorated – anyone familiar with Red Carnation hotels will know that they are proud of their impeccable service and generous hospitality, as well as being very family friendly. I loved the concept of “tiny noticeable touches” where the staff will go out of their way to look after guests in as personal a way as possible. The hotel supports the Pack for a Purpose initiative, which encourages visitors to pack medical items, pens or toys for local communities. The Atlantic pool is heated to 24 degrees, and there is a lovely spa built into the hillside, which makes the spa experience very atmospheric! There is a complimentary shuttle service to the Waterfront area as well as Camps Bay, giving easy access to the attractions and restaurants in these areas. Cape Town has been facing a water crisis and the hotel’s all have various water saving initiatives – removing plugs from baths, encouraging guests to restrict showers to 2 minutes, reusable ice cubes, and providing robes (which use a lot of water to wash) only on request. Far from detracting from the guest experience, these are all good reminders to us all about the precious resource that water is.

03 September 2018

I stayed for a week on my own in the Idi Hotel, located just outside the lovely mountain town of Zaros, about one hour south of Heraklion. This is a family owned hotel with various members of a large extended family - everyone is very friendly and welcoming. I had a lovely ground floor bungalow with a terrace, just steps away from the gardens, filled with orange, olive and bougainvillea trees, which provide shade from the sun. The room was pretty basic, but had everything required - air con, tv, fridge and Wi-Fi. The other guests were mostly German or French - some families, some couples, some singles. The typical length of stay was between four nights and a week - if hiring a car then it would be easy to tour around. There is a lovely swimming pool to cool down in - hammocks under the shade of the trees, and plenty of sun beds. You do need to bring your own pool towels. In the surrounding farms I saw peacocks, donkeys, goats with tinkling bells round their necks, and heard roosters crowing mournfully, as well as crickets chirping in the fir trees. The mountains are renowned for large birds of prey and I certainly saw buzzards. There were pomegranates, figs, citrus fruit, and prickly pears growing alongside the olive groves and even in August it felt very “green”. The half board upgrade at the hotel is ridiculously cheap and provides you with whatever special the kitchen is serving that night. Trout fresh from the neighbouring fish farm is a speciality and was very good. I also had grilled peppers stuffed with cheese, fried cheese balls (little bits of heaven), moussaka, fried chicken with Greek salad, lamb kleftiko, pork souvlaki, tzatziki, grilled courgettes, and even snails! I would recommend hiring a car to see as much of the island as possible - it is a big island though, and the drive from the airport to the hotel is an hour. Going to one of the lovely authentic beach resorts on the South coast is a 40-minute drive. The scenery is dramatic as the island is bisected by various large mountain ranges. There is a famous gorge walk (Rouvas) which starts about 1km north of the hotel - this would be beautiful in the Spring time with lots of flowers and a cool stream running along the bottom of the gorge.

26 June 2018

The range of world-class scenic thrills and cultural attractions in the Caribbean is extraordinary! Here's my list of the absolute Top Ten! 1. Climb a volcano! Climbing to over 4,000ft, La Soufriere on the island of St Vincent offers a strenuous but satisfying climb. It's best to go with a guide, meaning your transfers are organised and they provide food and drink as well as the local knowledge on routes, wildlife and history. It is also possible to get down into the crater itself, where the wind drops and there is a silent beauty! 2 Go diving in the Cayman Islands! Slip under the waves and discover a second, gorgeous Caribbean. Vivid corals bloom in an enchanted garden teeming with silver fish and sunbeams highlight the beautiful colours from above. There are 365 dive sites including the wreck of the USS Kittiwake and Bloody Bay Wall where vertical drop offs plunge to 6,000ft. 3. Dance the night away in Cuba! Cuba is made for dancing - you can hear music wherever you go - from an open window, a passing 1950's car, or buskers strumming on the beach. Salsa, bolero, jazz, rumba, chachacha - the mood can be soulful or vibrant, but the people are very friendly and will happily let you join in! 4. Sail away in the British Virgin Islands With calm waters, reliable winds, sheltered bays and over 50 small islands, the BVI's are the perfect natural arena for a sailing holiday. From barefoot yachts to luxury crewed charters, there is an option for everyone. 5. Drink run in Barbados! There's at least 1,500 rum shops in Barbados - have a drink in one to tune into the Caribbean's easy-going vibe! Brightly painted, by day they act as a combined bar, convenience store and community centre. By night, jam with the locals and watch the others dance to soca and calypso music!

18 June 2018

Looking like a long-lost relative of the Caribbean, Mauritius is an island paradise in its own right. Located off the coast of east Africa, this tiny country has 330 kilometres of white, sandy beaches caressed by the blissfully warm waters of the Indian Ocean. Whether you’re looking for a fabulous honeymoon destination or a carefree, relaxing escape for you and your partner, head to Mauritius for an unforgettable romantic getaway. Beach hopping is a great way to enjoy this gorgeous island, and there’s plenty of choice. Grand Baie, Belle Mare and Tamarin are all home to fine stretches of sand, with beach clubs and plenty of space to sunbathe. There are also water sports and paragliding if you’re both feeling a little more adventurous or hop aboard a speedboat tour or cruise to the Ile aux Cerfs, a small island just off Mauritius’ east coast, with its own picture-postcard beaches, an 18-hole golf course and fantastic snorkelling spots. If you want to get a greater insight into everyday Mauritian life, head to Port Louis. This ex-colonial capital retains some of its French influence but feels like a melting pot, with splashes of India, Europe and Africa. Visit sights such as the Jummah Mosque and the Blue Penny Museum – dedicated to Mauritian culture and art – or sit on one of the waterfront terraces and sip cocktails as you watch the ships come in to dock. Perched on the powder-like sands of Le Morne Beach on the south-western side of the island, the luxury resort of St. Regis Mauritius is a perfect place for couples to unwind. This colonial-inspired five-star features a large swimming pool with sunbeds and cabanas aplenty, easy access to the beach, and the Iridium Spa with superb wellness packages and treatments including a jet-lag recovery massage and anti-ageing UV repair. You won’t go hungry at St. Regis either, with its five restaurants influenced variously by the gastronomy of Mauritius, South-east Asia and Japan. Private dining is also available in exclusive rooms and on the beach and jetty. The hotel’s airy suites come with simple but stylish décor and private terraces or balconies. Some are ocean-facing, and some are also set on the beachfront itself, with the UNESCO World Heritage Le Morne Mountain as a backdrop for the perfect selfie! St. Regis is perfectly placed for exploring Mauritius as a couple, close to some of the island’s top sights including Black River Gorges National Park with its rolling hills, dense forest and hiking trails, and natural phenomena the Seven Coloured Earths – an area of red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple and yellow sand dunes – at Chamarel.

17 June 2018

This new hotel, located in the resort of Playa Paraiso, promises an indulgent getaway, brimming with entertainment, luxurious rooms and suites, a host of bars and restaurants and everything you would expect from a Hard Rock Hotel. The hotel spans across its two towers: Oasis and Nirvana, creating a resort idyllic for couples and families alike. The hotel boasts a wide range of entertainment options, including evening entertainment and children's clubs, its very own branded spa and fitness centres; Rock Spa® and Body Rock®, as well as three swimming pools and novel in-room amenities, including Sound Of Your Stay™. I'd never stayed in a Hard Rock Hotel before, so I was not sure about what to expect. I did the usual reading Trip Advisor reviews before we left home (which I tell all my clients never to do!) and so I was really pleased when we turned up at reception to be greeted by the doorman who was a young Elvis lookalike with sleeves rolled up, braces and sideburns. He joked with the kids and I immediately felt that we were being welcomed - something that is not easy to do in a 5* resort - a fine balance of keeping that luxurious feel, but also being genuinely family friendly. A glass of something cold and sparkling was offered as we checked in - another tick in the box for me! Our suite was ready even although we had arrived on an early flight, and soon we were able to explore the room - it was huge! We had a Silver Suite, which had a living area with sofa bed, bathroom with whirlpool bath, Rock Spa® bath amenities, separate toilet, 43-inch satellite TV and a furnished outdoor terrace. It felt very "cool" with contemporary décor and the views were stunning. I still don't know which my favourite pool was - the gorgeous chilled out lagoon pool with swim up bar and cool bean bags to laze around on, or the more family orientated pool up by the main hotel restaurant, with the gorgeous day beds that provided a bit of shade when needed. Both pools were heated and had as many sunbeds as you could wish to choose from - no mad scrabble in the mornings here. Towels were plentiful too, and the bar staff were always on hand for drinks and snacks. The music is loud, but fairly chilled out and made for a fun atmosphere. There is an adults-only pool if you were travelling without kids. The hotel doesn't offer an all-inclusive package, which means that your extras bill can be pricey. However, it is a 5* hotel, and I would always be honest about telling people this. I recommend the Half Board, which gives you the choice of a fantastic buffet dinner in the main restaurant, which has to be one of the best I have even had, with fresh seafood and meat grilled to order, or you can take a €30 per person credit at the glamorous speciality restaurants or the Sports Bar. We especially loved going to the Sixteenth, a rooftop bar with amazing sunset views over La Gomera, before and after dinner, where there were Balinese beds and throws to settle down with a drink and enjoy the live DJ (of course). We took a day trip to Siam Park and did a bit of shopping, but we were happy to stay close to the hotel most of the time as it was so good. I can't wait to go back!

19 June 2018

If you are wondering where your family should travel this year for your summer break or for an Autumn half term escape, consider Sri Lanka, which is an ideal family destination. Why? Sri Lanka is tremendously family friendly. The island is incredibly diverse and comprises ancient ruins, colonial forts, beaches, wildlife reserves, tea estates and coconut plantations. Thanks to Sri Lanka’s relatively small size, many of these sights can easily be visited on a round tour and together they offer plenty to keep the youngest family members busy. Sri Lanka doesn’t have water parks, theme parks and interactive museums. Instead, kids can absorb themselves in a different culture and have fun whilst learning as they soak up their unfamiliar surroundings. Sri Lanka’s beaches are perfect for sandcastle-building; however, kids might return home having learnt how tea is made and where rubber comes from. They might kayak on a lake or see elephants, leopards, crocodiles and bears in their natural habitat. Kids might learn a little too about Britain’s colonial history as they wander the atmospheric streets of Galle Fort, about Sri Lanka’s ancient cities or absorb Sri Lankan culture as they experience the hustle of a street market or experience a vibrant local festival. Where to travel Along with our preferred partners in Sri Lanka, I have suggested a great family itinerary. After a long flight, the Wallawwa hotel is great for a first night's stay - an 18 bedroom beautifully renovated country house hotel set amongst tropical gardens and just 15 minutes from Colombo airport. Fully recovered from the journey, the next few days are spent in the historic Cultural Triangle. One of the region's newest boutique hotels is the Water Garden at Sigiriya - and a must visit is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sigiriya Rock, a former fortress from the seventh century. The hotel has lovely pools and water gardens as well as spacious villas. After a few nights here, travel south to Kandy, a university town and home to the Temple of the Tooth - Sri Lanka's most sacred shrine. Our recommended hotel here is around an hour south of Kandy, set in acres of landscaped gardens in a former tea planter's residence. There are plenty of options for entertainment here - tennis, croquet, swimming and exploring by bike or taking a hike with a dedicated nature guide. After a week in Sri Lanka, you will now travel to the Western Hill Country, and the brand new Nine Skies hotel - voted one of the best new properties in Sri Lanka in 2018 by CN Traveller magazine. It is best approached by train, with a 360-degree loop of track and spectacular views. There are tea factory visits, tea trails, waterfall swims and hill walks to take part in here. Yala National Park is the island's premier game reserve, home to a dense population of leopards, as well as elephants and sloth bears. Camping at the edge of the park is a magical once-in-a-lifetime experience that all the family will love, with family tents, wildlife art classes and animal identification games as well as the game drives to the spot the real thing. The summer months are ideal for spotting big game on safari as the onset of the dry season and die back of the bush in July and August makes them much easier to see. Complete your circular tour of the island by travelling west along the cove-sprinkled southern coastline to Galle, a 17th century Dutch fort and a town with a cosmopolitan vibe. After sculpting sandcastles in the beach, take a guided bike ride along the scenic inland lanes, or a boat trip on Koggala Lake. It's possible to see whales and dolphins (Nov to Apr) and even visit local turtle hatcheries. Our accommodation here is Why House - all rooms can fit extra beds for children and the staff are so accommodating - arranging cultural shows, snake charmers and even an elephant visit at the drop of a hat! Travelling in the quieter summer and autumn months represents excellent value for money as prices are lower and attractions much less busy. Hotels also promote special offers such as 3 nights for the price of 2 or children stay free. Get in touch now on 01578 788130 and we can start to plan your ideal family itinerary!

01 June 2018

In February my family and I flew out to Dubai to join the lovely MSC Splendida, and we experienced the "ship within a ship" exclusive Yacht Club onboard. The Yacht Club is an exclusive area on the 16th Deck - right at the bow of the ship. There are around 50 suites, all with 24-hour butler service, with access to a private concierge, lovey spacious Top Sail lounge with great views and an exclusive restaurant. Guests of the Yacht Club can enjoy the luxury of a private yacht whilst still having access to all the things a big ship can offer - so we could go to the main buffet restaurant at any time for pizza or a snack or have waiter service at breakfast in the exclusive Yacht Club Olivio restaurant with its lovely views of the sea. We could use the main pools, or we could head back to the One Pool Deck where there were plenty of free sunbeds around the private pool, waiters to serve your favourite cocktail or coffee, and at lunchtime there was an open-air buffet with freshly prepared pasta, fish and salads. Wherever we went, Yacht Club guests had priority - we even had our own elevator! It was easy to organise excursions by speaking to the concierge, and we were given priority access to tenders and coaches on land. As Yacht Club guests, our cruise was "all inclusive" of all drinks and food - although we would have had to pay a supplement to eat in the speciality restaurant, just like other guests. After leaving Dubai we sailed overnight to Abu Dhabi for the day, where we took advantage of the shopping malls in the morning before heading back to the luxury of the private pool deck. The following day we arrived at Sir Bani Yas Island, where we had pre-booked a jeep safari. The island has been transformed into a wildlife sanctuary by Sheik Zayed, who planted millions of trees and introduced Giraffe, Cheetah, Hyena, Oryx and Ostrich who roam freely in the 4,000-hectare wildlife park. We were lucky enough to see them all! We had a lovely lunch on the island, which is well set up for cruise guests with a fabulous beach area, waterpark in the sea and again, a separate beach for Yacht Club guests with waiter service. The next day we had a relaxing day at sea, before docking in Doha the following morning. Desert safaris and city tours were an optional excursion today, but we were too busy relaxing and soaking up the rays, so we just stayed onboard! Our food was excellent always - very Italian in style, reflecting the heritage of MSC as a company. Most of our fellow passengers were a mix of Europeans and a few Americans and British - it made a nice change. The itinerary ends with an overnight stop in Dubai, where we spent the morning at Wild Wadi waterpark and explored the city in the afternoon before returning to our ship for the final evening. An early afternoon flight home meant that we could have an unhurried breakfast in the Top Sail Lounge before disembarking at our leisure. We all thoroughly enjoyed this cruise - being pampered at each step but having access to so many activities and facilities in the main part of the ship.

26 November 2017

With the sunny October break in Tenerife now just a memory, I always think it's a great idea to have a weekend break in the UK to tide me over until Christmas and then the thought of warmer holidays next year! I love checking out the gorgeous properties from the specialist company "Crabtree and Crabtree" - based in the Scottish Borders, so not far from home for me, they state that they know every property and also every mile of the riverbanks, hillsides, beaches, towns and villages of the Scottish Borders and Northumberland. I know that the quality of the holiday cottage (or grand house when you have reason to celebrate with your extended family!) will be excellent, and every last detail will be taken care of. For this November break, I chose "The Smithy" at Turvelaws Farmhouse, within walking distance of the pretty market town of Wooler, close to the Northumberland National Park. We arrived on Friday afternoon with flurries of snow and the imposing Cheviot hill overlooking the town covered in white. A fantastic log fire was soon blazing away as City Boy re-discovered his boy scout skills and the steak pie we had brought with us was in the oven. The cottage had underfloor heating and as soon as I sat in the high backed chair by the fire (with a start-of-holiday glass of fizz) I was totally relaxed! On Saturday the dog was delighted to find that the owners had thoughtfully placed a right of way opposite the entrance to the farmhouse - Wooler is 400m in one direction, or there is a lovely walk along the river in the other direction. Great for early morning / last thing at night walks. During the day we drove about twenty five minutes south to the National Trust property of Cragside. In the winter months the gardens are open on Fri / Sat and Sun - we had a great few hours exploring the grounds and (nearly) getting lost in the Labyrinth. I was glad to get back to the café for a hot chocolate! On Sunday we walked to Wooler and enjoyed the hospitality of the Tankerville Arms Hotel after a walk on St Cuthbert's Way which passes through the town. The long distance walk from Melrose to Lindesfarne is one of the most beautiful, varied and enjoyable in the UK. And afterwards, we had the cosy warmth of the Smithy to return to which was just bliss. All in all, we returned to work having had a lovely break - just the thing to take us into the winter months proper...

25 July 2017

We drove from just south of Edinburgh to the bottom of England, Southampton. It took us 7 hours and we were all really tired. We boarded the ship the next day, it was absolutely massive, bigger than any cruise ship I’d seen before. We had a really good lunch in the buffet, then met up with one of mum’s colleagues; Lou and her son Rhys. We went to the kids club, which was really fun, and there were lots of activities, including PS4s, Wii Us and Girls vs. Boys Battles. A few days later in the kids club I made friends with a few girls. We all went in the swimming pool together. There are two family pools, an adults pool, and a teens pool. I only went in the family pools. One of them was really cold and the other one was heated. I only found out the pool I was in was the cold one after a couple days! Our room was really nice, and we had three beds, one which came down from the roof and two single beds. We also had a big TV, two chairs, a desk and a balcony with a table and chairs. We were on the starboard side of the ship. Unfortunately Lou and Rhys were staying at the front of the ship, whilst we were at the back. The food is really good, especially at dinner. I had steak, salmon, sea-bass, pollock and chicken tikka masala. All on different nights of course. We sat at a table with Lou, Rhys and Rhys’ grandparents, it was nice getting to talk to them at dinner. The breakfast was really yummy too! I liked having chocolate muffins, pain au chocolate and fruit for my breakfast, whereas my brother Stewart and mum liked having cooked breakfast. Usually before dinner we went for drinks in different bars; I liked having mocktails or lemonade and then I would either play cards/Uno with Rhys & Stewart or do some colouring. I enjoyed stopping and getting off the boat at La Rochelle and near Bilbao, they were both really fun to see and explore. Sadly we didn't stop in Guernsey as it was too rough to tender across from the ship. Sadly, the last two days were very rocky and mum felt a bit sea sick, but we made the most of it and went in the pool even when it was rainy and cold! I enjoyed being able to get snacks around the pool, you could get pizza, burgers, hot dogs, chicken, chips, ice cream and Costa fruit coolers!

18 June 2018

Seville is an amazing city. A destination where you can enjoy numerous attractions: its rich and varied gastronomy; its astonishing historical heritage – with three World Heritage sites: Cathedral and Giralda, Alcazar and Archive of the Indies - and one of the most visited monuments, Plaza de España. An open city famous for the hospitality of its inhabitants, where you will be warmly welcomed. A safe city with good weather throughout most of the year, and well-connected by plane, train, road and ship. An ideal destination for all sorts of activities, including shopping, learning Spanish, sports, and family activities. Seville is ideal for a short break - with beautiful orange blossom in the Spring, and the annual Holy Week at the end of March is one of Spain's largest festivals. Arriving late afternoon, head straight out to the lively tapas bar from your hotel - I recommend staying in the Old Town where everything is in walking distance. The following morning there is plenty of time to see the museums before lunch at the riverside. Take in the show at the Flamenco museum before dinner and prepare to be up late partying with the locals! I'd love to help you plan a short break - get in touch for more details!

20 June 2017

Do you ever just want to run away to an island on the West Coast of Scotland and escape from the "real" world? My family and I are lucky enough to have been able to do this frequently by visiting the fabulous Isle of Eriska Hotel - a member of the Relais & Chateaux collection of luxury hotels and gourmet restaurants. My kids love jumping out of the car before we get to the rickety wooden bridge which leads to the 300 acre island - they run ahead and then scream as the car rattles behind them! Then it's a short drive towards the welcoming red sandstone 19th Century Baronial "Big House". This is the hub of the island, with hotel reception, and the main bedrooms, as well as the Michelin star Restaurant for breakfast and dinner. The modern Deck restaurant is above the Spa - with fabulous views over to Lismore and the hills of Ardnamurchan, as well as the island's own 6 hole golf course. There's plenty of opportunity to indulge in the best food around - but also lots of activities to burn off the calories too, including an indoor sports hall which the friendly staff will set up for tennis or football. Traditional pursuits such as croquet on the lawn or pitch and putt are good fun, but the hotel can arrange a wide range of activities with local providers, such as kayaking, sailing, fishing, archery, etc. Once we've settled in (and enjoyed afternoon tea in the newly refurbished Piano Lounge or beside the roaring fire in the Hallway), I always want to walk down to the pier, at the opposite end of the island and look for seals or otters. The kids want to jump in the swimming pool, and before long it's time to get ready for dinner. In the winter time we have been lucky enough to see badgers coming right up to the door of the conservatory where they are fed every night. With long, light evenings in the summer, when it's not yet dark at 11.30pm, the sightings are less frequent but the staff say that the badgers do still come, although there is also a pine marten who likes the peanuts on offer! This year the hotel has invested in 6 new "Hilltop Reserves" and the sales manager showed us round one - they are the ultimate escape, as you have complete privacy, but can obviously still use the facilities of the hotel. Each one bedroomed self catering property comes with its own sunken hot tub on the deck, with the best views in the world. Meals are available in the hotel, or you can order hampers and ready cooked meals to enjoy in the state of the art kitchen. Eriska is a true favourite of my family, and it feels like home to us. I'd love to help you enjoy this peaceful escape, so if you want to build in a few nights to a longer Scottish itinerary, or if you just need a couple of nights escape from reality, please do get in touch!

13 June 2018

Why river cruise? River cruising is definitely the "next big thing" in the travel industry and it’s easy to see the advantages. Once you have joined your ship, you settle into your cabin, unpack once and then spend the next seven to 10 days exploring new areas, visiting a new city or region each day. As any primary school child will be able to tell you, the great rivers of the world were the original routes for trade, so certainly in Europe, the most important cities are all build on rivers, and you may pass through many countries on one itinerary. Arriving by ship, you reach the centre of the city and are then free to join an excursion or explore on your own. Add the fact that when you are sailing, you are passing by beautiful countryside, castles and vineyards and seeing life on the river! Why Uniworld? It can be hard to differentiate between all the different companies who are offering river cruises, even if you have decided which country or which river you want to travel on. One thing you don't have to decide on is the size of the ship. Unlike ocean cruising, there are no small, medium, large or giant ships! The average size ship takes only 150 guests and although traditionally appealing to an exclusively adult audience, there are many itineraries geared towards older children, as more and more "inter-generational" families including grandparents travel with their whole family. Uniworld offer an all-inclusive product, from airport transfers to gratuities on-board, all meals on board with unlimited beverages, hosted excursions and Wi-Fi access - you can literally relax without worrying about how much your bar bill will be! On-board, the whole feeling is very much like a boutique hotel, with luxurious fabrics, L'Occitane en Provence amenities, fluffy towels and robes and slippers in each room. The staff are exceptional, making you instantly welcome and at ease. They are good company too, ready to share with you their knowledge of the region or suggest a great wine to go with your dinner. There are always choices of excursions, and the guides we experienced were very good - turning a regular walking tour into a fun and informative experience. Our Christmas Markets itinerary started in Passau, a beautiful medieval town close to Munich, and we travelled through the Wachau Valley in Austria, a UNESCO heritage site, before stopping in Krems and then Vienna. Our experience ended there while the ship and the rest of the passengers continued along the Danube to Budapest. We visited authentic Christmas markets as well as a choice of lots of other excursions including private mutual recitals and "do as the locals do" options. In Summary Uniworld Boutique river cruises are a great luxury option – I was very impressed by the service, the food and the quality of the ship. However, each ship is different and I’d be delighted to help you choose your perfect itinerary and the perfect ship to suit you.

06 June 2018

I booked a Disney Cruise for myself and my children (9 and 11) in the October school holidays. Our itinerary was: – Depart New York – Two sea days – Castaway Cay (Disney’s private island in the Bahamas!) – A day in Florida at Walt Disney World – Two sea days – Return to New York After weeks of planning, discovering some unique Disney Cruise essentials such as what "Fish Extenders" were (and how to make them), ordering waterproof camera cases and costumes for the “Pirate Night Party” it was time to go! Facilities Obviously being a Disney Cruise, there are a huge number of amenities and services for children, with an entire deck for the two main kids clubs (3 – 12 years) but there is also a nursery, and both tweens and teens clubs. One of the best things was the free Disney app which meant that my children could keep in touch with me wherever they were, without having to log in to the paid Wi-Fi. This app also tells you about what is happening on board that day, from shows to character greetings, and menus in the different restaurants. Entertainment There was also a surprising amount of adult only areas, and a lot of people do travel on Disney Cruise Line without children – the service, attention to detail and the standard of the food was very very good. There were also fantastic Broadway style shows – we had “Tangled, the Musical” and “Disney Dreams” starring a whole medley of Disney characters. Dining One of the most memorable things was the themed restaurants we ate in every night. There are a couple of unique things that Disney Cruise Line do – rotational dining means that your waiting staff meet you on the first evening and then they also move round the restaurants with you, so you have the same servers each night of your cruise. Dining times are early or late, to suit your family group, but be warned that early dining allocations are usually booked up far in advance. Room service is always available and is included in the price. Soft drinks, coffee, tea and self-serve ice cream are also included, as are the pizzas on the Pool Deck – which are very good! Castaway Cay This is another unique feature, a private Caribbean island exclusively for Disney Cruise Line guests, where you can play in the waterparks, snorkel and cycle or take advantage of the Kids Club – supervised by staff from the ship. There’s an adult only beach and open-air BBQ restaurants. This is many people’s favourite day of the Itinerary. We loved the hammocks! In Summary My expectations of a Disney Cruise were high – I had read so much about it previously and people said that we would be hooked. They were not wrong. I really can’t wait to go on another one! I was blown away by the experiences we had on board the ship, and the kids had the best holiday ever; meeting new friends, playing on the waterslides, eating as much pizza as they liked and watching great films from the pool deck – not forgetting plenty of character meets with Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Pluto etc. I loved watching our cartoons come to life on the big screen (Animator’s Palate restaurant) and chilling out in our spacious cabin. It felt like much longer than seven nights – we did so many things, and I haven’t even mentioned the day at Walt Disney World! That’s going to be another blog post I think!

21 May 2016

I was lucky enough to go onboard the Silversea Explorer today - one of 4 "Expedition Class" ships in the Silversea Fleet. While I was impressed with the lovely Suites, Butler Service, all inclusive concept and fantastic food, the real purpose of these ultra-luxury small ships is to transport you away from the rest of the world, and take you where no one else goes... to the furthest, most remote and inaccessible regions of the planet. All Expedition ships are purpose built, with strengthened hulls and are capable of pushing through ice flows with ease. It really is all about the destinations, and I would love to help you find the exact journey to suit you. Whether you have always wanted to visit Antarctica - to sail into the caldera of the volcanic Deception Island, watch the magnificent sunsets over the icebergs or marvel at the whales, penguins, seals and albatrosses.... Or perhaps the Galapagos islands have always been on your bucket list - a living museum of natural history. A fully inclusive package includes flights to and from the mainland, pre and post hotel stays as well as all the park entrance fees on the islands. Closer to home for us Europeans, but one of the earth's most inspiring landscapes, the Arctic has abundant wildlife including 3,000 polar bears, walruses, reindeer, as well as numerous migratory birds and other marine mammals. And if you have seen glaciers on a "regular" Alaskan cruise, be prepared to be wowed again by the Ilulissat Icefjord which produces nearly 20 million tons of ice each day! I could go on and on, but suffice to say, I was immensely impressed by the variety and uniqueness of each Silversea Expedition - this isn't cruising as you know it - this is adventure, excitement, thrilling, awe-inspiring and humbling, all at the same time. Please get in touch if you have any question on the Silversea brand, whether it is an Expedition or Classic cruise - there are 800 destinations on all seven continents all waiting for you!

24 March 2016

I am writing this, sitting in the Tiree Lounge of this amazing little ship. I look around me at the stunning scenery - currently we are sailing through the Sound of Luing with the sea a beautiful aquamarine colour, the hills of Jura and Mull in silhouette against the sun. The guests have enjoyed a trip to Arduaine Gardens this morning, and are now relaxing before lunch. Egon is the waiter in the Tiree Lounge and is recommending different beers to Margaret and Graham, from Tenessee; pouring a pre-lunch G'n'T for Sheila, travelling on her own from Suffolk, and providing coffee and homemade biscuits for others. The unique atmosphere on board ensures you get to know your fellow guests very quickly, and the officers and crew make you feel instantly at ease. The majority of guests are repeat clients, having been on board 2 or 3 times previously, some even more. The advantage of having been on board means that I've experienced this atmosphere first hand, and it's not something that you can imagine from reading the website or looking at the brochure. I felt like I was part of the Hebridean Princess “family” and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend to anyone that they put this experience on their bucket list. But, down to the ship itself. Charted by the Queen, twice, since the decommissioning of the Royal Yacht Britannia, the service and food are exemplary. The public areas and cabins have been recently refurbished and look fantastic. Amenities in the cabins include full size bottles of Molton Brown toiletries. Cooked breakfast is made to order; 3 course lunches include manageable portions of perfectly cooked risotto, curry or fish (for example). There are usually 2 Gala Dinners on a 7 night cruise, each preceded by champagne reception with canapes such as caviar, lobster and oysters. The Haggis is piped in and addressed by Iain, the “hotel” manager who is in charge of all of the food, drink and cabins. Cheese is purchased from the local dairy at today’s stop and served at dinner. The all-inclusive aspect of the ship includes a member of staff meeting passengers in Glasgow airport or railway station and accompanying them to the ship on the coach transfer. All excursions, whether National Trust for Scotland Gardens, whisky distilleries or other attractions are included, and usually include a stop for a cup of tea and a cake. All wines, champagnes and spirits on board the ship are included. The bar staff encouraged us to try different whiskies and the local Islay gin, all premium products. Your choice is remembered immediately and Iain or one of his staff are always there to make sure your glass is topped up. To work off all of this fabulous food and drink, there is a small selection of fitness equipment on the Waterfront Deck, available for guests use. In addition, there are plenty of bikes available to take ashore and explore the many islands the ship stops at. In summary, if you are looking for a once in a lifetime experience, with the best Scottish hospitality, you need look no further! I would love to tell you more about the Hebridean Princess, so please do get in touch.

08 February 2016

We stayed for two nights at the Waldorf Astoria, the Palm in December. The location is a 30 minute drive from Dubai Downtown, 45 mins from Dubai airport or only an hour from Abu Dhabi airport. The hotel is located on the East Frond of the Palm, the man-made island reaching out into the Arabian Sea. There is a complimentary shuttle bus service to the waterpark at Atlantis, Mall of the Emirates (where you can pick up the clean and efficient metro service into downtown). In the evenings there is a water taxi to take you to the buzzing Marina area. We took a taxi into Dubai to see the fountains, which was approximately £20 each way. I loved being out on the Palm, this hotel especially has a laid back resort feel, with a lovely white sand beach and gorgeous pool area. There is no question over the luxury though, it's 5* all the way, with friendly staff ready to lay the towels out on your sunbed, hand you complimentary chilled water and every so often stop by with fruit kebabs. The kids loved the high tech touches, scanning QR codes on the table by your sunbed to order from the menu and having it delivered without having to catch anyone’s attention! We all loved watched Harry Potter on a big screen under the stars one evening, with popcorn and drinks delivered to our seats, although it has to be said that in December it does get chilly in the evenings. The breeze is appreciated during the day though, as the sun is still strong for us Northern Europeans! The rooms, as you would expect, are large, bright, and have gorgeous amenities, Salvatore Feragamo toiletries, fluffy slippers and robes, and a huge bathtub complete with wooden boat! Nespresso coffee machine, iPod docking station and a TV in the bathroom are the kind of luxuries that make you feel spoiled and exactly why you would choose this hotel over any other!

18 June 2018

As we didn't get abroad this summer, we took the chance on some half term sunshine in Turkey in the 3rd week in October. The weather here is definitely starting to turn autumnal, however it really is pot luck whether you get wall to wall sunshine (like they did in the first 2 weeks of Oct) or a couple of days of cloud and rain, which we did, although luckily with lovely hot sunshine in between. Anywhere in Europe at this time of year is the same, so I chose a hotel with plenty of facilities for us, even when it was cloudy or wet. We stayed at the Barut Lara, which is only a short transfer from the airport. I was amazed at the size of Antalya airport, thinking it would be a similar size to the ones I am more used to in the Greek islands. It is a large airport with 2 terminals and welcomes more than 28 million visitors a year to the region, the Turkish Riviera. The Antalya Expo 2016 will take place over the summer months and expects 8 million visitors. We were really impressed with the Barut Lara. Al-inclusive (but without having to wear annoying plastic wristbands), the hotel has different accommodations set in very expansive grounds, all meticulously maintained by an army of gardeners. The buffet restaurant was large enough to accommodate all the guests for breakfast and dinner. The food was always fresh, plentiful, and a great choice, with a couple of "special" evenings during our stay. We also ate at the Italian, Asian and International a la carte restaurants and enjoyed these too. Lunch was generally at the beach restaurant, with a glass of rose wine, fresh fish and chilled out music creating a lovely atmosphere. The Blue Flag beach is protected due to the nesting turtles, and the sea was lovely! The rooms were modern, spotlessly clean, with huge showers and minibar replenished daily. Ours had a side sea view and looked over the towering Taurus mountains in the distance. There is a "strip" of hotels along Lara Beach, but because the Barut Lara is the first one, it has the best views of the mountains. There are plenty of day trips available to the many archaeological sites nearby or just to have fun canyoning or snorkelling. There is a "water park" with slides, 3 large freshwater pools and a heated indoor pool. There are so many facilities, I was amazed at all you could do if you wanted to. Squash, tennis, jogging trails, yoga, Pilates, and a lovely spa. The other guests were mainly British or German with a good mix of ages. Overall, I was unsure of what to expect from a Turkish 5* resort, and my expectations were exceeded in just about every way. Great value for money, friendly, helpful and professional staff, with high quality facilities. I would definitely recommend it!

18 June 2018

The last thing you want to do when you are visiting some of the most dazzling cities, beautiful sights and jaw-dropping destinations is to have to rush back to your ship in case they sail away without you, and Azamara understand this perfectly. In July, the lucky guests of Azamara “Quest” disembarked in Edinburgh and many of them headed off to attend the 144th Open Golf Championship at St Andrews – just one of the many “Land Discoveries” that ensure that even through you are on a cruise. You are able to immerse yourself in as much of the local culture as possible. Indeed, over half of the port visits that Azamara Club Cruises make include a late stay or an overnight stop. Azamara only have 2 ships – the Quest and the Journey – but it’s not so much about what differences there are on-board but what you are able to do once you step ashore that makes them unique. Their “AzAmazing Evenings” are a fantastic example of this immersive experience – exclusive, bespoke and authentic, you could find yourself listening to a choir concert in St John’s cathedral, Taormina or visiting Hopetoun House outside Edinburgh for a private evening of Scottish music with a view of the Forth Bridges, as the guests on this particular voyage were going to do. The ships themselves are beautiful, elegant but 100% not stuffy or pretentious. As an all-inclusive experience, drinks, gratuities and evening such as those described above are all included in the price, with added benefits such as butler service, Wi-Fi and complimentary speciality dining included for Suite guests. The staterooms on board the two ships will be upgraded for next year and we had an exclusive preview of the gorgeous rooms – much more like boutique hotel bedrooms than anything I have ever seen on-board a ship before – definitely cruising reimagined!

11 March 2015

1. “The Palm Islands” are the largest man made islands in the world and often called the 8th wonder of the world. They take the shape of a date palm and can be seen from space, adding around 180 km of shoreline to Dubai. A six lane sub-sea tunnel has been built to connect the spine to the crescent – it is 1.4 km long, 40m wide and 25m below sea level. It’s also the most beautiful tunnel I have seen, fully tiled, pristinely clean and with murals of dolphins! 2. If you stay at Atlantis as I did, you get complimentary access to Aquaventure, the most fantastic water park in Dubai. With a 1.2km lazy river to the terrifying Tower of Neptune, this is a fantastic way to spend a couple of days. The onsite restaurants are fantastic, and as a hotel guest, there are often fantastic complimentary half board offers. Swim with dolphins, feed the sharks or just lie back and watch the kids having a ball… 3. Stay in an underwater suite and wake up to the sharks and stingrays in your room! The 65,000 marine animals are well looked after in the enormous Atlantis Aquarium and the amount of fresh food given to them daily ensures that they don’t start to eat each other… We had a drink at the bar of Ossiano Restaurant, surely one of the most unique dining experiences in Dubai – it was fascinating! 4. For a luxurious, relaxed retreat from the City, the One & Only The Palm ticks all the boxes. With a light, airy, Mediterranean feel, the hotel has exceptional levels of service in a city which aims to exceed expectations. No wonder the resort was named “No1 in the Middle East and Africa” by Conde Nast Traveller Reader’s Choice Awards. I loved the understated low rise buildings with their boutique feel, and with the sea on three sides, it has the feeling on being on your own private island. Of course, Dubai Marina is only a short hop in the hotel’s boat for when you want to explore the rest of Dubai. 5. The last hotel that we saw on the Palm (there are lots more to choose from, and more being built!) was the Jumeirah Zabeel Saray. The feature that struck me most about this lovely resort hotel was the fantastic Spa – it has won a multitude of awards, and with 42 treatment rooms, eight hydrotherapy rooms, steam rooms, saunas, snow rooms, floating baths and two thalassotherapy pools, you’ll discover almost limitless ways to treat yourself. The range of dining options here is impressive too – chill out at the beach front Plaj during the day; meet for cocktails at the ultra-chic Voda Bar before choosing from Indian, Lebanese, Turkish, fantastic steaks in the Rib Room or the lavish French Brasserie which is the hotel’s main dining room. There are plenty more reasons to base yourself on the “Palm” when visiting Dubai, I’d be happy to chat through all the options with you!

09 December 2014

“Hi Louise, thanks so much for buying a ticket for the Travel Lottery last week – I’m pleased to tell you that you’ve won!” That was the start of my conversation with Graham from the Travel Foundation, an independent charity which works with the travel industry to promote sustainable tourism. Needless to say, I was delighted – a bottle of wine, perhaps even champagne – would be a very welcome prize! I couldn’t quite believe it (and I still couldn’t, right up to getting on the plane!) when Graham told me that I had won an all-inclusive 7 night stay in one of the top hotels in the Caribbean. We were going to be staying in the exclusive Paradise Ridge Suites, with Butler Service, at the Ladera Resort on St Lucia. Saint Lucia is part of the Windward Island Chain, a sub-group of islands within the West Indies, served by direct British Airways (daily) and Virgin Atlantic (5 per week) flights from London. The island is 27 miles long and 14 miles wide with a combination of high mountains, lush rainforests, beautiful bays and palm fringed beaches. The two majestic volcanic cones on the Southwest coast, Gros Piton and Petit Piton, make this island truly unique. We travelled with British Airways and chose to use the No1 Traveller Lounge at Gatwick which was a great start to the holiday – they offer complimentary food and drink, magazines you can take on the plane as well as a Spa area. I would highly recommend adding a lounge pass and it’s something that I regularly do for my clients. Our driver on arrival in St Lucia was Nigel and he was waiting for us with a cold Piton (the local beer) which was very welcome. I love the feeling of heat that greets you when you step off the plane, especially coming from chilly Edinburgh. Nigel’s greeting “Welcome Home!” was to be repeated throughout our stay, and is typical of the hospitable nature of the St Lucians, for whom tourism is now the main source of employment and income. Approximately 45 minutes from the airport, the eco-luxury resort of Ladera sits high up on a ridge right in the centre of the Pitons, which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site – this stunning location allows for breath taking uninterrupted views of the Pitons, lush tropical foliage and the Caribbean Sea shimmering 1,100 feet below. Each of the 37 suites has only three walls, with the fourth “missing” wall providing the most magical view I have ever seen. This open plan design allows for a cooling breeze and an open invitation to nature, but it was the view on opening my eyes in the morning that I will remember – watching the mist rolling over the mountains one morning and the sun’s first rays illuminating the lush rainforest another day. It was a magical experience. We loved watching the geckos running about and falling asleep to the sounds of tree frogs chirping in the darkness. The luxurious Paradise Ridge Suites, equipped with extravagant heated pools and offering the ultimate in privacy, along with dedicated butler service, have been dubbed the sexiest suites in the Caribbean by Forbes Magazine. The canopied, four poster beds, along with other furniture and the handmade tiles, are hand crafted on site from local woods by the team of artisan craftsmen. It is these unique, quintessentially St Lucian, interiors, along with the use of fresh local produce and the warm and genuinely friendly staff, most of whom have worked at Ladera for many, many years, which make it such an authentic experience. On arrival at the Resort we were greeted by a refreshing cool drink, before Keicher, our lovely butler for the week, showed us round our Suite. The sun was just setting and Keicher encouraged me to kick off my shoes and feel the temperature of the private pool. A bottle of champagne on ice was also waiting for us, as well as a fridge full of Piton Beer and soft drinks, replenished daily. Ladera have a huge range of excursions available, and we spent the next day out on an afternoon cruise – snorkelling followed by a sunset cruise with the dramatic Pitons (along with rain showers and rainbows) on one side and the beautiful sunset on the other. We had a great view of the villas at Sugar Beach from the sea, as well as a glimpse of Ladera, high up on the hillside. Another excursion which was excellent was accompanying Nigel, the resort’s executive chef, to the local market on Saturday morning. We were up early but the sun was hot hot hot – we cooled off with fresh coconut water (Nigel has impressive machete skills!) before purchasing some fantastic ingredients. The island produces a huge variety of crops, from salad leaves to mangoes, and avocados to bananas, which the hotel kitchen try to use, rather than importing produce. On our return to the hotel Nigel gave us a fascinating demonstration of how to prepare jerk chicken and Cajun salmon that we can try at home. We were very lucky to have a show round of the beautiful Sugar Beach, a Viceroy Resort, which is located directly below Ladera on Jalousie Beach. It is a stunning property, and I will write a separate blog on it. There is fantastic snorkelling from here, and Ladera provides a shuttle bus 3 times a day to take guests down to the beach and return just before sunset. I had thought we would do this every day, but to be honest we were happy with either the private pool in our Suite or the refreshing infinity pool by the bar, where there was a lovely breeze (and waiter service for cocktails – very important!). Ladera Resort is an exceptional place – the magical views, coupled with the highest levels of luxury and service, make for an unforgettable experience, and one that I will be recommending to all of my clients, whether for honeymoon, renewal of vows or just as a romantic escape. If you would like to find out more about the Travel Foundation, and how to make your own holidays greener, you can visit their website at www.makeholidaysgreener.org.uk. The Travel Lottery gives you the chance to win up to £5,000 every month AND help protect the future of your favourite holiday destinations. Find out more here www.thetravellottery.co.uk.

28 July 2014

As the daughter of an enthusiastic classicist, I grew up with vivid mental pictures of the exotic myths and legends surrounding Crete but none of them quite prepared me for the island I found. Crystal clear seas and skies, amazing aromatic fragrances and a welcome that was as warm as the climate. I felt a little guilty that I had only allowed one week and wish my schedule could have stretched to the three weeks that this - the largest island of the Greek archipelago – deserves. In fact it should probably be viewed as a distinct tourist destination from the rest of the Greek islands. Its southerly location gives it one of the longest holiday seasons in the Mediterranean and direct flights from the UK stretch from March right to the end of October. Spring is the most colourful time to visit Crete with the sun melting the snows on the island’s dramatic White Mountain range and giving rise to a profusion of wildflowers and herbs and the wonderful scents that linger around the island throughout the warm summer months. It’s also a great time to plan walking trips, before the sun is too strong. There are almost endless options from the spectacular Samaria Gorge to donkey trails that meander through ancient olive groves and villages where time seems to have stood still. A 650 km coastline offers a similarly endless choice of beaches from wild surf beaches to calm inlets with barely a ripple. And with an average of 300 days of sunshine every year, you’re unlikely to be disappointed. Especially as Crete goes to great lengths to ensure it meets Blue Flag standards with environmental and education initiatives to tackle litter and water quality combined with safety measures to ensure a great beach experience for swimmers! It’s not entirely surprising that this island gem has been fought over for millennia. Its vivid recorded history started with the legendary Minoan civilisation which was wiped out around 1400BC. Their elaborate culture has intrigued and inspired people ever since – the vast palace at Knossos was Europe's first to have paved roads and running water. And the Greeks elaborated it further with myths of Poseidon and King Minos whose feuding led to the birth of the terrifying Minotaur and the creation of its labyrinth home beneath the palace. Since then, the island has passed through the hands of Romans, Venetians, and Turks and only officially became a part of Greece prior to the First World War. Crete saw brutal fighting during WWII and many of the mountain villages have been deserted ever since. Things have calmed down in Crete in the intervening years and it is now the perfect place to come and unwind. And, when I brought my kids here - to one of my favourite countries, for the very first time - that is exactly what we did. Arriving here from Scotland in July, with the sun at its highest, I was nervous as to how they would react to such a radical change of climate. I needn't have worried. They took gladly to the water which was a perfect temperature with a cooling breeze coming off it to take the edge off the sun. Adopting the Greek pace of life, with early morning swims and slow lazy days with long shaded lunches, is the ultimate coping strategy, not just to deal with the heat, but also to leave north European cares behind. We chose the lovely resort of Aldemar Knossos Royal which is an easy transfer from the airport and located right on the beach. The hotel had a lively family atmosphere, with plenty of activities on offer for the children to take part in if they wanted to. There are a choice of standard, VIP sharing pool, or family rooms at the Royal Knossos. There are also some lovely Royal Villas which either have a private pool or share a pool between two or three other villas. Our family room was really spacious with a separate lounge area with two sofa beds. It was fantastic having an all-inclusive deal for the kids to pick up drinks whenever they wanted to keep hydrated. The food here gets excellent reviews, and we weren't disappointed with plenty of choice of traditional dishes, a wonderful range of salads, freshly prepared fish and the menu refreshed every day. Whilst I was there I indulged in a visit to the Aldemar Royal Mare Hotel and Thalasso Spa Resort which is just next door but has a very different atmosphere. A luxury resort, suited to couples, or those with very small children. The emphasis is on relaxation and pampering, as well as good food and luxurious surroundings. I was treated to an aromatic hydro-jet bath in the world-leading Thalsso Spa followed by a hydrating body scrub and massage which literally left me feeling like I was floating on air with the softest skin ever. I can honestly say it is the best Spa treatment I have ever had and I highly recommend it for a special occasion – such as a birthday celebration or pre-wedding treat. A long weekend spent being pampered at this hotel would be the ultimate self-indulgent experience! The choice of rooms here varies from standard doubles to VIP rooms which share exclusive private pools. There are over 25 pools in total spread over the resort as well as 11 clay tennis courts, although July is, perhaps, not the ideal month to try the courts out! If you are concerned about what staying in such a lavish resort will do for your green credentials, you can rest assured that Aldemar have done their homework. The group has three large resorts in Crete and owns one of Europe’s largest solar farms nearby which provides 85 per cent of the hotels’ hot water. A wastewater treatment system provides the water for the gardens and the organic farm which produces fruit and vegetables and grapes to make its wine. The air-conditioning is water-cooled, and all waste is recycled. The sea is incredibly clear here and it is obvious that they take great pride in protecting this fragile asset. I would love to have a chat to you about Crete and choosing the right resort for your holiday!

29 May 2014

On a breezy Sunday I joined a group of other travel agents to get a sneak peek at the lovely Cunard "Queen Victoria" on her British Isles cruise. Hopping on board the tender from Newhaven Harbour, it didn't take long to reach the ship, which was anchored in the Firth of Forth, giving her passengers a fabulous view of Edinburgh as well as the Forth Rail Bridge. I was immediately impressed by the number of smiling staff - on Queen Victoria there are 1,990 guests when fully booked, and nearly 1,000 crew. Cunard take a huge amount of pride in their legendary "White Star" service which means that all the staff are very highly trained and will ensure that guests feel pampered at all times. We were shown some of the lovely public areas on board - on all three Cunard ships, restaurants are paired with the accommodation chosen - inside, ocean view and balcony stateroom guests eat in the Britannia Restaurant while choosing a Princess Grill and Queens Grill Suite entitles you to the respective single seating restaurant. There is also an alternative fine dining restaurant or a buffet which is open all day or evening. I was really impressed by the size of the Spa on board - there are plenty of treatment rooms as well as a gorgeous relaxation area with heated beds looking out to sea. The outdoor pools and whirlpools were not in use due to the chilly Scottish weather, but they looked very inviting! There are some completely unique Cunard touches - where else could you learn to fence, shop in Harrods or sit in your own private box in the theatre? I loved it!

28 May 2014

I was lucky enough to be invited onto the Royal Caribbean "Adventure of the Seas" for a 4 night cruise, leaving Southampton in early May. Having never cruised before, this was a great opportunity for me to get a taster of life on the ocean waves, and to pick up some top tips for my customers! First of all, I would say that preparation is key, and Royal Caribbean have a fantastic facility called "Pre-Cruise Planner" where you can save time (and sometimes money!) by booking your spa reservations, on-board activities, shore excursions, drinks packages and dining choices in advance. It is definitely worth it for the smug feeling you will get as you board the ship knowing you have everything in place already - and your holiday can start straight away! If you have never been on a cruise before, it can be hard to work out which category of cabin (or stateroom) you should choose. On this particular cruise, I was in an inside cabin, which was perfectly adequate for 4 nights, but obviously the big drawback is that you can’t see what’s going on outside! However, Royal Caribbean being a hugely innovative company have equipped their Quantum Class ships (“Quantum of the Seas” & “Anthem of the Seas”, which sails from Southampton in 2015) with fantastic “virtual balconies” so you can have a real time view of what’s going on outside! For more than a couple of nights, I would really recommend the balcony cabins, which truly make you feel like you are on a cruise! With more and more balcony cabins available on each new ship, what was once seen as only for the very wealthy, is now very accessible. Having room service breakfast served on your balcony while arriving into a new port is a very special experience and chilling out on your balcony on a “sea day” is a great way to relax. Cruising is a fantastic option for families – there are more inter-connecting staterooms than ever before on Royal Caribbean, meaning plenty of space for mum and dad as well as the kids. Getting the whole family learning to surf on the “Flowrider”; ice-skating (yes, really!); racing up the rock-climbing wall or enjoying the dodgems creates such fantastic memories – and the best bit is that all of these activities are included in the price of the cruise. Add up how much you would spend doing these activities just a couple of times on a land-based holiday and you begin to realise what great value a family cruise is! There are fantastic “Adventure Ocean” club facilities for children of all ages, which are incredibly well managed, with children from 6 months to 17 years all having their own dedicated staff and areas. The “Optix” teen-only zone is perfect for those difficult to please teenagers, and they will be making friends in a safe environment in no time. Top tip – children can stay on board the ship in a supervised club while parents take advantage of a shore excursion. Babysitting in your stateroom is also available at an extra cost. As for the entertainment, I was blown away by the “Ice Show”. With ex-Olympic skaters in the cast, the show was brilliant. The two evening shows we saw were also great, and perhaps the best bit is that you can get waiter service at your seat! There really is something for everyone and with each cruise line competing to bring you the very latest in dazzling entertainment, the options include West-End style theatre productions, stand-up comedians, live bands, outdoor movie screens and more. With some of the ships featuring “Aqua-theatres” with spectacular high-diving acrobatics in an open-air theatre, these are all experiences you will never forget! There is a huge choice of ships available now, and it’s important to make sure you choose a ship and an itinerary that suits you – I would be delighted to guide you in the right direction!

06 April 2014

We travelled to Marrakech, known as the Red City for its famed pink-hued buildings, in late March for an early Easter family holiday. Our destination was the Club Med resort of la Palmeraie, situated a short drive from both the airport and the town centre. Having never been to a Club Med before, I was taken by the size (240 hectares, if this means anything to you) but I was assured that some resorts are much larger. Our first impressions were good as we were met in the lobby by a lovely GO (it's a Club Med thing) who poured us mint tea and offered us dates, apricots and hot towels, before our luggage was taken to our room. The rooms were lovely and spacious, with a good shower and terrace out to the garden, and inter-connected to our friends next door. There are two restaurants on the resort, the main buffet restaurant which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and also the El Kebir restaurant which is a la carte (no additional charge). The quality and choice of food was great being a French company, I had been told that the food and wine were good, and we were not let down by either. Lovely cafe au lait, fresh orange juice, croissants and fresh fruit for breakfast (or pancakes with chocolate sauce seven days in a row if you are eight years old) was a great start to the day. The evenings were themed with an optional dress code and we sampled langoustines, steak and pasta as well as delicious Moroccan specialities. So far so good, but what really makes Club Med stand out from any other holiday is the range of activities which are all included in the package. The children’s club (separate groups for ages 2 – 17) was good, although the first few days there were no other children the same age or who spoke English. They still took part in tennis lessons, trapeze, archery, football tournaments, table tennis and two shows, but they enjoyed it a lot more when a few older British kids arrived. As for the adults, there was a nonstop programme of golf, tennis, mountain biking, fitness classes and a lovely spa (which was at additional cost). The GO’s who arrange all of the activities are always smiling, always happy to help and make great friends with the kids. There is a 5 “Trident” (Club Med for 5 star) luxury space within the resort called Le Riad and I was shown round by the Sales Manager, who obviously knew a lot of the repeat guests. There are 60 spacious suites with private garden or terrace, which are more luxurious, but the best thing was the heated pool! The main pool is not heated and was bearable but pretty icy. There is an adults only quiet pool which is heated, but this wasn’t much good for our kids who would have loved to have splashed in and out of the pool all day, if only it was warmer! Club Med have a complimentary shuttle bus to take you in and out of the centre of Marrakech, but they also offer a range of excursions where you can explore further afield, into the Atlas Mountains or to the coast at Essouria. You can even spend a day with the Berber people and experience their way of life. We were all excited to see camels, and loved the exotic Medina with its snake charmers, monkeys and traditional craftsman hand making anything from shoes and belts to bird cages. We hired a guide to help us explore the tiny alleyways and hidden passageways and he was a mine of knowledge about the gardens, palaces and souks of the city. It was definitely worth having someone to show us around and explain things to us. All in all, it was a great value holiday with easy flights from the UK and no time difference. The amount of activities included, as well as the fantastic food and drinks make the Club Med hard to beat, but you need to get out and experience the real Marrakech too.

06 April 2014

After our weeks stay in Marrakech, I couldn't resist spending one final night at the brand new 5* Deluxe Royal Palm property. It is the second Royal Palm, flagship of the Beachcomber Hotel group, the original being in Mauritius. This is their first venture out of the Indian Ocean, and I was really looking forward to it. To get to the hotel, you drive south out of Marrakech itself, with a simply stunning view of the plains and then the Atlas Mountains in front of you. At the end of March, they were still covered in snow and you can even ski there. 20 minutes later and we had arrived. The care and attention on our arrival was to continue throughout the stay, with a member of staff appearing before you even realised you needed them. At the moment there are two restaurants open but when the hotel is completed in September 2014, there will be two more. We ate lunch in l'Olivier which is the pool restaurant, and again, the staff could not be more helpful. While there wasn’t a specific children's menu, the chef suggested sea bass fillets and fries, which were absolutely delicious and wolfed down by hungry children before they ran off to the pool. The Executive Chef, Philippe Jourdin, has run many two Michelin star restaurants, so there is a high standard (and the prices reflect this!) The wonderful pool which runs along the front of the hotel is heated all year round and has a shallow children's section at the far end. The children loved the kids club, where they were treated like little prince and princesses, with their own (heated) splash pool, mini tennis courts and a huge range of inside activities from dressing up, arts and crafts to a fantastic tree house, and lots of lovely wooden toys and games. Our lovely guest relations manager Cherihane, arranged for their dinner to be served there so that we could eat in the main restaurant, Le Caravane, at night. There can't be much nicer ways to start an evening than a cocktail, watching the sun set over the Atlas Mountains. Dinner was, as you would expect, excellent, and the sommelier was more than happy to recommend a wine to match the salmon and lamb dishes we ordered. The rooms (all suites) are definitely the most luxurious that I have stayed in and I have been lucky enough to stay in some lovely hotels! Thick fluffy towels were large enough to wrap two children in, the 20 million thread count sheets were as soft as you like and the duvets were made of the finest thing that duvets can be made of. OK, so I liked the rooms. I was shown some other rooms the following day, including one of the four penthouse suites which tops each accommodation building. Stunning views of the mountains from the 18 hole golf course (apparently one of the best in Marrakech, according to some other guests we met), two separate bedrooms, a plunge pool, fireplace and Butler service, this really is the ultimate in luxury. I would not hesitate to recommend the Royal Palm Marrakech to anyone who is arranging a special birthday or celebration, for groups of friends or golfers, for a luxury family break or just for the sheer hell of it. You will not regret it and it will be an unforgettable experience! I have used some of the hotels own images, as mine would never do it justice!

20 August 2013

I have recently come back from a weeks’ holiday at the Dounas Douradas Beach Club in the Algarve with a friend, and our 4 children, aged from 5 to 8 years old. The flights from Edinburgh to Faro were great, breakfast time flights which get you to the resort in time for lunch, with no time difference. I had pre-booked a private transfer for us all, and on arrival at the hotel, check-in was very smooth. The entire Beach Club was spotlessly clean, with very friendly staff, impressive public areas and 3 beautiful pools – overall a very impressive 5 star complex. We had a 3 bedroomed apartment which was overlooking the pool area and the “Clubhouse”. The apartments are all very modern, again, spotlessly clean and very well equipped with everything you would need for a self-catering holiday, but with the option to use the bars and restaurants, as well as the kids club and spa. We travelled at Easter, so the weather was a bit unpredictable with the first couple of days cloudy. However, the indoor pool was lovely and warm and the kids loved it. From June onwards there is a beach bar and sunbeds on the beach, which is a couple of minutes stroll over the boardwalk. When the sun did come out after a couple of days it was a perfect 28 degrees, and we really enjoyed the outdoor pools, however they are not heated, so at the beginning of the season it was an invigorating dip to cool off! If I was going to this area again I would hire a car, at least for a few days, to make trips to the supermarket easier. Although you could eat in the restaurants for your entire stay, it was handy to have some things in the apartment too but there was no supermarket within walking distance. We did eat out, and would highly recommend Maria’s Restaurant on the beach, which is a very popular spot, so booking is definitely required. Excellent food and drink, a very friendly host, topped off by live music made a very pleasant Sunday afternoon! There are plenty of world-class golf courses within a short drive, including Pinheiros, San Lorenzo and Quinto do Lago. The Vale do Lobo Tennis Academy is also a 5 minute drive away, so there are plenty of options for the energetic. There is a choice of water parks in the area, however we were a bit early in the season as they don’t open until June. We took a taxi into Villamoura one evening and enjoyed a lovely dinner of seafood overlooking the luxury yachts in the harbour. I would really say that the Algarve, and this luxury resort in particular, offers something for everyone, with great service, lovely weather and an easy journey from the UK! If you would like to find out more, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.