13 January 2025

The Perfect Winter Weekend in Reykjavik If you’re dreaming of a winter getaway filled with breathtaking landscapes, cozy dining, and unforgettable experiences, Reykjavik is the perfect destination. Here’s how to spend a long weekend in Iceland’s charming capital. Thursday: Arrival and Relaxation Kick off your Icelandic adventure with an early flight and head straight to the iconic Blue Lagoon. W

16 November 2024

Recommending where my clients go and which camps they stay on a safari makes a huge difference to the enjoyment of what can be a very expensive holiday – which is why I jumped at the opportunity to invest in my knowledge of Kenya and take a 6 night trip in November. I was excited to learn more about Cottar’s 1920s Camp as I knew they were a member of the Long Run and therefore one of the world’s

19 October 2024

It’s 3 weeks since I returned from India and I still can’t get over how much we packed into our short 6 night trip. So many people have tried to describe India, and what the experience of travelling there is like, but you can’t really appreciate the words until you have seen it with your own eyes. It was such a fabulous experience, to be honest I wasn’t sure what to expect – would it be too bu

31 July 2024

In July 2024 I took my 2 teenagers to South Africa - on safari! When I first heard about Last Word Hotels “Kitara” 5* luxury lodge, located far in the north of the Klaserie Private Game Reserve, with its unfenced border to Kruger National Park, I knew I wanted to go there. There are only 6 suites at Kitara - so you feel as though you have the entire bush – 60,000 hectares - to yourselves. W

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 (

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 Khaima

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 Dub

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

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 manag

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 th

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 su

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 hav

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 recen

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

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. B

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, whi

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 kn

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 re

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 f

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 And

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.

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.

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 option

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 or

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"

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 excl

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 eve

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

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 bri

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 remo

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

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

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 se

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 welc

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

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

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 calle

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

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

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