07 September 2015

I've been to Johannesburg five times in the last few years and cannot recommend the place highly enough. Very often the reality of a destination is different from the perception, and this is certainly true in this vibrant, interesting and welcoming city. From whatever perspective you'd like to view it from; cultural, historical, music & theatre, shop till you drop, party till you drop, football, cricket, rugby - spend time in the City of Gold for all this and more, and just for the sense of being alive. South Africa rivals any other destination for its choice of things to do and experience, and I believe Jo'burg and neighbouring Soweto are essential stops on a visit to the country. It reminds me of being in Dubai in the 1990's - somewhere different yet familiar - and a bit off the beaten track in tourism terms. The Melrose Arch and Sandton areas offer a wide choice of upscale hotels, great dining (at very good prices given the exchange rate) and shopping in secure surroundings. For a more authentic feel for the city Braamfontein is a good choice; formerly home to the cities Central Business District it has undergone a transformation in recent years and has some great bars and restaurants. The area is home to Wits University and many other colleges and I can say from experience, is fine to walk around. One of the photos at the top of this journal was taken from the rooftop terrace at the Parktonian Hotel in Braamfontein and looks over to the Nelson Mandela & Queen Elizabeth bridges in the foreground and out to glorious Soweto. On the hills you'll see cleared pale coloured sections amongst the trees, this is the run off from the gold mines built up over decades. There's said to be two years' worth of current gold production in these hills. Soweto itself is a must-see, famous as one of the key areas in the struggle against apartheid, a visit here reveals a place of contrasts and surprises. Head to Vilagazi Street, the only street in the world that boasts two Nobel Peace prize-winners: Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. And the Hector Pieterson Musuem is a moving tribute to those who lost their lives during that time. There's loads of places to eat and drink and fantastic arts and crafts available from the street vendors. It's also popular for cycle tours and you can bungee jump off the cooling towers at the old power station should the mood take you. As I write this update in September '15 the exchange rate is hovering around 20 Rand to the Pound which makes any visit to South Africa even more good value for money. I recommend it to anyone because of the breadth of the country's offering for tourists. It also makes for a great long weekend - with one or two hour's time difference and overnight flights compensating for a longer flight time than places such as New York or Dubai - and much less spending money required! In March this year I spent about £300.00 on three nights hotel accommodation, breakfast, a couple of lunches and dinners in the hotel, a 20 minute phone call to England and my bar bill which included about a dozen g&t's and a couple of glasses of wine. Three of four nights stay gives plenty of time to take in the highlights, and within three hours' drive you can see some of the iconic wildlife up at Pilansburg National Park or Madikwe Game Reserve - with no malaria tablets required. If you like the sound of Johannesburg or South Africa in general please get in touch and I can put together a tailored proposal to suit your interests and budget. Finally a word on wildlife poaching. Whilst out of the headlines recently this continues at emergency levels with black rhinos in particular danger; and the species facing extinction within the next ten to fifteen years - depending on who you talk to. A couple of years ago I was privileged to spend some time with a chap called Damian Mandar, a former Australian Defence Force operative who has put his skills and capital into helping rangers protect the wildlife that roams the border of Kruger National Park and Mozambique. And last year I joined with Pete Rogers a renowned South African vet on a rhino tagging expedition, where critical information is garnered in the fight to protect these magnificent creatures. What an amazing experience! Tourism plays a crucial role in conservation and the development of a country, and generally is a force for good all over the world. Let's hope that poaching can be eliminated as much as possible in the future, and in the meantime consider how our holiday choices can have a positive impact for the people in the destinations we visit.

24 July 2015

I'm proud to count Leeds Rhinos amongst my clients. Next January the team will be in Jacksonville, Florida for their winter training camp and you could join them on this specially created trip. Departing on Tuesday 12th January for seven nights & returning on Tuesday 19th January. You will spend 3 nights in Orlando at Sheraton Vistana or the Sheraton Lake Buena Vista, followed by 4 nights at the Sheraton Jacksonville. Sheraton Vistana & Sheraton JAX From £1205 pp twin & £1695 pp single Sheraton Lake Buena Vista & Sheraton JAX From £1165 pp twin & £1660 pp single The price includes return flights from Manchester to Orlando, seven nights' accommodation, intermediate-size rental car including: GPS unit, additional named driver & tank of fuel, a dinner-cruise with the team on St John's River plus tickets to Rhinos v USA Pioneers & post-match event with the team. Or have your own trip built around the long weekend in Jacksonville: £350.00 pp for four nights at the Sheraton, dinner-cruise with the team & Rhinos v USA Pioneers game & post-game BBQ. Flights and rental car extra. Early booking is recommended as there is a limited number of seats on the 7-night Orlando & Jacksonville package. Tailor-made trips based around the long weekend in Jacksonville can be combined with other U.S. destinations. The Rhinos will once again be based at the University of North Florida for the week long training camp which will run from 13th January until 20thJanuary and they will play a US representative side on Sunday 17th January. It will be the fifth time the Rhinos have travelled to Jacksonville for pre-season training dating back to 2001. The trip will have extra significance this time however with Brian McDermott now the Head Coach of the USA national team as well as Leeds and McDermott will be able to make further plans for the Rhinos visit when he joins up with the USA squad at the end of the Super League domestic season. Commenting on the trip, Rhinos Chief Executive Gary Hetherington said, "We are delighted to confirm our training camp for 2016. We have always received a very warm welcome in Jacksonville and have many friends in the city who we are looking forward to meeting up with again. The University of North Florida is an excellent facility and there will be a familiarity with the campus for our players so we can get maximum benefit from our time away whilst we are there. I know our players were very impressed with the passion and commitment to the sport of Rugby League in Jacksonville and the city has very much become our home away from home," added Hetherington. Spinner Howland, who is board member of USARL and founder of the Jacksonville Axemen, has once again worked hard to bring the Rhinos to the city. He commented, "Having Leeds Rhinos return to City of Jacksonville for training camp and a game is very exciting. "Earlier this year, the Rhinos made a tremendous commitment to the sport of Rugby League in the USA when they invited two players from our USA Pioneers squad to train with them during their camp. Those bonds have been strengthened since with the appointment of Brian McDermott to lead the USA squad and I am sure that 2016 will be the best camp yet as we build on the work that has been done previously," added Howland. If you are interested please give me a call!

18 November 2013

In mid-October 2013 I went on a fantastic cruise on Azamara Club Cruises with a group of friends. I thoroughly enjoyed this and would highly recommend Azamara to anyone looking for a high quality cruising experience, without any of the stuffiness that's sometimes associated with the more old-fashioned cruise lines. Azamara Quest is a small ship accommodating just under 700 guests, and with 400 crew, the on-board service is excellent. It’s friendly rather than formal, while retaining the elegance you would expect of an upscale cruise line. We sailed from Nice to Rome taking in Monaco, Saint-Tropez, Propriano in southern Corsica and Amalfi and Sorrento on Italy's Neapolitan Riviera. Because of the ship's size she can berth in places where the giant liners cannot. She also stays the night in many places; we were overnight in Monaco where Azamara provided an exclusive trip for their passengers to visit the famous aquarium there. Called "Azamazing Evenings", there is one of these exclusive events on all of their cruises. When the ships visit Gibraltar for example, passengers can enjoy a candle-lit concert in a cave! They overnight in wonderful destinations such as London and Seville so you can have dinner onshore, go see a show or just go out for a few drinks; and they still have places on the cruise when the 2014 Monaco Grand Prix is on. The Monaco GP Azamara cruise is superb value when you factor in that all food and a wide selection of drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, is included. The food is as good as any decent restaurant and this cruise takes in Saint-Tropez on the French Riviera, Portofino and Genoa in Italy, as well as the full day in Monaco itself for the Grand Prix. Azamara Club Cruises will appeal to those who like to stay in 4* and 5* hotels with an emphasis on good food and service. There is enough deck space so that you don't feel overcrowded and many of the staterooms have balconies. If you like lots of facilities and a huge choice of activities then Royal Caribbean or Celebrity Cruises may well suit you better. If you've never considered a cruise before, Azamara Club Cruises could be a great introduction to it. To be honest I can't praise them enough and please do contact me anytime if you'd like to find out more. Any clients booking Azamara for next year during 2013 will receive a bottle of champagne with my compliments. If you like the sound of all this please give me a ring to see whether it would be right for you.

26 July 2013

After crossing the Zambezi River from Zambia and joining the Chobe River, we reached the land-locked country of Botswana. Bordered by South Africa to the south, Namibia, and Angola to the west and Zimbabwe and Zambia to the north, it is a land of stark visual contrasts with a whole host of wildlife spotting opportunities and populated by wonderfully friendly people. We spent two magical nights at the Savuti Elephant camp in Chobe National Park. Chobe is home to the world's largest population of elephants, currently there are over 50,000. It's not all elephants however, we were incredibly fortunate to see leopard, hyena, warthog, ostrich, buffalo, giraffe, impala, zebra and many others, plus a staggering array of birdlife. Savuti Elephant Camp is an Orient-Express property where the welcome is warm and the service second to none. Our expert ranger Rogers found the wildlife time and again and gave us all ample opportunity to take the perfect photo. Whilst you might come across two or three other vehicles during your Game Drive, generally you feel as if you have the entire park to yourself. At Savuti Camp it's an early start for your thrilling morning game drive into Chobe Park. I've never seen the sky so big anywhere in the world and being here gives you a true sense of perspective and your place in nature. After a few hours it is back to the camp where you can take a siesta or a dip in the elephant-proof swimming pool - there's not many hotels that boast one of those! A lunch of tapas or something else light is prepared whilst you enjoy a book or soak up some of the sun's rays. The Savuti Channel runs alongside the lodge bringing the life-giving water. Dry for 30 years up until January 2010, it now attracts a whole host of wildlife. We saw about 30 elephants crossing one afternoon and were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of Cecilia, the brown-spotted hyena, early one morning taking a drink. The Channel started flowing again following an earthquake that redirected some of the flow from the Chobe River. Botswana is in fact on one of the most seismically active areas in the world, but because it sits on up to 1km of sand of the Kalahari Desert, most of the earthquakes are not felt by man as the sand absorbs the tremors. The locals reckon it will be just another couple of years before the water stops flowing along Savuti Channel again - so I suggest you start planning your trip soon before it does! After Savuti we moved westwards to spend two nights at the Eagle Island Camp on the Okavango Delta, one of nature's wonders where the waters of the Angola River flow down into Botswana each year, flooding the plains and creating the most beautiful scene. It is teeming with birdlife and home to a great variety of wildlife, including hippos, crocodile and rhino. Eagle Island is also part of the Orient-Express group; so the service, food and accommodation are exemplary. One of the best ways to spot the wildlife of the Okavango is a helicopter tour and you can also take a trip to a local village to purchase some handicrafts as a memento of your time in beautiful Botswana. The Okavango is a bird lover’s paradise and is another blissfully peaceful place to find yourself. Please give me a call for more information and advice on putting together an itinerary for you.

18 February 2013

For many years I had been under the impression that visiting the Game Reserves anywhere north of the Cape in South Africa would necessitate taking anti-malaria tablets for young children. How wrong I was! The Pilansberg Game Reserve is just two and a half hours' drive north from Johannesburg; it is in a malaria free zone and makes a brilliant introduction to safaris. The first lodge we visited was the Ivory Tree; located close to one of the park gates, it means their game drive vehicles are amongst the first into the reserve in a morning and the last ones to leave after sunset. The Ivory Tree accommodates sixty guests in comfortably spacious rooms, complete with outdoor showers. There is a free-form swimming pool surrounded by a sunbathing terrace and gardens, as well as a bar and restaurant serving buffet style meals in this family-friendly property. After an early morning wake up call, coffee and cookies are served in the lobby before departing on the morning game drive. As well as the ‘Big 5’, Pilansberg is home to a wide variety of wildlife including jackals, hippo, zebra, impala and kudu. The park itself sits in the crater of a volcano that erupted millions of years ago leaving it encircled by a dramatic mountain range. After a few hours in the park it's back to the hotel for a nap or light brunch. At around 4.30pm it's time to venture into the park again for the evening game drive, this time the jeep is stocked with your favourite tipple to enjoy from the viewing area as the sun sets. Early morning and evening are the best times to see the big cats as they avoid the heat of the day. Our second night at Pilansberg was spent at Shepherds Tree Lodge, set up on a hillside with just 15 rooms; this hotel would appeal more to those looking for peace and tranquillity. The rooms have a contemporary yet homely feel with outdoor showers and amazing views. This is a great hotel for honeymooners with a relaxing atmosphere and friendly staff. Pilansberg is open to the public and many vehicles can enter the park each day. By staying at Ivory Tree and Shepherd Tree you are in the hands of qualified game rangers where you'll have more chance of wildlife sightings, and you also get the benefit of their knowledge and experience. You also have a head start on the day visitors to the park. I absolutely loved Pilansberg and would be delighted to share more information about the area with you. Please give me a call if you would like to discuss this magical destination in more detail, and how it can be incorporated into an itinerary that is perfect for you.

22 November 2012

I recently visited the enchanting country of Namibia with a small group of industry colleagues, invited by the Namibia Tourist Board. We travelled to the north and west regions, from the capital Windhoek and spent time visiting the Hei//Omm, San and Himba tribes and learning about their rich and diverse cultures. Since returning I can say with confidence that you would not be disappointed if you took a trip here. Our first night was spent under canvas at Treesleeper, near the village of Tsintsabis. Here the Hei//Omm people are working on a project to create a tourist experience that will directly assist the local communities. On the second day, we spent time driving in the majestic Etosha National Park where the highlight was witnessing a huge herd of Elephants bathing at a water-hole. You can also see zebra, springbok, kudu and giraffes and the world’s largest leopard population - plus it's Malaria free for most of the year. Our base for the next two days was Ongula Country Homestead, a wonderful hotel with friendly staff and brimming with local style. It’s close to the small town of Ongula and run by, and for the benefit of, the local community with locally sourced food and materials. We also took in the town of Opuwo where we spent a couple of nights at Opuwo Country Lodge, a delightful property in the most stunning and peaceful setting, facing the beautiful and mysterious looking mountains. From here we ventured north to the Epupa Falls, on the border with Angola, and met the distinct and majestic people of the Himba tribe. We spent our last evening at the Vingerklip Lodge, situated in breath-taking surroundings in the Vingerklip National Park. Reminiscent of landscapes in the Mexican deserts or Texas, this area has its own very distinct atmosphere. The hotel has a welcoming bar and restaurant, as well as an inviting swimming pool and sunbathing terrace, perfect for relaxation and calm. I feel privileged to have witnessed such open-heartedness and genuine warmth from all of the tribes-people we encountered. The threat of drought makes life here fragile and unpredictable but, at the same time, life here is so rich and invigorating. I didn't ‘get’ Namibia before I visited. I couldn't see why you would head there instead of neighbouring South Africa. Having been, I am hooked and looking forward to spending more time in this amazing country. I have no hesitation in recommending it to people who want to experience something really memorable in safe and friendly surroundings.

28 May 2012

Over the years I have been incredibly lucky to visit some amazing places, meet wonderful people and experience things that you just don't get in Leeds! One spectacle that will stay in my memory forever is the sight of the Victoria Falls near Livingstone in Zambia. Spectacular, majestic, awe-inspiring: superlatives that can't do justice to what you see before you. We spent two nights at the wonderful Stanley Safari Lodge, a delightful hotel set back a couple of miles from the banks of the Zambezi where peace and tranquillity envelope you. This is easily in my top 3 hotels in the world! In a matter of minutes I felt the stresses and strains of everyday life just rise up off my shoulders. I could have easily spent a week here - or better still a month! A light breakfast of cereals, fruit and yoghurts is brought to your cottage at your time of choosing and then you are free to spend your day as you wish, there's a wonderful lounge area with plenty of reading material and also a chess board and scrabble. The Lodge has a swimming pool and you don’t need to worry about not being able to bag a sunbed - there are just ten rooms at the Stanley Safari Lodge. Also it has purer water supply than that in the homes of most people who will read this; rich in calcium and sourced from a 90 metre borehole, it's much fresher tasting than the metallic stuff we get in the UK. A light lunch is served either on one of the terraces or in the dining area and then you can spend the rest of the day lazing by the pool or on your private sun terrace. Or if you're seeking some activity how about a lion or cheetah walk? This is possible just next door to Stanley Safari Lodge. Please ask me for more details if you are interested in this, including their volunteer programme where you really can become part of the Pride. Other options centre around Victoria Falls including helicopter or microlight trips and, depending on the time of year and flow of water, visits over to Livingstone Island for breakfast or lunch. The staff at Stanley Safari Lodge will do everything possible to make your stay with them as perfect as possible. I would not hesitate to recommend the lodge as the perfect base to visit Victoria Falls and re-charge your batteries in the most blissful surroundings. Please give me a call for more information on the area and how you can incorporate Livingstone into a Southern Africa adventure of your own or if you fancy a spot of volunteering and getting up close and personal with some of the animals.

09 May 2012

If you have never been to Johannesburg and have negative preconceptions please forget them, head to the right parts of the city and you'll find it as alive and enriching as any of the world's best cities. You'd be doing yourself a disservice if you were to avoid Jo'burg over safety concerns, it really is the heart and soul of the country and I would advise everyone who can spare the time to try and snatch a couple of nights in this wonderful African city. The African Rock Hotel is a delightful boutique hotel situated in Kempton Park, a short drive from O.R. Tambo International Airport. With just nine rooms the hotel is an oasis of calm in this busy metropolis, and it is ideal for those who have a next day connecting flight. Many flights from Europe arrive in the morning and if you have the time, it's a great place to spend the night to acclimatise before heading off on safari. With a blend of contemporary and traditional South African style throughout, a friendly and relaxed atmosphere pervades throughout the hotel. Award-winning chef Christine creates some wonderful dishes and we had our most delicious meal of all our time in South Africa at the African Rock. Converted from the owner's former home, there is an al fresco bar area, a swimming pool and restaurant. Trips to Soweto, Soccer City and downtown Johannesburg can all be arranged and the staff have a wealth of knowledge and advice to impart should you wish. Room rates are very reasonable and include breakfast and round trip airport transfers. If you need to make a trip anywhere in the local area they can usually oblige as the hotel's driver can take you to various places. We needed to stock up on safari wear and got a lift to a local shopping mall where great quality products are available at prices lower than the UK. I think the cost of living in South Africa has definitely gone up since I was last in the country in 2000, but it is still good value for money - particularly for dining out. All in all a perfect place for a one or two night stop either at the beginning or end of an itinerary, or if you need to break your journey in Johannesburg due to having no same-day connections. Please get in touch with me if you'd like more information. The other place we visited right at the end of our trip was the Protea Fire & Ice hotel in trendy Melrose Arch. This is a funky 4* hotel with a wealth of facilities and just the right amount of cutting edge cool. The list includes a great bar (you must try their legendary milkshakes!), outdoor pool and spacious sun terrace, fitness room, coffee shop and well-appointed guestrooms. Step outside day or night and you are in a safe, friendly, mixed area with a choice of great bars and superb restaurants just steps away – all offering brilliant value for money too! Please call me if you are planning to visit South Africa and we can find the itinerary that is perfect for you! Also if you know of anyone visiting the area get them to contact me and I'd be delighted to share my knowledge with them.

08 June 2009

I count myself lucky to have two great friends living in California. Helen, my former work colleague, upped sticks and moved out to the West Coast of the US over ten years ago. Now living in the beautiful beachfront district of Santa Monica nr Los Angeles, I've visited this area many times and it has a real attraction for me. It's one of the places where I feel most relaxed and at home. One of the attractions of America as a country is there are so many diverse places to visit. Santa Monica has a continental feel to it, it's reasonably easy to get by without needing a car, particularly if you're in one of the central hotels; the fantastic beach with its world-famous pier, shopping on 3rd Street and a superb variety of bars and restaurants are all on hand. Close to Venice Beach, Malibu, Rodeo Drive and Hollywood, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Santa Monica as a great base if you're planning to spend time in L.A. (an underrated city often overlooked in Californian itineraries). A couple of hours drive down the road, my other mate Michael has been living in the La Jolla suburb of San Diego for fifteen years. With its stunning coastline location, San Diego is one of America's most beautiful cities. Check out the Gaslamp District for buzzing bars and restaurants and the great beach at Coronado Bay. The city is also very close to the Mexican border if you fancy a visit to the tourist town of Tijuana for cheap bargains. La Jolla, no more than half an hour's drive from the centre of San Diego, is a smart beach town with a great choice of eateries, some good hotel choices and great beach complete with its own seal colony! My last visit to San Diego was also my first experience of having dinner in two venues, one for your first courses before moving on to another establishment for dessert. A great idea, you get a bit of exercise to make room for your pudding whilst you walk on to the next restaurant! I find having friends living in the area is a real plus for me as it means I can keep abreast of new developments in these cities and give recommendations to my clients on what to see and do, where to eat - and also where to avoid! If you want the perfect Californian itinerary arranging just let me know!

12 June 2008

Without doubt Ethiopia was one of my most memorable travel experiences. The trip was a spur of the moment decision really; after watching a television programme about the Great Ethiopian Run in Addis Ababa, the capital city, I thought "I wanna do that!". So after very little persuasion my friend Gill agreed to join me and we embarked on our African adventure. We went to Addis to take part in the event which is a 10k run organised by the world famous Ethiopian runner Haile Gebrselassie, along the same lines as the Great North Run in Newcastle. We also took part in the Great North Run before travelling to Ethiopia and raised over £1000.00 for the Asco Children's Centre run by the missionaries of charity in Addis who look after over 400 children who have lost their parents to H.I.V., many of whom also have the disease themselves. To many people, myself included, Ethiopia evokes certain images, many negative, as we recall the horrendous scenes of the famine in the mid-80's. Indeed, in many parts of the country, drought and crop failures still cause problems today and since our visit, Ethiopia is sadly back in the news again for the wrong reasons. I am a firm believer however, that income from tourism is essential for so many countries, particularly those that are affected by harsh occurrences caused by the weather and other factors. I am happy to say that the pre-conceptions I had were all blown away very quickly after arriving. Far from a depressing place, in Addis Ababa we found a beautiful sprawling city with its own unique charm. The people were exceptionally friendly and as welcoming as I have found anywhere in the world. In addition we felt very safe walking around, both day and night. Yes there are scenes of poverty as this is a fact of life in all corners of the world. But you will also find the people in general are a most industrious bunch and there are European-style coffee shops (the coffee is to die for by the way) that wouldn't look out of place in Rome or Madrid & fashion and jewellery shops, together with signs of ongoing modern developments and economic growth. There is a good choice of restaurants around the city offering delicious local and international dishes at amazing value as well as some great bars and jazz clubs. There's an Italian influence to parts of the capital as Ethiopia was briefly an Italian colony in the early part of the 20th century. Apart from visiting the children's centre and the run itself, one of the big highlights was a trip to the Entoto Hills, to the north of the city. The views from here are breathtaking - quite literally as Addis is 2,800m above sea level! As a proud Yorkshireman I can attest that the scenery compares very favourably too! They burn eucalyptus from the trees and the place is simply magical. This is where the serious runners went to do their training and to adapt to the altitude. All in all Ethiopia is a beautiful country and one that I definitely intend to return to. Next time I will spend longer there to have time to take in some of the sights around the country outside of Addis Ababa. If you have a sense of adventure and are looking for somewhere very different for your holiday then I would certainly recommend this wonderful destination.