03 September 2025

Sometimes the best trips are the ones that allow you to completely switch off, recharge, and simply enjoy being together. That’s exactly what my daughter and I found during our four-night stay at MYND Tenerife—a calm, sustainable, and beautifully designed hotel. The Perfect Place to Switch Off Located in a quiet part of Tenerife, MYND was just what we were looking for: peaceful surroundings, a slower pace, and plenty of space to unwind. The area itself only has a handful of restaurants (La Parma is fantastic), bars (Eden Cocktail bar for those after dinner drinks) and shops nearby but Costa Adeje is just a short taxi/bus ride away. A Hotel with a Heart One of the things that made MYND stand out was its focus on sustainability and responsibility. From eco-conscious details in the rooms to an overall ethos that respected both the environment and the local community, it felt good to know our stay was making a lighter impact. It’s refreshing to see a hotel that goes beyond style and comfort to also think about the bigger picture. Highlights of the Stay Rooftop Terrace – A true gem of the hotel. This is the perfect place to relax with its infinity pool and lounge area. Lunch is also served here and we can hghly recommend the Chicken Ceasar Salad and Club Sandwich...delicious! Lovely Breakfast – Mornings at MYND were a treat. Fresh, thoughtfully prepared, and full of variety, breakfast gave us the perfect start to our days. Quiet Pool Area – One of the biggest joys of the trip was the peaceful pool scene. No sunbed wars, no rushing out early to reserve a spot—there was always plenty of availability, making it the perfect place to unwind with a book or simply soak up the sun. Quality Time Together – More than anything, what made this trip special was the chance to slow down, reconnect, and enjoy a few days just the two of us. The peaceful setting made that possible. Our stay at MYND Tenerife reminded me of how valuable it is to pause and step away from the rush of everyday life. With its sustainable philosophy, serene location, and warm hospitality, the hotel offered more than just a place to sleep. For anyone looking for a mother-daughter getaway (or just a peaceful break), MYND Tenerife is a wonderful choice. It’s not about doing everything, but about truly enjoying the moments you have. And that’s exactly what we did.

03 September 2025

I recently had the chance to experience something completely different in the world of cruising: a five-night, adults-only voyage on Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady. Departing from Lisbon, our itinerary included stops in Porto and La Coruña, with two days at sea to relax and enjoy everything the ship had to offer. What made this trip stand out wasn’t just the destinations, but the unique approach to cruising that Virgin brings—no buffets, no traditional main dining rooms, and a whole lot of fresh, modern energy. The Scarlet Lady Experience Our Sea Terrace cabin was spacious and stylish, with clever design touches that made it feel more like a boutique hotel than a ship cabin. The highlight was the signature red hammock on the balcony, the perfect spot to read, nap, or simply watch the waves go by...that is once you've worked out how to get in it properly, it did take me a while! Another big plus was the flexibility with the Bar Tab. Instead of being locked into a drinks package, we could choose the amount we wanted to purchase and was able to spend it on cocktails, wine, specialty coffees, or even fresh-pressed juices. As we were celebrating a friends birthday we treated ourselves on our last day and spent the afternoon in the champagne bar, which was amazing! A Culinary Playground One of the things Virgin Voyages does best is dining. Forget the endless buffets or one-size-fits-all dining rooms; instead, there’s a collection of specialty restaurants that are all included in the fare. Some of my favorites were: Extra Virgin (Italian) – Handmade pasta, rich sauces, and a warm, modern setting made this a standout meal. Gunbae (Korean BBQ) – A lively, interactive dining experience with grilling right at the table. It was as fun as it was delicious. Pink Agave (Mexican) – Bold flavors, fresh ingredients, and the best chocolate tacos! Lucky Lotus (Chinese) – A mix of traditional and contemporary dishes with some fabulous signature cocktails. Every meal felt special, and the variety meant we never got bored of the food—a big change from the typical cruise setup. Ports of Call Porto – Famous for its wine and charming riverside scenery, Porto was a highlight. We explored the narrow streets and rode the Gaia Cable Car, located on the banks of the Douro River, experiencing fantastic views of the Ribeira and the Porto wine cellars roofs. La Coruña – This Spanish port offered a mix of history, culture, and coastline. Walking along the seafront and exploring the old town gave us a taste of Galicia’s charm. Days at Sea The two sea days gave us time to truly enjoy the ship. With no kids onboard, the vibe was relaxed and adult-focused—whether that meant poolside lounging, catching live entertainment, or simply swaying in that hammock with a drink in hand. We hired a private cabana on one of the sea days which was a lovely treat. A New Way of Cruising What struck me most about this trip was how different Virgin Voyages feels compared to traditional cruises. The atmosphere is more boutique, the dining more elevated, and the overall experience more flexible and modern. There’s no rigid structure, no formal nights, and plenty of freedom to create your own perfect cruise. By the end of the five nights, I felt like I’d not only discovered new cities but also a new way of traveling by sea. Scarlet Lady delivered on style, food, and fun—and left me already planning when I can sail again.

03 September 2025

Canada has always been on my travel list, so when my daughter got accepted to study at McMasterUniversity this gave me and my family the perfect opportunity to explore some of its most iconic destinations. Over the course of our journey, we experienced the vibrant energy of Toronto, the breathtaking power of Niagara Falls, and the charm of Hamilton and its surrounding towns. Each stop brought something unique—from big-city highlights to natural wonders and peaceful lakeside strolls. Four Nights in Toronto Toronto welcomed us with its lively atmosphere and endless things to see and do. Our base here at Novotel Toronto Centre gave us the chance to enjoy some of the city’s most famous attractions: Blue Jays Game – Experiencing a baseball game at the Rogers Centre was a highlight. The atmosphere was fun, and it felt very much like stepping into the heart of Canadian sports culture. CN Tower – No trip to Toronto is complete without visiting the CN Tower. Standing at the top, looking out over the city skyline and Lake Ontario, was unforgettable. Hop-On Hop-Off Bus & Harbour Cruise – These were perfect ways to see the city from both land and water. The harbour cruise in particular offered amazing views back toward the Toronto skyline. Toronto Islands – A short ferry ride took us to the Toronto Islands, where we enjoyed a peaceful break from the buzz of downtown and had fun riding our bikes around the island...even though it was raining! Food – Toronto’s food scene impressed us at every turn. From casual bites to sit-down dinners, the city truly celebrates its diversity through cuisine. We had a couple of fantastic Italian meals as well as sampling Canadas famous Beavertails. The Magic of Niagara Falls From Toronto, we hired a car and made our way to Niagara Falls, where we stayed in a hotel room overlooking the falls themselves. Seeing the falls lit up at night and watching the fireworks from our room was something special. Highlights included: Behind the Falls Tour – Standing so close to the roaring water was an awe-inspiring experience. You could feel the sheer power of nature all around you. Boat Ride to the Falls – Getting up close on the water, with mist spraying everywhere, was exhilarating and gave us a true appreciation of the falls’ scale. Top tip - stand on the bottom deck of the boat, on the right hand side at the front to get the best view....that's if you don't mind getting very wet! Niagara-on-the-Lake – Just a short drive away, this picturesque town was full of charm with its boutique shops, wineries, and historic streets. Stop off on the way at The Living Water Wayside Chapel (the smallest chapel in the world!) where you can also pick up some fantastic freshly picked fruit and vegetables at the farm shop, along with lots of other homemade treats. Discovering Hamilton and Beyond The next part of our journey took us to Hamilton, where my daughter is spending a year at university. It was special to see where she’ll be living and studying, and the city surprised me with its natural beauty. Waterfalls – Hamilton is known as the "Waterfall Capital of the World," and we got to visit a few of them. Each one had its own character, tucked away in lovely natural settings. Outlet Shopping – A bit of retail therapy was also on the agenda, with some great deals to be found. Burlington – Just a short drive from Hamilton, Burlington was a gem. Its waterfront promenade made for a lovely walk, and the town had plenty of great restaurants where we enjoyed delicious meals. Greek cuisine seems to be a favourite in this area, which we loved! This trip had everything: big city excitement, world-famous natural wonders and small-town charm. From cheering at a Blue Jays game to standing in awe of Niagara Falls, to discovering the waterfalls around Hamilton, each experience added to a journey we'll always treasure. Canada left a lasting impression on us, and we know it won’t be our last visit.

21 December 2023

New York at Christmas time…what a fabulous time of year to go! This was a mother and daughter trip for my daughter’s 18th birthday, as being her mother’s daughter she loves to travel and had always wanted to visit 'The Big Apple' during the Christmas season. We had 4 nights and 4 days and a long list of must do’s, including my daughter’s ‘bucket list requests’ - the Taylor Swift Exhibition, the New York Library, Ice Skating in Central Park, a visit to Barnes & Noble, Grand Central Station, the Friends apartment building and a Broadway Show. With a lot of planning and a lot of steps we managed to do everything on our list and had the most amazing time. Accommodation We stayed in the boutique style Moxy Times Square Hotel which is something a little different to your typical hotel experience. The rooms are designed in an urban style and the social spaces are varied with a casual bar and lounge, a rooftop bar (over 21’s only) and a grill restaurant. There’s even a barber shop on the ground floor. It’s in a great location close to lots of attractions and only a short distance away from the subway, which we made great use of to save our tired feet! Sightseeing We began our sightseeing with an open top Big Bus Tour, which was a great way to see Manhattan and gain our bearings for the rest of our trip. Highlights of the trip for us were the SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, which I would highly recommend visiting at sunset…the views were just amazing; 9/11 Memorial and Museum, definitely do the audio tour it is both fascinating and heartbreaking at the same time; DUMBO for views of the Manhattan Bridge followed by a walk across Brooklyn Bridge, which luckily for us we also managed to catch at sunset; Ice Skating in Central Park was also a bit of a ‘pinch yourself moment’…even if I did fall over! Food When it comes to food we did quite often grab something along the way, such as a hot dog or pizza slice from a street vendor. However, we did come across a nice little restaurant on 3rd Avenue, Ruby’s Café, which was away from all the hustle and bustle of Times Square with great service and food at a good price. I can definitely recommend the crispy rice bowl with smoked salmon and the creamy chicken pasta, both myself and my daughter really enjoyed these two dishes. Ellen’s Stardust Diner is also worth a visit for that 50’s diner experience but with singing waiters…very good fun. And you can’t go to New York without trying out the bagels…Liberty Bagels was our bagel stop and they were absolutely delicious. Our final treat for the trip was Afternoon Tea at The Plaza Hotel. This was a lovely end to our trip, although I wouldn’t recommend the caviar macarons….definitely not something I will be trying again in a hurry! If you do fancy a trip to the Plaza Hotel you will need to have a reservation for the restaurant. I would recommend booking a table as soon as you can as availability does go quickly. A trip to New York at any time of the year would be fabulous, but visiting at Christmas time just made it that little bit more special.

04 October 2022

We finally made it! This trip was originally planned for Summer 2020 but Covid put paid to that. Everything had to be cancelled and rearranged but this actually ended up being a blessing in disguise as what started off as a two week trip turned in to a three week trip with lots of extra amazing places to visit added on. San Francisco Starting off in San Francisco, also known as ‘Fog City’ (and boy was this true first thing in the morning!) we got to cycle across the Golden Gate Bridge, which for me was the highlight of this part of the trip…stopping halfway across and looking out at San Francisco with Alcatraz in full view was truly special. We did also visit Alcatraz Island which was just brilliant…even the teenagers enjoyed this (a great way to sneak in a bit of a history lesson!). Chinatown, Coit Tower, The Painted Ladies, The ‘Full House’ house (my youngest daughters must see) and the 16th Avenue Tiled Steps were just some of the other fantastic places we got to see over our three days here. Top tip – it starts off cool so wear layers to remove as once the fog lifts it turns into a lovely warm day. Coastal Drive We then continued our journey down the West Coast stopping at Santa Cruz, Monteray, Pismo Beach and Santa Barbara. This part of the trip was just stunning. I would definitely recommend following the coastal road when travelling through this part of California, it may take a little longer (especially with the many, many places to stop and see along the way) but it’s 100% worth it. The views are just spectacular, although some of those cliff top drives were a little hair raising! We got to ride the famous Giant Dipper in Santa Cruz, walked the beautiful trails of Redwood State Park, saw the breath-taking views from Bixby Bridge and the famous Elephant Seals at Vista Point. Every part of this drive was just absolutely amazing. Disneyland (Anaheim) So this is the reason this trip was planned. As a family we’ve been to Disneyland Paris and Disneyworld Florida, now it was time to visit the original Disneyland California and it didn’t disappoint. Both my husband and eldest daughter are massive Marvel fans so Disney California Adventure Park was our first stop for the new Avengers Campus. The old Tower of Terror, now Guardians of the Galaxy, is definitely a family fav. Soarin’ is another absolute gem, I just love how you feel as though you are actually traveling through all the different countries, it’s such a clever ride. The following day was Disneyland Park, with Rise of the Resistance being our main aim for the day. Top tip – get to the park for rope drop and head straight for this ride as it’s not included with Genie plus. We felt that Genie plus was definitely worth the extra money, it saved time (especially in Disneyland Park which we found to be the busier of the two) and allowed us to experience everything we’d planned to. LA It had to be done…the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Hollywood Sign, Celebrity Homes Tour, Universal Studios and the Warner Bros Studio Tour- another highlight of our trip. When visiting Universal Studios we found that if you get there for opening and visit the Lower Lot first, followed by the Studio Tour and finishing with the Upper Lot, you can fit everything in with minimal queue times. For any Funko Pop fans out there, whilst visiting the Hollywood Walk of Fame you must visit their flagship store. It’s situated at the top end of Hollywood Boulevard and you’re able to create your own Funko Pop in their factory, but be sure to get there early as queues start to form around an hour before opening. For a bit of relaxation Santa Monica Pier and Venice beach are great beaches to visit whilst you’re in the area. Roller skating or cycling along the boardwalk is very popular, with hire shops located in both locations. San Diego The last leg of our trip and time for a bit of downtime. We stayed in a lovely resort on Mission Bay where we were able to have some pool time and take part in some water sports. We celebrated my daughter’s birthday whilst in San Diego by visiting Kansas City BBQ, the bar where scenes from the original Top Gun were filmed! If you’re looking for somewhere nice to eat, Little Italy is a lively neighbourhood full of pavement cafes and restaurants where you are literally spoilt for choice. The final highlight for us was attending a baseball game at Petco Park…even though we knew nothing about the game before we went, the spectacular park and the atmosphere (especially when they scored a home run!) drew us in and we had a fabulous experience that left us buzzing with excitement. Top tip – it doesn’t really matter which seats you book as everywhere has a great view and there’s also other places around the stadium where you can sit or stand to watch the game. It’s a very relaxed atmosphere with people milling around the stadium throughout the game. Well, that’s it… We had such an amazing trip which completely exceeded our expectations and best of all we got to spend lots of quality family time together making memories that we will never forget! Overall top tip - use packing cubes...these were an absolute life saver! I was dreading living out of a suitcase for three weeks but these cubes helped to keep everything organised and meant we didn't have to unpack our whole suitcase in every destination. They worked so well I will now be using them on every trip I go on.