21 November 2023

My last visit to Cyprus back in 1999 had looked quite different. Fresh out of university and new to the travel industry, my cake-tin Renault Twingo rental car (which is all my budget ran to!) was certainly put to the test in negotiating the rugged hills of the west. Incidentally, self-driving is pretty straightforward on the island as the Cypriots also drive on the left - just make sure you have a

17 June 2023

In the thick of the pandemic when learning went online and as a work community we became innovative with our self-development, travel counsellors took to teaching one another about a destination they had in-depth knowledge of. My colleague had been returning to Corfu since she was a child and the webinar thoroughly brought the destination to life, so much so, the island jumped straight to the numb

24 March 2023

I love a European city break and I especially love a European city break in the winter; your euro goes that little bit further, there are fewer crowds and if you’re very lucky you’ll get bright, sunny days (albeit a little chilly at times). This was my first time in the city itself having previously used Palma as a gateway to other resorts on the island. Thanks to a large inventory of flights fr

19 January 2023

Historically Puglia (often referred to as the ‘heel of the boot’ of Italy) has been considered ‘undiscovered’ but going by the number of unsold seats on my recent flight, it appears the secret is out! The region is conveniently served by two airports, Bari and Brindisi making it a very accessible destination. Whether you are after history, culture, glorious beaches, gastronomy, unique or pamperi

07 April 2022

Until recently I had spent no longer than 12 hours in the city of Copenhagen on the final leg of a Baltic cruise holiday back in 2011. I have always had a soft spot for all things Nordic and those 12 hours are still engrained in my memory. I can even recall my first authentic smørrebrød experience at the very lovely Skt Annae (which is still going by the way!) Our base for this return visit was

10 December 2021

I am often asked where I would recommend for short haul, guaranteed heat during the depths of the British winter. Well…….the Canary Islands are always my ‘go to’ but sometimes unfair expectations are still of mass-tourism and large, soulless resort hotels. How things have changed. The Royal Hideaway Corales Beach in Tenerife (the adults only sister property to the more family-focused Royal Hideawa

22 May 2020

The fact is I love Americana; drive-thrus, diners, outdoor shopping malls, stars & stripes, hot dogs & the Pacific Coast Highway to name a few. With thanks to family links, the state of California has been well trodden over the years but each time we return we weave in a new side-trip. In December 2018 we decided to include a couple of days pre-Christmas in Santa Barbara, by trying the Pacific S

28 April 2020

My exploration of western France started upon arrival in to Orleans, the main gateway to the eastern edge of the Loire Valley and just one hour from Paris. Feeling the warm April sunshine on my face on the seamless journey made me thankful for opting for the rail option. Spring is a wonderful time to visit the “Valley of the Kings”, when you will find wisteria covered facades on every corner, fl

10 September 2019

I decided that my fourth visit to The Eternal City would be a little different. Having marvelled at The Vatican City, the Colosseum, Pantheon & Roman Forum on previous familiarisation trips I decided to dedicate my 3-day visit with Mr Mellusco to primarily gastronomy. Stumbling across any further significant landmarks on our foodie road map would be a bonus! Our home for the weekend was the exqu

18 June 2019

I love a ‘fly & flop’ holiday as much as the next person and still yearn to visit many of the world’s most idyllic island escapes. However, when deciding on our honeymoon, Alex and I wanted not just pristine sands but good food, adventure and experience of a new city. Who doesn’t like the fun of a road-trip and who said honeymoons should only mean all-inclusive resort hotels? Ultimately our shared

01 November 2018

The Puglia region (referred to often as the heel of Italy’s “boot”) remains a relatively unexplored part of the country. I found this to be one of its charms when I visited back in October 2014. This together with its characterful baroque villages and trullo houses, sandy beaches and excellent cuisine. Hotel Canne Bianche is a wonderful beachside retreat, perfectly positioned for visiting the

21 August 2018

There really is something quite magical about visiting Marrakech (even though this was my third time!) The evocative call to prayer, beautiful riads hidden behind nondescript wooden doors and the fascinating contrast between bustling city streets and tranquil hotel courtyards. Our base in Marrakech was the charming Riad Noga – perfect for those seeking an authentic riad experience. Freshly sq

05 July 2018

My first visit to Ile de Ré was last spring. A tantalising one-night stay at the end of a research trip through the Loire Valley and Bordeaux wine country. I vowed as soon as I was crossing the causeway back towards La Rochelle at the end of my stay that I would have to return! Barely more than an hour’s flight away followed by a smooth 30-minute transfer, Ile de Ré makes a perfect weekend getaway

11 June 2018

I wondered how it had taken 16 years in the travel industry to make my first visit to the Amalfi Coast. Would all the breath-taking cookery programme photography and old Hollywood movies watched over the years live up to my expectations? Naples often gets overlooked as simply the gateway to the Amalfi Coast, but this proved to be one of the biggest surprises. Once you have inched your way out o

15 January 2018

Tucked away in an unspoilt corner of the south-west Peloponnese is the beautiful resort of Costa Navarino. The location is everything you would expect (and more) from authentic Greece; olive groves as far as the eye can see, pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters and authentic tavernas where locals wile away the afternoon sipping strong coffee and playing backgammon. My short and sweet weekend

15 January 2018

Lisbon's friendly rival, Oporto is an unspoilt city at the mouth of the Douro River. This is where my tour through Portugal began. Oporto’s riverfront area is home to several port houses, many of which are magnificently covered in ornate blue tiles and offer tastings, local specialities and wine pairings. My recommendation would be to spend two or three nights at the hotel Infante de Sagres, (dati

09 January 2018

There’s something even more satisfying about holidaying in the depths of winter, when home temperatures are hovering around zero and the central heating is on constantly but you’re stocking up on sun cream and loading your Kindle in preparation. I’d almost forgotten what it’s like to feel the sun on my skin! Upon arrival at the Gran Hotel del Duque we were offered a glass of chilled cava in the

22 November 2017

Russia remains unticked on many people’s wish-list – mainly due to the perception of cost, organisational complexity and the added inconvenience of obtaining a tourist visa. I am able to handle the Russia visa application on your behalf and have access to a fast-track service for short-notice breaks, removing all possible “hassle factor”. Russia also need not be extravagant – especially if you tra

13 October 2017

The Cote d’Azur is possibly one of my favourite places on earth and even more spectacular when viewed from a helicopter. My weekend in Monaco started in true ‘James Bond’ style with a 7-minute flight, hugging the coast line. Almost within an hour of landing in Nice I was checking into the Fairmont Hotel, located on the famous hairpin bend of the Grand Prix circuit. If you happen to be a luxury car

09 October 2017

Checking out of the Hotel Cipriani would ordinarily be a deflating experience but during my private water taxi journey to Venice Santa Lucia station, I was filled with excited anticipation for my journey back to London on board the Venice Simplon - Orient-Express. Following check-in, a steward wearing an immaculate royal blue uniform greeted me at the entrance to my designated carriage. Every