06 August 2019

I've just had some customers return from an excellent weekend to see Andre Rieu in concert, in Maastricht. They wanted to give other travellers some feedback about their journey to Maastricht. When we booked, Paula advised us the flight was from Newcastle to Maastricht via Amsterdam. But Paula also advised, rather than a flight from Amsterdam to Maastricht, KLM actually run a coach service between the airports. However, rather bizarrely the coach has a flight number and even the coach drivers welcome you onto the 'flight' when you board. The coach leaves from platform C outside Amsterdam airport, but was not easy to locate as around 20 - 30 coaches are parked up in a seemingly random order. There are no electronic timetables to assist, or any information desks. The coach does have a KLM logo and the words Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Maastricht written on the side, but this can easily be missed depending on where the coach is parked. The coach journey itself was efficient, comfortable and enjoyable. Rather than stopping at Maastricht airport the coach continued to the centre of Maastricht (with the agreement of all passengers) where we were told we would be dropped at the railway station. However, the coach stopped at a street two or three blocks away from the railway station and thus there was no immediate access to taxi's, which did cause inconvenience to some of the less mobile passengers.

04 June 2019

Thinking about a trip to the South African capital? Then you need to visit Table Mountain - a phenomenal landmark that overlooks the city. Here are my personal tips for visiting this fantastic flat-topped mountain… 1. GET THERE EARLY: I strongly advise you to arrive by 7am, with pre-booked morning tickets (I suggest nothing later than an 8am ticket). At peak times, you’re looking at a 3-hour queue to go up and a 3-hour queue to come back down again! 2. BEWARE THE QUEUES: You should know that there are 2 queues - one for visitors with tickets and one for those without tickets. I can’t overstress the importance of being early for either, you need to be in the queue by 7am. 3. 8 TIL 8(-ish): The first cable car goes up at 8am, although in the summer months, they may fire up a bit earlier. When I was last there, the first tickets were heading up the mountain by 7:30am. Come closing time, the last cable goes up 8.30pm with the last cable car coming down at 9.30pm. 4. DON’T STRESS: If you don't get on, don't worry - you can generally obtain a refund at one of the box offices, then purchase again online. 5. STICK TO YOUR SLOT: It’s important to remember that tickets are not valid to go up before the booking time, but they are valid for any time after. Online tickets are good for 7 days from the initial date too.

19 January 2018

You don’t want to stop travelling overseas just because you now have children and what’s more, you still want quality accommodation, great facilities and a little time for yourselves to relax. Great kids’ entertainment and occasional supervision for your children can be important. Plus, top tips on how to avoid the having a stressful journey with the kids. 1. Pace yourself. Go with the flow and don’t pack in too much. Build in rest days and be realistic about what you might see and do. 2. Travel is great for broadening the mind, even if you’re a five-year-old. Start getting your little ones prepared for their holiday by treating it like a project. Read a guide book to them or watch a DVD or perhaps even try some of the local traditional dishes you may expect at your destination. Encourage them to keep a holiday journal, collect photos, ticket stubs and draw pictures of what they have seen and record new words they may have learned along the way, and give things a try. 3. Research and prepare a “things to do and places to go if the weather isn’t great” list. This is particularly good if travelling out of season in the February or October half terms. 4. If possible check in online as knowing you are sat together will give you piece of mind and you can often turn up a little later to airport if you have checked in, leaving less time to entertain your child before boarding. 5. Choose a hotel that caters for children. Kids clubs can give parents a welcome break but make sure you check what ages they take, what hours they operate and that they are running at the time of year you are visiting (many only run for the high season). 6. Taking a buggy or pram, even if your child is now walking, can be handy as they can double up as places to rest from the heat or if up a little later than usual to rest in a restaurant, for example. 7. Check the hand luggage restrictions before travelling, including the latest rules on carrying liquids, gels and creams, which will more than likely include milk and nappy cream for example. Chances are you will be able to carry them, but they may have to be stored in a specific way and not carried over a certain quantity, as the rules change so often it’s always worth checking close to travel. 8. Requesting a ground floor room if available is often a good idea many rooms lead onto gardens giving extra play areas 9. When flying it’s helpful to have something such as a boiled sweet to suck on to drink during take-off and landing. Make sure you have plenty of ways to entertain your little one such as crayons, books and their favourite toy. 10. Enjoy. If you book with Travel Counsellors we can do many of these things for you.

19 January 2018

Top ten tips for avoiding additional stress at your airport during peak travel 1. Long Haul - get to the airport a minimum of 3.5 hours before 2. Short Haul - get to the airport a minimum of 2.5 hours before 3. Check in online 24 hours prior to departure and print off your boarding passes 4. Set off from home earlier - no one can predict the traffic 5. Arrange parking for the Meet and Greet (nearest to the airport terminal) 6. Take plenty of snacks for the car journey and waiting for your flight as well as bottles of water for pre-security 7. Wear comfortable clothing. Belts, shoes and jewellery will all have to be removed at the Security Gate (not the clothes!) 8. Have toiletries (under 100ml) in a see-through sandwich bag ready for the Security Gate 9. Parents, as long as you have the kids, passports, money and credit card, nothing else matters. Children pick up on your stress, if you cope, they will! 10. Book with a Travel Counsellor, we worry about all this, so you don't have to!

16 October 2017

At the end of August, we booked in advance to go and see my relatives in Munich/Germany. We were away for 6 days and it was simple and stress free to get there. We flew with Easyjet from Stansted and in just two hours you arrive in Munich. Totally doable for a city break. We visited the BMW Museum, Allianz Arena Football Stadium, Neuschwanstein Castle and the city. Taking kids, we visited the local trampoline park too! We also saw the preparation of the Oktoberfest, although Bavarians call it 'die Wiesn' which mean the meadow. This is because it was on the meadow that a Bavarian Prince married an Austrian Princess 150 years ago! Munich is a Bavarian city. There is lots of history, architecture, cool bars and restaurants and cafes and plenty of shopping. The favourite part of the visit for me was the visit to Neuschwanstein Castle. Enjoy a 2 hour (each way) lovely train ride through the Bavarian countryside. Walt Disney based the Magic Kingdom at Disney on this very castle. Once you arrive, you hop on the bus to get to the base of the castle. It's quite a steep hill to get to the actual castle. You can walk it, hop on the shuttle bus or catch the horse and cart! King Ludwig II was the King of Bavaria at the time. He was also known as the 'Fairytale King’. He had a passion for perfection, beautiful expensive items, decor and majesty. The castle was built with flushing toilets, as well as an air heating system for the whole castle, even the water was supplied by the nearby spring. The construction of the castle started in 1869, however King Ludwig died before it was finished. Believe it or not construction it is still not finished to this day. You just can't help but be amazed and in awe of the stunning views, magnificent landscapes and gardens. Well worth a visit. We also experienced a couple of the local beer gardens. It's definitely a way of life out there. After a hard day at work, you sit outside with friends of family or on your own. There is always someone to talk to and it's welcoming. The atmosphere is enchanting. You can either bring your own food or order from the extensive menu. The quality of food we sampled was delicious, wholesome and extremely filling. It was no more than £15 -£20 per person for a good meal with drinks and a cheeky dessert! You are never far from a beer garden in Munich! We also visited the city by tram. The city has lots of interesting twists and turns. New and old buildings complement each other and the clock that chimes which is in the centre of the city is a charming landmark of the city. Most people in Germany speak English, however it is nice to say a few words in Germany, even if it's just Hallo (Hello), Auf Wiedersehen (Goodbye) or Danke (Thank you). It is appreciated.

01 March 2014

After an excellent, short flight of 3 hours and 15 mins I arrived in Marrakech. We caught our private transfer. I strongly recommended booking a prearranged transfer. Hassle free. Our driver took us to our resort of Zone Touristque, Agdal a 25 mins transfer, 15mins outside the medina. A lovely 24 degrees in November! The following day, we arranged to do a half day doing a personal, private, historical Marrakech tour. It was superb. I would definitely recommend this. The Berbers from the High Atlas Mountains arrived in Marrakech in 1062 and never left. We saw the Bahia palace, Saadims tombs. We had a talk with a genuine Moroccan herbalist, who has remedies for every ailment! We passed through the Jewish quarter. The whole experience was just awesome. The sheer vibe, the narrows streets of the medina, the characters of the sellers, the aromas and Souks. I felt I had been catapulted to another world. A world of intrigue and mystery! I stayed in Zone Touristque Agdal. It is a new purpose built resort outside the medina, away from the hustle and bustle. Still under construction in most areas. It is lined with 4 /5 star hotels, most of the area is pedestrianized. This area has the Alamzar shopping mall (even has TGI Friday’s!), couple of banks and a massive Carrefour supermarket. If you wanted a more authentic experience stay in hotel or Riad, some are in the Medina. Riads are small to medium family run properties with a few rooms or smaller. Full of character and charm. Riads are beautiful oasis's of peace and tranquillity, with a courtyard in the centre which is the vocal point and generally a roof top terrace. Bliss. A welcomed haven of peace when outside is in organised chaos! I must mention the traffic. It is nothing short of insane. You'll see on a busy roundabout, a donkey pulling a cart, families hanging off a small scooter, horse and carriage. Anything goes! But, hey it works just fine. Everyone knows what they're doing ...even If you don’t! Alcohol: please remember, if you wish to buy alcohol it is freely available in the hotels. You can also buy it supermarkets, but you have to ask for it, as it is discreetly hidden away! If you have not tried it, you must try a Traditional Hamman. What can I say! Those of you that don't know what a Traditional Hamman is, it is a deep cleansing, full body wash, scrub and exfoliation. Followed by a full body, deep massage with Moroccan Argan oil. The whole experience, including a pedicure, lasted 4 hours. Wow wee! My skin felt so soft and cleansed. An experience not to be missed! Once again, we found ourselves back at the Medina. I can't explain it, the Medina has this peculiar draw. You just want to apart of it. The Medina is basically the area inside The Ramparts (the city walls) which date back to 10th Century. Outside The Ramparts is 20th century and the New Marrakech, with modern shopping malls, café's, bars, restaurants. There are no beaches in Marrakech. I went for fabulous lunch and tour of the Hotel La Maison l'Arabe. A beautiful 5 Star, Riad elegant in design. 1920's /1930's with its unique Moroccan /Art Deco influence. The attention to detail from the rooms to the service is exquisite. I felt I was an extra in an episode of Poriot! This 5 star accommodation was a favourite of Winston Churchill. It also housed the first restaurant in Marrakech. La Maison l' Arabe is famous for its cooking courses which you can book either a morning or afternoon class. The hotel has a characteristic atmospheric, 1920's jazz bar for both guests and outside guests. A perfect way to unwind after a busy day in the Medina. Time to hit Jemma El Fna Square! The heart and soul of Marrakech. The best time to experience the true feel of Jemma El Fna is from 4.30pm to 6.30 pm. It's cooler and the square becomes a hub of activity. Everyone descends to absorb the atmosphere after work. Believe me you don't know where to look first! The square has everything there from mobile phone sellers to snakes charmers. The smells, sights and sounds, herbs and spices, henna tattoos and arts and crafts ... it truly excites the senses! To make it really special go to Cafe Glacier on the square. This restaurant bar, has a roof top terrace and if you buy a drink, you can watch the antics going on the Medina/square and savour the amazing sunset all at the same time. It's a photographers dream! Marrakech is not for the faint hearted. But, please don't be put off by the intensity. It is what makes Marrakech. My advice ...Just go with the flow and prepare for a sensual overload!

19 June 2013

I thought the Cayman Islands were a place you just read about! Well I had the good fortunate to visit there for six days. What an amazing destination. The Cayman Islands are made up of three islands; Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac. I stayed on the main island, Grand Cayman. It is 22 miles long at it longest point and 8 miles wide and neighbouring islands include Jamaica and Cuba. It takes about 10 hours to get there. BA has a direct service that stops on route in Nassau/Bahamas. It is also home to the famous Seven Mile beach (which is actually 5 miles…but don’t tell) and has an abundance of natural beauty that is breath-taking. The Cayman Islands boast all year round sunshine but I think people don’t talk about it much because it is usually linked with the wealthy as it is a tax haven for 750 businesses worldwide! The Cayman Islands is an all year round resort with the rainy season from May to October is hot and humid. In the winter months it hardly rains and it is dry, hot and a lot less humid. Seven mile beach is one of best beaches I have ever seen in the Caribbean with its crystal turquoise blue waters. There are all sorts of activities at your fingertips to tempt the adventurous and not so adventurous. From paddle boarding to snorkelling and from kite surfing to just bobbing around. A number of hotels line seven mile beach and whether you are in an affordable hotel or not, you boast an enviable position! Georgetown is the capital and is on Grand Cayman. It is lovely for a mooch around and is full of character with plenty of shops, designer boutiques, trinket shops, restaurants, tours and the odd cruise ship to keep you amused. Grand Cayman is not a place for rowdy nightlife, although in the winter months it will become busier. You will find some bars close at midnight but there is the odd bar that closes later. Beach bars and open restaurants are plentiful and are open to the wee hours. Sunday brunch is a big thing in Grand Cayman and most hotels, cafés, bistros and restaurants have a brunch time menu. One of my highlights was swimming with Stingrays. It was adrenaline pumping, exciting and a bit alarming all rolled into one - you’ve got to do it! Not far away is Camana Bay. This is the hip and trendy place to hang out. The motto is Live, Dine, Work, and Shop. It’s a purpose built area with fabulous water features , a lake, chic shops, open air bars, restaurants and café and a, cinema. You won’t be short of something to do in the evening here. For diving, Cayman is a Mecca! Dive around Little Cayman where you have the Bloody Bay Wall and with Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac too you are spoilt for choice. All three islands have some superb small and friendly dive properties all geared up for divers and non-divers alike. The Caymanians (as they like to be known) are proud of their heritage and love to talk about days gone by whenever they get a chance. Take a visit to Pedro Castle, take in the historical show and listen and hear about the Cayman Islands wonderful history. I also took a hop to Little Cayman. It’s only 30 minutes by plane. Only 150 people live on this island. It is a picture postcard island with crystal clear blue turquoise waters and ‘jaw-dropping’ white sandy beaches to relax on. Peace, quiet and tranquillity are key here. Either get away from it all completely or stay as a twin centre but Little Cayman is a must. It is heaven on earth! You can dive, snorkel or take in in scenery whilst reading a book on your veranda…sheer bliss. Cayman Brac is also about a 40 minute flight. This may appeal to the more outdoors person in you with its rugged, rocky coastline, with natural trails, bird watching, hiking and biking. It does have beaches but you see more if you are willing to explore its natural beauty. For those of you who are interested in ecology and historical heritage sites this is ideal place to explore. There is so much to see and do; there is definitely something for everyone. If you would like to know more please give me a call.