18 December 2018

Regardless of the strength of the winter we are experiencing at home, the cold weather will often ignite in many of us a desire to get away at the next available opportunity. However, although many of us will be dreaming of warm beaches, the romance of the even colder climes of Lapland – and of course a visit to meet the real Santa Claus himself – is becoming ever more popular. As the most iconic of all winter escapes, Lapland offers a range of experiences which are relatively unique - beginning on the flight. Many of the companies charter their own flights and so you can expect the excitement to begin on the flight with themed decoration and activities. Flying into one of the three main airports of Ivalo, Roviemni or Kittila, you can expect to arrive in around 3 hours 40 minutes. Although many holidaymakers will have their eyes on the iconic log cabins, there are also a range of other accommodation including family apartments on either self-catering or half board and hotels offering both standard hotel rooms and suites. The log cabins are lovely though and are a great option for families travelling together as they sleep up to ten people. The majority of people tend to go half board as there is access to both local restaurants and shops. And although drinks can be expensive generally food is reasonably priced. For those of you wondering how you will cope in the cold weather, it is worth noting too that most tour operators will include suits and boots which are given out on the first day. You are recommended locally to wear 4 layers as temperatures can reach -15 – or lower. But don’t let the weather intimidate you – it really is all part of the fun! Of course, for many people a huge part of the appeal for booking a trip to Lapland will be visiting the big man himself - Santa Claus. Generally, your itinerary will include a ‘Search for Santa Day’ which is dedicated to the whole magical experience. Having experienced the tour from Levi myself, I can tell you that it will take around 25 minutes to transfer to Santa Village – but this will differ at other resorts. The excursion tends to last around three and a half hours and includes a visit to Elf School, gingerbread making and even an opportunity to cook sausages with the elves in the Northern Lights Hut. Outdoor activities also include sledging, tobogganing, a visit to an igloo, and of course a chance to meet the reindeers. In terms of meeting Santa, the preparation actually begins at home. Parents will receive a ‘For Parent’s Eyes Only’ pack which will detail how parents can contribute to the magic by secretly handing Santa your children’s letters before they meet him and each family is given a time-slot. It really is a magical, once in a lifetime experience. The magic doesn’t end there though. Also included in the itinerary is a ‘Santa Dinner’ which includes a further private meeting with Santa. In the majority of resorts, this takes place on the last night. During the rest of your stay there will be an opportunity to spend time with the huskies and reindeers. Guests should be mindful when booking that although some packages include these activities they are often shortened 20 minute taster sessions. If the Husky or reindeer experiences are added on to the package separately, they can last for around two hours so it depends what you are looking for and pays to read the small print when booking. Other optional activities include snowmobiling and skiing

15 November 2018

Small ship cruising can be an excellent option for both first time and more experienced cruisers. First timers may enjoy being able to find their way around a less intimidating smaller ship and enjoy the informality and the chance to see familiar faces every day. However, smaller ships can dock into smaller ports which are cannot always be offered on the itineraries of larger ships which can appeal to experienced cruisers who have exhausted all of the major ports. Typically, small ship cruises begin with a short stay in a hotel close to wherever you are due to board the ship. This will most often be on B&B basis and may include the opportunity to undertake an excursion or two depending on the length of your stay. On my most recent cruise with Voyages to Antiquity, we sailed from Athens and so we were able to take in the magnificent Acropolis. But on other occasions I have flown straight into Palma in Majorca for example and embarked the ship the same day. Once on board, you will be able to familiarise yourself with small ships very quickly. You will quickly become familiar with the crew and the facilities on offer. Queues are practically non-existent when compared with a big ship both at meal times and when disembarking for excursions. Most cruise ships are full-board however some offer drinks packages which you can purchase before you sail. As regards entertainment, this will completely depend on the type of market the ship is aimed at. Voyages to Antiquity, who are marketed at the 60+ market offer on-board lectures and low-key live music and dancing. They also offered a library, a spa and a small pool on top deck. A small P&O ship however, such as the Oriana, can offer shows and variety acts every night, a wider choice of restaurants and entertainment venues. Some cruisers will enjoy the slower pace which some ships offer after a day of action-packed excursions, but the choice of wide-ranging entertainment is available if you are looking for it. Regarding the excursions, these will obviously differ from one cruise company to the next. This can be an expensive additional cost as most trips can start from £25 per person to £100+ per person per trip. They are definitely a great way of covering the best highlights. You will usually be offered the opportunity to undertake a more informal tour with transport only allowing you additional free time and so it is worth doing your research before you go. In coastal towns, you may even have the option of walking or arranging local transport which can keep the cost down. However, a handful of companies such as Voyages to Antiquity and Silver Sea Cruises, will include all of the excursions and so it’s worth doing your research. Personally, I find small ship cruising both relaxing and informal and therefore ideal when I’m looking to go away with my husband Matt. However, if I was looking for a family cruise, I would probably look towards the larger mainstream companies. There are many different types of cruising to consider; formal, informal, adult only, families, active and relaxing and even river or Nile cruises. If you want more advice on which style is best for you and want inspirational do not hesitate to contact me.

23 May 2018

New York, New York! As far as city breaks go, they don’t come any more iconic than The Big Apple. In fact, when walking around New York, it’s difficult not to feel as though you are taking part in your own movie blockbuster with all the neon signs, flashing lights and breath-taking skyscrapers. New York has to be one of my favourite holiday destinations - which is why I’ve returned time and again. For some people, the hustle and bustle can be quite intimidating as can the sheer volume of things to do. Many of my customers worry about how they can possibly fit everything in without feeling rushed. The secret for me is to do your research and plan meticulously. Generally, people will travel to New York for between 3 and 5 nights. Therefore, planning is crucial if you are to ensure that you do not waste time travelling unnecessarily between those iconic attractions. For example, The Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and the 9/11 Memorial building are all situated in the financial district and so can be worked in to a day’s itinerary. However, the Empire State Building and Top of the Rock are situated by Central Park and so would be best worked in to a separate day. Combining the attractions in the most efficient way will not only allow you to see more but will also ensure you are able to build in the right amount of free time too. Here’s some of my other handy tips: Hop-On/ Hop-Off Bus Tours The first big recommendation would be to pre-book a place on one of the hop on hop off guided bus tours. This can be done at the time of booking and is a great way to save money moving between attractions. Prices tend to start at around £80 or £90 per person for 72 hours use but this does include the entrance fee to two top attractions such as the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building. This also includes a two-hour night tour across Brooklyn Bridge which is spectacular. Utilising them two or three times over your stay should see that you easily make your money back. Bus Stops are on every corner and you’ll rarely wait longer than 10 minutes. Top of the Rock In all honesty, the Rockefeller Centre was not high on my list of priorities as I wrongly assumed that it was just another tower with an observatory. It wasn’t until my fourth trip to New York in fact that I decided to visit. How pleasantly surprised I was! Upon entry - for those who love to shop - you will be able to browse the large shopping mall spread out over the lower levels where you’ll find many of the big brands. Perhaps what gives the Rockefeller a real edge for me, is the 360 degree view at the top. Unlike the Empire State, the observatory has glass panels which allow for spectacular views of Central Park from one angle and the Empire State from the other. For me, I would make Top of the Rock as much of a priority as the Empire State and would recommend visiting the Rock during the day and Empire State at night. This will ensure that you have enough variety between the two and make each trip that little bit more unique. Empire State Building Few people will not wish to fit the Empire State Building into their itineraries somewhere. Being relatively central, it’s an easy one to squeeze in amongst a day’s shopping. Although it doesn’t have the same glass panelled 360 views as the Rockefella, one thing that does give the Empire State an edge is the iconic city skyline view which includes the Statue of Liberty. You can also take in views at two different levels and - as it is open until 2 am - my recommendation would be to go and take in the big lights at night. Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Much like the Empire State Building, visiting the Statue of Liberty is likely to be high on your list of priorities and pre-booking is highly recommended. If you wish to include a visit into the pedestal or flame of the statue you simply have to book 3-4 months before. You will not be able to do this if you wait until you arrive. As you might expect, security is taken very seriously and so don’t be surprised if you are asked to wait in long queues at various checkpoints. In all honesty, this is also the case at many of the other attractions too. Don’t underestimate your visit to Ellis Island too which will give you a fascinating insight into American immigration history. The 9/11 Memorial Building and One World Trade Centre The events of 11th September 2001 will never be forgotten. The memorial building is an incredibly moving tribute to all who lost their lives on that terrible day and is befit with a thousand stories of the tragic events. Take your tissues with you and be mindful of how upsetting it can be if you have children with you. In addition, you now have the opportunity to twin this with One World Trade Centre which has another incredible observatory. Places to stay I would recommend staying anywhere within a 15 - 20-minute walk of Times Square. Generally, you will find good quality room-only and B&B basis hotels in and around this area. Working from this premise, if you go north of Times Square you will be nearer to Central Park- this might be a good option for anyone planning a summer trip. If you go further south, you’re going towards the financial district and perhaps better access to some of the most iconic sights such as The Statue of Liberty. Like most city breaks, you are really only looking for a room which acts as a base. There are some great value hotels in New York. Shopping For many, much of New York’s appeal will revolve around shopping! If you want designer purchases then plan a day trip to Woodbury Common which is in New Jersey, about an hour away. You can get a bus from the main bus terminal. Of course, you will need to think about working this into your itinerary. General shopping in the city itself is open late so if you are filling your days with the sights, you could shop till around midnight either side of eating out if you wanted to make the most of your days and nights! Broadway Shows There’s no business like show business! If there is a specific show or venue that you want to go and see, I would recommend that you pre-book this as weekend shows are sell-outs and even in mid-week you may have to compromise on seating. You can book shows when you get there but you will both use up precious time and risk missing out - so pre-book! If you are planning on a trip to New York, give me a call and I can help plan your perfect itinerary!

15 October 2017

After meeting the group at Iceland Air check-in desks we made our way through security by using the express lane which meant we got to avoid the queue, which was fantastic. As we boarded the flight, we greeted by Iceland air staff who were very friendly and accommodating. The flight was on time. We were in 32" seat pitch which I found very comfortable. All seats had seat back touchscreen TV’s with a wide range of movies and TV shows. The service on the flight was very good and you get soft drinks and hot drinks included. If you want something a little stronger or a bite to eat you can purchase this onboard. The flight took 2 hours 25 minutes. On arrival at the airport it was very busy as all the international flights were waiting to connect to the USA. Once we collected our luggage, which was a 23kgs allowance, we made our way out of the terminal to get our transfer to the hotel. As we left the airport there was a rainbow to greet us! Upon arriving at the Reykjavik Marina hotel I was very impressed with the style of hotel, modern but cosy. This hotel is very central and a 5-minute walk to the centre so it’s perfect. Well what can I say after today? Absolutely amazing! We did the Golden Circle tour today where we were picked up by a huge Hummer and taken on an adventure. Firstly we visited the national park and biggest lake in Iceland. It was vast, unspoilt and not to be missed if visiting this beautiful country. We then made our way to the Gullfoss waterfall, fiercer than Niagara Falls! It is a steep path to get right up to the waterfall so hiking shoes are recommended. It's very windy and there is a lot of spray from the waterfall so wrap up. We also stopped at Geysir where the warm natural waters erupt every 5-10 minutes. We then headed to the glacier which involves quite a bumpy ride once off-road but it’s worth it. It might be worth purchasing motion sickness tablets. On the glacier the temperatures drop and it was 0 degrees. We went snowmobiling and they give you gloves, helmet and suit with your guides to show you how to drive and travel around the glacier for around 25 minutes each way. This was great fun and another thing off the bucket list. This evening was a very clear night so we were very lucky to see the Northern Lights right outside our hotel in the city. We started with free time the next morning so we had a walk through the town up to the church. It’s very impressive and worth a visit. We then made our way to the lava tunnels which took about 40 minutes to get to from the hotel. We had to wear protective head gear which apparently is just to make us look trendy, not save us if the cave was falling in! We had a geologist guiding us through the cavern. After an hour there we went into the Blue Lagoon which I was very excited for. On arrival we were given wristbands and towels, the facilities are very modern and clean and lockers are included. Once we were ready and changed we headed into the water which was hot! You can take phones in but a protective bag is advisable. We were on the comfort package which included the above and two face masks followed by a drink at the pool bar. There is also a steam room and sauna. It was amazing! The journey to Blue Lagoon is around 40-45 minutes from Reykjavik. After getting back to the hotel we went to eat at Caruso restaurant in the centre which I would definitely recommend as the food and service was excellent. At 9.30pm we were picked up to do the Northern Lights. We booked this night as the prediction to see them was good. They drive you out of the city to a location which is completely dark to improve your chances of seeing them. It took us around an hour to reach the viewing point then we grabbed a drink as there was a small restaurant/bar/shop and toilets. At 12am, as forecasted, they appeared and it was just beautiful as they filled the sky, twisting and dancing. Such an incredible experience. A wow moment! We then headed back to the hotel to catch an hours’ sleep before leaving for our early morning flight with Iceland Air. All I can say is this trip was incredible!