02 July 2023

Bella Italia ! You may have visited “Beautiful Italy” before or never reached this “bellisimo angolo d’Europa” (beautiful corner of europe). Either way with my own adventures taking me back to Italy this summer for a fourth visit, this time to explore the stunning Amalfi Coast (practising my Italian as you can see !), I wanted to share with you the abundance of fulfilling experiences Italy offers aswell as explaining why it is the perfect destination for an escorted touring holiday. As I write this, I have clients coming to the end of a short break in Rome, now sipping an Aperol Spritz in the sunshine after soaking up the historic legacy of the Colosseum, plus others packing for their imminent Amalfi coast adventure where they will also be touring - taking a boat trip over to the enchanting island of Capri, where past the bustling quayside they will find terraced vineyards , lemon groves and fragrant pines, alongside spectacular views. They will also be taking in the roman town frozen in time, known to us as Pompeii, with more adventures including bustling Sorrento, pretty Amalfi, the hilltops of Ravello and not forgetting Positano, they can shop in the chic boutiques or simply tickle those taste buds with traditional Italian home made pizza, pasta or gelato, washed down with a glass of Italian Wine I am sure. There will also be time to relax and just simply appreciate this area and how it overlooks the sparkling waters of the Mediterranean so beautifully, oh my goodness I am counting down the days until I go ! WHAT MAKES A HOLIDAY EXPERIENCE FOR YOU ? ACTIVE : You may enjoy walking or hiking opportunities, a walking tour with an experienced local guide has many benefits, you will see places and gain unique local knowledge you just wouldn't achieve on your own. Leaving the city walks, your feet may prefer a walk to the summit of Vesuvius. Hiking opportunities can take you along the rugged paths in Cinque Terre or around the stunning lakes of Garda, Como or Maggiore with mountain backdrops to die for. You could even be more adventurous and take a Jeep in Sicily to get up close and personal with Mount Etna ! CULTURE : The choice is endless, from the magical waterways of Venice with St Marks Square, its Basilica, the Doges palace with its paintings, frescoes and gold leaf to Verona the setting of Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet, grasp the opportunity to take in an open air Opera Festival or simply enjoy exploring between its century's old walls. Florence, Italy's “art city” is blessed with dozens of stunning structures and galleries, The eternal city of Rome , watch cascades of water fall over the Trevi fountain, take a stroll down the 18th century Spanish steps and of course lets not forget the Colosseum and The Vatican. Sicily, the Mediterranean's largest island, offers historic ruins with fine examples of architecture at the magnificent Cathedral in Palermo, and a lot more on this must go to island – one very high on my bucket list. UNIQUE EXPERIENCES: Include something different in your plans. Add a scenic rail journey across to Switzerland from an Italian lakes tour, or a private Borromean islands cruise in the lakes, walk to the summit of Vesuvius, add a night at the Montecatini Opera Festival in Pisa, or simply add a visit to see the unique and traditional Trulli houses in the Puglia region. You could just take a Christmas break on the Sorrento coast. LOCAL FLAVOURS: For those foodies out there this is heaven, as well as the delicious home-made pasta dishes, tradition Italian pizza and seafood offerings, make your mouth water more by enjoying a local farmhouse lunch in Masseria the Puglia region, or a farmhouse dinner on the Secret Lakes of Italy tour. Let us not forget the abundance of vineyards and wineries, I may just take in a combined lunch and winery visit in the Amalfi Hills myself! TRAVELLING SOLO: JUST YOU are the UK’s Best Singles Holiday company, the solution for those of you who are passionate about travelling and would love to experience this with the security of a plan and others around you to share it with. Your own room and NO Single supplement ! You could even experience a unique opportunity to spend Christmas with the Countess of Luppis, with a stay at the now Boutique Hotel Villa Luppis once a Benedictine monastery, now the residence of the actual Countess of Luppis. THE BENEFITS OF AN ESCORTED HOLIDAY : Italy, as you will have soaked up by now, is a perfect destination for touring, and whether you are a solo traveller , couple, family or group there is something for everyone. It can be hard to know where to start when planning a trip to Italy, so whilst I can arrange an independent tailormade plan for you. Our amazing partners TRAVELSPHERE, who have over 60 years experience in escorted touring, and JUST YOU for the Solo traveller come into their own, with itinerary options that take away all of that planning ! 1 - Classic Touring - Where you will most definitely see so much more. 2 - Relax & Discover style Touring – The perfect mix of your own time plus the benefits of a tour. 3 - Travel with and meet likeminded people. 4 - Experienced local holiday directors – Adding knowledge you would never have been able to gain travelling on your own. 5 - JUST YOU for Solo Travellers offers a solution to “travelling Solo but never alone”. 6 - Options that include everything from short breaks, right up to the 15 day "Grand Tour of Italy", not forgetting the rest of the world on offer if Italy is not at the top of your bucket list ! 7 - Travelsphere & Just You “ Care” about supporting the local community – Encouraging you to eat out locally, and also working in local partnerships that address long term solutions for communities and the environment. Hopefully this has sparked a new plan or return visit to Italy, and an interest in Escorted Touring/Solo holidays. Please just get in touch, I would love to answer any questions you have. We can chat through the amazing itineraries available and help you secure your own slice of BELLA ITALIA !

08 January 2023

A key aim for me during 2023 will be a more focused approach towards sustainable travel. I have this as one of main business goals for the year; to run a greener business, to clearly offer more sustainable travel options and to help my clients to make more responsible choices when it comes to travelling. Running a Travel business and working already with many travel partners that are leading the way with social and environmental impact at their heart, made me assess where I sit within this and the part I can play. We all have a personal responsibility for day to day changes, however as a business owner in an industry that encourages us to see the world – well lets ensure we do this responsibly ! 2022 saw a huge demand for travel, my busiest year to date. My own travels increased and that of many of my clients, a positive after all the restrictions we have had imposed on us the last few years, however this does come at a cost on our environment so it focused me on the CO2 emissions angle. I also had the opportunity to experience a truly authentic and sustainable travel experience in Morocco last year which has further endorsed my own desire to create and experience travel with a much more responsible approach. I have now committed to tracking all my travel with www.trees4travel.com, a simple tool that many travel industry providers now work with, and great for your own personal use. This has enabled me to calculate the total CO2 emissions from the flights, rail and accommodation of my own trips taken during the last year. A total of 13,223.3 kg - Quite an eye opener ! By planting more trees we can together help to reduce the effects of our travel, by planting the right number of trees to make equivalent reductions in developing countries around the world. This equated to 81 trees planted for my own travel in 2022 ! Trees are one of the most powerful absorbers of carbon emissions; by planting trees in developing countries as we travel, we also help to restore ecosystems, biodiversity & support local communities. Travelling responsibly includes making the right travel choices, this might be alternative modes of transport; for example maybe making a train journey over an internal flight option or choosing a hotel that has clear policies about how they meet sustainability standards. We already have in house “Green leaf” identification to help us plan your travels with this in mind. The Travel Counsellors cutting edge technology allows me to send all quotes and itineraries digitally. Including the MyTC app, a must have for all travellers and the reason we can move forwards to paper less travel, something as a business I will also be focusing more on this year. My goals consist of: 1. To show my clients how they can offset the impact of their travel and compensate for their carbon emissions by joining me in planting trees plus supporting investment in renewable energy projects worldwide. 2. To run a sustainable business where my home office works in a way that is more eco-friendly, reducing paper usage and other areas that reduce my carbon footprint. 3. To educate and help my clients make more sustainable travel choices. I look forward to travelling more responsibly with you in 2023, I commit to finding the perfect solutions to create authentic experiences that support the local community and look forward to helping you calculate your carbon footprint, offset your carbon emissions, and know that you are working with a business that ensures we do good as we explore the world.

21 December 2022

2022 Thankyou & WOW what a busy year ! What's been happening ? As you would expect it’s had some challenges navigating a travel business throughout the last few years, and I am so pleased to write this and share with you that no matter what has been thrown at us, with hard work and resilience and the most amazingly supportive customers (family & friends) - the business that was just me up until a year ago has grown somewhat ! I am very proud to now operate a “team” that includes Lucy, my wonderful admin assistant who joined me in October 2021, as well as two other hugely supportive Travel Counsellor’s - Jo who has been with me over a year now and joining us more recently is Catherine. We all have extensive travel experience and knowledge, and share the strong values “ of being personal, caring and creating unforgettable experiences” - collectively now known as Team Sally ! If you have not been following me on social media throughout the year you may not have seen all of the amazing adventures my clients and myself have enjoyed. It is hugely rewarding to have finally watched all those delayed plans finally take place, plus being able to create so many new ones that have also travelled and just simply to see the world open up to us again with less and less restrictions. So here is a snapshot of some of those amazing adventures .. From cottages in Wales to whale watching off Cape Cod, gorgeous Greek islands to gorilla trekking in Uganda, Broadway shows & stepping off the EDGE in New York, honeymoons in Bali watching the sunrise to swim up rooms in Mauritius, luxury villas to gelato & gondolas in Venice, cruising the Norwegian Fjords to Walt Disney & Universal fun in Florida, France & California, Canadian rail journeys & Chicago city breaks to african safaris and Zanzibar beaches…the list goes on. Where have I travelled to this year ? I started the year with what was an unforgettable experience, taking a group trip of 23 out to Reykjavík, Iceland. We arrived and sampled some amazing food delights, then headed off in search of the Northern lights by cruise. With the lights of the city behind us we did manage to get a small glimpse of the northern lights, I say a small glimpse as mother nature decided it was an evening for fog. The second day started on a boat for whale watching, some of us visited the stunning Lava caves, others explored Reykjavik. Later that day we all warmed up in the waters of the stunning Blue Lagoon. Then we moved up a gear to Super jeeps! Gullfoss Waterfall was breath taking surrounded by a backdrop of white, we took a walk through the Thingvellir national park seeing where the tectonic plates meet & then checked out the splendour of the Geysir geothermal activity- it really was amazing to see these sights first hand and would highly recommend. It was that good, I am going back again - so why not join me for our next trip in March 2023 ? In June my husband and I were lucky enough to get away to Jersey to celebrate our wedding anniversary. We had amazing weather, enjoyed beautiful walks and the most amazing fresh seafood! This was my second visit and I can't wait to visit again, a perfect mix of everything with a little history thrown in to keep hubby happy ! Then in July courtesy of Royal Caribbean cruises, I had the opportunity to cruise the Greek isles visiting islands not visited before and getting to know Royal Caribbean's Brilliance of the Seas first hand. I was able to share this with my sister, and my highlights have to be Kotor - Montenegro , Mykonos and Kefalonia, each beautiful and unique in their own ways. I also just have to mention how fantastic it was to take my daughter to Paris to see the amazing Lady Gaga! A short visit to this gorgeous city - we ended up walking much further than planned, as we hadn’t factored in that Paris grinds to a halt during the Tour de France and being on the wrong side of the course at the wrong time meant I had to sweet talk 5 French policemen, navigate no taxis or metro, but with one subway open and the wonderful Google maps, we made it across Paris in time !! We may have had to walk for over 2 hours, but it was good training for my Morocco trek that was to come in September. Then after waiting two years like many of you, my family headed out to Florida and Mexico for the most amazing summer holiday. Staying in a private home with pool in the Champions gate resort Orlando, we visited Walt Disney’s Animal Kingdom & Hollywood Studios plus all 3 parks of Universal’s Orlando Resort, an adrenalin filled week followed by all inclusive luxury in Playa Mujeres, Mexico - where we swam with Dolphins, an experience my daughters will remember for a long time - Well worth the wait. Postponed from 2021, September brought to life the charity mountain trek challenge I had been training for, for two years by then. Along with my sister and 26 crazy others, off we went to Morocco. Well not only did our group raise approximately £30,000 for Reuben’s Retreat, but we had a huge adventure- we made it to the top of Mount Toubkal! All 4167m of it - My most physical and mental challenge/achievement yet ! The descent was not quite what we planned, for those that follow my social media you will know my sister decided it would be more interesting to dislocate her ankle on the way down. Needless to say it wasn’t the easiest of places to be rescued from, but with four or five guides giving her piggybacks, through thunder and lightning, then a mule for a few hours to get medical help and the aid of google translate, we do think it was all worth it - certainly memories we will keep forever !! My finale to the year was the annual Travel Counsellors Conference in November, held in Liverpool, our first for 3 years ! We were joined by Sir Lenny Henry, Vernon Kaye, Rebecca Adlington, Paul Mckenna, Boyzlife & Clean Bandit - what a line up and a great celebration of making it through the last few years :) There is lots more exciting stuff to come in 2023 ….. Definitely more travels - watch this space ! Reducing our carbon footprint together and my next charity challenge - Three national Peaks in June 2023 It has been my busiest and the best performing year since I started this business in 2018 from scratch, and I am so grateful for your continued support. January will see me celebrating 5 Years in business & “Team Sally” wish each and every one of you a wonderful Christmas & best wishes for 2023. THANKYOU ! Sally x

21 February 2021

What an amazing experience this was! This 5-day taster of a luxurious, unique and intimate way to travel was incredible. The places we visited, the beautiful scenery and the onboard experience has me promising myself a return to the river. Even though I class myself as a very open-minded traveller (being a travel professional and all that jazz!), river cruising did surprise me. I hadn't fully appreciated the variety of destinations and off-board experiences available, plus the high standards and excellent value for money this offered. But because I had my perceptions turned, I thought I would share with you my experience. Whilst this is one of the most popular river itineraries, there are many other options you can book, including France and Portugal as well as those in Egypt, Russia, Vietnam and Cambodia. There are lots of choices so do get in touch if you fancy a chat. Places we visited: Travelling in early October, we joined the ship at Rudesheim, one of Germany’s most revered cultural and historic cities. The ship was docked within walking distance of the centre, and after being shown to our cabin, we were offered a choice of excursions, including independent options. Whilst staying onboard for a wine tasting experience was very appealing, we chose to take the “Gondola” cable car ride to the Germania monument. Gliding above vineyards, it was a pretty grey day; yet we still managed to get a great view of the Rhine below, and the adventure that awaited. We sailed to Miltenberg that night passing Frankfurt during the late evening hours and arrived at Miltenberg around midday. We were on the Main River, also known as the “Crawling Snake”, smaller and cosier than the Rhine. Waving to a family walking along the river, going through locks (a much-upscaled version and luxurious vessel than that of my childhood canal boat lock experiences) and the slower pace of life really hit home. It was such a magical way to reach these towns and cities, not from a road but from the water, through stunning scenery and in such a relaxed style. Miltenberg, “The Pearl on the Main” really is a picture book town and probably one of my favourites. We chose the walk along a 2000-year-old Roman Path through the forest with vineyard views up to Miltenberg castle, overlooking beautiful views. We arrived at our next stop Wurzburg, the capital of “Wine Franconia” the following morning. Surrounded by vine-clad slopes and church steeples, we could either have taken a visit to the palace, visited a local farm or taken a scenic one hour drive to Rothenburg medieval walled city. We chose the latter and it did not disappoint! A gorgeous, cobbled city and the highlight here was most definitely the Christmas shop – a must if you are ever in the vicinity. We cruised the last stretch of the River Main and entered the Main Danube canal. Bamberg a “UNESCO world heritage town”, and Nuremberg, Bavaria’s second-largest city. Both fantastic for history lovers, foodies and of course like all of Germany, many fantastic beer delights to sample. After this the treats of the Danube with Vienna and Budapest still awaited! What was the onboard experience like? We stayed in a beautiful cabin, with both a French and outside balcony. I would highly recommend this option for the panoramic views and fresh air. This ship offered a walking track for outside space with plenty of comfy seating and a heated swimming pool on the sun deck. We travelled in October, so the sun deck seating area was well-equipped with warm blankets as well. Everything was so well thought of and you could ensure that you made full use of the outside areas, soaking up the stunning surroundings and uninterrupted views. It was incredibly peaceful and relaxing. Top tip: There are times when going through locks where the sun deck is all collapsed down, and access to the outside of the ship is restricted, but from the onboard lounges or comfort of your cabin you can still take in the lock experience! And not forgetting – the ship was equipped with its own fleet of onboard bicycles. These can be used on your own or on one of the many guided bike tours at each itinerary stop. There was a fitness room and massage/hair salon also available onboard, with other ships offering onboard cinemas. The Entertainment: Lock hoppers! What are these I hear you ask? The entertainment varies onboard depending on the River Cruise operator: we experienced glass blowing demonstrations, wine-tasting experiences, musical interludes from the onboard musician, and even guest singers. Some of these guests hop on at one lock and hop off at a lock further down the river, hence the name, “Lock Hoppers”. Timing is crucial, as we discovered when we kept one lady guest singer chatting too long, and she had to disappear quite quickly when the crew needed her to hop off! The food: Whichever luxury river cruise ship you experience, the cuisine is exceptional with locally sourced ingredients and specialities, paired with local wines for lunch and dinner. Most offer an all-inclusive option with all meals and drinks included or have the option of adding a drinks package. As you can tell, I loved my experience. Not only would this kind of experience be great for solo travellers and couples, but I would also highly recommend this for groups of friends looking for a boutique-style hotel as well. Whether you are a younger age group or travelling as a family, there are various options that you can tailor your itinerary to and have a truly amazing experience.

06 October 2019

As a child myself, I spent holidays in Cornwall, Wales, the Lake District and Scotland, with great memories. Now as a parent myself over the years we have done many of our own UK family holidays, however never got as far as the Lake District, so I really wanted to make sure that my own children, (aged 14 and 9 years old) had the opportunity to experience more of the beautiful country we live in. The appreciation of what we have on our doorstep is so important (bearing in mind I want to show them the world!) So, with a desire for open space, fresh air, activity and great walks with our dog, off we went for our family holiday in August this year. We stayed directly on Lake Windermere in a 2 bedroom pet-friendly lodge with the added bonus of our own hot tub! You can sit in a hot tub, whatever the weather, and even going in August we were under no illusion of guaranteed sunshine, although we were very lucky and most of the week was beautiful sunshine! We were located directly on Lake Windermere between Troutbeck and Ambleside, very close to the Brockhole Visitor Centre. We had access to onsite facilities such as an indoor pool, restaurant, bar and small shop. This was a great base for a family, the short walk to Brockhole Visitor Centre was excellent and offered an array of things to do, great to keep those little people active or in our case (not so little anymore). Brockhole House with its gardens are set in a beautiful location, offering a Treetop Trek, Treetop Nets, Archery, Adventure Playground, Woodland walks and much more. On the edge of the Lake you can pick up Windermere Lake Cruises and further around the lake we tested out the water sports. Kayaking off into the lake was a great adventure, getting each other very wet and getting excited when a larger boat passed as it created some waves to master – very funny memories made! Top tip: the roads can get very busy around the Lakes in peak season so do allow plenty of time. We visited Ullswater Lake, not only a stunning drive up and over Kingstone Pass to reach here but some great spots on this lake to take a swim, both kids and the dog loved it! Ambleside (about 10 mins ways from us) and Grasmere (about 20 mins) are both lovely, great for a wider choice of shops, cafes, restaurants. Definitely pay a visit to Baldry’s Tearooms in Grasmere, the best Lemon Meringue Pie we have ever had! Bowness and Ambleside both offer boat hire, we hired our boat for a few hours from Bowness. Another great day, armed with a pack lunch, lifejackets and a small crazy dog who now loved water and swimming (We managed to keep him in the boat!) we explored and checked out beautiful scenery, not forgetting stunning properties located along the edge of the lake, very relaxing and interesting. Not happy with all these water activities, we also managed to go horse riding and take in some great walks with the dog. With our last day spent on the other side of the lake, east of Coniston Water in Grizedale forest, here we all completed the Go Ape Treetop Challenge – a few wobbly, high up and hilarious moments, great fun though and more family memories made! We truly only scratched the surface of this stunning part of the country. With something to suit everyone, from families with children of all ages to adults travelling solo, couples or groups, and things to do no matter how fit or unfit you are! You can experience all the scenery and activities from whichever kind of base you prefer, whether it be a self-catering lodge, cottage, B&B, luxury hotel, there is so much choice. Also lots that are dog friendly too. In fact, even though you'd expect it to be a dog friendly area, I was nicely surprised to see how much accommodation advertised this and the number of cafes, shops etc that love to accommodate both you and your four-legged furry friend should you have one with you! So, whether this is a short break, your main holiday or a stop on route somewhere else, please get in touch to find out more and let me help you plan your experience of the Lakes – we will most definitely be going back again!

28 January 2021

For any of you who follow me on my social media, you know how much I love talking about not just future destinations I’m hoping to visit but also places I’ve been to. In this part of my Travel Diaries, we are going to the “Pearl in the Adriatic” - Dubrovnik. I’ve been to Dubrovnik a couple of times, and this blog is about my second visit but I must admit, I cannot wait to go back! My first experience of this gorgeous city was when we stopped here on a family cruise holiday, taking in parts of the stunning eastern Mediterranean. For our cruise, we departed from Venice and discovered the delights of Santorini, Athens, Dubrovnik and Split, followed by an extended stay in Venice. Dubrovnik and Split were absolutely beautiful. Having never visited Croatia before, they stood out to us and put Croatia high up as somewhere we would love to spend more time exploring. One of the great advantages of a cruise is that you get to sample more than one place and a brilliant way to plan future travels. Well, we did revisit Croatia, choosing Dubrovnik for an adult-only weekend away with friends, in the summer month of June. Where to stay This really does depend on the kind of experience you would like to have, whether you are looking for somewhere in the heart of the old town, or outside of the old walls, where you can relax without the crowds. Travelling as two couples, the focus was on being somewhere where we could easily access the old town of Dubrovnik by a short taxi ride or walk, be located somewhere more peaceful with the option to relax (and really enjoy having no children around!), whether by the pool or with a drink over an evening meal. We chose to stay on the Lapad peninsula, just a 10-15 minute taxi ride away and wow what a stunning location it was! The beautiful 5* luxury boutique Hotel More was perfect, with its own pool, a buffet and an a la carte restaurant, and not to be missed - the unique natural cave bar it is well known for. If you were looking to stay here, I would opt for the Seaview rooms here. The view first thing in the morning was simply stunning and so relaxing. Where to go and what to do in Dubrovnik The Old Town of Dubrovnik: For Game of Thrones’ fans, this is a sight to behold. But it is not essential to be one! You will see lots of references to it, as clearly it is one of the reasons for an increase in popularity. But the beauty lies in its paved streets, discovering the side streets, taking a look at the harbour, discovering hidden churches and walking in and out of shops. You absolutely must take in the view from the old city walls, looking over the Terracotta roofs. Stop off for a drink or bite to eat in many of the small restaurants in the main central streets, or find somewhere a little more unique. I will share a unique, no frills spot worth visiting further on in the blog... We had a fantastic time visiting Old Town, properly this time and at our own pace, without unwilling children or the lack of time during our cruise. So, this time we took the opportunity and walked the walls. A prime opportunity and might seem a little daunting in the heat but trust me, it is well worth it! Sea kayaking: Now to really appreciate this walled city, my best tip would be to try and view it from as many angles as you can. We arranged a sea kayaking trip that took us literally from the walls of the old fortress and off out to sea and around the island of Lokrum. With regular stops, and one longer stop for a spot of swimming or snorkelling in the Adriatic Sea, looking back at the fortress walls is a must for anyone that likes to be a little more active. Cable Car & Buggy Safari - A view from above: Whilst it is possible to hike up Mount Srd, this was not an option we chose, the plan was to take the cable car, much faster and you get to look out the windows at the amazing view the whole time. Our experience was slightly different, in that when we got to the top and a bit of adrenaline awaited in the form of an off road buggy safari! This was great fun, a chance to race around the hills above the old town, and the views were simply stunning. Although we did have a moment dicing with some local wildlife that was determined to outrun us on the buggy!! For any history lovers and to better understand the history of Dubrovnik, pay a visit to the Museum of Croatian War of Independence, housed in the Napoleonic Imperial Fort on top of the mountain. Before leaving the top, we enjoyed lunch in the Panorama restaurant, again a beautiful spot and one I would highly recommend as the 360 degree view of Dubrovnik and the surrounding islands are a view to really soak up and enjoy. Not to be missed, beautiful Cavtat: On our last day in Dubrovnik we took a boat trip to Cavtat, a pretty nearby town which can also be reached by road. Full of restaurants and narrow little streets to explore, with a gorgeous harbour and headland you can walk around. Probably one of our slower paced days, and a great resort to stay in should you want to base yourself with no hustle and bustle. What to eat Being surrounded by the sea you can expect fresh seafood on most menus. The Dubrovnik speciality is crni rižot or black rice, which is cuttlefish risotto with black squid ink, a very rich dish with a slight mushroom flavour. Hubby sampled this and really enjoyed it! If you’re more of a meat person, then there are lots of other options, and with lots of side streets in the old town there are the smaller more authentic settings, along with the larger more central options with al fresco dining options, a great atmosphere within the buzz of the city walls. Dubrovnik is also littered with Gelaterias, which we took full advantage of on multiple occasions! And the stop I mentioned earlier for a drink with a view, try Buza Bar. Sat on the cliffs outside the town walls, a no-frills location, no facilities other than the small bar and not great if you have a fear of heights, however perfect for a sit down with a gorgeous view out to sea. Dubrovnik is an ideal getaway for solo travellers, couples and families alike. Either as a port of call on a cruise itinerary, a city break, as part of a Croatian island hopping or multi centre experience, with many sailing opportunities in this area too. If I’ve inspired you to plan a visit, do get in touch. I’ve planned so many different itineraries and am always happy to discuss and create a tailored experience that works for you.

17 December 2019

Mahe, well where do I begin? I already knew this would be an amazing experience, anyone that has ever been here, seen pictures or just spoken to someone that has been – would agree it is a truly beautiful destination. My opportunity to see if this place was for real and not just one of those places you dream of visiting, became a reality in March! We took the direct flight from Heathrow with British Airways which I would totally recommend and a route that has also helped increase the British market to the Seychelles. Great if travelling with children too, 9 hrs 30 minutes and a night flight there makes a big difference, sleep and wake up to paradise! On arrival with a private transfer that took around 40 minutes we were taken to our first hotel, one of the Leading Hotels of the World, the Constance Ephelia Resort, our home for 3 nights. Being greeted with cold flannels and a welcome drink we sat in the tranquil setting of this amazing resort, with hospitality you could not fault, making us feel truly at home in no time at all. What was the weather like, I hear you ask? The Seychelles are located south of the equator in the Indian Ocean and with its tropical climate is a great year-round destination. The hottest months are November to April, travelling here in March it was definitely very hot and humid. The cold flannels on arrival were very welcome! Make sure you pack light weight loose clothing – an absolute must! The restaurant choice here is superb, we ate on our first evening at Adam and Eve, Thai style cuisine with outstanding service, the staff here excelled themselves. For anyone with specific dietary requirements you can be assured that this is taken seriously by each chef and their teams, you will be very well catered for, something that was so great to see throughout our whole experience in the Constance resorts. Restaurants are all located outside and allow you to feel immersed in the beautiful resort and surroundings. The resort is spread between a north and south beach, taking approximately 20 minutes to walk between or you can use one of the many buggies available frequently around the resort. An absolute must is to have dinner at the Cyann restaurant on North Beach, the only supplement payable restaurant, however worth every penny. The restaurant was full when we ate here, yet the layout and ambience meant that you would never have known this, beautiful, romantic in a beautiful setting. Another evening meal was taken at Seselwa, the fish /seafood restaurant located On North Beach, for any seafood lover this was a fabulous experience with a huge choice. Did you know the USPA at the Constance Ephelia is the largest spa in the Indian ocean! Just WOW - this was the best massage I have ever had! The spa is set out in keeping with the natural surroundings and offers a sensational relaxing experience. It was approx. £100 for 45 mins and believe me worth every penny. Whilst relaxing is very easy to do in the Seychelles, you can be more active, the water sports and diving opportunities are amazing, however staying in the resort (although not run by the Constance resort) “zip lining through the treetops” was one of my most memorable experiences from this trip. The view as you walk up to the first zip line is truly stunning and the eight zip line sections that followed this did not disappoint, costing approximately £40, worth every penny! We did leave the luxury of the hotel and explore the island of Mahe, which has a population of 95000 amazingly, the largest of the Seychelles islands with the capital Victoria. Exploring this island is a must, take a camera and you will see beautiful islands such as Turtle Island, great for a trip, beach party or BBQ? Conception Island another island accessible from Mahe. Eden Island as you travel around Mahe cannot be missed, the new purpose-built luxury island with its privately-owned properties, where the rich and famous reside. It's surrounded by other natural islands that in low tide can be walked between. We stopped at the islands tea factory, amazing views from here, and if you like tea a great opportunity to purchase some “Seyte”. For a spot of history then a stop at Venns Town, the Islands first school was built here on a plantation, known as the mission. It was wonderful to understand this island’s history, only ruins are left now however the island protect this very important site. Victoria, the largest capital in the Seychelles. We took in the local market whilst here, where you can buy meat, fish, veg, and souvenirs such as clothing and other small gifts. The locals use this market for all their fresh fish, meat and vegetables. The town has everything you need with some traditional buildings here that make it very interesting to walk around. Our lunch stop in Victoria at a local restaurant named Marie Antoinette cost 400 rupees per person, approx. £20 per person. Beautiful food, a buffet type selection of fish dishes including tuna, red snapper, rice, mango salad, chicken curry and more. A beer plus 2 x sprites came to 250 rupees, around £12-£13. Next stop Praslin…find out more in my Seychelles Part 2 Blog

17 December 2019

Praslin & La Digue After three nights on Mahe we set off for Praslin, the second largest of the Seychelles. I would totally recommend island hopping in the Seychelles, it was very easy to transfer and make the short 20-minute flight to Praslin and what a remarkably beautiful place! The second largest of the Seychelles Islands. We stayed 2 nights at the Hotel Paradise Sun, a great option for those looking for a short stay option, no frills and right on the beach. With a few bars and restaurants within approximately a 10min walk along the beach too, this was a great barefoot on the beach, relaxation spot. Now if I were to pick another experience that will stay with me, it would have to be our island hop to La Digue. Renowned for its iconic picture-perfect beaches and laid-back vibe, this island has no airport, however is easily reached from both Mahe and Praslin. We transferred to the jetty on Praslin and after a 15-minute ferry stepped off onto this wonderful island. Take your snorkelling gear, hire a bike, or take an island tour depending how long you stay here for. We only had the day here, we hired bikes which was great fun, and this was enough time to soak up the atmosphere of La Digue, relax a bit on the beach and we found a great spot for a leisurely lunch, Old Pier Café, where local fish and chips with a few beers came it at about £15. Following La Digue we stayed on Praslin and moved onto another Leading Hotel of the world, The Constance Lemuria for our last few nights. From arrival at this hotel, you feel a part of the natural environment that this hotel has so lovingly captured. The beaches are stunning and protected, with a resident conservation specialist, known as “Robert the turtle man”. He has been here for 10 years and what he doesn’t know or do to protect the turtles was truly fascinating – what an amazing job to have! Along with beautiful spa facilities, water sports and amazing dining options, there is also a superb 18-hole Golf Course here. I am not a golfer; however, we had the opportunity to have a go as the sun set over the course with views out to sea and that was most definitely one of my “#Constance moments”. For those non-golfers there are three beautiful beaches to choose from, a must being Anse Georgette – I could have sat here for hours. Sadly, this amazing Indian Ocean experience had to come to an end, so with a short flight back from Praslin to Mahe, we connected to our direct BA flight home to London. Whether you visit the Seychelles as one destination, island hop or add on after visiting another destination such as a South Africa, I would love to help get this experience right for you. Whilst here I also had the opportunity to visit other hotels on Praslin, so I have much more knowledge to share, there is only so much space in a blog and so much to tell you! Thank-you for reading and if this sounds like it could be for you, please feel free to get in touch……