16 December 2016

I visited this wonderful country recently for the very first time. We flew with Air Mauritius via Paris from Manchester and the flight was superb with a great crew and very comfortable seats. The hotel was an adult only called Recif Attitude, quite small by Mauritius standards but that suited us. The location is excellent, right on a beach with great snorkelling. The sea here is like an aquarium! The staff were lovely and nothing is too much trouble. There is an excellent on site spa too. The nightlife is low key with a singer some nights. We were quite close to one of the main towns, Grand Baie, which has a range of shops and a few bars and restaurants. We did a few excursions all of which were excellent. I loved the paradise island, Ille Aux Cerfs. I have never seen anything like it - the colours in the sea were amazing! We also visited a wonderful nature reserve, La Vanille, which has many giant tortoises as well as crocodiles. It’s well worth half a day here. We went to the Rum and vanilla plantation and had to make purchases of both. We loved the beaches In Mauritius. One of our favourites was Trou Aux Biches, only a few miles from our hotel. A long strip of white sand with amazingly clear sea wonderful and relaxing! This island would be perfect for a very romantic honeymoon or anyone celebrating an anniversary. The people make it special too as they are so friendly and welcoming. St Louis is the main town and well worth a visit for shopping. Give it a try - its amazing value at the moment!

08 April 2016

Hi This was my first visit to this area of the USA we had two days prior to boarding the ship to visit the sights if Louisiana and I really enjoyed it and will have to return to New Orleans for longer next time. Beforehand we had done a swamp tour in Lafayette through a company called Champagne Swamp Tours. This was great fun and very atomosheric.We saw lots of wildlife and some alligators too. We also visited some wonderful plantation houses including the fabulous Houmas House where we had a great guide to show us round. New Orleans was a great town with music on every corner and great cocktail bars and restaurants. The French Quarter has some great buildings to explore! We boarded the ship in New Orleans and had a very fast check in. We had a lovely outside cabin which was a great size and had two bathrooms ...great for families.Not all cabins have these but worth checking. The staff were lovely on board and looked after us well. They were great fun in the restaurant especially at "Showtime". We visited the steak house which carries a 35 US surcharge and is well worth it this was a real highlight and my filet was one of the best I have ever had!The cheesecake deserves a mention too ...heaven on a plate. We stopped at Mahogany Bay.Belize and Cozumel which was great fun. A great trip and thanks to all concerned !

30 September 2015

I had very high expectations of this island and they have been more than surpassed I have to say!! Its often a bit missed off in terms of holiday destinations but should be near the top of everyones list. We had a very pleasant 7 hour flight direct from Gatwick that passed very quickly. Bermuda is in the Atlantic Ocean and very close to the Eastern coast of the USA and would be ideal for a twin centre. The island is only 21 miles long and is very quaint and charming. The houses are all pinks and yellows and blues and all the streets have lovely names. There are no busy roads and traffic all of this adds to the charm. The island is a golfers paradise even to my inexperienced eye I could see the quality of the courses we saw several. As a beach lover I was very impressed with all the beaches we saw and the sea is the most beautiful colour I have ever seen some of the beaches even have the pale pink sand ...stunning !! Our hotel for the 4 nights was the Fairmont Southampton and I was really delighted with my room it was huge!With a dressing room area and office space,huge TV and bathroom I was more than comfortable. This is a very large hotel with some great facilities on offer including "The Dock" where we enjoyed canapés,drinks and live entertainment.It also has the private Fairmont Beach club several restaurants and even a golf club. On the first day we were in for a treat! We had a morning visit to the wonderful Grotto Bay hotel where we were given a very warm welcome from the staff and a tour of the hotel including the amazing spa in Prosperos Cave ..I have never seen a spa like it!. The hotel has many activites on offer and its the only hotel on the island that does all inclusive.Unusually this includes Bermuda public transport and ferry so a great idea! its worth mentioning that Bermuda has a mild climate in Winter and the high season is May to September. It was around 28 degrees when we were there very pleasant. Next we were on the ferry to St Georges a Unesco World Heritage site a small and quaint town famous for its ducking stool re-enactment...great fun! We had lunch at the fabulous Tobacco Bay where there are great opportunities for snorkelling as well as live music. In the afternoon I went on my first ever jet ski...I was so nervous but loved every minute. Due to the nature of Bermuda we were enclosed by land so it felt very safe for my first...but not last attempt! In the evening we were in for a treat! Dinner and a tour of the fabulous Reef Hotel. This has the most fabulous beach below it and again the staff were wonderful.The hotel is family owned and it shows!They were having a beach BBQ while we were there it was very popular! Day 2 found us at another stunning hotel Rosewood at Tuckers Point. We were treated to the most wonderful breakfast and a tour of the hotel. Although small in terms of rooms it is set in very large grounds with a real escapism feel.A fantastic golf course and beach are here too. For lunch we went over to the sister hotel of the Fairmont Southampton called the Hamilton Princess.This has just had a big refurbishment and looks amazing! The location is great and as everywhere in Bermuda ferries are on hand if you need them. Bermuda is gearing up to host the Americas Cup in 2017 I gather some hotels are already taking reservations they are very excited about it. More lovely food in the evening at the Elbow Beach hotel. This hotel is very popular and great for families and is right on another amazing beach one of the best ! For an island so small the food everywhere was fabulous and the islands cocktails are Rum Swizzles and Dark and Stormy are both delicious and worth a try. Our last day meant a trip on a glass bottom boat and a chance for shopping at Dockyards. We also visited one of my favourite hotels Cambridge Beaches which has an impressive list of return guests. Another hotel with amazing grounds and set on several lovely coves with many water sports on offer it just goes on and on.There are several room types here to suit all mainly cottage style but heavenly ! I would urge anyway to visit this enchanting island if possible I will never forget it and hope I am able to return one day as it has left a place in my heart

08 June 2015

Hi I was lucky enough in March this year to join the lovely ship P & O Adonia in Barbados for a transatlantic cruise back to the UK. We flew out direct to Barbados after checking in our suitcases at Manchester and they appeared like magic to our cabin shortly after arrival ...so easy! The impressions of the ship were really good as its such a small one it was so friendly with some of the best crew I have ever experienced! We had a very comfortable cabin with tea and coffee making facilities (always important to my clients) and a fridge and lots of clean towels. We visited several beautiful islands including St Vincent,St Lucia,Grenada,Dominica and St Maarten (one of my favourites). The people were as always so welcoming and friendly and the scenery and beaches were lovely its such a relaxing part of the world to visit. Back on board there was lots to do I even joined the choir onboard which was great fun! Food of course was amazing with Marco Pierre White having input in the gala meals as well as his own restaurant on board. We had several days at sea on the way back but as there was so much on offer they flew by.

08 June 2015

I visited this area for the second time in Sept 2014. We stayed in the outstanding hotel Nostos run by a wonderful English lady along with her Greek husband and they do an amazing job.The hotel has a 3 * rating but due to the personal touches they have made it warrants much higher.The staff are fantastic and hard working yet always ready for a chat and a laugh. The location looks out over the sea and is perfect.The centre of Afitos is about 20 mins walk away and is a lovely unspoilt Greek village with lots of charm and character with some fantastic restaurants serving great Greek food.The walk to it is lovely too and away from the main road so not much traffic. Back at the hotel there were many regulars they had been going to the Nostos for several years and I can see why.I sent many clients last year and some are on their second visit. I shall return one day. I have to mention the food in the hotel as its sublime! I have been to Greece many times but the food here takes some beating...with many Greek favourites as well as the families own dishes. Rooms are very comfortable and a million miles away from the usual more basic Greek ones.

08 June 2015

I try and go to this area as much as possible as its a short flight and transfer. I like to stay on the oustkirts in the little town of Los Boliches as it still retains much of its charm. There is a lovely long promenade here that leads into the centre of town that's is very flat and great for wheelchair users. The beach is lovely, wide and sandy and stretches for miles. Yes there are high rise buildings from the 60's but dig deep and you will find countless tapas places as well as some fantastic restaurants and bars. There is a market on a Tuesday on the fairground too. A place to visit about 30 mins away in the hillside town of Mijas with its great views and lots of charm again many tapas places and good for shopping this area is popular with artists too. The local train is fantastic! It runs from Malaga City through via the airport then to central Fuengirola with many stops in between. Its very reliable to use and costs very little. From Fuengirola its 40 mins to Malaga City and this is well worth a visit with its great cathedral and castle as well as the old town. The port area is worth a visit and there is even a beach. Countless hotels of all standards are here to suit all budgets.

08 June 2015

To visit Tuscany was a dream of mine as I had never been to this area of Italy. I have to say it did not disappoint. We flew with British Airways from Heathrow and this was a very quick flight with good service on board. We stayed at the 3* family run Hotel Ville Ricci in Chianciano Terme, which is a great base for visiting nearby hill towns as well as Florence, Rome and Siena. This was a very nice base with a good spa and great views. On the first day we visited Pienza, Montepulciano (made famous in the Twilight film) and the wonderful small spa town of Bagni Vignoni, of which the town square is a thermal spring. This was very popular with artists painting the great scenes. The whole region of Tuscany is famed for its wonderful wine, cheese and cured meats. The people are very proud of all of them and there are many shops selling all local produce. The scenery is truly breath-taking and there are some wonderful churches. On our second day we were lucky enough to visit Florence which is a beautiful city. It is small enough to get around on foot in a day and it is like a living museum with great shops and ice cream parlours everywhere. We saw the beautiful Santa Croce church and the Duomo. The third day was another highlight as we went to the medieval town of Siena, one of the best preserved in Europe with its spectacular Piazza del Campo where they hold the famous Palio horse race twice a year. This is a must see town and I thought would be an ideal place for a short honeymoon. There were some great restaurants here and, once again, great shopping and ice cream! In the afternoon we went to the hill town of San Gimignano known as the “town of beautiful towers”. Once again it was the ice cream that got me! Here at the top of the hill is the famous ice cream shop where they have the best in the world in my opinion…and I have tried many! On our last day we had a morning to sightsee in the "Eternal City" of Rome. This was not long enough sadly as it was jaw dropping and I will return soon for a longer stay as I think you would need about four days here to do it justice. We did a fast walking tour and got to throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain. The Vatican City will have to wait for my next trip as the queues to get in were too long but what I saw from the outside again made a return visit a must. A truly great trip for many reasons; the scenery, food, wine and the ice cream (of course). I think the months of May and June are probably the most beautiful but our guide said she loves September too. Don’t forget comfy shoes and an umbrella as it does rain sometimes.

08 June 2015

Well what can I say about this beautiful country? It has left a place in my heart! This was my first taste of the Caribbean and has left me hungry for more. I can’t put my finger on it as it’s a combination of the people who are wonderful and don’t take life seriously or the climate or the wonderful warm seas (it really is like swimming in a bath) the lush vegetation or the fabulous hotels we visited. We had a couple of nights in Ocho Rios and stayed at the wonderful Clubhotel Ocho Rios, which is a Riu property and what a fun place this is to stay - the minute we got there they had a beach party which had fire-eating, wonderful music and some of the best dancing I have ever seen - those Jamaicans really can move! We also swam with the Dolphins in Ocho Rios, which was a wonderful experience. From there we headed down to Montego Bay where we saw more amazing hotels, visited plantation houses and even went to the bars and a club. I say ‘even’ because since I came back many people have said that they thought Montego Bay was unsafe! I have to say I did not feel uneasy at any point during our visit even though it was the early hours though I would recommend if you go into the town to go with others you will have a great time but don’t go too early as they don’t get started till the early hours. For the last couple of nights we stayed in a beautiful hotel the Couples property in Negril. This would be an ideal place to stay for a honeymoon as the location, food and spa were fantastic. The entertainment was a little quieter than the Riu hotels we saw but excellent. The highlight of my trip was the River Tubing! If you go try it! I did not know what to expect and am a bit of a softie but you basically float down the river in an inner tube, it’s very safe and you have a guide who looks after you. The scenery was beautiful and we had a lot of fun. Anyone thinking of going to this country I would say try it you will love it. Many of the other agents that came said it was their favourite Caribbean Island. Lastly I have to mention the trip to Ricks Cafe on a catamaran. You must see the cliff divers they are amazing although my heart was in my mouth as some of them are quite young. I will be back asap! Sandra

08 June 2015

Our journey began with a very pleasant flight with Etihad the national airline of the United Arab Emirates. They fly into Abu Dhabi but the journey is only about 50 minutes into Dubai.The service on board was excellent and the cabin crew highly attentive.We were lucky enough to fly back Business Class on return which was wonderful I cannot recommend highly enough from the flat beds to the wonderful service as well as the sublime food and drink,before we had even boarded we were given a spa treatment at the wonderful Six Senses Spa in Etihads Executive Lounge. We spent the first 2 nights at a brand new hotel The Pullman at the Mall of the Emirates.This is a very contempory hotel with the benefit of the Mall which is attached and the Metro is on the doorstep. We visited some wonderful hotels but my favourites were (in order) The Ritz Carlton personally thought this has the best location ,the beach here is beautiful ,the rooms superb,but best of all the service was faultless.I would advise upgrading to a club room here as the cost includes some drinks and food and use of a lounge..and works out being very good value. I also love the Royal Mirage at the One & Only for the same reasons being location ,the rooms in particular the suites here are amazing and again the service. Lastly the Palace in the Old Town (which is actually the New Town )...this hotel is superb.Whilst not on the beach is had a great spot for viewing the dancing fountain ,The Burj Khalifa and is on the doorstep of The Dubai Mall.The food here deserves a special mention we had a buffet and I have never seen anything like it in my life. One of my highlights was the Jeep Safari which they do late afternoon when its cooler...this is such good fun we laughed so much then afterwoods you are taken to a "camp" in the desert where they serve a barbeque as well as belly dancing and you can get a henna tattoo done. We were lucky enough to go up to the "At the Top" experience at the Burj Khalifa...you actually go up to floor 124 so not right to the top but the views from here are amazing and the lift goes up in 60 seconds but you hardly feel a thing! Tom Cruise has been filming on the Tower this week suspended half way up it...he wanted to do the stunts himself for the new Mission Impossible film...if you ever see the Tower you will realise how brave or crazy he is !...bet it looks great on the film though. We had a flying visit round the Dubai Mall which is vast full of top designer shops and high street ones. Shopoholics would be in heaven. Our last 2 nights were spent at the Desert Palm which has its own polo fields. Its about 20 minutes from town and feels like a retreat. Many of the villas here have their own pools which I though were a good size and would be perfect for a family though some would be ideal for honeymoon too. Things I didn't know were the friendliness of the people, and there are so many cultures living and working happily side by side.It can be an expensive destination though there are many cheaper hotel chains present as well as fast food chains for those on a budget. Most of the hotels we visited did have their own spas in house too. I would say you can make Dubai the holiday you wish to have be it a beach holiday,a city break or some of the best shopping in the world,or be it active or relaxing. Many use it as a stopover en route but it doesnt have to be that really. Please email me if you need any more information Thanks Sandra

08 June 2015

This was a very exciting trip as I had heard about the Paradors of Spain but never been fortunate enough to visit one ...plus this area of Spain was very new to me I have been to Spain many times but this area is unlike any other I have been to especially in terms of scenery...its very rugged and green. We flew direct from Stansted to Santiago de Compostela which was a quick and pleasant flight. After a delightful lunch at the Parador de Ferrol we visited the city of a Coruna where we visited the Tower of Hercules an ancient Roman Lighthouse. We spent the night at Parador Vilalba where we were lucky enough to have rooms in the medieval tower which were out of this world ...would have been lovely for a special occasion! Next day we visited the walled city of Lugo before another wonderful meal at the Parador de Monforte de Lemos. It has to be said that this area is famous for its gastronomy and I could see why...all the meals we had at each Parador were wonderful the area is renouned for its sea food due to the many estuaries or "rias" that flow into the sea. That evening we drove to the former Benedictine monastry beleived to date from 6th or 7th century now Parador de Santo Estevo which would make an ideal restreat for someone wanting to get away from it all. Its location is 28 kilometers fro the town of Ourense where Julio Iglesias was born and where the family of Fidel Castro come from. Next morning we were up bright and early to visit the Parador de Tui in the town of Tuy set on the river Mino which borders Portugal ...this was in a lovely setting. We then travelled on to Baiona we visited the unique Parador there which was in the most unique and breathtaking setting one of my favourites again the food was delightful and the rooms comfortable. In the eveing we stayed at the Parador de Pontevedra. On our final day we were lucky enough to visit Santiago de Compostela the destination for thousands of pilgrims for over 1000 years...Santiago is the capital of Galicia...we visited the stunning cathedral here . This was the highlight of our trip and not to be missed.I would urge anyone to visit.The Parador Hostal dos Reis is next to the cathedral once a hospital now a 5* Parador this is a must. As well as the cultural delights Santiago is great for shopping. We had our last evening at the Parador de Cambados before our flight home next day. The highlights of the trip for me were the scenery, the food but in particular the standards in each Parador ...all rooms really well furnished, beautiful linens and great service throughout with a more personal feel than you may expect.The prices are all fixed and very reasonable. I had a lovely time and next time I visit Spain I will make sure I visit more of these wonderful Paradors.