03 October 2024

Located in the Lusail area of the city, the Fairmont Doha sits spectacularly on the skyline, the landmark Katara towers representing the crossed Scimitars. One Tower is the Fairmont Doha and the other 6* Raffles Doha, you can easily move between both hotels and use the bars and restaurants in both. I stayed at Fairmont Doha a stunning hotel has an opulent white and Gold décor throughout but is n

02 October 2024

The city of Doha is Qatar airways hub with flights departing all around the world for the very modern and easy to navigate Hamad International Airport, making it a great destination for a stop over on route to somewhere else, The Maldives are just a 4hr flight from Doha so this was too big an opportunity for me not to take some time to stay on one of the islands on my way home, from the Gold trip

02 October 2024

My Stay in Doha was the Travel Counsellors Gold Trip, and wanted to shared my reflections as I am sure like many of you I had my pre conceptions, but also didn’t know what to expect, I found myself comparing it to Dubai, but don’t it has its own personality, an amazing culture, atmosphere and bursting with colour, it is relaxed, friendly but also reserved as their local culture shines through, u

02 October 2024

Have you always wanted to do something but have a phobia which has stopped you from doing it or have you put of going to that destination because of it ? One thing you won’t know about me and are probably a bit surprised about as I go on cruises all the time! is I don’t like small boats, cruise ships fine small speed boats are a no! I hate them, the last time I went on a small boat I had a mini

24 November 2022

Good Morning Vietnam Vietnam is a country of lush countryside, fabulous beaches, culture, history, friendly happy people, and amazing food! The country is a diverse place with a different feel between North and South, on this trip I was lucky enough to visit two beach areas. Vietnam is not a beach destination you would not fly to Vietnam to spend two weeks on a beach! A. you would be bored and

08 September 2022

That’s a wrap as they say, after looking forward to a trip for 18 months our family trip on P&O Iona, I can safely say it was a success and great memories were made. This was a special multi generation trip to celebrate Nanny & Grandad’s 70th birthdays and 50th Wedding Anniversary with ages ranging from 71 down to 12, with four teenagers in tow was it going to be a success? I can safely say it

01 December 2021

I often get asked when is the best time to go to X or what is there to do in X, This week I was asked that very question about Bermuda. Part of my service is to research your holiday meaning you don’t need to, sometimes I am lucky enough to of been to a place other times It is still on my “ I would like to go to “ list which means I spend a couple of hours reading blogs from colleagues, reading

09 October 2020

Here is part 2 of my experience of travelling in the new normal, the in hotel & in resort...………… Hotel I stayed at the Sheraton Rhodes Resort in Ixia, the hotel was lovely & clean, they use a steam cleaning system for making sure everywhere is safe, there are sanitiser stations by the lifts, at the entrance to the bars and restaurants, also in and around the buffet area of the restaurant, along w

09 October 2020

I think I can safely say 2020 has not been the year any of us planned, I like many of you have had numerous trips cancelled and moved to next year, which is now looking very busy. I love my holidays, I will be honest I go away at least three times a year as it is the only way I can totally relax and get away from the treadmill of life, I then come back recharged with a little bit of firsthand k

15 July 2020

The sun shone at the weekend for a lovely socially distanced long weekend at Shorefield Country Park at Milford on Sea, approx 20 minutes from the New Forest and only 3 minute’s drive or 20 minute walk from the beach. My family own a caravan on the park and I have been here numerous times over the years so was intrigued to see what changes were in place in the current climate and how these cha

24 June 2020

Explore the World again………………. I Cannot wait to see the world again, I never thought in 27 years in travel that I would see the day the world put its shutters down and we all stayed at home. Nearly 4 months later there are green shoots of the world safely opening up again and waiting to great us with open arms. What have you missed? Being safely at home with my family has been lovely but I have

26 May 2020

I feel very privileged to have spent 4 nights on the stunning island of Mauritius with my fellow Gold Travel Counsellors. Mauritius had been on my bucket list forever so as you can imagine I was very excited for this trip. Landing in Mauritius on the overnight flight from Dubai (7hrs) we were met for our private transfer 1.5hrs north to the resort of Trou aux Biches and the stunning Beachcomber T

26 May 2020

Arriving in Dubai after the 7.5hr overnight flights from Heathrow we were greeted by the warm heat of the morning and the hazy sunshine across the city to what looks like it is going to be a hot day. Immigration cleared, luggage collected, cruise tags added to cases we found the representatives from MSC Cruises and were guided through Dubai Airport Terminal to the waiting coaches ready to take us

26 May 2020

As a family we love to cruise and over the years my mum & dad have taken their grandchildren away individually on their own special short cruise just the three of them. It was now the youngest’s turn! My 9 year old nephew Ollie is a bit of a livewire and it was decided that auntie Sharon would replace grandad, and it would be a cruise for four nanny, Ollie, auntie Sharon and his big brother Jack.

28 April 2020

When you think of Christmas in New York what pops into your head? Cold, Snow, Christmas Films such as Elf or Miracle on 34th Street, (two of my favourite Christmas movies). I have been lucky enough to visit New York a few times and this would be my fourth visit but this one was extra special as the whole family went, nine of us, five adults and four kids ranging from my nephew the youngest at 9 yr

06 March 2020

Abu Dhabi a short stop on my way to Mauritius. Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, is just 7 hours from London. Leaving Stansted on a horrible wet September evening I landed in Dubai to 42 degrees and sunshine at 7am. Why did I not fly directly to Abu Dhabi I hear you ask, which is a very good question when Abu Dhabi airport is around 30 minutes from the city instead of and 1hr 20 minutes from Dub

01 November 2019

Why Use a Travel Counsellors? Why book your travel arrangements with me? In the last 25 plus years that I have been in the travel industry the way we research and book our travel has changed massively. Gone are the days of using guidebooks from the library to research your trip and solely having a travel agency to book your flights and accommodation – there are now a huge number of booking websi

02 July 2019

Travelling solo has seen an increase in recent years, with many people choosing to please themselves and have a solo adventure, rather than compromising to keep their friends, kids or partner happy. I took the plunge last year and travelled solo on a Caribbean cruise. Now I have travelled solo before, I have been to Australia and also a beach stay in the Med, but what would a cruise be like? I ha

25 June 2019

If you are wondering where your family should travel this year for your summer break or for an Autumn half term escape, consider Sri Lanka, which is an ideal family destination. Why? Sri Lanka is tremendously family friendly. The island is incredibly diverse and comprises ancient ruins, colonial forts, beaches, wildlife reserves, tea estates and coconut plantations. Thanks to Sri Lanka’s relati

27 October 2017

It’s Friday morning 6am and I am Gatwick about to embark on a week Island Hopping in Greece courtesy of Olympic Holidays, I am off to the Sporades Islands of Skiathos, Skopelos and Alonissos. I am not sure what the week will bring but I am excited to see the film locations from Mama Mia and I want to come back with more knowledge of Island Hopping. The flight to Skiathos is 3 and a bit hours

27 October 2017

The nights were drawing in and days getting colder, I felt the need for a few days of lying on a sun lounger and enjoying the sunshine. Tenerife was the place and the Hard Rock Tenerife looked amazing but I had my preconceptions would it be too cheesy and over the top like the Hard Rock Café! Within seconds of walking through the doors I knew I had made the right decision and could not hav

02 July 2017

Does your family love theme parks but the thought of a roller coaster fill you with dread? I don’t like rides, anything high or fast fills me with terror so a trip to Universal Resort on a FAM trip, I thought I will be holding the bags whilst everyone else had fun! I could not have been more wrong, Universal Studios has something for everyone, yes if you like to sit at the top of a high rol

24 March 2017

I love Singapore - it has to go down as one of my favourite cities, the people are friendly, amazing hotels for all budgets, great food and lots to see for both adults and children. This trip I dotted in and out of Singapore three times over a few weeks, a stop the day before my Christmas Cruise, another day before my flight to Sydney and then an overnight and day stop on my way home to London,

24 March 2017

I have been away at Christmas before but always a big house in the UK with all the family, this year I was heading to the sunshine and a Cruise, really not sure what to expect and would it feel like Christmas? 11 Day South East Asia Cruise on board Diamond Princess, I have cruised many times and love it mainly for the fact you are entertained day and night, there is great food and you wake up i

29 October 2016

Gozo has always been on my list to visit but I had preconception that it would be difficult as you had to get the ferry from Malta, I could not have been more wrong! The ferry to Gozo takes 25 minutes and takes cars and foot passengers. The journey across is quick and smooth and in low season cheap at only €5 return for a foot passenger. The ferry run every 45 minutes and you buy your ticket

29 October 2016

Valletta is the Capital of Malta and an UNESCO World Heritage City, in 2018 it will also be the European Capital of Culture, but most importantly my favourite place in Malta. I had never thought of a Malta as City Break location but if you are looking for a short break, somewhere warm/hot, great food, great people, a coastline, lots of Culture then Valletta and its neighbours the Three Cities

29 October 2016

I have always had preconceptions about Malta, popular with the older generations, no beaches and not really for me, but after my four days on the island I fell in love and this has changed. There are some great holiday resorts such as St Julian’s which has some lovely 5* hotels and great restaurants in the Spinola Bay area overlooking the small harbour. I can recommend ‘Girosole’ a great fish r

19 May 2016

After a long journey of 3 flights and a 35 minutes Yacht transfer I arrived at Outrigger Konotta to be welcomed by the hotel GM and his team, fresh coconuts and garlands, I very quickly realised I had discovered Paradise. I had pre conceptions of the Maldives, isolated, full of honeymooners, I would get bored being on an island, not for families, how wrong was I, within seconds of arriving I

21 December 2015

There is only one reason your alarm clock should go off at 0330 and that is if you are off on holiday! Taking the 0600 flight from Luton meant my Mum and I arrived at our hotel in Tenerife for our Mum & Daughter long weekend by 1100 and by lunchtime we were changed from winter clothes into swim suits lying by the pool soaking up the sun. The Bahia Del Duque in Costa Adeje is a stunning 5 star

25 April 2015

I love to cruise and was very excited find myself going on one of the largest ships in the world, Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas, with state of the art technology, world class food from a huge choice of restaurants, and spectacular entertainment. If you like to be active then Anthem is perfect! She has the Flow Rider - a surf Simulator, Ripcord by Ifly – indoor sky diving, a climbing wal

20 December 2013

We arrived into Pisa airport on a hot day in August 2012 for my partner’s special birthday! Florence can be reached from Pisa by either train or bus, both are reasonably priced but we decided on the bus which took an hour so that we could see the picturesque Tuscan countryside on the way. We stayed at the 4* Brunelleschi Hotel which is located just behind the Piazza Del Duomo where the famo

20 December 2013

1 hour 50 minutes north by train from Florence is Venice. I arrived early afternoon into one of the most amazing cities in the world. I stepped out of the train station to see the city just like it is in the photographs floating in front of me, I will never forget that view. It had the WOW factor for me. I stayed here as part of a two city trip to Italy in August 2012. I was a little worried as