28 September 2020

Having sent numerous customers to this enchanting holiday spot I have been wanting to visit Kalkan for longer than I remember and I was not disappointed. The town has so much charm and character and the local people are wonderfully friendly, warm and inviting. I stayed at the Samira Exclusive hotel in the heart of the old town that had marvellous views over the bay. Kalkan has a unique cosmopolitan feel that draws back discerning visitors year after year. For me there were too many wonderful things to do and see to mention so here are some of my favourite that I spent whilst I was in and around Kalkan... apart from just lying on the sun lounger enjoying the Mediterranean sunshine of course. I loved sampling and enjoyed the amazing Turkish and international cuisine in stunning surroundings on roof top restaurants in the town, by the harbour and in simple street cafés. With over 150 places to eat you really spoilt for choice. There are many places to relax over a cocktail, a glass of wine or an iced coffee. Chic cocktail bars, quaint coffee shops or the one and only Shades Lounge Bar which was one of my favourite places for a pre-dinner drink. Browse the many boutiques and gift shops, watching old traditions come alive with stunning objet d’arts being created while you look on. For a different shopping experience try Kalkan market every Thursday where you can pick up your pashminas, herbs and spices or just a box of freshly made Turkish delight. Take a boat from the harbour to one of the many beach clubs. I loved my visit to Zest beach club which was great for sunbathing, swimming and water sports and a lovely lunch overlooking the Bay. A must is a day trip from the harbour on a traditional Gulet. Swim and snorkel in the clear blue waters, take a mud bath on one of the small beaches, enjoy an amazing Turkish spread for lunch and chug back into the harbour at around 5.30pm feeling completely chilled. Just minutes from Kalkan are two of the most stunning beaches in Europe. Patara and Kaputas. Patara has 18 miles of golden sand right on the edge of the ancient ruins of Patara. A conservation area which prohibits any sort of development, this is also breeding ground for loggerhead turtles. I loved the beautiful Kaputas Beach a very scenic short bus ride around the mountain from Kalkan. Kalkan being at the foot of the Taurus Mountains, there is stunning scenery inland. You can hire a car making stops to admire the views. There is so much on offer so if you’re feeling inspired, get in touch for many more ideas of things to do. For more information and advice of this or any other destination, please give me a call.

15 December 2018

I stayed at the Alkyon Hotel close to the Harbor on the edge of Skiathos Town. It has an outdoor swimming pool and sun terrace, a bar offering drinks and snacks, a roof top terrace where breakfast is served with stunning views over the harbour. A comfortable hotel with Greek hospitality. Turn right when leaving the hotel and its just 5 minutes’ walk to the centre of the bustling but chic Skiathos town. It’s well worth spending some time wandering around Skiathos Old Town, admiring the architecture and sniffing out trendy boutiques in the narrow backstreets. I initially missed the most charming tavernas and shops in Skiathos because I didn’t get off the main drag, so I can’t stress strongly enough how important it is to get lost in the laneways. Another must-do in Skiathos Town is a night at the open-air cinema, which shows new releases as well the movie that put Skiathos on the map. The Mamma Mia! Movie Night, held 3 times a week, is not just a cinema experience but is a raucous night out where audience participation is positively encouraged, although obviously not during the talking bits! Turn left from the hotel for an array of superb quiet restaurants by the water’s edge. All the beaches on Skiathos can be reached by local bus, bus stops 1 – 26 with Koukanaries (voted one of the best beaches in the world) and Banana beach being the furthest at bus stop number 26 but still less than 45 minutes away from Skiathos Town and a bargain at just 2 euros pp each way. Other than the bus a good way to see the island is by hopping on a boat. Boat trips, departing from Skiathos Town, tend to take you to a couple of the beaches but one I visited was Lalaria, a gorgeous pure white stone beach that can only be reached by sea. To explore the lush interior and some of the old monasteries on the island hire a car and head inland. Olive Thea Restaurant is a great place to enjoy home-cooked food with incredible views – and they even offer free transfers from your hotel if you’d like someone else to do the driving. Another must is to visit Skopelos which is the largest and greenest in the Sporades with lush pine-covered mountains sweeping down to sheltered beaches and coves. It is simply beautiful and traditionally Greek, one of the main reasons why it was chosen as a location for the blockbuster movie ‘Mamma Mia’. Just a short trip (45 mins) by hydrofoil from Skiathos brings you to the main town and harbour of Skopelos. Seven white churches and white Pelion slate roofed houses, cascade down the hillside from the ruins of the Venetian castle above. The old town is a maze of quaint cobbled streets and steps, with virtually a church on every corner – there are 125 in the town alone. The bustling harbour front is very cosmopolitan with cafes, bars and tavernas and a large selection of restaurants invite you to taste the traditional cuisine and local fish and produce. For more information and advice of this destination, please give me a call.

15 December 2018

I stayed at the simple taverna style Lara hotel located in the picturesque village of Lourdata. Situated on a hill this comfortable small hotel boasts Greek hospitality, an outdoor swimming pool and sun terrace with a bar offering drinks and snacks. The long and sandy Lourdas beach in Lourdata attracts plenty of tourists and locals due to the exceptional location and the crystal-clear waters. There are plenty of sunbeds and umbrellas for rent, water sport facilities, beach bars, mini markets and many taverns and restaurants. Wherever you choose to stay you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to the beaches of Kefalonia. The biggest of the Ionian Islands, Kefalonia is as diverse as it is vast. From the farmland and vineyards of the Paliki Peninsula, to the sheer cliffs and rocky shoreline of the north, this island is filled with surprises. Kefalonia is extremely mountainous with many natural sites and quaint towns that are spread out across the island. In my opinion, having a car is a must to see all the wonderful places on offer which I did. The capital city of Argostoli has some lovely plazas, numerous cafes and restaurants, walking streets and a waterfront promenade which is a great place for a stroll. There’s a footbridge (The De Bosset Bridge/Drapano Bridge), which connects Argostoli with the opposite side of the bay. This bridge is the largest stone bridge over a sea in the world and is a great place for a walk in the late afternoon. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to spot some loggerhead turtles in the water, as well as many sea birds. I was absolutely blown away by Myrtos Beach and the seaside towns of Assos and Fiskardo. These truly are some of the most amazing spots in Greece. Rounding the final bend on my drive to Myrtos Beach, I slammed on the breaks and brought the car to a screeching halt. Below me was the beach I had heard so much about. The water was so incredibly bright and neon, that it seemed as though there was a spotlight below it, illuminating the sea! There was hardly any sand, but the rocks were blindingly white, and the sheer cliffs backing the beach only added to its beauty. I had to stop and have a dip in the powder blue water before heading off. Moving further north along the scenic coastline, I arrived at Assos. This colourful, quaint village is one of the most picturesque spots I’ve seen. With just 100 inhabitants, the Venetian-styled village is a great place to spend a lazy afternoon – which is exactly what I did. Vines and flowers cling to pastel-coloured homes, low-rise buildings line the waterfront promenade and quiet little lanes provide a shady stroll. There is one small bay here with crystal-clear water and a couple of restaurants. This is the perfect spot for cooling off after hiking to the remains of the nearby 16th century Venetian Fortress. After lunch at one of the many tavernas by the water’s edge, I made my way to the very northern part of the island to the more upscale sailing village of Fiskardo, which was lucky to escape damage from the 1953 earthquake (the rest of Kefalonia didn’t fare so well). Well-known by sailors and yachties, this beautiful village is becoming more popular with tourists as well. The construction of hotels and a shopping centre uncovered numerous, well-preserved remains from the Roman era – including graves, a bathhouse, a theatre and homes. Kefalonia is large, mountainous and very diverse. There are numerous towns, beaches and sites to explore. To really get a feel for the magic of this Ionian Island, make sure to give yourself time, at least a week. For more information and advice of this destination, please give me a call.

03 August 2017

People ask why they should book with me over another travel provider, this blog from one of my customers shows the type of experience you get when you book with me - and how I’ll always go the extra mile to create something really special for you and your family. "When I wanted to propose to the love of my life I knew that I had to find something really special to mark the occasion, I searched for weeks and tried to find a luxury location with the accommodation that was right for us. I looked everywhere I could but kept going round in circles and wasn't sure about connecting flights, itineraries or any of the details that were needed to make the trip go smoothly and with that touch of extra class, I was looking for. This is where Steve came in! After a friendly chat and explaining what I was after Steve went to work and in no time at all had the most amazing, bespoke, luxury holiday on an island in the Maldives organised for me. Even down to the smallest detail of which room we wanted and how I was going to propose, liaising with the staff on the island Steve completely reassured me that everything was taken care of. From the moment we left the airport in the U.K. we had absolutely nothing to worry about! We had the most incredible time - the flights, the transfers, the accommodation and the entire holiday was absolutely faultless from start to finish. We had a personalised greeting from Steve in our room and felt confident that at any point should we have any concerns we could reach Travel Counsellors if we needed to... but we never needed to. Two years later when we were due to be married we found ourselves in a similar situation about the honeymoon and without hesitation spoke to Steve. Again Steve pulled together a bespoke trip for us. We wanted to experience adventure but also relax and so we had the most incredible 3-week package put together for us. Ten days touring across Sri Lanka seeing the amazing people, culture and scenery, going on safaris to see wild leopards and elephants and then flying to a private island in the Seychelles to our honeymoon suite with a private beach to relax with fine dining and luxury in style! Just as before... perfect from start to finish! We had 7 fights and stayed in 9 hotels in total and every single step of the way went as smoothly as possible, even as far as room upgrades and congratulatory surprises everywhere we went! On both holidays neither my wife or I could possibly imagine anything that could have improved our experience, this is all down to Steve. His incredible attention to detail, thorough knowledge of the destinations and friendly professionalism. During the planning of both trips Steve would communicate regularly with me in every detail and when everything was booked he made the journey to us in person to hand us all our documents in a special leather wallet and go through everything and answer all our questions so we knew exactly what to expect and where to be at all times. If you want the perfect holiday and someone to ensure all the details are taken care of with the peace of mind that you are completely covered against any problems then speak to Steve at Travel Counsellors, first class service and a first class guy :) Marcus Dorrington, Ware, Hertfordshire.

08 April 2017

My first stop was Antigua where I stayed at the adults-only Pineapple Beach Club. The hotel is situated on a stunning stretch of white sand beach and has the reputation for being among the friendliest and most authentic all-inclusive resorts in Antigua. The hotel offers five dinning locations, three bars, two freshwater pools and complimentary non-motorized watersports and a spa. I hired a car for a couple of days which is well worth doing and drove all over the island stopping to view some of the breathtaking scenery and beaches that vary in size and seclusion and to carry out some sight inspections of other hotels on the island that included Jolly Beach Resort, Sandals and passed by the stunning Blue Waters Resort (contact me for more details) Antigua is not as fully developed as some other Caribbean islands and has a relaxed culture that moves at a slow pace “Island Time”, the locals are very friendly and gladly welcome all visitors. If you’re looking to truly marvel at the island’s beauty, I suggest going to Shirley Heights (especially on a Sunday for live steel band music and delicious BBQ food) which undoubtedly has one of the best sunset views that the island has to offer. Tourists from all over the island arrive as early as 4:00pm to reserve a spot for the view. English Harbour is another great location to visit on the south of the island. The majority of establishments are a combination of outdoor clubs, bars and restaurants situated around the lovely harbour filled with yachts. For the shopper, there are numerous duty-free shops that line the harbour of the islands capital, St John’s. Nature takes its course on this beautiful island, if you like a perpetual Caribbean island-vibe, an array of intimate beaches and breathtaking scenery, Antigua will be your paradise. Next it was onto my favourite Caribbean island, beautiful Barbados (for details on Barbados see my other blog). My connecting flight was with Liat. (Leeward Islands Air Transport) the airline operates inter-island scheduled services serving 17 destinations in the Caribbean making multi-centre holidays in the region possible and highly recommended. This time I stayed at the newly opened Waves Hotel & Spa by Elegant Hotels. It’s a new kind of all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean, with a boutique modern designer feel. The hotel has rooms on three floors above the beach, and spa rooms across the road with a dedicated adults-only pool (there is a pool with cabanas that children can use located within the main hotel on the beach side of the property). There are three places to dine: Seascape, a Mediterranean-style eatery; Shiso, an Asian fusion restaurant (highly recommended!) and Kyma, a coffee bar and deli. As well as these restaurants you can take advantage of the Elegant Hotels dine around program that allows you to dine at up to 20 different restaurants at all six of the groups hotels on the island. The hotel offers a beach ambassador to serve you all the rum punches you need right on the sand. The emphasis is on being active, from Pilates instruction to beach meditation to complimentary spa treatments (and three complimentary rounds of golf, too). During my stay I visited a number of hotels, first being the relatively new Sandals hotel that opened in December 2013. The hotel is located on the stunning white sands of Dover Beach in the south of the island. I loved the exclusive touches of this newly opened Sandals, which include private soaking tubs on the balconies and patios, direct access into the lagoon style pool and a selection of 11 themed restaurants and bars. The lovely boutique Little Good Harbour Hotel situated in a quiet little fishermen’s village on the North West coast, offers luxurious holiday cottages amidst lush gardens with two swimming pools. For lunch I visited the hotel’s lovely restaurant with stunning views of the Caribbean Sea. The Fish Pot, I highly recommend a meal here even if you are not staying at the hotel. On Sunday I visited Little Good Harbour’s sister hotel The Atlantis Hotel. The hotel is located in Bathsheba, on the eastern coast and has just 10 guest rooms with fine food served in the hotel’s restaurant. On a Sunday it’s very popular with locals and visitors and I got to sample their famous West Indian buffet lunch serving authentic Bajan and Caribbean food with live music whist overlooking the Ocean. These two sister hotels offer a package called East meets West where you spend part of your holiday at each hotel experiencing the contrast of the exclusive west and rugged east coasts of the island. Ocean Two is a smart welcoming resort with poolside lounges adjacent to the beach. This apartment style hotel is located in the famous and convenient St Lawrence Gap on the south coast with its many restaurants and bars. For more information and advice on either of these destinations, please give me a call.

05 April 2017

Cork and Killarney: The emerald Isle - highly recommended for a short break or longer stay. Having previously visited Dublin twice, I wanted to try somewhere different in Ireland. I flew from London to Cork and collected a car at the airport and spent two nights in Cork, a city which is steeped in history. Ireland's third- largest city began life as an island and now spans both banks of the River Lee, with watery channels running beneath some of its main thoroughfares. The best way to experience this hilly southern seaport is on foot, following the signposted walking tour past St Finn Barre's Cathedral and the riverside quadrangle of University College up the hill to red and white Shandon Church. Along the way, you'll meet plenty of the city's talkative residents. It has a reputation for being one of Europe’s hippest cities. Built on islands in the River Lee, the many bridges give the city a continental feel which sits elegantly with the Georgian grandeur of its successful past. I then drove the 85km southwest in just over an hour from Cork to the wonderful authentic town of Killarney. Killarney is a town on the shores of Lough Leane in southwest Ireland’s County Kerry. It’s a stop on the Ring of Kerry scenic drive, and the start and finishing point of the 200-km Kerry Way walking trail. The town's 19th-century buildings include St. Mary’s Cathedral. Across the bridge from the cathedral is Killarney National Park. Victorian mansion Muckross House, Gardens & Traditional Farms sits in the park. The town is an absolute delight with its horse-drawn carriages that offer a tour of the town. The compact town is very walkable and it's great to sample a few pints of Guinness in one of over 60 of Killarney’s famous singing pubs. Killarney is a great base to stay to embark on one of Ireland’s most popular scenic drives – The Ring of Kerry, a winding road between the mountains and Atlantic coastline, stopping at the colourful village of Sneem and viewed the Three Lakes of Killarney from Moll’s Gap. I was amazed at the beauty of this drive, viewing the beautiful green mountainous countryside and the coast passing beaches of pure white sand and the clear blue water of the sea. The following day it was the Ring of Dingle, another stunning coastline. The Dingle Peninsula is ringed by sandy beaches and craggy cliffs. Inland are rolling hills and mountains, including 952m Mount Brandon. The region’s an officially recognised bastion of Irish language and culture. Dunmore Head, mainland Ireland’s easternmost point, has views of the Blasket Islands, famous for Irish-language memoirs documenting rural life in the 1800s and 1900s. I stopped en-route in the town of Dingle for lunch. Framed by its fishing port, the peninsula's charming little 'capital' manages to be quaint without even trying. Many pubs double as shops, so you can enjoy Guinness and a singalong among screws and nails, wellies and horseshoes. It has long drawn runaways from across the world, making it a cosmopolitan, creative place. In summer its hilly streets can be clogged with visitors. Following lunch, I took a boat trip out to see Fungie the Dolphin. Fungie is a wild Bottlenose Dolphin, no one is quite sure of his age but he has been here for over 30 years and the experts tell us he has a lifespan of between 40 and 50 years. He is about 13 feet in length and weighs around 250kgs. The media named him in the early years and although there is no meaning in the Irish language for the word ‘Fungie’, it does suggest he is a Fun-Guy. People from all walks of life, from all over the world have come to Dingle especially to see Fungie. Many people decide to become one with nature and meet with Fungie in his own environment, including a number of celebrities. For more information or advice on this wonderful destination, please give me a call.

07 October 2013

Barbados is the gem of the Caribbean Sea. It is one of my most visited and favourite destinations! Just 21 miles long by a smile wide (14 miles), this paradise island with palm trees swaying in the tropical breeze, coral pink and white sand beaches all washed by the emerald and turquoise warm waters of the Caribbean has something for everyone! Having gained its independence from Britain in 1966 it still keeps a lot of its British heritage. Made up of 11 parishes, the island is affectionately referred to as “Bimshire” or “Little England”. I have found Barbados and its people to be one of the friendliest places I have visited. From self-catering studios to five star deluxe hotels and from fast food outlets to gourmet restaurants the island is diverse and appeals to everyone. I have stayed in many hotels including The Club Barbados Resort and Spa – Adults only and Tamarind by Elegant on the west coast and Couples Barbados – Adults only and Turtle Beach by Elegant on the south coast. I also have first-hand knowledge of many other accommodations including self-catering. My must do’s include venturing out, hire a car and start exploring, they are driving on the same side as the UK! See sugar cane fields, plantations houses, rum shacks, just soak up all the sights. Visit the rugged East Coast reminiscent of Cornwall with the Atlantic Ocean crashing on its shores. The scenic Scotland district with the islands highest point, Mount Hillaby. North Point and the Animal Flower cave are amazing. See the beaches of the fun south coast where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Caribbean and the west coast, lapped by the calm Caribbean Sea. If you enjoy excursions try the Jeep safari that takes you off the beaten track or take to the sea for a relaxing day on a catamaran, or The Jolly Roger fun cruise and go swimming with the turtles. Take Sunday brunch at The Crane beach Hotel, whilst listening to a Gospel choir. Crane beach is said to be one of the top 10 most beautiful beaches in the world. Visit Oistin’s Friday fish fry for some tasty local fare, where you can learn how to dance like a Bajan. Don’t forget St Lawrence Gap with its abundance of restaurants and bars featuring local calypso and reggae bands. Stop off at a rum shop for a chat with the locals and have cool refreshing drink. And for cricket fans take a visit to the Kensington oval on the outskirts of the capital Bridgetown. Don’t go to Barbados without sampling, flying fish cutters, Macaroni pie, Bajan style pork chops, Banks beer and Rum punch. For more information and advice of this destination, please give me a call.

08 April 2017

I stayed in the luxurious 5-star Gran Bahia Principe Esmeralda. The hotel is part of the Bahia Principe hotels and resorts made up of hotels in Punta Cana, Bavaro, Amber (adults only) and Esmeralda. When staying at Esmeralda, you get access to the facilities of all the other properties, which include pools, bars and a la carte restaurants. The hotel fronts a tropical beach of white sand lined with palm trees that is lapped by the warm turquoise Caribbean Sea. It has a main pool near the beach with music and entertainment and another quieter pool further back. The rooms are beautiful with four poster beds, balconies or terraces and bathrooms fitted with a Jacuzzi. Staff cannot do enough for you; I would highly recommend this hotel. Getting out and about... - Mega trucks tour takes you out into the Dominican countryside and mountains. - See how people work on a sugar cane plantation - Visit a local school and a rural Dominican family house where you can see how people live For more information and advice on the Dominican Republic, please give me a call.

08 April 2017

Following a superb overnight flight with SriLankan Airlines we arrived in Colombo, the island's capital. Here I began my one week’s tour around this fascinating island. First stop was Habarana and I checked into the 4* Cinnamon Lodge. From here, we had a trip out to climb to the top of Sigiriya Rock Fortress, stopping partway up to have a look at the cave paintings. On the rock’s summit are the ruins of the King’s Palace, bath and terraces with amazing views for miles looking out over the fascinating countryside, in the distance I could see a herd of elephants bathing in the river. Then it was off to explore the ruins of the medieval capital Polonnaruwa, built in the 12th-Century by King Parakramabahu. The remains of the King’s Palace, which includes shrines, temples and dogobas, are well-preserved, as is the Gal Vihara containing rock sculptures of the Buddha. Kandy - We stopped off at this fascinating city to take in all the sights and made a visit to the Temple of the Tooth before ending the day off with a cultural show. We then set off into the mountains amongst the spectacular scenery as we passed colourfully dressed local people picking tea leaves. We stopped at a tea plantation and factory to learn more about the production of tea. Next day we continued through more amazing scenery and the mountains to Yala National Park. We then took a jeep safari and saw leopards and wild animals at the watering hole. We then drove to the old Portuguese and Dutch town of Galle stopping at the fabulous Fortress hotel for lunch. I would highly recommend a two-centre holiday spending one week touring Sri Lanka followed by a week relaxing in The Maldives. For more information and advice on these destinations, please give me a call.