15 March 2023

We all love a family holiday in the Clark HQ, however, our trip to Crete was bittersweet after coming out of lockdown. After our last holiday in 2020 (we landed home to lockdown!) as a family, we were craving our time in the sun. Our 2022 holiday absolutely did not disappoint! We spent 7 glorious nights in the 5*, highly regarded Stella Palace in Analipsis, Crete. Stella Palace is one of 3 hotels on the immaculately kept grounds (Stella Village 4* and Stella Island 5* Adult Only) and caters well to families and couples. The room we had was a 2 bedroomed family room. This had been recently refurbished and was a great choice to give us and our son a little bit of space and privacy. The room had a wonderful terrace, right opposite one of the pools and next to Palms (the amazing patisserie for those afternoon treats pre nap!) and Elia (the Greek restaurant). The room was really quite modern, with a big walk-in shower and his and hers sinks. When choosing our holiday for 2022, we knew we needed to ensure that our 3-year-old son was well entertained but with the luxury for myself and my husband, and what more could we ask for than a on-site water park, full of thrills and splashes! We didn't get to spend much of our time anywhere else other than the waterpark and predominantly the green slide at that! The waterpark is shared between the 3 hotels, there is plenty of sunbeds and a couple of snack bars there, meaning you don’t need to leave the waterpark for food. 2022 saw the waterpark open following a extension with more slides added for those thrill seekers. There was one family pool and 1 adult only pool here, with then 3 different areas of slides and a splash pad for the youngest members of the family. The food offering at Stella Palace is very good, with 4 ala carte options and 1 buffet option. My son is one of the fussiest eaters going and the staff couldn’t do enough to accommodate him. Most evenings, we would be clocked entering one of the restaurants and the next thing, a chicken fillet would be presented to our son alongside a glass of milk. The buffet restaurant is slightly overwhelming, but there is a good selection of local and international cuisine on offer. We enjoyed the Mexican ala carte the most, however, there is also the Greek, Asia and fine dining option too. One thing to note is that the staff are genuinely some of the most passionate and proud individuals I’ve ever met on holiday, they really can’t do enough for you. Everything is done with a smile and feels like it’s a true pleasure and not a hinderance. Entertainment for us wasn’t a priority as our son was too young to sit still through anything. The amphitheatre was always busy though, as was the kids club. There was a good daytime programme advertised too which those that took part seemed to enjoy. Most evenings, entertainment would finish by 11. Whilst the beach at Stella isn’t one to really write home about, I can’t let the opportunity pass without mentioning the most incredible sunsets that you get from the rocky cove. It was a highlight to walk down there and find a comfy spot to watch the sun hide behind the horizon, so much so, we decided to treat ourselves whilst there and book a family photo shoot at sunset with the hotel photographers. This did not disappoint! When going on holiday, I always try to go out and support the local trades with a couple of nights out. We ventured into the small but charming village Analipsis twice, and both times we chose to eat at the family run taverna Sirtaki Tavern. Think traditional Greek taverna with the outdoor courtyard where you could watch the comings and goings of the locals. Incredible food and highly recommended for a visit. We left there feeling like family! Aside from venturing into the village, the only other time we left Stella Palace was to take a trip on the local land train into Hersonissos. Be warned, the land train is very busy and Stella Palace is one of the last stops, so it can be hit and miss as to whether you would get on, I would recommend getting one of the very first trains of the day to avoid this. The train gives you a nice tour down and back into Hersonissos. We dropped off and picked up at the Port. Down in the Port itself there are plenty of options for local sea excursions, plus a fabulous array of bars and restaurants. Hersonissos is also good for picking up local souvenirs and any essentials you may need too. All in all, Stella Palace absolutely lived up to expectations and we enjoyed our week away in the sunshine and I personally wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to any family looking for a holiday which gives luxury and plenty to do for the kids!

28 October 2020

With 2020 being a little bit of a travel wash out, your thoughts may have turned to 2021 and where to head for that well-deserved holiday. Here I have complied my top 5 destinations that I think will be in the must-visit list for 2021. Jamaica With the eagerly anticipated James Bond film part filmed in Jamaica (plus Live and Let Die previously), it is no wonder that Jamaica is on the rise. There is so much more to the birthplace of reggae music and the fastest runners on Earth it is also home to gorgeous beaches, stunning rainforests and ample snorkelling opportunities. Perfect for Weddings and Honeymoons and options to suit all budgets, along with fabulous weather and friendly locals, Jamaica should be high up on your list for 2021. Oh, and I almost forgot to mention that Jamaica has more rum bars per square mile than anywhere else…. cheers! Iceland There is so much more to Iceland than Bjork and volcanoes that can shut the airspace! Iceland has something for everyone, from the inner adventurer to the relaxation seeker. Iceland boasts year-round outdoor hot springs (the Blue Lagoon is a must!) you can swim and relax in, ample opportunity for Whale watching and glacier exploring, the friendliest of locals, quaint villages and not forgetting being able to spot those bucket-list northern lights. Perfect for a weekend break or a weeklong adventure, I have got plenty of ideas to help tailor-make your Icelandic escape. Mykonos If there is one place that has remained firmly on the 'must-visit' hot list over the years, Mykonos is it! With a dining scene to rival any of the Greek Islands and once the sun goes down, Mykonos comes alive. Dubbed the Ibiza of Greece, there is so much more to this beautiful island than dazzling sand and sun-soaked revellers. Mykonos has a sense of exclusivity and is a firm favourite with many celebrities. If it is good enough for Leonardo Di Caprio, Arianna Grande and Cristiano Ronaldo, then its good enough for us! With self-catering options all the way to exclusive 5* luxury hotels, Mykonos caters well for all. UK Following the absolute travel boom that the UK saw this year, I feel that it will continue into 2021. Our glorious Isles have some amazing options, with an escape for even the fussiest amongst us. You could find your own hideaway in Wales, explore the North 500 in Scotland or even discover the beautiful Scilly Isles. The UK has some amazing blue flag beaches and a heritage that we should be proud of. With hotels, lodges, cottages, safari tents, caravans and even boats the possibilities are endless. The best part is that if you take your own car, the luggage allowance is unlimited! Maldives The Maldives have not had chance to drop off the hot list over the last few years. Being the idyllic location for total R&R and a real get-away-from-it-all hideaway, the Maldives continues to be my most requested honeymoon destination. With approximately 1200 islands, of which only 200 are inhabited it is a destination waiting to be explored. Options range from family-oriented islands to ultimate luxurious adults only havens, with bed and breakfast and all inclusive commonly offered. Imagine that water villa over the lagoon, looking out and being greeted by the most gorgeous waters as far as the eye can see – it sounds like a slice of heaven! Not all islands are laid back, some of the bigger ones have plenty going on with multiple bars and restaurants and a whole host of entertainment programmes. Is 2021 your year to discover the Maldivian paradise?

27 December 2019

When planning your wedding, the honeymoon is almost as important as the day itself right? Here is my honeymoon adventure! DUBAI – The Hotel On arrival into Dubai, we were met by our driver and taken to our lovely air-conditioned private car for our journey to JA Ocean View on The Walk. Having never visited Dubai, I was left in awe as we made our way to the hotel, the contrast of desert and city was incredible. On arrival at JA Ocean View and stepping outside the comfort of our air conditioned car, it was then the heat and humidity hit me, however a cool lobby and a friendly welcome by reception soon made me forget about the frizz that was seconds away from encumbering my face. Check in was so smooth and seamless that we were soon on our way to our club level Junior Suite. We chose to upgrade to the club level so we could get use of the club lounge and take advantage of the private space, the complimentary drinks (soft during the day and then come evening they would have 2 hours of alcoholic beverages) canapes and breakfast options. It was worth every penny to do this, even just for the complimentary drinks. The Junior Suite itself was gorgeous, modern decoration and a sumptuous bathroom with a rubber duck for a friend (which has been re-homed with me!). The hotel provided us with a thoughtful welcome plate to celebrate our honeymoon with chocolate cake, fruit and of course Dates. The chocolate cake was very much welcomed by us both. DUBAI – Things to do To fill our time in Dubai and ensure we saw as much as we could, we had pre-booked a hop on hop off bus ticket which was valid for 2 days and there was a stop just along from the hotel. This would take us to see all the sights we had wanted to see. We ventured on the bus for our first day in Dubai, this showed us the sights of Atlantis on the Palm, Burj al Arab, Jumeriah Beach and Burj Khalifa (which we would come back to) to name a few. With recorded commentary, it was a great option for us to get to know the area. For those that love diamonds, you’ll be pleased to know that diamonds here can be up to 50% cheaper than back home, so why not put a stop to the Diamond Mall on your list? Dubai Mall is a day out in itself, all 12.1 million square feet of it. You will also find, Burj Khalifa, the fountains and the aquarium here. Burj Khalifa is as incredible as the photos show it, from the ride in the lift to the views from the top, it really is something to behold. With a 360-observation deck, you can really see everything the Dubai has to offer. Whilst we were slightly unfortunate to have our skyline marred by the heat haze, it didn’t stop us from seeking out The World whilst we were up there. The World is located approximately 4km off the Dubai coast and are various small islands constructed in the shape of a world map. MAURITIUS – Onwards and Upwards After 2 nights in Dubai, our time had come to an end and it was time to move onto Mauritius. Looking out of the window and seeing Mauritius from the air was beautiful, it was so green and with the sun beaming down, it made it so welcoming and you couldn’t help but smile. Before taking our private transfer, we exchanged money at the airport. The airport offers a wide selection of bureau de changes and the rates are extremely similar, so we had no issues with going to the first available counter. Ensure you take Stirling cash with you to exchange. On arrival to Zilwa Attitude, our first impression was that all the guests seemed so happy, there was such a laid back vibe, we knew immediately we had made the right choice. We were welcomed into the hotel with a cool towel and refreshing lemongrass drink, while one of the receptionists started checking us in. We were transported to our room using a golf buggy and had a brief tour of the hotel on doing so. When arriving at our room, the receptionist told us not to open the curtains until the morning, as we would have a big surprise! We had opted for a Couples Privilege Ocean View Suite which was one of the top room categories the hotel features. The room itself is very rustic but so refreshing. It was all open plan, which I am a great fan of as it means you can keep your conversation going. We took the advice of the receptionist and didn’t open the curtains (although it was tempting!!) until the morning, but when we did, it was worth the suspense! We knew we had a Jacuzzi on the balcony, and we knew we had an Ocean View, but we didn’t expect the view we had. It was another form of paradise. The Indian Ocean glistened as the sun hit it and made for a tempting pre-breakfast swim. The main buffet restaurant at the hotel had so much choice for Breakfast and Evening meal that even the fussiest of eaters wouldn’t struggle. There are also 4 Ala Carte restaurants (Chinese, Indian, Mauritian and Seafood) which you can book into. My favourite was the Indian. There is also the option of a BBQ lunch on the private island which is fantastic! Zilwa in Mauritian means Islander, and you need to come prepared to embrace the Islander way of living, yes, it is in a luxury environment, but the authentic experiences on offer should be jumped at. From learning to speak Creole, to cooking a Mauritian curry, from a sunrise fishing trip with the locals to visiting one of the local houses for a dinner, its all on offer here and shouldn’t be missed. We booked a couple of trips, a tour of the Island with swimming with the dolphins and Casela Park. We had heard so many great things about Casela Park prior to leaving the UK, so it was top of our list to do. The park is beautiful and filled with so many species of animals, there are interactive opportunities too such as segwaying and walking with the lions. It is a great day out and highly recommended for all ages. There is also a hotel operated catamaran trip which is worth doing too, you soak up the rays, swim in the Mangroves, head off to a private island and have a beautiful lunch cooked for you whilst taking in the beauty of Mauritius. The one plus of coming home though, was the Business Class flights we had booked for the return! Even though this was my honeymoon and it was always going to special, it is still to this day one of the best trips I’ve done. The hotels, the food and the friends that we met over the course of 2 weeks were just wonderful. I was honestly, extremely sad to leave Mauritius, and its one place that I have vowed to return.