27 December 2022

Getting hit with a wall of heat on arrival in St Maarten was most welcome after leaving a chilly UK and my first night’s stay was at the very well-located Holland House Beach Hotel on the Dutch side of the island. A super hotel right on the boardwalk and steps from the beach, slap bang in the middle of the pretty town centre, so absolutely everything was close at hand. For a different flavour, after touring the sights in Philipsburg the following day, I headed over to the French side - despite being rather full of local rum having visited the wonderful Toppers Rhum Distillery! En route we spent a few hours at Loterie Farm which is a stunning nature reserve with an abundance of iguanas, a stunning pool surrounded by cabanas and a super-cool way to spend the day. Home for the night was the Grand Case Hotel with dinner in town at Ocean 82. After an early morning walk to town it was time for hotel visits and superb lunch at Indigo, overlooking the sea then return to Philipsburg for a mooch around town before embarkation of Star Flyer. Having cruised a lot previously, I was looking forward to a smaller ship experience, although really not sure what to expect. What a delight! With great food, warm and friendly crew, sociable ambience and a cracking itinerary, I was in for a treat. It’s not hard to see why people are very loyal to Star Clippers and go on multiple or extended sailings year after year. With access to smaller ports, albeit several by tender, it was delightful to visit new places and the first port of call was Nevis. I’d pre-booked a tour of Nevis as I was interested to find out more of the history of this island, birthplace of Alexander Hamilton, his former home now a museum. Nevis was a main centre for the abhorrent slave trade that blights our history, there is plenty to see and learn and we can be thankful for the enlightened few that helped end this treachery. It was a treat to see Royal Clipper alongside us as we sailed into Cabrits, Dominica which is a lush, verdant island, very mountainous with an abundance of rivers and lakes, the most famous is probably Boiling Lake, hot springs serving as a reminder of the island’s volcanic beginnings. We were docked right by Cabrits National Park which is home to Fort Shirley, a steep climb especially in the heat but the views were well worth the effort! Terre du Haut, Iles des Saintes was a real surprise, pretty and quaint (amazing ginger ice cream and boutiques), very unspoilt and only one of the two inhabited islands that form this group, part of the archipelago of Guadeloupe. After a morning exploring on foot I spent the afternoon snorkelling from the beach then watching the others try (and I use this term lightly!) water-skiing! But they had a go and I didn’t… I wasn’t built for speed! Guadeloupe, home to the popular TV series Death in Paradise, was the next port of call and even though I’ve not followed the programme it was interesting to see the film sites with enthusiastic fellow sailors. Deshaies, where we docked, is a good balance of sleepy fishing village with a selection of bars and restaurants and not too far from stunning Grand Anse Beach, about 30 minutes’ walk. We opted for the next beach which was just as gorgeous but wilder, Plage de la Perle, crashing waves and deserted golden sand stretched in both directions, it was glorious! Next stop Antigua. I was lucky enough to visit a few years ago and was mesmerised by the staggering view from Shirley Heights down over English Harbour and Nelson’s Dockyard and that’s exactly where I headed, just 15 minutes’ walk from Falmouth harbour. A UNESCO World Heritage site in Nelson’s Dockyard National Park, this Georgian Royal Dockyard has been in continual use since 1745! With fascinating history, the museum, which is housed in the Naval Officer’s House, affords a great interpretation of life there over the years. And finally Saint Barthelemy/St Barts, playground of the yachties! And what a selection of yachts there were, both moored in port and anchored in the harbour of Gustavia. Being close to Christmas many of the yacht owners had headed ‘home’ leaving crew on board and to enjoy this upmarket town. A pretty town to wander through with numerous boutique-style establishments, unless you have deep pockets it’s probably best, for the most part, to window-shop! Most of the merchandise is imported and prices inflated but I did purchase a couple of souvenirs prior to scurrying back to Star Flyer before my credit card melted! After our final breakfast came disembarkation and we were whisked over to Pinel Island for a few hours prior to the flight home for a chill out and lunch, a great way to relax before the chaos at the airport! I hope you’ve enjoyed reading my brief journal. Please do get in touch if you’d like more information on these destinations and/or sailing with Star Clippers, I’d be delighted to have a chat with you.

21 August 2022

With our three dogs bundled into the car along with all their paraphernalia we set of bright and early to Pembrokeshire. As it was going to be a long drive, mostly avoiding motorways (I was driving!), we planned stops at Broadway and Mallards Pike to stretch our legs and break for lunch. The dogs wore themselves out at Mallards Pike, ready for the final leg to The Last Barn near Stackpole. What a wonderful property! Secure for the dogs and heaps of space inside and out, at the bottom of a steep, narrow hill, not far to anywhere with a plethora of dog-friendly beaches within a few minutes’ drive. There was a strange but not unpleasant smell in the air and venturing out we found the culprit everywhere - wild garlic! Broad Haven South beach was where we ventured first thing the next morning. With it being May there were very few people there so Coco, Dora and Pablo ran themselves ragged. Broad Haven, a wide sandy bay, is sat at the edge of Stackpole Estate and is backed by dunes that lead from National Trust owned Bosherston Lakes where we headed for our evening walk, right round the Lily Ponds, across the bridge, through woodland, what a beautiful place. Sunday at Carew Castle & Tidal Mill was fairly quiet so plenty of opportunity to wander round, learning some of the history and enjoying the views before delicious coffee at the busy café. Following a relaxing afternoon, we headed down to West Angle Bay beach, located at the western end of Castlemartin peninsula. A great walk for us and the dogs loved tearing up and down the beach and splashing in the shallow water. You can’t go to the seaside and not have fish & chips! We found a cracking chippy in Tenby and sat on the front devouring our lunch, hungry after hours on the beach and wandering around the pretty town, sat on the clifftop enjoying the view. Then a bit more mooching around inside the town walls before crashing out back at The Last Barn, exhausted! Several times we’d driven past a church that’s steeple was the only part visible from the road, so we decided to have a recce and found St Daniel’s Church, one of the oldest churches in the area, no longer in use, and just over half a mile from Pembroke Castle. The view from the lane down over Pembroke was amazing. The cemetery was completely overgrown and I can imagine it would be pretty spooky in the dark or fog! On the way back we also visited Stackpole Walled Gardens which is managed by the trustees of Pembrokeshire Mencap with impressive results. Our penultimate full day saw us headed to the city of St Davids, Britain’s smallest city, with its stunning cathedral and ruined Bishop’s Palace. St Davids should be on everyone’s bucket list, it is truly amazing, chock full of history, some parts dating back over 1400 years, ancient relics and beauty everywhere you turn. We stayed far longer than originally planned and will definitely revisit next time we’re down that way. Just up the road at Abereiddi is the Blue Lagoon, formed after the flooding of a disused slate mine. A great place for kayaking and coasteering although with our 3 dogs we had to stick with dry land! Well worth the detour before heading back to base. And, as if we hadn’t been busy enough that day, we ended up on Freshwater West beach to give the dogs a run and visit Dobby’s grave. Our final day in Pembrokeshire was spent back in Tenby and we’d booked a boat trip on Island Ranger taking in some of Pembrokeshire’s most dramatic offshore islands, cruising the famous pirate Paul Jones’s bay now frequented by the local seal colony before crossing to the protected bird reserve of St Margaret’s Island. The imposing Cathedral Caverns loomed in the distance, towering over the boat as she drew closer. At the base of these caverns are thousands of resident and visiting birds including puffins, razorbills, cormorants and gannets. Seeing Tenby from the water was a splendid end to the trip and, of course, we then headed straight back to the chippy, bagging the same clifftop seats to watch the world go by. We had a great time in Pembrokeshire and could have crammed in a lot more. We came back via the stunning Brecon Beacons in glorious sunshine – so that looks like a great place for a future holiday!

26 June 2021

After two summer holidays in sunny Suffolk we booked early to make sure we got what we needed, an enclosed garden for the mutts anywhere in the UK – and found a cracking place near Lydney in Gloucestershire. We took a leisurely drive down, no motorways or dual-carriageways, heading via the Cotswolds and after a drive through Chipping Campden parked up in Broadway to stretch our legs, enjoy a late picnic lunch and sample some local ice-cream before the short hop to Lydney. Arriving at our lodge we were delighted to find that the Dean Forest Railway was directly across the road meaning a two minutes’ walk on Sunday for our jaunt. We spent Saturday enjoying the enormous gardens, all 7 acres (shared with the owners), of our lodge and they were completely secure so we could relax knowing that Coco and Dora couldn’t escape. They had a huge amount of fun charging about, jumping in the stream and waterfall and trying, in vain, to catch a whole family of squirrels – but they never tired of trying! At teatime we headed down to historic Lydney harbour, situated on the Severn estuary, watching the sandbanks rapidly get swallowed up by the fast, incoming tide. Not all the stations were open for the heritage Dean Forest Railway excursion, so we were pleased that we only had to cross the road to join the service. It was a relaxing morning ride up to Parkend, then down to Lydney Junction before returning to Norchard Station. Chris & Bobbi headed to Go Ape at Mallards Pike for the Treetop Challenge on Monday and had a fantastic time wearing themselves out. They loved the location so much that we returned later in the week with the dogs who always love exploring new places and had huge amounts of fun splashing in the lake, ostensibly to catch the geese (complete failure every time!) and chasing each other through the woods. With Wales being so close we headed across the border to beautiful Tintern Abbey on the banks of the River Wye and after exploring the grounds walked to the village to enjoy the sunshine and the views along the riverbank then drove up to delightful Ross-on-Wye before heading back to the lodge. We ventured back into Wales two days later with a trip to Chepstow and its famous castle and I can highly recommend both Tintern and Chepstow for all ages, although Chepstow can be hard on your calves! Our final morning saw us back at Mallards Pike. Chris and Bobbi had booked a Segway tour and I was left to exhaust Coco and Dora before we headed for home. It was definitely busier than our previous visit so we mostly stayed in the woods so they could have a run around – and not drag me around! We did see Chris & Bobbi whiz by from a safe vantage point, thankfully the dogs were on their leads otherwise Dora would most likely still be chasing the group to this day! Now to start planning summer 2022 – although we might just go back to Lydney…..

02 June 2019

Antigua: so much more than I imagined! I was lucky enough to sample Virgin Atlantic’s premium cabin on the flight over to Antigua. The service was impeccable and the seats very comfortable, happy to recommend. We arrived at the recently opened Hodges Bay to glorious sunshine and to find that my roomie, Sarah, and I were in a 2 bedroom/2-bathroom suite which was enormous, complete with kitchen/diner and lounge, plus terrace with loungers, tables and chairs. The gardens appeared very well established, just a bit of titivating still needed, such as artwork, to finish off this premium property. In the interests of research, I was keen to participate in all the activities that were planned for us and my colleague Ian drew the short straw to partner me in kayaking. Neither of us got the hang of kayaking in a straight line, continually veering off to the left meant that we probably ended up travelling much further than the rest of the group! Our mission was to discover the amazing benefits of the mangroves’ ecosystem, the storm protection they afford, the natural nursery for sea-life and home to birdlife and reptiles. Continuing our jeep safari, we covered a lot of the island and stopped in a stunning location for a delicious home-cooked lunch after some snorkelling from the speedboat. And the trip wouldn’t have been complete without a trip to Shirley’s Heights for the amazing views over Nelson’s Dockyard and English and Falmouth Harbours. I was assured it is difficult to get lost in Antigua, but rarely did I see any road signs, not sure I’d fancy my chances as I have zero sense of direction! If you never hear from me again, you’ll know I went back to Antigua - and hired a car! The following morning, after breakfast, we took a speedboat from the hotel’s jetty to Prickly Pear Island, visible from Hodges Bay. With white sand and turquoise seas all around it is an idyllic place to chill out, snorkel and feel blessed that this is classed as work! Oh, the places I get to visit in the interest of research! Ana’s on the Beach was our venue for a delicious dinner, situated on the stunning Dickenson Bay in St John’s, just along from Sandals Grande Antigua. It was time to visit some hotels after a full day of just chillin’. Nonsuch Bay offers beautifully appointed, spacious bay view apartments, intimate beach cottages and luxury villas with private pools, in a West Indian Georgian colonial style. The 40 waterfront acres include a dramatically positioned restaurant, bar and clubhouse, three infinity edge swimming pools, palm fringed beach, sailing school, childcare facilities, spa treatments and colourful gardens. The azure waters of Nonsuch Bay are framed by a rich tropical landscape of green rolling hills, white sandy beaches, a barrier reef of gleaming turquoise and uninhabited islands. Cooled by the trade winds and sheltered from the ocean, it is a tranquil haven and home to wildlife including dolphins and turtles. We also got a peek at Escape@Nonsuch Bay, the perfect location for honeymooners. Sandals Grande Antigua, set on the stunning Dickenson Bay in lush gardens, has a plethora of room types to suit all budgets and tastes. Personally, this is just too big a hotel for me, but I do get the appeal of all-singing, all-dancing resort hotels. Following a rather leisurely lunch at the amazing Dennis Beach Bar (delicious food, laid-back vibe, stunning vistas) our final visit was to The Inn at English Harbour. Despite Antigua being popular with North Americans, most of the guests that stay in the genteel hotel are British and it has a real colonial feel about it, stylish but not stuffy. Shirley’s Heights warranted a second visit and it was Sunday night so time to join the sunset party with live music, barbeque and dancing and seeing the lights decorating the harbour. We were VIP guests at the PURE Beach Party back at Hodges Bay rounding of the day nicely. It was amazing to see the terraces and gardens rammed to the gills with mostly locals having a cool time, the ladies especially giving it large, they really do know how to let their hair down, what a superb atmosphere! En route to our second hotel stay, Curtain Bluff, we visited the delightful Blue Waters Resort. Whilst Blue Waters is spread over 17 acres, offering myriad pools, accommodations and facilities it still retains a village feel and is one of the most popular hotels in Antigua. A surprise was in store for us – exclusive lunch at the very private Rock Cottage with plenty of time for swimming, relaxing and counting our blessings before our sumptuous buffet. Bluff House will appeal to discerning folk and whilst it does cater for families it is very popular with my age group and above. I did think it would be a bit stuffy but after dinner on our second night we over 50’s hit the dancefloor, boogying along with the fab local band. Even the oldies were twisting and shaking their stuff! As you will know from my previous trips, I did manage to sample the spa, enjoying a relaxing massage that didn’t melt my credit card. A relaxing day at sea was thoroughly enjoyable aboard Tropical Adventures' Mystic catamaran. With the opportunity to swim and snorkel in the tempting azure seas, a seafood barbeque aboard and plenty of refreshments it was a wonderful way to see the coastline and a few of us enjoyed a bit too much rum punch! Having flaked out after just two glasses on our jeep safari day out, I abstained, being a goody-two-shoes and was glad I did when we returned to Curtain Bluff, as we went to a posh cocktail party at Bluff House pre-dinner. Sarah's glass of bubbles consisted of sparkling water with ice and a slice! Our final night was to be at Carlisle Bay, with views out to Montserrat from both our veranda and the beach. Nestled in a pretty cove, Carlisle Bay offers unpretentious luxury, a mix of casual and sophisticated dining and bars plus a wealth of activities. The suite was vast with two double bedrooms and a huge Jack-and-Jill bathroom just steps from the beach. As you can probably tell, I’ve been very impressed with everything about Antigua and have no doubt I’ll be returning. If you’d like help with planning your own Antiguan Escape then do please get in touch, I’d be delighted to assist.

23 November 2018

After a very comfortable flight with Thai Airways we arrived early morning at Bangkok Airport and were soon at our hotel, Amari Atrium for 4 nights. The executive room was well worth the small upgrade cost and we were lucky to get an early check-in so grabbed a few hours’ sleep before heading out to explore the local area. In order to maximise our time there, we had booked a 3 hour trip for that first evening and were shown around the Hindu shrine at Erewan, the fragrant flower market at Pak Khlong Talat and then the vibrant night market at Patpong, not just a market but the red-light area with some rather interesting shows, to which we gave a wide berth! The following day was my birthday, so we had pre-arranged a relaxing, pampering afternoon at Treasure Spa which we reached by metro, Skytrain and tuk-tuk. Treasure Spa is a beautiful, calming spa in the suburbs and we left feeling completely chilled and spoilt. Jean treated me to a sumptuous meal in the evening at the popular Thai restaurant Baan Khanitha where we had some amazing cocktails and delicious food. An early start the next morning as we headed for Maeklong Railway Market. The market covers the tracks at Maeklong and is stashed away at speed as the train approaches, to reappear seconds after the train has passed. Thankfully, the train approaches at a snail’s pace into the station! On our way to Damnoen Saduak we called in at a coconut farm where nothing goes to waste and there are many items for sale, from beautifying products to kitchen utensils and more. Damnoen Saduak is the floating market we visited and enjoyed the long boat ride there before having a wander around the myriad long-tail boats stalls selling everything from fresh produce, hot food and clothing, lots of tourist ‘tat’ of course, but a great atmosphere. The following day, our last in Bangkok, we headed out to the ancient capital, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ayutthaya, long ago destroyed by invading Burmese. On the way we had a short visit to the modern-day summer palace owned by the present Chakri Dynasty. With its breath-taking temples, monasteries, palaces and ruined Buddhist statues this is a must-see trip from Bangkok. The boat trip down the Chao Phraya River back to Bangkok was a charming end to the day. Our next stop was the delightful Six Senses Samui on the island of Koh Samui. A little slice of heaven, our hideaway pool villa was a stunning haven not too far from Chaweng and Fisherman’s Village where we ventured one evening for a bit of retail therapy, a few cocktails and dinner overlooking the beach. With our own pool it was easy to kick back and relax after our busy days in Bangkok but all too soon it was over and time to fly over to Phuket. In Phuket we stayed at the lively Cassia Phuket in Bang Tao Bay, a beautiful lagoon area with a long stretch of beach, easily accessed by foot, or the courtesy boat across the lagoon. Our apartment had two bedrooms and bathrooms, kitchen, lounge and balcony. This is a very funky and modern hotel, popular with families and in an up-and-coming area with plenty of shops and eateries within 10 – 15 minutes’ walk. We definitely saved the best until last! After a short taxi ride to Ao Po Marina we were whisked by speedboat to the stunning Six Senses Yao Noi on the island of Ko Yao Noi. Similar in style to its sister property in Koh Samui, in a verdant jungle-style setting, with all private pool villas, Six Senses Yao Noi is in a different league. There was something undefinable that set it apart although, as with everywhere in Thailand, the staff were super-friendly, keen for you to have the best experience without ever being intrusive. Our GEM, Tabtim, was always available and everything was done to ensure perfection by her and the whole team at Six Senses Yao Noi. There’s enough to do to keep anyone busy but blissful solitude if that’s what you’re after. This was my first visit to Thailand and it won’t be my last as we only saw a few of the fascinating parts of this amazing country. As the hot sun set over the limestone karsts as the speedboat took us back to Phuket for our flight home, we knew we had been truly blessed. I’d really love to help you plan your own terrific Thailand experience, do please get in touch!

26 October 2018

Morocco again! Flying from Gatwick with Air Arabia we soon arrived in Tangier and checked in at Movenpick Hotel. I had a great view over the beautiful pool and beach, but no time to linger, after a quick freshen up we had a sumptuous dinner in their tented restaurant – and not a tajine in sight! After breakfast we were whisked off past the royal palaces and villas, through the pine-covered headland to Cap Spartel, the north-western extremity of Africa’s Atlantic coast, at the entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar. Underneath are Hercules Caves where Hercules is said to have rested during his labours. No stalagmites or stalactites but a sea window, the shape of Africa, with waves crashing through. Le Mirage hotel, practically next door to the caves, is simply gorgeous and dramatically situated where the Atlantic and Mediterranean meet, one each side of the hotel! With fabulous and varied accommodations to match its location it’s an ideal place for rest and relaxation. Next stop the beachfront Sofitel, Tamouda Bay. Another wow from me! This is a superb hotel with a great choice of rooms, villas, dining and entertainment. We enjoyed a superb seafood lunch before getting ready to head over to the luxurious Banyan Tree for (too many!) cocktails and dinner. Banyan Tree, Tamouda Bay is the epitome of private luxury with its fabulous pool villas, gardens, spa & wellness and dining choices. We weren’t there for long enough (a fortnight would have been ideal!) but were treated as all their guests are, just like royalty. Back at the Sofitel we hit the dancefloor at their nightclub So, with foot tapping rhythms and a great atmosphere, everyone had a great time – except me, the lightweight, who hit the sack after too many cocktails! En route to our return to Tangier and the Movenpick we visited the stunning town of Chefchaouen, an otherworldly place nestled in Morocco’s Rif Mountains. This was the highlight of the trip for me and I could have spent many more hours wandering its steep and narrow blue alleyways, truly mesmerising! Auberge dar Dardara was the venue for lunch, delicious, simple food in a family-owned auberge, the order of the day after so many fancy meals. They have a few rooms to stay in, beautiful gardens and even a large swimming pool. O’Saveur proved an excellent choice for a more French influenced dining in the evening, all the dishes were scrumptious, and the busyness of this restaurant was testimony to its popularity. We rounded off the evening in the fab upstairs bar and just a bit too much wine! Our final day was a bit more relaxed with a guided visit to Tangier medina in the morning. Tangier medina is situated within the walls of the 15th Century Portuguese fortress and is much less frenetic than Marrakech, but you’re still expected to haggle for anything without a price tag! Still labyrinthine, as is wont with Moroccan medinas, but definitely not as ancient as Fes or Marrakech. Lunch at Villa Josephine was a fabulous finale to this trip. Built in the early 1900’s it has a distinctly Colonial look with beautiful gardens, public areas and bedrooms. The pool area, a few steps down from the hotel, has far-reaching views along the coast. Needless to say, the food was divine! I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about my latest trip to Morocco. Please do get in touch if I can help with your plans to visit this magical country.

19 June 2018

A first visit to Mexico and a first flight in Premium with Thomas Cook Airlines. After a less than satisfactory flight with them several years ago I really wasn’t looking forward to the 10 hour flight from Manchester to Cancun! However, I’m delighted to report that the service, food and comfort was far better than Premium Cabins offered by other airlines. On arrival in hot and steamy Cancun we were swiftly transferred to our first hotel, the delightful Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa. A superb hotel for couples, families and weddings, it offers something for everyone with a host of activities and a wealth of dining options, all included. With only one night here I only got to try Himitsu Asian restaurant and it was a great choice. Next stop for two nights was the huge Occidental Xcaret at Playa del Carmen, where everyone is made to feel welcome. Again, plenty of dining options and several pools from quiet and relaxing to lively with music – and foam parties! I especially liked the beach area, quite small but very pretty and breakfast overlooking the beach was a treat. For a more upmarket experience it is definitely worth upgrading to the Royal Level, a small private hotel within the large complex. Xcaret eco-archaeological park is right next door and we took the boat along the canal to visit. It offers a great day out, especially for families, with a plethora of activities, attractions and exhibits. Whilst the park is enormous it still felt crowded at times although there are plenty of places to escape, to sit and chill awhile. Our penultimate hotel was the gorgeous, adults-only, Secrets Akumal, truly all-inclusive. Without exception, all the staff were friendly and helpful, going out of their way to ensure we had a fabulous time. A choice of pools from lively to peaceful, stunning gardens (in which I regularly got lost) and quality entertainment made this a firm favourite and easy to recommend. Dining at the Mexican restaurant el Patio was a wonderful experience and the best seafood of all was at Oceana. Tulum is close by, easy to get to and worth a morning’s visit. Being quite compact it doesn’t take all day to experience a slice of Mexican history. Our guide was humorous and informative and really bought Tulum to life. A word of warning, there is very little shade and not many places to sit although the sea breeze is very welcome. Leaving Secrets Akumal in a tropical storm we headed to our final destination, the utterly splendid Grand Velas Riviera Maya. On arrival we were stunned to find that we were to be accommodated in the adult-only section Grand – complete with butler service! There are three parts to this hotel, Grand, Ambassador and Zen with some shared facilities, a raft of dining options, the best spa I have ever had the pleasure of enjoying and a great choice of activities. My suite was enormous with a balcony, complete with plunge pool, to match. Due to the tropical storm, it rained the whole time we were there, but with plenty going on it really didn’t matter. I really enjoyed the Eco-Tour and meeting the shaman, learning about some Mexican mythology along the way. My final afternoon was spent in the spa enjoying the Water Ceremony followed by the Uumbal Shawl Massage, which was a first! I had no idea that I could be contorted so easily! World class dining runs throughout Grand Velas and we enjoyed sumptuous feasts at both Frida and Piaf. This really is a first-class hotel for anyone with discerning tastes, couples and families alike. If you’d like some help planning your own Mexico holiday or would like more information on the hotels I stayed in, then do please get in touch.

23 September 2018

A long overdue return visit to Cyprus in April was a great antidote to long, snowy winter. As we drove up to The Elysium we knew we’d picked a great hotel for our week’s stay. Chris and I last visited Cyprus in 2001 when we got married in Limassol, but we decided on Paphos this time as we were showing Bobbi some of the island and wanted a base in Paphos. The Elysium is situated a good 30-minute walk from the centre of Paphos, right next door to The Tomb of The Kings where we spent a few hours on our second day. Then we headed down to the small, sandy beach at the bottom of the hotel gardens. It was lovely to go for a swim in the sea after navigating the rocky entrance but there’s a jetty with a ladder if you don’t fancy a wincing hobble over the rocks! We drove up to the Akamas Peninsula, right up on the north-west and after visiting the baths of Aphrodite headed over to pretty Polis for a spot of lunch in the shade of the village square. A short detour on the way back took us to the amazing Agios Neophytos Monastery. The hermit and writer carved a cave out of the mountains called the ‘Enkleistra’, which is covered with some of the finest examples of Byzantine frescoes that date back from the 12th to the 15th centuries. The museum and later church are also well worth a visit. I used to work in Pissouri, what feels like aeons ago, and was sure it would have changed by all recognition, so was delighted to see that not much was different to a brief visit in 2001, even recognising some of the locals and having a chat. The Troodos Mountains are always worth a visit, especially in the height of summer to escape the heat and we made the drive up and stretched our legs for a few hours, making stops along the way to enjoy the scenery both ways. Omodhos has always been a favourite of mine and we called on the way back for a late lunch and a meander through the lanes stopping to buy a few souvenirs and some local olive oil. And of course, we had to pop over to Limassol whilst we were there. Bobbi wanted to see St Barnabas Church where Chris and I married. It took us ages to find it! Limassol must have doubled in size, so we enlisted the help of the local tourist office to get our bearings. The church is much as it was back then with just a few additions like wheelchair access and a tidier parking area. On our way back, we went via the Kouris Valley to Kolossi Castle, dating back from the Knights Hospitaller, and I was delighted to see that the magnificent, ancient Peruvian Pepper Tree is still going strong, albeit with the help of some strategically placed props! Kolossi Castle is actually within the confines of the British Sovereign Base Area of Akrotiri and we stayed on the base and enjoyed the scenic drive with the views out over Episkopi Bay, ending up at Avdimou which is very close to Pissouri, so we called in again and had a drink before heading back to Paphos. Other than a couple of coastal walks down to Paphos Harbour to visit the castle and see the resident pelicans we didn’t see much of Paphos itself this time but had a great time revisiting lots of places we’d both been to separately before. I’m sure Bobbi would have been more than happy just chilling by the pool for the whole week but she did enjoy most of our venturing out, even when we managed to get lost a few times!

23 September 2018

Following my trip to Marrakech and Essaouira, I was thrilled to be invited by the Moroccan National Tourist Office for a return trip, this time to the fascinating city of Fes. Built with winding narrow alleyways, venturing into the Fes Medina is a walk back in time – a complicated labyrinth built to thwart invasions. Marrakech tourism is in a different league to Fes and the medina was a saner place, much less frenetic but it’s just as easy to get completely lost! Thankfully, our local guide was able to show us some of the highlights and many treasures of this fascinating city. Old Fes dates back to the 8th century and New Fes, itself by no means new dates back to the 14th century! The foundouk we visited was a wonderful glimpse back in time to when travellers and their animals needed a place to stay and, as the previous capital of Morocco, Fes is home to one or the largest and oldest universities in the world. Visiting a Tardis-like leather shop afforded us a great view of the Chouara Tannery from its terrace and the sprig of mint helps mask the pong! Less than an hour from Fes is another of the Imperial Cities, Meknes. As with Fes, Meknes medina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and there are 27 gates around Meknes Medina, Bab Mansour being the most impressive. Even more impressive is the Greniers de Moulay Ismail once housing up to 12000 horses and huge quantities of grain, a colossal building still, even though some of it was lost due to an 18th century earthquake. We were fortunate to visit the excellent Meknes vineyard, Les Celliers de Meknes and enjoyed, of course, sampling several fine wines (rude not to!) and touring the cellars before heading to the ‘alpine’ village of Ifrane. Ifrane was built in the 1930’s by the French and, whilst at odds with Moroccan architecture, offers an idyllic escape from the summer heat and a vast array of activities year-round. Our visit finished with a tour of the gorgeous hotel Michlifen Ifrane followed by a late lunch. Fes and Meknes both offer plenty of sightseeing and culture. Without exception, all our hosts were hugely hospitable and very friendly – and it goes without saying that every morsel of food was prepared with love providing numerous sumptuous feasts. Please do get in touch if you’d like help in arranging your trip to magical Morocco, next trip is to Tangiers so watch this space!

10 September 2017

Our first Celebrity cruise, aboard Eclipse, took us to the delightful Norwegian Fjords for 8 nights of relaxation and jaw-dropping scenery. Sailing from Southampton meant we had a day at sea both ways so the outward journey gave us ample time to discover what Eclipse had to offer and we managed to get on a behind-the-scenes tour of the galley which gave us an insight to the massive operation of the production of around 16,000 dishes per day! A rather soggy first port of call was Bergen, Norway’s Gateway to the Fjords, encircled by deep fjords and towering mountains. Despite the rain, it was easy to see why the medieval flavour that permeates Bergen’s harbour makes it a popular destination both as a cruise port and for a short stay. To escape the rain we opted for the hop-on-hop-off sightseeing bus and after doing a full circuit chose to have a mooch around the pretty Bryggen area before going on the Mount Floyen Funicular which offered us a panoramic view of the area. Before getting back on the bus we then walked (read splashed!) our way through the busy fish market – not one of my favourite aromas but interesting nonetheless! Flåm was our next port of call, situated in the innermost part of Aurlandsfjord, itself a branch of the vast Sognefjord. The Flåm Railroad transported us 2800 feet above sea level into the wilds of Norway; stunning scenery, rivers, waterfalls, and tunnels abounded before we stopped, one station before the end of the line, at the Vatnahalsen Mountain Hotel for waffles with jam and a hot drink. The ride on the way back was just as spectacular, especially as the early morning mist had lifted, with a stop at the incredible Kjosfossen Waterfall, complete with ‘siren’ singer. There aren’t enough superlatives to describe the heart-lifting beauty of Geiranger, dramatic and achingly gorgeous all in one, we felt we’d been transported to a fairytale! Majestic, snow-covered peaks, beautiful and wild waterfalls, including the mighty Seven Sisters, lush, green vegetation and the deep blue waters of the fjord, you couldn’t fail to be moved by all this splendour. The challenge today was going to be to get a great vantage point to survey all this wonder from up high. With another ship in port, it was pretty busy so we caught the bus after lunch to a great look-out point – the view was surreal and mesmerising. This will be somewhere to return to when your soul needs rejuvenating - and there’s no ships in port! Midway between Bergen and Trondheim is Ålesund, our penultimate stop, on the northwest coast of Norway. Our trip today took us through the attractive Art Nouveau streets, learning about the local history and the fire that all but destroyed it before it was rebuilt. Our guide brought the outdoor maritime Sunnmøre Museum to life. And I have to say I never thought I’d be impressed by a load of old boats and grass-roofed houses, how wrong can you be?! Viking and more recent history in a nutshell. We headed to Mount Aksla for the view over Ålesund archipelago. Thankfully for Pauline and I the trip up was by bus. Neither of us would have managed the 418 steps although Bobbi and I did descend about 50 of them before we realised how many there were! Our final port of call was Stavanger and Eclipse parked up right in the centre of town! Stavanger offers a great combination of old and new with a mix of modern architecture, trendy, stylish cafes as well as ancient cobblestone walkways, museums and rows of 18th century whitewashed wooden houses. Making use of the local hop-on-hop-off buses again we did a full circuit then went to Museum of Archaeology, Ledaal Royal Residence, and the Cathedral. Being the Petroleum capital of Norway, I was expecting Stavanger to be more industrial, so was pleasantly surprised. With hidden art in unexpected places and its vibrant feel, it was a great last port of call. We hugely enjoyed both the itinerary and Eclipse. There was plenty do both on and off the ship, for those that prefer, or can only manage, less challenging activities up to adrenaline-pumping pursuits. The entertainment was brilliant and the dining a bonus – we treated ourselves to a sumptuous meal in Qsine one evening as well and, when we sail with Celebrity again, it’s an experience we’ll repeat. We were blown away by the superbly talented glass-blowers Annie, Lauren and Logan from the Corning Museum of Glass in upstate New York, staff from CMOG are resident on board and 'performed' several nights. We did bid for a stunning dish, that we seen made, in the auction but it went for over $1000 and not to us!! I hope you’ve enjoyed my brief journal. If you’d like to know more about Celebrity Eclipse, cruising and/or Norway I’d love to hear from you.

03 August 2017

After we had such a fabulously relaxing holiday in Parga last year, we just had to return and stay again at Irini Studios, which are about 15 minutes walk down to the town and beach – although a little longer on the way back up the hill! It is easy to see why the owners, Christos and Irini, welcome back so many returning guests, with some having been going for years and often more than once a year, or staying a month at a time...what a luxurious treat that would be! We needed to unwind, and spent the first few days just chilling out by the pool, chatting, reading and going for a few walks to the pretty harbour and town, usually when the heat of the afternoon sun had subsided, mostly dining out whilst we were there. We were delighted to find some more restaurants in places we hadn’t ventured before – often over-indulging in the delicious fare, although we did make sure there was always a Greek salad included in the spread! Last year we ran out of time to visit Meteora, so ensured we booked on the excursion this time. It was to be a long day, and it turned out to be the hottest of the week, reaching up to 44 degrees! Meteora is a UNESCO World Heritage Centre, considered to be unique - and also featured in the James Bond film 'For Your Eyes Only'. Situated above the town of Kalambaka on the north-western edge of Greece’s plain of Thessaly, are the giant rock formations that reach almost 400 metres into the sky, and are topped with magnificent monasteries. Monks settled here in the 11th Century by living in caves, until the 14th Century when the first monasteries were built, clinging to the tops of the rock formations. It does make you marvel at their ingenuity, a formidable achievement given when they were built – and the fact they are still there to this day. Whilst staring at nature in its grandest form, we felt small and irrelevant by comparison. We ventured inside the Great Meteora Monastery, which is the oldest and largest in the region, offering a good idea of Greek Orthodox monasticism. The icon murals were immaculate and the skulls in the ossuary fascinating. Upon returning to Parga, we stopped for a short time in Metsovo to stretch our legs and partake in a Nescafe frappe. Metsovo is a charming village with a real alpine feel somewhat akin to Austria – and it is possible to ski close by in the winter months, which I was surprised to discover. After vising the Acheron Gorge for a few hours last year we decided to hire a car and spend the whole day there, not restricted by excursion times. Although we made an early start it was already fairly busy when we arrived and clearly a popular day out. We ventured into the very welcome freezing cold water and enjoyed paddling, then wading, up the river. Chris and Bobbi went a long way up and made it to the bridge whilst I returned to the waters’ edge and enjoyed a long cold drink. Once they got back they joined a rafting trip downstream on the Acheron River, through some gentle rapids until they reached Gliki village, where they were driven back to join me for a late lunch. On the drive back to Parga we made a small detour to the village of Ammoudia which is situated at the mouth of the Acheron River where boats are ready to take you upstream. This river is known as Styx in Greek mythology serving as a barrier between the living and the Underworld! I’m sure we will return to Parga again someday soon and discover more of this beautiful part of Greece. Please do get in touch if you’d like some help planning your own Greek Odyssey!

30 March 2017

Well it’s a big WOW to Morocco! I was very fortunate to join a group of my colleagues on a familiarisation visit to Marrakech, the Ourigane valley and Essaouira. Marrakech is truly an assault on the senses, coming at you from every angle! Home for the first three nights was the Movenpick Hotel Mansour Eddhabi, a large hotel away from the frenetic medina with spacious rooms and beautiful gardens and pool area. Thankfully, we had a guide for a first foray into the medina as it would be so easy to get completely lost in the myriad lanes that comprise this ancient maze! Viewing Jemaa el Fnaa from the ‘safety’ of a roof terrace it was easy to see the chaos and enormity that is home to snake-charmers, medicine-men, hawkers and eateries. Dinner at Salama, a contemporary restaurant offering classic Marrakech cuisine with a modern twist, was the perfect end to our first day. Beachcomber Royal Palm was our first visit the next morning. About 20 minutes’ drive away from Marrakech this hotel offers a calm oasis offer a great choice of sumptuous rooms and villas with views of the Atlas Mountains then it was off to the Royal Mansour, a great concept of luxurious riads comprise this hotel’s accommodations but still with hotel facilities such as an enormous pool and fabulous dining. After lunch we headed to La Maison Arabe for a cookery class which was great fun and finished with us sampling our own efforts of a delicious Moroccan tajine – like we really needed any more food!! My favourite evening was dinner at Le Palace, a premier club-restaurant, with fine dining, superb wine and dancing – and a fabulous singer, she was amazing! Next morning followed my favourite hotel, l’Amandier in the Ourigane Valley. There really aren’t enough superlatives to describe both the situation and the property, the location is jaw-dropping, nestled in the Atlas mountains the views are sublime. It is hugely apparent that the owners have invested their hearts and souls into the hotel, its villas and vistas. There’s no spa (yet) but I felt so relaxed in those few hours it really wasn’t necessary – and I love my spas! Back in Marrakech, Jad Mahal was the venue for dinner and although the food didn’t compare with everywhere else the focus this evening was on the lithe dancers, not really my cup of tea, but the place was packed so clearly a popular choice for many. Our last day and night was spent in Essaouira, Morocco’s windy city on the Atlantic coast. After checking in to the Atlas Hotel & Spa we visited Sofitel Essaouira Mogador Golf & Spa resort which is located about 10 minutes’ drive away. What a stunning hotel, offering peace and quiet, a host of accommodation choices, facilities and great dining. The medina here is so much more relaxed than Marrakech’s, with wider alleyways and a great choice of stalls, still atmospheric but much less chaotic! Dinner at the fabulous l’Heure Bleue Palais perfectly rounded off our Moroccan discovery. Situated within the ancient town it offers refined elegance combined with traditional North African charm coupled with a colonial ambiance. Morocco really does offer something for everyone – it feels very exotic yet is so close to home. If you’d like some help planning and booking your own experiences in Morocco please do get in touch, I’d be delighted to help.

28 October 2016

Arriving at Male Airport just after breakfast-time we were met and taken directly to the cool Anantara check-in lounge to complete the formalities before the swift 35 minutes speedboat transfer to Anantara Dhigu Resort at Dhigufinolhu within South Male Atoll. By 11.30am we had unpacked and were swimming in the turquoise sea! Our Sunrise Beach Bungalow had direct beach access and its own private garden complete with resident hermit crabs, lizards, Asian Koel and white-breasted waterhens, one of which became a regular visitor and even popped into our bungalow on occasion! Gulhifushi is a small island directly opposite our beach bungalow and it was an easy kayak row, swim, or even walk through the shallows, away. At Gulhifushi there is a natural ocean pool which is great for snorkelling although there are numerous reefs around Dhigu where it is easy to see the myriad sea-life – stunning tropical fish of all shapes and sizes and creepy sea-cucumber! Anantara Veli is the adult-only island close by Dhigu although its restaurants allowed family dining in the evenings and were easily accessible by the free water taxis. Our favourite was the Thai restaurant, Baan Huraa, which is situated on an over-water walkway between Veli and the exclusive Anantara Naladhu island. Also on Veli, we enjoyed a Maldivian evening at 73 degrees, a sumptuous buffet and local entertainment. These restaurants are included in the Half Board option and back on Dhigu we also had great dining experiences at ‘Sea, Fire, Salt’, Aqua and the Fushi Café. It’s easy enough to stroll around the whole of the coast of Dhigu in about 30 minutes and everywhere is easily accessible along the sandy pathways within. But if you really can’t be bothered to walk you can hail a golf buggy or cycle around, bikes are readily available all over the island and can be left where your journey ends. Fiona at Tropicsurf had the task of getting us upright for stand-up paddle boarding, Chris and Bobbi were off in no time but it took a little more persistence for me to progress from wobble-boarding to paddle-boarding! The hardest part for me was actually getting on and standing up but once I was perpendicular there was no stopping me. Needless to say, we all took a few tumbles into the shallow waters but had an enormous amount of fun and lots of laughs along the way and enjoyed it so much that we did it all again on our last day. Dexter, at Anantara Spa, worked his magic on my knotty back muscles and I left feeling refreshed and relaxed. The spa is over the water and my bed had a glass window in the floor beneath my head affording views of the tropical fish swimming underneath, not that I stayed awake for long to enjoy it! Anantara Dhigu is definitely a great place for a family holiday with its Dhoni Kid’s Club, plethora of facilities and activities from scuba diving and snorkelling to kayaking and jet-skiing, relaxation and superb dining, but still maintaining its peaceful island idyll. I did think I would feel trapped and bored but left feeling refreshed and relaxed after spending quality time with Chris and Bobbi – we were ‘forced’ to kick back and switch-off for a few days which, in my book, is no bad thing! If you’d like to find out more about my Maldives holiday or would like some help to plan and book your own escape then do please get in touch, I’d be delighted to help.

14 October 2016

Dubai – big, brash, bold and brassy! I’ve come away from Dubai with the same opinion that I went with, that it’s completely over the top in every sense and now I get why so many love it and keep going back – it really was worth going just to see what all the fuss is about. Arriving in the early hours I was amazed at how much traffic there was, even at 3am. Oh and the heat, even in the middle of the night it was stifling, so walking into the cool and calm Ritz Carlton was a welcome blessing and it wasn’t long before I was tucked up in bed for a much needed sleep. After a late breakfast and meeting up with the rest of our group we had a good look around the facilities and were treated to some pampering in the beautiful spa, a fabulous few hours to chill out and relax. I was lured down to the beach by the hazy view of Atlantis the Palm in the distance, the sand was a bit too hot underfoot and the sea like a warm bath. Thankfully it was a little cooler sitting in the shade by the adult-only pool, a popular spot with its swim-up bar. Keen to see something other than monolithic skyscrapers, the following morning provided a brief glimpse into Dubai’s past as we crossed the creek by boat to visit the old town, Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, which gave more of an authentic Arabian experience. Then it was off to the spice market and Gold Souk, both teeming with visitors and locals, very atmospheric and great if you love bartering. For lunch we visited JA Oceanview. Cool, calm and beachfront, it has unrivalled views of the soon-to-be-completed Dubai Eye. Dinner that evening was at the sumptuous Jumeirah Zabeel Saray on The Palm. Understandably, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray is extremely popular with its Arabian style and architecture, quite unlike any of the other hotels we visited. And we left stuffed to the gills again after another delicious buffet. A must-see of an evening is the fountain display by the Burj Khalifa and it was evident that we weren't the only ones to think so - stunning is the only way to describe it! Atlantis the Palm was the next stay and it encapsulates everything that is OTT about Dubai, from the grand entrance to the facilities, dining options, shopping, ShuiQi Spa, Aquaventure Water Park, Dolphin Bay, Lost Chambers Aquarium and activities aplenty, truly a complete resort. If you love quirky and have deep pockets I can highly recommend The Poseidon and Neptune Underwater Suites, their glass-walled bedroom and bathroom mean you have thousands of sea-creatures peering in from the colossal aquarium! The best pre-dinner rosemary G&Ts were downed in Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen prior to dining at Ronda Locatelli, Atlantis’ Italian restaurant – I’m pretty sure they brought us everything on the menu! Our final two nights were in Ras al Khaimah at the stunning beachfront Waldorf Astoria, originally designed as a palace meaning that everywhere was extremely spacious, even the corridors, they were wider than my entire house and garden! No time to chill just yet, we went straight to Hilton Al Hamra for a recce and lunch, Polynesian style dining in the fabulous Mai Tai Lounge at Trader Vic’s, absolutely delicious! And followed by a cocktail class – of course, all the cocktails were divine, I can't quite remember how many I tried although I am a bit of a lightweight where alcohol's concerned, especially at lunchtime! Some blissful pampering was the order of the afternoon in the hotel’s spa then dinner was at Marjan, Waldorf Astoria’s modern Lebanese restaurant and favourite of the sheikh of RAK, his grand table always ready for an impromptu visit. Excellent food and service means it’s easy to understand why it’s the sheikh’s preferred dining choice. Taking advantage of happy hour we headed to 17 Squared Lounge (yes, it’s on the 17th floor) and kept the bartenders very busy for quite some time! Our final morning gave us a few hours to explore or relax then it was off to DoubleTree by Hilton Resort & Spa Marjan Island, a 100% resort hotel completely unlike DoubleTree’s usual corporate properties. This is a great hotel for relaxing and also has a wealth of facilities, a choice of rooms and even the choice of all-inclusive making budgeting easier. Our final night was spent at a local Bedouin camp where there was camel rides, shisha, dressing up, dancing and a delicious meal, all washed down with a few beers! So, two very different sides to UAE; the high-rise, high-cost, high-octane and high-living Dubai then the peaceful, more affordable Ras al Khaimah, a fabulous place to recharge your batteries. Please do get in touch if you'd like some help planning and booking your Middle East break.

19 June 2016

A long-awaited return to Greece and a first visit to Parga was the order of the day for a bit of relaxation coupled with some exploration. Our home for the week was the delightful Irini Studios and we were made to feel very welcome by our hosts Christos and Irini, within minutes of arriving we were chilled! So as to not waste any of our precious week we headed straight down the gentle hill into the main resort taking in all the stunning vistas, narrow lanes, glorious bougainvillea and the aromas of cooking, tempting us to an early dinner. No complaints, we’d had an early start and were ravenous – but still didn’t manage to clear our plates!! Next morning we headed back down to the front and, facing the sea, saw the Venetian castle up a steep hill to the right of the harbour that begged exploration. It was a little hard going underfoot but we eventually climbed all the steps and rough pathways to be rewarded with outstanding views over the whole coastline. On Tuesday we joined a boat trip to Paxos and Anti-Paxos, visiting the stunning turquoise waters of the smaller Anti-Paxos first for a cooling swim and snorkel in the crystal-clear shallows before continuing on to Paxos. After a mooch around the harbour and alleyways behind we chanced upon a terrific little taverna where we enjoyed a delicious Greek lunch, except for Bobbi who was delighted to find strawberry and Nutella calzone pizza on the menu. Apparently it was delicious but looked completely disgusting, yuk!! After clambering around on the rocks, eel and crab spotting, Chris and Bobbi decided to go snorkelling again before we had to rejoin the boat for the return sailing to Parga. Once back in Parga we ventured down the back streets and chanced upon a salon offering fish pedicures. Bobbi took a bit of persuading to give it a try and I honestly can’t say it was very relaxing because it was so ticklish having our feet nibbled by fish but we had a good laugh and came away with fresher feet! Two days relaxing by the pool gave us a chance to chat to lots of the other guests and it was clear to see why many keep returning, I’ve no doubt we will too. But two days is long enough to sit around and on Friday we headed off to Albania for the day. And what a surprising place Albania is! The scenery is stunning, very mountainous with lush, verdant valleys awash with purple flowers with the dark green and yellow maquis on the hillsides, gushing rivers and vast lakes covered in lilies, it really was a joy to behold. Rural Albania is as I remember parts of Bulgaria 30 years ago, a simple life with little in the way of luxuries, unless you count a horse a cart! The main reason for our trip was to visit Butrint, in Butrint National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built, occupied and added to variously by the ancient Greeks, Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans it makes for a fascinating slice of history. Saranda, on the other hand, close by on the coast is mostly very modern and a sweeping beach resort. Unsurprisingly, it wasn’t very busy, tourism being still in its infancy but I can imagine it is very popular with the locals in the height of summer. Our favourite family excursion was on our final day when we visited Necromanteion and the Acheron River Gorge. Necromanteion, according to mythology, was an ancient temple dedicated to Hades, god of the Underworld and said to be located at the meeting point of three of the five rivers in the realm of Hades. One of these, Acheron, where Achilles was given his immortality, was where we were off to next. The Acheron River and Gorge offered a splendid respite from the heat of the day as we waded through the ice-cold water up the river towards the gorge. I didn’t manage the gorge but Chris and Bobbi went a long way up, both paddling and swimming against the fast-flowing waters. The scenery was natural beauty, simply stunning and we all said that when we return we’ll go back and do it again. There were lots of activities to try such as horse-riding and rafting and we’ll hire a car next time so that we can spend a full day there. Relaxing over lunch, right by the water’s edge, was blissful and I’m surprised the area wasn’t heaving with visitors – but delighted that it seemed undiscovered by the crowds. We’ve already decided we’re going back again next year, same time, same place, perhaps we’ll see you there? If you’d like some help planning and booking your Greek odyssey then do please get in touch.

03 May 2016

What to get a thrill-loving girl for her 13th birthday? An easy decision really, a trip to Orlando! Thankfully, Bobbi has never been into Disney but she loves roller-coasters, as does Chris, the higher and faster the better. My days of vomit-inducing and head-spinning inversions are well behind me but I went along for the ride anyway – although kept my feet on terra firma! Seaworld, on our first full day, offered a great mix of thrills and gentler fun so whilst Chris & Bobbi rode Manta and Kraken I wandered off to see the manatees, alligators and stingrays and together we watched the amazing dolphin and killer whale shows, visited Wild Arctic, being mesmerised by the walrus, beluga whales and sea lions. A thorough soaking was had on Journey to Atlantis, ending the day at Empire of the Penguin. Diagon Alley in Universal Studios was our first destination the following day. Any Harry Potter fan will revel in its authenticity and atmosphere, not so much at the price of wand and cloak! Needless to say, Bobbi and Chris found Revenge of the Mummy hidden inside the Museum of Antiquities and Escape from Gringotts inside the bank! More blatant was Hollywood Rip Tide Rockit – once on these rides was never enough!! As we were visiting Islands of Adventure later in the holiday, we took the opportunity to end the day by taking the fabulous Hogwarts Express from Platform 9¾ at Kings Cross Station to Hogsmeade Station. Spaceship Earth at Epcot took us from the Stone Age to the computerised modern era, very engaging for all ages and no sick-bag required! Chris & Bobbi designed a virtual concept car at Epcot’s Test Track then took it for a simulated high-octane spin – verdict? Amazing! After lunch we took a walk ‘around the world’ visiting Mexico, Norway, Canada, France, Japan, Germany, China, Morocco, USA and England. NASA’s Kennedy Space Center was what I was looking forward to most, having visited Mission Control in Houston many years ago. Bobbi decided that she’d be bored before we even got in the car but ended up having a blast, literally, as our first mission was to experience the Space Shuttle Launch Simulator which really was out of this world! With plenty of interactive displays, seeing the original Atlantis, the rocket garden and the Behind the Scenes bus tour, this offers a brilliant day out for all. Universal’s Islands of Adventure with Hogwarts Castle, on Monday, with Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, the Dragon Challenge and Jurassic Park River Adventure meant I barely saw Bobbi & Chris all day! Hogsmeade was very evocative with its snow-capped rooftops and even though the main Easter holidays were now over the place was still packed. The ultimate thrill-seekers venue was, of course, to be Busch Gardens on our penultimate day. Whilst Bobbi & Chris sent themselves dizzy on Montu, SheiKra, Scorpion, Cheetah Hunt, Kumba, the Congo River Rapids and Falcon’s Fury I took a leisurely ride aboard the Serengeti Railway from which I saw giraffe, elephants, rhino, zebra, ostrich and much more, all free-roaming, a great experience akin to a mini-safari with no guarantees of which animals I'd see - and I went round twice! The ‘best day ever’ was Bobbi’s verdict on our final day, Discovery Cove. After donning our rather fetching wetsuits we were free to enjoy everything on offer. Although there are some extra experiences that can be added to the standard package there really is enough to do during a very full day without having to fork out for anything else; even meals, snacks and drinks are included. The highlights had to be the dolphin encounter and swim (actually being pulled across the lagoon, not swimming!) along with snorkelling in the Grand Reef, encountering myriad tropical fish and several humongous rays. I was pleasantly surprised by all that Orlando had to offer us as a family, without venturing into Walt Disney World and was more excited about Bobbi's reaction to her long-kept-secret birthday present, which you won't be surprised to hear left her gob-smacked, leaving her only a few days from her birthday, until we set off, for planning everything she wanted to do. Now I 'get' why Orlando is so popular and with Busch Gardens, Kennedy Space Center and the beaches all within an easy drive it's easy to see why everyone keeps going back. There really is something for everyone, regardless of age. If you'd like some help planning and booking your Florida holiday then do please get in touch.

19 July 2015

Our mini-exploration of southern Croatia started with the pretty town of Cavtat, a mere hop, skip and jump from Dubrovnik airport. Of course, this meant frequent aircraft noise but it didn’t bother us one bit. Hotel Croatia was our base for the first three nights with a wealth of facilities and dining options, situated at the top of a steep hill and only 10 minutes’ walk to the pebbly beach and harbour, home to both fishing boats and super-yachts. We enjoyed plenty of swimming in the sea and mooching round the shops, exploring the quiet back lanes, climbing up to the Racic family mausoleum, which must have the most stunning setting for a cemetery, and trying out the local restaurants in the evenings whilst watching the blazing hot sun melt into the sea. Our verdict – perhaps we should have just stayed in Cavtat! From Cavtat our journey continued on to the delightful Sipan, the largest but least developed of the Elafite Islands. Arriving by private water-taxi we knew we’d made the right decision as soon as we saw the brilliant white Hotel Bozica set into the hillside just outside Sudurad. An island idyll, exactly what we needed to completely unwind for a few days. Just about 10 minutes’ walk from the hotel is the small, quaint harbour where locals sit in the shade chatting and laughing, watching the world go by, fishermen bring in their catch and the ancient castle fort stands guard. Without exception, all the staff at the hotel were excellent, the food good and the views stunning, out across the turquoise and deep blue sea towards the island of Lopud where we ventured for a morning. Lopud is the proud owner of one of the few sandy beaches in Croatia and the vibe is completely different to the haven of Sipan, much livelier and very popular with Italians. We found the beautiful Gjorgjic-Mayneri Park, just off the seaside promenade, which offered sanctuary from the buzz of the beach and some cool shade from the blistering sun. Needless to say, we beat a hasty retreat back to Sipan for a refreshing dip, a couple of mojitos and an afternoon snooze under the parasol. Our verdict - bliss, perhaps we should have spent the whole holiday at Hotel Bozica, Sipan! With heavy hearts we soon found it time to leave Sipan, to the last stop on our discovery trip – Dubrovnik. Hotel More on the Lapad peninsula, just a few miles from the city itself, was our home for the last four nights. Lapad is a resort in its own right with a lively strip of shops, bars and restaurants although we were visiting for a healthy dose of culture rather than a party! Dubrovnik is a stunning city and can be appreciated from many angles so we decided to take the easiest first and ride the cable car up to the top of Mount Srd, being rewarded with a breathtaking panorama of the city, old and new, with the nature-reserve island of Lokrum just off the coast. We made great use of the Visit Dubrovnik Card and visited the historic Rector’s Palace and Maritime Museum, wandered down narrow streets, climbed up and down numerous stairs - and always tried to stay in the shade as it was so hot! Our penultimate day was to be a very long one – a day-trip to Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina. En route we visited the much-conquered Pocitelj, an ancient medieval town, before arriving in Mostar. The iconic single span, stone arch Ottoman bridge, Stari Most, which was reconstructed after being destroyed in the 1990’s war, is a must-see, not just for its beauty but also to witness the crazy bridge-divers leaping from the side and plummeting into the icy cold water of the Neretva River below, no doubt to impress the ladies! Mostar is a beautiful city, now mostly recovered from the scars of war and the areas around the bridge and along the river are especially attractive. Mostar is reputed to be the hottest city in Europe and I can well believe it - 42 in the shade takes some beating! Our final morning in Dubrovnik and another early start, ostensibly to avoid the hot sun, but this was futile! We walked the entire length of the city walls first thing and whilst it was tiring in the heat at least there were a few opportunities to find a bit of shade and refreshment. The views both out to sea and within the walls were worth the effort. After visiting a few galleries, the Rupe Ethnographic Museum, the largest building within the old city, and sampling the delicious ice-cream we headed back to Hotel More for our final swim - a much-needed and well-earned cool-down in the beautiful Adriatic Sea. Our verdict - unmissable! I hope you’ve enjoyed reading my brief journal. Please do get in touch if you’d like some help and ideas planning your own Croatia discovery.

24 June 2015

As with Johannesburg, I had no burning desire to visit Mauritius although remained open-minded as I have sent lots of honeymooners, couples and families there over the years. With less than four hours flight time from Johannesburg, Mauritius makes for a logical post-South Africa beach holiday and with what must be one of the shortest transfers ever, I found myself gazing from my terrace over gorgeous white sands to the turquoise sea at Shandrani Hotel. With fairly infrequent flights, mostly early mornings and evenings, the proximity to the airport means that planes can be seen and heard, but are not intrusive, at this idyllic all-inclusive five star hotel. I took a relaxing walk along the beach to build up an appetite for a delicious dinner accompanied by several glasses of a cheeky red and after a good nights’ sleep and a good look around the hotel, went snorkelling in the clear waters of the marine park. What a fabulous experience for a nervous sea swimmer! It took me a few attempts to get the hang of the snorkel and goggles and then I started to relax and enjoy looking at all the different coral and myriad fish. Heading to the south west and Le Morne Peninsula, Dinarobin Hotel Golf & Spa was home for the next two nights. This 5* hotel has fully interchangeable dining and facilities with neighbouring Paradis, a world-acclaimed spa, the exclusive ‘Club at Dinarobin’ and a host of land and sea based activities. The Paradis Golf Club stretches between natural boundaries formed by the Le Morne Mountain and the turquoise lagoon, a truly stunning setting! A blissful few hours spent in the fabulous spa preceded a gastronomic feast and the best night’s sleep, totally chilled! Due to choppy seas our boat ride to the north of the island was replaced by road transfer and this gave us the opportunity to see some of the inland attractions. From St Denis River, Chamarel Waterfalls cascade into the gorge below, all in a lush forest setting. Close by, the seven-coloured earth reserve is a real geological curiosity and you may well think the different colours are shadows but once up close you can see they’re not. Grand Bassin Lake rests in the crater of an extinct volcano. It’s said that the water inside the lake communicates with the waters of the holy Ganges and beside the lake there is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and other gods. Situated between the lively village of Grand Baie and the capital Port Louis, in the north-west, Le Victoria is a special place for everyone with its spacious accommodations and all-inclusive option. A plethora of activities include tennis, mountain-biking, water-skiing, windsurfing, deep-sea fishing and, for a fixed fee, an ‘unlimited’ diving package for experienced divers. There is a great atmosphere in the evenings with singing and dancing helped along with a few glasses of the delicious coconut rum! Within walking distance of Grand Baie is the 4* Le Mauricia offering a casual atmosphere and plenty of activities plus optional ‘Beachcomber All-Inclusive’ which is interchangeable with nearby le Cannonier, the real surprise hotel for me. Set on a stunning beach, the surroundings bear testimony to Mauritius’ colonial past; even the kids’ club is situated in an 18th century lighthouse and the wellness centre is built around branches of an ancient banyan tree. Our superb lunch overlooking white sands and turquoise waters was sublime and very inventive, time to move over Heston! It’s true, the sunsets in north-west Mauritius are a joy to behold – Trou Aux Biches delivered and then some! With my luxurious Beachfront Suite (with its own pool!) the bathroom alone was almost as big as my garden at home with both an indoor and outdoor rain shower. Dinner at Indian inspired Mahiya was authentic and delightful with friendly and attentive service for our final night on this beautiful island. Trou Aux Biches has everything you need for a chilled and blissed out rejuvenating holiday or a more active break, plus, with its six restaurants you're sure of plenty of dining choices. It was kind of a shame to tear ourselves away on the final day to visit and take lunch at the prestigious Royal Palm but we were completely spoilt and now I understand why this hotel is always sold out in high season. Oozing charm, the service is attentive and discreet and your every whim anticipated, truly a tranquil tropical haven. My whirlwind tour of Mauritius has definitely left me wanting more, so I'm sure I'll be back in the not too distant future. Each Beachcomber hotel was unique and all had a slightly different 'flavour' although service throughout was impeccable. Youngsters of all ages are made very welcome and the hotels offer the fabulous Bob Marlin children's club up to 12 years of age and some of the hotels also offer activities for 13-17 year olds too. There is so much more to Mauritius than just a beach holiday and it is well worth getting out and exploring if you can tear yourself away from your sun lounger! Our summer time brings cooler temperatures in Mauritius but it is still warm there and an ideal time to take advantage of the lower prices. You might get the odd shower but who really cares in paradise? Mauritius - I'm sold!

16 June 2015

After the long flight to Johannesburg it was wonderful to hop onto our private light aircraft direct to the Madikwe Game Reserve on the Botswana border, just a 50 minute flight, instead of the four and a half hours by road! Within minutes of landing on the Madikwe Eastern Airstrip we were rewarded with sightings of giraffe, elephant and kudu - a rich start to what was to be a thrilling three nights at different lodges within Madikwe Game Reserve. With its Afro-chic decor Madikwe Hills Private Game Reserve was going to be a hard act to follow. My large lodge oozed style and charm, very private and with a great view over the watering hole and the cuisine for both dinner and breakfast was superb. Although exhausted on arrival we found our first evening safari a thrilling experience with our ranger and lookout, Raol and Johannes. With zebra and elephants aplenty, the sighting of two male lions sleeping topped off the evening, especially when one stood proud, presenting us with a sleepy yawn. Stopping in a clearing on our way back to the lodge we enjoyed sundowners of G&T, wine or beer (in some cases all of the above!), watching as the sun dropped behind the distant hills leaving a flaming red sky in its wake, a perfect end to our first safari drive! Before first light the next morning we were back in the jeep with Raol and Johannes and after a short drive came across some wildebeest (now I understand why they are also known as gnu, you just have to listen to them!), giraffe and white rhino! There was also ample opportunity to catch sight of some of the birdlife too including the go-away bird, hornbill and lilac breasted roller. Our second evening was to be at the delightful Tuningi Safari Lodge, named after the ancient fig tree which is situated within the viewing platform close to the watering hole. The main lodge is luxurious with a rim-flow pool overlooking the watering hole and the thatched chalets are gorgeous and very private, private enough to shower outside, what bliss! Before the obligatory sundowners ably mixed by our ranger, Cornelius, we saw buffalo and watched a large herd of male elephants waterside, the adolescents showing due deference to the older ones, we were up close and it was a joy to behold. With only five wild dogs remaining in Madikwe following a rabies outbreak last year it was going to take a miracle for us to see them but the following morning's drive brought with it news on the radio that they had been spotted close by enjoying a breakfast feast of impala. Getting to the kill site swiftly was imperative as the carcass can be stripped within minutes and we arrived in time and also saw a solitary hyena waiting patiently for any scraps. We trailed the dogs for the remainder of the drive until we got a puncture, funny the first time it happened but not the last time! Thakadu River Camp was our final safari base, community run and completely different from the previous two, comprising of twelve individual tented units tucked into the tree canopy overlooking the Marico River. Very lush with plenty of birdlife and a large population of vervet which were both inquisitive and skittish! With only leopard missing from our 'Big 5' sightings Patience, our ranger, had a tough task ahead. Our evening game drive found us herds of zebra and giraffe, an up-close encounter with a small family of elephants - mum was trying to oust her adolescent bull from the family as it was time for him to move on - then a crackling radio message, a leopard had been spotted up in a tree to where it had dragged a carcass. We approached swiftly and quietly and although it was almost dark when we located this elusive creature, with the help of Patience' night-light, we were able to watch it finish its supper then climb down from the tree and disappear into the scrub. An amazing and fitting end to our adventures. We suffered another puncture on our way back to camp which was very unnerving in the pitch black, feeling like sitting targets and hoping the rustling in the scrub was just the light wind and not a hungry, prowling big cat! En route to Johannesburg we stopped for a delicious lunch and site inspection at the 5* De Hoek Country House in Magaliesburg, a popular retreat about an hour away from Johannesburg. I thought the outside of the building looked a little austere but inside is definitely country house hotel and the gardens are stunning. The much-maligned Johannesburg has undergone much regeneration and the areas we visited felt very safe and vibrant. Our base for our two nights' stay was Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! Melrose Arch and is a funky, modern hotel popular with both holidaymakers and locals with a fun vibe, wacky staff, urban feel and Hollywood glamour, well-known for its speciality cocktails, gourmet milkshakes and lively setting. Dinner this evening was at Pappas, a Greek restaurant in Nelson Mandela Square, a great choice and very affordable. The all too-short visit to the Apartheid Museum was emotive and informative, a great reminder on just how much has changed for the better, post-Apartheid, for The Rainbow Nation and its people. Many of us remember the sufferance and humiliation endured by so many South Africans during Apartheid and the unwavering beliefs of Nelson Mandela that finally, and thankfully, crushed this inhuman regime. Soweto was a complete surprise - I was expecting slums and poverty, dirt and crime, so was amazed by friendly waves and high-fives, wonderful humour, litter-free streets with tidy homes and gardens. Our guide, Jazz, really brought everything to life on the bike tour with regular stops to highlight important historical facts and places such as the Hector Pieterson memorial, Nelson Mandela's humble first house, which is now a museum, and Desmond Tutu's home. After a visit to The Westcliff Four Seasons Hotel, which has fabulous views over what looks just like rainforest, it is so green, we enjoyed a sumptuous lunch and then headed back in to the city centre to meet up with Jo Buitendach, a local guide with a real passion and interest in the street art of Johannesburg. Her belief that art should be readily accessible and not hidden away in galleries is evident as the continual regeneration of the city brings with it sculpture, graffiti, murals and creative design around every corner. Our final evening was spent at Moyo African restaurant in Melrose Arch which offered a great choice of pan-African cuisine and I'm pretty sure the wine was fab too! The singing band of minstrels in their boilers suits and white wellies, well, you just had to be there! What a great introduction to the delights of South Africa; three fabulous safari lodges in malaria-free Madikwe then Johannesburg, a city to surprise and delight. Opinions are more easily changed when you get to experience them first-hand so please get in touch if South Africa is still on your list of yet-to-be-visited destinations.

21 April 2015

Arriving at the Eurostar Terminal Paris Gare du Nord on Easter Saturday the place was heaving! We decided to walk to our hotel, the lovely Marais Home, in an attempt to get our bearings - not one of our better ideas! But we got there in the end and after checking in headed straight out to the Montparnasse Tower in the South of the city. The views from the 56th floor were excellent and even though it was a bit cloudy and very windy we headed on up to the glass-screened rooftop for an uninterrupted panorama, staying out just long enough to avoid hypothermia and see the city lights. On Easter Sunday and Monday we made great use of our hop-on-hop-off bus tickets heading first to the Sacre Coeur. After a cloudy Saturday we were blessed with warm, sunny days although, being Easter weekend, everywhere was very busy so, with the exception of the Eiffel Tower, we decided not to join any lengthy queues and hopefully avoid frayed tempers - and it worked! Notre Dame was extremely busy both with tourists and pigeons and we walked along the riverbank to see the Pont des Arts, Passerelle Léopold-Sédar-Senghor and the Pont de l'Archevêché, famous for the thousands of padlocks which adorn them. We saw so much from the upstairs of the hop-on hop-off bus - The Louvre, The Pompidou Centre, The Moulin Rouge, Musée d'Orsay, Panthéon, Arc de Triomphe and around almost every corner loomed the Eiffel Tower, there was just no escaping it! We had a pre-booked time to jump the never-ending queues and were whisked straight up to the second level of the Eiffel Tower and whilst this probably saved 3 hours of queuing at the bottom there was still a good hour to wait to get to the third level so, if you have plans to visit Paris, avoid busy weekends! And don't forget the queue to get back down again!! On our final morning we relaxed aboard a river cruise, getting a different perspective from the top of the bus, boarding close to the Eiffel Tower and travelling along the Seine to Ile de la Cité, home to the Notre Dame, circling round and returning to base. Bobbi had decided she was going to try snails for lunch so we returned to the café we'd had lunch in on Monday as we'd seen them on the menu and escargots were promptly ordered for her. Bobbi is usually quite adventurous with new foods but I really didn't think she would eat them once they were put in front of her - how wrong can you be, not only did she devour them, she ordered a second helping!! As soon as the first plateful arrived I beat a hasty exit, I couldn't bear to watch!! Even though we probably picked one of the busiest weekends of the year to visit Paris we still had a great time and will no doubt return to immerse ourselves more in this beautiful city. We barely scratched the surface, as is usual with many short breaks, so it is always worth staying an extra night or two. If you're looking for a romantic weekend, a family break or a dose of culture please do get in touch, I'd be delighted to help plan your ideal break.

19 January 2014

Nine years to the day after the catastrophic Boxing Day tsunami we arrived in the positively tropical heat of the beautiful island of Sri Lanka. Our driver, Romal, took us on a guided tour of the different districts of the city, through poorer areas and more modern, regardless of where though, the traffic was frenetic! Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel was our hotel for the night and we chilled out for a few hours by the enormous swimming pool overlooking the lake, then the following morning we headed out to see some elephants. Firstly, we called in to Millennium Elephant Foundation for a ride – Chris and Bobbi got a thorough soaking by elephant shower in the river! Then it was practically next-door for Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage. Whilst it was fantastic to see so many elephants in one place I have mixed feelings about the set-up although the lunchtime bathing in the river was a sight to behold! There are more ethical places open now and I recommend visiting elephants somewhere like Elephant Transit Home instead. After our first night at Kassapa Lions Rock Hotel in Sigiriya we headed out early for the long drive to Anuradhapura, the first capital of Sri Lanka, very busy with streams of locals visiting the sacred Bo Tree (Sri Mahabodhi Tree). It would be easy to spend a full day in this area visiting the remains of the Brazen Palace, the towering Ruwanveliseya Dagaba, Thuparama Dagaba, the Seated Buddha, the Kuttam Pokuna, temples, palaces and parks. Our long day ended back at the hotel where I ventured into the Ayurveda spa for a fabulous massage whilst Chris and Bobbi went for a swim. Another early start the following day but this time to avoid the crowds and the heat, as we set off for the strenuous climb to the top of the Sigiriya Rock Fortress which was built in 5AD by King Kassyapa. Some of the frescoes are still visible and the views on the way up, and from the top, are breath-taking. En-route to Kandy we visited a boys orphanage and girls school and were delighted to be able to leave a suitcase full of essentials and treats which were very well received. Then a steep climb up to the five Dambulla cave temples followed by the fascinating spice garden. The drive up was picturesque through the tea plantations and pleasantly cooler than our first few days. Kandy, the capital of the last Singhalese kingdom, is dominated by its lake and the nearby Temple of the Tooth (Dalada Maligawa) which houses Sri Lanka’s most hallowed relic, the sacred tooth of the Lord Buddha being enshrined here. The colourful evening pooja certainly brought the place to life. The mountainous route onwards to Nuwara Eliya is simply stunning – tea gardens and cascading waterfalls aplenty. Watching the ladies collect the leaves and then visiting a working tea factory highlights the processes gone through for us to enjoy our afternoon cuppa. With a strong British influence, with its cottages and rose gardens, parks and golf course, it is easy to see why Nuwara Eliya remains so popular. Our hotel, The Grand, really has the colonial feel about it. A leisurely drive back down to sea level as we make our way to The Safari Tissamaharama Hotel close to Yala National Park. We opted to take the late afternoon jeep safari and were fortunate to see so many creatures in a natural environment – deer, wild boar, peacocks, green bee-eaters and numerous other birds, crocodiles, a leopard and, of course, elephants! Almost time for our ‘R&R’ in Wadduwa - en-route we called in at Galle which is akin to a living museum with its historical Portuguese and Dutch influences with plenty of colonial style buildings, such as the 350 year old Dutch church and the old post office, this is definitely somewhere I’d like to explore further. After our busy week we had a few days to unwind at The Blue Water Hotel Wadduwa, south of Colombo. Definitely a place to kick back and relax with palm-shaded gardens, an enormous pool, plenty of loungers and excellent food. We came back from a beach stroll one afternoon to be greeted by a wedding elephant, decked out in its finery, strolling through the gardens! Oh, and the sunsets..... Sri Lanka is such a diverse destination - stunning scenery, wonderful wildlife, fabulous food and captivating culture – it’s no wonder the locals are such happy, smiling people! When you’re ready to visit Sri Lanka please do get in touch, I’d be delighted to assist in turning your dreams into reality.

09 June 2013

Arriving early evening at The Fairmont Royal York we immediately headed out to Toronto’s harbour front to get our bearings and a bite to eat before giving in to our tiredness and having an early night, all set for our action-packed week ahead. The CN Tower, at over a staggering 550 metres tall, is a must-do on anyone’s Toronto visit. We were blessed with fairly clear skies and a sunny day which afforded us far-reaching views of the city and beyond from both the breezy lookout level and the even higher SkyPod. At the base is the fun Himalamazon Experience, part of LA Tour, which includes a thrilling simulator ‘ride’. Having visited Toronto many years ago I was keen to discover something ‘new’ and we came upon Graffiti Alley where we whiled away a few hours admiring the artwork adorning many a wall in several of the back streets. I’ll never look at graffiti in the same way again, it was absolutely amazing! Our day ended with a brief visit for shopping at the cavernous Eaton Centre and a cool-down for Bobbi, running through the fountains in Nathan Phillips Square! Toronto Zoo is a great place to escape from the buzz of the city and sure to delight children of all ages and adults too. Getting close up to a polar bear at feeding time was a treat for us all and we also loved watching the antics of the newly arrived giant pandas, Er Shun and Da Mao, which are on loan to Toronto Zoo for the next five years. Tuesday and Wednesday were spent at the magnificent Niagara Falls. We first witnessed Niagara’s Fury, a 4D experience about the creation of the fall and then headed into the tunnels behind the fall and onto the platform outside for a close up view and a thorough soaking! In the morning we boarded the famous Maid of the Mist boat for a thrilling ride past the American Falls and up close to the mighty Niagara – and another soaking! Then we strolled along the boardwalk overlooking the raging white water rapids deep in the Niagara Great Gorge. Our final treat at Niagara was a truly thrilling helicopter flight to survey all we’d seen from up high, what an experience! Back in Toronto and no time to rest! The first stop on Thursday was the romantic ‘medieval’ castle of Casa Loma, home on the hill, former estate of Sir Henry Mill Pellatt. Beautiful gardens surround this enormous house and it would be very easy to stay and enjoy the home and gardens for a whole day but we are off to Royal Ontario Museum next! Dinosaur skeletons were the main draw for Bobbi along with the rest of the natural history floor then we managed to squeeze in an hour in the World Cultures section. Making good use of our hop-on hop-off bus tickets today next stop was near the marina to hop on a ferry over to Toronto Islands. What bliss! I’m sure it must get quite busy in the height of summer and not all the facilities were open but it is a real escape from the buzz of the city, extremely pretty, a real place to chill out, in fact a few days here at the end of our busy week would have been marvellous. Our last full day was spent at Canada’s Wonderland a must do for thrill seekers, so many rides, too many for one day but we tried our best! Gut-wrenching rides include the mighty Leviathan, The Bat, Dragon Fire, Behemoth and Sky-Rider, a roller coaster that loops the loop – whilst you’re standing up! Chris and Bobbi went on absolutely every ride they could squeeze into a full day! Chris’ dream was to do the Edge-Walk at CN Tower on our final day and as we knew we wouldn’t be able to see him in action Bobbi and I headed off to the Ontario Science Centre for some hands-on fun and learning. We only had a few hours before we had to dash back to the hotel to collect our cases, bump into Chris and hop onto the bus back to the airport. Holiday over! Toronto offers a fantastic choice of family activities for kids (and grown-ups) of all ages. We struggled to fit it all in, there really is so much to do. If you’d like some help planning your family adventure please get in touch, I’d love to help.

17 June 2012

Many years ago, I visited Porto for the day, by train from Viano do Castelo, and had wonderful memories of this beautiful city so I was delighted to accept an invitation to return from TAP Portugal and Turismo de Portugal. Our expert host Teresa Ventura and driver Rui Viegas ensured we really got to experience a wonderful sample of Portugal during our all-too-brief visit. On arrival we were whisked to the Holiday Inn Porto Gaia and then out to dinner at the recently opened DOP Restaurant. DOP is situated in an original 14th Century building and offers discerning diners a fabulous culinary treat - it's chef, Rui Paula, creates imaginative dishes they are truly amazing! And it was perhaps a little naive of me to think we'd leave the restaurant sober - seven courses, each accompanied by the perfect wine or port! A damp start soon cleared (unlike my head!) and after breakfast we headed straight to the Calem distillery for some port tasting - what a great way to start the day! Before our tasting we had a tour of the distillery and learnt about the processing methods for the white, rose, tawny and red ports, this obviously improved our appreciation during the tasting session! After an alcohol infused delicious lunch, this time at D.Tonho on the banks of the Douro we were driven, thankfully, by the sober Rui, around some of the interesting city sights. There are numerous interesting landmarks throughout Porto, such as Clerigos Tower, Porto Cathedral, Majestic cafe and Sao Benito Train Station, my favourite, its main atrium showcasing 20,000 tiles depicting important historical moments and life of Porto. Another must-see is Lello bookshop, if you are a Harry Potter fan you will appreciate how this bookstore inspired former Porto resident J K Rowling! Unfortunately, we weren't allowed to take photos inside. Guimaraes, now a World Heritage site and European Capital of Culture for 2012, is known as the cradle of the nation, its dominating castle being the birthplace of the first Portuguese king, Dom Alfonso Henriques. Away from the castle you will find the Medieval town with its winding narrow streets with their ornately embellished ancient houses and statues. Nearby, set on a hill overlooking the city is the Pousada de Santa Marinha, a former 12th Century Augustin monastery, now a luxury hotel with beautiful gardens and a lake. And it serves the best coffee! The delightful Quinta da Pacheca was to be our resting place for the final two nights - a beautiful estate, home to the small deluxe hotel set amid the rolling hills of vineyards. A sumptuous dinner was enjoyed at Castas e Pratos nearby and needless to say, several glasses of fine wine and port accompanied our fare - and it's fair to say that by now we'd all agreed "it'd be rude not to"! Our final day was a visual treat! From its lofty location, Quinta do Seixo affords the most impressive views down the terraced mountainsides to the winding Douro below. It is truly breathtaking and we were blessed with sunshine (and more port tasting!) before heading on to Quinta Nova Nossa Senhora do Carmo for our superb lunch (yes, more wine, rude not to!), site tour and hotel visit. Again, stunning vistas all around the estate and on the long (slightly nerve-wracking!) drive back down along the narrow road into the valley to Pinhao. Pinhao station is considered one of the most emblematic train stations in Portugal with its 1937 collection of painted tiles and from here it is a short walk to the rather splendid Vintage House Hotel superbly situated on the banks of the Douro. From this beautiful hotel, if you could possibly tear yourself away, it is easy to arrange both boat and rail tours, either of which would provide you with majestic scenery as the railway runs along the banks of the river. Whether you are looking for gastronomy, award-winning wines (and port!), a river cruise, outstanding natural beauty, city life, culture, escapism or a mixture of any of these, this part of Portugal will delight even the most discerning of travellers. The warmth and humour of the Portuguese people will only add to your own experience and I am delighted to have returned and encountered much more of this beautiful country. O!Porto! and the Douro Valley - put them on your list of places to visit - satisfaction guaranteed! Please let me know if you'd like any help planning your own Portuguese panorama.

24 June 2012

After enjoying a short trip to Kalkan last year, I was really keen to return with Chris and Ruby to show them what all the fuss was about. My much needed hamman and massage on our first morning was followed by spending the first couple of days chilling out by the beautiful pool at the Asfiya, wandering down to the harbour and town, mooching around the shops and sampling some of the excellent restaurants. Our favourite was Paparazzi for the fantastic meze, wonderful views and friendly owner Filiz and her father - they even remembered our names when we returned for our last supper! Before we left the UK, we had already decided that we would like to explore some of the countryside so planned a few days out. Our first jaunt was the popular and relaxing 'Day at Sea' aboard the gulet Pina-X, captained by Abdi Altili and his young deckhand. The day was spent cruising through the turquoise waters, making impromptu stops for a cooling swim, with a delicious, freshly-prepared lunch provided early afternoon. Dazzling - it's the only way to describe the first view of Kaputas Beach where we ventured the following day. The pebble and coarse sand beach leads into the clearest sea - a great place to jump the waves! It's definitely best to visit in the afternoon as we did, as there is no shade in morning. Our big day out was a visit to Xanthos, Sidyma and the Saklikent Gorge. Steeped in ancient history, Xanthos was the capital of the Lycian Federation and finds date back to the 8th Century BC and possibly earlier. Our knowledgeable guide Turgay told us about the history of this old city including the two mass suicides, which meant the townsfolk avoiding submission to invading forces! From Xanthos the views are amazing - down the valley to the Esen River and backed by the Taurus Mountains. We walked along a short part of the Lycian Way and came to the small village of Dorduga, which is built amongst the ruins of Sidyma. Remains include numerous sarcophagi, impressive monumental tombs, several wells and a badly-preserved theatre. This is a little-visited area and is very rural - the few locals are very friendly and welcoming. Our walk up the Saklikent Gorge commenced with the rental of rather fetching black plastic shoes! Then over the wooden bridge and into the icy water. Once in, after a few minutes, we didn't really notice the cold water but I have a feeling it was due to numbness! Saklikent Gorge is the second largest gorge in Europe at 18km long and we only walked a short part of it. I had to rest up just before the more difficult part but Chris, Ruby and Turgay kept going up as far as the waterfall where they were rewarded with a thorough drenching! After navigating our way back to the starting point and donning dry clothes, we relaxed by the river watching some crazy people set off tubing - looked like great fun! So we'll just have to go back so that I can finish the climb and we can all try the river-tubing - can't wait! Our penultimate evening was spent at the fabulous Turkish Night at the 5* Lykia Residence. The food, as ever, was delicious and the dancers very entertaining. A great night enjoyed by everyone there and not too far to walk back (apart from the hill!) to the Asfiya and bed. We made a point of trying lots of restaurants whilst we were in Kalkan including Sandals, Mango, Kaptan's, Belgin's Kitchen and, of course, the delightful Paparazzi. All the food was freshly prepared and delicious, the few pounds gained in the interests of our investigations were well worth it! Chris and Ruby have both given Kalkan a big thumbs-up so I have no doubt we'll be returning again sometime soon!

02 February 2012

Lapland was a long awaited holiday as we had booked the previous January but it gave us time to let the excitement build throughout the year! Well above the Arctic Circle, we arrived at Saaga Spa Hotel in Yllas in the half light that was lunchtime; by the time we'd unpacked it was almost dark! The holiday was planned ostensibly to meet the big chap in the red coat, but as we were staying for nine days had planned to make the most of our visit. Chris and Ruby had booked ski lessons and as both were complete novices they had mixed feelings about taking up this addictive sport. Needless to say, by the end of the first lesson they were both hooked, though a little bruised! Yllas is a fantastic place to learn with its floodlit, well-groomed pistes and excellent instructors. I had no concerns leaving them to ski after their lessons had finished, so they were able to hone their newly learnt skills. A highlight of the trip for me was the husky mushing through the forest. Great fun was had by all with a keen pack of dogs and stunning scenery. It was all over too quickly and I wished we’d booked the longer trip! Surreal is the only way to describe the Snowhotel where we had booked to spend the night. Until you get inside it is impossible to appreciate just how beautiful it is and how much work has gone into creating this temporary masterpiece. Come spring, it will be gone! We had fun and games bedding down for the night and trying to get dressed again the morning! The photos really don't do the place justice, especially the wedding chapel which was truly magical. As we wanted to cross the Arctic Circle, albeit from the north, we chose the more commercial Santa experience and whilst the whole concept was wonderful (and indoors!), I think as a family we would have preferred a more 'authentic' experience. Ruby did get to meet the man himself though decided to have a shy moment or two - I think she was a bit overwhelmed meeting the ‘real thing’! Everyone we spoke with really enjoyed the reindeer safari. We opted for the longer ride through the sparkling snow-covered forest, snuggled under a blanket in the sleigh and afterwards enjoyed warm berry juice and sweet bread before going into an enclosure and feeding some hugry reindeer by hand. As it had been cloudy for the first few days, there hadn't been any chance of seeing the mysterious Aurora Borealis, but Christmas Eve presented us with clear skies right through into the night. It was midnight before the first grey/green wisps appeared and we knew we'd need to go for a long walk to get away from the street lights. That's the problem having an eight year old with you that is desperately tired! There was no way Ruby was going to manage a long walk so we resigned ourselves to hearing about it from other guests at breakfast - and yes, we'd missed a treat! Last time I went on a snow-mobile, I was riding pillion about 20 years ago in Italy, so foolishly I thought I'd give it a try on Christmas Day. After getting kitted out in extra-warm clothing, thermal boots and a rather fetching helmet we were instructed on driving the snow-mobiles, safety procedures and so on. There was about seven vehicles and all the children were towed in a 'sleigh' behind the guide. And I was driving solo! Off we went, speeding along icy tracks, racing across a frozen lake and roaring into the forest. At least it felt like we were going faster than a bullet, but when I looked at the snow-mobile ahead it seemed that the speed was more like that of a mobility scooter! They were waiting for me to catch up and eventually I did, but then they all had to stop again as I crashed into a tree! Oh, what fun! Don't think I'll rush to try that one again! We have many wonderful memories of our time in Lapland (snow-mobiling is not one of them!) and if you'd like to hear more about our adventures, please get in touch. I'd be delighted to help you plan your snowy adventures!

24 October 2011

Having sent several friends to Kalkan in the past and always receiving great feedback, I was really looking forward to my brief visit with our Discerning Collection to see what all the fuss was about and why they keep going back! Arriving at Lykia Residence & Spa just in time for dinner, after a fairly swift eighty minute transfer from Dalaman Airport, I was warmly welcomed and taken straight to join my colleagues and enjoyed the first of many delicious meals accompanied by a couple of glasses of the local raki. A very relaxing start to what was going to be a busy few days. Because it was dark when I arrived in Kalkan, I didn't realise just how pretty it was and what stunning views I would be greeted with from my balcony at The Asfiya Hotel in the morning. Already the sun was hot, but no time to relax yet, we were off, after a poolside breakfast, to visit the properties that form our Discerning Collection. The Asfiya is a great base, being in a quiet location about ten minutes' steep walk to the town, though a bit longer coming back! A wide variety of rooms and suites are on offer, all beautifully decorated and the hotel has its own spa and hamam. We also checked out our great selection of quality villas - Amethyst, Sarafin, Doruk, Sena, Nergis, Badem, Lykia and the most popular Saray, which has its own indoor pool, sauna and hamam! All of them are well-appointed with great views and are near enough the town that you wouldn't need to have a car. Just near The Asfiya is the Oasis Hotel which is also well decorated and felt a bit nautical. It is adults only outside of school holidays and is quite small with only 17 rooms, giving it an intimate feel. Yali Hotel & Beach Club has only 8 rooms and is very popular due to its location by the waters' edge. The rooms here are more basic than the other properties but the decked beach club with its comfy loungers and parasols makes this a great choice. The best hotel in Kalkan has to be the adults only Lykia Residence & Spa, a stylish boutique hotel where you are made to feel so welcome. My top choice for a relaxing break, superb cuisine and delightful suites! I can understand why this is such a popular hotel - if I ever manage a few days away without my daughter, I know where I'll be heading! With an imminent opening, we had a sneak preview of a brand new hotel in our portfolio, situated about 30 minutes along the coast from Kalkan, in the equally stunning resort of Kas. The Peninsula Gardens Hotel will be the first choice for those couples looking for somewhere very special in Kas. It is a small hotel which will wrap itself around you - stunning vistas, secluded and private, a perfect place for a romantic break! A visit to the dazzling Kaputas beach and rustic lunch up in the hills at Islamlar were complemented by learning about the historical sites that are easily accessible from Kalkan, such as the Lycian Tombs, Xanthos and Patara, where you can also find the vast beach that is home to the loggerhead turtles. On our last day, some of our group ventured out to sea on a gulet whilst I opted for a walk down into the town and along the harbour front. Knowing it was going to be a strenuous walk back up the hill I had already booked into the spa at Lykia Residence. Was I in for a treat! I was persuaded to try the Turkish hamam, so after a sauna and ten minutes in the steam room I was scrubbed, lathered and rinsed by the very able Sefa who I nicknamed Mr Magic Hands after the hour-long hot oil massage that followed. It was utter bliss and complete relaxation and left me floating on air (and snoring away quite happily at the end!) ready to face the flight back to Birmingham. Kalkan and Kas truly are the jewels in Turkey's crown, each has its own charm and character and they still retain the true flavour of Turkey. Thankfully, neither has given way to large impersonal hotels or all-inclusives, and may it stay that way forever. Was I impressed? You bet! I've already booked to go back to the Asfiya in June 2012.

14 March 2011

Tel Aviv - it still conjures up images of hostility for most people, and it did for me too! How surprised was I to find a vibrant city that seemingly never sleeps? With miles of sandy beaches, museums, sidewalk cafes, theatres, elegant restaurants, shopping malls and boutiques, Tel Aviv was made for strolling and browsing. From Jaffa at the southern end of Tel Aviv to the north of the city, it is possible to walk for miles along the beachfront promenade. The first two days were spent acquainting ourselves with Tel Aviv starting in the hustle and bustle that is Carmel open-air market, one of the largest markets in the Middle East, followed by nearby Nahalat Binyamin market which is Tel Aviv's main arts and crafts bazaar - not as brash as Carmel, but definitely worth a wander. Lunch at Abouelafia in Jaffa was a veritable feast and a great introduction to the delicious dishes on offer - a shame we couldn't eat it all! Jaffa was once Palestine's main port and is now in Tel Aviv's suburbs. With its impressive 1906 clock tower, the Mahmudiya Mosque, Jerusalem Gate and sites with biblical connections we had plenty to look at before chilling out for an hour or so on one of Tel Aviv's beautiful sandy beaches. We also visited the renovated neighbourhood of Neve Tzedek which is now one of the city's most trendiest quarters with its highly sought after properties, the Old Train Station with its array of shops and eateries, followed by some of the city's Bauhaus architecture. After dinner we had some fun sampling the delights of Tel Aviv's hip nightlife in a few of the lively bars such as Nanuchka - standing room only and really loud music! A busy day started with a visit to Caesarea, the ancient port built by King Herod in 22-10BC and we got a real feel for its history by watching a multimedia presentation after walking around this historic site. Proceeding to Zichron Yaakov, a town in the heart of the wine country, we stopped to visit the Carmel Winery where the delightful Valerie introduced us to their local rose, white and red wines - a little too early in the day for me but I didn't think it was polite to refuse! The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Akko (Acre) was the next stop. Akko is an ancient Phoenician and Crusader seaport with Knights' Halls, underground Crusader city and fishermen's port and bazaar - we were also very fortunate, I think!, to be given a surprise tour of the sewers! We just managed a quick glimpse of the Baha'i Shrine and Gardens in Haifa on the way back to Tel Aviv. Jerusalem - our first view of this historic city was from the Mount of Olives and it was absolutely stunning with the Dome of the Rock taking centre-stage and glistening in the sunlight. Inside the old city walls we walked through the different quarters visiting the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Christian Quarter, the most venerated Christian shrine in the world and home to the last five Stations of the Cross, the last one being Jesus' tomb - the Holy Sepulchre - and forming the centrepiece at the heart of the building. No visit to Jerusalem would be complete without a visit to Judaism's most sacred site, the Western (Wailing) Wall in the Jewish Quarter. Souk Khan al-Zeit, in the Muslim Quarter, is the liveliest shopping street in the old city and is very atmospheric. After a light lunch we went to the Israel Museum with the Shrine of the Book where the Dead-Sea Scrolls are exhibited, then onto the Yad VaShem, the Holocaust Memorial and museum - a very moving experience. On the way to Ein Bokek, a spa resort on the Dead Sea, we stopped briefly at Kibbutz Ein Gedi to marvel at the stunning botanical gardens - a miracle in such an arid country! Eilat, on the Red Sea, was to be our last stop where we enjoyed a jeep tour in Eilat Mountains and Timna Park followed by a camel ride in the mountains with Nahal Shlomo Camel Ranch - OK, I confess, I didn't get on the camel! Our final morning was spent at the amazing Underwater Observatory Marine Park followed by the stunning Dolphin Reef for a few hours of blissful relaxation enjoying a floating massage and watching the dolphins. Such a happy nation - and another very happy visitor!

28 December 2010

Knowing we'd be in need of a fly-and-flop holiday, we chose the highly acclaimed Makadi Palace near Hurghada in Egypt - our first All-Inclusive and our first trip to the Red Sea. Makadi Palace and Grand Makadi hotels are almost like a village, which is well planned - beautiful gardens and amazing pools - and as there appears to be no boundaries between the hotels they kind of merge into one. The benefit of staying at Makadi Palace is that you can dine at either hotel which then offers such a vast selection of restaurants; we only got to try three of the speciality ones - the Caribbean, Thai and Lebanese all of which were superb! The first few days were spent relaxing by the pools and on the beach. Being a bit uncomfortable with sea swimming, I left it to Chris to take Ruby snorkelling and introduce her to the underwater delights. Such a vast array of creatures to see, from the myriad fishes to eels and sea anenomes. I did venture in once for a few minutes but dashed out again as soon as I saw a rather large eel! Chris and I took advantage of the beach massage twice, which was very relaxing and de-stressing. To hear the waves lapping the shore just added to the wonderful experience. On the Monday, we booked to go on a jeep safari which turned out to be great fun. I can highly recommend the thrilling, if bumpy, ride through the desert. We enjoyed visiting a Bedouin family, saw a little of how they live and experienced camel riding before they provided us with a superb meal. After watching a gorgeous sunset, we hurtled back through the desert in the care of our capable, if rather crazy, driver! A very early start on Wednesday! With an 05.40 pick-up from the hotel, we went on a day trip to Luxor. I had been before, but it was 23 years ago, so I was really looking forward to revisiting a few of the amazing sites. Our first stop was at Karnak Temple, where our guide, Emad, led us through, with clear explanations about the way the temple was built and what a lot of the hieroglyphics mean. After lunch, we took a boat across the Nile to visit the Valley of the Kings and marvelled at the ancient tombs which were so beautifully decorated - it's staggering to remember how old they are! Our day out ended with a visit to a local alabaster shop and then a quick stop at the Colossi of Memnon before the long drive back to Makadi. Chilling out was the order of the day for our remaining time at the Makadi Palace, especially after the exhausting day in Luxor! Many guests were staying for Christmas, so the atmosphere was quite festive and Santa made regular appearances for the children. Makadi Palace is the perfect place for a relaxing winter break. For me though, I do like to be able to wander out of the hotel and experience the resort, but this is not possible as there really isn't anywhere to walk to, though a courtesy bus does operate regularly to Hurghada, which is about 25 minutes away. I regularly hear about tummy upsets and poor food quality in Egyptian hotels but was amazed at the high quality of food available, both in the buffet and a la carte restaurants - and we tried quite a few! The choices were many and varied - I've never seen so many types of bread, and the deserts... well...! If you are interested in visiting Egypt or would like to know about my trip to Makadi, I'd love to hear from you.

28 June 2010

Having sailed with NCL aboard Norwegian Jewel, I though Epic would be just a bigger version of the same. It just goes to show how wrong you can be! Due to a technical problem there was a bit of a fiasco at embarkation on the first day but this was soon forgotten once I got onboard - time for a quick freshen-up, then dinner. And what a delight that turned out to be. There are so many choices - Shanghai's, Teppenyaki, Cagney's Steakhouse, Le Bistro, Wasabi.... 20 different dining options, I headed straight for the Moderno Churrascaria. This is a great way to spend an evening. You are given a card when you sit down which is green on one side and red on the other. Waiters come round with different meats on skewers and if they can see a green card they stop at your table. When you've had enough, just turn the card over to red. Shame I didn't leave enough room for dessert! After dinner I went to see Blue Man Group performing in the Epic Theatre - a really entertaining combination of music, comedy and multimedia theatrics. You have to keep watching their faces for the comedy, as they don't speak. Very subtle and very clever. All the waiting around at embarkation had left me in serious need of a massage, so after inspecting several different cabins that were open for viewing, I headed up to the spa where I was kneaded and pummelled back to life, the aches and pains chased away, leaving me ready for anything.... well a spot of lunch and a glass of wine! Epic offers an abundance of activities for all ages. The Recess childrens clubs and Entourage for teens looked amazing as did the waterslides in the waterpark! With ten-pin bowling, rock climbing walls, Nickelodeon at Sea and a fabulous sports complex, you can stay as active as you like. All the cabins are beautifully designed with a wave theme. The bathroom facilities in the cabins are different to anything I've experienced before but the jury's still out on whether I like them! However, they do seem to make the cabins feel more spacious and that can only be a good thing. The highlight of the cruise for me was Cirque Dreams and Dinner in the Spiegel Tent. It is quite an intimate restaurant and the entertainment was phenomenal. The performers gave us an outstanding display of acrobatics both on the floor and above our heads! And such fit men! I'll never laugh at men in Lycra again! Where to after dinner? Fat Cats, Headliners, Howl at the Moon, Svedka Ice Bar, Spice H2O, bars too numerous to mention, or the Casino? Epic by name and epic by nature. I'm not the biggest fan of enormous ships but I think NCL have got it right. When you've been in the travel business as long as I have, it is hard to be impressed - I was bowled over and that takes some doing! Singles, couples, families, party-animals, active, idle, in need of some serious pampering - if any of these sound like you, please get in touch and I'll help turn your dreams into reality.

24 October 2011

Our first morning was spent enjoying a walking tour of Amman, trying local delicacies along the way, and visiting the magnificent King Hussein Mosque, the Nymphaeum and the bustling, colourful market before driving 35km to visit the Palace at Iraq Al-Amir. I spent the evening with a very dear Jordanian friend that I hadn't seen for almost 25 years - we did a lot of reminiscing and catching up! With no chance of a lie-in, on Sunday morning we set off early for a 12 kilometre hike through the mountainous communities of Rasun, Orjan and Baoun. The climb, though difficult for me in places, was well worth the amazing views. Our group leaders decided to curtail the walk as it was very hot, so we headed of to Jerash earlier than planned. Built over 2000 years ago, Jerash is very well preserved. Approaching the city, you are greeted by the Triumphal Arch, built to honour the arrival of Emperor Hadrian in AD129. Ongoing excavation work has already revealed two theatres, the oval-shaped forum, a market place, temples and churches. We were afforded spectacular views across the Jordan Valley to the Dead Sea from Mount Nebo, believed to be the site of Moses' Tomb, and is the place from where he first sighted the Promised Land. The 4th century church was closed for renovations so we were unable to see the stunning mosaic floors. However, on our visit to Madaba, we got to see the most famous Byzantine mosaics dating back to the 6th century. Ma'in was to be our overnight stop and a well-deserved opportunity for a bit of rest and relaxation at Evason Ma'in Hot Springs & Six Senses Spa. The hotel is situated in a spectacular mountain landscape and is blessed with natural hot springs. I headed straight for the spa and spent a blissful hour having an Indian head massage. Somehow, I then ended up pressing several shirts for some of the men in our group - good job I like ironing! Another delicious meal was followed by many of us trying a nargileh for the first time - we certainly had a great laugh! The whole group enjoyed a one hour treatment at the spa followed by a swim in the thermal pools before a midday departure for the long drive to Petra. A great evening was spent at Petra Kitchen, where all guests got stuck in preparing a dinner of local dishes before sitting down to enjoy our efforts. My longest wish has been to visit the rose-red city of Petra and as morning dawned after a sleepless night, my tiredness vanished - this was something I wasn't going to miss out on. With an early start, our expert guide Ra'ed, led us on our way to the Nabataean carved-city which has been inhabited, until very recently, since prehistoric times. Walking through the Siq made me feel like an ant - the sides of this huge crack in the sandstone towered above me. Suddenly, before me, el Kazneh (the Treasury). My emotions got the better of me and I burst into tears - a lifelong dream, realised. Truly awe-inspiring. I could have sat for hours in wonderment but we continued on our way to walk through the rest of this amazing city. After lunch the long walk back to our hotel, an early dinner, then magical Petra by Candlelight - a candle-lit walk as far as the Treasury which was illuminated by hundreds of candles - a serene evening! The desert shots of 'Lawrence of Arabia' were filmed at Wadi Rum, which is like a moonscape of ancient valleys and towering, weathered sandstone mountains. Our 4x4 jeep excursion sped us through the wadi. The scenery was breathtaking and some of the group took up the offer of a camel ride, led by the resident Bedouin. Four hundred metres below sea-level is the Dead Sea, our final stop on this fantastic 'Voyage of Discovery'. We headed straight down to the beach, donning plastic shoes on the way, and straight into the sea. It's nigh on impossible to swim - you just get flipped over, so the easiest thing to do is lay back and relax. We couldn't resist covering ourselves in Dead Sea Mud, blackened from head to toe, baked in the sun, then back in the water to wash it all off! If you have plans to visit Jordan, and you really should, please get in touch - it will stay in your heart forever!

13 June 2010

We were so looking forward to our first Royal Caribbean cruise and prayed for good weather for our weekend away - it wasn't to be! Yet it really didn't matter in the end. Embarkation was the fastest I've known, from parking the car to sitting down for lunch took less than half an hour - I was already impressed. Our daughter Ruby, now aged 7, brought along her friend Anna, and between them they had an amazing time. After quickly unpacking we headed straight up to the H2O Zone so the girls could have some splashing fun! They spent a couple of hours wearing themselves out in the jacuzzis, pool, under the water jets and in the swirling pool that they dubbed the washing machine. It is a really safe area and we were happy to sit and watch, wrapped up in several towels! After dinner we wandered around the shops and stopped for an ice-cream at Ben & Jerry's - with so many flavours to choose from, we knew this would be a daily treat! There was no chance of a Sunday morning lie-in! Two excited girls were desperate to get back in the water, but first stop after too much breakfast was the ice-skating rink for an hour. After one nervous lap, I decided to be chief photographer but Chris and the girls were soon whizzing round without too much falling over. Oh, to have the energy of a seven year old again! When Chris was younger, he was a keen surfer, so was eager to try out the Flowrider. We watched a couple of the passengers who made it look really easy and a few beginners who showed great courage, not minding the laughing onlookers! It took Chris a few goes to find his balance - soon he was up on his feet reliving his youth. We were really proud of him! Before arriving in Cobh at 3pm, Chris had time to scale the rock-climbing wall, making it all the way to the top on his first attempt and the girls played a round of crazy golf - Ruby impressed everyone getting a hole-in-one! After docking at Cobh, we just wandered around for a few hours and came upon a pebbly beach. A playful dog befriended the girls and they whiled away an hour throwing stones into the sea which the dog happily ran after and retrieved - we had trouble shaking him off on the way back to the ship! On Monday we caught the train into Cork and then a taxi up to Blarney Castle. The gardens are really beautiful and would be a lovely place (in the sunshine!) for a picnic. We climbed the narrow spiral staircase to the top and enjoyed the wonderful views before doing the obligatory thing - kissing the famous Blarney Stone. Sadly the girls were too small to be able to do this but they are already a pair of chatterboxes, so no matter for now anyway! The lure of the H2O Zone was too much for the girls - like a giant magnet, so we rejoined the ship and they went straight back into the water and Chris went to test his balancing skills at the Flowrider again. On Tuesday we were blessed with a mainly sunny day as we sailed back to Southampton, so no guesses as to what Anna and Ruby wanted to do! It was the H2O Zone again! We enjoyed the evening shows on board after dinner most nights, but the highlight of the entertainment for all of us was the Ice Show on Tuesday afternoon. It was astoundingly magnificent from start to finish - we sat mesmerised throughout, the costumes, the ice dancing, the music, a perfect finale for our last afternoon. I hope you've enjoyed reading my journal on our short break aboard Independence of Seas. If you'd like to know more about this amazing ship, please feel free to give me a call or drop me an email.

14 November 2009

With our daughter safely packed off to Grandma and Grandad's for the weekend, Chris and I joined P&O's Arcadia at Southampton for a grown-up's weekend away. The weather forecast wasn't looking too promising but we knew there would be so much to do on board, we weren't too bothered! After a bite to eat we had a good walk around the ship to get our bearings before the compulsory lifeboat drill, then joined everyone else for a foot-tapping sailaway party - loads of singing, flag-waving and dancing and if I'm not mistaken, rather a lot of champagne was quaffed! Dinner was delightful and the two couples we shared our table with were great company and turned a blind eye to my indecision of which pudding to have - yes, I ended up with two! We were treated to a great show in the evening - f-ABBA-esque - so no prizes for guessing what songs were sung - a great performance all round. On Sunday morning we got the courtesy bus to Blankenberge, from where we caught the train to Bruges. A short walk brought us to the centre and we enjoyed walking through the squares, window shopping and being tempted every few yards by the wonderful aroma from the chocolate shops. We stopped for a rest at a lovely looking cafe called Tom Pouce and ordered apple pie and hot chocolate. Sublime doesn't begin to describe the apple pie, it was delicious! But we got a bit of a shock when the bill came!! Perhaps we should have asked for a menu before sitting down! As the weather was taking a turn for the worse, we decided to head back to the ship but chanced upon a fabulous beer shop called de Bier Tempel. What an enormous choice - there must have been hundreds of different beers to tempt you with but we could only manage to carry eight bottles as we were already weighed down with chocolate! After another lovely meal we were treated to some adult entertainment, courtesy of Bobby Davro and I have to say that if you're reading this Bobby, you were brilliant! We haven't laughed so much in ages. All in all, a great weekend, a lovely party atmosphere and NO CHILDREN! If you've enjoyed reading my journal and would like to know more about Bruges or cruising, I'l love to hear from you.

09 November 2009

We set off on a crisp autumn day for the bright lights of London with a very excited 6 year old Ruby. It was Grandma's birthday weekend so we had arranged to meet up with her and Granddad at Kings Cross/St Pancras. With no firm plans for the afternoon, we dropped our bags at the hotel then headed over the road straight into Hyde Park where we chanced upon the Princess Diana Memorial Playground - entry is only permitted if you are in possession of a child, and through a manned gate, so it is a very safe environment. We had trouble persuading Ruby that there was so much more for us to see but it was nigh on impossible to get her off the pirate ship, especially as she had climbed right up to the top to be the look-out! What a fantastic place to take younger children, with plenty of seating for the grown-ups, toilets and a small cafe, it would be easy to while away several hours. We found a great lake-side cafe in the park called the Lido, where we had a lovely lunch and rested our aching legs before setting off for the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain. It wasn't warm enough to dip your toes in, but plenty of children were lying on the side getting wet up to their elbows! Hyde Park in autumn is glorious. With the leaves already turned from green to red, copper and golden yellow, and freshly fallen leaves carpeting the ground, the views were mesmerising. And the squirrels are surprisingly curious, coming within inches of us, hoping for titbits no doubt, as they readied their stores for winter. We finished our meanderings that day in Selfridges and ended up in the toy department where a few sneaky purchases were made that are now safely stashed with Santa until Christmas. Sunday saw us rising early and after a hearty breakfast we set off for our 10am flight aboard The London Eye. The thirty minute trip gave us all time to take in the amazing views high above the city and for miles beyond. Ruby was desperate to go on the Duck Tour afterwards but we had been unable to secure tickets even a few weeks prior to going. On the off-chance they'd had a cancellation for five, we called into their office and they had just arranged to lay on an extra trip for lunchtime! What luck! What smiles! We passed the time wandering up to Whitehall, Downing Street and the Cenotaph then headed back for the ride of our life! The Duck Tour is a must-do in London, even if you haven't taken any children with you! The bright yellow amphibious vehicles take you through the streets on a tour and then down a slipway into the Thames - it's a lovely way to see the sights from a different perspective and the guide was very informative and also very funny! The afternoon was spent visiting Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square and Piccadilly before heading up Regent Street. Then to fire up a flagging 6 year old, we hit Hamleys toy store! Luckily she was hungry when we went in, otherwise I think we would still be in there to this day! Five (or was it six?) floors of child heaven - old favourites, new favourites, gadgets, gimmicks and all the must-haves that will be on every child's Christmas List, all under one roof. Our final morning was spent at the Science Museum. I wasn't too sure that we had made the right choice for Ruby as she is fascinated, like many a 6 year old, by dinosaurs, but she keeps telling everyone it was the best part of the trip. I’d had a tip off to get there before opening time and once inside to head straight to the third floor, as most people work their way up. The third floor is aimed at children of all ages and has loads of interactive, hands-on things to do to fire up their imaginations and get them thinking. Within the hour it was packed so we spent the rest of the morning exploring the other parts of the museum. A great day out. If you've enjoyed reading my journal and would like some help planning your own trip to London, I'd love to hear from you.

20 January 2009

We've cruised several times before but never over Christmas, so it was with great excitement as we approached Southampton docks we caught sight of the beautiful Oriana. I've had the pleasure of sailing on her before, about ten years ago, but this was a first voyage on Oriana for my husband and 5 year old daughter. A couple of days at sea allowed us to get our bearings and sample many of the activities on board. I particularly enjoyed my visits to the Oasis Spa and was surprised at the great value of the treatments on offer. Our first port of call was Madeira where we jumped in a taxi and headed straight for the cable car. The views on the way up were amazing and it was great to feel the warmth of the sun after the cold and damp we'd left behind. We then headed for the toboggan station, the three of us squeezing in for the rather hair-raising ride back down the hill. The guides did a great job avoiding cars and pedestrians - what fun! Our next stop was Tenerife where we joined a pre-booked excursion to the fabulous Loro Parque. The highlight for me was watching the hilarious sea lions and my husband and daughter especially loved seeing the dolphins and killer whales. There is so much to see and do, a day isn't really long enough. Gran Canaria was our next port and a first visit for all of us. We hit the shopping centre as soon as we'd docked then returned to Oriana mid-morning to join our excursion to Puerto Mogan, where we boarded a submarine for an underwater adventure, seeing a wide variety of fish and a couple of shipwrecks. Puerto Mogan is such as beautiful resort - it's a place we'll be going back to. Christmas Eve saw us in Lanzarote where we soaked up the festive atmosphere and wandered around the shops, visited a fortress and had refreshments in a 'tucked-away' cafe. The excitement was mounting back on board, especially for all the children. The captain had received a report that an unidentified object was approaching Oriana, a red glow to the fore and bells jingling! - we were going to get a slightly early visit from Santa! Lo and behold, he appeared from a smoking funnel and came down to meet all the children saying he'd be back the following day to join them for a party. And boy, did he know how to party! Christmas Day was spent at sea and with so much going on, it flew by. Santa's afternoon party was exclusively for children though parents could go along if they really wanted to! On Boxing Day we docked in Vigo, northern Spain, where, thankfully, all the shops were open. After spending most of the day climbing the steep streets and melting some plastic, we returned weary to Oriana to join the farewell party held aft. We Brits sure know how to have a good time - even Noddy was up for a boogie! I hope you enjoyed reading my journal and looking at my photos. If you'd like to find out more about cruising or any of the places we stopped at, please feel free to contact me. I look forward to your call.