11 October 2022

I've recently returned from a fantastic family holiday in Lanzarote. We stay at the Iberostar Lanzarote Selection Resort in Playa Blanca and from start to finish could not fault it. On arrival at the Iberostar we were met with a welcoming reception and a lovely glass of champagne to start the check-in process. We booked a family one bedroom sea view/pool view, this room was spacious with a separate living room and bedroom plus a large bathroom. We were located on the ground floor and had a massive terrace with our own sunbeds and table and chairs. We love the Iberostar concept and stayed in this chain previous and the service, food, drinks and facilities are perfect for families and couples alike. As we are a family with a toddler on these holidays we are not fussed about additional restaurants, the buffet restaurant suits us fine as we can pick and chose all different foods for our little girl to experience. We spent the days around the family/children's pools and nights being entertained with various acts/music and shows or just relaxing. The resort of Playa Blanca is very nice and pretty with a good mixture of bars/restaurants/shops to cater for all clientele, the resort is not overly large and has a seafront walkway from end to end covering around 5km. This is perfect for walkers/pushchairs/runners/wheelchairs. It's also relatively flat so you can get around easy if you want to explore. If you are looking a great family holiday/couple only or multi-generational families you would be well looked after at this hotel.

20 September 2019

I've returned from a fantastic family holiday in Fuerteventura staying at Bahiazul Villas & Spa. This was a perfect combination of a villa holiday but being on a complex. I love the idea of villa holidays but I don't like having to cook, clean, shop and drive on holiday - I do enough of that at home. I wanted a holiday where we have the space, privacy and facilities of a Villa but also have hotel amenities - the Bahiazul ticked those boxes. The location of this resort is just out of Corralejo it takes around 15 minutes in a taxi and close by is a supermarket and a few bars but nothing on a big scale. The area is very relaxed and quiet but gives you the freedom to get out and about if you want to explore by car or taxi.

22 June 2019

I recently flew business class with Thai Airways from Melbourne to Bangkok, the whole experience was great. I checked in for the overnight flight from Melbourne to Bangkok and was able to spend time in the lounge area. Check-in process was quick, smooth and effortless. The lounge is very big and modern in Melbourne and shared with a few airlines. On boarding I was greeted to the traditional welcome of a glass of champagne along with a beautiful Orchid. The seat in business class was spacious and comfortable, I did find it tapers in at the bottom which was fine for myself. I slept most of the way and the service was excellent, very accommodating. The food, beverages and entertainment made the flight very enjoyable and added to overall flight.

22 June 2019

I decided to treat myself when I was coming back from Australia and booked myself a business class flight with Oman Air from Bangkok through to Manchester. Bangkok airport is big and on arrival from Melbourne I made my way to the business class lounge operated by Oman Air. The lounge is very comfortable, with all the amenities you’d expect. I really enjoyed relaxing and spending time in lounge and was looking forward to boarding the flight. The seat is excellent, very spacious and wide. Everyone can access the aisle which is great and also you have privacy from the person sitting near you. The staff were excellent and really took care of everyone. The flight to Oman was full in business and quieter from Oman to Manchester. Either way you couldn’t fault the stewards for their dedication to the passengers. The food was really good and any drink you wanted was produced. After a few weeks in Oz I spend most of the time asleep or relaxing on the lie flat bed. It honestly made travelling a dream and so relaxed and refreshed stepping off each flight. Another highlight was the Oman Air lounge in Oman, wow it was stunning. So luxurious, light and vibrant. I was able to take a shower, change clothes and feel revitalised for the next flight. The restaurant and bar were excellent, overall had such a good ice flying it was the highlight of my holiday.

09 June 2019

I recently took a trip to Melbourne Australia to visit my Aunty and Uncle who live on the Mornington Peninsular in a town called Rosebud. This area is around an hour’s drive from Melbourne city centre and is well known for surfing, long stretches of golden beaches and sleepy seaside towns with a wide variety of cafes, boutique shops and restaurants. On arriving we spent a couple of nights in Melbourne taking in all the sights. This city has a really nice feel with lots of older buildings and then new skyscrapers setting the trend. We explored as much as we could visiting Queen Victoria Market where you can pick up a souvenir and then we headed to laneways near Flinders Street. Here, you find a labyrinth of streets to explore and discover. The city is also famous for the trams which we used and went to Federation Square and then headed out to St Kilda. Another great tourist attraction is to go up Eureka Skydeck and the Eureka Tower and get a bird’s eye view of the city or even better go at sunset. After a few days in Melbourne we hit the road and drove to Rosebud to spend some time with relatives. We did day trips out and went along the coast taking in the seaside towns. One of my favourites is Sorrento. This pretty town has a great beach vibe and feels very hip with lots of art galleries, coffee shops, individual shops selling beautiful clothes, bags, jewellery and so on. The best way to experience this country is by car or organised trips. We had a car and loved driving around and discovery little towns, beaches, markets and pubs. We also visited vineyards, had a day at the hot springs and ventured over to Arthurs Seats where you can go on the cable cars for a fantastic view of the whole peninsular.

06 June 2019

I been to a Halkidiki a few times over the years, but this is the first time staying on the outskirts of Afitos. We stayed in the lovely traditional little hotel called Petrino Suites. They are all individually styled little traditional Greek Farmhouses. There is a fantastic pool which is really large and then sun beds, chairs and shaded areas. There is a pool bar serving food and drink all day and through to the evening. We stayed on half board and ate each evening here. The food was good and enjoyable, fairly limited to two choices each evening which my husband and myself were fine with. The main resort of Afitos is a flat 15-20-minute walk away or a few minutes in a taxi. The resort of Afitos is very picturesque with hillside tavernas and bars overlooking the beach and sea, very pretty in the evening. There are plenty of shops to walk around and cafes, bars and restaurants to sample. Overall, a lovely Greek holiday, everything we were looking for.

05 June 2019

Visited Abu Dhabi for a long weekend in January with one of my friends. We stayed for 4 nights at Ritz Carlton Grand Canal and flew economy with Etihad. The flights were fantastic and for a 7-ish hour flight was really comfortable, food and service couldn’t fault in economy. On arrival at the airport we were met by a driver to take us by private car to Ritz Carlton. We drove past the Grand Mosque which is stunning and looks amazing in the sunlight. Walking into Ritz Carlton oozes luxury, high-end chic, 5* service and hotel. We took advantage of a free half board upgrade which was on offer. The food in the restaurants is amazing even the buffet restaurant. I especially liked the Asian Restaurant where I could have stayed all day eating, plus this has the best view of the Grand Mosque in the evening lit up. We also had access to the Club Lounge, again worth upgrading in my option as a great area for drinks and some relaxation. Close by to the hotel are a selection of restaurants everything from Italian, Indian, Sushi to give you another option of where to eat. The hotel is big as you would expect but the service and facilities are fantastic and feels very personal. The pool is great for sunbathing, swimming and pool side bar service makes it even better. Would recommend Abu Dhabi for a long weekend or even long to get some sunshine.

04 July 2016

Well I have just returned from another stunning holiday at The Apostolata MareBlue in Skala, Kefalonia. I've stayed here for the last three years and always have a wonderful time. This hotel is perfect for couples and families wanting a relaxed chilled break. There isn't a great deal to do but this is perfect for me, if you purely want to re-charge your batteries it's perfect. You can go half board or all-inclusive where meals are taken in the buffet restaurant or a la carte at a supplement. If you want things going on near-by you have to get a taxi and if you want a long sandy beach, again Skala is your answer but if you're happy with a large freeform pool then this is for you with Greek atmosphere and great service. I always upgrade to the one bedroom suite with private pool and upgrade to all-inclusive. This gives me a quiet, peaceful and semi-private area but with hotel facilities located near-by. I don't leave this room except to eat at meal times or use the spa facilities. This property has got many steps as it's built into a hillside but the hotel provide a golf buggy collection service for anyone who feels they can't manage the steps. It really is the most relaxing and gorgeous Greek holiday and with the added luxury of upgrading to a private pool suite.

15 February 2016

The island of Bermuda is beautiful and full of rich colour, heritage and wonderful people. The museums are very interesting as it has such a wealth of history. If you like diving then Bermuda is perfect as you have many ship wrecks to visit out in the ocean and the reef but probably the main thing people go to Bermuda for is their pink breath-taking exotic beaches. I travelled to Bermuda a couple of years ago and stayed for five nights at the Fairmont Southampton. This hotel is in a fabulous location overlooking the ocean, pink sands and the greenery that Bermuda has to offer. The grounds of this hotel are huge, around 100 acres, including the stunning golf course, which looks amazing even to me a non-golfer. This hotel oozes luxury and glamour. There is the private beach club where you can relax in style on the pink sands or relax at the resort pool. If you fancy being a bit more energetic then you can chose activities such as diving, tennis, Jet Ski rentals and more. There is the Willow Stream Spa with indoor pool & fitness facility, or tee off at the 18-hole par-3 championship Turtle Hill Golf Club. If you want to get out you can access Hamilton using the hotel ferry service or local taxis where you can take in the day to day goings on in Hamilton. Bermuda is a perfect holiday destination or add onto a trip to New York for example for some peace and quiet.

09 February 2016

I visited Vietnam in October 2015 after always being on my bucket list for many years as a place to experience and I wasn’t disappointed. I flew from London Heathrow with Vietnam Airlines travelling on their new Dreamliner. This is the second time I’ve been on this aircraft and it’s great. I travelled Premium Economy out and Business Class back. The service was fantastic and economy looked very comfortable too. I arrived at Saigon to get my connecting flight to Danang where I was staying at the Hyatt Regency and the Intercontinental Danang. Both of these hotels were lovely and of great quality, as you would expect from these chains. The people are so friendly and caring and nothing was too much trouble or effort. Danang is a great beach location. Along with the city vibe you can also do day trip to Hoi An or Hue from this location as well. The Hyatt Regency has a wonderful beachfront setting and the restaurants and bar areas are perfect for relaxing and to watch the sea and sunset. This hotel is in a great location for easy access into Danang if you feel like venturing out from your luxury location. The Intercontinental Danang is on another level of service, class and location in my option. The location is on “Monkey Mountain” where you feel at one with nature. The whole resort is spread out over the mountain starting at the top called “Heaven” and then cascading down the mountainside through “Sky”, “Earth” and finally finishing at “Sea” level. This resort is very special and offers true luxury and first class service, the attention to details in the rooms, dining and bar areas along with the spa, pools and lastly the stunning beachfront setting will leave you feeling a world away in an exotic tropical location where you can just relax and indulge for a few nights. My next stop was to catch a flight onto Nha Trang, best known for one of the biggest fishing ports in Vietnam. The beaches and sea makes it one of the best locations for relaxing and also taking in some fabulous culture including the Temples and Churches. The hotels I stayed at were the Vinpearl Nha Trang, Evason Ana Mandara and Six Senses Ninh Van Bay. These three hotels are all very different and each have their own unique atmosphere. The Vinpearl Nha Trang is situated across the bay from Nha Trang accessible by either speedboat or cable car. This is a purpose built resort offering something for everyone. There is a vast array of hotel and accommodation choices from the large hotel complex to private villas, spas, golf courses and even an amusement park, this really does have something for everyone. The Evason Ana Mandara is located on the main hotel road into Nha Trang and the beachfront setting is glorious. This resort is a traditional style and is part of the “Six Senses Collection”. You each have your own semi-detached villa with classy Vietnamese touches. I found it very tranquil and relaxing at this resort and really enjoyed my time here. The pool, restaurant and beach are breath-taking. My last stop before home was at the stunning Six Senses Ninh Van Bay and wow this place was amazing. The location is accessed by speedboat from the mainland where you enter the beautiful bay and look up to see all the different styles of accommodation. I would describe it as barefoot luxury/Robinson Crusoe, I loved it here. The whole resort is so cleverly done, this is where you get away from it all. The only thing you should do here is relax, eating stunning food, read, swim, be at one with nature and enjoy it. Pure bliss.

09 February 2016

Every year I go to Skala in Kefalonia with my mum. I know it's a bit boring but we go to the same hotel and just relax for our holiday together. We stay at the gorgeous Apostolata Mareblu Skala Hotel in a private pool suite. This is our treat for a little luxury and peace and quiet, relaxing in your one bedroom suite with own pool and garden. I have stayed in the standard rooms as well and they're an excellent standard offering everything you'd expect for a 4* hotel. They provide beach towels for your stay, Wi-Fi, a free resort shuttle bus and much more. The hotel offers a beautiful large free-form pool with water jets and a small pool for kids. There are plenty of sunbeds available with parasols, games and entertainment for younger ones. You have access to the stunning rocky cove where you can swim and snorkel from the rocks and if you do feel more energetic you can always play tennis! This hotel is built onto a hillside so if you do have limited mobility either call reception for the golf buggy or maybe take this into consideration as there are many steps. There is no beach as such but you can access the sea from steps off the rocks and the water is fantastic for snorkelling and swimming. The hotel offers a selection of rooms along with different board basis, you can chose from either half board or all-inclusive. We always opt for all-inclusive as we like to forget about paying for things on our holiday. The main buffet restaurant offers a wide selection of food and has something for everyone, they also provide special themed nights to sample local and international cuisine. There is also the pool snack bar and a la carte restaurant to choose from as well. The Mareblu is situated around a 10 minute ride away from Skala if you fancy a change of scenery or meal out. The hotel runs a free daily shuttle bus at selected times or jump in a taxi to suit you. The island of Kefalonia is stunning. I've been here six times and love getting out and about seeing the coastline, villages and people. Kefalonia will suit couples and families alike it has retained its traditional feel and has not been spoilt by clubs and bars like some areas in Greece. In my opinion this is a great hotel and lovely Greek Island.