23 August 2022

Without doubt one of my favourite countries on the planet, Thailand has it all from inspiring temples, stunning scenery, beautiful beaches, incredible food and some of the friendliest people you’d wish to meet. There’s one question that crops up time and time again about Thailand though… When is a good time to go? It feels a little too simple to say it’s a year round destination but in short, It is (well, at least it nearly is!), however knowing how the seasons work can make a world of difference to your Thai holiday experience. Thailand’s tropical climate ensures the weather is hot year round, just some months are hotter than others, equally some months are wetter than others! The good news for beach levers is there are 2 quite distinct wet seasons in the south meaning there’s great weather to be had most of the year! Whilst there are a whole host of Thai islands to choose from (and some with even more quirky seasons) the focus here is on some of the big hitters, the core of the Thai Islands. West Coast (Andaman Coast) Islands and Beaches What are the Islands? Phuket Krabi Ko Phi Phi Ko Lanta Khao Lak When should I go? The best of the weather here is generally from December – February, known as the cool, dry season. The weather normally remains dry through March and April but the temperature starts to rise with April typically the hottest month (there’s a reason they celebrate Songkran in April with water pistols!!). From May through to October the monsoon normally comes in and you’d expect rain most days - this is quite often a downpour in the late afternoon. November can be hit and miss as you come out of the rainy season but can be a great month to visit if the monsoon rains have finished early. East Coast (Gulf Coast) Islands and Beaches What are the Islands? Ko Samui Ko Pha Ngan Ko Tao When Should I Go? The Gulf Coast typically receives a slightly higher annual rainfall than its west coast counterpart but outside of the monsoon season of October – December the weather here is pretty good for 8-9 months. The islands here make a perfect beach escape during the British spring and summer (when the monsoon is hitting the West Coast). Rainfall is also pretty low January – March giving you options in both the Andaman and Gulf at this time of the year. So When Is The Best Time of Year To Go to Thailand? Typically you have the most beach options open and the coolest, driest weather from January to March. Bangkok and Chiang Mai are also enjoying their cooler and more pleasant whether at this time. That said, in realty Thailand is more or less a year round destination (you might just struggle in October!). I'd suggest heading to the West Coast beaches during the British winter and the East Coast Beaches during our spring and summer. The East coast can make a fabulous honeymoon destination for those looking for an Asian adventure during our summer months. You're in for a treat whenever you decide it's right for you! I’ve been lucky enough to travel around Thailand throughout the year and you can find a fabulous holiday here at almost any time. There’s some amazing discounts to be had out of season too! Whilst one can never guarantee the weather you can certainly hedge your bets! If you’re thinking of a holiday in Thailand and want to talk to someone who’s spent considerable time here then please do get in touch. I’d be happy to put together a holiday that’s perfect for you (and we can have a good chat about the weather too!).

28 April 2022

What is Sustainable and Responsible Travel? Whilst the terms may be slightly different they are very much intertwined. The Travel Foundation put it nicely, describing the aim of sustainable tourism as being to “increase the benefits and reduce the negative impacts caused by tourism for destinations”. These impacts come in the form of environmental (including protecting wildlife and natural resources) and socio-economic impacts on the communities we visit. Simply put, we can consider sustainable travel as the goal and travelling responsibly how we can help reach it. What Am I doing? The issues surrounding sustainable and responsible tourism are incredibly important to me. I’ve highlighted some of the measures I’m taking to control my own impact as a business and to ensure the holidays you take when booked through me, have responsible tourism at their heart. • Carefully selected travel partners - I prioritise and actively seek to work with suppliers who have good sustainable tourism practices. This is often highlighted by Green Leaf accreditation. My aim is to focus my work with partners who have a real focus on providing genuinely responsible tourism and sustainable practices. I also work with companies such as Pack for a Purpose to help provide responsible ways to give to local communities • Making responsible suggestions - I endeavour to suggest itineraries that reduce carbon footprint by including longer stays in destinations and a reduction in flights as standard. • Being responsible with resources - I will continue to minimise my use of paper (and plastic) documentation and marketing materials. This means you’ll normally get itineraries, quotes and your travel documentation via email or through the MyTC app. • Continuing to learn - I have taken and passed the Travel Foundation “Go Greener” certification for responsible tourism and aim to further increase my knowledge to ensure I remain focused on the best sustainable and responsible tourism practices. • Helping you make informed decisions - By helping educate and talking you through your choices I can help you make more informed decisions about your own travels. What Can You Do? • Stay longer and travel less – Whilst this might seem a rather broad statement it’s worth considering staying an extra day or 2 in a destination before moving on. This might mean seeing 1 or 2 less places on a trip but cutting out that extra travel can help reduce the impact of your holiday and increase your positive contribution to local economies. Flying less is undoubtedly a step in the right direction so thinking about how you move about on your holiday (or even taking one longer holiday instead of 2 short ones) can help reduce your environmental impact when travelling. • Think about the hotels you stay in - Some hotels are making that extra effort to reduce their carbon footprint whilst also introducing initiatives to help local communities, provide work for locals and source ingredients locally – I can help plan an itinerary that includes hotels that are going the extra mile with their sustainability efforts. • Re-Use - Many hotels now offer the option to help them reduce what usage by re-using towels or bedding, if you can take advantage of this you’ll be helping to reduce the environmental impact of your trip. It’s also worth bringing a re-usable water bottle. Many hotels now have re-filling stations to help reduce plastic waste. • Learn about responsible travel - Not all tours are created equally, take a little time to understand the positive and negative impacts even a day tour can have. Handled badly this can cause disruption to local communities, destruction of business and over-tourism which can ultimately destroy the very thing that makes some places so special. I carefully select touring options which help promote a positive impact on local communities and minimise the impact on the local environment. • Think before you give – When you feel you want to give back it’s important to think about the impact this can have. Many people want to give back by making a visit to a local school for example however this can have a negative impact on the local population and be disruptive for the students. Instead take a look at programme’s such as Pack for a Purpose who allow you to gift to those in need without causing such disruption. There’s no doubt we need to do more to protect our planet so it can continue to be enjoyed by generations to come. Travel can bring about positive change, it can be uplifting, educational and inspiring. Taking the responsible path can sometimes add a little extra cost to a holiday. After all, the efforts and mechanisms put in place by those doing things right does cost money but I hope this help you understand a little more why that might be. By educating ourselves about more responsible and sustainable travel we can, together, make more informed decisions about the holidays and adventures we take and in turn help preserve our planet and the incredible travel experiences we have for future generations to enjoy too. If this has piqued your interest in travelling more responsibly and you would like me to help plan your next holiday or adventure please do get in touch. You can give me a call on 01329 890083 or email dave.dimmer@travelcounsellors.com

25 February 2022

I fell in love almost instantly! From the moment the heat first hit me walking out from the air conditioned comfort of airport arrivals, through my first journey across the City, taking in the cacophony of colour as taxis filled the busy streets like a game of Tetris, images of the King hanging from road signs and street corners and the crazy mix of old and new with street stalls selling the sweet fruits of South East Asia sat next to ultra modern shopping complexes and grandiose hotels. This was Bangkok - and I was in love! Bangkok is all about experiences to me. I’ve been lucky to spend a few months here on and off and it feels like a home away from home. For most of you coming to Thailand and Bangkok for the first time you’ve probably only got a few days so I’m sharing a few hints and tips to help you get the most out of your time in this amazing city! Experience it Like a Local - Use Public Transport Using the myriad of local transport options to get around the city is an absolute must (at least for a day!). Buzz around in classic Bangkok style in the back of the famous tuk-tuk (honestly, you have to try it at least once), whizz around in air conditioned comfort on the Skytrain (overground) or Metro (underground), cruise up the Chao Phraya River in an Express Boat or take a long tail boat around Bangkok’s Khlongs (canals). It’s such an exciting way to experience and explore Bangkok, you’ll feel like a local in no time! Get a Birds Eye View! On the ground the city is at once chaotic and charming. From a distance it’s simply mesmerising! There’s no shortage of fabulous vantage points to get that birds eye view of everything Bangkok has going on and it’s definitely worth venturing up the stories to experience those breath-taking views for yourself. Soar 63 floors up to The Sky Bar at Lebua or the 61 floors to the Moon Bar at the Banyan Tree Hotel. Both arguably amongst the most spectacular rooftop bars in the world! If you want to try something a little more under the radar then head to Above Eleven in Sukhumvit, one of my personal favourites or the slightly bizarre but equally incredible Baiyoke Sky Tower with its revolving outdoor observation deck, just the 84 stories high! Take in Some Local Sport! No sport says Thailand more than Muay Thai and Bangkok is most definitely THE place to experience the action. My favourite place to catch the best bouts is at Ratchadamneon Stadium (also known as Rajadamnern Stadium). Events take place here several times a week so it’s normally something that can fit with most stays in Bangkok. This is one of the big two arenas for Muay Thai in Bangkok and the perfect spot to take in an evening of the classic Thai sport. If you’re feeling brave it’s also possible to arrange a Muay Thai training session where you get to suit up and take a hands on Muay Thai experience – Come forward if you’re feeling brave! Experience Bangkok by Night! Like many of the world’s great cities, Bangkok truly comes alive at night and as the sun starts to set it takes on a new persona. As the heat of the day starts to subside, street side markets open and are awash with locals and tourists alike. I love feeling the heartbeat of Bangkok , walking down bustling Sukhumvit Road, snaking around markets stalls selling all manner of goods (be sure to barter if you want to purchase!!), the smell of world class street food simultaneously tantalising the senses, engulfing you from all angles. Wat Arun and temples around the city glisten with light, bars spring into life and the thriving Bangkok restaurant scene moves into full swing. Bangkok absolutely buzzes at night and the atmosphere is wonderfully captivating! Eat (and drink) like a local! Let me just say this now… I adore Thai food! Sweet, sour, salty, spicy – The 4 keys to Thai food and really there’s nowhere better to treat those tastebuds than in the Thai Capital itself. You may already know some of the classics such as Phad Thai or Green Curry but Thai food is so much more too! Try starting your day with a cup of Kafae (café) Boran, a traditional Thai coffee (or Kafae Boran, yen – The iced version), enjoy a bowl of Nam Tok, a Thai beef salad that’s one of my favourite dishes anywhere and the quintessential taste of Thailand, just be aware it can pack quite a chilli punch! For dessert you can’t go wrong with a classic mango sticky rice (head to Sukhumvit Soi 38 for one of my beloved spots) or try a bowl of Sarim (colourful noodles made from mung bean in sweet coconut milk and syrup). Your taste buds will be dancing with joy in no time! A foodie tour around Bangkok is one of the best ways to experience some of these culinary treats whilst also discovering some fabulous local markets and eateries along the way! It’s one of the most exciting experiences you can have in Bangkok and if food is your thing then you absolutely must give yourself time to include this in your stay! If this has tickled your tastebuds for some time in Thailand why not get in touch. I can help put together a memorable holiday experience that’s just right for you. It’s the perfect destination for couples and families alike and makes for a magical honeymoon too!

18 January 2022

I first stumbled into Chicago in 2006, unsure what to expect but from my very first steps around the city and as I shuttled myself to my accommodation in the north of the City, I knew I’d found a gem…and knew I’d be back! It’s not New York! One thing becomes very clear, very quickly. This is not New York. It doesn’t give you that odd sense of familiarity you get your first time in the Big Apple but the more you explore the more you realise you’re in a truly great and absolutely buzzing, American city! The Stars! The observation deck at the Hancock Centre gives you a great sense of perspective on this incredibly surprising City. Staring out over skyscrapers on one hand and Lake Michigan, looking like a breath-taking coastline on the other. It’s a must do! My little tip – get yourself a ticket to go both day and night, it’s well worth the second trip to the top! There is world class art at the Art Institute of Chicago (Ferris Bueller fans, this might just be familiar!), you’ll need a good half day even if art isn’t your passion and definitely more if it is! A cruise down the Chicago River is a brilliant way to unwind after a busy morning of sightseeing, taking around 90 minutes you’ll not only get to relax but take in some of the city’s finest architecture. A worthy addition to your time in the Windy City! I could easily go on with attractions such as the Field Museum and Millennium Park (who wouldn’t want to see a giant reflective bean?!) worthy of a visit. It’s also worth giving yourself some time just to walk and explore around the Loop. You could easily spend 2-3 full days just doing that lot…and then there’s the fun quirky stuff… There’s more?! Wrigley Field Opened in 1914 this is one of the most historic stadiums in the US so why not treat yourself to a couple of tickets and take in a real piece of Americana – A day at the baseball! There’s very few places to top this iconic field if you’ve never been to a game before and I think it really adds to the flavour of a stay in the City. The area around the stadium, Wrigleyville has some great places to eat too and if you’re feeling up to it, cap your day off with a few swings of the bat yourself in Sluggers Bar where you’ll find batting cages ready for you to test your own skills out! Pizza! If you only eat one meal in Chicago let it be pizza! You haven’t had deep pan pizza until you’ve had it in the city that invented it. This is pizza like you’ve never had before, just bring a doggy bag! There’s plenty of debate around where you’ll find the best deep dish and I’ve got my own favourite, you’ll just have to ask me to find out what it is! Chill on a Beach! Not something I ever associated with Chicago before I went but there’s some great beaches if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of The Loop for a while. Why not head to the north of the City to Loyola (home to Loyola University) where you’ll almost certainly be escaping the crowds and taking in one of Chicago’s most surprising days out. The perfect way to chill out at the end of your time in this amazing city!