08 March 2017

Skiing is not for me, I have tried but I don’t think I’ll ever try again! Yes, I’m disappointed in myself, yes I feel I’m missing out but I actually think I’m a danger to others on the slopes and that is just not fair! I’ve had a lesson at home in an indoor centre that wasn’t actually too bad, I only took the instructor out once... I was told not to worry it’s much easier on real snow…..I landed across the travelator on the nursery slopes in France causing it to stop thus holding everyone up whilst I laid there waiting to be rescued. My rescuer was my husband (who has been skiing since a small boy) with words of comfort (“do you think you’re a stuntman, hurry up, get up”). His encouragement and advice on ploughs and technique just fell on deaf ears, fear kicked in and all that went through my mind was "I have to stop accelerating further" - I just went blank and hoped for the best. That was the end of my skiing days. Surely there must be others like me? I definitely recommend learning whilst you’re young with no fear! So, my skiing saga aside I fell in love with the whole ski resort thing and have spent the past two February half terms in Les Gets, France. Such a beautiful village, with stunning scenery and amazing cuisine (the wine isn’t too bad either!). My husband (Lee/Mr Jenkins) and son (Dylan) love skiing so I suggested perhaps they go alone this year….until he mentioned Whistler in Canada. Obviously I agreed to go but the deal was we have two nights in Vancouver first! After a smooth flight from London Heathrow we arrived to a snowy Vancouver, beautiful! We stayed for two nights at the Hyatt Regency, downtown and perfectly located for Robson Street for shopping and close to attractions. In our short stay we managed to visit the look-out with 360 degree views of the city including Stanley Park that we took a leisurely walk to along the seawall watching seaplanes take off on various tours. I recommend The Keg Steakhouse if you’re ever in Vancouver, yummy! Our two-hour bus transfer to Whistler was with Epic Rides who conveniently pick up at the Hyatt Regency with no other pickups on the way. Passing stunning scenery made the journey fly by. We stayed at the Delta Whistler Village Suites (Marriott), situated towards the edge of the village so that bit further to walk to the slopes than some of the other hotels but they do have a transfer service that operates throughout the day. Our one-bedroom suite was perfect, with a sofa bed in the living room, kitchenette and lots of storage for all that ski gear! The hotel also features a small but well equipped gym, sauna, 1 indoor hot tub, 2 outdoor hot tubs and an outdoor pool. The boys loved the slopes with plenty of runs and they say the snow was good.... Dylan was booked into ski school for 2 days and had an amazing time. It was Valentine’s Day while we were away and Mr Jenkins earnt big brownie points giving up a day of skiing to take me to the Scandinave Spa situated in the forest on the edge of lost lake not far from the village. A tranquil retreat, this 25,000 square foot outdoor spa features hot baths, wood burning finnish saunas, eucalyptus steam rooms, treatment rooms and indoor relaxation areas with beds for 2 overlooking the stunning mountain scenery. He followed up with lunch at tapas-themed Bar Oso which was fab….celebrities were papped there just days later! (hint: a very famous footballer and his wife!) There really is so much to do in Whistler, Dylan and I went dog-sledding which, apart from being an amazing experience, was so interesting, learning about the dogs and their individual characters. You could be involved as much or as little as you wanted, I was quite happy to sit in the cosy sled wrapped up in blankets and let Dylan take the reins with our guide. There were plenty of stops for the dogs with free time off of the leads for the better behaved ones, who are keen to get in on your photo moments! Mr Jenkins, meanwhile, took himself off to the Whistler Sliding Centre, home to the fastest ice track in the world and host of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games to experience the rush of Skelton reaching 97 km/hr! The boys also had a go at tubing at the Coca-Cola Tube Park, suitable for all the family….I was busy checking out the many shops in the village. Every Sunday evening during winter there is a fire and ice show, featuring dancers, fire spinners, a DJ, fireworks and Whistler’s best skiers and riders displaying their skills with jumps and flips through a ring of fire. A spectacular event not to be missed! There are plenty of restaurants to choose from in Whistler but they do get booked up so I would advise booking ahead. My favourite for food and service were Hy’s Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar which was situated just by our hotel, Rimrock Café (Whistler’s place for Fish and Game) with an extensive wine cellar and cosy fireplaces, our hotel offered complimentary transfers too as it was a bit further out and Christine’s on Blackcomb Mountain. Located in the Rendezvous lodge, Christine's can be reached via the Whistler gondola then Peak-2-Peak, the only cable car journey in the world that connects 2 mountain peaks. Stretching 4.4km, it boasts the longest free span between ropeway towers. There's an incredible 360-degree view over ancient, volcanic peaks, and for the adventurous, there's access to over 50kms of high alpine hiking and mountain bike trails. Unfortunately we booked quite late so didn't get a table by the window. Did I enjoy my time in Whistler as a non-skier? Most definitely yes! And one thing that stands out apart from the stunning scenery, amazing food and plentiful activities is the friendliness of Canadians, so so friendly and happy, it really makes a difference to your holiday. Dylan keeps asking if the flights are out yet for next year!

28 November 2016

I'd never been to Barbados so when I got the opportunity to be hosted by Elegant Hotels I was delighted, and what a time to visit when they are celebrating their 50th year of independence! Elegant Hotels have six properties located on the west and south coasts all unique in their offering. I stayed at two of their all-inclusive properties, first being Turtle Beach situated in the South on a 1,500 foot stretch of white sand where sea turtles return to lay their eggs every year. Water sports are complimentary and staff smiles are aplenty. Turtle Beach also features three restaurants and bars, two tennis courts, gym, spa and flying fish kids club for 3-12 year olds. I also stayed at Waves Hotel & Spa which has a boutique feel about it, recently re-opened after refurbishment and situated on the platinum west coast. Waves’ main focus is wellbeing and spa treatments are currently included in your stay along with free rounds of golf. There are two sides to this hotel, one being the adults only spa side the other being ocean side, suitable for families. The ocean facing deck area offers a great view, almost feels like you are on a ship. Seascape serves Mediterranean inspired dishes buffet style for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Shiso offers Asian fusion (try the Thai chicken and coconut soup!) Kyma coffee and deli bar are another option with a fabulous ice-cream bar! Lovely added touches include the beach and pool ambassadors surprising you with cold towels, ice-cream and other little treats throughout the day. Water sports, gym, yoga and Pilates are also offered. I had a tour of Crystal Cove, another all-inclusive hotel, where I had a lovely lunch. I really loved the feel of this property, great for families too. I especially liked the cave swim up bar! I also visited Colony Club which has its own herb and vegetable garden and great swim up rooms. I dined at Tamarind which was lively with poolside singers entertaining everyone, and just next door to The House, an adult’s only boutique hotel offering a complimentary jet lag revival massage to each guest. Daphne's restaurant (sister to Daphne's in London) is situated between Tamarind and The House, perfect for dinner in a romantic setting. A water taxi operates between the Elegant Hotel properties so you can visit them, except The House, although you can stay there and visit the others. There is also a dine-around programme on offer. Weddings are also very popular. In addition to Elegant Hotels, I also went to visit Sandy Lane which is amazing, a golfer’s paradise and great for children. A big deal is made on special occasions, like Santa arriving on jet skis, wow! I also had a tour of Fairmont Royal Pavilion which again was fab, in a great setting right on the beach. What is there to do in Barbados apart from relaxing on a lounger soaking up the sun? I had time to find this out too with a tour of Mount Gay Rum distillery, lots of history and a great rum shop! Harrison's Cave is spectacular, a tram transports you through the cave with a guide sharing their knowledge. St Nicholas Abbey steeped in history, a private home dating back 350 years, also featuring a rum distillery and rum tasting. A sunset catamaran cruise was a highlight, the staff on board were superb, assisting those less confident in the water, there was the option of swimming with turtles, snorkelling was amazing with so many varieties of fish. A submarine tour is also recommended, especially if you're not keen on snorkelling, again amazing sea life and more turtles! No matter where you go, the people and service play a big part in your experience, my experience was amazing! If you would like to know more about any of the above hotels, tours or Barbados in general feel free to get in touch for a chat!

12 September 2016

After a brief overnight visit at the launch of Norwegian Cruise Line's latest addition Norwegian Escape in After a brief overnight visit at the launch of Norwegian Cruise Line's latest addition, Norwegian Escape in Southampton last year, I didn't feel I experienced her full potential so where better than from her homeport in Miami! There's been a lot going on in Orlando too so I had to stop off there to see for myself. Not being a thrill seeker, adrenalin junkie or rollercoaster lover in any sense (boring my family call it) I had reserved myself to being chief bag holder/photographer. The journey began with a smooth flight from Heathrow to Orlando via New York (JKF), travelling with my husband and 13 year old son. We decided to stay at Universal Resort. The new Loews Sapphire Falls Resort had only opened a month earlier so I was keen to check it out. We split our five night stay between there and the Hard Rock Hotel. I had read reviews that Sapphire Falls wasn't ready but we were checked in efficiently, the room was fab with a great pool, with cabanas for hire featuring TV's so we could enjoy the sun, pool time and the Olympics! We made the most of the complimentary water taxis and early admission to the Universal Parks, Hard Rock in addition offers a complimentary fast pass (park tickets must be purchased first). We pre-purchased a 3-park bonus ticket which was delivered gate ready so no queuing on arrival. The Incredible Hulk had just re-launched, along with the opening of 3D ride Skull Island, Reign of Kong so I had to put fear to one side. There's nothing like first-hand experience - I actually went on all the rollercoasters and was very proud of myself (I'm now a cool and not boring mum). Skull Island was fab, the attention to detail is second to none. We also went to SeaWorld to check out MAKO, another new ride - Orlando's tallest, fastest and longest rollercoaster. Ahhh yes I went on that too! I also got a glimpse of the beginnings of the all-new Fast & Furious ride coming in 2018 and the third all-new water theme park Volcano Bay opening in 2017! Time to head to Miami, how else but in a bright yellow Mustang convertible (my boys were happy!) A straight and simple journey with a bit too much wind in my hair but it was fun. I couldn't help playing Will Smith's "Miami" cruising along Ocean Drive, something I've always wanted to do plus I love the song (each to their own). We had two nights in the Ritz Carlton, South Beach which was fantastic. The pool area leads on to the beach where we were very well looked after. I recommend an 8am swim in the sea which is very clear just as the sun is heating up, well worth rising early. Dining along Espanola way was a great experience, I love Latin music so was in my element. We managed to squeeze in a visit to the Everglades too, go early as it gets very hot! The next leg of our journey was an eight night Eastern Caribbean cruise out of Miami, one of my favourite ports to cruise out of. We stopped at St Thomas, St Maarten, Tortola and Nassau where we visited some gorgeous beaches with amazing snorkelling, swam with dolphins and spent a day at Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas which had so much to do. We spent most of our time at Aquaventure waterpark and the beach. The ship was fab with so much going on from award winning Broadway musicals, an Aqua Park, entertainment from Nickelodeon to the line's first snow room at sea! We hardly saw our son as teen club had him hooked. I did manage to get him to walk the plank on the ropes course so I could take some photos! There are lots of dining options that we sampled including to name a few Jimmy Buffet's Margaretaville, award winning chef Jose Garces has two specialty options, Bayamo with a Cuban influence and Pincho Tapas Bar. Food Republic features global cuisine to share where you order on an iPad, all were great! We flew home direct from Miami to Heathrow, checking into a dayroom at the Sheraton Hotel which has a lovely pool area at the airport pre-flight to make the most of our last few hours. We had an amazing time and felt like we had many holidays in one with the variation of destinations. That's what I especially love about cruising...you only have to unpack once!

04 March 2015

I can't claim to be sporty...at all, so when a skiing trip was suggested for February half term I just couldn't get excited even after being told I would love it...Hmmmm. But love it I did! Ok maybe I wasn't over excited about the skiing part but I did give it a go and although I've got a long way to go there is hope for me yet. I'll never forget this, my first ski trip in the village ski resort of Les Gets in the French Alps, wow I was blown away by the picture postcard setting, whiter than white snow, traditional chalets dotted around, blue skies and it was warm - perfect! Not far from Geneva airport so easily accessible and lots of places to hire "all the gear" to save you transporting it, although I would recommend arranging this in advance as they do sell out in peak season. The same to be said for ski school, there wasn't an instructor with space to be found. I absolutely loved the village of Les Gets, everything was within walking distance. Hotels, chalets, shops, restaurants and bars. Such a family orientated location with activities including bowling and an ice-rink also a cinema and museum. There were lots of activities going on during the week, a great show put on by the instructors, release of the flying lanterns...a spectacular illumination of the sky, sledging for the little ones...and not so little. There is also a great little market on a Thursday morning with lots of fresh produce on sale, especially cheese, so many delicious varieties. I confess I didn't ski all that very much, I was quite happy to sit with the sun on my face outside the mountain restaurant reading my kindle, people watching and making new friends - everyone was so friendly....I even found a spa in the village Ooo la la. My husband along with our son and his friend were on the slopes most of the day, everyday. This was the boy's first skiing trip too which I think hubby periodically forgot when trying to convince them they would love the black slope, just because he's a whiz at it! Although I must say they were great. I totally agree with starting them younger when the fear factor isn't so great. Apres ski started with banging tunes from the DJ in the outside bar at the bottom of the slopes, fun for all the family with sledging for the kids,a glass of vin chaud for us parents followed by great food, such a great selection of restaurants to suit all tastes, Then pretty much the village goes quiet as everyone retires for an early start the following day. Such a great destination for families who are very well catered for and definitely kept occupied!

17 September 2014

I’ve always wanted to visit the Norwegian Fjords and when I found a 12 night cruise departing from Harwich in the summer holidays I didn’t hang around to book! Travelling as a family with an 11 year old, keeping him busy was top of my list. I knew Royal Caribbean wouldn’t let me down and departing from the UK meant I could take as much luggage as I wanted! Brilliance of the Seas ticked every box…ample space in our cabin, great food options, fantastic entertainment, shore excursions and a kids club with brilliant facilities. Norway is very picturesque…..Our first port of call was Bergen “The gateway to the Fjords of Norway” where we took the Floibaren funicular located in the city centre to the top of Mount Floyen where we enjoyed fantastic views over Bergen. We also stopped in Alesund and took a tour with a very informative guide taking in the Atlantic Sea Park just in time to see a diver in a huge tank hand feeding the fish and on to the Saga Islands, stopping at various points of interest for photos. Geirangerfjord was just amazing, part of the UNESCO world heritage site and one of the most visited tourist sites in Norway. Activities here include fishing, hiking, kayaking and RIB boating. We took a tour along the winding roads to the top of the mountains passing wild waterfalls including the two most notable, the Seven Sisters and the Suitor (bottle shaped) which are opposite each other. The scenery is just breath taking as you may have seen in photos but the real thing is so much better. The port of Geiranger is bustling when ships are in, with quaint cafes, gift shops and a chocolate factory where you can sample handmade chocolate with unique flavours of blue/brown cheese and berries. Enroute to Iceland, passengers were invited to take part in the blue nose ceremony which celebrates crossing the Arctic Circle and involved the Captain pouring a ladle of ice water down each guests back and painting noses blue which was surprisingly very popular. With an overnight stop in Iceland there was plenty of time to take it all in, with a whale watching trip and visit to the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa which is a must if in Iceland. We chose my time dining which allowed us the flexibility to dine when we wanted in the Minstrel dining room, we also ate in Izumi serving Asian cuisine including sushi, sashimi and hot rock plates. With so many options we were spoilt for choice….The Windjammer café was great for a quick lunch or informal evening meal, Chops Grille serving steaks and seafood dishes, Rita’s Cantina with a Mexican option, Park Café, Chefs table and Latte-tudes for speciality coffees….not forgetting 24 hour room service! When not in port there was plenty to do from table tennis competitions, crazy golf, basketball, rock climbing, a well-equipped gym, running track, waterslide, daily quizzes, dance lessons, cup cake decorating, outdoor movie screen…the list was endless! And for those wanting to be pampered a great spa. The Centrum was the hub of the ship with many daily activities taking place there including dazzling aerialist performers and party nights and with views from every deck there was always a great atmosphere. The theatre was host to an array of shows to suit all tastes with a full house most nights, the hypnotist was particularly amusing. There were plenty of bars from the Colony Club, Schooner bar, Vintages, King and Country pub, R Bar all with some form of entertainment and a nightclub for the night owls. Alternatively there was a cinema showing recent movies several times a day and a well-appointed casino which was always buzzing. This really was a memorable trip with something for everyone. If you would like to hear more about it or are looking to visit the Norwegian Fjords & Iceland, please get in touch.

01 May 2014

It was with much excitement that I boarded BA with my husband, bound for Hong Kong to embark on a journey through Vietnam on Silver Shadow where I would also celebrate my Birthday. Having never been to Asia I was intent on making the most of my trip with a pre-cruise stay in Hong Kong at The Langham which is very close to the cruise port and easy to navigate around the sights, we managed a trip on the Star Ferry, a visit to The Peak and The Avenue of Stars in our short stay. This was my first time on Silversea so I wasn't sure of what to expect. The embarkation process was smooth and in no time at all we were welcomed on board with a glass of champagne by smiling cheerful crew members who provided first class service throughout the cruise. Silver Shadow carries 382 guests and features one of the highest space-to-guest ratios in cruising with butler service for all suites. Silversea is an all-inclusive product which includes gourmet dining, drinks & gratuities. Upon being shown to our cabin where a bottle of champagne on ice & Pierre Marcolini chocolates awaited our butler introduced himself and presented us with a nine pillow type menu & a choice of Bvlgari, Ferragamo or hypoallergenic bath amenities. We were also offered a choice of spirits for our in-suite bar and asked if we would like him to unpack for us! We had a Veranda Suite which was very spacious featuring a marbled bathroom with double vanity, separate shower and full-sized bathtub, sitting area & a teak veranda. Silversea have open-seating dining so you can chose to dine alone or with new found friends and offer various dining choices including the main restaurant, La Terrazza - authentic Italian dishes, Le Champagne - the only Relais & Chateaux restaurant at sea and the Pool Grill which is transformed into The Grill in the evening for alfresco dining where we could grill our steaks at the table on a heated volcanic rock plate. There was a show each evening in the show lounge or the option of chilling in the bar listening to the band & for those feeling lucky the casino which got rather lively at times. We were transported through the fascinating country of Vietnam, rich in natural beauty enjoying scenery as diverse as traditional Pagodas, colonial style buildings & breath taking beaches. Our first stop took us on a journey through the beautiful islands of Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO world heritage site. The name means "bay of the descending dragon" and here 2000 islands emerge from the jade waters offering a surreal and magical vision. We took an excursion on a junk boat to a floating village which we Kayaked around, seeing how the locals live watching them fishing and selling fruit, such a calm, carefree experience. In Chan May we took the free shuttle bus to Lang Co Beach Resort and had a lazy day on the wide sandy beach then on to Nha Trang for another beautiful beach day and a trip to the market mostly selling souvenirs, leather goods and replica designer bags. The ship stayed overnight in Ho Chi Minh City also known as "the pearl of Vietnam" where French influence can still be seen in the wide boulevards and beautiful architecture of the Saigon Opera House. We went on an excursion to the Cu Chi tunnels, a network of underground tunnels used during the Vietnam War and even got to crawl through a small section which was more than enough for me! Back to the city for a drink on the roof terrace of the Rex Hotel which is famous for being a favourite haunt of US officers during the Vietnam War. You really experience a sense of calm being away from the manic beeping of scooters down below. The ship hosted an evening BBQ on deck whilst in port and there was a great party atmosphere amongst guests. We had an overnight stay in Singapore at the Shangri-La which was great with relaxing foot massages on offer around the pool. We made the most of our time visiting Clarke Quay, sampling the popular dish chilli crab in Chinatown food street, a trip to Raffles to have a famous Singapore sling & a taking The Night Safari at the world's first nocturnal zoo - what a magical experience. This was a truly memorable trip which I wouldn't hesitate to recommend!