06 October 2020

When you hear 'Staycation', what do you think of? For some it mean's staying at home all day with cocktails, movie nights and takeaways. For others, it means a break somewhere in the UK and for us it falls into that category. 2020 has been a strange year for travel and with our daughter being only just 18 months, we decided it wasn't worth the risk or hassle to book somewhere abroad which may not go ahead, so this year decided to holiday closer to home. After speaking to several Mums at a toddler group I attend, I was recommended a Haven holiday park for our break. Now, let me start by saying, I am not totally against UK holiday parks, when I was a child myself I was taken to them regularly, but as I've gotten older and explored more of the world, I definitely created this idea in my head of what they would be like. I imagined 'pure cheese', basic and totally in-your-face family 'fun' - nothing wrong with this but for myself and my partner, that idea fills us with dread as it's not our style at all! We really 'umed' and 'arred' about booking a Haven but knew we wanted to get away, so eventually booked Rockley Park in Dorset. We had researched the area well and decided even if we didn't really like the park, it would only be a base for us as we would be spending our weekend exploring. Fast forward to now and I have to say, My idea of Haven was completely wrong! We had the most amazing weekend away as a family on our daughter's first ever holiday. When we arrived we were shown directions to our caravan, and what a pleasant surprise it was.. Our caravan felt brand new! It looked like we were the first people ever to step foot in there. I am a bit of a germaphobe so I had come prepared with Anti-bac wipes and Dettol, but I really hadn't needed too. It was immaculately clean and tidy, and I felt totally relaxed in our surroundings from the moment we arrived. As everything is deep-cleaned between guests, we were unable to check into our caravan until 6pm on the Friday evening, so after our afternoon of travelling (and Mr Tumble on repeat) we decided on the first evening to chill and get a take-away pizza from the Papa Johns onsite. Haven have an app 'Haven Serve' to order food which is then delivered to your caravan. Perfect for us as we could unpack, get Mila in her pjs and crack open a bottle of red whilst we waited. Earlier this year I watched a programme on ITV 'Harry Redknapps Sandbanks Summer' and was amazed at the multi-million pound houses. When we booked our Rockley Park stay, I found out Sandbanks was only a 15 minute drive from there so this was first on my list of things to see and do! We spent the first part of Saturday wandering around the area in awe at the houses and trying to celeb-spot. We couldn't believe we were in Dorset, the houses and scenery could easily be mistaken for Miami! Had the weather been warmer, we could of probably spent a day there as the beaches are beautiful and there are a few neighbouring islands you can catch the ferry too, but as this was the end of September and the wind was picking up, next on the agenda was Monkey World. We had a great afternoon here and considering it was a Saturday, the park was very quiet. Due to COVID, all visitors over the age of 3 are currently required to wear a face covering at all times, as researchers have found out it can be transmitted to Monkeys. We only spent a few hours at the park, as although all the monkey enclosures were open, none of the play areas were, so once we had seen each breed of monkey, there wasn't anything else for us to do. In a way this suited us fine, as Mila could then nap on the car journey back to Haven (about 40 mins) ahead of our evening meal. On Sunday we decided to head along the Jurassic coast and visit the picturesque village of West Lulworth, Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door. Prior to arriving, We had researched and found we could do a walk along the clifftops from Lulworth to Durdle Door. When we arrived however, we realised we hadn't brought our baby carrier, the path was not suitable for strollers, Mila only has little legs and she is a wriggler (doesn't always want to be picked up but doesn't always want to be put down either) The idea didn't seem as great in 'real life', so we sat in the car for absolutely ages deciding whether we should attempt it or not. In the end though, We decided to just go for it and 'see how we get on'. I am so glad we did this as Mila totally surprised us, she loved the hike and the views were incredible! It's such a great feeling when you see somewhere on the internet or a postcard, and then one day you are there yourself in real life viewing it too. After the hike we spent the remainder of the afternoon at Lulworth Cove beach, we had a delicious veggie pasty and crab and lobster burger from a local take-away café, dipped our toes in the ice-cold sea, ate yummy ice cream and bought souvenirs from the gift shop. If you are heading to Dorset and like the outdoors, I would really recommend planning a day here. The hike isn't suitable for those with limited mobility, but West Lulworth Village and Lulworth Cove is lovely for everyone. On our final day we had to be out of our Caravan by 10, which suited us perfectly as we decided we would take Mila to see a very famous pig who goes by the name of Peppa. Peppa Pig World is 1 hour from Rockley Park and is on the way back home (if you live in Kent). We had planned to spend only a few hours here as we assumed we would see and do everything in this time, but we actually ended up spending the whole day and still missed 2 rides, aswell as the rest of the park.(PPW is part of 'Paulton's Park' which is a family theme park.) We planned to go on a few rides in Paulton's too but ran out of time! I am not sure if Peppa Pig World is always very busy, or due to COVID guidelines the rides took longer due to cleaning between passengers, but we were shocked at how busy the park was on a Monday! We thought it would be fairly quiet but it seemed like everyone had the same idea as us. Peppa Pig world is a great day out for young families, the park has everything covered for little ones and is somewhere I would recommend. Mila isn't obsessed with PP, she can take it or leave it, but she thoroughly enjoyed the day and I wouldn't hesitate to take her again if ever we head back that way. Overall, Dorset is the perfect 'Staycation' place, something for all ages and definitely somewhere we will head back too one day.

13 August 2019

I have been with Travel Counsellors for just over a year now and am loving running my own business. I’ve met some fantastic people in the past year and gained even more knowledge, but I am sometimes asked 'who and why' Travel Counsellors, so I have decided to put together a blog to explain the reasons you should consider me for your next trip. Everything you book through me is financially protected through our unique and independent Travel Trust Fund. It sits alongside our ATOL protection and means every part of your trip is covered, every time. It is completely robust meaning no matter what happens, your hard-earned money is always safe. I am not owned by a Tour Operator, so I have complete freedom and flexibility to find something which suits you/your budget and means I do not have to push what my company wants me to sell if I was. Our fantastic 'myTC' App. This app allows all my clients to see their holiday details at the touch of a button, as well as a countdown section, a payment section meaning clients can pay for their holidays as and when they want too, and even a section to contact me at any time - especially handy if anything happens whilst in resort which needs my attention. I am available all through the week and weekend. As I am not in a traditional travel agency, I have the freedom to work around my clients. I am often speaking to clients at 8/9pm in the evening as this is what suits them best. I don't know of a high street travel agent that would stay open for their clients this late? I can be contacted through multiple channels - Email, Phone, Skype, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, and am always happy to meet clients too if they prefer to discuss holiday plans over a coffee. When making a booking with me, I will always be sure to take care of all travel confirmations and documents. Where possible, I always upload my clients passport information, select their seats and check them in (even for the return flight home - this saves you having to take time out of your holiday to do this yourself) I also always like to hand deliver documents to my clients myself as I love to meet my clients in person. If it is a special occasion you are travelling for, I always try to contact hotels myself to advise them, as opposed to just putting it in the booking notes and hoping they see. Upgrades and special extras are never guaranteed, but I will always try my best to get the best treats for my clients from the airlines/hotels. Peace of mind. When booking with me, it is only ever me you will deal with. I know my client’s bookings so they never have to explain who they are and will never have to wait for hours on end to a call centre or be passed through various departments to get an answer. From the moment you inquire until after you return home, it will only ever be me who will speak to you about your trip. I have a genuine passion for travel and only want the best for my clients. As I am self-employed, I am not paid until my clients have booked and, in most cases, returned from their trip, meaning my time spent on the enquiry is totally free. I treat every enquiry as if it were my own holiday and only want the best for my clients. I have been in the travel industry for 6 years and am very lucky to have explored lots of the world, so pride myself on my knowledge I have gained along the way. I use this knowledge with every enquiry I receive, but if there is something I do not know, I have fantastic support from Travel Counsellors Head Office, as well as access to over 1800 Travel Counsellors in various countries around the world, so there is always somebody somewhere who will know the answer. My business is built referrals and word of mouth. I have not needed to pay for advertising as my lovely, loyal clients have done this for me and I now have clients all over the UK. If you have been told about me and are thinking about your next holiday, please feel free to get in touch as it would be a pleasure to help. Thank you :)

20 December 2018

Prague is one of my favourite European cities I have experienced yet. Many people have a misconception that we must travel far in order to experience more, but I truly believe we have so much to offer almost on our doorstep. I’d never really thought about visiting a new city in winter before, but when I realised I hadn't travelled for most of the previous year, I had nothing planned between January and May and I had annual leave to use up at my previous job, I decided to look into it further. My partner and I both created a list of cities we hadn't been to and would like to explore. As we are both fairly well travelled, we try to choose places neither of us have visited in order to experience new destinations for the first time together. Prague happened to be on both of our lists, we had heard it was a great city to explore, lots on offer and very cheap. A tick in all our boxes so we decided to go for it! Being obsessed with all things travel, I usually carefully research every part of my own holidays in great detail before committing to a booking, however this was very last minute for us. We decided, booked and then travelled two weeks later, so most of it we 'winged' and it has turned out to be one of our best trips yet! We travelled at the end of February 2017 when the weather apparently becomes warmer and heads into spring. Generally, Prague's winter season is December to February with temperatures dropping to -15c. We managed to avoid the 'worst' of the cold, however -7c is still chilly for us Brits! Depending on the time of year you travel, I would highly recommend packing layers. We found mornings and evenings to be extremely cold, however on our three afternoons spent in Prague the temperatures did rise and we found ourselves carrying our coats, hats and scarves as we were simply just too warm! Below I will list my own personal top tips and good to knows for Prague: Currency - Czech Koruna. 1 CZK is the equivalent to approximately £0.35, and generally Prague is fairly cheap. It is well known beer is reasonably priced. Roughly £1 will get you a traditional Czech pint, approximately £5 for a bottle of Czech wine and around £4.20 for a traditional Czech meal which usually consists of meat, sauce and dumplings. Adapter - European or plug type E. Where to stay - As I have only been to Prague once, I have only stayed in one hotel so therefore will speak from personal experience. We stayed in the beautiful Hotel Neruda Prague, which is located on a cobbled street in the Lesser Quarter in Prague, approximately 10 minutes’ walk from the main square and just below the Prague Castle. We absolutely loved the location of the hotel as everything was within walking distance. From this hotel, Prague Castle is a 2-minute walk, Charles Bridge 10 minutes, Old Town Square 10 minutes and Wenceslas Square 20 minutes. It is a very modern hotel with a variety of room types ranging from the Standard Cozy to the Design Deluxe which feature an in-room bath and shower. As we travelled at a quieter time, we were very kindly upgraded to a Superior Room, very spacious and immaculate condition. The hotel offers complimentary breakfast each morning as well as all usual in room tea and coffee making facilities and chocolate from the chocolate café next door! An absolute must which I will continue onto in a moment. I would recommend this hotel to anyone looking for a sense of luxury away from the direct hustle and bustle of city life, but close enough to enjoy at your leisure. The hotel is up a steep hill which public transport is not allowed on, so this must be taken into consideration when looking at booking if walking and steeps hills are an issue. The hotel is also located amongst shops, so is very difficult to spot if you don't know what you are looking for. Even a well experienced traveller such as myself missed it twice! Where to eat - As mentioned, The Design Hotel Neruda has a chocolate café attached, 'Prague Chocolate Café and Bistro' and is an absolute must! We were in Prague for Pancake day so of course had to make the most of this and visit the café with pancakes in mind. We both ordered the most delicious pancakes I have ever tried, mine being banana and my partner Sam's being Nutella. The chocolate is sourced from a family company which has been producing high quality chocolate for many years with Prague motives in mind. The café does have a breakfast/lunch menu, but as we ate at the hotel, we stuck to pancakes one cold snowy afternoon. I highly recommend to everyone, even now I drool thinking of how delicious the chocolate was! Prague's traditional dishes are generally very meaty, not ideal for a vegetarian like me, however I was delighted to find 'Vegan's Prague', an all Vegan restaurant just steps from our hotel which serves traditional Czech dishes but with a meat free twist. This restaurant is lovely, and we enjoyed it so much we visited twice. Both times we were seated upstairs by a candlelit window which overlooks the castle or the street. Reasonably priced and tasty food even for meat eaters (Sam is not a vegetarian). What to do - Prague is full of things to see and do, which led us to an action packed 3 days! Another top tip is to pack good walking shoes. We walked everywhere during our trip as we found everything was within 15/20 minutes of each other so did not require any use of public transport. However, 3 days of walking does take its toll, so a good pair of trainers or boots will really help your feet when you land back on home soil! As mentioned, we really did love this city and I could easily talk about each thing we saw/did in great detail, however my blog only allows me so many characters and if I speak about each individually, I will run out! Instead I have listed them below and ask you to look through some pictures I have uploaded of our trip. If you are planning a trip to Prague, please get in contact with me and I will happily tell you about all the fun things we did and saw: John Lennon Wall, Charles Bridge, Beer Tour, Jewish Quarter, Prague Castle, Old Town Square, Prague Astronomical Clock, Petrin Tower/Lookout, Medieval Banquet, St Vitus Cathedral, Prague Nightlife, Hardrock Café, Mirror Maze I hope you have enjoyed reading my blog. As you may have noticed, I love to talk! If you are considering a trip to Prague and want more info on prices, or have already booked, or are just intrigued to know more, please get in touch! Thank you.

20 December 2018

Beautiful, stunning, ultra-clean Singapore, a small island in Asia with a population of 5.8 million and one of the world's greenest cities, often overlooked as a destination worthy of spending any time in, often viewed as a quick touch-down/refuel en route to Australia. Due to previous roles, I have had the pleasure of spending a fair amount of time in Singapore and really getting to know the island. Although small, Singapore offers so much to see/do, and I advise spending 4-5 nights to really immerse yourself. In this blog I will tell you some interesting facts and recommend from personal experience all the must-sees whilst visiting. DID YOU KNOW - Singapore's name comes from the Sanskrit name 'Singapura' which means Lion City. The Merlion, which is the country's national symbol has been inspired by the city's name. - Singapore is an island country in South East Asia, although it is not just one island, 63 islands belong to this city state and are dotted around the coast line. - Singapore has 4 main languages; Malay, English, Mandarin Chinese and Tamil. - Singapore is one of the smallest countries in the world with a total land area of only 682.7 square Kilometres. The USA is 15,000 times bigger! - Chewing gum is prohibited in Singapore. You are not allowed to bring gum into the country, and you may be fined if caught. - Singaporeans love to eat rice and noodle dishes, and especially love to eat out in food courts known as Hawker Centres which can be found all over the country. - Singapore currency = Singapore Dollar. 1 SGD is approx. £0.58 - A flight from London - Heathrow takes just under 13 hours. SINGAPORE ATTRACTIONS MARINA BAY Singapore's famous Marina Bay is the go-to place to see the most spectacular things to do. The beautiful Marina Bay Sands is the vocal point of the area, with lots of attractions around it including the science museum, casino and shopping/night life areas. An absolute must visit is the bay for 8pm when the exhilarating light show takes place. This light show illuminates the water as well as several recognizable landmarks. After this I would highly recommend taking a trip up to the top sands for incredible views of the city. GARDENS BY THE BAY A huge, colourful, futuristic nature park in the bay area of Singapore. It consists of three waterfront gardens - Bay South Garden, Bay East Garden and Bay Central Garden. It’s also home to the famous SuperTree structures known as 'Supertree Grove' which offers an impressive skywalk over the gardens. I recommend visiting this area at night when the trees are lit up. One of the trees also has a small restaurant and open top bar offering incredible views over the bay and a backdrop of the Marina Bay Sands hotel. RAFFLES HOTEL The world-famous Raffles hotel is a must see whilst visiting Singapore. This luxurious colonial-style hotel dates back to 1887 and is one of the most important and most recognised landmarks of the country. It features 103 rooms, 18 restaurants and bars and an arcade with boutique shops and stores. Most notable is the beautiful courtyard in the middle of the hotel and the famous long bar - notable for the original Singapore Sling and boxes of monkey nuts found on the sides which guests are encouraged to discard the shells on the floor - possibly the only place in Singapore where littering is highly encouraged! SINGAPORE ZOO I must be honest, I am not a huge fan of zoos. I very rarely go to them as I would much prefer to see animals in the wild. However, after reading many reviews on the zoo in Singapore, I decided to check it out and have to say, I was not disappointed! It is possibly the only zoo I have been too where the animals are roaming freely and with lots of space, not behind bars or cages. Obviously, there is enough distance between the general public and the animals, but it is separated by lakes which the animals bathe in. Even the monkeys swing above guests’ heads as you walk around the park! The zoo is set in a rainforest environment and has been operating for over 40 years. The zoo also offers night safaris, which is the world’s first nocturnal zoo and one of the most popular attractions in Singapore. I unfortunately ran out of time so was not able to do this attraction, however I have been told it is worth doing and not to be missed. SENTOSA Sentosa is a purpose-built island just off the tip of Southern Singapore. It is a collection of beaches, shopping outlets, restaurants, bars and theme parks including Universal Studios. The island can be reached by road, but the most popular and adventurous way is the 12-minute cable car which starts at VIVO City and offers outstanding panoramic views. I am not a fan of cable cars but decided to be brave and ventured on, the views were definitely worth it! I highly recommend Sentosa if you are looking for an afternoon to relax away from the hustle and bustle of city life. CHINA TOWN/LITTLE INDIA China Town and Little India are both iconic Singapore attractions in their own right. Both are great areas for shopping (possibly the cheapest shopping districts in Singapore) and authentic Chinese and Indian restaurants. Both areas are home to temples and are easily within walking distance to each other. A great place to explore for a morning or afternoon with a few hours spare. ORCHARD ROAD The world-famous Orchard Road - a shopping district in Singapore comparable to London's Oxford street. Both sides of the boulevard are full of shopping malls home to everything from designer to boutique. Orchard Road is definitely a shopper’s paradise and you could easily spend a whole day here if you are not clock watching. BOTANIC GARDENS Over 150 years old, these gardens are at the fringe of Orchard Road and are the only tropical gardens to be honoured as a UNESCO world heritage site. Singapore is a busy city with something always going on, so these gardens offer the perfect opportunity to unwind and take a step back from the chaos of city life. We visited these gardens the morning of our flight home and I am so glad we did. Although the most visited gardens in the world, they offer a true oasis of tranquillity and they brought me a sense of calm ready for our long journey back. I hope this blog has given you an insight into Singapore, all it has to offer and hopefully has changed views on Singapore as just a stopover!

23 September 2018

One of the most charming and wonderful places I have had the pleasure of visiting, no trip to Northern Africa would be complete without a visit to Morocco's red city, Marrakech. Home to a huge medina, incredible architecture and beautiful Riads, Marrakech is certainly an eye opener and one not to be missed off the bucket list. A diverse city, it can be a daunting site upon arrival if you have no idea what to expect, so in this blog I have put together my top tips, good to knows and must-do excursions to help you plan your own trip to the imperial city of Morocco. Good to know Language - As you wander through the streets of Marrakech, you will hear a mixture of languages including Arabic, Spanish, French, English and Berber. English will get you the basics, but French and Berber are the most spoken, so it is definitely handy to know a few key French phrases for your stay. Currency - Moroccan Dirhams which is a closed currency, so you will need to change your money once in Marrakesh. For the best rates, wait until you’re at your hotel/riad or in the city to change. 1 Moroccan Dirham is the equivalent to approx. 80pence, and if you haggle right, you will find some real bargains! In the 7 days I stayed in Marrakech, not including excursions, I changed up approximately £200, bought five pashminas, mint tea, two bags and a purse and still had change! A beautifully cheap city as long as you are prepared to barter. Clothing - Marrakech is a Muslim city so you will notice cultural differences very quickly if you are not from a Muslim area. Although not illegal, it can be frowned upon if women are not appropriately dressed, so I recommend packing light weight clothes such as maxi dresses and shoals to cover shoulders and knees when entering public places. Most hotels/riads do not mind beachwear around the pool, just remember to cover up when leaving the hotel grounds. Climate - As Marrakech is in Morocco, North Africa, temperatures are fairly warm all year around. The cooler months (November - March) average around 17 degrees Fahrenheit, and the height of the summer in July/August averages around 37 degrees Fahrenheit, although when I visited in May, our hottest day reached 44 degrees! We very wisely chose this to be a pool and shade day. One thing to note, Marrakech is an inland city with no beaches, so if a beach holiday is what you are looking for, another Moroccan city such as Casablanca or Agadir may be a better choice. Transport - Marrakech is a fairly easy city to get around. The hotel I stayed in (Sensimar Medina Gardens) was very close to the Jemaa El Fna (main square) so walking their most evenings was no problem for us, however taxis are also accessible. Another form of transport is a horse and carriage ride, but we never took one of these as we personally felt the horses were kept in cruel conditions and it didn't sit comfortable with us. Generally, locals are very friendly, but do look out for some who will 'lead' you to your destination and then expect money. We sadly fell for this trap and didn't end up where we were initially trying to get to! Luckily my partner was quick on his feet and politely advised the locals we did not have any money on us to give. Plugs - European adapters. Not much else to say, but a handy tip to know! Things to do Jemaa El Fna - The main square in Marrakech, home to souks, riads and street performers. It is a maze of colour, each alleyway leading you to something or somewhere new. It is worth noting the square is completely different depending on whether you visit in the day or evening. Daytime visits are quiet, not many stalls are open and no street performers. If you are nervous about getting 'stuck in' or have small children with you, I’d recommend a day visit as the evenings are very hectic! I loved visiting at night, just as the sun is setting is when the square comes alive. Snake charmers, monkey dancers, street food, the sounds of bartering, spicy smells, I fell in love with the hustle and bustle! A real bargain can be had at the souks, just brush up on your haggling skills and confidence! Many of the stalls actually make their goods whilst they are open, a great opportunity to witness and buy something unique. Jardin Majorelle - Botanical gardens created by French artist Jacques Majorelle, and home to the Yves Saint Laurent Museum. Tour guides will try to sell you an excursion here, but my advice is it's cheaper and easier to visit yourself! We took a taxi from our hotel and visited early morning thinking we would beat the crowds. We were wrong, it is a tourist haven! Beautiful gardens make for lovely pictures, but don't be fooled by the snaps, it can take a while to get them as so many others are doing the same thing. We also completed the gardens and museum in around an hour, so it is only necessary to schedule a morning or afternoon visit. Ben Youssef Madrasa - Ancient landmark in the heart of Marrakech and one of the most beautiful sites in the whole city. It is a stunning building, filled with delicate marble mosaics and an amazing courtyard. Amidst the craziness of Marrakech, you will find a quiet and welcome break during your visit here. We visited the Ben Youssef Madrasa on the same day as the Jardin Majorelle, I would recommend saving approx. 1 hour to complete it. Atlas Mountains - A mountain range spanning Morocco, Tunisia and Algreb. A 2-hour drive from Marrakech, this incredible range is a must-see whilst in the glistening North African country. Nothing like Marrakech, the villages here take everything 'back to basics'. The local Berber people use animals such as cows and horses to help with their heavy work load and are huge fans of mint tea. Pick the right excursion and you will be taken to meet a local who will be more than happy to show you the tea process. Although a long day (many people choose to spend a few days at the mountain range) I highly recommend for a taste of 'traditional' Moroccan life. Ouzoud waterfalls - One of Morocco's natural wonders, 360-foot waterfalls set in the Atlas Mountains. Lots of photo opportunities and a boat ride directly underneath the falls. A good excursion but not one I would rush back to do, as I feel the Atlas Mountains excursion was actually enough for us to see. I hope this blog will give you a better understand of this crazy city! I love to talk travel, so if you have any questions about Marrakech, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Thank you.

17 September 2018

My family and I are not 'beach bums'. We can manage a few days but then we get bored, so excursions are a must for us. We all enjoy exploring new destinations and meeting different cultures. Our trip to Mexico was no different. Mexico offers lots of excursions, some very similar, so we chose 4 and I have written about them below: Isla Mujeres boat trip This was the first excursion we took part in and in all honesty, when I first saw it, I was not overly fussed. In my head I thought 'another boat trip, done one, done them all' but how wrong was I! I am so glad my family convinced me to book it with them. Pick up at 8am with a transfer to Cancun just over an hour away, onto a small harbour where our catamaran was waiting for us. As soon as we were onboard, the drinks were flowing! The crew worked tirelessly throughout the day to keep their guests entertained through music and games. After 40 minutes on board, the first stop was in the middle of the sea for snorkelling. It is entirely optional whether you do the snorkelling, as the sea is a bit rough and although given mandatory life jackets, is not suitable for weak swimmers. Being a strong swimmer and the adventurous type, I naturally wanted to jump in and see the marine life below us. We were taken into the sea in groups of 6 and instructed to follow a leader who had a rope and lifebuoy. He took us snorkelling for 30 minutes and showed us an amazing underwater museum. 30 minutes does not seem long, but out in the choppy sea it was long enough, and we were all grateful to be back on board after the short snorkelling stint. All dried off and another drink in hand, we set off again to our next stop. Another dip in the sea, but this time much smoother water, completely clear and not far from the shoreline. We were not handed life jackets here as the water was gentle. Back onboard for a third time but only for a short while, as our next stop and first land destination was in sight, Isla Mujeres. We jumped off and were given an hour to explore this side of the island independently. There is lots to do including the beach and quirky shops/bars, but the one thing we all wanted to do was explore and what better way to do so than to hire a golf buggy? Very reasonably priced, the golf carts hold up to 4 people and a provisional driving license is required to drive them. As there were 5 of us, we hired 2 and off we went. Isla Mujeres is unique, different to mainland Mexico. Our hour flew by as we drove half the length of the island, coming across everything from coconut shacks to 5* villas. If I ever return to Mexico, I would like to spend a night on the island & explore some more, as we only saw a glimpse due to the short time frame. Once the hour was up, it was back on the catamaran for a quick whizz to the other side of the island for a BBQ, Mexican style. Plenty of food & drink choices for all with enough time to rest on the beach before heading back to Cancun. A great trip that I recommend to all. Coco Bongo The famous Coco Bongo - a crazy show/nightclub/disco that in all honesty, I am not sure how to explain! Before I went to Mexico, I had friends tell me the same thing. 'It's crazy, I don't know how to describe it' and I didn't really take notice, I thought it can't be *that* crazy surely? Again, I was wrong! One minute there are dancers swinging from the ceiling, next 'The Mask' is behind you offering you tequila, then a pirate swinging past your booth, it's madness! My family age range is from 23-50 and we all enjoyed it. All I can say is go! Experience the madness for yourself and be as lost for words as us. I also recommend booking the drinks package, you are given a seat and a waiter brings drinks all evening but if like me, you get itchy feet, you do not have to stay there and can head to the main dance floor where the drinks from the bar will still be included in your drinks package at no extra cost. Xplor Mexico is home to lots ecological parks, with 3 of the most notable being Xplor, Xcaret and Xel Ha. All are slightly different, with Xcaret and Xel Ha being family friendly, Xcaret being the one my family chose to visit. This is the only excursion we did separately, as myself and my partner wanted to visit Xplor. All 3 parks are close, and our transfer was 20 minutes. Xplor is a park made up of ziplines, paddle boards, river swims, caves and a jungle trek in amphibious vehicles. It is not an excursion for the faint hearted, it is very action packed and most of the day you are spent in the air zip lining through the jungle. On arrival, you are given a locker and helmet with a number which you are required to wear throughout the day. At various points in the park, there are self-service photo buttons which record the number on your helmet and collect fantastic pictures for you at an extra cost. I highly recommend this, as cameras are not allowed on the activities and the pictures are great quality. You will see from my pictures, we happened to visit Xplor on a wet day! Luckily, we were in our swimming gear, so it didn't matter and made our experience funny, especially our jungle trek - we felt like we were in Jurassic Park! Highly recommended for adrenaline junkies. Chichen Itza Our final excursion was Chichen Itza, cenotes and a Mayan village. Pick up was 6am from our hotel as the ruins are 2 hours away and the tour we went for explained they take their guests to the site before the rush and before the sun reaches its max. As pick up is early, we were given a breakfast box containing juice, a cereal bar and a muffin. Upon arrival, there were already lots of tourists queuing up to enter, but we were taken straight past and to the ruins. Our guide was multi-lingual and extremely knowledgeable. She explained the history of Chichen Itza before allowing us time to take those all-important pictures. After about an hour at the site we were taken back to our coach for our next stop, lunch and swimming in a cenote. Lunch was traditionally Mayan in small bamboo style huts and as a veggie I was well catered for. The cenote was beautiful, very peaceful with only us there. Our final stop before heading back was a Mayan Village. This was a lovely site to see as I did not realise people still lived this way. Lots of children in pretty Mayan dresses playing games and a few stalls on the side of the road selling hand made goods. I bought a bracelet for no more than a couple of pounds but sadly lost it before I got home. Door to door this trip was 12 hours, but worth every second.

12 September 2018

Growing up, my brother and I were very fortunate to go on lots of lovely family holidays both abroad and in the UK, but I am at an age now (and have been for some time) where family holidays are no longer a thing. My holidays now tend to be cultural trips with just my partner, so when my parents announced they would like to go on a family holiday to celebrate their special birthdays, I naturally jumped at the chance! None of us had been to Mexico before but was somewhere that interested us all, so after lots of research on where to stay and what to do, we booked our trip which would last us 10 days in March 2018. 3rd of March 2018, we woke to a blustering snow blizzard, ice on the road and freezing temperatures. A world away from the Mexican paradise we were about to indulge in. Being extra cautious, we left for the airport in plenty of time to catch our British Airways flight direct from London Gatwick to Cancun. A comfortable day flight lasting approximately 10 hours, we landed into Cancun late afternoon local time. When we initially booked our trip, I was advised to book pre - book a private transfer to take us to our resort, and I can honestly say I was so relieved we did! Cancun airport is very busy with a constant flow of domestic and international flights arriving and departing, and truthfully, at one point I did think will we ever move through the customs line! I honestly could not imagine booking a shared or coach transfer, getting through that line and then having to wait another hour or two for the rest of the coach-load to get through, it would have been a nightmare and probably not a great start to our holiday after a long day of travelling. Booking a private transfer is a top travel tip I am so grateful to have received! For our 10 night stay we chose to stay at the 4* RIU Yucatan in the resort of Playacar in Playa Del Carmen, a mere 5-minute taxi ride from the famous 5th Avenue and approximately 1-hour transfer from the airport. We chose this hotel based on its beachfront location, fantastic reviews and being part of the RIU chain, which enabled us to use the facilities of the nearby RIU Playacar and RIU Tequilla hotels too. Upon arrival, we were met by hotel staff who greeted us in the grand lobby with ice cold fruit juices and a young bell boy who wheeled our cases off to our room. Check-in was smooth, we were handed a resort map and info leaflet, and another map for the local area. We were then shown to our rooms, ours being in block 6, just a two-minute walk from the pool, beach and main entertainment area. Rooms at the RIU Yucatan are decorated in blue and white tones, very spacious and all come with a balcony or terrace, as well as a fridge with soft drinks and beers and optics with branded spirits restocked every few days, all included as part of the all-inclusive package. By the time we had settled in our rooms, unpacked our cases and made use of our optics, we all felt extremely tired from our long day so decided to call it an early night ready for the next few days ahead. Our first few days in Mexico were mostly spent on the beach, in the pool and making use of the hotels facilities. RIU hotels provide an entertainment team which runs from very early in the morning right through until late evening, and includes water sports and fitness activities, children's club - RIUland, lobby games and evening shows. I was very impressed early on during our holiday at the amount of entertainment provided, there really is something for everyone, every day. Dining options at the RIU Yucatan is another thing I should mention, with 5 restaurant options, there is so much food to choose from. Breakfast is served in the main buffet restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. The main buffet area is also open for lunch and dinner, along with the Beach Club Mexican which is turned into buffet for lunch and A La carte waiter service for dinner. Alongside this, there is also the Asian, Italian and Steakhouse which are all A la Carte and included in your stay but must be pre-booked in the morning for that evening. All the restaurants served fantastic food, even the Steakhouse which only serves meat, not great for a vegetarian like myself, but once I had explained 'no meat' and after a few funny stares from the waiters (crazy English lady, no meat in a steak house?!) they were very accommodating and found me a suitable alternative of vegetables and rice. As I am mentioning food, it seems only fair to mention drink too. RIU Yucatan has 3 bars, one swim up, one inside the lobby and one outside by the main pool. Very attentive bar tenders who, if you tip from early on, will remember your drinks without you having to ask. Tipping (known as propina) is very common in Mexico and is expected at most points of contact, from the transfer driver, the bell boy, the bar staff, we found tipping was the norm, and either US dollars or Mexican Pesos are fine. We also tipped our room maids every few days, who would show their appreciation for our tips by creating animals with our bath towels. Speaking of animals, the Playacar area in general is filled with them, many I have never seen before, and particularly our hotel which had its own area especially for monkeys. The monkey 'sanctuary' has signs stating please do not feed them, but many people sadly chose to ignore this and if you get up early enough, you can sometimes see the monkeys snatching bananas off the hotel guests. (Due to the time difference it is very likely you will be awake at funny times of the morning, and if so, I recommend getting up and heading to the beach for sunrise, it is a beautiful sight, very calm and peaceful at that time of the day before the beach gets busy with holidaymakers). Although this was a relaxing Caribbean holiday, we are not the sort of family to sit on a beach for 10 days solid, so excursions were an absolute must for us. Please read part 2 to discover the excursions we chose.