14 September 2023

Wow What week! I’m back on dry land after my Disney cruise and I just need to tell you all about the absolutely magical Disney Dream! First of all, lets talk about the sailing experience. This was so easy from Southampton. Can you believe you can take as much luggage as you can carry, great for gals like me who do not know how to do minimal packing! I took 2 cases! (A small cabin size for taking on ship when I arrived and a large one to be taken on board from Dockside and arrived at cabin a couple of hours later!) The process is straightforward and you are soon on board being welcomed by crew by your family name. Now, once you step foot on board a Disney Cruise , there is never a dull moment! I can’t think that anyone could ever be bored! There is so much to do from watching the incredible Beauty and the Beast or Golden Mickeys at Walt Disney theatre to riding the Aquaduck, the crazy water coaster - Yes I did it! Chilling on the deck with Mickeys cocktail of the day, or watching a Disney movie on the funnel, Fancy grabbing some popcorn and heading to the cinema to watch the Little Mermaid at 11.30 at night (YEP we did, in our pj's!) then you can.. For children, from babies to 17 years old they can be entertained from morning till night.. with facilities to rival any land based hotel. They are truly incredible! For everything available on board you will have access to the Navigator app, simply heart what you fancy doing or seeing and it will send you a notification. Now, it’s also about meeting your favourite Disney characters! So guess what? Mickey and Pals love to cruise too! I challenge you to not feel the magic of seeing Mickey and friends meeting and greeting young little fans! you can't help but get swept up in the buzz of it all. Throughout the ship, from kids clubs to the restaurants and of course the deck parties and atrium you can spot and meet your beloved Disney Princess and Characters. If I tell you I cried when I spotted Goofy while Face Timing my son and he came over and blew kisses and waved! His little face melted my heart Absolutely magical! Oh but wait, there's something for the adults too, They know how to take care of us grown ups as well! You can escape to the quiet cove pool area for some much needed relaxation. Its an expansive oasis exclusively for adults, complete with swimming pool, whirlpool spas and obviously a bar for those all important sun-downers! and if you are feeling active, the onboard fitness centre will keep you in top shape so you can enjoy some more Mickey waffles at breakfast! Fancy dining adult only, then the option for dining venues while the children are at Oceaneer club its like a romantic date night on board! And let’s not forget to mention the Pink champagne bar, or stylish skyline bar.. and if you really fancy it karaoke or silent disco at Evolution and D-lounge. Dining is at the heart of the cruise obviously.. Cabanas for those breakfast and lunchtime delights and 3 rotational restaurants included for main evening dining at either Animators Palate, Royal Palace and Enchanted Garden, where you are accompanied by the same server for each meal.. Fancy a sit down breakfast then you also be seated at the Royal Palace for those eggs Benedict and Mickey waffles! Not forgetting Flo's cafe and Eye scream, where you can grab a between meal snack and you can't not satisfy that late night craving with 24 hour in room dining. Lets talk staterooms, whether you're looking for a comfy retreat or extravagant suite, Disney has it covered! These cabins are designed with families in mind, so you can expect innovative comforts and modern amenities galore, imagine privacy curtains, extra storage (that's right, more room for souvenirs) and divided bathrooms with separate sinks in most staterooms, getting ready in the morning has never been easier for everyone! We had a fabulous veranda for those stunning sunsets! Or breakfast from complimentary 24 room service.. but a virtual port hole is just as much fun! I could literally go on and on! As you can tell I’m a Disney cruise convert! so, if you have any questions or you want to know the prices (trust me, its worth every penny!) don't hesitate to reach out to me! I think I could talk Disney cruises all day because it was sooooo amazing! Unforgettable experiences and magical moments to last a lifetime.

21 August 2018

With the school holidays approaching it was time to plan our summer escape and this year as always, we headed to Greece, this time to the island of Crete for our guaranteed sunshine! This year was a little different as I had chosen to do something I have never done in Europe before and go all-inclusive. I will detail my pro’s and con’s further on this in my post but ultimately, I think it’s down to personal choice. Having been to Crete a few times previously but on pre-kid’s party holidays in the resort of Malia. This one was firmly with children in mind and I chose the resort of Hersonissos around an hours’ transfer from the airport. Hersonissos is a lively busy resort with plenty of shops, bars and beachside restaurants for all tastes. It has a pretty harbour with a host of day trip boats and is very scenic in the evening so a great place to grab a cocktail and watch the world go by. It really comes alive later in the evening so would suit all tastes! Our hotel, the Aldermar Cretan Village, was only a 10-minute taxi ride away so around €8 each way but not walkable especially with two little ones in tow but it’s a quiet area. The hotel was a beach fronted property so a stunning setting in the evening for sunsets over the water and we were lucky enough to have a sea view room which gave us the most gorgeous views. The hotel is large but still feels very authentic Greece with its small blocks of rooms in a village-style set up with enough pools and space to really have no idea of how busy the hotel was at any time. We never had a problem finding sunbeds on the beach or by the pool, even in peak summer season! The main buffet restaurants served a plentiful breakfast and evening meal with lots of choices, the cake at breakfast was a definite must! All drinks and ice-cream throughout the day in the bar areas and beach bar were self-serve which is a great idea – no queues! The main bars were busier in the evening with drinks and cocktails being made but we really never had to wait long! The clientele was mainly Dutch, Russian and German in this hotel and very few British families, although children are children so always made friends. Although they didn’t venture to the kids clubs this time. The entertainment in this hotel is what I think brings guests from all over Europe! The mainly Italian animation team were present throughout the day with sports and activities and in the evening, they performed fantastic shows after the mini disco which was busier with little ones than some clubs I have been to on a Saturday night in town! The highlight of our holiday was a boat trip we arranged through a local company. They arranged transfers to and from the port. It was good value with lunch included. This four hour boat trip took us around the coastline to a pretty bay that was perfect for boat diving and snorkelling in the clear blue waters. Plenty of fish spotting opportunities and the crew gave us bread to throw in to see them swimming up close and even a plank to dive off which the little kids and big kids – yes me! We all had great fun doing this and along with the snorkelling gear provided it was a great day out! Although being all-inclusive is great, I really missed eating out in local restaurants in the evening especially with so much gorgeous Greek food on offer. We also took a taxi in the evening and ate in the town. A gorgeous beachside taverna with a gin cocktail and Greek meze was just what was needed! To sum up our holiday, Greece to me is beautiful food, hidden beaches and the local people. I must admit I missed the feeling of being immersed in “real” Greece being all-inclusive. I felt I was missing out, especially in the evenings. The kids obviously loved the ice cream on demand (I mean who wouldn’t)! Value for money and ease were a driving force of my choice this year and so yes not having to get my purse out every five minutes was a real joy! Not having to worry about a supermarket shop and having everything in one place with two children was a great benefit obviously but I love finding little restaurants in resorts where children are made to feel so welcome and where you want to visit night after night. The entertainment was great for all, plenty going on and very professional, you absolutely couldn’t fault their enthusiasm and hard work! Another pro of being in a beachfront hotel was the pleasure of doing both beach and pool whenever we felt like it and stopping for lunch at the beachside snack restaurant. I could spend hours just watching the children dive into the crashing waves. Obviously with the added benefit of a fully paid up glass of cold rose of course! We really did have a fantastic holiday and lots of wonderful memories made and we will back to Greece next year as so many other islands to visit with the children. Next time though it will be back to our little apartment with a pool, basic self-catering wins the day for us I think in Greece!

14 June 2018

This May half term was all about the fly and flop holiday and what better place to pick than the Balearic island of Menorca. Just a 2-hour flight and hopefully some sunshine - this seemed to be the perfect place to have a villa for a week with the luxury of our own pool. We decided on the Maribel villa complex in the peaceful resort of Cala Blanca, Just an hour’s taxi transfer from the airport. We loved the modern style and furnishings and the villa had everything required for a self-catering holiday. With 3 bedrooms (2 downstairs and 1 upstairs) and 2 bathrooms, always great when travelling with children! We even had a washing machine, dishwasher and full-size fridge. The outside space where we spent most of our time was a perfectly enclosed area with the all-important padded sunbeds, good sized kidney shaped swimming pool, terrace area with dining table and a BBQ. For a home from home holiday this had everything we needed! We were lucky with the weather which can be a bit changeable towards the end of May, so pretty much spent the days around the pool watching the children dive bombing, sorry neighbours! Basically, a chilled week reading and chatting the days away! Cala Blanca is a quiet resort, however there are three great cove beaches with snack bars and restaurants nearby and the most gorgeous blue crystal-clear water. Although we catered in the villa during our week and supermarkets had all the essentials, we did eat in some fantastic restaurants. A favourite was the Cova Sa Nacra perched on the water’s edge. This has the most stunning views and fabulous food and the Sangria Cava was pretty good! It’s always a good sign when it seems popular with locals! To be honest the resort isn’t for those looking for anything other than a meal out and maybe a cocktail in the Irish bar but suited us perfectly, so we retreated to the villa in the evening. Locally there is a bus service to other resorts and Ciutadella taking around 15/20 mins so head there for bigger supermarkets or if you have a car during your stay. There is a great market as well to pick up those gifts and souvenirs. My top picks for Cala Blanca are: • The Blarney Stone Bar – a lovely Irish bar, perfect for a great gin or cocktail and ice cream for the kids! Great sunset views from the front seated area. • Eat paella in one of the many waterfront restaurants. Do as the locals do, eat at lunchtime and take a siesta! • Have a day at one of the two lovely beaches at either end of the resort. Walk along the front and see the typical Menorcan houses, Instagram worthy pictures of Bougainvillea and sea views! Menorca is a lovely island, and this was my second visit. It’s a perfect family setting with low key nightlife and lazy beach days. What more could you need from a great short haul holiday? That fly and flop criteria was well and truly ticked!

17 April 2018

With an opportunity for a few days away with my best friend, there was no other place for it - it had to be New York! I’ve been lucky enough to visit NY a few times before but not for a good few years so to be honest I couldn’t wait to return, and it didn’t disappoint! Flying from London we grabbed a taxi on arrival and headed straight into Manhattan. There is nothing like the view, especially at night, of seeing the skyline you see in the movies! We stayed in The Parker hotel. We loved the location as it is around a 15 minute walk to Times Square, 10 minutes to 5th Ave and 5 minutes to Central Park. With a Starbucks across the road, what more could you need? As we were only in NY for three nights, I had already made an itinerary! Don’t expect anything less from a travel agent! My friend laughed actually out loud when I told her I had made a plan of action but on the plane home she said she was glad as you get swept up in the excitement and don’t make the most of your time! My best advice is to make a list of all the sights you want to see and things you want to do (in fact do this in any city!) Check where they are located on a map and how far they are from your hotel. For example, we did Times Square, Maddison Square Gardens, Empire State and Grand Central all on the same day as they are all within easy reach. We then did Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty and 9/11 memorial on another day because they are all relatively close together! Although everything seems close by on the map it can involve a lot of walking, so plan your day so you’re not retracing steps. Your Fitbit may thank you for it but your feet wont! The hop off hop on buses are great to get you around and we also used the hop on hop off water taxi which was great way to see the city from the water and the Statue of liberty up close. I would recommend it! I booked the New York City Pass as it saved a little bit of money on entrance fees but ultimately meant we had budgeted for our trip as most sights and entrance fees were paid for! We didn’t even start to cover most of what was included in the pass but even for the things we did do it saved us time and money. Booking a trip to NY you are sure to do your own research, so I’m just going to share with you a couple of things we did that we loved! First up is Ellen’s Stardust Diner off Times Square! This place is amazing - don’t expect 5-star dining but definitely 5-star entertainment! If you love the musicals, then this is for you. Think American diner with singing servers belting out songs from Moana and Aladdin and loads of other musical Broadway hits! Queues are likely most of the day so we went for breakfast. Not a quiet start to the morning but a great way wake you up for the day ahead! Another favourite of ours and a must on our list was Serendipity. If you have seen the film, you will know the place I’m talking about (it’s my fave film ever!) If you haven’t you must watch it! It’s the restaurant featured in the film and is well known for their frozen hot chocolate which is huge and amazing and yes, I bought a fridge magnet to remember our trip here! To finish off we returned to our hotel for this last stop, The Burger Joint. This is one of those places you have to try! Its random as its inside the lobby of The Parker hotel hidden behind a huge curtain but you will know where it is - at lunchtime the queue is 20 minutes long to get in! Once inside this super cool, cosy, dimly lit place with writing and posters on the walls, booths and limited seating is Instagram worthy and possibly the best burger I have ever eaten! Just try it, pretty sure you won’t be disappointed! My other piece of advice is to do both the Top of the Rock and Empire State, one in the day and one at night! We did the Empire State at night (entrance included on our NY pass) and the views were like nothing you have ever seen. A city full of lights and neon - it truly is a memorable experience. We visited Top of the Rock in the day (again entrance included in our pass). Here you can see Central Park and the Empire State in all its glory! You can get the best photos from here and a selfie or two! I just love NY! I haven’t even talked about the usual top sights, but we did so much I have hardly even begun, and we could be here all day! However, that’s what NY is about - discovering your own experiences and creating your own memories! We tried to fit in everything we could into our brief three nights so I’m sure we will be back for more in the city that’s so good you can understand why they named it twice!

17 October 2017

Taking a trip to Canada has always been on my bucket list and this October I finally ticked that box and it didn’t disappoint! Starting with a few nights in Vancouver just as trees and leaves were beginning to change colour for Fall, I absolutely fell in love with its outdoor lifestyle and vibrant city life with the areas of Gastown and Yaletown being my favourite spots with the bars and restaurants to satisfy every taste. The city views from Stanley Park, a 1000-acre public park which borders downtown Vancouver with the city skyline one side and snow-capped mountains on the other, it shows how beautiful this city is and a truly fab place to start your Canadian adventure. To sum Vancouver up, think glamorous city chic meets the outdoor adventure enthusiast and you might have an idea of how active yet uber-cool the city is. With activities including paddle boarding and kayaking, to taking a trip up the grouse mountain on the cable car for a spot of skiing, or spend the afternoon cycling around Stanley park, there is something for everyone. For the shoppers and foodies amongst you, then Robson street and Granville Market are a must visit, can definitely recommend the foodie tour, tasting stops around the market what’s not to like! Especially with time after to nip back to purchase some treats to take home! Highly recommend the Granville Tea company and their Chai tea! A visit to Vancouver must include the Kia’palano (Capilano) suspension bridge, more than 70m over the river below and if you think that’s scary enough try the cliff walk and walk in the treetops on the other side, an experience and great to test that fear of heights! Back in the city don’t miss Canada’s flyover situated in Canada place, state of the art technology takes you on a seated ride where you are suspended with feet dangling from East to West Canada, special effects including wind, mist, and scents make this ride an absolute must do! Best not to give too much away for this as not to spoil the experience but a fabulous journey! We also took to tasting what Vancouver has on offer in craft beers with the Vancouver Brewery Tour Company and visited the Vancouver Aquarium located in Stanley Park an Ocean Wise initiative with its resident Sea lions, Whale and dolphins and beautiful life from under the sea. Vancouver Lookout, the place you can see it all! 360 views and a 40-second ride in a glass elevator up the side of the building! Now for the ultimate in experience, taking off from the water in Vancouver Harbor and views from the sky on a float plane! Wow, I wouldn't say I enjoy flying plus a tiny plane with just 5 seats and a propeller, then add the small detail of taking off and landing in water, however, I could not miss out on this! The most amazing 20-minute flight from above the city and coast! Surprisingly peaceful experience and so glad I took the opportunity to do it! Leaving the city and heading over to our next location, Vancouver Island, 2 hours on the ferry and heading across by road for a further 3 hours we arrived in Tofino, this small town on the far west coast has everything for even the most active traveller, activities such as Whale watching, Bear watching, Pacific Ocean surfing and some of the coolest café’s and bar’s, and craft shopping, add some of the most amazing beaches and incredible views of the ocean all from this uber chilled location. Not only is this a top destination in the summer but out of season offers something totally different, storm watching is a massive draw for guests and one of the most luxurious properties we visited The Wickaninnish Inn, is often fully booked with guests enjoying a beachfront location with incredible viewing opportunities of the Pacific storms crashing in! views from its guest rooms with floor to ceiling windows, just imagine a glass of wine in hand, fire alight and taking in the sounds all from your bathtub! We were lucky enough to take both the Whale and Bear watching tours with Jamie’s Whaling station, main season from the end of April to early October, along with a guide we headed out for a 3-hour trip and felt extremely privileged to spot Grey Whales and Black bear! To see these amazing creatures in the wild and in the most stunning scenery, literally took my breath away. Leaving Tofino we headed back over to the East (“Wild to the mild” according to our guide!) Parksville is a perfect spot for families with its great beaches, shallow waters and gentle tidal movements and great spot for experiencing Vancouver Island with its easy travel to the port back to Vancouver and shorter drives for sightseeing. Canada was more than I expected it to be and a truly exceptional experience and will be sure to head back for more adventure quite soon!