30 June 2023

Do you know that Italy has 58 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, more than any other country in the world?! In simple terms, I translate this as: “Italy is a brilliant country to visit with a long list of impressive things to see and do.” I can personally confirm this to be the case; having holidayed in Italy six times, I 1) absolutely love the country and 2) feel like I have barely scratched the surface. There are still so many flavours of gelato to try! Which is why, if you were to ask me ‘what are the highlights of Italy?’, I would suggest you have a large glass of chianti to hand and are sitting comfortably. A highlight is defined as: “the best or most exciting, entertaining, or interesting part of something” by the Cambridge Dictionary. The conundrum is, that when there are so many highlights to choose from, and great variety in what they offer, where do you start? The answer of course is subjective; the place that I find the most exciting in Italy may not interest the person sitting next to me quite as much. As a Travel Counsellor it is my (very enjoyable) responsibility to ask the right questions and work out what interests my customers the most, so I can send them to visit what will be their highlights of Italy. What I recommend will depend on their interests, and how long they have to explore. A long weekend for example allows for a fabulous city break. You could: - Snuggle up in a gondola on a Venetian canal, - admire the works of the great Renaissance artists in the galleries of Florence, - or gorge yourself senseless on local delights in the Food Capital of Italy, Bologna. My favourite city break is Rome; here the phrase ‘you cannot escape the past’ takes on a completely different meaning! I find it jaw-dropping – crumbling columns next to stylish shops, trendy bars in ancient piazzas, timeless iconic monuments such as the Colosseum, St Peter’s Basilica and the Pantheon. It is an immersive 4D history lesson ready to transport you back in time, and you don’t have to be a historian to appreciate it. There are also many areas of natural beauty that you could reach on a short break in Italy: - Hike along a coastal path between the colourful and charming fishing villages of the Cinque Terre, - breathe in the fresh mountain air on the ski slopes of the Italian Alps, - or breathe in the sulphurous air under the shadow of oft-angry volcano Mount Etna. My favourite area for stunning scenery (in fact, my favourite destination in Italy full stop), is the Amalfi Coast. When I travel, I want to be wowed by the natural beauty of our world, if only for a few moments while my children are silenced by ice cream. That is my motivation to travel. The breathtaking panoramic views from Villa Cimbrone in Ravello are extremely hard to beat. It is a magical setting with staggering cliff tops overlooking sparkling azure waters, the mighty peak of Vesuvius looming in the distance. Of course, with a longer period of time to explore, the world is your lobster! Italy lends itself perfectly to a touring holiday, with so much to see and relatively short journeys in between. Train travel in Italy is wonderfully easy and reliable, and I love using this method of travel to create two or three centre holidays. Still, this only scratches the surface and limits you somewhat to those destinations with good rail networks. What if you want to experience even more in one visit?! How can you do this? Luckily Travel Counsellors’ trusted travel partners Travelsphere and Just You have the perfect solution to this rather pleasant-to-have dilemma. With Italy as their top-selling destination, they have a lovely selection of eight-to-fifteen-day group tours, some exploring a region in detail, such as the ‘Secret Lakes of Italy’, others packing in a variety of bucket-list sights, such as the ‘Grand Tour of Italy’. The latter takes you all the way from Venice down the toe of the boot and over to Sicily; you would visit more destinations in that one tour than I have in all of my holidays to Italy! Travelsphere (couples, friends, groups and solo travellers) and Just You (solo travellers) cater to those seeking the camaraderie of like-minded travellers wishing to see the highlights of a destination, with authentic experiences and local flavours added to enhance the experience. A ‘Holiday Director’ greets guests at their UK departure airport and introduces them to the rest of the group, keeping everyone well-informed and organised throughout the entirety of their trip. Included excursions feature local specialist guides (to help you make sense of all that history, architecture and art!), but free time and optional activities are built in to give guests choices according to their own preferences. Accommodation is selected with local charm and character in mind, so that you never lose the sense of where you are. It’s a low effort/high reward kind of holiday! Choose an area you want to explore, meet up with a group of soon-to-be friends that share the same interest, and let someone else take care of the rest. Before you know it, you’ll be raising a limoncello and toasting… “what have the Romans ever done for us?!” I’m here to help find the perfect holiday for you – if you’d like to hear more about Italy, or the escorted touring holidays that Travelsphere and Just You can provide, please do get in touch. And have that chianti ready!

02 June 2020

I want to go on an adventure! I’m definitely not the only one; when we get the chance to go again, let’s not take travel for granted. It will be time to tick off those bucket list items and see something truly amazing. When the world opens up again, where will you go? Here's my top three adventures just to keep you dreaming... Namibia Ranked the safest country in Africa, containing the oldest desert in the world, the highest sand dunes in the world, and the highest cheetah population in the world… Namibia, on the south west coast of Africa claims these bragging rights. There are many compelling reasons for an adventure here, but for an utterly unique experience I would head to the Namib Desert. Also referred to as the Skeleton Coast, because of its harsh unforgiving terrain, it stretches 2000km along the Atlantic Coast. One of the most popular stopping points is Sossusvlei, a salt and clay pan surrounded by iconic red sand dunes which tower up to 400m in height. In the midst of this is Deadvlei, where bare ancient trees still stand in a white clay valley, a stunningly beautiful and equally eerie scene. Another reason to head to Namibia specifically is for the wildlife. It offers ample opportunity to see Africa’s ‘Big Five’ plus some extras. Visit the flagship Etosha National Park to observe large mammals jostling for a place at one of its many seasonal watering holes. For something extraordinary, Damaraland is home to a herd of the elusive Desert Adapted Elephants; only found in Namibia and Mali. If big cats are your thing then Okonjima is a dedicated reserve for the protection of cheetah, leopards and lions. Choose your level of luxury as you visit these wonderful sights; self-drive between safari camps, hire a guide, take a fly safari to private game lodges. Namibia is perfect for a multi-generational family adventure with breath taking scenery and amazing wildlife. Bucket List Highlight: Take to the skies in a hot air balloon to see that clear line where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Namib Desert; for more of a thrill go skydiving! Iceland A week in Iceland spent witnessing the power of Mother Earth can leave you feeling rather insignificant. Awe struck, but insignificant. Nature’s laboratory puts on quite a demonstration in the form of exploding geysers, creeping glaciers, rumbling volcanoes and gushing waterfalls. It’s not always the easiest place to explore; in winter long hours of darkness and harsh weather conditions can impact your travel itineraries so do prepare to draw on your resilience and sense of humour. Summer not only brings improved weather and sunlight but as a result more of the country can be explored; roads are safer, routes open up and self-drive is now a more sensible idea. So why would you even consider going in the winter? Well here’s one very good reason – the Aurora Borealis. Also known as the Northern Lights, this fascinating light phenomenon is best viewed on a clear night where there is little light pollution. Coaches or smaller (and more manoeuvrable) super jeeps provide easy access from Reykjavik to Thingvellir National Park and Reykjanes Peninsula which means you don’t have to travel far for a front seat view. My preferred option if you are staying in Reykjavik is to take a cruise in Faxafloi Bay. The reflection of swirling lights on the water adds even more magic to the occasion. For a real treat, take a night away from the city to stay in a countryside hotel, preferably with an outdoor hot tub. The hotels often have Northern Lights wake up calls so you can sleep comfortably without fear of missing out. Iceland might be a challenge but that only makes it more satisfying when you meet your goal, whether that be snowmobiling across a glacier or slipping into the geothermal waters of the Blue Lagoon. Activities can be seasonal, so it is worth thinking about what you want to do and see before planning your travel dates and itinerary. Bucket List Highlight: Iceland is the only place in the world where you can swim between two continents. The Silfra fissure is the crack between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. Yes the water is cold but it is gorgeously crystal clear. Japan Japan has so many distinctive adventures to offer that it is difficult to know where to start. Luckily, you don’t have to work too hard to find them; by simply existing in a city such as Kyoto or Tokyo for a few days you will be working your way down the to-do list without even trying! There are some strong natural contenders worth mentioning, however Japan’s individuality has developed through its people, culture and tradition. Mixed with a reputation for modern technology, creative arts and fast paced innovation, Japan is the master of juxtaposition. Pay your respects at an opulent shrine before admiring the view from your 38th floor skyscraper hotel. Slurp up a bowl of ramen with the locals at a street stall or sample a sushi taster menu surrounded by fighting ninjas. Lose yourself in the neon lights of Shinjuku or locate your zen meditating with monks in the mountains. If I was going, there are four iconic experiences that I would build my itinerary around: 1) Take in the National Sport at a sumo-wrestling tournament. Originally an ancient ceremony to appease the gods, a sumo tournament is as much a lesson in religious rituals as it is a sporting battle. 2) Shoot across the country on a Shinkansen (bullet train). This is the way to tour the country. Travel in comfort, style, and certainly on time, at speeds of up to 200mph. 3) The beautiful and mysterious Geisha are hugely respected and highly trained artists. Be mesmorised by a Geisha dance performance in Kyoto, or share tea at a traditional tea house. 4) Step back in time by staying at a ryokan, an old-fashioned Japanese Inn. Savour home-cooked regional dishes, sleep on a futon, and if your ryokan has an onsen (hot spring) soothe any aches away. Bucket List Highlight: Climb that perfectly conical active volcano, otherwise known as Mount Fuji. Hikes usually start in the day, with one night spent in a mountain hut, and then an early morning dash to the top for a stunning sunrise on top of the clouds.

03 June 2019

Costa Rica is a relatively small country in Central America, with an abundance of diverse ecosystems. It has a Pacific coastline, a Caribbean coastline, volcanoes, mountains, rainforest, cloud forest, wetlands and coral reef. As a result, it is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, containing over 5% of all known plant and animal species. In 1994, Costa Rica amended its constitution to include the right of every person to a ‘healthy and ecologically balanced environment’. It has the highest proportion of protected areas in the world with over 25% of its land mass dedicated to parks, wildlife refuges and reserves. Costa Rica’s ethical attitude, along with its diverse natural treasures and friendly people, make it a wonderful country to visit. Of course, a visit to Costa Rica should be all about its National Parks with their magnificent flora and fauna. There are twenty-eight National Parks; here’s five to get you started! The tiny Manuel Antonio National Park is a dot on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. I have never seen so much wildlife in such a small area, which is so easily accessible. Sloths, monkeys, snakes, anteaters, and more, all in tropical rainforest flanking a well beaten track, which leads you to a sandy beach. Incredible that so many animals can exist where there are also unfortunately so many people. The great news is that the number of people who can walk that path each day is now restricted. Get there early for a ticket and take a guide to point out those smart creatures hidden in plain sight. At the opposite end of the scale is the untouched Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula, ‘the most biologically intense place on earth’ (National Geographic). It is one of the largest lowland tropical rainforests in Central America; to get there is a challenge and usually requires a charter flight or jungle boat trip. Once inside the park there are no roads - travel is by foot. You’ll be rewarded for your efforts with a plethora of exotic flora and fauna. You could even glimpse one of a selection of big cats, including the endangered jaguar. For a family friendly destination head for Arenal Volcano National Park, in the centre of Costa Rica. The volcano itself is an amazing sight and you can enjoy this view from a soothing spot in the thermal hot springs. You might need this after a day enjoying some of the local adventure tours; pick from canyoning, white water rafting, or zip-lining. The area is also excellent for birdwatching; keep your eyes peeled for tiny hummingbirds! Just a short hop from Arenal is a completely different ecosystem, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. A ‘cloud forest’ is as the name suggests – where a tropical forest in a mountainous environment meets the sky. Cooler temperatures in a misty forest make for fantastic hiking and wildlife spotting conditions. This magical experience is enhanced by the addition of suspension bridges in the forest, allowing you to hike through the canopy and clouds. Over on the North East Caribbean coast is the Tortuguero National Park. Go for the dense jungle, travel by boat or kayak on the maze of waterways, and make sure you go between June and October. This is turtle nesting season and Tortuguero is one of the best nesting sites in the world; 22 miles of protected beaches offer a safe haven to several species of sea turtles. Of course, there is other wildlife to be seen in Tortuguero; jaguar, monkeys, sloths and many tropical birds. Caiman in the rivers and sharks in the sea mean this is not a recommended swimming area! Costa Rica is not only beautiful; it plays a vital role in the preservation of many species of plants and animals. Refreshingly, the country understands this and is forward thinking in its attitude to the environment. Go to Costa Rica for an eco-friendly wildlife adventure and you’ll come back full of inspiration and hope for our planet.

13 February 2019

What images come to mind when you picture a holiday to the Caribbean? Are you lying on golden sand under a palm tree? Snorkelling with colourful fish in clear turquoise waters? Swigging down rum with a dreadlocked Johnny Depp? Yes, a trip to the Caribbean often includes one or more of these components (Johnny Depp unlikely). But what has surprised me is just how different each island I have visited has been from the others. If you book yourself a holiday to somewhere in ‘the Caribbean’, rather than looking at what the individual islands have to offer, you might be missing out on that perfect holiday just for you. I recently revisited St Lucia and fell in love all over again. So, what makes St Lucia different from the rest? In my opinion, St Lucia has one of the most beautiful scenic wonders of the Caribbean: The Piton Mountains. Awarded UNESCO World Heritage status, these two peaks rise dramatically from the sea like two sentinels guarding the entrance to paradise. Not just incredible to look at though; you can take on a challenging hike/scramble to the top of Gros Piton at 798 metres. It takes roughly 4-5 hours for the return trip and, from experience, I can guarantee that you will have wobbly legs by the end. If this sounds a bit daunting, here’s a tip: just go to the halfway point! It has a gorgeous view of Petit Piton and the west coast, and a bench to take a well-deserved rest on. The beauty of the Pitons doesn’t stop at the surface; the peaks continue to fall deep down under the sea, and this creates an idyllic environment for snorkelling and diving. The water deepens quickly, and the base of Petit Piton is covered in coral reef. Float and admire the bright and lively underwater world, then stick your head up and gasp at the Petit Piton towering above you. One peak; two different worlds. Now why does St Lucia have such majestic peaks? Because it is a volcanic island. The beaches in the south of the island should have black volcanic sand. If you see a resort in the south with fine white sand, they have probably imported it from Guyana! As you head further north, the beaches become a little more of what you would expect from ‘the Caribbean’, with soft golden sand. For more volcanic fun, you can explore the Caribbean’s only ‘drive in volcano’! Drive right to the entrance and walk into the crater to see the sulphurous springs and steam vents. For a pampering experience, bathe in the bubbling mud before freshening up in a nearby waterfall (particularly good if you’ve recently hiked Gros Piton!) With such fertile soil, lush rainforest covers the interior of St Lucia, spreading down into valleys and up over hills and mountains. Approximately 77% of St Lucia is covered in trees, compared to 19% of Barbados. Though mostly untouched, this rugged interior gives you the opportunity to take on a variety of land-based adventures. Mountain bike around the ruins of sugar plantations, or zip-wire through the jungle! In summary, St Lucia is a fantastic place to relax on a beach surrounded by stunning views. However, if you like your rum punch served with action and adventure then St Lucia might just be the perfect island for you.

14 September 2018

I recently went on an Al Fresco park holiday, to Val De Bonnal, with my daughter, sister and niece. Before we went I was very excited about splashing around in the pool, exploring local towns and countryside, gorging on cheese and drinking cheap but tasty rose wine. But what I was not excited about was the long car journeys with a 3 and 5-year-old. Not. One. Bit. Here's how we survived it! THE PRACTICAL STUFF: Before you leave, make sure you know the rules and regs for driving in France. Look on the AA or RAC websites for good information. There’s a whole load of kit that is essential to have in your car or you can be fined. Reflective jackets, breathalysers, first aid kits and more. Many companies have ready made “driving in France” packs which like me, you can buy, throw in your boot and forget about for the entire trip (the first aid kit came in useful on more than one occasion, nothing car related though!) Make sure you have European Breakdown Cover and that you are insured to drive in Europe. And investigate the Emissions stickers for driving in certain cities and towns! ENTERTAINING THE KIDS: And the winners were… BOOKS, BOOKS AND MORE BOOKS - An obvious one, but totally necessary. You really can’t have enough. Reading books, sticker books, colouring books on clipboards with mugs of crayons/pencils you can put in the cup holders. WHO’S THE DJ? – Taking turns (kids and adults!) to choose what song was played used up so much time, I really wasn’t expecting it to be such a hit. And not only did it use up time, but Disney songs interspersed with Paul Simon and Madonna was so much more bearable, in fact it saved our sanity. GUESS THE TOY – Pretty much what the title suggests. We had a big bag just full of small toys. Little animals, princesses, Disney characters (of course), whatever we could throw in there. My sister would describe the toy she was holding, the kids had to guess what it was. If they guessed it, they got to play with it. REWARDS – We wrapped up new things that we had had to buy for holiday, such as inflatable arm bands, water shoes, My Little Pony headbands. Every now and then they just got to open a present for fun. MEALS: Car lovers are going to hate me for saying this - eat in the car! Why? Firstly, your kid has just kindly sat for two hours without moving. You get them out of the car, they are about to lose their minds at the freedom presented to them. Do you seriously think it’s going to go down well when you say “hey, come and sit down and eat some lunch!”? NO! Just no. It’s like a form of torture to them. Secondly, eating takes time. You can waste a good 45 minutes feeding them lunch in the car. I won’t lie to you, it’s not pretty. The crumb situation was horrendous. And half way through the week I had to search the car as there was a whiff of rotting sugary fruit; I eventually discovered a discarded piece of melon stuck between the seats. Just accept it and prepare yourself mentally. STOPS: Before we left I had researched places to stop on the way to have a nice break. If you’re ever heading down the A26 near Troyes and the weather is good, then stop at Mesnil-Saint-Pere. It’s a beautiful crystal-clear lake with beach, toilets, showers and sandwich and ice cream bars. We weren’t prepared, so the kids went swimming in their clothes (another tip: always pack swim gear and towels in a convenient place!). However, on the way back we decided not to do any special stops. Why? Well, because the service stations on the toll roads are awesome. Sure, you pay a fair bit on the toll roads. But the service stations are worth it - every five minutes or so there was a stop. We didn’t worry about how far away the next one was. If my recently trained three-year-old declared “I need a wee” I didn’t panic, because I knew it was only a couple of km before the next batch of toilets. And what was there at nearly every single service station? A play area. Climbing frames, slides, see-saws. So that’s where we stopped every hour or two on the way back. At a service station where we could stock up on food (to eat in the car of course), take the kids to the toilets, and give them fifteen minutes of freedom and fun on a climbing frame. And they loved it! FLEXIPLUS EUROTUNNEL: On our return journey, we set off at 8am, our Eurotunnel booked for 5pm. We drove and stopped and drove and stopped and drove. When we reached the Eurotunnel terminal at Calais, there were queues. Big queues. We were slightly concerned then we saw the lane for ‘FLEXIPLUS’. Having booked Flexiplus we went that way. Past all the queues. Straight to our own terminal building with clean toilets and complimentary buffet for everyone to help themselves. The kids were delighted. We were delighted. Once we were ready we jumped back in the car, straight past more queues, and onto the next train, it didn’t matter which. Best decision ever. I hope you’ve found this useful! There’s plenty more but those are the essentials. One last thing. When you get home, have unloaded the car, started your first of ten batches of washing and had a good sleep, do yourself a favour. The day after you get back, go get the car washed, inside and out. Don't do it yourself, get someone else to do it. I dare you – with no guilt and no shame, proudly present your keys at your favourite car wash, casually mention you've been away for a week in France, walk off and get a coffee. While you're at it, buy yourself an air freshener to clear your car of that rotting melon smell- it'll be just like new in no time.

19 July 2018

In April 2018 I visited the island of Nevis with my family. Nevis is one of two islands in the small country of St Kitts and Nevis. St Kitts is the bigger island, busier, more developed, but with areas of quiet and serenity. In comparison, Nevis is a small round volcanic island, quite undeveloped, with a nice choice of boutique, personal guesthouses and a couple of larger resorts. We stayed at the Four Seasons Resort on Pinney's Beach, on the west of the island, which ensures you can swim in the gentle waters of the Caribbean Sea rather than the rough waves of the Atlantic. Overlooked by the towering peak of Mount Nevis, the Four Seasons gives you all the facilities of a large resort, in a safe and friendly environment where it is easy to get out and explore the highlights of the island. It is also fabulously family friendly, offering children’s cutlery and beakers, healthy and tasty kids food, service at your lounger (for when your little one passes out after swimming), and a huge variety of kid’s club activities. So apart from splashing in the pools, strolling on the beach, snoozing on the loungers, what did we get up to? We learned to play the steel drum one evening, shaded by palm trees as the sun was setting. After an hour’s tuition, with everyone playing a different part, the group of six complete beginners managed a recognizable ‘Can’t help falling in love’ (Elvis/UB40 etc). A lovely experience in a magical setting. My husband Pete went to climb Nevis Peak one morning. And by climb, I mean climb! Not just a hike, it is a steep route covered with thick jungle. Scrambling over rocks, pulling yourself up ropes and hanging on to roots and vines you reach the top after two hours, where you may get a spectacular view of the island and waters surrounding it, or more likely the clouds surrounding you! Pete came back a sweaty, muddy, exhausted mess, but a satisfied one. On my afternoon off I chose to go diving. Just the dive leader and I, we decided to do some lobster hunting! If you catch a lobster, they will bring it back and cook it for your dinner. It had been quite a while since I had dived, but it’s kind of like riding a bike. The lobster catching was a bit trickier. Using a stick with a loop of wire on the end, you have to poke the stick past the lobster, loop the wire over the back of it, and then when the lobster withdraws into its hole the loop tightens and you pull it out. Sounds easy right? I failed. But that’s ok; I was only interested in the hunt, and it was great fun to try. We hired a car for one day and made our way around the island. It only takes an hour to drive the whole way round and it’s almost impossible to get lost. The first wonderful discovery we made was Cottle Church, a beautiful ruin but so much more than that; a plantation owner built it for his family and slaves to worship together, at a time when it was illegal for slaves to worship. A peaceful place for reflection and remembrance. The second highlight of our drive around the island was stopping at the Golden Rock Inn. High up on the slope, this is a boutique hotel and restaurant based in a sugar mill built back in the early 1800s. We only stopped for a drink, and spent ages exploring the gardens, following the hummingbirds, and watching the fish in the numerous ponds. And that’s about it! Overall Nevis is a calm, natural island with a small-town feel. Go for peace, sun and sea, a little activity, and you won’t be disappointed.

08 September 2017

"Magical" is how my sister chose to describe the New Forest following her evening bike ride with the wild ponies. With a two year old I didn’t really get to appreciate the same level of serenity but I did appreciate the vast amount there is to do to keep kids of all ages entertained. We could have spent a lot more than a week there. Here’s some of the things we got up to while we were away: - Watching the ponies. You can see them all over as you drive through the area, sometimes in fact they are there in the middle of the road holding up the traffic! - Cycling. Take your bikes or hire some when you get there. - Paulton’s Park including Peppa Pig World. Just on the outskirts of the New Forest but a must-do for the little ones. Peppa Pig wasn’t the best bit to be honest (my daughter might disagree); it was the many sand pits, water fountains and playgrounds dotted around for the kids to charge through. - Barton-On-Sea. Numerous pebble beaches stretching for ages, plenty of room for all. Chilling watching the kids build castles and throw pebbles into the water. - Keyhaven. Crabbing! I think the adults got into this more than the kids, it got a bit competitive and a lot of crabs were caught – to be released later of course. This area was also popular with kite surfers and kayakers. - Bournemouth. About a 40-minute drive to a huge soft sand beach, amusement arcades, ice cream and an aquarium. - Moors Valley Country Park. For the Gruffalo Trail, steam trains and tree top adventures. We had a lovely cottage with gardens, not huge, but enough for hiding, running and playing. I would say our best moments were created there, using our imagination as we all went on a ‘bear hunt’. Singing, exploring, searching for a cuddly teddy bear who had been sneakily placed in the branches of a tree and when he was discovered we all ran for our lives, screeching with mock terror and giggling at the silliness of it all. As a parent, there’s nothing more magical than the sound of your child laughing, ponies don’t even come close.

08 May 2017

What do you want from your holiday? Year round nice weather? For example, 25 degrees Celsius in April? A beach? 9km long, with soft yellow sand? Simple living? A safe, quiet and calm location? A local feel? Undeveloped, only a handful of hotels, restaurants and cafes? If you’ve answered yes to the above questions, go to Porto Santo. An island 43km northeast of Madeira, and the two couldn’t be more different. A perfect twin centre holiday; Madeira offers the glamour, the luxury, the activities and facilities (although it also has some lovely untouched villages and scenery). Reached by a 2 hour ferry journey from Funchal, Porto Santo offers sun, sand, simplicity and sssshhhh! I went with my mother (60) and my daughter (almost 2). Each day consisted of: Morning - Wake and eat a leisurely breakfast. Walk to the local village, go to the playground. Stop for coffee/snack. Walk back to the hotel. Nap time for my daughter and balcony reading time for my Mum! Afternoon - Lunch at the hotel or a ten minute walk to the nearby seafood restaurant. Beach time. The water was a little chilly in the Atlantic in April, but we still splashed about and quite a few brave souls were swimming. Evening – Bath time for a toddler caked in sand, followed by an early evening dinner, overlooking the many shades of blue the sea provided us. Mum enjoyed her sunset walks along the beach, then tried to have a couple of evening cocktails though everything had wound down by 9pm! So that was it, for five days. A simple life and a lovely beach! Porto Santo is a wonderfully peaceful, safe and calm place to visit and I hope it stays that way. As Mark Darcy says to Bridget Jones, "I like you, very much. Just as you are.”

22 February 2017

On Boxing Day, we kicked out our guests and headed to Madeira, a mere three and a half hours flight from Gatwick. West of Morocco, the weather was warm, mostly jeans and t shirt weather. A lovely break from the UK winter! Madeira was less touristy than I thought it would be. Funchal has its fair share of luxury hotels, however hop into a car for the day and you can explore lovely authentic coastal villages and towns which look like they haven’t changed in decades. It’s a very natural place, not overdeveloped, with lush forests and dramatic cliff views. The people are friendly, the food is tasty and inexpensive. Madeira might be known for having a more mature set of visitors, but there is plenty to do there to suit all ages. Diving, whale watching, golf, levada hiking, and many different water sports are available. Here are some of our highlights of Madeira: Nicest beach: Calheta, lovely yellow sand beach, one of only two on the island. Favourite activity: Admiring the views on the cable car from Funchal to Monte. Once there you can explore the fantastic botanical gardens. Most frightening: Testing my driving skills and nerves with some extremely steep roads on our road trip around western Madeira. Yummiest snack: Steak with fried egg and chips Most delicious drink: Sangria (large!) Madeiran hero: Cristiano Ronaldo (footballer) Most random place to have a Christmas tree: In an aquarium

12 September 2016

- Sail on a catamaran. Swim with turtles, snorkel over shipwrecks, and then enjoy a delicious buffet lunch and rum punch while touring the beautiful west coast. Look out for flying fish! - St Nicholas Abbey. Explore this tranquil plantation house and watch its fascinating movie from the 1930s depicting life in Barbados at that time. Rum is still produced here; for a real treat and a fantastic souvenir take home a beautiful personally engraved bottle. - Visit the East Coast. Most visitors don’t make it here, which is a huge shame. Not for swimming, the wild waves of the Atlantic pound the coast line. It is undeveloped, peaceful and stunning. Head to Bathsheba and you can watch the surfers (professionals only) catching a wave. - Mingle at a fish fry. Oistin’s is a well-known fish fry, popular on a Friday with both locals and tourists. For a more authentic experience head for lunch in Martins Bay on the east coast (Thursdays only). - Explore deeper. Barbados is a great location for scuba divers, with warm water and high visibility. For beginners there are six wrecks in Carlisle Bay all under 18m, and for the advanced there is the SS Stavronikita, a 365ft Greek freighter sitting upright at 40m.