28 June 2023

Would you love to discover Italy? Italian culture, art, architecture, music, and food has made Italy so enticing in the eyes of travellers. Boasting rich culture heritage picturesque landscapes Italy is easily a favourite among solo travellers couples and groups of friends. So, what is the best way to see as much as possible of this beautiful country? Well, I would recommend hands down a tour. I'm an independent or solo traveller I hear you say, but have you ever really looked at what a group tour can offer and the benefits. One of the most wonderful companies I recommend is Travelsphere, they have a superb itinerary which encompasses the very best of Italy on the ‘Grand Tour of Italy’ this will take you to Venice- Saint Marks square and the Rialto bridge. Bologna- delicious ice cream at the famous Sorbetteria Castiglione. Pisa - The leaning tower and an optional tour to Lucca. Florence- which of course is art city with an optional excursion to Uffizi gallery, including a skip the line admission, a godsend when you see the queues. Rome- The morning would include a guidance tour, with an afternoon at leisure, walk around this fascinating city, The Spanish Steps, The Trevi Fountains and the Colosseum. Pompeii- A Day of exploration starting with the visit the Montecassino Abbey. Sorento – A Day to relax in the sunshine, or perhaps an optional excursion to the Isle of Capri. Sorento- Another day to do as you please or perhaps an optional excursion to the beautiful Amalfi Coast. Calabria- stop at this seaside resort for lunch. Taormina- A lovely resort which sits on a sheer Cliff perched above beautiful beaches and close Mount Etna. Giardini Naxos -is the next resort with an optional excursion to see Europe's highest volcano close-up or head off on a Jeep adventure with your own Alpine guide. This particular tour with Travelsphere, is a 15-day tour with prices from only £2449 per person. Travel dates available are available from July 2023 to October 2024. What incredible value as this includes your flights your transfers hand-picked central 4 and 5* hotel accommodation and a first-class knowledgeable holiday director. So, when is the best time to visit Italy, I hear you ask. Well Italy is an all-year-round destination, but if I were to choose the best month to travel, I would choose September the crowds have subsided, but you will still have beautiful weather. So, what are the advantages of travelling as part of a group with Travelsphere and Just You Holidays, I recently went on a touring holiday as a solo traveller, and I must admit I did have reservations as to travelling with other people that I didnt know, I also like to think of myself as an independent traveller, doing what I want, when I want, but I can honestly say hand on heart it was one of the best experiences I have had in my 43 years of being a Personal Travel Advisor. The friendships I made, not having to find my way around, and worrying about missing the best bits, being able to access the sites without queueing for hours, the immersive experience the tour had planned that I would never been able to arrange myself, the value for money it saved me a fortune compared to what I would have spent traveling independently, It was the most wonderful experience and I can't wait to do it all over again !! 1. You get to see so much more than you ever would travelling independently. 2. You get to travel with like-minded people, it's safe, comfortable and stress free and whether you are travelling as a solo traveller or a couple or as a group of friends it's the perfect way to travel. 3. Excellent, centrally located 4 and 5* Hotels. 4. Travelsphere and Just You holidays will have purchased any admission tickets to the most popular attractions in advance, so you can walk straight in, no wasting valuable time queuing. 5. The tour also takes you from place to place in an efficient manner, you’ll get to cover so much more ground than travelling independently would allow. 6. The Travelsphere Holiday director is a font of knowledge on Italy, you will learn so much more than if you must keep stopping to read snippets from your Travel Guidebook. 7. You won't have to worry about getting from city to city it's all taken care of you just sit back relax, take in the view chat to new friends you've made along the way or even take a nap while someone else does all the driving. 8. You also don't need to go trawling the streets trying to find the best authentic places to eat in each new place you visit, Travelsphere will have chosen some of the very best eateries for you to experience Italian food at its best. Travelsphere, Just You for solo travellers, Just Women for ladies only travellers believe that travel is not just about the destination, but also about the journey. They create exceptional experiences to give you memories you will cherish for a lifetime, they offer inclusions that you would never find if you're travelling on your own. Their knowledgeable guides provide insights into each destination helping you to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of all the places that you will visit on this tour. They also recognise the importance of community, and travel is such a powerful way to connect with the people in the destinations you are in. So, if you're looking to discover Italy, the’ Grand Tour of Italy ‘with Travelsphere for me ticks all the boxes. Fun is best when shared, it's an amazing and authentic travel experience that takes you beyond the guidebook, not only will you see ‘Must see’ sights, but some hidden delights. Sharing the sense of adventure with like-minded travellers with the Peace of Mind of a full financial protection, guaranteed departures, and a top rating on Trustpilot which speaks for itself. If you would like more information on this incredible tour, or you have some questions about Italy I would love to hear from you. If you have reservations about traveling as part of a group on a tour please speak to me and I can give you a real insight on how it all works. You're in for a real treat, a wonderful immersive experience, making memories you will cherish for a lifetime.

25 March 2015

A direct flight from London to Vancouver will take you 9hrs and 20 minutes. The best way to get from Vancouver is by private transfer, fast efficient, and you travel in comfort. The journey time will very much depend on the traffic because Vancouver is so busy so allow anything from 2 - 3 hours. Whistler is a year round destination, featuring two majestic mountains, Whistler and Blackcomb. Just prepare to be wowed by everything; superb skiing, fabulous restaurants, lively bars, excellent shopping, plus a huge range of accommodation to suit every budget and some great off slope activities too. The village is located at the base of the mountains, and is relatively traffic free, it is no wonder Whistler is considered one of the top resorts in the world as it really can offer the best of everything. Where you choose to stay will very much depend on your budget. If you want to be totally blown away I would choose the Four Seasons resort. The rooms are so luxurious, the service so attentive and the attention to every detail so outstanding. It has a wonderful friendly atmosphere and a concierge service second to none; elegant, sophisticated but not stuffy. If it is a special occasion or within budget this would definitely be my first choice. As a second choice I would probably choose The Fairmont Chateau Whistler. A huge hotel, buzzing with life, a great lively bar area and impeccable service. Along with very luxurious rooms, this hotel even offers an on-site wedding chapel. If these hotels are a little beyond budget it does not mean that Whistler is, there are so many superb hotels in Whistler village that don't require deep pockets. I would recommend the Crystal Lodge, Pan Pacific, Delta Whistler Village Suites and The Listel, to name a few. I visited so many of these hotels on my recent trip and am confident in personally recommending something that will be perfect for you. I will let you into a secret, the best time to book your skiing holiday to Whistler is by the end of July/August, the hotels offer up to 50% discount for early bookings, so don't delay get your skiing holiday sorted early and save a fortune. So what about the skiing? Well what can I say, there are over 8,100 acres of snow covered slopes, they are beautifully groomed. Whistler is a cultural mecca for mountain sports and was voted the No.1 overall ski resort for 2014/2015 in North America by readers of Ski Magazine. The season runs from around the last week of November to around 20 April. Whistler has great slopes for most abilities with a combination of high open bowls and woodland trails and feels every bit an Alpine resort. If spa and relaxation is the order of the day, most of the hotels have unbelievably good health and fitness suites, luxury spas, outdoor/indoor pools and whirlpool/Jacuzzis, but for something extra special you simply must try the Scandinavian Spa, a haven of peace and tranquility. It is nestled within a cedar forest and is an outdoor spa with waterfalls, eucalyptus steam baths, wood burning saunas, hot baths, freezing plunge pools and an oasis to de-stress and refresh. It is very romantic and perfect for couples. If you can manage to tear yourself off the slopes for an afternoon or morning I would really recommend you try the Ziptrek Bear tour. You need a head for heights and a sense of adventure. This is just so exhilarating you MUST give it a go. Five incredible ziplines joined by a network of suspension bridges, boardwalks and trails. It offers stunning views over Fitzsimmons Creek and is an experience you will never forget. Absolutely amazing! So what about the nightlife? Well voted the number 1 resort for après ski 2015! An abundance of bars, restaurants, clubs and live music. Whatever you want, Whistler can offer. From a classy cocktail lounge, to dancing your socks off on the dance floor. There is one particular restaurant that I must mention and I would highly recommend. You just must try 'the Bearfoot Bistro. It is a premier, fine dining restaurant, with the most amazing wine cellar where you can be taken by the knowledgeable sommeliers to learn about the wines and Champagnes and actually have the opportunity to Saber a bottle of Champagne. You would think I was an expert. It was a truly wonderful experience. And that is not all. This amazing bistro also has the Ketel One Ice room, the coldest vodka tasting room in the world. What an experience! You make a reservation even before you depart because it is an absolutely delightful culinary experience. I am happy to make a reservation for you on your behalf. I would also recommend that you consider twining this ski holiday with a few days in the city of Vancouver. It is a vibrant city with fantastic shopping on Robson street, a wonderful waterfront, fantastic bars, restaurants and amazing hotels. Once again, I liked the Four Seasons, Vancouver. Bang in the centre of the city, but if you prefer the Waterfront, the Fairmont Waterfront or the Fairmont Pacific Rim make great choices. So what to do whilst in Vancouver. I would definitely recommend the new attraction Flyover Canada. You can see Canada like never before. This is a flying experience simulation ride and, I know you may be thinking "not for me", but I would honestly say, it was one of the highlights of my trip. Another must do is a Vancouver foodie tour. This takes place at Grenville Island, it is noisy, chaotic yet really atmospheric and an authentic way to taste the best food and drink Vancouver has to offer. You have a guide who takes you around the market providing tasters of the most amazing mouthwatering food and drink on offer, with an insight to the producers and their produce. The foodie tour is fantastic value for money and definitely worthwhile. And just a final trip for getting back to the airport from Vancouver city, as I mentioned earlier the traffic is a problem but your journey back to the airport can be completely stress free. I would highly recommend taking the Canada line train which goes from the heart of Vancouver right into Vancouver international airport, it is fast efficient and fantastically reasonable. I loved Whistler and Vancouver and can not wait to go again, I have a wealth of information and recommendations and look forward to hearing from anyone wanting to give it a try.

23 January 2014

I have skied every year for the last 20 years so consider myself a bit of an expert when it comes to recommending the best resorts for skiing ability, family resorts, best value and of course best après ski haunts. Obviously in lots of places it is the fabulous memories that make it such a great resort, but let’s not get too romantic over this and stick to facts. Here are a few ideas- Niederau First time family skiers – my recommendation would be Niederau in Austria, a classic Tyrolean village oozing with charm and character. It is in the Wildschonau region and is absolutely perfect for beginners and intermediates and in my opinion the ‘Best’ resort for families. Great hotels many piste side, I would recommend the hotel Austria, or the hotel Simmerlwirt, a mere stone’s throw from the piste, great atmosphere and decent standard of accommodation. I would definitely recommend the Horse drawn sleigh ride in Niederau, it takes you all through the forest absolutely magical, but dress up warm. Obertauern Looking for one of the best snow records in the Austrian Alps? Then look to Obertauern for high altitude and queue free skiing. Not hugely known in the British market, the après ski here was lively to say the least!!! I would say the Obertauern has fabulous slopes for any level of skier. The accommodation here is very smart and quite upmarket, my favourite is the Hotel Steiner, the food here is fabulous and it is only around 150m from the centre of the resort and the slopes are literally just across the road. This is also a superb hotel if you are looking for good leisure facilities as it features an indoor pool, sauna, Jacuzzi, steam room and a host of beauty treatments. Saalbach & Hinterglemm Definitely worth trying one season here. It has the highest ration of high speed lifts, a great town centre which is virtually traffic free, excellent après ski and good variety of hotels. I would recommend these resorts to any level of skier, and I would personally stay in Saalbach. I stayed at the Hotel Saalbacher hof, and was one of my most memorable ski holidays, this hotel is run by a lovely family and offers really high standards. It is right in the centre of town and a very short distance to the lifts, it hosts the Castello nightclub and après ski bar, with live bands an amazing atmosphere and a fabulous end to a day on some awesome slopes. The hotel also has great leisure facilities, including an indoor pool, Jacuzzi, gym and lots more. St Anton I cannot leave Austria without a visit to St Anton. Challenging skiing, and legendary après ski! If you are looking for long and very challenging runs, spectacular scenery and lively après ski this resort has it all. I would not recommend this resort for beginners, you need to be a competent skier to make the most of the runs in St Anton. St Anton does tend to be more expensive than many other Austrian resorts but there is a good range of available accommodation here in both hotels and Chalets. I stayed in the 3* Rendlehof which offers excellent value for money, only 3 mins walk to the centre and the main Nasserein Gondola and at a great price you get full use of the facilities and your evening meal at the Hotel Alberg, it’s posh sister hotel just across the road. The rooms at the Rendlehof are really nicely furnished and spacious, a great little place to stay. These are my favourites in Austria but I have skied at many, many more resorts so if you are looking at one of the others just let me know and I will be more than happy to advise you. On to France, and I have to say one of my firm favourites if going with a group of friends of varying abilities is a little resort called La Clusaz This is a lovely resort which does offer character and charm within the resort unlike some other purpose built French ski resorts. La Clusaz has a traditional village atmosphere and a decent variety of slopes, one of the bonuses is that it is only a short transfer from Geneva so you could also use this resort for a short break. There is a great village centre bursting with shops, cosy bars and restaurants, this is a lovely charming family or group resort. I would not say there is a huge variety of decent hotels here but there is an absolute gem of a Chalet, I like to keep it a secret as it is one of the best places I have ever stayed on a skiing holiday, if you are interested in knowing more you will have to get in touch. Meribel Perfect to explore the ski areas of the Three Valleys, excellent skiing for all levels of skiers, and a good variety of off piste ski opportunities for non-skiers travelling with you. It is a lively resort with great après ski on offer too. Meribel is in the centre of the biggest linked lift network in the world, offering a superb range of skiing. It is a pretty resort with lots of traditional chalets offering ski in ski out skiing. Also hugely popular for those adrenalin junkies of you who enjoy good off piste skiing. Accommodation – my recommendation is Chalet Hotel Tarentaise, right on the edge of the piste, cosy lounge with roaring log fire, great food, unlimited wine with your evening meals, hearty afternoon tea far better than very many others, spacious, comfortable rooms and great beauty salon offering a range of very relaxing pampering treatments. For those of you looking to travel with children, this is the perfect hotel with outstanding childcare and facilities. Les Deux Alps This is one of France’s oldest ski resorts, and you are guaranteed skiing at Les Deux Alps thanks to the high altitude location and of course the stunning glacier which is the largest in Europe. Lively après ski, a good range of shops, bars and restaurants and magnificent scenic skiing. This resort also has the advantage of a short transfer if you fly into Chambery airport. I found the lift system to be pretty efficient here and don’t suffer from long queues. I stayed at the Chalet Hotel Berangere which is just alongside the piste , a lovely comfortable hotel, offering a cosy lounge with a log fire, great food, unlimited wine with dinner and food is plentiful, not just croissants and jams here for breakfast. This is an ideal choice for families, groups, and singles as they offer a large singles table every night at dinner an ideal opportunity to meet new friends and enjoy company whilst travelling alone. France is such an extensive ski area, I have just given a taster here of a few of the resorts I have skied, but I have experienced many more, if you are looking for advice on one of the others just get in touch. Switzerland Grindelwald If you are looking for high altitude skiing and guaranteed snow then what about Grindlewald. Spectacular scenery at the foot of the Eiger, a pretty traditional Swiss village, there are lots of long gentle runs which are absolutely ideal for the intermediate skier. Few places I believe could rival the views it is truly spectacular, but not as convenient with the necessity of taking gondolas or trains up to the slopes, therefore could be a bind with young children. I went with a friend and we had a superb time, the village is lovely with lots of choice of restaurants and chocolate box chalets. Whilst there we took the opportunity to go to Jungfraujosh the highest railway station in Europe with the most awesome views, and at the top an ‘Ice Palace’ carved out of the glacier. I stayed at the 4* Sunstar ideally located right opposite the ‘First’ gondola, and only 3 mins walk from the centre of the village. St Moritz The glamorous resort frequented by the rich and famous. I have never skied such well-manicured pistes than I did in St Moritz, the weather is glorious for much of the time, I swear it is one of the best groomed ski resorts out there, I would recommend this resort best for intermediates as long as you have plenty of spare cash, even the mountain bars and restaurants serve Krug champagne, it has the ‘Wow’ factor the resort is also host to world famous Cartier world Polo tournament which is played on the frozen lake. St Moritz is full with designer shops, chic restaurants and bars, it is elegant and stylish. But bring your credit card with you, this is the resort to come to if you want to impress and be impressed. I stayed at the Badrutt’s Palace Hotel, a majestic, stunning hotel situated right on the lake, a perfect vantage point if you are there for the polo. The hotel is one of the best hotels in the world, the rooms are sumptuous, the facilities outstanding and offers a choice of 7 restaurants. This is a lifetime experience not just a skiing holiday!! USA I am only going to touch on the USA, as I believe we have such amazing skiing opportunities on our doorstep in Europe. I personally do not see the point in spending 10- 12 hours flying all the way to the USA, to ski, however now and again you have to try these things so I headed to Lake Tahoe, world class skiing with views! Lake Tahoe offers 19,000 acres of skiable terrain, 600 ski runs and 20 terrain parks all on the same lift pass. Heavenly is on the South Shore and this is where I stayed, Squaw Valley is in the north. Lake Tahoe also boats 5 lively casinos it is like a little Vegas in the snow. Beautiful scenery, awesome slopes with amazing variety and a fabulous destination if you are travelling with non-skiers in your group as there is so much to do. You can ski here from late November right up until June with good snow conditions. I stayed at the Embassy Suites resort which is right next door to the high speed gondola to Heavenly, most of the other hotels are on a room only basis but the Embassy suites off a great Full American breakfast and free après ski drinks. It offers really comfortable spacious rooms which can take up to 4 adults, the hotel also offers an indoor swimming pool, gym, whirlpool and sauna. So there we go a whirlwind guide to Karen does ski. Feel free to get in touch for expert help and advice with your ski holiday plans this winter, there is no charge for my service but I do hope I will be able to recommend and book the most perfect ski holiday for you.

17 January 2014

Introducing the Brand New NCL Getaway… A large, colourful and vibrant ship coming in at 146,600 Tonns and holding up to 3,969 guests. This ship is big, but don’t be put off by that, the check-in was superb with very little waiting time, or queues. The ship is fabulously modern, and has a vibrant, cosmopolitan atmosphere. Cabins are stylishly furnished with quality fittings and bedding, not very spacious but perfectly adequate. The dining options are incredible with a choice of 28 different venues, some of these do carry a small cover charge, but so little when you consider the standard of service and cuisine, one of my favourites was the Teppanyaki Japanese restaurant, it was not just dinner it was a show of culinary expertise, which made it a fun and exciting dining experience and the food was just superb, but if Japanese is not your style what about a fabulous steak at Cagney Steakhouse. Elegance and sophistication at Le Bistro, French restaurant, or if you really want to celebrate and treat your partner, or a more special occasion, I would recommend the Ocean Blue restaurant, with menus inspired by the famous New York celebrity chef Geoffrey Zakarian. There is so much choice that I am sure you will find your favourite. I can’t talk about dining without also mentioning some of the unique bars on-board NCL Getaway for something really unique you must try the ice bar, they provide you with a hooded parka and gloves to step inside a genuine ice bar where the temperature is minus 8’’, tables, chairs and even the glasses are made of ice. Another one worth stopping off at is the Sugarcane Mojito bar, my goodness so much choice and absolutely delicious. The Entertainment on-board is fabulous with something to suit everyone, at the theatre the musical ‘Legally Blonde’ also not to be missed Illusionarium, full of mystery and magic - amazing!! There are live bands playing around the ship, a comedy club, and for the first time at sea the Grammy experience with live performances by past winners and nominees. So what about out on deck in the Caribbean sunshine, well there is an Aqua Park on board the ship , with five multi storey waterslides, there is a huge sundeck, two swimming pools and 4 hot tubs if you just want to chillax. For the more active, there is a rock climbing wall, a nine-hole pirate-themed golf course a bungee trampoline, a basketball court and for those of you who are real adrenaline junkies, there is the ultimate thrill, ‘The Plank’ extending almost two and a half metres over the side of the ship. NCL offer a completely different style of cruising, there is a whole world of choices on-board and you have the freedom and flexibility to enjoy and experience it your way. Choose where you want to dine, experience a Broadway show, dance until dawn, try something new, relax in the Mandara spa or try your hand at the Casino. There is non-stop action day and night, or simply find a quiet corner up on deck and lie back and enjoy the warm Caribbean sunshine, whatever you pleasure I really do believe that you will find it on-board an NCL cruise ship.

07 January 2014

Before my departure I had so many pre-conceived ideas. I envisioned huge queues, jostling for sun beds, embarkation and disembarkation nightmares, but how wrong I was. I flew with American Airlines to Miami and was met by Royal Caribbean’s charming representatives. We travelled by coach to the Fairfield Inn and Suites in Fort Lauderdale for a one night pre-cruise stay. The following morning the coach took us to the port to embark Allure of the Seas. The check-in was superb and efficient with a little bit of queuing, but when you consider that this monster of a ship holds in excess of 5,000 passengers it was handled professionally and smoothly. As I boarded I was totally in awe of the ship. The 18 decks of towering magnificence greeted you as you entered this state-of-the-art cruise ship. I loved Central Park, a tropical open air section complete with tropical foliage, and a stroll through Central Park will take you past tempting restaurants offering alfresco dining, a selection of bars, boutiques and an art gallery. This section oozes class and sophistication with live classical and jazz concerts, street performers and a wonderful atmosphere. It also features the Rising Tide bar, a fabulous bar which moves up and down between three decks, it was quickly nick-named the “uppy downy” bar and became a popular meeting place. The Boardwalk was another wonderful section of Allure, with a full sized carousel. Even as an adult, I could not resist having a ride. It also featured a hot dog stand, ice cream parlour, sweet shop, and some great casual restaurants. It has lots of charm and is a great place for the whole family. The Royal Promenade runs along the centre of the ship, this is an amazing bustling boulevard crammed with bars, boutiques, even a cup cake shop, a champagne bar, sports bar, a traditional pub and so much more, buzzing with excitement, day and night. I experienced some fabulous entertainment, street carnivals and so much more, this ship is alive with activity offering a superb holiday for the whole family I feel it is a multi-generational ship, catering for all ages and all interests. I must also mention the Zip –line ride which runs along the top of the ship, this was so exhilarating, just don’t look down! What an experience! I didn’t try the flow riders, but Allure also offers two Surf simulators, and guess what? No queues! Or how about rock climbing, the ultimate challenge for those not scared of heights. I should also mention that these facilities are FREE of charge. Can you just imagine what it would cost to do any of these activities here at home? After all this activity, I headed off to the spa for a bit of pampering and relaxation. It is the largest at-sea spa and they offer an amazing selection of treatments and there are always special offers to be had, especially on port days if you do decide to stay on the ship. You can indulge in some wonderful treatments at a fraction of the cost. I would however recommend that, if possible, you pre-book some treatments before you depart. Dining on-board is an absolute pleasure with so much choice to suit even the most discerning palette. Some of the restaurants do carry an extra charge to your cruise cost, but I felt the experience, service and standard of food was so superb, it was well worth it. I should point out that there is no extra charge for dining in the main restaurant and the menu is elegant, the choice, good and the service excellent, so don’t feel you have to pay extra if you wish not to. Entertainment on-board was first class, with the Broadway show ‘Chicago’ being staged in the theatre, a first class high diving acrobatic show at the Aqua theatre, or an impressive show on ice at the ice rink, and if that is not enough, comedy club, disco, an enormous casino, and there is live music in many of the bars, so you can dance until dawn. Children’s facilities are just ‘the best’ with Dream Works characters on-board, amazing children’s clubs, entertainment and special meal arrangements. I can’t think of a better ship for all the family. The ports of call are a bonus, with some of the best on shore experiences you could ever imagine. Allure of the Seas, what an experience, I will definitely go again!

24 September 2013

I have just returned for a superb whirlwind trip to St Petersburg with Fred Olsen, the cruise operator. I flew in to Tallin, Estonia. Unfortunately there was no time to explore this beautiful destination but feedback from other passengers was that it is a real gem, especially ‘the Old Town’. This is definitely one for my bucket list. The Balmoral I boarded Fred Olsen’s ship, the Balmoral and was instantly surprised to find a bright airy, and beautifully maintained ship. It is small by today’s standards carrying around 800 passengers. Its size means it can get to interesting ports, and can dock near the heart of the city on many occasions, as opposed to the big commercial ports that the mega cruise liners are limited to. Another bonus is that small ships are usually friendlier. You get to know other passengers and crew and enjoy a more intimate and personalised service. The disembarkation at the ports is quicker and you are off on your chosen excursion in no time. I loved Balmoral. I had a Superior Suite which was beautifully furnished, lovely and spacious, a huge balcony with two sun beds and table and chairs. It was so comfortable and welcoming with lots of lovely little extras, like bubbly on ice when we arrived, pre dinner o’douvres each evening, and a lovely fluffy bathrobe along with comfy slippers. The reason of my trip was to visit St Petersburg. Balmoral docked about 7km from the centre. The centre of the city is magical with historical imposing buildings. I chose the excursion ‘Peterhof’ and Hermitage’. It was a full day and I would recommend it to everyone. A vital point is that if you book the excursion with the cruise line the cost of the visa is included, which gives a huge saving. Peterhof, often referred to as ‘Russian Versailles’, was the summer residence of the Russian Monarchs. Words cannot describe the grandeur of this awesome Palace and its grounds, the opulence the magnificence of the buildings, the manicured lawns, resplendent waterfalls and palatial architecture. I then visited the Winter Palace which also houses the Hermitage Museum. This was the main residence of the Russian Tsars and is located on the banks of the Neva River. A Baroque style Palace which was built for the Empress Elizabeth the daughter of Peter the Great, but she died before it was completed and it was Catherine the Great and her successors who enjoyed the splendours of this Palace. The Hermitage museum which is inside as part of the Winter Palace boasts 2.7 million pieces of art including pieces by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Monet and I could go on. It was mesmerising, and is a wonderful opportunity to see many magnificent pieces of art under one roof. It is actually said that if you spend a minute looking at each exhibit on display in the Hermitage you would need 11 years to see them all. I am glad I opted for a guided tour!! After a long and exhilarating day I returned to the comfort of Balmoral where I enjoyed an elegant dinner, good wine, excellent company and conversation, followed by a great performance by authentic Russian singers and dancers in the Cabaret lounge. The following morning I opted for a cruise along the waterways of St Petersburg followed by a tour of St Peter & Paul Fortress. The River cruise, is ideal for photo opportunities, and sails along the River Neva, Relaxing in the beautiful sunshine with an English speaking guide pointing out all the different points of interest, it is an excellent way to see this amazing city. The Fortress, once a prison for Russia’s most prominent political prisoners, is today a history museum. Also housed in the grounds is the Peter and Paul Cathedral, the oldest church in St Petersburg and the 2nd tallest building in the city. Inside the church I was surrounded by the extravagance seen in all of the Russian Royal buildings. This church is home to the graves of nearly all the rulers of Russia since Peter the Great. After another great day I returned to Fred Olsen Balmoral around mid afternoon for a dip in one of the pools up on deck followed by a Jacuzzi and a glass of cool crisp bubbly. That evening I sailed on to Gdansk, Poland and sadly the end of my few days on-board. It was an amazing way to see the Baltics. If you are interested in visiting this area, just get in touch as I have lots of insights and tips to share. Until next time Za Zdorovyeh.