08 April 2025

Vietnam is a country of Vibrant culture, Rich History , Stunning Landscapes , and fabulous people .On my recent trip to Vietnam , i explored bustling Cities , Serene Landscapes , Stunning coastlines. Come with me on my journey From Hanois Ancient charm and dynamic energy of Ho Chi Minh City . Hanoi -its the capital of Vietnam a city that blends colonial French influences but still with its traditional Vietnamese Culture. the old quarter Hoan Kiem Lake , and Temple of Literature, the street food is legendary pho Banh a noodle soup , and Banh Mi omg delicious The water puppet show , a cultural experience .The old quarter made you feel alive , chaotic traffic , thinking you will never make it across the road , you soon get used to it .The unique charm of locals . Halong Bay - wow a UNESCO World Heritage site , emerald water , limestones coming out of the water like beacons standing proud , we did Kayaking , i loved every moment of it , we were lucky enough to stay over night on a river cruise, we fished for shrimp off the back at night it was magical. Danang is known as the Golden Bridge held by giant hands and stunning beaches . Hoi An - Timeless charm UNESCO World Heritage site , well preserved architecture , vibrant lanterns and beautiful streets , i fell in love with Hoi An , i also went to the tailors and had custom made Trousers and waist coat made for less than £80 wow wow, wonderful Dresses all silk and linen amazing , there is a wonderful central market at night as well to visit , so much to do . its very romantic with its colourful lanterns and vibrant colours of Hoi Ans streets . Saigon City (Ho chi Minh City )the heartbeat of Vietnam ,motorbikes everywhere as owning a car is very expensive so everyone travels around by motorbike or push bike . Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica and i did go to the War Remnants Museum - i did struggle in places as we know from our point of view what happened but the Vietnamese suffered so much too . its not for everyone to see , but I'm pleased i did . city has a massive energy , a wonderful coffee culture , an egg coffee , fabulous , food is fabulous too and so cheap , all fresh , and for me as a vegetarian , wonderful . Its mix of modern and historical building seem to work . Mekong Delta was one of my highlights - you really did feel like you were somewhere very different ,small villages living along the rivers , we took a boat ride through the floating markets , they depend on the river for there livelihood. If you have never experienced a floating market its amazing as there is a charm about it . Conclusion Vietnam is a country that is so rich in History , stunning Landscapes ,Rich Culture , delicious food , the people are so happy to see you , they work very hard , no pensions so very often they work up until they are in there 90s , and you will see long thin houses and that's because all the generations in the family live together and they keep Building . I Didn't want to leave this wonderful Country , it moved my heart and Soul , and for sure you need to put this on your bucket list , a wonderful Country

24 November 2023

Rotterdam 2 nights Had a lovely couple of Nights away with my Daughter I treated her for her 30 Birthday , as it was in the summer as she’s a teacher it can be costly so I looked at booking a Train from London so looking at the schedule I saw that you can get a Train from London to Rotterdam , so I booked a couple of nights in Hotel Mate Bruno , a clean comfortable 4 star hotel , we had 2 comfy beds and a good breakfast. Very impressed with Rotterdam it really lends itself to a short break , very reasonably priced food , people are so friendly and there were water Taxis so we got on those and it was such fun they did move fast. The other lovely thing we saw was the cruise ships coming in so When we were there we saw the Disney Dream come in Hannah had the idea of going across to the cruise terminal to watch the Sail away , pretty magical as we heard the Disney music , we both wanted to jump on board . Rotterdam has quebed Houses , so quirky , there are lots of open spaces to sit and have drinks , plenty of shops , we also did a free walking Tour that I really would recommend and there is no catch , he was great fun and you just give him a tip at the end .Its a good way to explore the City , and get to chat to all different nationalities . They have such a great transport system in Rotterdam , Trams , busses , Water Taxis , Trains , and very cheap , also the Dutch are so friendly and genuinely want to help if you get lost. We had a lovely time and makes me want to explore Holland further

23 November 2023

Spending 3 nights in Andalucía -Southern Spain Seville /Cordoba / Malaga This triple centre 1 night in each is just a wonderful mix of all the things that make Spain one of the best loved and most visited Countries on our earth , this part of Spain Costa Del Sol has so much to offer , Tapas , Beaches , and Sangria , and Sunshine A short flight of 2 hours from London arriving in Saville a lovely temperature of 37 c , very hot in June , we checked in at Hotel Alfonso X111 San Fernando Very good location and within walking distance to restaurants , a beautiful pool so be rude not to have a swim in the morning . Seville Cathedral was spectacular , completed in 16th Century and was the largest in the world and a title held for 1000 years , its also the 4 th largest city in Spain ,what a beautiful city this is , with the Royal Palace , the Barrio Santa Cruz former Jewish Quarter , with white houses overlooking the River , so clean , well kept , a real coffee culture , orange trees , patios , Restaurants , loved it , and very reasonably priced for food and Drinks also. Moving on this afternoon we stayed In Cordoba and stayed in a Parador De Cordoba , they are very good and normally a little quirky this was an old Convent with lovely views out to the Countryside , we set off after looking at some of the rooms on foot to visit the Mesquita a former Mosque and now a Cathedral with a vast Prayer hall with 800 columns of Jasper , Onyx and Marble it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site it really is amazing to see , then after seeing this we went to a very lovely restaurant Casa Pepe for Dinner . The food is the best I have Eaten in Spain , lots of lovely fish , Tomato Sauces , wonderful Salads , good wine We Visited a Bull Ring and the Architecture was beautiful , I was really surprised that families still go and watch a Bull fight , generally on a Thursday or Sunday eve , I can’t say that I liked seeing Bulls Hurt but its there Culture I guess. After a lovely sleep our next and last stop is Malaga we stayed at Parador Golf which is around 20 mins from Malaga centre and on a golf course and also by the sea , well I was very happy as you know I love swimming in the sea , so for me it was straight in for a dip in the lovely Mediterranean Sea , it was wonderful and warm too . We Then headed into Malaga and I was really pleasantly surprised it really has had a lot of money spent on it with lovely shops , restaurants , and we went to the Picasso Museum which was excellent , apparently he really had a passion for Malaga but he stayed in France but when he died they had his beautiful Navy velvet Cape back and you can see it . Before heading back to the Airport for our flight home we stopped in the Car / costume Museum for anyone who loves vintage cars and fashion you will love this . I really did have the most wonderful time and a triple centre is such a wonderful way to see more of this beautiful , traditional part of Spain , if you like the Authentic , Flamingo Dancing , Tapas ,Coffee Culture , with wonderful Architecture you will love it .

23 November 2023

India really has been on my Bucket list since I started in Travel and I was really Lucky enough to have an opportunity , it was a short trip but fitted so much in and it was called Taj & Tigers and I was visiting the very Famous Golden Triangle , so from Delhi , then down to the Pink City of Jaipur and then down to see the Tigers in Ranthambore , then on to Agra to see the Famous Taj Mahal , Back to Delhi . Great for me as i book people on a lot of tours so gave me a good opportunity to see for myself . I Flew with Air France who were a good airline going via Charles de Gaul , sometimes it can work out better value to do this although longer , Flying time is 9.5 hours to Delhi . Arriving in Delhi wow wow wow all your senses are going at once , sight, sounds, smells , and I have never experienced a city like it,!! arriving in the evening it was full of noise , lights , traffic , dust , colours , I loved it !! very different to anywhere I have experienced so far on my travels . After a good nights sleep and breakfast we were on our coach to look forward to our exciting day ahead to Explore a full day of sightseeing around old and new Delhi , and off to Khari Baoli Spice Market , a rickshaw ride and visiting Jama Masjid, the largest Mosque in India . The Rickshaw ride was one I will never forget , there were cars along side Cows and pigs , there were street sellers selling food and Chai , Children playing , it is a place that you have to experience as so hard to explain , wonderful , exciting !! temperature was a lovely 32 C This evening we had a wonderful meal , I am vegetarian and was worried I couldn’t eat the food as would be too hot or I would have the dreaded Delhi Belly but it was so gorgeous , the flat breads are so lovely along side the Curries , amazing food !! nothing like an Indian we have here . Today we Travel from Delhi to Jaipur – Approx. 6 hours 260kms So much to see on the way so the time goes very quickly and we stop for comfort breaks ,as we enter Jaipur known as the Pink City because of the Pink Paint on the buildings founded in 1727 at the time of the Mughal Power and painted to impress the Prince of Wales in 1876, we head for Amber Fort on board a jeep to take us up to the Fort and the Palace entrance .It is spectacular , the yellow and Pink sandstone and white marble , it was built in 16th century by Raja Man Singh . The other amazing place we went to was Jantar Mantar Observatory -The largest Stone and marble crafted observatory in the world , they were so clever as the 17 instruments are still in working condition . I knew that I would be sucked into the destination , with the people the sights I was seeing and of course the people smiling , the children all so colourful , and wanting photos of us which was strange , and also cows on Motorways and an Elephant just walking past our coach so funny , we had to stop on that encounter for a photo . Jaipur to Ranthambore National Park So exciting today we are heading south in search of Tigers , this is around 4 to 5 hours , we were heading for project Tiger Conservation in Rajasthan .We went out on an afternoon Safari and the universe didn’t disappoint , so so lucky to see a Tiger walking towards us , wow they are beautiful , there markings are beautiful , we watched him marking his territory , I could hardly breath with excitement ,!! the Rangers are so clever as they know exactly what they are looking for and listening for too . Out again after a really good sleep to see if we could see any more , and do a canter Safari , not so lucky this time but we did see Deer , Sambar , what an experience. So checking out of our hotel we then head to Fatehpur Sikri located 40 kms from Agra built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 , we visited the well preserved and graceful buildings within the ghost City including Jama Masjid . Next on to Agra and the most world famous Taj Mahal , Agra Rose to fame in the Medieval period as the capital of Mughal Empire and has beautiful gardens and waterfalls , bathhouses and canals and also is known for its famous carpets . We rise very early this morning 3.45 am but we were all up as we were all so excited to see the Taj Mahul in all its glory as the sun comes up , as I went to the wooden door entrance to o peer through I could see her , she was a beautiful marble monument standing on the southern bank of the Yamuna River , she was built in Mughal by shah Jahan Emperor between 1631-1648 in memory of his wife . Words can not describe its beauty and as you get closer the colour changes , the front also has precious stones incrusted , its is one of my highlights in my Travel Career to see and it is just stunning and I believe everyone there was feeling the same , i also sat on the Bench Lady Diana had the photo , quite surreal . Again this is where our guide was so good as he knows when to go in , best photos ect so invaluable. This afternoon we were then heading back to Delhi for our 0035 to London , India is such a massive Country and I have only scratched a very small part of it , yes it does have a big problem with poverty and it got me at times seeing that and something I have brought home as it makes me feel very lucky for what I have , it is a very spiritual destination where our coach driver just stops and goes to a temple and says a prayer , all different religions and i loved that , also being near the front of the coach i asked loads of questions about cultures , traditions and our guide Mk was very happy to chat . The food is also gorgeous and as long as you are sensible , no Delhi Belly for me and all of our group so very happy , I really did love this very special Destination , what I will say is it’s a must to go with a very reputable Tour operator and the Tour guides are worth there weight in Gold so i can advise the best tour to fit your needs and also of course you can do this in a more Leisurely way and of course extend to rest at the end maybe in Goa or Kerela . Incredible Destination

21 November 2023

Cunard has always been on my wish List as she is such an Iconic ship , and the brand is 200 years old how amazing is that !!she has a new ship joining the fleet in may of 2024 . I had a 4 night cruise to Amsterdam and went from Southampton , as soon as I went near to the dock I could see this amazing Red & Black Funnel , so Iconic, so exciting . On board I was greeted by staff as we got on all looking gorgeous in there uniforms , found my way to my Cabin and I had a Britannia Club balcony and it was very spacious , lovely bedding and a good shower , so once my luggage was brought to my cabin I was out ,exploring the ship . The Atrium of the ship is the hub and it had a beautiful sweeping staircase and a ship on the wall , telling you where you were , port or starboard. We set sail at 6 pm and I always love a sail away , Music , a drink in hand and excitement to be starting off on an adventure 4 nights to Amsterdam . A change and a coffee back in my cabin , and also they give half a bottle of bubbles which I think is a lovely touch but will have that another day . Dinning was at the queens grill , fine dinning at its best , starter , main , dessert , delicious , I am a pescatarian so the fish was gorgeous . So a night at sea and we went off to a show in the most impressive theatre at sea, they even have balcony’s , you felt like you were watching a west end show , very talented performers. Then off to the cocktail bar at the compass bar . Tomorrow afternoon we sail in to Amsterdam . After a lovely sleep , and a wonderful Breakfast , either served ,or buffet off to explore Amsterdam , the lovely thing about this cruise is you get 2 nights in Amsterdam , so no rush . We got off and went shopping and then went on a Canal boat trip which is a great way to explore Amsterdam and only 10 euros , it was the marathon so a good move I feel as not so busy on the water . Back on board we got ready to dress for the Gala night and it really was a lovely atmosphere with a String Quartet playing in the background , again a lovely night of amazing food , a wonderful show and a cheeky Expresso Martini . The next morning I ordered room service as we had an early start , it came on time , and Tea , toast and marmalade and Earl Grey and fruit perfect , I sat on the balcony and watched the sun come up , so special .We were going to a 13th century fishing village with green and white cladded houses , and a cheese factory , unfortunately it was raining but it was still lovely to see the Dutch countryside . I really do think the Dutch people are so friendly . So back on board around lunch time and ready for my Afternoon Tea , perfect , I do love afternoon tea , with white star service makes it even better . There was also a talk in the Theatre from a former Red Arrow , how interesting , I learnt so much , so our last night so off to have a silent disco so a bit of a dance in the Ballroom , it is such fun as everyone is dancing differently . I really did have the best time , Great destination for a short break , wonderful food , amazing service and entertainment and such good value for money . Thank you Cunard , i certainly will be recommending you to my clients ... until the next time

20 December 2022

I was lucky enough to be invited to experience part of a tour that Exodus Tours offer this was a place I've always wanted to go to as I've booked many people. off i went flying to Naples which is a short flight from uk 2 hours 30 mins , to the Amalfi Coast , i book lots of Honeymoons to this part of italy , as it really is a gem of the Mediterranean and it certainly didn't disappoint me . We stayed at Hotel Due Torri which was a lovely family run hotel and passed down from generations , food was excellent , a lovely room with a balcony , and woken by Cockrill's in the morning , its in a village called Bomerano , very quaint , with a church and coffee shop, and bakery . 1 st day we were walking the Path of the gods and it felt like a pilgrimage , as we went up and up the scenery got better and better , i was very glad i had walking boots on though as we climbed over boulders , fantastic coastal views , it took us 2.5 hours and it was 6km , Ascent 100m , Desent 100m fabulous experience and a sense of achievement . day 2 was very special as we visit Herculaneeum & Pompeii all included in the price Mt vesuvius erupted in AD79 and it wasn't until 18th century that it was discovered , there are Roman homes , baths , frescos , 300 skeletons discovered , and plaster bodies , its amazing for us to be able to see this and go back in time so far. Day 3 was a boat trip to Positano and this is Quintessentially the jewel in the Mediterranean , coming into it by boat is magical with its little houses all white and glistening , there are little Alleyways , coffee shops , restaurants , it is so so pretty , the cliffs are very rugged , with the blue sea and white buildings , its fabulous to see. I managed to have a quick swim before being picked up again for our 20 min boat trip back . The Amalfi coast touches your heart with its food , culture , scenery , passionate people , and really will stay with me that's for sure , and also Exodus who have been going for over 40 years , Taking solo Travellers , couples , families , there guides certainly know there stuff and really enhance your holiday as most are from the countries they guide , our Guide Servio was amazing , the lovely Limonchello we had at the start of our meals , pasta , pizza , fruit was also so memorable , i will be returning to the beautiful Amalfi Coast .

20 December 2022

This was my first Adventure since Covid hit so after 2.5 Years i was beyond Excitement to be asked to go on a 4 night Cruise with Azamara . We Had 1 night in a lovely Hotel in Lisbon and it has been a while since I've been to Lisbon , what a fabulous city it is , the weather was amazing and bright sunshine in March around 19-22c , wonderful , little side streets with coffee shops , a funicula railway taking you to the top near the castle , a lovely old town . There was a Market going on in the square near to the port . We sat outside having breakfast , a lovely coffee and of course has to be done The iconic Pastel De Nata ( custard Tart ) this is there breakfast , certainly did not disappoint , i thought you could happily have 2/3 nights here . We set sail on 19th March at 18.00 , when we got onboard all the crew were lined up with the Captain and they were so emotional as they hadnt sailed in 2 years !!. Azamara was all sparkly and pristine ready waiting for us , We had a lovely Balcony Cabin , with enough cupboard space , a nice bathroom with shower , and the bed linen was amazing ,and the bed was really comfortable too , our itinerary was Lisbon at Sea Malaga Gibralter Portimao Lisbon Azamara Pursuit had a major Refit , she is a small Cruise Ship , she can get into small ports which the bigger ones cant manage the Itineraries are very interesting , there are 6 Decks on Board , a lovely spirit bar , Discoveries Bar great before and after dinner , The living room looks out over the sea and they have Dancing sometimes and Karaoke , The Cyber Area , a wonderful Library , all restaurants have there own bar , there is waiter service , there is also Buffet Restaurant , the food was amazing , The pool grill serves Burgers , chips , There are 2 speciality restaurants , Italian and Sea food . There is a cabaret on board , and local entertainments too . we had an amazing White night and lots of Dancing , singing and just great fun , all outside . There is a wide choice of cabins Inside , great bathroom , ocean view and a large window , Varandah Cabin the bedding is fantastic , Continental Suite and it does have a bath , butler service , Ocean Suite a large bathroom , Butler Service big picture window , The owners Suite is the largest Cabin on board . There is a wonderful shop selling jewellery ,perfumes , lots of lovely things , it really has a wonderful feel , comfortable and its done very tastefully , i would not hesitate to recommend this to my clients , The food was amazing , i ate far to much he he , it had a really peaceful restful vibe to it as well which i really loved . I have been lucky enough to Cruise on many ships so its always a pleasure to Cruise on one i haven't before .Ports of call i loved Malaga with some great bars , restaurants , coffee shop culture .Gibraltar is a great find for Silver Jewellery and its Duty free , On top of the Rock it was very cloudy unfortunately but a wonderful view can be seen from there. Portimao Portugal was lovely with its gorgeous Sardine tins , lovely church , very relaxed and friendly , before i knew it we were sailing back to Lisbon but what an amazing journey on this beautiful Cruise ship.

09 November 2019

Flying with Singapore Airlines to Singapore, then on to Perth just under 17.5 hours. The first 3 days of my trip was in Perth in a conference centre, speed dating for travel agents! I saw 35 suppliers a day over 3 days, telling me all about the amazing things that Australia has to offer, wow and does it! If you love travelling as much as I do its like torture as you want to see it all and its such a vast country that it would take you many years to see it all properly, but you have to start somewhere so Perth was the start of a fabulous journey for me. After Corroboree Australia with Tourism Australia it was time for us to experience what WA, as they fondly call it, has to offer. With 14 of us we did have fun! We travelled from Perth to Margaret River stopping in Bunbury, Busselton and Dunsborough. The scenery was breath-taking, rugged coastline as we drove along. We stopped at the new Dolphin Discovery Centre, 90 mins south of Perth with over 200 Bottlenose dolphins. They promote research - this was such an experience! They are such beautiful creatures, well worth a visit. You can go out on a boat and see them swimming everywhere. Busselton is located at the north end of Margaret River with 30 kilometres of sandy beach, great for fishing. I was blown away by the vast open spaces and awesome scenery. Ngilgi Cave we went to these caves beneath the limestone ridge. Discovered in 1899, there are stunning stalactites, stalagmites and helictite shawl formations. These amazing things to see make you realise how many amazing things you can do in WA. Margeret River Known for vineyards, architecture, amazing vistas, lush forest and the river and surf add an extra dimension. The next day we were whale watching! Wow! I don't think i will ever forget this experience, watching the Humpback whales breech in front of you is an experience! They were migrating south and I lost count of how many I saw. Wow,fabulous! If that wasn't enough, we then stopped at Vasse Felix. Established in 1967 this wine estate has a wonderful red wine, a rose or sparkling. There's a tasting room, wine room, art gallery and an acclaimed restaurant which uses mostly home-grown ingredients. Then on to Smith Beach, a favourite of mine with my maiden name. It looks out onto miles and miles of sandy beach. You can do a guided walk called Cape to Cape with white beaches and ancient granite boulders, limestone cliffs and fascinating bush plants. Pemberton, located in the south west, 3.5 hours drive from Perth, is a picturesque timber town where you can enjoy 80 varieties of fruit, veg and truffles. Walpole A5 hour journey from Perth, west of Albany, the breathtaking red and yellow Tingle trees and the Valley of the Giant Treetop walk with 400 year old Karri Trees. It was awesome, I didn't realise how much I loved trees and the treetop walk is a must. William Bay National Park - Greens Pool and Elephant Rock - a wonderful pool of blues and greens in the sea and a formation of granite rocks looking like a heard of elephants in the sea. Albany is situated on the south coast of WA with rugged granite coastline. I was just blown away! The scenery is nothing like I have ever seen - nature at it's best! We met an Aboriginal who sang to us, danced, and so did we. He told us of his culture and heritage and was incredibly passionate and proud of his ancestors and I could have listened to him talking for days, an experience I will never forget. The National Anzac Centre is Australia's most important cultural pilgrimage. The centre overlooks the actual harbour from which 41,000 men and women went to the great war. It was very tastefully done, very moving. Middleton Beach is probably Albany's best known beach, popular for surfing for children. This was the itinerary that I did, but I cant put into words how it has left me wanting to see more. The people were so friendly, the food was wonderful, lots of fresh produce, fish, lamb, deserts. The weather was warm but going into summer from 1st November. It was a very memorable adventure and I would not hesitate to recommend Western Australia and I will be going back that's for sure! It lends itself to a self drive, stopping along the way, with an amazing mix of nature at its best. Wildlife, the best wines in the world and food, culture, and wonderful weather all year round.

11 March 2019

I was lucky enough to head down to Southampton on 3rd March to go on the Brand new Bellissima, staying 1 night in a Balcony Cabin, sampling all she had to offer. Brand new, sparkly, light, bright and no dark wood in sight. From the moment I stepped on board I was so impressed with the space she has, she holds 5,686 passengers, 1,564 crew and is 171,598 tons. I was on deck 14 and my cabin was spacious with a very comfortable bed and I had a small balcony. I would have been very happy sitting on the balcony sipping a cocktail watching the scenery go by. I also liked the amazing gadget you could ask questions to and she would come back to you, a bit like Alexa. You can play music and ask questions about the ship etc. Also, the bathroom had a very good shower which is always good. There are three main restaurants and we ate in Posidonia which was very nice, the food was very good. There are 10 restaurants to choose from; Butchers Cut, Carousel Lounge, Tapas Bar, Il Cilegio/Le Cerisier, Sushi bar, Teppanyaki, l'Atelier Bistro, Lighthouse Restaurant and Marketplace Buffet, which is where we had breakfast, a very good choice. I loved the Atrium with the sweeping staircase with sparkly crystals in them, and a wonderful piano in the middle, so a wonderful atmosphere in the evening. We also saw a show with some amazing singers and lots of colour and dancing. This was in the London Theatre. You can also see Cirque de Soleil on various cruises which would be amazing. For the family there is plenty to do with a baby club called Chicco, teen club, virtual games, interactive cinema, bowling alley and plenty to do for all ages. There’s a massive sports hall with football and basketball. Outside was amazing with a very lovely pool and a massive screen above so you could be watching a film swimming, or in the jacuzzi while sailing, amazing! I liked the fact there were no plastic sun loungers too. Yacht club is an exclusive area with its own pool, quiet area, own restaurant and is very tastefully done and away from the others in a tranquil place. I also loved the ever changing virtual sky which reminded me of Fremont street in Las Vegas, very clever. One moment you look up and everything is green, then flowers, then sky, very clever. I had a great time on Bellissima and I will be very happy to sell the benefits to my clients, and some of her prices are excellent!

18 September 2018

My daughter and I have spent a really lovely week at the Bavaro Palace in August this year. The beach was amazing and I have never seen such an amazing stretch of sandy white sand with palm trees as far as you could see. It is featured in the top 10 beaches in the world and I can now understand why. The sea was so gorgeous and warm, and although it is on the Atlantic side, it still was beautiful. The hotel itself was massive. There is a lovely little train going round all day and it’s so lovely to jump on board and it stops at the different areas. They have different sections, Bavaro Beach is adults only and we were in the family side. Talking to people in the adults section they were saying that there was more going on over on our side. The rooms were lovely and Hannah loved the Jacuzzi outside on the balcony. She used that each evening which was great. You certainly would not go hungry here. At breakfast there was everything from pancakes and omelettes made to order to salads, cheeses and smoothies. It was so good. We were able to have four a la carte meals. We tried Mexican, we loved that, where they cooked in front of you and the Margaritas were good too. There’s a steak restaurant which Hannah enjoyed but I don't eat red meat any more, and Italian which we said was our favourite. The drinks were premium brands and you could try any cocktail you liked and a Cosmo and Pina Colada were my lovely guilty pleasures. There were plenty of quiet bars and areas you could go into and have a drink which was nice. The weather was a perfect 32c and sea temperatures were really warm, like a bath. There was a problem with seaweed but every day they came and cleared it, apart from Sundays, as I think they may have a day off possibly. The entertainment was fab and we saw a really good Michael Jackson tribute which was so good. The auditorium was massive! We did a really lovely excursion to Sona Island. I always like to try and do one excursion at least when I’m away as it helps the locals and economy and also gives you a feel outside of your lovely hotel of what its really like. We went out by speedboat out and Catamaran back. Going out was very exhilarating, we went really fast and the colour of the sea as we got nearer to Sona Island looked as though someone had dipped paint into the water, colour was amazing! We stopped halfway and jumped into the Caribbean Sea and swam, that was lovely. On the return we came back by Catamaran and that was very special as we saw loads of flying fish, and believe me they do fly, incredible. What a lovely island Dominican Republic is and in August we had fabulous weather in the day and rain in the evening so it never bothered us. I definitely would go again. Paradise, sun, sea, white sand and palm trees swaying in the breeze, heavenly.

03 May 2017

One of my best friends was celebrating a big birthday, and she has always wanted to go to the Savoy in London so I set about planning a night to remember in London - and also some little surprises along the way. To be honest this was on my wish list to so how lovely that we got to do it. First we were picked up from Victoria Station by Rachel Peer - London Cabbie and Tour Guide - she was in on the surprise the next day!! It was so lovely to have a cab waiting for you and not to worry about getting there, she had my name on the front, so we were whisked to the Savoy in a brand new Black Cab . On arrival to the gleaming Art Deco designed hotel, our cab door was opened and we entered through the revolving wooden doors into the stunning lobby. We were quickly shown each area, before going through to check in. The check in was a lovely experience and they upgraded us to a Junior Suite, obviously we were delighted and they also changed our time for dinner which was great too. Our room was on the first floor, and we had our own door bell - which I found amusing as I've never had one of those before. We were shown into an entrance, then to a beautiful room. There was an Art Deco feel to the bathroom, with black and white tiles and silver fittings - all just gorgeous. We had lovely robes, slippers, and they had made a lovely cake for my friend - but I did manage to have a bit of it! We both immediately said that we felt comfortable and very at home - which is a lovely feeling to have in a hotel - almost wrapped in a lovely bubble, safe from the hustle of outside London. We then met up with the Entertainments Manager in the American Bar, which is Number 2 in the world at the moment. We had a couple of wonderful cocktails, and the bar was buzzing with people coming and going. As you walk in to the bar you see photos of all the famous people that have stayed there, and you realise what an amazing hotel it is. We had dinner in Kaspers Fish Restaurant, enjoying a wonderful three course meal while all dressed up. The flavours of the meal were very cleverly put together, and the dessert was amazing - again a really lovely experience with amazing service. We then went up to our room and had a great night's sleep. We were looking forward to breakfast, and it didn't disappoint. The dining room was beautiful, and we had a full English breakfast, and then pastries, coffee, tea - whatever we wanted! The wonderful thing about the hotel is its location, just across the road from Covent Garden. We shot across the road to do some retail therapy before checking out of the hotel at midday. I would really recommend this hotel to anyone who really wants a special treat; special birthday, anniversary - you won't be disappointed. It's not cheap by any means but it's not an every day experience, but it's one that will always stay with you - and that is priceless. I could have done with 2 nights! For my next surprise I had Rachel the Tour Guide pick us up to give a privae guided tour of London through her eyes. Wow - did we see it in a different way! A wonderful touch was she had brought a couple of gin and tonics for us, as she knew we liked them. She showed us different areas of London, and would stop the cab and show us some names of roads, why they were called them, what type of people lived in the area. Also we saw where Christopher Wren designed St Paul's in a little pub down the side near St Paul's where there is a plaque in the wall. We got out the cab and Rachel told us all about it - and we felt connected to London. It's taken Rachel nearly four years to learn all about London and her passion for the city shines through. If you want a very different experience of London, I would really recommend her - she is also a lovely person with a great sense of humour. She can tailor the tours to suit you and your friends; so if they like art or culture, Rachel will adapt it for you - it's a wonderful experience. My friend has never been on the Thames so Rachel dropped us off and we got a boat down the Thames to St Katherine's dock and back. It was another great experience, this time from the water - there are so many fab things to do in London. We got out of the boat, walked across the road and suddenly my friend said, Come on Trace we are off to Victoria Station in a rickshaw. Well it was so funny - this poor man peddling like mad with two ladies and two lots of luggage delivered us outside Victoria Station. So we had done the train, a Black Cab, a boat, and a rickshaw - now that's the way to travel. Please contact me if you fancy doing the same and I can make your dreams happen.

03 April 2017

Morocco, and Marrakech in particular has been on my travel bucket list for as long as I can remember and last week, I was finally able to visit. Whilst I was excited to see the inside of the beautiful riads and eat as much of the delicious food as I could, the one place that I have dreamed of visiting was Jemaa el-Fna and the souks. As we left our hotel (we were staying at Movenpick Mansour Eddhabi) and drove closer, the big roads began to get narrower and narrower until we were driving in and out of side roads and alleys full of little hole in the wall shops. We were dropped off just outside the entrance to the souks and paired up with a guide. Our guy was called Sami and he was super chilled. Walking ahead, he easily navigated us through the maze of stalls as we all trailed behind; stopping in amazement as we peered into each stall. He stopped every so often to let us catch up although we were all cautious to keep an eye on him because if we got lost in there we'd never get ourselves out! The whole market had a very Arabian nights feel to it. Each street was different whether it was intricate lanterns and men melting metal in their shops, mounds of spice piled up high or leather slippers hanging down from the ceiling. You smell those before you saw them! The market is an experience for all of your senses; if you aren't marvelling at all of the colour, then you are jumping out of the way of a motorbike or trying to ignore the men shouting across for you to come into their shops. It's a very overwhelming experience, but it was absolutely incredible as well! A guide really is a great idea as they know the Souks so well and that way you don't get to miss anything. After that fantastic experience we had dinner in a restaurant called Salama it had low lighting, lots of pictures on the walls and fabulous things dotted around, then we had a show of Belly Dancing, it was great fun, the ladies balance trays on there heads and they are lit candles, I got picked to go up and balance one of these trays and they were very heavy, the food was sharing dishes, lots of Tagines and dishes to try, what a great night we all had. The next day we went off to another hotel called Royal Mansour Hotel and within this hotel you can stay in your very own Riad, very beautifully decorated in Authentic colours and materials, and also great as a family to all have your own private space. After an amazing lunch we were then whisked off to go Go -Karting or cooking and of course I had to have a go at Karting, really was great fun, I certainly wasn't the fastest but really enjoyed it. In the evening we went off to Le Palace for a night of Dancing and great food. The next visit was to Amandier Hotel and personally one hotel I fell in love with, this was at the foothills of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains, breathtaking views and you could walk to the lake that was a vibrant green, stunning, also they cooked lamb in a mud oven for 8 hours and although I don't eat lamb it looked amazing, so was the chicken and the vegetables. With its own villa type accommodations, with lots of outside living it really is the perfect place to chill and unwind. The next morning we were then on our way to Essaouira which is on the coast with stretches of sand and camels on the beach, also the Souk is wider to go into and wasn't as busy so you had lots more time to look and buy things. The hotel we stayed in was the Atlas hotel and Spa and I had a fabulous Sea view room, only 1 night here. That evening we went to the most stunning Restaurant called L'heure Blue, behind these beautiful wooden doors there was oasis of palm trees and flowers in the middle, then above you were Riads. The restaurant was just stunning, food was amazing and had such a lot of atmosphere and its classed as one of the top 10 Restaurants of the world. On this trip I saw 3 different vistas: Marrakech with its busy Souks but tree lined roads, very clean and felt very safe. Then, the foothills of the Atlas Mountains where the air is so clean and the stars are so bright, and then the beautiful coastline of Essaouira to kite surf or just take in the warm sea breeze. I certainly will be going back to Morocco and for a 3-hour journey time from London it’s also a great short break that just feels as though you are somewhere exotic and different and also very safe. I will be recommending my clients and friends and family to go to this wonderful place, and I can not wait to return.

11 August 2016

Roy and I were lucky enough to go to Jamaica at the beginning of June. We went for nine nights and we thought it would be nice to have a twin centre. We haven't had a chilled holiday for quite a while and we really did both need some relaxation. When we checked in I had treated Roy to the No1 Lounge at Heathrow which really is a lovely start to the holiday; hot food, drinks, coffee, quiet relaxing area to sit and chill before your flight. Our flight with BA had really good service, good food, up to date films, drinks and was very comfortable. So we arrived at Montego Bay airport and were whisked to the Sandals VIP area (very nice) and Roy was very happy as they had Red Stripe on tap. Our transfer to Ochi Beach was around 2 hours’ drive. We arrived and were taken to our room which was really lovely. It was in a complex of four with a shared swimming pool outside, four poster bed, bottles of gin, vodka, mini bar with cold beer and soft drinks, tea and coffee. I have been to Sandals Antigua but a long time ago. I love the golf buggies everywhere that take you round as it’s a very large complex. There are two parts to Ochi Beach and you can go from one to another – the two parts do feel very different and it’s lovely to have a change. The food was excellent in all the different restaurants - I ate a lot of fresh fish and we had a lot of Jerk chicken, Asian food and fresh fruit, so lovely! Also the drinks were very good quality - any cocktail was made there and then and premium brands always used. The Caribbean Sea is just so lovely and warm and the sea water is so clear we both swam every day and the beaches were kept very clean. We then moved over to Royal Plantation and had five nights here. We were transferred by golf buggy as it is only five minutes away. There is full butler service which was absolutely amazing! The attention to detail was superb. We had two butlers, Chad and Audell, and we weren't sure how we would feel having butlers. They check you in your own room and show you around which was really nice. All the rooms have a sea view and ours had a French balcony. This hotel is loads smaller and is a really lovely hotel to celebrate a special occasion or just to be pampered for a while. The food was superb again - you can also go to Ochi Beach if you want to go to the other restaurants but can’t do it the other way round. So loads of food to choose from. Afternoon tea here is amazing! All different specialties of teas, sandwiches and cakes - they are well known on the island for this. The butler service was fabulous - they would come down to the beach with fresh fruit for you or get your favourite cocktail and put little nice touches in you room when you get back after a day on the beach. It really was a treat to have and they were also really lovely to talk to. They were never in the way so know exactly how to be. They are all trained in London as it’s the best in the world! We did a couple of excursions from Ochi. Dunns River falls was so amazing, a natural waterfall where you can walk up to the top. However if you can’t make it there are places you can get out at and then back in. Rafting on the River Bray was also not to be missed. Our guide picked fresh mango off the tree for us and almonds. It was so relaxing floating down the river on massive bamboo, sitting on chairs, and we got to see a lot of wildlife along the river and the fabulous noises. There were people selling arts and crafts along the river. It was so memorable and I really would recommend this. Jamaica has a really lovely feeling about it and you really do get to love Reggae - even if you didn't like Bob Marley it just gets under your skin. The people are so friendly with such amazing smiles and I know we will go back again to this beautiful island. I would recommend Jamaica to someone who wants to chill with some amazing weather, swim in the Caribbean Sea which is like a bath and eat some lovely food. Of course if you are a Bob Marley fan then that's the only excuse you need to go as he was born here and you can still see his house in Kingston, and you feel his presence everywhere.

08 August 2016

Valencia sits on the shores of the Mediterranean. It is the third largest city in Spain after Madrid and Barcelona and it has an amazing climate from between 15c to 31c only having around 4/5 weeks a year when it rains and is cooler. We went with some dear friends for a long weekend and at only just over two hours flying time it is perfect for a short break. We stayed at a superb hotel and I really would recommend it to anyone because of location. Westin Valencia has a wonderful courtyard where you can sit and have a drink, a good sized swimming pool and gym if you have any energy after a busy day in the city. There is free Wi-Fi, good sized bedrooms and a breakfast that had everything, even sparkling wine. Valencia is very pretty with coloured stone buildings, a lovely square with an amazing Basilica and a fountain. You can happily sit and have a drink and people watch. Valencia is full of coffee shops and gorgeous pastries and has a very strong coffee culture. There is a wonderful park in Valencia called the Bio Parc. Unlike any zoo I have been to, the animals are separated but by low fences so you can see them all very closely and fences are hidden. We spent most of the day here and the giraffes and gorillas were my favourite. There is also Oceanografic to go and see and we saw a Beluga whale, an amazing dolphin show and the animals were very well looked after. Also you can spend the day on the beach which is only 10 minutes by car from the hotel or hop on a bus which is easy and also very cheap. You can go shopping and then if you want go to the beach - perfect. Valencia has one of the oldest food markets in the Mediterranean and it really is worth a visit. Seeing all the lovely local produce and meat and fish presented beautifully, you can then sit with a drink and tapas inside out of the sun and soak up all the hustle and bustle. A wonderful place. Outside there were people playing music and we sat and ate tapas and paella, a very famous rice dish from this region. The local drink is a sparkling wine with freshly squeezed oranges. Careful as it’s a little too easy to drink! The wine is very good too. Valencia has such a lot to offer; culture, food, and climate. It’s very good value and only a short flight for us. This is a destination I have booked a lot since I got back and we will definitely be going to again in the future.

16 December 2015

I was lucky enough to go to Las Vegas with another group of 10 Travel Counsellors , joined by the Las Vegas Tourist board and also , Sales Executive of British Airways , I went from 2nd -6th December for 4 nights . My journey started in such a lovely way in the executive lounge for British Airways , plenty of lovely food , quiet area away from the hustle and bustle of terminal 3. We went direct on a 747 massive aircraft with an upstairs and were very lucky to experience Club world if you can afford this wonderful experience , your own space , champagne as you get on , good food , and best of all flat beds so you can lie down !! this makes a Hugh difference to how you feel after a 9 hour flight .The transfer from the airport is so near and takes around 20 minutes which is great , we were staying at the Wynn Hotel , Beautiful , I had a Panoramic room overlooking the Golf course , very large room with a lovely spacious Bathroom with a Bath and walk in shower .The Wynn and Encore are next to each other , Encore has a more casual elegant feel to it . We saw 15 hotels when we were there first was Cosmopolitan and I absolutely love this hotel , it has 2995 rooms , oversized living spaces , and private terraces 10,000 sq feet of casino , world class shopping , 3 unique pool experiences , and nightclubs , also the buffet breakfast here was superb . The other hotels we saw were Mandarin Oriental 5 star luxury , Mandalay Bay and new Delano Las Vegas ,Bellagio , Vdara , Aria , Caesars Palace and Nobu , Venetian which is still amazing !!. Linq hotel , planet Hollywood , we had Dinner in a lot of the hotels , or breakfast , and saw at least 2/3 room types in each hotel . Vegas is not all about the Casinos , the highlight of the trip for me was the Helicopter over the Grand Canyon we had around 70 min in the air , saw the Hoover Dam , a volcano , and the colours are incredible, not to be missed , Also we went to see Le Reve The Dream in an aqua theatre , live music , special effects , fantasy and adventure , it was amazing . Also we went to the Mob museum down town near Fremont street , its not for the faint hearted as this was the real Las Vegas in the 20s and 30s a very different place to how it is now !! While I was there I wanted to try all the different kinds of public transport so I can tell my clients so I used a Tram , a bus , a Taxi and the Monorail to get around . Shopping is just incredible !! and I've been to New York a couple of times and I think the shopping is on par with New York definitely ,they are shopping Malls , there is shopping within the hotels , and some top Designers as well and a lot cheaper than here but wow can you spend if you want to , if you have never been you really should go it really does have a wow factor the hotels themselves have so much to offer and see , although children are welcome it is really an Adult play ground , and it has made me want to go back again !! , am not a gambler but there was still plenty for me to do , so don't let that put you off !! , also it was warm during the day , so if you were thinking of a short break with some sun thrown in , then why not consider Las Vegas . I really do think I can now call myself a Las Vegas Expert.

10 October 2014

I have just come back from New York with my family, our daughter was 21 this year and we said for her 21st we would treat her to a visit to the Big Apple. Roy and I went eight years ago and we loved it so much we said we would go back with Hannah. The experience was very different this time as the weather was a superb 82 Fahrenheit - freak weather for the weekend we went which I am so pleased about. When you first arrive in JFK it is a very busy airport so it takes a while to get into the zone. We got a yellow cab to 47th street which is where our hotel was. I must say location wise it was superb and I would stay there again for location. I booked it through our own tour operator Phenix, and being one minute from Times Square was fantastic. New York is so amazing. It’s full of life, energy and really friendly people which was great in a place like this. Anyone we talked to in the shops, bars and restaurants were really friendly. My daughter and I said it makes UK staff seem miserable as nothing seemed too much trouble. We went up the Empire State Building which is just an amazing thing to do and shows you every angle of these incredible buildings. We all spent ages up there and I think Hannah and her boyfriend Jordan were impressed - we even got a good view of Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. A little tip would be to go in the morning early as we only had to wait around 20 minutes and the cost was $29 which was good I thought. In the afternoon we went on the ferry over to the Statue of Liberty as the weather was just superb. It really was amazing to get a look from the water as the skyline was so fab and we got some great photos from that angle and also of Downtown Manhattan and the building they have put in place of the Twin Towers. The colours are just amazing. The cost of the ferry was also $29 each and was a couple of hours, we all really enjoyed it. There is also a bar on board so you can sit and have a drink if you want to. Hannah and I went to Broadway when we were there and we went to see IF/THEN based on the film Sliding Doors. The music was fantastic and it had Hannah’s idol in it, Idina Menzel. She didn't disappoint - she was amazing. The theatre was beautiful, it was a great experience and very magical. A must in New York - it was just around the corner from our hotel. We all walked through Central Park on Saturday and a great day to go as there were lots of locals walking with their partners and family. There were people doing Tai Chi and running and all sorts to be seen. We could have spent ages in Central Park as it is massive and the weather was gorgeous but so much to do and so little time. We even took in the Natural History museum while we were there as all museums were free that weekend and you just donated what you wanted. What a fab idea. We went down to ground zero and I did the 9/11 memorial. I am so amazed at what they have built. My three felt they couldn't go in so I said I would meet them in a couple of hours. It’s hard to put into words what it was like and yes it is emotional as it should never have happened, but I applaud New York for getting right back on track so quickly and also building such a serine place to go and reflect. It’s one of those places you should just go and see and then decide if you can go in to the memorial, it was enough for Roy to just stay and sit for a while. Shopping in New York is fantastic and I would say take as much money as you can afford as you will spend it. We all said it was still cheaper than the UK, although the dollar had dropped from our last visit. Dinner cost around £20 a head I would say mostly, with drinks as well. We went to a really fun diner called Ellen’s and the waiters just break out in song. Many have got jobs on Broadway - its fun. The food was ok but it’s worth it for the experience. We had an amazing time in New York and our four nights went really quickly. If you haven't yet been, put it on your list as you won’t be disappointed - that's a definite.

02 July 2014

I entered a competition last year in our Travel Trade Magazine. In the past I have entered loads and never won a thing, but this time I entered because South Africa has been high up on my list of places to go for a very long time. When the email came through, to say that I had won I was just amazed, so here is my experience. On May 14th 2014, I met my fellow winners at Heathrow. There were only nine of us so it was a nice group of people to share in a fantastic experience. Our flight was with South African Airways who I have to say were very good, the food was good, the leg room was good and air stewards were very attentive. The first stop was Cape Town. We had three nights at Table Bay hotel and were blown away by this beautiful hotel overlooking Table Mountain. They had laid on afternoon tea for us which was superb. Prices for afternoon tea were so cheap at around £11 - better than the Ritz! Next day we did a walking tour of Cape Town and Adderley St flower market which wasn't fair as we couldn't bring any home! Then our first cooking experience at Bo Kaap malay cooking school which was great fun cooking local curries. This evening we went to Amazink in Kayamandi for dinner and a cabaret. Fantastic singing and an unforgettable theatrical experience and well worth a visit. Next day we went up Table Mountain on a cable car. The views up there are incredible, overlooking the rugged coastline and the white that covers the rock unique to Table Mountain, they call it a table cloth. This afternoon we went to Boulder Beach to see the penguin colony (again with amazing scenery) then off to Hout Bay Harbour Market to have a wine tasting with fish and meat. Today we fly to from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth to Hog Hollow Plettenberg Bay to meet our Chef Big Joe to cook for the guests and have a cookery lesson. What a fantastic place. Hog Hollow is in the middle of the forest overlooking high trees. There are monkeys around you and you really feel at peace, we had a lovely walk next to the monkey sanctuary when we arrived. I didn't want to leave! We had a successful evening cooking and meeting the guests, sitting round the open fire watching an amazing electrical storm. We woke up and went horse riding which was a bit scary as I haven't been on a horse for 30 years. The stables were really well looked after and the staff could not do enough for you. Once I got on the horse I was fine and we went into a field overlooking the countryside. That afternoon we were diving for mussels and oysters and then to taste them. This is an experience I will never forget. The Atlantic Ocean was really cold but we did have wet suits on. The sea was quite rough so it was hard to get out but we did make it. The oysters are amazing -far better than I’ve ever tasted and coming from Whitstable that's saying something. I am amazed at how much you can do along the Garden Route, from the world’s biggest bungee jump to diving with sharks, to white water rafting or wine tasting and eating fabulous food at such a ridiculously cheap price. Or just taking in the most amazing scenery. Next day we got up and were flying from George Airport to Johannesburg to meet the three other teams at The Palace of the Lost City, Sun City in NW Province. This was our home for the last three days of our trip. We used the massive industrial kitchens. There were three of us and we had the chefs whites on and the hat and we started our cooking. We presented canapes, fresh oysters, wild mussels in a white wine sauce with pasta and spinach, bush pig (wild boar) with a honey glaze, Kei apple sauce, homemade mustard with a sweet potato rosti and roasted beetroot. Dessert was a prickly pear sorbet with a honeybush crème brulee. We had to match the correct wine with the food, and there is a lot to choose from I can tell you. It was like being on Master Chef as we were given a limited amount of time and we were filmed throughout. We then had to present this to the head chefs of Sun City. What a fantastic experience it was for us all and we worked really well together as well. We finished our competition and then we went out to an elephant interaction, again something I will always remember. These are wild elephants and we were able to feed them, putting the food into the end of their trunk or, if you were brave, in their mouth. What beautiful animals these are! They are so intelligent and they look at you and study your face. Dinner was at Santornini in Cascades in Sun City that night with really lovely Greek food. We had two birthdays to celebrate so we had a great evening. Again it was such good value with fantastic wine as well. Sun City is a great stop off on the way back to Johannesburg. There is a massive swimming pool, loads for children to do and a casino, cinema and famous golf course where all the great players have come. We enjoyed an early morning game drive, only around 20 minutes from Sun City. We were lucky as this was my first game drive and I was lucky enough to see a lion, a black rhino, giraffes, wild boar and springbok. It was amazing. It was then home time and I must say it had me wanting to go back to this most amazing country. It just has so much to offer. It’s fascinating listening about Nelson Mandela and the respect for him they have. The scenery is so spectacular and there is so much food to choose from and wine tasting you can do. I could go on and on. Their winter starts in April, spring starts in September and a lot of locals I spoke to said it is a good time to go. I will be going back for sure.

07 December 2013

When I worked for Thomas Cook I was lucky enough to go on a fully escorted tour through the Rockies on the beautiful Rocky Mountaineer. I went in the month of June, a lovely time of the year to go. There were around 42 passengers and there were six of us who were from Thomas Cook. I was picked up by Hallmark Cars which was a lovely start to my adventure. I was taken to the airport, checked in and then shown to the VIP lounge which if you haven't yet done is a must. We flew with Air Canada who were very good. We arrived on time and our cases were whisked off to our first stop; Aspen Lodge Hotel in Banff in a great location. On day two our driver took us around the area and we saw the famous hot springs in Banff and the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. Wow - what a lovely hotel! We also we saw the Bow Falls; our guide was really knowledgeable about the surrounding area which is exactly what you want, he also had a good sense of humour too. We then visited Mountain Vistas Lakes and Cannons. The highlight for me today was that I saw three black bears which were on the railway line as they find food. We also saw Elk; the driver saw them first and then stopped for us to get a photo. We then drove into Yaho National Park and saw Moraine Lake. It was like someone had dipped paint in the water and mixed to give a green emerald colour. My next stop was my favourite as we saw three waterfalls surrounded by tall pine trees which was stunning. We were able to get next to the waterfall and the energy was incredible, it makes you realise how diverse the landscape is here. We then went from Banff to Jasper. The scenery is breath-taking. We spotted white fluffy mountain goats and we stopped at the Mountain Park Lodge Hotel which is a nice hotel in a good location for the station. We were taken to the Columbian ice fields and went on a snow coach ice explorer and were able to walk on the glacier which was a fantastic memorable experience. We were up bright and early the next day and the sun was shining. We were picked up in an old school bus and taken to Athabasca River where we all had to wear ponchos and life jackets and got in rubber dinghies. The water was crystal clear and it was really good fun going down the mini rapids. I had to pinch myself sometimes as I couldn't believe that I was really seeing all this amazing scenery. On our sixth day we went from Jasper to Kamloops Train Red Leaf. I was so excited today as the train was fantastic. There was good food and plenty of it. We had tea, coffee and soft drinks and as we went past a waterfall or a lake the train would slow down to let you take photos. The sound of the train was so lovely and every so often she would sound her horn. We also went from Kamloops to Vancouver Gold where we were escorted on the train and taken to our seats; big wide seats that can recline and also swivel round so you won’t miss anything. If you are a party of four you can all sit together - I personally think the extra money is well worth it. You are up very high and the roof and sides are glass, so as you go along you can see everything. Also there is a first and second sitting for breakfast and lunch. We were taken downstairs into a separate part of the train and it felt like you were in a lovely restaurant with white linen table cloths, silver cutlery and lovely food. We had scrambled eggs and caviar and the scenery was changing all the time. The viewing carriage was much bigger so you could stay outside as the train was going along and get some amazing shots. I saw loads of eagles, red deer and birds I didn't recognise. Again, if the driver saw something he would slow down. While there I also experienced a city tour of Vancouver, the Victoria North Island Butchart gardens where we saw black squirrel and lots of last minute shopping at loads of shopping malls. The Rocky Mountaineer is amazing, breath taking, memorable and nature at its best. Wow!

07 December 2013

Sri Lanka is a destination I have always wanted to go to as I have a dear friend whose father is Sri Lankan and I have known the family for many years. I have always wanted to see the children’s orphanage they have set up themselves. Deciding my itinerary was a joy because I had the treat of my friend Sharmani’s mum and dad spending the afternoon with me going through the places we must see, hotels we must stay in and locations to be in. Once we had got that right, I was able to put this together. The flight we had chosen was Qatar Airlines as they offer five star service, very good service although we had to stop in Doha both ways. When we go again I would definitely choose a direct service as it is a long flight and you do feel tired! Next year BA start a service so that will be fab. Our first stop was Colombo. We stayed at Mount Lavinia Hotel which is a fantastic hotel with its own private beach. Within an hour of us being there we went down to the beach and as we were coming up the stairs an elephant’s trunk pressed against my husband’s stomach - it was so funny! The hotel has a very colonial feel and is very famous in Sri Lanka. We spent four days there. We had our own personal driver, Raja, who was so lovely. My friend’s father had organised this for us and it is very normal to have one in this country. We learnt so much from him, there is loads going on in Columbo and it’s a great place to start. Next stop was Galle Jetwings lighthouse and spa which was a fabulous hotel in a lovely location overlooking the sea. From here we wanted to go down to Dondra Point as at this time of year the blue whales migrate. We went out on a fishing boat whale watching. We went out 30 kilometres which seems a very long way in a small fishing boat. Although we didn't see the blue whale we did see three whales. It was pretty scary stuff though as the crew just follow the other boats and you have to hang on for dear life! Our next stop was Chaaya village Habarana. Although the hotel was not as nice as the Jetwings we saw some amazing wildlife here. We hired bikes one afternoon and went along the river on a path alongside this and we had to pass an elephant. It was mad - I couldn't quite believe I was overtaking an elephant on a bike! We also saw a Kingfisher down on the river and loads of white monkeys, swinging through the trees. We spent three nights here and then went to an elephant orphanage on the way. We also visited Cinnamon Citadel Kandy. We had a very memorable time here as they were celebrating the full moon and we went to the temple of the tooth on that evening where we lit candles and watched all the families offering prayers. I’ll never forget that experience. Thanks to our driver Raja who suggested this. The next day we climbed Sigiriya rock which is just amazing. Inside there are fabulous ancient drawings on the stone. If I am honest when we saw the metal stairs going up I was a bit nervous and Roy suffers with bad knees so I wasn't sure we would make it to the top! We had some amazing men who literally held Roy both sides and helped him up. He called them walking hand rails and that’s why they were so funny. The view from the top is just breath-taking, overlooking the rain forest. It would be a shame not to do this. The next stop was Jetwings St Andrews Nuwara Eliya for two nights. We went to see the tea plantations with such breath taking scenery. All the tea is cut at the same level and the women had their baskets on their backs. We also visited a tea factory and had some tea. It’s very cold up there so you need to be prepared. There is so much to say about this country, the people, the food and the culture. We will return soon!

13 November 2013

How lucky was I last Saturday when four friends and I went on Arcadia with P&O. We visited Bruges and Amsterdam and had four nights away. We got a taxi down to Southampton which made it very easy and when we saw Arcadia I thought she was beautiful, very elegant and not too large either. From the moment we got on board we were treated so well. We had lunch while our cases went to our cabin. The staff on board Arcadia were excellent and nothing was too much trouble. The ship was pristine, the staff were constantly cleaning and seemed happy. We set sail at around 5pm and we had a fab sail away party waving our union jack flags around all singing and dancing with lots of champagne flowing. I knew we were going to have such a good time as everyone was in such high spirits and we hadn't even gone to see our cabins yet! We shared a 3 berth cabin and my friends were next door in a 2 berth. We had outside cabins as we like the natural light coming through and you can see when you are going into a port. They were a good size especially (as you can imagine) we had rather a lot of clothes but we had plenty of space. Our evening meal was a special experience. We had cocktails before dinner with lots of chatting and laughing and the cocktails were very reasonably priced at around £4.75 which I don’t think is bad at all. At dinner we always sat at the same table upstairs which was so elegant and the menu was just to die for. Everything we chose was delicious and like eating in a very good quality restaurant each evening. As it was so good we decided eat our breakfast in the same restaurant as well, but if you didn't want to it wasn't a problem as you could go to the buffet restaurant and help yourself with lots to choose from. Our first stop Bruges was so easy to get to; all you do is jump on one of the coaches outside and go to the train station and then jump on the train to Bruges. Once there it is a 10 minute walk into Bruges which is such a pretty place full of cobbled streets, chocolate shops and great beer. They also have a fantastic market three times a year and it just happened to be on. We all saw things we wanted but couldn't carry them! We all had a lovely time and then got back on the train and bus to the cruise ship and ready for our next adventure. That evening we were treated to a fantastic show featuring the man who played Simba in the Lion King in the West End. He was brilliant so we all enjoyed that and chatted to him after the show. Again it was so easy to get into Amsterdam - we just walked in. I loved Amsterdam and as I had never been I didn't quite know what to expect! It is so pretty, full of canals, bikes everywhere, little coffee shops, lovely one-off shops, great buildings and pretty houses. Went to Anne Frank’s house where we had to queue for around 45 minutes and it was only nine euros to get in. I found it very moving but also very sad although I was pleased I went. Again, a lovely day was had by all. We went back to the ship for another lovely evening of fine food and laughter. The next day was at sea and really relaxing. That evening we all dressed up in our long dresses. Everyone looked so lovely with a great atmosphere and of course fab food.

13 November 2013

I have just come back from a lovely week away with my husband Roy. We went to a place called Ozdere which is about 45 minutes from Kushadasi. We stayed in a very nice five star hotel called Poloma Pasha which we could not fault. The food was superb and everything was very good quality. It was overlooking the Aegean coast, the sea is just so blue and clear, the only thing is it did feel a little chilly. I have been to Turkey about seven or eight times now. I just love it, the reason being that it doesn't matter where you go in Turkey (it is a large country) each place feels different. I love the hustle and bustle of the markets. I love the bartering for goods and I love all the fake designer things you can get. The phrase was "this is genuine fake "if there is such a thing! Also there are so many wonderful things to see. You have Pumukala, the natural salt deposits which just look like snow from a distance. You have Ephesus, the ancient ruins which is a good place to visit from where we stayed, about three hours away. We went in October which is a really lovely time to go as its still warm enough to get a tan but not too hot. Also, the trees were full of oranges (mandarins) which always remind me of Christmas, and I saw a Pomegranate tree which I’ve never seen before along with lemon trees and loads of lovely herbs as the hotel has a little herb garden. Food in turkey is wonderful with lots of fish, chicken, fruits, pulses, salads, stuffed peppers, cheeses, local honey, baklava (a sweet pastry) and of course Turkish delight. You could even have that for your breakfast! The local market is well worth a visit with very good quality clothes, leather, and shoes. You have to haggle - they expect you too apparently. Halve what the price is and go from there. The hotel had a really lovely spa and Roy and I had a Turkish bath (it is just the best). You feel so good afterwards; they massage you with olive oil soap which is put in a cotton pillow case with water. This then puffs up and they put the foam all over you and work their magic. The local transport is so cheap to get around costing around £1.50 equivalent to go miles. It’s a little mini bus called a Dulmus which is an experience as they cram you in. We were sitting on a wheel arch on a box but it gets you from A to B and is again the charm of Turkey. Also a lovely boat trip around the coast is well worth doing but be careful as you do catch the sun. It’s very cheap to do. If you haven't been to Turkey yet then try it out for yourself, you won’t be disappointed. If you would like me to have a look for you to see what’s available or any advice please give me a call or email me. I would be more than happy to help. Happy Travelling.

13 November 2013

I have just come back from a lovely week away with my husband Roy. We went to a place called Ozdere which is about 45 minutes from Kushadasi. We stayed in a very nice five star hotel called Poloma Pasha which we could not fault. The food was superb and everything was very good quality. It was overlooking the Aegean coast, the sea is just so blue and clear, the only thing is it did feel a little chilly. I have been to Turkey about seven or eight times now. I just love it, the reason being that it doesn't matter where you go in Turkey (it is a large country) each place feels different. I love the hustle and bustle of the markets. I love the bartering for goods and I love all the fake designer things you can get. The phrase was "this is genuine fake "if there is such a thing! Also there are so many wonderful things to see. You have Pumukala, the natural salt deposits which just look like snow from a distance. You have Ephesus, the ancient ruins which is a good place to visit from where we stayed, about 3 hours away. We went in October which is a really lovely time to go as its still warm enough to get a tan but not too hot. Also, the trees were full of oranges (mandarins) which always remind me of Christmas, and I saw a Pomegranate tree which I’ve never seen before along with lemon trees and loads of lovely herbs as the hotel has a little herb garden. Food in turkey is wonderful with lots of fish, chicken, fruits, pulses, salads, stuffed peppers, cheeses, local honey, baklava (a sweet pastry) and of course Turkish delight. You could even have that for your breakfast! The local market is well worth a visit with very good quality clothes, leather, and shoes. You have to haggle - they expect you too apparently. Halve what the price is and go from there. The hotel had a really lovely spa and Roy and I had a Turkish bath (it is just the best). You feel so good afterwards; they massage you with olive oil soap which is put in a cotton pillow case with water. This then puffs up and they put the foam all over you and work their magic. The local transport is so cheap to get around costing around £1.50 equivalent to go miles. It’s a little mini bus called a Dulmus which is an experience as they cram you in. We were sitting on a wheel arch on a box but it gets you from A to B and is again the charm of Turkey. Also a lovely boat trip around the coast is well worth doing but be careful as you do catch the sun. It’s very cheap to do. If you haven't been to Turkey yet then try it out for yourself, you won’t be disappointed. If you would like me to have a look for you to see what’s available or any advice please give me a call or email me. I would be more than happy to help. Happy Travelling.