09 October 2023

Are you craving the perfect escape to paradise? Look no further than the breath-taking destinations of Cancun, Isla Mujeres, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum in Mexico. With their stunning beaches, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant nightlife, these four gems offer a vacation experience like no other. I took a 14 day trip to Mexico and here are the sites we took in: Cancun: The Gateway to Tropical Bliss We began our journey in Cancun, the ultimate gateway to tropical paradise. Known for its pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and luxury resorts, Cancun is the perfect place to unwind and soak up the sun. Relax on the powdery white sands of Playa Delfines, where the turquoise sea stretches as far as the eye can see. But Cancun is more than just a beach destination. Immerse yourself in the local culture by exploring the Mayan ruins of Tulum or taking a day trip to the ancient city of Chichen Itza. For thrill-seekers, there are adventure parks like Xcaret and Xel-Ha, offering zip-lining, snorkelling, and underground river tours. Isla Mujeres: A Tranquil Paradise A short ferry trip from Cancun lies Isla Mujeres, a tranquil island escape. This hidden gem is famous for its serene atmosphere and crystal-clear waters. Snorkelers and divers will be in awe of the colourful coral reefs and marine life that call this island home. Explore the charming downtown area, where you'll find artisan shops, delicious seafood restaurants, and a relaxed island vibe. Don't forget to rent a golf cart and tour the island, stopping at Punta Sur to witness the breathtaking views from the southernmost point of Mexico. Playa del Carmen: Eclectic Vibes by the Sea Just down the coast from Cancun, Playa del Carmen offers an eclectic blend of beach life, shopping, and nightlife. The vibrant Fifth Avenue, or "Quinta Avenida," is the heart of the city, where you can shop for unique souvenirs, dine at international restaurants, and experience the buzzing nightlife at beachfront clubs. During the day, explore the nearby natural wonders like Xcaret Eco-Archaeological Park, where you can swim in underground rivers and learn about Mexico's ecological and cultural heritage. Xplor Park offers adrenaline-pumping adventures with zip-lines and off-road vehicle excursions. Tulum: The Bohemian Beach Paradise Lastly, your journey takes you to Tulum, a bohemian paradise where the jungle meets the sea. Known for its trendy beachfront resorts, Tulum offers a unique blend of luxury and eco-consciousness. Wake up to the sound of the waves in your beachfront cabana and enjoy yoga sessions overlooking the turquoise waters. Tulum's charm extends beyond its beaches. Explore the ancient Tulum Ruins perched on a cliff overlooking the sea, offering a glimpse into Mayan history and culture. Cenotes, natural sinkholes filled with crystal-clear freshwater, are scattered throughout the area and provide a refreshing escape from the heat. In conclusion, a trip to Cancun, Isla Mujeres, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum is a dream vacation that combines relaxation, adventure, and cultural exploration. Whether you're lounging on pristine beaches, exploring ancient ruins, or dancing the night away, these Mexican destinations have something for everyone. Start planning your unforgettable journey to paradise today with me, for further details feel free to drop me a message. Catherine

09 October 2023

As a Travel Counsellor passionate about creating dream escapes, there's one destination that always tops my list for winter getaways - Lapland. This enchanting Arctic region offers a magical experience like no other. Join me on a journey through Lapland as we explore the reasons why you should go, the fantastic activities for everyone, and the top-notch hotels for a cozy stay. Let's dive into the top reasons why Lapland should be your next travel destination, that will have you packing your bags in no time. Top 5 Reasons to Visit Lapland: Santa's Hometown: Where else can you visit Santa Claus himself? Lapland is Santa's official residence, and a trip here brings the enchantment of Christmas to life, making it a magical destination for families. Northern Lights Extravaganza: Lapland's pristine skies are a canvas for the dazzling Northern Lights. Witnessing this celestial spectacle is reason enough to visit. Winter Adventure Playground: Lapland offers a myriad of thrilling activities, from husky sledding and snowmobiling to ice fishing and reindeer safaris. It's an adventurer's paradise. Unspoiled Nature: Lapland's landscapes, with snow-covered forests and frozen lakes, provide a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Unique Accommodation: Stay in one-of-a-kind accommodations, such as glass igloos, where you can watch the Northern Lights from your bed, or ice hotels for a truly memorable experience. Activities: Meet Santa Claus: Lapland is the only place where your little ones can meet Santa Claus himself in his charming village, they can even send postcards with an Arctic Circle postmark. There is an authentic ice bar to have a drink and look around. See the Santa Claus village at: https://santaclausvillage.info/ Once there you can cross the Arctic Circle and even get a certificate. Husky Rides: Adults and kids alike will delight in husky sled rides through the snowy wilderness. It's an unforgettable experience that fosters a connection with these friendly dogs. In Santa’s village they provide husky trips through the forest and you can melt marshmallows by the fire outdoors as you wait for your ride to begin. Snowmobile Adventures: Rev up your excitement with snowmobile safaris, exploring Lapland's pristine backcountry with a stop for a warm drink to keep you going. Children and adults can join in on this activity, age dependant of course. Snow Play: Building snowmen, snowball fights, and tobogganing down snowy hills are timeless childhood pleasures that Lapland delivers in abundance. A visit to Lapland is such an unforgettable experience for both adults and children alike. Contact me for further information on how to book your magical trip, some activities may change depending on weather and availability, places are limited so the earlier you get booked in the better.

09 October 2023

A few years ago I went to Australia on a work travel visit with 4 friends and had the time of my life. On the way I stopped in Thailand and Taiwan and also took a trip of both the North and South islands of New Zealand on my way home. My itinerary for Australia was as follows: We flew into Sydney and started with all the famous sites, Sydney Opera house, the botanical gardens and got a taste if the amazing night life that the city has to offer. Then went on to Byron Bay by bus which took roughly 13 hours. The town is very beautiful and has a lovely laid back vibe. We stayed by the beach for a few weeks and didn’t find much in the way of work at the time so we decided to make our way to Melbourne. Melbourne is a bustling city with plenty to do. We situated ourselves in St.Kilda, a popular place close to the city. Found jobs and checked out many of the sites like Melbourne museum, the great ocean road which has a beautiful view of the twelve apostles and of course checked out the many restaurants and popular night life spots in town. After a few months we felt like we had gotten to know Melbourne very well and wanted a new adventure, we had heard that there was quite a bit of work in remote areas so we flew to Perth to find out more. We stayed a few days in Perth to check out the sites. Then got in contact with an agency who split us up and sent some off to a mining town and myself to a town called Kalgoorlie to work in a remote bar. This work is quite popular to service the secluded towns who are short staffed, so we were all up for it. I was matched with a bar and worked on getting to know the friendly locals who invited me to activities on the weekends which was fun. This lasted a few weeks to raise some funds for the next adventure. We all met back up in Perth and decided to group up with other friends and travel up the west coast of Australia and what a great idea it was. We drove from Perth to The Pinnacles, which is slightly inland from Port Headland but are well worth the visit. They are limestone formations within Nambung National Park that stand up majestically and are so out of the ordinary. We had heard of Hutt Lagoon which is a natural pink lake formed with the combination of algae and salt. So we had to get some pics there, since 2017 the lakes haven’t been so pink which is a shame as it was an ideal place to snap up pics for your social media. Close by is was a micronation of Australia, previously called the Hutt River Province that was run by one of its locals Leonard Casely who we took photos with and he showed us around. We took a stop at Shell Beach which was literally full of shells and very little sand to see which was stunning. Monkey Mia was next on the itinerary where we watched dolphins com very close to the shore which was the perfect photo opportunity. Then on to Broome which is well known for its stunning Cable beach where you can take a sunset camel ride. We didn’t stay long because we wanted to visit Derby, which is home to the Boab prison tree which is roughly 1,500 years old a tree that hasn’t been confirmed but may have housed prisoners at one stage. There are beautiful gorges in a town called Katherine that we visited to cool off, the weather was very hot and dry, even our water was warm to drink. The views are amazing and many walkways through them makes it feel almost like cave structures for some parts. We had driven quite far so we decided at this point to fly from Darwin to Cairns. Cairns is a beautiful city and the gateway to the great barrier reef and here I took my scuba diving licence PADI. The water was a small bit murky on the day due to the weather conditions but we still managed to see baby shark, fish, coral and a strange looking brown sea cucumber. After spending much time on the road we took a job in an outback bar 12 hours’ drive from Cairns. It was in a town called Cloncurry. Here the locals were friendly and showed us around, even brought us out fishing where we only managed to catch catfish but it was an amazing opportunity and they told us the water was infested with “crocs”. The sunsets were spectacular and the birds that flocked in the evening had all kinds of fabulous colours. After saving up some money we made our way back to Cairns and flew down to Brisbane, a few weeks there and then on to New Zealand. I went solo to visit the north and souths islands as I knew it would be a long time before I made it to this side of the world again. Australia is still my favourite place in the whole world to visit, it’s so diverse, from the beautiful beaches of the Gold coast, the mountains in New South Wales, natural beauty of the west coast and of course the stunning brown colours of “Uluru” in the Outback. The people are welcoming and friendly, transport is excellent so its easy to get around, safe, family friendly with many outdoor parks with water features and of course the BBQ areas which are free to use in most places. There is something for everyone in Australia so why not reach out and we can discuss more. Plus I have recently received my “Aussie specialist” badge so I am equipped to provide good suggestions on where to go and what to do while on your trip to Australia. Catherine