26 June 2019

I have been fortunate with my work to have experienced many cruise ships over the years, but it has also taken me many years to convince my sceptical husband that a cruise would make a great holiday for our family. In July 2017 we finally took our first 10-night cruise around the Greek Islands on Celebrity Reflection. They loved it so much that we have taken a cruise every year since as per below: July 2017 – Celebrity Reflection – Concierge Class Balcony cabin – 10 Nights Greek Islands (Italy, Malta and Greece) July 2018 – Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas – Inside Promenade View cabin – 7 Nights Mediterranean (Spain, France and Italy) April 2019 – Celebrity Edge – Sky Suite – 7 Nights Caribbean Cruise (Key West, Grand Cayman and Mexico) Why the family now loves cruising……. My husband Daragh loves the general atmosphere when cruising as there is always a buzz about the place that can sometimes be lacking in certain resorts. He feels so relaxed and able to enjoy himself knowing the kids are also having an incredible time and safe. He loves the mix of people on the cruise and that you never know who you might meet or end up talking to. He particularly enjoys the excellent gym facilities along with being able to experience the speciality restaurants in the evening, but also having the option to bring the kids or dine out with me. My thirteen-year-old son Jack loves the freedom he has when cruising. He can hang out at the teenage club with other kids his own age and not have to stay with his sister. He does not really like lying in the sun or swimming much therefore he really enjoys that there are lots of alternative activities onboard he can partake in like the games room, the maze, X box tournaments, zip lining, Flow rider (the surfing simulator) arcade games etc. He loves being able to go for a snack when he feels like it and hang out in the cabin when he wants some downtime. For his thirteenth birthday he got to experience one of the coolest dining experiences ever at Le Petit Chef on Celebrity Edge one of their speciality restaurants and a must if on this ship with kids. My nine-year-old daughter Charlotte tried rock climbing for the first time on Royal Caribbean and discovered a new passion. She enjoys the swimming pools, waterslides, watching her Dad be hypnotized on stage during a show and sipping on Shirley Temple mocktails. I love being able to just unpack once yet be able to visit different destinations and completely relax. It is great letting the kids have some independence to go off on their own and explore the ship knowing they are completely safe and secure something I cannot do in a normal resort holiday. The biggest thrill I got however was when I asked them all what they loved about cruising to write this blog they all instantly had a smile on their face when faced with the prospect of talking about their favourite things to do and questioning how long till the next cruise. For my family this is the perfect holiday that we will all be able to enjoy in future years together no matter how old they get. What’s next for the cruise addict family? In July 2020 we will be sailing off again from Southampton for 14 nights on Royal Caribbean Anthem of the Seas in a Junior Suite exploring Lisbon, Madeira and the Canary Islands. I am looking forward to experiencing the Ripcord iFly (indoor skydiving) and the 300ft above sea level views from the North Star (an observational pod attached to a giant arm) available on this particular class of ship. I highly recommend a cruise holiday, it does not discriminate against one’s demographic it works for singles, couples (of all ages), families travelling with a range of different ages and generations, even hen or stag holidays (especially some of the shorter cruise trips). It is most important however to pick the right cruise ship for your requirements and this is what I specialise in and can really help you find the right cruise for you!

18 February 2018

This was my first time to South America and like many Machu Picchu had always been on my bucket list. Machu Picchu did not fail to impress me and Peru itself opened my eyes that the country has more than just one attraction! Peru is such an amazing country to visit full of diversity, culture and interesting history. Exodus Travel was our host on this incredible 12-night Travel Counsellors exclusive tour of Peru. Exodus as a tour company I would highly recommend, extremely professional, well organised and our tour guide Bruce was so knowledgeable and took such great care of us all. Flying direct from London with British Airways, our adventure started in the city of Lima. Kennedy square was in walking distance from our hotel and this is a great area to eat out at night. Lima is worth at least a couple of nights stay as part of a trip to Peru and the city has some great sights to explore and all on the coastline. Modern shopping mixed with colonial architecture, walk along the seafront while watching all the parasailing off the cliffs. You can even find a statue of the illusive Paddington bear on the promenade! While exploring the colonial side of Lima we included a visit to the Monastery of San Francisco, a seventeenth-century complex that houses some wonderful mosaics and paintings, as well as the catacombs which run under the church. The tour started and ended in Lima. We went down the coast to Paracas for an excursion to the Ballestas Islands then to see the Nazca Lines, which were fascinating and like much of the history of Peru no one is entirely certain how or why they are there. Onto Arequipa, Puno and Lake Titicaca, over to Cusco, Sacred Valley and train up to Machu Picchu for a day trip and back to Cusco before flying back to Lima. It was a busy itinerary but gave a great overview of this interesting country. My personal highlights included the following; • Touring a Pisco distillery to see the process of the traditional Peruvian Pisco drink. A tasting of the various flavours they can produce and purchasing a couple of bottles to bring home! • Having lunch at the Huaccachina Oasis overlooking the lake. I was not expecting desert dunes and an oasis in the middle of Peru, so this was an unexpected highlight for me. Going out in the buggy, over the dunes and then sand boarding was one of my favourite experiences of the trip! • Our full day boat tour of Lake Titicaca where we went out and hiked on Taquile Island and then spent time with one of the small communities of the 17 Uros-Tintos Floating Islands. We were given a traditional welcome before learning how they build their reed islands and boats and their way of life before being invited in to their homes. How they lived was just such an experience and so different to the way of life I know. • Machu Picchu, yes of course it was going to be a highlight! Just incredible to see and no surprise why it brings in around a million visitors a year. We did not have time to hike the Inca trail and had the comfortable journey by train and then bus journey up to the site itself. The train journey was fabulous amazing scenery and excellent standard in either first or economy class. The area introduced eucalyptus trees from Australia around the early 1900’s and the gum trees are everywhere. I felt very at home reminded me of being back in Victoria Australia! My tips for travelling to Peru: • Eating out was inexpensive and excellent quality. I could not bring myself to try the guinea pig on offer but did enjoy the Alpaca and my personal favourite were the empanadas! Quite happy to return and drink a Pisco sour and empanada! • To help with altitude sickness coca tea is readily available at most hotels. I drank it every day and enjoyed it with fresh mint. You can also chew on the coca leaves and the many coca products available including cookies, toffees, mints etc. • Have lots of small coins, one sol gets a toilet visit and bring your own extra toilet paper. • Be well covered up and use insect repellent when visiting Machu Picchu. • Take your time when arriving in a high-altitude area such as Puno – if you can take a day to adjust before going on any big hikes it would be ideal and remember to just walk slow and consistently sip water. • Don’t worry about packing any jumpers, hats, gloves etc – there are great markets everywhere with fantastic alpaca knitted items at low prices – you will want to pick up a few bits and pieces so ensure you have space in your case! I look forward to returning in the future and would love to bring my husband and kids. The dry season and the best times to travel to Peru is from May to October, making a great trip for my children during their school holidays. I would love to further explore this country and see the Amazon and walk the Inca Trail.

19 February 2017

Seychelles has always been on the top of my wish list of places to visit and it did not disappoint. If you are looking for natural beauty, incredible beaches and basically paradise then you must visit the Seychelles too. Swimming in the clear blue waters and looking back at the beautiful sandy beach with dense tropical foliage it is hard to make out the fabulous five-star resort hidden behind this beautifully preserved coastline. Then to my delight a Hawksbill turtle makes its way up on the beach I have just walked on to lay its eggs. There are not many places on earth where nature and a luxury resort can co-exist and this is just part of the reason I found the Seychelles such a special place. I flew with Turkish Airlines to the main island of Mahe where we stayed at the Constance Ephelia a great resort for both couples and families. I went zip lining through the tropical gorge in the resort an experience I was not expecting to find and enjoyed sushi, alfresco looking over yet another gorgeous beach. A one hour ferry ride then brings you to the next biggest island Praslin. You can take a short plane ride if you prefer to fly. Praslin is home to the UNESCO World Heritage site, Vallee de Mai where you can see the unique Coco de Mer palms. Its seeds are the largest and heaviest in the world. Considered one of the world’s best beaches, Anse Lazio is also worth a visit. I would recommend going for lunch at Bonbon Plume right on Anse Lazio beach. Enjoy a beer or a swim in the sea while your seafood lunch is cooking. A main course here starts at around €20 and a local beer approx. €6. On Praslin we stayed at Coco de Mer hotel and the Constance Lemuria resort. The Coco de Mer has a lovely personal feel to it and a great base to stay to explore the area. If you love your golf you will particularly love the Constance Lemuria resort. I highly recommend a day trip we did from Praslin to the nearby island of La Digue. Arriving on the island by the short 15-minute ferry ride from Praslin, bikes would be a popular way to get around the island for the day. We had an open truck to tour around in and after a quick tour of the island went to Grand Anse beach for a swim. This was pure magic and one of my favorite beaches of all time. I love to swim and this is a perfect beach for that. Small waves, clear water, sandy bottom and a shack selling a few drinking coconuts. We then went onto L’Union estate where you can see the Aldabra giant tortoise and then enjoy the most famous and photographed beach in the Seychelles Anse Source D’Argent. La Digue is a laid-back island and well worth a visit to mix among the locals. Back on Mahe we finished at a lovely boutique hotel Carana Beach. Within about 30mins of Mahe airport this is a perfect spot to either start or finish your trip to the Seychelles. Seychelles is one of those places that not only lived up to but exceeded my expectations. I would endeavor to visit it once again.

11 September 2014

What’s the first thing you’d do? It’s a classic question on a well-known ad in Ireland by the National lottery and after only five days there, I too would pick the Bahamas to spoil my friends and family if I won the lotto! Luckily I didn’t need to win as I was totally spoilt to this trip of a lifetime. Our direct flight to Nassau from Heathrow was with BA and they depart 5 days a week. The inflight entertainment just happened to be showing the film ‘The Other Woman’, which has scenes shot from both properties that we were about to stay in, this got us all in the mood for a fun trip ahead. The first three nights we stayed at The Cove (primarily aimed at Adults only) at The Atlantis resort. The magnificent entrance check in area set the scene for a five star experience at this resort and all the rooms have plenty of space with a luxury contemporary feel. The big advantage of The Cove within The Atlantis is access to their very hip and cool ‘Cain’ pool area. This is a great people spotting area, where the DJ plays and everyone drinks cocktails, champagne and dances in and around the pool area. While enjoying the Cain we were right beside Michael Jordan who was in the outdoor casino area right beside the pool! The Atlantis is a large resort and is made up of the Beach Towers, Coral Towers, Royal Towers, The Reef and The Cove. Linked by a free shuttle between the hotels it is easy and quick to get around the resort and experience all it has to offer. There is something for everyone at this resort of all budgets and big variety of restaurants, bars, casinos and top class facilities. The food throughout our stay was of a high standard and we experienced breakfast at a variety of the hotels within the resort and a variety of the restaurants including Mesa Grill, Virgil’s BBQ and my favourite Seafire restaurant located at the Marina Village, I highly recommend the lobster tail. The Marina Village has a variety of shops and restaurants and in the evening the Carnival parade was great fun through the street. We also danced the night away at Aura Nightclub located in Atlantis and one of the top nightclubs in the Bahamas. We were fortunate to not only explore the behind the scenes tour of Dolphin Cay but also have a dance and kiss from ‘Toni’ one of the Atlantis dolphins. Atlantis also hosts concerts throughout the year and we enjoyed seeing the outdoor concert of Rascal Flatts while at the resort. The kids club and separate teen’s club ‘Rush’ are some of the best I have ever seen. To top it all off you also have the incredible waterpark, with its lazy river and heart racing waterslides to enjoy making this an excellent and fun trip for families or adults alike! It really is both a kids and adults playground! I am a huge fan of great beaches and love to swim in the sea so I was especially impressed by the gorgeous white sand beach and clear blue sea that was perfect for beach swimming! The Bahamas however with over 700 islands has more to offer than just Nassau /Paradise Island and we got to experience ‘Sandy Toes’ on Rose Island for a lovely day trip. A quick speed boat journey and you feel you have really got away from it all to my idea of heaven. Rose Island is like going to your own private island complete with hammocks, snorkelling and beach bar! Great day out and highly recommended. The Bahamas really is an all year destination, I travelled during September considered to be their off peak time due to technically being ‘hurricane season’. The weather at this time was gorgeous and the small bit of ‘liquid sunshine’ we did get was very quick and did not take anything away from a fabulous beach experience. I would have no hesitation at travelling at this time of year again and enjoy the off peak rates. From Dublin a trip combining New York or Miami or both with the Bahamas would be just a fabulous combination. Finally we lived it up on the last night at the One & Only Ocean Club. As my butler arrived that evening with my complimentary champagne and strawberries I knew I was in one of my favourite resorts of all time. The resort is pure luxury and sophistication set on one of the best beaches I have ever experienced. One & Only also has complimentary shuttle and access to The Atlantis resort so if you want the luxury and a quieter place to relax with still the option to enjoy the fun and excitement of The Atlantis then look no further this is the resort for you! My perfect day at One & Only included an amazing breakfast at the Dune restaurant, one hour Balinese massage, tennis lesson from resident ex Davis Cup Pro, swimming at the pool, afternoon tea at the clubhouse, dinner at a private villa used for the James Bond film ‘Casino Royale’ and finished off with a martini at the beach bar. So when my lucky numbers finally come up…. to all my family & friends, two weeks at the One & Only Ocean Club, it’s on me!

17 November 2012

Cancun and the surrounding areas of Playa Del Carmen, Puerto Morelos and Tulum have always been a popular request, especially with honeymooners. After being fortunate to get an opportunity to explore the area, its attractions and a variety of its hotels I can now see why. When exploring Cancun and the very popular hotel zone, it is easy to see why this area has become so built up and many large hotels are located here. The beach is stunning with turquoise colours of the sea against the white sand. The great shopping and nightlife also attract many people each year. After sampling a mixture of ten hotels within the AM resorts group, the biggest surprise I found in Mexico was the value for money within their ever popular all-inclusive resorts. The quality and standard of the accommodation, facilities, and in particular food and drink did exceed my expectations. I was not expecting a la carte menus, such a wide variety of restaurants, great wines and proper cocktails. The spa facilities were amazing and, in the resorts which cater to children, the facilities were exceptional. I cannot wait to bring my own children to experience the kids clubs and would highly recommend this part of Mexico to other families. The value you get in accommodation standard, kids clubs, food and drink is difficult to find in Europe. Personally I absolutely loved the brand new “Secrets the Vine” which has recently opened as an adult only resort. It is very modern, contemporary and sleek. The hotel offers gourmet food, wine tastings, infinity pools and a state of the art gym to name a few features. All are set on a white powder beach. For me it would be the ultimate adults’ only getaway. However if being in a built up area is not your idea of a great adult getaway and you love the beach, my top suggestion would be to stay at the “Secrets Maroma Beach Resort”. This is by far one of the most popular honeymoon resorts, set on the world famous Maroma Beach. Facilities include swim out pool rooms which make this the perfect resort for a stunning honeymoon. If swimming at the beach is not a priority for you then I would highly recommend the “Secrets Silversands” adults only property. Their beach is a little bit rocky in places but they more than make up for this in the atmosphere and standard of its facilities. I loved the contemporary feel of this hotel and its rooms were some of my favourites. For a completely different experience “Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita” is an intimate, luxury boutique experience. It gives the feel of staying at a very luxurious personal home and prides itself on personal attention to detail. It attracts celebrities and those who appreciate a more private, unique holiday experience. On my next visit to Mexico I intend to bring the family to “Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort”. I loved the layout of this resort and the rooms were stunning. I know my kids would enjoy the fantastic kids club which operates from 9am till 10pm - giving my husband and me plenty of time to swim in pool, lie in the beach hammocks and have a drink on one of the unique beach bar swings. I cannot spend an entire holiday by the pool or beach so this is one of the reasons Mexico suited me perfectly. There is a wide variety of activities and excursions. I would recommend the Mayan Ruins at Tulum, really interesting with a great beach you can swim at. Xcarat is an eco-archeological site providing over 53 activities to enjoy. The whole family could spend a couple of days here and I particularly enjoyed swimming in one of the natural underground rivers. My highlight of the trip was Coco Bongo’s, perfect for those who enjoy a good night out. Described as Mardis Gras, New Year’s Eve and Paddy’s Day all rolled into one, it’s not just a nightclub but an experience! There is definitely an area and resort to suit most people’s summer holiday needs in the Cancun area so please feel free to contact me and I would be happy to find the right spot for you.

23 October 2012

Being originally from Australia and growing up around the Great Ocean Road and its wonderful beaches, I was pleasantly surprised to find a little bit of home so nearby and now understand why the Algarve is one of the most popular destinations for a Europe summer holiday. I based myself for a week in Praia da Oura and explored the Algarve region by car. Praia da Oura is a great base lovely beach and close to the strip if you are looking for a big night out. It is also a short taxi ride to the old town of Albufeira if you fancy a lovely meal out in the evening. The Algarve really does have something for everyone I was fortunate to visit a wide variety of accommodation options around the region, from excellent self-catering up to five star deluxe options. There are regular flights to Faro airport from Ireland and only approx. three hours flying time means this is the perfect destination for even a weekend break or two week break. My personal favourite for a short break would be Vilamoura. It is only approx. 30 minutes transfer time from the airport and has a superb marina with high quality restaurants, bars and boutiques. Vilamoura promotes a healthy lifestyle and a free city bike scheme (like in Dublin), running areas and top quality golf courses. It also has the beach either side of the marina so it is perfect for a quick getaway and re charge the batteries. Further down the coast but with the new freeway system only just over an hour’s drive is Lagos. I love Lagos the beautiful little cove beaches are stunning, marina area and pretty historical town with plenty of cobbled streets, filled with restaurants, bars and boutiques. This part of the Algarve would be a personal favourite and an area I visited many years ago as a backpacker. Great fun for the young backpacker but also as I have found this trip such a lovely area for a family holiday or couples getaway. By the way for the surfers I would recommend Sagres just a bit further down the coast from Lagos – it has great surf beaches and a more laid back feel. My favourite beach area on the Algarve ( should say this is difficult to judge there were so many ) but for me it would have to be Praia dos Três Irmãos (Three Brothers Beach) in Alvor. Walking along the beach and around the cliffs through little cove beaches I found my favourite place to enjoy a meal or just a drink – Canico Restaurant. The locals introduced me to Vinho Verde (Green wine) – a white wine slightly sparkling and lovely with some of the excellent seafood that can be experienced all along the Algarve. If you are looking for an Irish bar while away from home – Irelands Eye in Praia da Rocha is a great place to watch the sunset. The Algarve really is a great destination and with so many gorgeous areas to explore if you have two weeks or longer why not stay in at least two different areas during your time and get a real taste for what the Algarve has to offer.

05 March 2012

Over the years I was always aware of the good value skiing, duty free shopping and appeal Andorra had for the 18-30’s ski crowd and when given the opportunity to check out two of the ski resorts myself I was surprised to find it also has great options for families and something for those who love their five star luxuries. The first part of my ski adventure started in Arinsal staying at the four star Hotel Princesa Parc hotel. After a long day of travelling it was a real treat to visit the nearby Caldea Spa Center. The Caldea Spa Center is one of the largest in Southern Europe and included swimming pools, spas, Jacuzzis, saunas treatments, bars, restaurants etc. I personally loved being able to swim to the outside area where you could enjoy the cold mountain air while swimming in the heated pool. The Princesa Parc has some great facilities for groups and families including swimming pool and a bowling alley which provided hours of enjoyment for our group on the first night. The Gondola is just a short walk (200m) from the hotel and we were then fitted for skis up on top of the mountain. After a day of skiing there were a few lovely nearby bars to enjoy a bit of Après Ski in the evening including the hotels own bar facilities. I personally found the bed at this hotel very comfortable and after a long day on the slopes that to me is important. The second part of our trip we headed to Soldeu which is set in the heart of the Andorran Pyrenees and part of the Grandvalira ski area. Walking into the lobby of the Sport Hotel Village we were left with no doubt that it was only two weeks till Christmas! The lobby of the hotel was very big and open with beautiful Christmas decorations, inviting bar and big windows looking out to the ski slopes. I could have been quite happy to just order an Irish coffee settle into one of the big comfy sofas and watch the skiing from this great location. However when the ski shop and gondola are right at the hotel and you only have to walk about 10 meters from being fitted out to being on the gondola this is my type of skiing and they make it too easy to enjoy a day out on the slopes. For me I loved this resort and being able to ski right to the door of your hotel is one luxury I will struggle to go without on future ski trips. After a day of skiing it was heaven to relax in the Sport Wellness Mountain Spa. This is not just any old spa either! This is five storey’s of spa and the facilities are definitely five star. The Sport Hotels Resort & Spa is a complex of three hotels built around a gondola with a small shopping center including a small supermarket and Irish bar! No need to really go any further. For the five star travelers I can highly recommend the Sport Hotel Hermitage also part of the complex. The Hermitage would be my ultimate luxury ski getaway. For more information, advice and great rates, please contact me.

31 October 2008

In May I was fortunate to experience a Mediterranean cruise as part of a Royal Caribbean educational. Before then I had never been or thought about cruising and my only point of reference would have been what I had seen in the 80’s on the ‘Love Boat’ and my feelings that it is something to do once you retire. I had an expectation of it being very expensive, lots of buffet style food, cabaret singers and meeting the same people over and over again. My expectations were completely unfounded and it has opened my eyes to a whole new way to travel and explore the world. I can’t wait now to share the experience with my husband and son. I flew direct from Dublin to Barcelona and after a very smooth check in process at the port, boarded the cruise ship early to make the most of my time. I indulged in a manicure and pedicure at the spa on the cruise ship and enjoyed a lovely lunch with a glass of wine all before the cruise even departed from Barcelona. Therefore I was very relaxed and already in holiday mode before the cruise had even officially begun. I was very impressed with my cabin which was a deluxe ocean view stateroom with balcony. The bed was exceptionally comfortable and I would highly recommend upgrading to a room with a balcony as it makes the experience extra special. It was lovely to have breakfast on my balcony having arrived in a new location or just to sit out in the evening and enjoy a glass of wine. The ship could accommodate over 3,000 passengers therefore it had a big cross section of people from a variety of different nationalities, ages, and backgrounds. Cruising would definitely suit couples, groups of friends, and particularly families. I was impressed with the facilities available for children of all ages and that they offered such excellent facilities for the normally difficult to please teenagers. Cruising is a great way to get a little taster of each place the ship ports at. On my cruise we started from Barcelona and then also visited Ville Franche and Ibiza. You usually have most of the day to go and explore the place either by yourself or on one of the land excursions on offer. However it is impossible to get bored even when at sea all day. The cruise ship has so much to offer that you would never have time to do it all. Just a few examples of some of the facilities include swimming pools, fitness centre, rock climbing wall, mini golf, spa, promenade with its own English pub, shops, café, champagne bar etc. The Promenade was amazing and had a live show (parade) along it every night. I also even went ice skating one night! Royal Caribbean cruises are also great value for money, it was great to be able to have breakfast in bed as part of your package or order something from 24 hour room service. Onboard everything although this was a European cruise, was in US dollars which currently means you are getting a great rate of exchange and could purchase duty free goods when the ship is at sea. I am now part of the converted and would highly recommend cruising!!

14 August 2008

I love to travel and explore new places; therefore I tend to usually go somewhere new each time I take a trip. However since 2005 I have been to the Whitsunday Islands in Queensland, Australia on three occasions which aptly illustrates how much I enjoy this part of Australia and have found my little tropical paradise on earth. In March 2005 after marrying my Irish husband in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia we flew direct from Melbourne to Hamilton Island with a few of our Irish friends. We rented a luxury four bedroom villa overlooking the island which came with a golf buggy (the main form of transportation on the island). Hamilton Island has the best of both worlds where you can relax in the privacy of your own villa or use any of the resort facilities. Hamilton Island has several ranges of accommodation to choose from and you are welcome to use the other resort facilities. There are several swimming pool areas including a swim up bar pool. Various restaurants are available on the island and the marina area includes a supermarket, off license, restaurants, shops, pub and even a nightclub. One morning we had breakfast with the koalas and I got to have my picture taken holding a Koala. We frequently had visits from Kookaburras and cockatoos on our balcony during our stay. After a few days on Hamilton Island we hired a catamaran yacht and sailed around the Whitsunday Islands with our friends. This was an amazing experience, the boat was well equipped and came stocked with luxury food. We had the freedom to sail around the islands and anchor at night in idyllic locations. My favorite spot had to be Whitehaven Beach which for anyone visiting the Whitsundays is a must see. It has been included in the top 10 beaches in the world on numerous occasions. The white sandy beach and clear blue waters are spectacular and it was a privilege to anchor there for a night. Enjoying a BBQ on our boat with a glass of white wine and the sunset over Whitehaven Beach is an unforgettable experience. In the evening sitting out with friends in the warm tropical air, under the clear Southern hemisphere skies looking for the Southern Cross from the deck of our yacht are the kind of memories to treasure from a holiday away. After saying goodbye to our friends we started the real honeymoon and from Hamilton Island a luxury cruiser took us to Hayman Island. On the cruiser you can sit back in the leather seats, sipping champagne and enjoying the canapés while the onboard hostess checks you into your accommodation. Hayman Island truly is a five star experience and perfect for a honeymoon. No trip would be complete to the Whitsundays without experiencing the Great Barrier Reef. From Hayman I took a boat trip out to the reef to go scuba diving and see the amazing coral and tropical marine life first hand. I treated myself to a helicopter ride back from the reef platoon back to Hayman Island which is definitely worth the extra expense. From the air you can truly appreciate the size and amazing colors of one of the natural wonders of the world. In October 2006 we attended one of my friend’s wedding on Hamilton Island and again rented a luxury villa with a group of our friends. There is a wedding chapel on the island and the setting was perfect for such a romantic occasion. Finally in January 2008 we visited Hamilton Island once again with our two year old son and stayed in the Hamilton Island Reef hotel. The island is a wonderful location for children as it is well equipped for a safe, relaxing family holiday. One of my most abiding memories must surely be a night we spent listening to an outdoor concert beneath the glistening stars of the Australian sky. On this trip we also stayed at Daydream Island, which is a great resort for kids. The Whitsunday Islands has something for everyone and it is without doubt a location I will travel to again.