18 June 2025

Yesterday I was invited down to Cobh for a ship visit on the ultra-luxury small cruise ship Silver Dawn. I arrived early so set off to get myself a coffee. The first thing I noticed was how quiet Cobh was compared to other days I have been there for ship visits. Silver Dawn, as well as her sisters in the Muse Class – Silver Muse, Silver Moon Silver Spirit have passenger capacities of about 600. The smaller capacity and size means ports are often less busy when you get in, it also means these ships can get closer into more ports – even sailing down the river Thames and under Tower Bridge in London. Onboard the reduced capacity gives each passenger more square foot per person, with large ocean facing suites (all cabins on board are suites) and spacious (and beautiful) public spaces. We visited the Panorama Lounge for some drinks and to take in the view. Cobh looked beautiful but I couldn’t help but imagine the sail away views from New York, Cape Town or Sydney. The Panorama Lounge is used as a piano bar or DJ lounge or a beautiful place to have a coffee during the day. As we walked around the pool area, there was plenty champagne on ice available. We were told how, when you are lying by the pool – a staff member will give you a little treat every half an hour or so. It would be a sorbet a fruit skewer, face spritz or even to have your sunglasses cleaned. On the pool deck there is a pizzeria which is open from 11 to 11, making fresh pizza how you like it. The also make fresh ice-cream daily. I noticed there was loads of space on the pool deck to walk between sun loungers. As we were walked through the ship to view a suite, we could see that there was a self-service laundrette on each floor which was again a great sign of the very very even spread of amenities. Obviously, laundry services are available for a charge if you don’t want to do it yourself and this becomes free if you have accrued 100 days of sailing with Silversea. When we got to the suite it was large – the biggest bathroom I’ve been on a ship and even had a bath. All toiletries are provided which always helps with packing. Each suite is ready with – you guessed it – champagne on ice on arrival! Your butler is there to help you and will bring fresh ice and sliced lemon to your suite twice a day. They will also make a note on your arrival of your drinks preference and will keep the mini fridge stocked with your favourites. During our tour of the ship, we visited the theatre where guests can enjoy excellent entertainment and beautiful gourmet restaurants. One restaurant even had a box of designer reading glasses sorted by prescription in case you left yours in your suite. Expedition Voyages On top of being the pioneers of ultra-luxury, Silversea are also one of the finest suppliers of expedition voyages since 2008. Expedition voyages travel to rare, remote and remarkable areas of untouched natural beauty. Expedition voyages travel to the South Pacific, Galapagos, Artic and Antarctic, Northern Europe, Africa and the Indian Ocean as well as The Kimberly in Australia. With the expedition voyages, you will often travel to unchartered destinations, interact with local communities or explore the geology of the destination. In the evenings there will be talks on the destinations visited in the place of musical performances. The expedition staff onboard are experts in their field – marine biologists or geologists, the are trained and employed year-round and Silversea endeavour to be the employer of choice for these professionals. The expedition voyages in Africa could be described as a safari at sea and the expeditions in The Kimberly would allow you see sights few other have seen. The attention to detail and level of service does not fall on the expedition cruises for example there is a “mud room” where you can leave your mucky boots to have them heated for when you next wear them. The outdoor heated pool and jacuzzi are open even in the Antarctic so you can watch massive glaciers while enjoying a champagne in the heated tub. The reduced capacity and level of service means Silversea Expedition Ships can disembark all passengers from the ship to the zodiac boats at the same time – no queueing or reduced exploration time. Overall, this is definitely a luxury cruise line – but not at all snobbish or stuffy. After speaking to people who have sailed, they all said the same thing – it was exceptional, and we never felt out of place. In your cruise package all of your gratuities, shore excursions, gourmet food and drink are all included so it’s probable that you will get off the ship without a bill. This is definitely a high-end product but every time I quote it I am surprised at the cost – its less than you would expect for the level of luxury and the number of inclusions. Get in touch today to discuss your Silversea cruise. I am a certified Silversea Expert, and I have the best available rates for your as well as 24/7 support before, during and after travel.

06 June 2025

The Overview I was so nervous for my visit Elephant Hills because I've booked it for so many of my clients and they all rave about it. I was so afraid that it wouldn’t live up to the hype or that I would find fault with it (I can be fussy!). It ended up being a highlight of our trip, everything was organised so well (it was exactly as it said on the tin!) and as you read on, I will give you details. But what I can't describe in the details is the fantastic atmosphere in the camp and with the group. From when we set foot into the camp and were welcomed with a cool drink until the moment we left (and my son cried because it was over) we felt 100% looked after. I really do believe this is the most ethical way to interact with Elephants in Thailand as well as a great way to add variety to a Thailand itinerary. The Activities Learning how to prepare food for the Elephants and feeding and interacting with them Canoe Safari down the Sok River Movie Presentation Dance Performances (from local schools, outside of school time so not taking away from education!) Longtail Boat ride to the Chaow Larn Lake Time on the lake or an overnight stay depending on what you book. Jumping off the pontoon, SUP and kayaking was all so much fun. Rainforest Trek The Camp There was a large open plan reception and restaurant, where we checked in. There were two water coolers which were used to get a refill of cold water at any stage. The food was possibly the best I had during the trip, with lots of delicious Thail options (Tourist spicy, not Thai spicy!) as well as plenty of more western style food too and a kid’s buffet. I loved that the kids buffet opened a little bit before the adults, giving parents a chance to feed the kids before relaxing for their own meal. There was a dance performance each night as well as a little educational video. There was a beautiful swimming pool. Our luxury tent was so STURDY! It was beautifully laid out and we really had an authentic jungle experience while enjoying a comfy bed and full bathroom. The People We were introduced to our guide, Kong, on arrival. She was exceptional, knowledgeable and very kind. I was so impressed that she took the time to get to know everyone name made time to speak with everyone individually. She really made the entire trip all come together. What Next Drop me an email - joanne.obrien@mytc.com and we can set up a time to chat. I can work Elephant Hills into you a Thailand itinerary so that it all ties together beautifully and I will be there for questions and support from our initial chat right until you come home.

16 May 2025

Packing is definitely a big part of the mental load, and while booking through me takes a lot of the mental load off, sadly I can't pack for my clients. But I can share what worked (and didn't!) for me. I hope this helps you get ready for your Thailand Adventure! The Heroes: What I Packed and Will Pack Again My sisters hiking boots - win! For a lot of the trip I was looking at the hiking boots in my suitcase thinking "god they take up a lot of space, was it worth it". But the day we did our jungle trek I was so smug! I was able to climb over rocks and fallen trees comfortably and really enjoy the views without slipping and sliding in normal runners - 10 out of 10 will pack again! Light bikinis and swimming togs: I brought a few sets of swimming togs / bikinis and the ones that I was really happy with were the lighter ones. They dried straight away so I could get dressed again after jumping in the sea, the heavy lined togs took ages to dry and my clothes got wet if I got dressed straight away. Lessons Learned: What I Missed More clothes - if I had left half the stuff at home that I didn’t need I could have brought more clothes, I had planned an outfit a day but really in the heat I was getting through two outfits a day. Now it was very cheap to have laundry done, but I was waiting 24 hours for it to come back (I had clothes wash dried and folded in the town, and they delivered it back to the hotel) Mosquito repellent bracelet - I brought insect repellent spray which I was religious about for the first week and a half. Towards the end of the trip I was just letting myself get bit by the mozzies because I was fed up of layering sunscreen, insect repellent, sunscreen, insect repellent, repeat. I friend of mine had the bracelet and raved about it. Now you will always need the spray for certain areas but it would have been great to have both. Beach Towel - All the hotels had bath towels and pool towels but it would have been handy to have 1 beach towel for actual beach days. A second ATM card. A story for another day. What Was I Thinking: What I Should Have Left at Home The hairdryer - I have some strange kind of emotional attachment to my own hairdryer and it's not even very good. I'm always worried the hotel won't have one or if they do have one it will be worse than mine. Every hotel I stayed in during the trip had a hairdryer and not once in the two weeks did I use either mine or theirs. The temperature was high 20s so my hair dried naturally. The Second pair of runners. Absolutely no need. I would have been fine with 1 pair of runners, hiking boots and flip flops. Excessive activities for my 5 year olds hand luggage. In a desperate attempt to ensure the flight went well I put the following items in my sons hand luggage - 3 colouring books, 2 sticker books, pencils, markers and crayons, 2 books to read, iPad. He used NONE of this, and his bag was so heavy that I ended up carrying it and it took up much needed space on the flight. He was given an activity pack on the plane and the in-flight entertainment was excellent. We would have been fine with one colouring book, pencils, a book to read, his favourite soft toy and a change of clothes. Fake Tan and Make Up: I used a blusher and highlighter and one lipstick. Not once did I use the fake tan or any of the other makeup. (Also a massive shout out to Kelsey at All About Gorgeous who did my lashes before I went!) Going Out Outfit: I brought this "just in case". Thailand is very casual if you're going out in the evening, no need of this. Two jackets: It was warm even in the evening, definitely didn’t need any jacket on a day to day basis. All I really needed was a comfy hoody for the plane and a light rain coat for the one rainy day. Hope this helps you pack a little lighter and travel a little smarter. If you're reading this while packing, get ready to have the time of your life in Thailand! And if you're reading this and haven’t booked your trip yet, get in touch - I’d love to help create a personalised itinerary just for you.

13 May 2025

To my five-year-old, Thailand wasn’t just a country - it was a playground of elephants, tuk-tuks, and the yummiest mango ice cream ever imagined. I couldn’t keep all the laughs, surprises, and sweet moments to myself - so here’s a little peek into his Thailand adventure! How We Travelled: We flew in a plane (we slept on the plane, had lots of snacks and watched lots of movies) We went on a train that came right through a market. (Mae Klong Railway Market) We went on a boat that was a market too (Floating Market) We had our spin in a tuk-tuk through Bangkok - this was "totally awesome!" We went in a truck to Elephant Hills. We sailed in a longtail boat (this made everyone sleepy) and a speedboat (we were allowed to jump into the ocean off the speed boat) What Animals We Saw: We did a water safari on the Khao Sok river and saw snakes, birds, monkeys and butterflies. We met Elephants, helped make their lunch and feed them. On our jungle trek - we saw snakes, frogs and lots of insects. We saw lots of fish on our snorkelling trip. What We Ate and Drank: Mango Ice Cream Coconut Ice Cream Coconut Juice Barbequed Insects (not really - just for the photo!) Pizza for dinner every evening. What Fun Things We Did We jumped in the ocean, we swam in a lake, in the sea and in swimming pools, we went in a lazy river at the pool. We saw paper made from Elephant Dung, We ate our easter eggs on the beach. We took part in magic show. We make friends along the way. We learned how to say thank you (Khop Khun Krup) and hello (Sawasdee krap) So after two wonderful weeks in Thailand, we left feeling like it was whole new world we got to explore together. From sleepy boat rides to tuk-tuk thrills, jungle creatures to endless scoops of mango ice cream, every day brought something new to discover. Seeing Thailand as he saw it—full of wonder, laughter, and curiosity—made it all the more special. And that’s a journey I’ll always be grateful for. Get in touch today to have a chat about how we can create your magical Thailand trip!

08 October 2024

For Dublin departures to Christmas Markets you really are spoilt for choice but here are my 3 picks for Christmas Markets from Dublin: Vienna - with Aer Lingus and Ryanair both offering direct flights from Dublin and nearly 20 different markets within the city at Christmas, Vienna is not to be missed. The main “Christkindlmarkt” is the most famous, but there are lots of smaller and alternative markets as well as lots of different lights and displays. The markets open from mid-November right up until 26th of December, with one or two extending past this. For Families: There is a market in the courtyard of the Schönbrunn Palace and while you’re there check out the hands on children’s museum. Flight time: 2 hours 50 minutes Berlin – again with Aer Lingus and Ryanair offering morning flights out and back this is just a hop skip and a jump from Dublin. Enjoy the famous German tradition of Christmas Markets in the wide variety of markets all over the city. There are over 60 markets here, so if you are looking for variety Berlin is the best option. The markets open from late November until early January. Flight time: 2 hours 15 minutes Prague – with nearly daily flights from Dublin picturesque Prague is a no-brainer. There are lots of events and concerts to take advantage of as well as smaller markets in the city centre and more local themed market in Peace Square and Tyl Square. The markets open from late November to early January. For Families: There is a petting zoo in the Old Town Square as well as lots of sweet treats to indulge in. Flight time: 2 hours 35 minutes Here are my top picks for Christmas Market departures from Shannon: Budapest - with Wednesday and Sunday flights from Shannon (and nearly daily departure from Dublin) the award winning Budapest markets are not to be missed. Budapest has a fantastic ice rink and a laser light show which really makes it stand out from the crowd. The markets open from mid to late November to early January. For Families: On weekends there is a puppet theatre, music and dance performances as well as arts and crafts workshops. Flight time: 3 hours Krakow – with Ryanair’s offerings of nearly daily departures from Shannon and Dublin Poland's perfect capital is a highlight for anyone looking for something a little bit quirky or different. The medieval square will bring you back in time. A number of different ice rinks pop up around December for that extra festive feeling. The markets open from late November to early January Flight time: 3 hours. Last, but not least here are my top picks for Christmas Markets from Cork Brussels Ryanair have plenty Cork departures to Brussels South Charleroi Airport to get your on your way to devouring some Belgian chocolate or waffles. Brussels Christmas Market is a foodies heaven! The markets open from late November to early January. Flight time: 1 hour 50 minutes, plus an hour by public transport to the centre. Gdansk – with Friday and Monday departures from Cork and some Dublin departures, the Gdansk Christmas markets make for a perfect long weekend. The city is very romantic, with a special spot set up for kissing under the mistletoe! The markets open mid to late November until 23rd of December. For Families: Previous years have included Santas corner, elf parades, and a talking moose! Flight time: 2 hours 40 minutes. Seville – again with Ryanairs offerings from Cork and Dublin, these Andalusian Christmas markets have quite an artistic element. For Families: Storytelling, face-painting, and kids theatre. The markets open from late November to early January. Flight time: 2 hours 35 minutes. On top of these fantastic options, Edinburgh Christmas markets are fantastic and flights are available from Dublin, Cork and Shannon. Alternatively, you could head to Hyde Park in London for Winter Wonderland, which has endless food, drink, stalls, and a fairground. Please note that the opening dates change every year. Get in touch today to book your Christmas Market trip, I have some beautiful hotels that will work with each destination.

30 September 2024

Right now, I am counting down to my next holiday. It will be a very family friendly all-inclusive break in Marrakech (I’ll fill you in on my next blog) and it has me reminiscing on old adventures in the same destination. Back in 2018 myself and one of my close friends did a small group adventure tour of Morocco. We had an amazing time! The contrast and experience was so different to our day to day lives we couldn’t believe it, especially considering it was just one direct flight away. We arrived in to Marrakesh and got a transfer to our hotel before spending the evening with our group at a rooftop bar overlooking the city. On the first day the tour covered Todra Gorge and on the way we saw terracotta villages and a spectacular scenery. The following day we headed for the dessert – by camel of course. We spent the night in a Bedouin Camp and had some traditional entertainment under the stars. This was a major highlight for me. From there we went for Aït Ben Haddou travelling along the route of 1000 Kasbahs and onwards again to the high Atlas Mountains, this was the most exciting drive I have ever experienced as we had snow one minute and sand the next. After, we went back to Marrakesh for a few days of exploring the city. We spent time in the Medina, Our Riad, and finally hit the Hammam before heading home super relaxed. As two friends travelling, we found travelling in a group was perfect for us. We had company for the trip and were able to see and do things we wouldn’t have been able to, had we stayed in one place. Get in touch to book your next adventure today!

02 September 2024

Stepping aboard the Zuiderdam (pronounce Zou-der-Dam), the elegant vessel of Holland America Line, I was immediately struck by the perfect blend of classic charm and modern luxury that set the tone for an unforgettable afternoon onboard. This ship is one of 4 Vista Class ships, which are a series of medium sized cruise ships. The name Vista comes from the amount of glass used around the ship which means the majority of the staterooms on board have ocean views or balconies. The other 3 ships in the Visa Class are Oosterdam, Westerdam and Noordam, all named after points on the compass. She was first launched in 2002, and has been maintained well and is still a popular ship in the fleet. We visited the world stage which is the theatre onboard which spans 3 decks. This is where you will go for lectures and daily entertainment as well as shows in the evening. We walked through the casino as well as some dedicated music areas like Rolling Stone Lounge and Billboard Onboard. We walked through the Pinnacle Bar and Grill which is Holland Americas signature dining venue. We also visited the main dining room, which spans 2 decks. I was particularly impressed with the Lido decks retractable pool, which was covered over for it’s day in Cobh, but I thought was such a great versatile feature. The MS Zuiderdam is cruising around Canada and New England to catch those beautiful fall colours, before moving to 21 to 35 day cruises around the Caribbean for Christmas period. She starts her Grand World Voyage from Fort Lauderdale on the 4th of January. This is a lovely ship which covers some fantastic itineraries. Holland America were the first company to start cruising around Alaska so they have some of the best permits in the area, making them a fantastic choice for an Alaskan Cruise. Follow me on Instagram (joannehelpsyoutravel) for more photos and videos or get in touch today to book your Alaskan Cruise or World Voyage!

12 June 2024

0400 – I arrived in Cork Airport (my favourite airport in the entire world!) I was surprised to see a small queue at security but as usual with Cork, it moved very fast. Colleagues of mine who arrived 5/10 minutes after I did were waiting about 20 minutes to get through as opposed to the 10, I was waiting. 0415 – Met our lovely group in the Aspire Lounge in Cork airport. We had a tasty bit of breakfast and some much needed coffee. 0550 – We said goodbye to Cork Airport and started boarding for flight KL1126. The plane was quite small in size, with two rows of two, I would say there were less than 100 passengers on board. This made boarding quick and easy. 0613 – The 1 hour 25 minute flight took off two minutes before it was scheduled. The flight was one of the most comfortable I have been on in a long time, with a very calm atmosphere. I was surprised to be given a snack midway through the flight. 0852 – The flight landed 8 minutes ahead of schedule. 0900 – We had a tour of Schiphol. With its 1 Terminal Layout, it was incredibly easy to navigate. There were loads of KLM staff around the airport to assist if it was needed. There were self-service transfer kiosks, in case issues with connections, this in conjunction with the KLM staff on hand, and your Travel Counsellor only a WhatsApp away, makes for a fantastic safety net if a connection was missed. There was flight information everywhere, with a note on how long it will take you to get to your gate. We visited Rijks Museum within the airport for art enthusiasts. We stopped by the Mercure and Hotels to see where there were places to sleep within the airport. Schiphol has lots of free seating and areas to relax as well as lots of shops and restaurants to fit most budgets. Most impressively, we saw the baby room, with several cots, with large curtains around them, with a space for parents to lie down, facilities for heating bottles, and changing nappies. In addition to this there was a huge play area for children, in the shape of an airplane, with lots of slides and things for them to do. As someone with a small child, I was really impressed with this, I can’t think of any better way to prepare a small child for a long haul flight than getting them to get all of their energy out before boarding. 1030 - Time to leave the airport EU Passport holders breezed through passport control via the self-service gates, in about 10 minutes. Our UK colleagues had to join a queue which looked massive but was moving quickly. They had cleared passport control in 40 minutes. 1115 - Getting into Amsterdam The train station is just outside the airport, so we go the train into Central Amsterdam, this took about 15 / 20 minutes and was fairly straightforward. 1200 - Lunch We stopped for an early lunch in a restaurant called The Grasshopper, which was a 5 minute walk from Amsterdam Central Train Station. The food was perfect, and the service was lovely. 1300 – Sightseeing We had a quick whistle-stop tour of Amsterdam, taking in the flower market, the palace, and the beautiful views. This was followed by some free time. The museums in Amsterdam are phenomenal, you can visit Anne Frank’s house, there are loads of shops (3 of which specialise in rubber ducks, thanks to Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman) and no shortage of places to eat and drink. 1730 – Canal Tour With an informative audio guide a fantastic views of Amsterdam, this was a beautiful way to take in our last moments of Amsterdam. 1830 – Made our way back to Schiphol 1930 – KLM Crown Lounge This lounge was superb. There was a comfy seating area to watch sports, there were showers, areas for sleep, lots of quite spaces for business, and plenty of food and drink. The best thing was each area was separated by lots of space, creating an oasis of cam. This lounge is for most Business Class travellers and their SkyTeam partners (Air France, Delta and more), depending on the fare booked, as well as Platinum and Gold members. Access is available locally at a fee of €70 per person, depending on availability. 2210 – Boarding for our flight to Cork 2240 – Flight departed as scheduled. This was again, a nice small city hopper flight, and we were offered a snack and a drink midway through the flight. The crew had noticed that the passenger sitting next to me on the flight home was celebrating his birthday that day and gave him a gift of a small bottle of bubbly and a card. 2219 – Arrived back at Cork airport, 11 minutes ahead of schedule, breezed through passport control, said our goodbyes, and hopped in one of many taxis at Cork waiting to take us home. All in all, it was a fantastic day out, we had a great group. I was very impressed with Cork Airport, KLM, and Amsterdam. I am so excited for my next long haul trip from Cork with KLM. Get in touch today to book yours!

03 June 2024

On Thursday, I was invited down to Cobh to come on board the MSC Virtuosa. I was very interested to see how it would compare to my recent holiday on the MSC World Europa. First, we boarded and were sent to the Karaoke Bar, then we did a tour of the ship, starting with the Yacht Club, which is a private area for Yacht Club Cabins and guests, with their own pool, deck, and restaurants. This is a brilliant concept and would work really well for passengers who are used to smaller, more luxurious cruises or for any special occasions. In terms of swimming pools, there are 5. The Atmosphere Pool, which is what I would call the “main” pool on the top deck, the smaller Horizon pool at the front of the ship, the Yacht Club pool for Yacht Club guests only, the Savanah Aquapark (which I would say had something for a good mix of ages), and the tropical indoor pool. The Aurea Spa offers a range of treatments and has a spa pool and rain showers. There is a charge for both treatments and access to the spa, Aurea Experience Guests do have spa access included in their fare. Get in touch for more details. The ultimate highlight of this ship has to be the Starship Club where Rob lives. Rob is the first ever humanoid robotic bartender at sea, I can’t imagine anyone would want to get off this ship without getting a drink from Rob. There is an extra charge for this, but for the sake of the experience I absolutely would have one! Before going for lunch, we walked through the beautiful Galleria, which I would call the main strip or street, this is where you will find most of the bars and restaurants. At lunch we were all impressed by the quality of food. Now we didn’t get the opportunity to view any cabins as the ship was sailing full, but judging by the condition of the shared areas, I would imagine they are of the same standard as the MSC World Europa This ship was built in 2020, launched in 2021. It’s about 20% smaller in size than the World Europa, and although not exactly the same specs, I did feel it had almost as much to offer and would probably be a little easier to navigate on board in terms of size. I would recommend both ships equally, unless there was something specific you are looking for (in terms of cabin, itinerary or onboard amenities). Are you ready to book your next cruise holiday? Get in touch today to book your consultation.

29 May 2024

Restaurants: Included in our cruise fare were the buffet restaurants, main dining room and a little pizza and burger restaurant, as well as some burgers and pizza by the pool which was kind of an extension of the buffet restaurant. I personally try to avoid buffet restaurants as I normally travel solo with my son, and I find it’s all a bit too much. Breakfast - included in your cruise fare was main dining room which closed for breakfast at 09:30am or the buffet Lunch - included in your cruise fare was main dining room which closed for 1:30pm or the buffet. Alternatively, you could have your lunch at one of the specialty restaurants. We went to “Hola Tacos” for lunch one of the days and it worked out at €26 for two people so not a huge cost I would say. Dinner - included in your cruise fare was main dining room or the buffet. I loved the main dining room, we had the same table every evening, they were more than happy to accommodate our group and all our requests with the small children. Our waiters were outstanding. I would have been happy to eat here every night. We also ate at the Chefs Garden Kitchen, The Butchers Cut and the sushi restaurant. I enjoyed each of them. I can’t tell you much about the bars except for the Lani which was beautiful. And one more which blew my mind but is a huge secret and you will have to call me to find out all about it! Disembarkation: We were to be out of our cabins at 8am on the last day, which is normal enough for cruises, you could stay on the ship later that that depending on your onward arrangements. I booked bag drop off service, so I gave them my bags at the port and collected then at the airport, this was a no brainer for me as I had hurt my shoulder on the first day hauling bags! I also booked a hotel room for the day on the last day as I had a late flight back. It was great to have use of the room and the hotel had a little outside courtyard for the kids to be outside and play. You could also opt in to do a tour in Barcelona on the las day. Takeaways: • Don’t pack any scissors larger than a nail scissors! • If you are a first time cruiser, be kind to yourself on embarkation day, give yourself a chance to find your grove. • Book a balcony cabin – you won’t regret it! • Pre-book tours, especially when travelling with younger children. The 4 to 6 hours tours sell up quickly and no one wants to do a 10 hour excursion with a small child. • Decide what days you want to get on and what days you want to get off. Don’t let FOMO have you getting off the ship if you would rather be relaxing at the pool. • Most importantly, book with an agent who knows how to get your booking right! Get in touch to book your next cruise holiday today!

29 May 2024

In April I went on a Mammy and kids’ trip on the MSC World Europa because I really wanted to experience modern cruising as I hadn’t been on a cruise ship in over 10 years. Here’s a breakdown of my personal experience. Travelling and Embarkation: We took an Aer Lingus flight from Dublin which left early, with Aer Lingus in Dublin you can check your luggage in the night before and head to your airport hotel, I found this super useful as I just didn’t have enough hands to manage! The Aer Lingus staff onboard were superb as usual. We boarded in Barcelona, we were very excited at the first glimpses of the ship. Once we got to the port, we handed over our luggage, with the attached luggage tags to the staff at the port and proceeded into the cruise terminal building to check in. At check in we gave the relevant documents and were directed to the ship. Once onboard we went to our cabins to pick up our cruise card, which was waiting in the cabin door. We watched the safety video (which my 4 year old was strangely into) in the cabin before heading to our designated safety zone. After we did that, our cruise card was active. On the day of embarkation, I booked our speciality dining, which we had prepaid for when booking the holiday. This can only be done onboard, and the restaurants are small, so you need to book early to get the days that you want. I visited the kids club to see what I needed do. For the kids club for ages 4 and up, you don’t need to pre-book, you can just register and drop off and collect at any time. For the baby club, you need to register the day before. You can drop you baby at either 10-12 or 6-8, not both. Of our group, they chose the 6-8 so that they could have some dinner in the evening without the little ones. Of our group, which was 6 cabins, everyone’s luggage was delivered in the late afternoon or evening, apart from mine! I had accidently packed a very large scissors, which is forbidden, in it and it was taken by security. This meant I need to go to reception after dinner to collet it. Overall, it was very exciting to get on the ship, but also overwhelming as we were all first time cruisers, but it didn’t take us long to find our groove. Cabins: My son and I had an inside cabin, which was fresh, modern, and more spacious than I had expected it to be. It was perfectly adequate for this trip, although I would definitely do a balcony cabin next time, as towards the end of the cruise I felt it would have been nice to have some extra fresh air. We also had our breakfast in the cabin a couple of mornings, and it would have been lovely to have the balcony cabin. Of our group, half did inside cabins, half did balcony cabins. I would also think of having an interconnecting cabin for the next cruise. Keep in mind with the balcony cabins at the back of this ship, they are over the Lani bar. Port of Call and Excursions: The Ports of Call for this cruise were Marseille, Genoa, Naples, Messina, and Malta, as well as embarking and disembarking in Barcelona. I didn’t do much in Barcelona as I was there in September (check out my blog for more information) I also stayed on board in Marseille, however some of our group did get off to do the little training Marseille, which is perfect for younger children. We got off to do the aquarium in Genoa, which isn’t far from the port. We did the excursion with MSC as the time slots for Aquarium were already booked up directly with them, this meant it was a bit later when we got there so it was very, very busy, but again a perfect attraction for younger children. Some of our group when to Portofino, which was lovely. I stayed onboard in Naples, as I knew most people would be getting off, this was possibly one of the best decisions I made. It was so quite onboard. We spent the entire day at the pool and sun was shining. This was super chilled out and was just an absolute VIBE. In Messina, myself, and my son when to Mount Etna, which was so exciting for us, to be inside in a volcano. This was also organised by MSC and run very efficiently. We also stayed on board in Malta, but we could see the city walls from the ship, and it looked amazing, in hindsight I probably would have gotten off in Malta if I had pre-booked a short tour, but when I was looking at it there were only longer tours left. On Board Activities: Oh, where to begin! We did the 5D cinema, bumper cars, Venom, which is the dry slide (over 8 years only), I didn’t get to do the waterslides but some of my group did, and they said they were excellent. An outdoor pool, an indoor pool. A little splash pool for smaller children, however there was nowhere to sit down and watch your kids, you had to be in the pool with them for that one. Friends of mine did the roller skating, and the formula racer. We went to see a show every night except the first day. They were out of this world, absolutely amazing. As well as the shows there were some impromptu street performances in the evening. We usually went to the Lani Bar at the back of the ship in the evening, for some music and for view of the ocean.

12 May 2024

Last week, I had the privilege of attending a ship visit in Cobh, where I was introduced to the elegant Le Boreal, a gem in the Ponant cruise line fleet. With its sleek design and welcoming ambiance, Le Boreal stands as a testament to luxury travel on the high seas. Launched in 2012, Le Boreal exudes modernity and sophistication. Despite its relatively small size, accommodating 260 guests and 130 crew members, the ship boasts ample space, characterized by wide corridors that ensure easy navigation for all passengers, including those with mobility challenges. The entire ship is wheelchair accessible ensuring that every guest can fully enjoy their voyage. One of the most striking aspects of Le Boreal is its abundance of natural light, achieved through its numerous windows strategically placed throughout the vessel. These windows not only offer breath taking views of the surrounding seascape but also create an open, airy atmosphere, enhancing the overall sense of spaciousness and tranquillity on board. Unlike traditional cruise ships, Le Boreal features a unique layout where all public areas are located at the aft, while the cabins are situated at the front. This design ensures that guests can enjoy peace and quiet in their accommodations, away from the hustle and bustle of communal spaces, providing a serene retreat for relaxation. When it comes to dining, Le Boreal offers 3 options. The main dining room, the grill and room service. The main dining room can, if needed, hold all the passengers at one sitting, in an elegant setting. The grill is more laid back, with mainly an indoor area, which extends on to the open deck in good weather conditions. One of the most remarkable aspects of Ponant cruises, including those aboard Le Boreal, is the high rate of guest satisfaction, with an impressive 50% of passengers choosing to cruise with Ponant again. This speaks volumes about the exceptional service, attention to detail, and unforgettable experiences offered by the cruise line. The demographic of guests onboard Le Boreal varies depending on the itinerary, reflecting the diverse range of experiences offered by Ponant. From Arctic and Antarctic expeditions to warm-water cruises in destinations like Polynesia, Le Boreal caters to adventurers, nature enthusiasts, and luxury seekers. Costs start from approximately €3500 per person for a 7 night all-inclusive cruise. It’s also worth mentioning that cost with Ponant are per person, not per cabin, so if you were travelling with a friend, it’s the same cost to have your own cabin – no single supplements. Unlike most cruise lines, all shore excursions are included in the cost, which really puts the emphasis back on the destination, which I love. In conclusion, my visit to Le Boreal in Cobh was nothing short of extraordinary. From its elegant design and thoughtful amenities to its exceptional service and unforgettable experiences, this ship embodies the epitome of luxury travel. Whether embarking on an expedition to the ends of the Earth or soaking up the sun in paradise, Le Boreal promises a voyage like no other, where every moment is infused with elegance, adventure, and unparalleled indulgence. Get in touch today to book your luxury cruise consultation.

08 May 2024

I was very kindly invited to spend a day on the Regal Princess when it came into Cobh on Sunday – and even better I got to bring my son along! As we walked towards the cruise terminal the first thing, I noticed was there was a great atmosphere at the port. There was some music playing and a table of juices and water set up from the team at Princess – this is not always common practice. Additionally, instead of a lonely photographer trying get people to have their photos taken there was a huge Stanley the bear, not only posing for photos but laughing and joking with the photographers and other passengers. Once we boarded, we were greeted warmly by each and every crew member. We were then treated to a little sneak preview of one of the performances on board. The pair of acrobats, Chris, and Iona, were amazing. They usually perform in The Piazza which is the central area of the Regal Princess. After their performance, we visited the kids club. The kids club caters for children 3-7, 8-12 and 13-17. The facilities boast mini air hockey table, a special area for arts and crafts programs (such as t-shirt designing), skeeball, and exciting game stations. They also have their own lounge with a giant TV. For the older children there is a Princess DJ booth where music lovers can create their own playlist, relax, or dance to the latest mix. The amazing facilities are coupled with activities like pyjama and ice cream parties, and a Kid's Fun Fair, teens-only “mocktail” parties, formal dinners, and video game tournaments. On the top deck, you have “Movies Under the Stars” which, during an action packed cruise is a lovely way to exhale and relax while still enjoying your onboard experience. There are two pools on the top deck (4 pools in total on board and 8 hot tubs) so my son and some of the other children went for a swim. I felt like I was being very optimistic brining his togs for a day in Cobh in early May, but I was pleasantly surprised at how warm the pools were. We had some lunch at the buffet, which was lovely and calm as buffets go. We ended our time with a walk around the public areas. The Regal Princess was built in 2014 and refurbished again in 2017 and has retained her original elegance and has been kept well. From our time on board, I could really feel the Princess level of service and care, which ultimately will impact your holiday. With the launch of the new Sun Princess earlier this year Princess are definitely making waves. The cherry on the cake being the Princess Medallion Technology which, when you wear the medallion, your door will automatically unlock when you are close by, you can use it with the app to know where your children are at all times and allows you to order food and drinks to wherever you are on the ship! The Regal Princess is currently cruising the British Isles until September when she relocates to Galveston, Texas for a Western Caribbean, and Mexico itinerary. A deep south fly drive followed by a Princess Cruise sounds like a pretty epic holiday to me! Get in touch today to book your consultation and get your dream holiday underway!

05 April 2024

1. Your Very Own Personal Travel Concierge After the initial consultation which is usually an online video call or in person, if possible, I will liaise with you in whatever way best suits you. I am available via WhatsApp, phone, or video call to help you with your travel needs. 2. Booking with Travel Professional Struggling to differentiate your Express Pass from your Explorer Pass from your Unlimited Pass? I’m here to help. As a Travel Professional I am constantly training and upskilling with the products that we offer. This means I can make sure we are booking the right thing for you. 3. Pre-clearance for the USA from Dublin and Shannon An oldie, but a goodie! We will never tire of shouting about this ultimate time saving service. You can clear not only U.S. immigration, but also full U.S. customs and agriculture controls. Land in the US as a local so not a second of your trip is wasted. 4. Direct flights from Dublin to Orlando Settle in for your super comfortable direct flight, with your in-flight meal, upgraded in-flight entertainment. The flight is usually about 9 or 10 hours, leaving in the afternoon and arriving in the evening. Orlandos currently 5 hours ahead. (So, no jet lag until you come home! 5. We take care of the big things and the little things Whether you are hiring a car or needing airport transfers – we got you covered from the moment you get off the plane. What is more, we can help you with any additional experience like a visit to Kennedy Space Centre or a trip to Clearwater Beach. 6. 24/7 Support When you Travel If you need anything during your stay – we are only a phone call away. It’s like we are there with you – but we’re not! 7. Universals Endless Summer Resort Regardless of whether you decide to stay at the smaller surfside or make the most of the pools at dockside you can benefit from an affordable option close to the park with early park admission and free shuttles to and from the parks. If this isn’t for you, we have lots of other approved accommodations both on international drive and within the resort 8. Universal Orlando Resort App This app is amazing and allows you to redeem select theme park tickets and Universal Express passes, see the latest wait times, access maps, and so much more. Plus, it's easy to stay connected while you’re here with free Wi-Fi throughout the parks and Universal CityWalk. 9. The Rides! Jurassic World VelociCoaster is the fastest and tallest launch coaster in Florida. At the very start of the ride, you'll launch 70mph in just 2.4 seconds through the Raptor paddock, barely missing the Raptors and being way too close for comfort! For Harry Potter fans you could do Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure which is in the Hogsmeade section in Islands of Adventure. 10. CityWalk Dining The names themselves speak volumes – Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Toothsome Chocolate Emporium, Hot Dog Hall of Fame, and Illuminations Minion Café to name a few! Get in touch to book your Universal Adventure today.

27 September 2023

On Monday, myself and my colleagues were welcomed onboard the Norwegian Star. After boarding and being greeted by the incredibly friendly staff, we were impressed with the bright and fresh aesthetic to the inside of the ship. Having undergone an extensive refurbishment in 2021 it felt like a much newer ship. Catering for just over 2300 passengers, it just goes to show bigger isn’t always best. The speciality dining options on this ship are outstanding. Cagneys Steakhouse (which is strategically located right next to the mojito bar, sounds like a perfect evening to me!), La Cucina, Moderno Churrascaira, Le Bistro (which also comes highly recommended), Sushi and Teppanyaki. One of my colleagues had tried the steak onboard and said it was best steak he had ever had! If you didn’t have the speciality dining package (I would recommend having it for the full experience), you still have plenty of options such as Aqua, Versailles, O’ Sheehans Bar and Grill, Topsiders Bar and Grill and Ginza. There are 10 bars and lounges onboard each with their own vibe, from Spice H20, which is an adults only chilled out area to Bliss Ultra Lounge for late night dancing, there really is the freedom to choose. Onboard entertainment comprises of the casino, spa, shows every evening, Splash Academy which is a comprehensive kids club for 3 and up, and even a teen zone which is an “adult free zone”. It’s clear to see Norwegian Cruise Lines value family. The Stardust Theatre impressed me, both in size and layout and would be far superior, in my opinion to some more modern style ships. Before ending our visit we were treated to lunch in the main dining room, Versailles. I absolutely loved the layout and the feel of this dining room, and the food was incredible. When it came time to disembark I started to think about the passengers who were coming back onboard whether they had stayed in Cobh or Ventured into Cork City or took part on an organised group tour. This was an all-Ireland cruise, stopping in Cobh, Dingle, Limerick, Galway and Belfast. If the passengers onboard had to take a land-based holiday to see the sights they would spend hours driving from destination to destination. With cruising they are getting to see the highlights and while they get from place to place they are enjoying fantastic shows, relaxing, and eating and drinking to their harts content! The Norwegian Star has some impressive European, South American and Trans-Atlantic itineraries where you really get the best of a resort based holiday with some incredible ports of call. Get in touch to get booking your next cruise, I’d love to hear from you!

27 September 2023

We loved Barcelona. It has a reputation of being one of the most attractive cities in Europe with a cosmopolitan vibe. Being so well connected, it is one of the most popular cities in Europe. We stayed in the Hotel Arts Barcelona, which has a prime beachfront location and is just 20 minute taxi or bus ride to Las Ramblas. We preferred to explore the city on public transport. The buses were quick and easy to navigate and it was easy with a contactless card. As we checked in on a Friday afternoon there were quite a few other people checking in at the same time so we had a bit of a wait, which was softened by the complimentary champagne. On arrival my son was given a “Arts Kids” backpack, with a map and sticker book, he was delighted. During our stay every single staff member greeted both me and my son, from the reception staff to dining staff to the porters. I can’t say for sure if it was the warm Spanish culture or the 5 star service but the staff were exceptional. We were upgraded on arrival to a Panoramic City View Room, and this completely lived up to it’s description, the view of Barcelona Beach was outstanding. To quote my 3 year old “Can we just stay in the room Mammy, it’s so nice?!” The breakfast was delicious with an amazing buffet selection as well as the option of ordering eggs or pancakes to the table. This breakfast was up there with some of the best breakfasts I have ever had. The first day we arrived, after checking in and getting settled in, we went for a stroll along the beach, and had a beautiful beachfront dinner literally right outside the hotel. The next day, after some time in the roof top pool, we got the Montjuc Cable car to Montjuc Castle for amazing views of the city and we had some mouthwatering churros. I was planning to do a kids tour of the city, where they do a treasure hunt and take the kids for churros, but I left it too late to book and it was sold out. We’ll do it next time! I’m also hoping to return and do the Sagrada Familia, hop on hop off bus, the aquarium and the Dali Museum. All in all we had a great time, and we’ll be going back at some point, either as a city break or as part of a larger itinerary. Barcelona boasts direct flights from Cork, Dublin, Shannon and Knock (Knock to Girona - Girona airport is 20 minutes in a taxi to Girona Train station and from there you can get a train that will get you into Barcelona Sants - central Barcelona - in less than 45 minutes).It’s also the start and end point for some amazing Mediterranean cruises, and it’s definitely worth doing a few nights pre-cruise. Get in touch to book your Barcelona break or to see how Barcelona can tie into your next holiday!

27 September 2023

Valencia is a beautiful, modern city, lying right in the middle of Spains Mediterranean Coast with direct flights from Cork and Dublin. Valencia is best known for Paella, the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences, urban beaches and vibrant nightlife. I spent two nights in Valencia with my 3 and a half year old son as part of a larger itinerary. (Check out my Trains in Spain Blog) and I’m ready to report back! Where to stay: We stayed at the Sercotel Sorolla Palace which was just across the road from the Melia Valencia, while we weren’t super central, we were about a 10 minute taxi from the old town or 30 minutes on public transport to the old town. They had a lovely rooftop pool and a kids club on site were there were actively getting the kids involved in movie nights in the evenings which I loved. For a more 5 star experience I would also recommend the SH Valencia Palace which is right in Turia Gardens. How to get around: We loved the public transport system. With the help of the “CityMapper” app we were able to conquer the buses and metro fairly easily, paying about €1.50 for a bus ride and about €4 for the metro it was a fun way to travel. Taxis were readily available, as were bicycles. What to do: Our hotel was so nice that the day we arrived we went for a swim and got some food in a nearby restaurant and settled in with a movie night in the hotel. It’s worth noting, especially when travelling with children, a lot of the restaurants don’t open until 8pm for dinner. We visited Gullivers Park, which is a huge playground shaped like Gulliver himself. This was the biggest playground I have ever been to and it was a huge hit. We went to Oceanogràfic which is a fantastic aquarium, where we saw seals, turtles, clown fish and crabs. This may have been the highlight of our trip. We kayaked around the City of Arts and Sciences. Which is of the largest scientific and cultural complexes in Europe. It is made up of impressive buildings such as the Hemisfèric and Oceanogràfic, and stands out because of its avant-garde architecture. For us this was more than enough for the time we were there. I was hoping to take a boat tour of the Caves of San Jose, but it was booked up in advance. Other things I would consider doing on my next visit would be hiring bicycles and cycling around Turia Gardens. Turia Gardens is a huge park which runs through the city like a river, spreading over 9 kilometres. I would visit the Bioparc and spend more time in the City of Arts and Sciences at the museums and art venues. All in all we had a great time, Valencia has so much to offer, for us it was an amazing family friendly sunny city break. For others it has thriving nightlife. With a year round schedule from Cork and Dublin, it seems nearly criminal not to pay Valencia a visit. Get in touch to hear more about how I can tailor-make a city break for you, or connect it to part of a larger itinerary!

21 September 2023

How do you decide your next destination? In my line of work I have an endless supply of inspiration. Every new enquiry sets the wheel in motion for thoughts and ideas on my own next trip. My problem is eliminating the tempting choices so that I am left with exactly the right trip. This year I knew I wanted to stay relatively close to home because we had been to Toronto and Mexico last year, and I have a few things in the pipeline for the coming year. So we hit the “old reliable” – Spain. So then, I knew we wanted to go to Spain, and we definitely wouldn't want to go to Dublin for that flight. I have no problem with Dublin Airport for long haul flights, but when you’re staying in Europe, it’s such a TREAT to fly in and out of Cork. I also knew that it wouldn't suit us just to go to one place and come home AND I know if we were moving around I don’t want to double back on ourselves - so we’d travel along the coast! My next question, how can I create a trip that had something for me, a grown up and my son, a 3 and half year old boy? After studying time tables, destinations and excursions, I landed on the perfect itinerary. We flew from Cork to Valencia, spent some time here enjoying paella, visiting Gulliver’s Park and the aquarium. Read more on my “Valencia Adventure” blog. After having our fill of fun in Valencia we caught the fast train to Barcelona. This was just two and a half hours from Valencia and covered nearly 350 kilometres. While the train station was busy, there was no check in time required and no faffing around with luggage. When we got on board the meal service was limited, but we had our own snacks and some activities to keep us occupied. There was preassigned seating so we didn’t have to worry about seats together. In Barcelona we ate churros until we were fit to burst, got the Montjuic Cable car and enjoyed a bit of time at the beach. Read more on my “Beach Bliss in Barcelona” blog. When it was time to move on from Barcelona we caught our second and final train of the trip up to the Costa Brava, to where we chilled (kind of!) by the pool, splashed on the waterslides and baked on the beach. To finish we pottered on to Girona airport for our leisurely flight back to our darling ORK. We had the most amazing time and this was the perfect itinerary for us. The direct flights from Cork were seamless, both inbound and outbound flights departed and arrived on time, with very respectable mid morning or afternoon flight times. We breezed through airport security in Cork in less than 10 minutes. Train travel with a small person is ideal, no long waits at extra airports, the excitement of a train journey was a day out in itself. I had private transfers booked for each part of the journey as I wasn’t sure how available taxis were going to be. It’s unquestionably the way forward. I’m a firm believer that no two holidays are ever the same and this trip was one to remember for us. Get in touch to book your next unique tailormade adventure!

24 May 2023

I travelled to Cobh last week for an afternoon of indulgence on the Celebrity Apex and it exceeded my expectations. Our group was welcomed onboard and ushered to Eden, one of the main restaurants, for coffee and treats. The wine and cuisine at Eden are rooted in nature and draw inspiration from the areas they visit throughout the world. The interior, is green and lush while still being airy with lots of space and of course, amazing sea views. From there we were given the grand tour of the ship. A highlight for me was the Retreat area. This serene haven is exclusive to Retreat Class guests. Guests staying in suites have direct access to the retreat area. We stopped on the magic carpet, which is a cutting edge design that moves up and down between decks, functioning as a bar while at sea and in some ports or as a tendering area when the tender boats are in operation. The view from here was outstanding and you really felt this area protruding from the rest of the ship. The roof top garden has a huge outdoor area for drinks, barbecues and entertainment, again with a very lush green interior. There are 29 bars, restaurants and lounges, so we didn’t get the chance to visit them all in an afternoon, but I’m sure over the course of a 7 night cruise the challenge could be accepted! The Club, which is fairly self explanatory starts at 10pm till late, and is the place to go for evening entertainment. Blu restaurant, a speciality restaurant for Aqua Class guests, who will also have complimentary access to the spa area, is an exquisite restaurant with tables for two. The chefs are trained in such a way that the food its prepared in a light and healthy way, while retaining a fabulous taste. We ended the evening with Le Petit Chef, which was show that was projected onto our plates. This was a fusion of entertainment and cuisine of the highest calibre. We were entertained between courses and wowed with the food. All in all, its easy to see why Celebrity Apex was verified by the Forbes Travel Guide as One of the Finest Resorts at Sea. Between the outstanding service, serene interior design and laid back luxurious vibe you would be absolutely at ease with life and completely recharged after a week onboard. Get in touch to book your Celebrity Cruise!

08 May 2023

New York City! Wowzers. Having been blown away by the big apple with my sister a few years ago, I hadn’t thought too much about it until recently, but what a time we had. We arrived in late and it was already dark, which suited us, because we wanted to see the bright lights of New York from a yellow taxi. I would highly recommend this. It got our trip off to the perfect start. For our first day sightseeing, we were women on a mission. We were up early to get our sight seeing done. We hit Top of The Rock, The Empire State Building, Grand Central Station, we got out to see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. This was a busy day for us and we were so glad to have skip the line passes and had our route well thought out. My absolute favourite was the trip out to Ellis Island, it was raining and we got wet (should have brought rain jackets) but I can’t resist a boat trip! With our first day sightseeing mission completed, we were free to completely soak in the atmosphere. The rest of our time in The Big Apple was spent brunching and grazing on delicious food and getting a little bit off the beaten track. We spent a morning checking out the Flea Market in Chelsea and browsed vintage clothes and antiques. We spent an afternoon in Central Park away from the hustle and bustle, and hired bicycles and cycled around central park. We mastered The Subway. (That may be a bit kind, but our successful journey felt like a huge achievement). And finally on our last evening in New York City we visited some really cool, funky bars in Hells Kitchen to end our time there with a bang. I would suggest staying in Hotel Edison, which is just steps away from Times Square and has a really fun art-deco vibe. We stayed in New York for 4 nights, and while the average night stay in New York is 4 or 5 nights, we could have easily spent a week there. It’s definitely not the kind of city that if you’ve been there once you’re done, every time you go back you will find something new to explore. If you want to see what your dream New York trip might look like, get in touch!

09 April 2023

Now, talk about a throwback! Back in 2016 I took a notion to travel to Peru for about a month. I had never visited South America and I was absolutely bursting to go. At the time none of my friends or family members were able to come with me so I took the plunge and off I went and what an opportunity it turned out to be! I had some amazing experiences and met some wonderful people, but the highlight was definitely the trek to Machu Picchu. There are three different routes you can do: Inca Trail, The Salkantay Trek and The Lares Trek. The Inca Trial is the most iconic one, it’s the busiest and the permits sell out months in advance. The Salkantay Trek is “the hike for hikers” and because its longer than the Inca Trail, it’s not as busy. Finally The Lares Trek, which is the shortest. I’d love to tell you I did the Salkantay Trek because I’m an avid hiker, but truthfully, I left it too late to book and the Inca Trail was booked up. Its fair to say I was somewhat surprised on Day 1, when I realised some of my fellow travellers had been preparing for the hike for weeks! It was a phenomenal 4-day hike from Mollepata where we were dropped off, to the town of Aguas Calientes. I must have taken more than 100 photos of the mountains but not one single one of them was able to capture how humbling it was! Words cannot describe how beautiful it really was, every day brought different coulors, and you could see snow in the morning and nearly dessert in the afternoon. The camps we stayed in as we went along were basic. I had no service on my phone for those 4 days. It was 4 days of peace and quiet, we didn’t come to a city or village until we came to Santa Teresa, where we stopped to for a well-deserved visit to the hot springs before getting into Aguas Calientes. Aguas Calientes is the hub for exploring Machu Picchu and you could go there directly if you wanted to see The Lost City of the Incas without doing a trek. We spent the night in Aguas Calientes before rising at 4am, to continue our hike into Machu Picchu. We got in as the sun was rising and before the bus loads of other visitors arrived. Once we were in the Lost City, there was lots of amazing photo opportunities and places to sit and admire. It really was the trip of a lifetime and I would recommend it to anyone to do at least once in their lives! I also visited the Rainbow Mountain, Cusco and Lake Titicaca while I was in Peru. Get in touch to book your Peruvian Adventure!

29 March 2023

My sister, her husband and their 18 month old son just got back from Paris. (Fair enough he’s not quite a pre-schooler yet!) I haven’t been to Paris in a few years. So, I took the opportunity to sit down with her and extract as much information about their trip as I could! What did you find helpful when travelling with a very small child in Paris? When we arrived in Orly, we started to queue for a taxi, it looked like we could be there quite a while but within moments we were ushered to a priority queue for people with strollers and wheelchair users. When we were departing Orly there was a “Salon Du Bebe”, which had a small play area, cots, bottle warmer, sinks, bins, changing table and high chair. This was so helpful while we were waiting to board our flight. While we were in Paris there were loads of playgrounds and open green spaces for our toddler to run around. As well as that French people love children! We felt really welcome and lots of people stopped to chat to our baby! It was fun. How did you find getting around? We mostly got the train / underground system which was pretty straightforward to use, we even took the train back to the airport at the end of our trip. What were some of your favourite thing do to in Paris with a toddler? We took the funicular to Sacre Couer, when we got to the top of the hill there was a fun atelier style art studio, crepes and hot wine. Then we got the Little Train of Montmartre down. Little people love little trains! We also went to the Jardin du Plants where there was a menagerie with goats, deer and flamingos, a reptile zoo with blue frogs, snakes and tarantulas as well as some dinosaur exhibits, a merry go round and hot chocolate, lots of fun for everyone! What did you visit in Paris that you hadn’t thought of before? One of the days it was raining we ran into the shopping centre in the Louvre basement, we had never intended on going in there but it was fantastic! There were loads of shops we had never visited before. My husband loved the Shakespeare and Co bookshop and a restaurant called Le Relais De L’Entrecote. It was a real Parisian bistro. I liked seeing the restaurant from “Emily in Paris” and I loved the Marie Curie museum which was completely free of charge and you were able to see laboratory and garden. What would you say to someone planning their first visit to Paris with a young child? There are loads of flights from Dublin and a few from Cork, try to get good times. It’s only a short flight so it’s the perfect tester trip if you’re not sure how the flight is going to go. Overall it was a great trip and we all enjoyed it. Definitely worth a visit. Get in touch today, if you would like me to start planning your next trip to Paris.

16 March 2023

November 2022 Mexico is one of the top tourist destinations in the world so we were very excited to get to go there! I was traveling with my son who was two and half at the time. There were so many options in terms of accommodation it can be hard to choose - so we chose two, one that I loved and one that I knew he would love! First we stayed in Fives Ocean Front in the small fishing village of Puerto Morelos and then we went on to Dreams Jade, just outside the village. On arrival at the Fives Oceanfront in Puerto Morales we had some dinner in their Ro Marley beach house while we were waiting to check in. We had a phenomenal dinner of jerk chicken (and chicken fingers) in the restaurant overlooking the beach. We had our Mexican breakfasts here the next two mornings, every meal we had here was absolutely divine! The vibe here was so chill and authentic! It was just a 10 minute stroll (even with the stroller) into the village. It was wonderful to explore night markets and authentic Mexican food and still feel safe. As a bonus there is a fun playground in the middle of the square! We also checked into Dreams Jade which is a beautiful resort. It's not the biggest or the flashiest of all the Dreams properties but the beach was gorgeous!! While we were there we went out for dinner in Capers, which was Italian cuisine, and we went to Spice which was Asian cuisine both of which my son and I loved! There was nightly entertainment in Dreams Jade, the highlight being a cirque du soleil style show on the last night of our holiday. During our stay in Mexico we visited the cenotes, which are large natural swimming pools, some of which are underwater in caves. This was an amazing experience and I would highly recommend it! We also visited Crococun Zoo, which is an interactive zoo. This hit the nail exactly on the head for travellers with smaller children as it really is super interactive and it's a relatively small zoo so it was really easy to manage. Mexico really is a magical country, the people there love children and we were well received everywhere we went. My son had a ball and I’m looking forward to getting back in a few years for a different experience. Next time I plan on visiting Isla Mujeres, Isla Holbox, Chichen Itza, the Tulum Ruins and Xel Ha Marine Park. There’s lots of flight routes to Mexico, whether you decide to work in a layover or bee-line to the beach. If you're thinking of visiting Mexico and want to see what your dream trip looks like, why not give me a call?

16 March 2023

When I was planning our trip to Mexico, I found a fantastic rate on flights with AirCanada, stopping over in Toronto. As Toronto was always on the list and I had a friend I wanted to visit there it was only natural that we make the most of the stop. The flight was excellent, apart from a two and a half year old little boy that did not want to stay in his seat! On arrival we checked in to ALT Airport Hotel Toronto. This hotel was the perfect choice for us, it’s actually in the airport so we didn't have to get transfers or navigate public transport when we got off our flight - we just took the free, internal train to the hotel For our sightseeing we used the Toronto City Pass. This was excellent value and covered all of our sightseeing! I would consider this a necessity for anyone who's heading to Tornoro for the first time. We would have spent way more had we paid locally. Our first stop was an early morning visit to the CN Tower. It was super easy to get there by train from our airport hotel. Because we went on a weekday morning it wasn't too busy and the clouds usually come in in the afternoon so we had an amazing view. After that we went to the Aquarium, which is right next to the CN Tower (you can see the roof of the Aquarium from the glass floor in the Tower). The Aquarium was huge and if you had more time in Toronto you could easily spend half a day here. There was a massive soft play center in the middle of the aquarium and a little café to get something light to eat. After the Aquarium we had a delicious poutine lunch! Once we were refueled we went to the Royal Ontario Museum. I was initially hesitant to the suggestion of visiting a museum but this exceeded my expectations! There was an ancient Greek exhibition, an exhibition from the Indigenous people of Canada, a huge display of Canadian wildlife and most importantly, dinosaurs galore! We finished the day with some dinner in a Sports Bar close to the Rodgers Stadium. The Toronto BlueJays were playing that evening so the atmosphere was lively. We caught the train back to our hotel, tired, happy and full of food! Toronto is a wonderful city with lots to offer, it was easily accessible even with the stroller. The people there were fantastically polite My son absolutely loved it and I can't wait to get back for a longer stay and hit Niagara Falls, have some amazing food and wine experiences and explore Ontario. Toronto is just a direct flight from Dublin and is our gateway to Eastern Canada. If you want to chat about your Canadian adventure, why not give me a call?

16 March 2023

Mark Twain once said “Mauritius was made first, and then heaven; and heaven was copied after Mauritius” When I visited the Island of Mauritius in 2019 I felt that quote hit the nail on the head. It has lush green landscapes, turquoise water, amazing mountains and beautiful beaches. It’s well set up for tourism without feeling crowded or massively commercialised. We stayed in two resorts, first the Constance Belle Mare Plage on the Poste de Flacq Beach on the North East, then the Heritage Le Telfair in Bel Ombre on the South. The Constance Belle Mare Plage was lovely, really nice décor, staff were so attentive and the food was good, but I have to say the Heritage Le Telfair knocked my socks off!! It is my favourite hotel of all time! Its brought me a huge problem – nowhere has been good enough since! We were handed a drink on arrival and were brought to the room for in room check in. We were on an all-inclusive basis and it was worth every penny and more. Breakfast was devine and was brought to the room without any extra charge, the mini fridge was also restocked each day for no extra charge. We went out to hike Le Morne Brabant (which is a UNSECO world heritage site) and we were even given a beautiful picnic to take with us, as part of the all-inclusive package. We dined out every evening, my favourite restaurant was Gin’Ja, which was an Asian infusion restaurant on the beach. I will never forget having the most amazing food in the evening on the beach, watching the stars and listening to the ocean! It really felt like a once in a lifetime experience. We also had access to dine at the Heritage Awali, the sister hotel just down the road, the concierge organised all of this for us. Now, so far you probably are thinking I didn’t do much else besides enjoying the resort and eating! Not the case. There is a plethora of activities in Mauritius. I did scuba diving for the first time and it was amazing to see the Sea Turtles chilling on the bottom of the ocean floor. There are fantastic hikes in Mauritius, I also visited the 7 Coloured Earth Geopark. There was the option here to do quad biking, zipline and a Nepalese bridge which I took three steps into and thought better of! Mauritius was absolutely magical for me! It was a fantastic holiday with beautiful hotels topped by wonderful experiences. If you would like to know more about Mauritius either as a standalone holiday for a beach break as part of a larger itinerary, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.