05 January 2015

Cruising is a fantastic way to see and explore many places in one trip. Initially my perceptions of cruising were that it was for older people and I would be bored or feel trapped on a ship! I couldn't have been more wrong. Cruising offers something for everyone the old and the young, singles and couples and families can all enjoy the experience. It offer fantastic value for money as all of you meals and facilities on board are included in the cost. I would advise you to fly the day before you ship is due to depart to avoid any delays and to start you journey stress free. Also this way you can experience a city break along with your cruise. As I had a late flight from Dublin to Barcelona I opted to stay at an airport hotel and went into the city the following morning to the Cruise port which is approx. 15kms away. I cruised the Mediterranean for 7 nights from Barcelona on board Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas. On board I had an Ocean View cabin with balcony located on deck 8. I would recommend having an outside or balcony cabin, that way you can enjoy the sea views and see what the weather is like each day before you leave your cabin. Also when you have a balcony you can benefit of being able to sit out and relax when leaving the port, as the main decks up top can be busy. The first day was a full day at sea which was great and allowed me to see and explore what the ship had to offer. There was a great choice of activities from a Rock Climbing Wall (for the brave), an ice skating rink, mini golf, and running track and Adventure Beach for families to enjoy. You can relax in the Spa or wander down the Royal Promenade with its shops and café’s or enjoy a cocktail at one of the many bars on board. As for the food, I was spoilt for choice with so many dining options. The Windjammer Café is a buffet open all day. There was a 1950 style diner Johnny Rockets and for something a little more special try Portofino’s and savour the fine Italian cuisine. The main dining room is also open for breakfast and dinner and this is where I ate most nights. After dinner the nightly shows in the La Scala Theatre are world class or if you feel lucky you can try the Casino Royale. There is just so much to do on board and so little time to explore the ship when every morning you wake up in a new port with a new destination to be discovered. On my itinerary the first port of call was Naples. From here you can visit Sorrento on the Amalfi coast, see the beautiful Island of Capri or visit the fascinating city of Pompeii. Our next stop brought us to the port of Civitavecchia the cruise port for Rome and you can visit Rome for the day. It is a good distance from the port so the best option is to take a tour to make the most of you day and see the many sights Rome has to offer. The Vatican, The Colosseum, The Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps and much more. Day 4 We docked in the port of Livorno and from here you can choose to visit Florence or Pisa. I opted to visit Pisa after such a busy day in Rome and of course I went to see the famous Leaning Tower which surprisingly is smaller than I expected it to be. Day 5 brought us to the beautiful port of Villefranche and from here I went to Nice in the morning and after lunch by the promenade I spent the afternoon in Monte Carlo where you will see the rich and famous at the Casino Square, the marina with its yachts and stunning views and the Palais du Prince the home of the Grimaldi family. Day 6 stopped in the port of Toulon. Here I enjoyed the day at the markets and exploring the city but you can also take a tour to Provence or Marseille. You have a wide range or tours and excursions in each port which are best to book in advance to avoid any disappointment. On a cruise your journey can be action packed or relaxing the choice is yours and as you can see the options are endless. Cruising is truly for everyone and once you have experienced it you can’t wait to plan your next voyage of discovery on the seas. Is this sounds like the holiday for you why not give me a call and together we can find you the perfect experience in the wonderful world of Cruise.

11 December 2014

My most recent holiday was a family holiday to Lake Garda. Lake Garda offers just about everything you could ask for with its spectacular scenery, fine food and wine, medieval castles and a range of outdoor activities walking, sailing, biking and many water sports. It also has three Theme parks to entertain the entire family whatever their age. Italy’s number-one theme park, Gardaland and the Sea Life aquarium is a must for all. Movieland has more thrilling rides, film-themed shows with stage sets and Acqua Water Park with a variety of rides and slides, a white-sand beach and an adventure island. We flew direct from Dublin to Verona as it’s the best airport to transfer to most resorts especially the ones located on the south of the Lake. We stayed in Camping Bella Italia located just outside of Peschiera del Garda. This site has all types or accommodation from self-catering mobile homes and bungalows, it also has a 4* hotel on site. It is ideal for families and has excellent facilities on site. The complex has five swimming pools with slide, large swimming pool for children, many playgrounds, bicycles for hire, a mini club, game park, soccer camps. They also have a very reasonable and well stocked supermarket, the main restaurant with its delicious pizza to eat in or take out. And don’t forget to visit the Gelateria with an amazing range of fresh ice cream every day. It has a perfect location right on the lake and the local town of Peschiera del Garda can be reached on foot with a very pleasant walk along the lake front. We stayed in a 3 bedroom mobile home. At first I was a little apprehensive about this accommodation type and worried about the amenities. I couldn’t have been more wrong. It suited our needs perfectly. The kitchen was small and compact with everything we needed. It had a gas cooker and a large fridge/ freezer. We had air conditioning and plenty of hot water day and night. We also had a great outdoor decking area with a table and chairs, and a charcoal barbecue for dining al fresco. I would note that some other models of mobile included a gas barbecue which would have been a much better and faster option! We booked a free baby pack which included a child gate for the deck, a travel cot, a high chair and a baby bath. We found it very easy to get out and about without the need for a car as there is a very good public bus service that operates around the lake and also you can travel across the lake by ferry. There are so many stunning towns to visit dotted around the lake. I just loved Malcesine with its beautiful medieval castle and wonderful views when you take the cable car ride up to Monte Baldo. The towns of Sirmione and Desenzano are also worth a visit and you can find local markets which take place on certain days. The city of Verona is within easy reach with its many attractions Juliet’s House with is famous balcony, The Verona Arena and enjoy a wander around the Piazza delle Erbe, a fruit and vegetable market with many stalls surrounded by many historic buildings and monuments. Verona is also great for shopping with its many souvenir shops to big names and designer brands, there is something for every pocket. There are so many places to visit and sights to see it is impossible to see them all in one trip, especially when you are travelling with little ones, some days you just need to sit back, relax and soak up the sunshine. Which is perfectly fine to do after all you are on holidays. I just love Lake Garda and all it has to offer and I will definitely be more the happy to go back to experience all the other treasures and hidden gems it has to offer. Call me to chat about your own holiday.