03 July 2025

Grand Palladium White Island Resort & Spa is the perfect choice for families, couples, and friends. The hotel is located right in front of the beach in Playa d'en Bossa, a mere 10 minutes away from both the airport and the city centre. It's also just a few minutes away from the world's most popular clubs. The hotel offers top-level dining options in its Show-Cooking and À la Carte restaurants, and various bars. It also has a wide range of services for everyone: a pool with an integrated hot tub, kids' clubs, leisure areas, a sports centre, a theatre, and a large outdoor spa. I just went on a girlies long weekend which was perfect. The first day we chilled at one of the beach clubs. Second day we took the ferry over to Formentera would recommend that trip. Formentera was beautiful. The third day in the evening we went into Ibiza old town which is beautiful and full of character. If you want the club scene there is plenty of that too but not in your face. The hotel was located right on the beach, and you could walk for miles in either direction. Gorgeous beaches and lovely little cafes and bars along the way. I would definitely recommend Ibiza for a short break away with the girls or a week family holiday in the sun. It has something for everyone and definitely if you want a quiet holiday, it offers that too especially in the resort of Playa d'en Bossa. I will definitely be back.

02 July 2025

Just back from a lovely winter sun break staying at the Seaside Los Jameos hotel in Lanzarote. We went with our two teens who had just finished their mock exams, so it was lovely for them to recharge the batteries. The Seaside Los Jameos is a firm favourite with our family as we stayed here a lot when the girls were very young. When we arrived the staff remembered us and looked after so well for the entire duration of the holiday. My daughter was celebrating her 18th birthday, and they spoilt her. The hotel has a fantastic beach front location which I love as I love to walk and every morning, I used to get up early and do my 5k beach walk. If you like cycling, you can hire bikes right outside the hotel and the cycle paths are fantastic all over the Island. Facilities at the hotel are fantastic from the kids’ zone with kids clubs and kids pool and for the teens it has tennis courts and mini golf and lots of entertainment at the pool during the day. Evening entertainment kids’ mini disco and then nightly entertainment for the adults or if you want something a little quieter the piano bar was lovely to relax in. The food in the hotel is fantastic with a such a variety and every evening had a different theme. The hotel was closing the end of February till the end of July for a complete refurbishment so I will look forward to going back next winter to see the new look and I believe it is going to be a 5-star hotel.

02 July 2025

Just back from a lovely winter sun break staying at the Seaside Los Jameos hotel in Lanzarote. We went with our two teens who had just finished their mock exams, so it was lovely for them to recharge the batteries. The Seaside Los Jameos is a firm favourite with our family as we stayed here a lot when the girls were very young. When we arrived the staff remembered us and looked after so well for the entire duration of the holiday. My daughter was celebrating her 18th birthday, and they spoilt her. The hotel has a fantastic beach front location which I love as I love to walk and every morning, I used to get up early and do my 5k beach walk. If you like cycling, you can hire bikes right outside the hotel and the cycle paths are fantastic all over the Island. Facilities at the hotel are fantastic from the kids’ zone with kids clubs and kids pool and for the teens it has tennis courts and mini golf and lots of entertainment at the pool during the day. Evening entertainment kids’ mini disco and then nightly entertainment for the adults or if you want something a little quieter the piano bar was lovely to relax in. The food in the hotel is fantastic with a such a variety and every evening had a different theme. The hotel was closing the end of February till the end of July for a complete refurbishment so I will look forward to going back next winter to see the new look and I believe it is going to be a 5-star hotel.

01 July 2025

In April 2023 I headed to New York with my two teens to celebrate some special birthdays. I have been lucky enough to visit New York on many occasions but each time I discover new things, and it had been a good few years since my last visit. There is always so much to be packed into your few days in the Big Apple, but my top tip would be to purchase the New York Explorer Pass. With the pass you gain admission to your choice of either 3, 5 or 7 attractions from a selection of over 50 of the top city attractions. As well as saving you money, a few of the attraction entries will come with VIP line privileges that will save you lots of precious time. Some of the attractions we opted for during our visit were: Empire State Building - One of the top places to visit in New York is undoubtedly the Empire State Building, where you can get some of the best views of NYC. Scaling this famous 102-story skyscraper is one of the best things to do in New York, my teens just loved all the pics and insta photos with the panoramic views over the whole city from not one but two observation decks. Previously the tallest building in the world, the Empire State Building stands a whopping 1,250 feet tall. Don’t worry about climbing the 1,860 steps; you can skip the lines with a fast pass and zip up to the top in one of the 73 elevators without breaking a sweat. Brooklyn Bridge - The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the best places to visit in New York. Stroll over this huge 1.1-mile-long suspension bridge spanning the East River for spectacular views over Brooklyn and Manhattan. Manhattan may be home to some of NYC’s most iconic attractions, but there’s plenty to do on the Brooklyn side, including Brooklyn Bridge Park and lots of places to eat and shop which are alot cheaper than Manhattan. Best time to go is early in the morning and less crowds. One World Observatory and The 9/11 Memorial & Museum is a must-visit NYC attraction. It honours the victims of the 1993 and 2001 terror attacks on the World Trade Center, and two waterfalls mark where the Twin Towers once stood. They’re the largest of their kind in the USA. The memorial is free to visit and is one of the most powerful spots in New York. O would recommend you visit the museum as well as the memorial. It is a deeply moving experience. Central Park - We just loved Central Park. We hired bikes and spent a few hours roaming around the park. Skyscrapers overlook you on all sides, yet it is such a peaceful and tranquil place. This bustling green space is truly the heart of the city. Home to gardens, waterfalls, bridges, and even music performances, Central Park may be the oldest landscaped park in the US but it’s the most visited for a reason. However, you choose to experience it, Central Park is definitely one of the best things to do in NYC. Staten Island Ferry and Statue of Liberty - The Statue of Liberty is probably the most iconic of all the things to see in New York. Standing tall on an island in New York Harbor, the Statue of Liberty was originally a gift from France to commemorate the alliance between France and the USA during the American Revolution. We did they New York Harbour Cruise which was a lovely trip, and we got a close-up view of the Statue. Hop on Hop Off city bus tour! You board 'The Ride' at Broadway and over the next 90 minutes are part of the most surreal sightseeing tour of Midtown. The seats on the coach are tiered, side facing with floor to ceiling glass windows. The idea is that you are the audience & the streetscape of New York is the stage. Two hosts provide a comedic commentary through the tour, however, what was most impressive was the street performers who appeared from nowhere specifically for our tour. One guy, dressed as a DHL Courier was casually walking along the footpath before suddenly beginning to sing & dance with his mic connected to the speakers in our coach. Since traffic moves incredibly slowly in Manhattan, most of the performers moved along with the coach. A really entertaining way of taking in Midtown….just don’t sit at the end of the row unless you enjoy audience participation! We took in a show in Broadway. This is the second time I’ve been to see a show in Broadway. I would definitely recommend prebooking your tickets or you could spend the day queueing for tickets, and you may only save 30 dollars or so. Head to Little Italy for dinner for a fantastic choice of your typical Italian restaurants and is located just around the corner from Chinatown. Here you will find all the fake designer handbag shopping. We did a shopping trip out to Woodbury common which is definitely worth doing if you are looking for a bargain or two. Flying from Shannon was so convenient as you can clear immigration before take-off. Same applies to Dublin. We stayed at the Riu Plaza Times Square which was a lovely hotel great location off Times Square and so central to everything. We walked till we dropped over the few days. We had a wonderful few days and will certainly go back again there is always something new to see in New York.

01 July 2025

In April 2023 I headed to New York with my two teens to celebrate some special birthdays. I have been lucky enough to visit New York on many occasions but each time I discover new things, and it had been a good few years since my last visit. There is always so much to be packed into your few days in the Big Apple, but my top tip would be to purchase the New York Explorer Pass. With the pass you gain admission to your choice of either 3, 5 or 7 attractions from a selection of over 50 of the top city attractions. As well as saving you money, a few of the attraction entries will come with VIP line privileges that will save you lots of precious time. Some of the attractions we opted for during our visit were: Empire State Building - One of the top places to visit in New York is undoubtedly the Empire State Building, where you can get some of the best views of NYC. Scaling this famous 102-story skyscraper is one of the best things to do in New York, my teens just loved all the pics and insta photos with the panoramic views over the whole city from not one but two observation decks. Previously the tallest building in the world, the Empire State Building stands a whopping 1,250 feet tall. Don’t worry about climbing the 1,860 steps; you can skip the lines with a fast pass and zip up to the top in one of the 73 elevators without breaking a sweat. Brooklyn Bridge - The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the best places to visit in New York. Stroll over this huge 1.1-mile-long suspension bridge spanning the East River for spectacular views over Brooklyn and Manhattan. Manhattan may be home to some of NYC’s most iconic attractions, but there’s plenty to do on the Brooklyn side, including Brooklyn Bridge Park and lots of places to eat and shop which are alot cheaper than Manhattan. Best time to go is early in the morning and less crowds. One World Observatory and The 9/11 Memorial & Museum is a must-visit NYC attraction. It honours the victims of the 1993 and 2001 terror attacks on the World Trade Center, and two waterfalls mark where the Twin Towers once stood. They’re the largest of their kind in the USA. The memorial is free to visit and is one of the most powerful spots in New York. O would recommend you visit the museum as well as the memorial. It is a deeply moving experience. Central Park - We just loved Central Park. We hired bikes and spent a few hours roaming around the park. Skyscrapers overlook you on all sides, yet it is such a peaceful and tranquil place. This bustling green space is truly the heart of the city. Home to gardens, waterfalls, bridges, and even music performances, Central Park may be the oldest landscaped park in the US but it’s the most visited for a reason. However, you choose to experience it, Central Park is definitely one of the best things to do in NYC. Staten Island Ferry and Statue of Liberty - The Statue of Liberty is probably the most iconic of all the things to see in New York. Standing tall on an island in New York Harbor, the Statue of Liberty was originally a gift from France to commemorate the alliance between France and the USA during the American Revolution. We did they New York Harbour Cruise which was a lovely trip, and we got a close-up view of the Statue. Hop on Hop Off city bus tour! You board 'The Ride' at Broadway and over the next 90 minutes are part of the most surreal sightseeing tour of Midtown. The seats on the coach are tiered, side facing with floor to ceiling glass windows. The idea is that you are the audience & the streetscape of New York is the stage. Two hosts provide a comedic commentary through the tour, however, what was most impressive was the street performers who appeared from nowhere specifically for our tour. One guy, dressed as a DHL Courier was casually walking along the footpath before suddenly beginning to sing & dance with his mic connected to the speakers in our coach. Since traffic moves incredibly slowly in Manhattan, most of the performers moved along with the coach. A really entertaining way of taking in Midtown….just don’t sit at the end of the row unless you enjoy audience participation! We took in a show in Broadway. This is the second time I’ve been to see a show in Broadway. I would definitely recommend prebooking your tickets or you could spend the day queueing for tickets, and you may only save 30 dollars or so. Head to Little Italy for dinner for a fantastic choice of your typical Italian restaurants and is located just around the corner from Chinatown. Here you will find all the fake designer handbag shopping. We did a shopping trip out to Woodbury common which is definitely worth doing if you are looking for a bargain or two. Flying from Shannon was so convenient as you can clear immigration before take-off. Same applies to Dublin. We stayed at the Riu Plaza Times Square which was a lovely hotel great location off Times Square and so central to everything. We walked till we dropped over the few days. We had a wonderful few days and will certainly go back again there is always something new to see in New York.

06 May 2025

Exploring Rhodes, Greece: We had a fabulous family holiday last Summer. We stayed at the Eden Roc Hotel in the resort of Kallitheas in Rhodes Rhodes is the largest of Greece’s Dodecanese islands, gorgeous beaches, medieval history, and vibrant culture come together to create an unforgettable travel experience. Nestled in the southeastern Aegean Sea, Rhodes offers a unique blend of ancient ruins, charming villages, and turquoise waters that have drawn travellers for centuries. A Walk-Through History Rhodes’ crown jewel is its Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe. Walking through the cobblestone streets feels like stepping into a fairy tale. The Palace of the Grand Master, towering medieval walls, and Gothic architecture reflect the island’s time under the Knights of Saint John in the 14th century. The island’s ancient past runs even deeper. The Acropolis of Rhodes, perched on Monte Smith, offers panoramic views of the city and glimpses into the island’s Hellenistic history. And let’s not forget the legend of the Colossus of Rhodes—one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, which once stood guard over the harbour. Sun, Sea, and Sand Rhodes boasts over 300 days of sunshine a year, making it a beach lover’s paradise. From the crystal-clear waters of Tsambika and the family-friendly sands of Faliraki to the windsurfing haven of Prasonisi, there’s a beach for every kind of traveller. Lindos, with its whitewashed houses and dramatic clifftop acropolis, is a must-visit. Its nearby bay is perfect for a swim, and the village itself comes alive at night with cozy tavernas and rooftop bars. Culture and Cuisine Greek hospitality is alive and well in Rhodes. Visitors can savour traditional dishes like moussaka, fresh seafood, and souvlaki, often accompanied by local wines and the island’s own variety of honey and olives. Festivals and cultural events, especially in summer, showcase music, dance, and religious traditions passed down through generations. Getting There and Around Rhodes is accessible by both air and sea. The Diagoras International Airport connects the island with Athens and many major European cities. Ferries from Athens’ port of Piraeus are also available, offering a scenic journey through the Aegean. Once on the island, renting a car or scooter is the best way to explore at your own pace, especially if you plan to venture beyond Rhodes Town into the island’s mountainous interior and hidden beaches. Rhodes is more than just a destination, it's an experience where history and natural beauty intertwine. Whether you're a history buff, a sun-seeker, or a foodie, Rhodes has something to offer. It's a place where every sunset feels like a postcard come to life.

06 May 2025

I attended our Gold Travel Counsellors conference in Doha from 19th September to 24th September inclusive. We flew from Dublin with Qatar airlines, I must say I was very impressed by Qatar airlines, they are a really amazing 5-star airline. Qatar Airways has been voted the World’s Best Airline at the 2024 World Airline Awards, the eighth time that the airline has scooped the Airline of the Year title in the 25-year history of the awards. I would highly recommend Doha as a stopover destination for a couple of nights on route, to break up the journey when travelling onwards to any of their worldwide destinations. Doha is the hub for Qatar airlines. The airport is top class with amazing lounges to choose from and really easy to navigate. On 19th September we arrived in Dubai and checked in the 5-star Fairmont Doha for our stay. We had an arrival cocktail party on arrival at Raffles Doha, next door to the Fairmont up on the roof top Acoustic bar, where we were treated to tapas food and drinks and music was amazing. On Friday morning 20th September we had breakfast at Fairmont Doha in Vaya Restaurant and proceeded on after the breakfast to attend our conference which took place in the ballroom of the Fairmont. After the conference finished, we headed to the Doha Beach club by coach for an afternoon at the beach club where we experienced delectable culinary delights and drinks with complimentary beach access and complimentary sun beds with convenient internet access ensuring we stayed connected while having fun at the beach. We returned to the hotel at 5pm and had a free evening to join up with other colleagues and relax for the evening. On Saturday morning 21st September we had breakfast at the Fairmont Doha and met in the lobby to embark on a day exploring Doha. Our tour of Doha included touring the Pearl, Katara Cultural village and the Souq Waqif. We had an amazing lunch near the Souq Wasif at Parisa Restaurant. We had free time after lunch to walk around the souk and haggle for some purchases, a lovely experience. We then headed the National Museum of Qatar for a guided tour. Upon returning back to the Fairmont we got ready and headed to the Banyan tree Doha for a party at Vertigo located up on level 28 one of the highest clubs in the Msheireb area and incredible 360-degree views of Doha skyline, Corniche and the Old city. We were hosted to a beautiful buffet dinner with live cooking stations and drinks and there was beautiful music also. On Sunday 22nd September after breakfast at the Fairmont we headed of on our pre-booked Discover Desert & inland sea tour. We discovered the remarkable desert landscape where sand dunes spill into the azure waters of the Inland Sea. Our qualified desert drivers took us on an adventure, travelling through the dramatic sand dunes to Khor Al Adaid, a large tidal embayment recognised for its outstanding natural heritage value. After being collected at the Fairmont hotel we drove approximately 1 hour to the entrance of the desert at Sealine. Here we had a brief stop to deflate our tyres. From here, the adventure started with our off-road desert drive through the dramatic sand dunes. Our experienced driver navigated the dunes until we reached Khor-Al-Adaid, or the inland sea. We had an opportunity to take in the magnificent desert landscape, visited the towering Sheraton Dune and marvelled at the azure waters of the Arabian Sea before we departed for a brief comfort stop at our desert camp on the way back to Doha. Upon returning to the Fairmont hotel, we got ready for our Fare well celebration dinner and drinks at Agua Urban desk at Raffles Doha. It was truly an amazing evening by the pool at Raffles. On Monday we had free time to relax by the pool and had a late check out before heading to Doha airport for our plane back to Dublin after Midnight. We also had time to go and explore Villaggio which is a touch of Venice in Doha, known as little Italy of Doha. We saw amazing shops and top of the line luxury brands in Villaggio Mall in Qatar where it's equipped to comfortably meet the demands of every visitor. We walked around Villaggio, and it felt just like i was in Venice with lovely canal views and beautiful buildings. We did not have time to attend the Mall of Qatar, a retail and entertainment destination, that is also the country's largest mall. My over all experience of Doha and Qatar as a country was amazing, it’s really safe, beautiful hotels and amazing excursion options and shopping opportunities to break your journey on route to a multitude of worldwide destinations.

27 September 2021

To say I was excited was an understatement. After almost 2 years of no international travel I was invited as a guest on board Norwegian Epic with some of my Travel Counsellor colleagues to experience what was an amazing trip from start to finish. We set sail from Barcelona to Sardinia and returned to Barcelona for a 4 night duration as part of their inaugural return to seas sailing. I flew from Dublin to Barcelona with Ryanair from Terminal 1 and returned from Barcelona with Aer Lingus into Terminal 2. I did find Terminal 1 a lot busier as there was a lot of flights departing a the same time. I would definitely recommend a 3 hour check in to give yourself plenty of time to get through security and allow for any queues or delays. It is vital to be prepared and have all your documents both digitally on your phone and as a back up bring a paper copy. I must say I felt very comfortable on both flights. On arrival in Barcelona everything went very smoothly our Spanish Passenger locator QR codes were scanned and we collected our bags and off into arrivals. It was such a lovely feeling to feel the heat when we went outside the airport for our transfer pick up. It was great to have that holiday feeling back again. Norwegian Cruise Lines Representatives were waiting for us at the Cruise Port. I have to say everything was so well organised. We all had to prebook for our Antigen Tests and the whole process was very quick and efficient. Before I knew it I was walking up the steps to board Norwegian Epic. I checked in to my Balcony Cabin, dropped the bags and went to explore the ship. The excitement. I was like a child. The stateroom was decorated in white and teal colours. Having a balcony was a real bonus i loved sitting out their when leaving port in the evening watching the sunset. The bed was so comfortable. The facilities on board Norwegian Epic were fantastic. For kids or big kids... the Aqua Park and slide was so much fun, the climbing wall, shopping malls, casinos it had so much to offer. The gym and spa with their fantastic views out to sea. At night Norwegian Epic certainly was alive and had so much choice to offer us. The Broadway shows we went to see Priscilla Queen of the Desert and Burn the Floor, both were fantastic, the bars and clubs, the Cavern Club, Howl at the Moon, O Sheehan's Bar, the Ice Bar and the Adults Only Spice H20's Ibiza Beach Club. It was fantastic to be back dancing the night away again even if my feet ached for days when I came home it was definitely worth it. The dining options were just WOW. The choice was amazing. The speciality restaurants are well worth the experience. I didn't get to experience all of them over the few days but certainly plenty of options available on a 7 night Cruise you certainly wont be disappointed. My favourite had to be I would highly recommend a Cruise Holiday with Norwegian Cruise Lines for both couples and families alike. My experience on RETURN TO TRAVEL was a very pleasant experience and Norwegian EPIC was a wonderful way to return to travel. If you would like more information on Norwegian Epic or any of Norwegian Cruise Lines other ships or destinations please do get in touch and i will be delighted to share my experience and knowledge with you.

22 July 2019

We are just back from our family holiday in Argles sur Mer in the Languedoc region of the South of France. This year we decide to do a camping holiday and we stayed at Camping La Front de Mar. This beautiful area was approx. 30mins from Perpignan airport and very accessible, you have the option if you would like to hire a car to explore but it’s not necessary as everything is in walking distance to you. The camp site we stayed was Camping La Front de Mer. It was a lovely campsite and not too big although there was plenty to do as it had it’s own mini water park with 6 different types of slides. It also had a very good indoor pool with more slides. Around the pool it was always possible to find sun beds and the pool was open from 10am until 7pm daily. The campsite had a kid’s club during the day as well to keep everyone entertained and in the evenings, they had nightly entertainment onsite. There was a supermarket on site which was good for the basic things like bread and milk, but I would recommend taking a visit to the bigger supermarket to get all your essentials, which is only a 20-minute walk from the campsite or 10 minutes by bike. The beach was across the road from the campsite and we were beside the town of Argles Sur Mer. We hired bikes which took us everywhere and I would highly recommend this as it is around €35 per week per adult (€28 euro per child) and there are cycling paths everywhere. There is a beautiful port area in Argles Sur Mer which offers seafood restaurants, a selection of cafes, bars and shops and lots of ice-cream shops which my kids visited on many occasions with their pocket money in the evenings. At night-time the locals had their stalls which varied from arts and crafts to jewellery and food stalls. It was lovely to stroll around the area at night and take in the atmosphere. Also, every second Wednesday they put on a firework display at 11pm. Argles Sur Mer had a busier resort along the seafront which had a wider variety of restaurants, bars and shops that came to life at night-time. The beach at Argles Sur Mer was beautiful lovely to swim in and never overcrowded. We did a couple of excursions while on holidays and one of my favourites was a boat trip to the beautiful town of Coule. It was around 30 mins away by boat, costing €14 per adult and €8 per child. This also accessible by bus but I thought the boat trip was lovely. Coule is a picturesque town full of culture and pebbled streets that are lined with cafes and restaurants. You could easily pass a couple of hours here. The Aquapark is a fun family day out and easily accessible. For those looking for a more adventurous day out I would recommend a trip to the Pyrenees and the nearby town of Perpignan is a must if you are looking for art and culture. I would highly recommend this campsite for a family holiday as it was very relaxed and easy going with everything you could need at your fingertips. If you would like to find out more this type of holiday, please contact me on 052 62 29812 or email rosemary.chawke@travelcounsellors.com

16 July 2018

This year our family holiday took us to Castel Montgri campsite in L'Estartit. My kids just love the mobile home style holiday, the freedom, the safety, and eating Alfresco at the mobile! L'Estartit is a beautiful area of the Costa Brava. It’s just a 40min transfer from Girona airport and a taxi cost approx. €70 each way. You don’t need to have a car as it’s very accessible to all the surrounding areas. The campsite offers a free bus to the centre running from 9am - 6pm daily and there is also a local bus stop right outside the campsite to bring you to all the nearby towns. L'Estartit is only a 12-minute walk from the campsite and here you have the beach, harbour and lots of bars and restaurants. There is a market there every Thursday morning and well worth a visit for all the bargains and souvenirs. The beach is beautiful and never too crowded with lovely beach bars situated along the strand. The Campsite is very hilly and for that reason only, I would not recommend this site to families with small kids or those with walking difficulties. It is ideal for all other ages even teens as there is much to do for them with clubs, disco in the evening and all very safe. One of the highlights for my kids was that the pools stayed open till midnight and Lifeguards were always on duty. There was a total of 3 pools all very different. The Panorama pool has a diving board and slide and water fountain. At night a lot of the entertainment was around this area and they also showed all the sports here on the big screen and movies during the day. The Ombra pool had a big twisty slide in it and my two kids loved it. The third pool was called La Bassa which was my favourite, it has a real rain forest feel to it. Very tropical! The campsite ran an excellent entertainment programme with something for everyone. Water aerobics, aerobics in the morning and lots going on for both adults and kids. They also have a mini golf area, tennis courts, soccer pitch, basketball and a mini outdoor gym. On site there is a supermarket which is very convenient, and Lidl is only a 10minute walk from the campsite. We stayed in a 3 bed Titania mobile which was very comfortable and spacious with air conditioning, decking and BBQ; we loved barbecuing in the evening time. I would highly recommend the accommodation, service and location on the campsite and the reps of the company we travelled with; they couldn't do enough for us to make our stay a memorable one. One of the excursions we did was the safari cruise, a 2-hour boat trip costing €20 euro per person. We got to snorkel, dive and they had an inflatable slide in the water, it was great fun and I would highly recommend this trip. Another excursion was to the Aqua Brava Aquatic Park. A great day out for all the family and buses operate from the campsite. After being to Bela Italia in Lake Garda last year I thought we were going to find it hard to find a campsite as good, but I can certainly say Castel Montgri surpassed all my expectations, we thoroughly enjoyed it and most definitely will return.

01 May 2018

This year our family holiday took us to the Bela Italia Campsite in Lake Garda. It was a different experience for us as a family as we had never done the camping style holiday before. We always did All-Inclusive in Spain or Portugal but I felt this year the children were older and were looking for something different. We just fell in love with Italy. The little village of Pescheria was so picturesque. We were staying nearby so it was very easy to either walk or cycle into Pescheria in the evening. There are so many beautiful restaurants and ice cream shops and those lovely cobbled streets and shops to stroll around in the evening. We stayed at the Bella Italia Campsite, a fabulous site - very big, but well spread out. It has a selection of bungalows, apartments, hotels, mobile homes and tents all well laid out on site. We stayed in the mobiles which were very spacious and had a lovely deck where we spend a lot of time. We used to love barbecuing in the evening time. The complex itself has so much to offer for all age groups. It has lots of little playgrounds dotted around the camp site, and 4 pool areas with plenty of slides and water chutes. There’s plenty of sun beds in each area - take note it does get very busy in high season and can be difficult to get sun beds by the pool. During the day, there is lots of entertainment for the kids including an onsite kids club with a soccer school and many other sports activities. In the evening, they always have entertainment for the kids and the adults in the main entertainment area. There are also three other restaurants on site and a sports bar, pizzeria, supermarket (great choice and reasonable) and bike hire. There’s direct access to the Lake from the complex. At night, there’s often entertainment down on the lake including fireworks displays. There’s a nice selection of bars and restaurants along the lake which are very child friendly. During the day, you could hire out pedal boats, jet skis etc. We hired the pedal boats twice and the kids just loved it. We chose not to hire a car, to be honest if you are flying into Verona airport you really don't need car hire. The transfer is approx. 30 mins to the campsite and taxis are very easy to get. However, if you chose to fly into Bergamo airport car hire might be a better option. This is approx. 1 hr 10 mins away and a return taxi could cost €130 each way. We also went to Garda Land one of the evenings. The weather was so hot we chose to go in the evening. The cost for the evening ticket is 20 Euro between 5.30 and 11pm. I would definitely recommend doing this as the rides are not too busy from 9pm onwards. We also went to the Aqua Park and Movie Land. There is a ticket you can get which combines both parks at a cost of 28 Euro per person and there is a bus that leaves outside the campsite at 10am and drops you back at 6.30pm. We visited Sirmone one of the days. Took the local bus from the Campsite, a 15 minute journey. Sirmone is so picturesque and quaint. I would definitely recommend a trip here. The ice cream is to die for. Another day we visited Verona. Again, there is a bus from outside the camp site takes approx. 50 mins. Beautiful city.The hop on hop off bus is a great way to see the city. I would definitely recommend the Bella Italia Complex and Lake Garda as a great choice for a great family holiday destination.

30 May 2017

We flew with Virgin Airlines into Montego Bay. I booked the bulk head seats which gave the extra leg room and certainly makes all the difference. Entertainment on board was excellent – I managed to watch 2 movies and relax and have a nap. When we arrived in Jamaica Montego Bay airport, we were met by Torrence and his lovely team from the Jamaican Tourist Board. They transferred us to our hotel the Half Moon Resort in Montego Bay which only took 20 mins, so nice and short. We stayed at the Half Moon Resort in Montego Bay, a fabulous resort. It’s a destination in itself, set on 400 acres with two miles of beachfront. Our accommodation was in one of the Royal Villas. This was a 7-bedroom villa that can cater for up to 14 people. The villas feel like a home away from home with all the fantastic facilities of this resort which includes the largest award-winning spa oasis in Jamaica, an 18-hole par-72 championship golf course, an equestrian centre with 28 horses and the Sugar Mill, awarded as Jamaica’s best restaurant. The villas are ideal for a large group of friends or extended family whereas the apartment style rooms or suites are best suited for honeymooners. We had our own golf buggy to get around the resort and what fun and adventure this brought to the trip. Each villa has its own personal cook, housekeeper and butler. We were spoilt with our Ruby, Valerie and Devon who looked after us all so well. The breakfast that Ruby served up to us was delicious and so tasty. It included fresh fruit, juices, bacon, eggs, pancakes, toast and everyday she made a yummy cake for us; blue berry muffins, toffee cake, banana cake and lots more. Nothing was too much trouble. I experienced one of the most fun and exciting excursions that Jamaica has to offer – a sunset catamaran cruise where we got to snorkel amongst some sea turtles. We swam, danced and laughed whilst enjoying an amazing Jamaican meal on board with some rum cocktails – very tasty. Some of the group went on excursions to Mystic Mountain, Dunn’s River Falls and the Good Hope Estate and Rose Hall Great House. Jamaica really has plenty to offer other than relaxing by the beach or pool, so if you are a more active person you certainly won’t be bored. Unfortunately, the weather wasn't great over the weekend but with all these activities available it wasn't an issue. In the morning’s I enjoyed some leisurely walks along the beach front with my Travel Counsellors colleagues. We enjoyed lazy days on the beach soaking up the rays of sunshine and enjoying the odd rum cocktail which were served to us on our sunbeds. In the evenings, we danced the nights away to the sound of the Bob Marley. I had so much fun with all my old Gold Travel Counsellors colleagues and it was lovely to meet many new Gold TC’s also and all the fabulous suppliers that joined us on this fantastic trip. It’s times like this that makes me so proud to be part of the Travel Counsellors family. All the hard work and dedication is so worthwhile to be rewarded with an amazing trip like this. Jamaica is a fabulous destination with something to suit everyone. If you would like to find out more just get in touch and I would be delighted to share my experiences with you. Yeah Mon!

02 April 2016

After flying Business Class with KLM Airlines to Buenos Aires I was so excited to explore this wonderful city. We had a very busy itinerary ahead of us with so much to see in the 8 days. I knew it was going to be an amazing journey. On arrival we met with our Tour Guide Francesca and our driver transferred to the Alvear Art Hotel which is approx. 40 minutes from the airport. We spent the first night at this lovely city centre hotel. The first day we did a sightseeing tour of the city including a short walking tour of La Boca, the Buenos Aires' neighbourhood famed for its colourful houses, its tango and its soccer team and it is the one spot that makes every visitor's agenda. Messi is their hero. We visited the Metropolitan Church which is the main Catholic Church in Buenos Aires where Pope Francis was bishop there for 12 years before he was ordained Pope. We stopped by the Parliament Building and saw the Casa Rosada were Evita Peron, the First Lady, lived with her husband President Juan Peron. We also had a stroll down Florida Street which I would highly recommend for a bit of shopping with its amazing malls, shops, clothes, leather and souvenirs shops you are bound to find a bargain We went on a fabulous tour of Cementerio de La Recoleta, it’s a popular attraction and a must on every tourists list. We wandered around in this amazing city of the dead where countless streets are lined with impressive statues and marble. We hunted down Evita’s grave as all visitors try to do. Don’t forget your camera there are some great photo ops here. We then headed to the domestic airport and took a flight to Bariloche which was a 2 hr flight. On arrival at Bariloche we met our tour guide Veronica and we headed to the Design Suites just outside the town of Barilcohe. The hotel is split into 4 different blocks and is built on a hill. I don’t recommend that you bring high heels here as the walk down to reception is very steep. The hotel has a shuttle bus, but our room was in the furthest block and of course I had the heels on in the evenings! The next morning after breakfast we headed off on a tour of the scenic area surrounding Bariloche We stopped at several look out points along the way including Lopez Bay and Punto Panoramico. We took a ride on the chairlift up Cerro Campanario, one of my highlights of the trip. The views were breathtaking and it is voted as one of the “Top Ten Views of the World”. We stopped at the souvenir/coffee shop for some Hot Chocolate to warm ourselves up before we took the chair lift back down the mountain. Cost of the lift ticket is approx. 100 peso and well worth it. This region is great for hiking too. A top tip for anyone visiting Barlioche is always have a warm jacket and proper walking shoes all year round. Other attractions along the way included Llao Llao Hotel, the Circuit Chico regional area which has all the crafts and pottery of the region. We stopped for lunch at the Casco Art Hotel located in one of the most beautiful spots in Patagonia, on the shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi. The hotel has a collection of more than 500 paintings and sculptures of Argentine Art. The rooms have fabulous view of the lake. Another one of my favourite hotels was the Charming Luxury Lodge ideal for families or couples and only 7km from the centre of Barioche or 12km from the Ski slopes. The lodges offer self-catering facilities with a kitchen and living area. That evening we had dinner at a local restaurant and sampled some of the local pubs. After a lovely nights seep, we took a full day tour to Villa La Angostura on the opposite side of the Nahuel Huapi lake. A laid-back village in the heart of the Patagonia region, Villa La Angostura is the perfect escape for holidaymakers who love the alpine feel of misty mountain forests. Nibble on locally made artisan goodies while you breathe in the crisp Andes air. Ski lovers and snowboarders will fall in love with Villa La Angostura in the winter—it's an absolute fairyland. We visited a couple of hotels along the way. My favourite was Luna Casa de Montana, the most charming place to stay. It is a quaint little family run boutique hotel with amazing views. You get that personalised attention from the moment you walk in. . We took a stroll around the town and visited some of the Chocolate shops and picked up some souvenirs. We managed to find an Irish pub called Finnegan's where we enjoyed a nice Beer before we headed back to Bariloche. That evening we had dinner at La Marmite a restaurant specialising in fondue. The next day after breakfast we headed back to the airport for our 2 hour flight back to Buenos Aires. We had some free time that evening so we did a bit of shopping at the Galleria Pacifico which is only 2 blocks from the hotel. That night we went to the Complejo Tango show which was the perfect way to end our stay in Buenos Aires. We really enjoyed the food, the music and the show. This was definitely one of the highlights of my stay in Buenos Aires. The next day after a leisurely breakfast it was time to pack the bags and say goodbye to what was an Amazing stay in Argentina. I had a fabulous time and will certainly return and take in the Iguazu falls and Rio de Janeiro in the not too distant future.

02 April 2016

In May 2008 I visited the beautiful island of Barbados. Barbados has so much to offer. It has lots of art, activities, nightlife, music, history and some of the best restaurants to be found anywhere. But what makes Barbados even more special, and now I know the reason why so many visitors keep returning to the island year after year, is the people. Barbadians, called Bajans, are warm and friendly souls, always ready to greet you with a sincere smile. Barbadians make you feel welcome and special, in this lovely Caribbean Island. You will feel it's your home and will want to come back again and again. There is so much to see and do - it is not all about the beaches. I did spend a lot of time lazing by the beach and swimming in the crystal blue waters but I also did get to explore the island. One day we took a jeep safari trip around the island. We saw how the locals live, the sugar cane factories and the old plantation houses. I would highly recommend this trip and our guide was so much fun. Another day we took a boat trip around the island and got to swim with the turtles which was another great day out. Barbados really is a tiny island but it has so much to offer. If you are a lover of watersports you will love Barbados. On the West Coast, coral shore beaches of fine white sand stretch along a blue-green sea. Coral reefs fringe the Barbados shoreline to provide excellent snorkelling and Scuba Diving. Along the Atlantic Ocean east coast, a lively surf is blown briskly by the strong and constant winds and the waves pound against a rocky shore. The constant breeze of the trade wind gives Barbados a mild and pleasant tropical climate. The best times to visit the island is between November and May. Hurricance season is anytime between July and Oct The nightlife in Barbados has got something to offer everyone. There is a vast choice of restaurants for every taste and budget. And if you're still looking to dance the night away there are waterfront bars, night-life, music, gaming - and more than 1,000 rum shops to consider. (Rum was actually first distilled in Barbados) Barbados is an island that caters for everyone; honeymooners, families, singles and couples. I would highly recommend this Island and its people can't do enough to make your visit a wonderful experience. Barbados is one of my favourite holiday destinations.

02 April 2016

In May 2012 I was lucky enough to experience my 2nd visit to this wonderful Island getaway. The first time I was there was in March 2005 when my fiancé and I headed off to get married in Mauritius. Paradise was awaiting us. That's how I describe it to anyone. It is one of the most amazing places I have ever been. The people are so friendly they cannot do enough to make your stay so memorable. We got married a couple of days after we arrived. The wedding co-ordinators were so nice they organised everything for us and being a travel agent with experience in this area, it meant I knew what to ask for! We got married in a tiny little church and even though it was just the two of us that travelled, our wedding day could not have been more perfect. We stayed at the Maratim Hotel which was beautiful. We had our photos taken on the beach back at our hotel and every time I show them to people they admit to getting jealous! Mauritius will enchant you; it will uplift your soul, making you feel that you belong to the chosen few. You will enjoy personal attention and behind each smile lies the promise of a unique holiday. The island, set in its turquoise sea, is an oasis of peace and tranquillity. Mauritius has a lot to offer to the holiday maker. It has the most amazing hotels, white sandy beaches, and fantastic water sports, great golf courses plenty of shopping and you must pay a visit to some of the Spas, where you can put yourself into the capable hands of expert.. Spas are now regarded as a must on most people's holiday wish-list. Mauritius is very popular for weddings and honeymooners. If you are looking for a very special place to spend your honeymoon, Mauritius is definitely the place for you. Every hotel on the island offers extensive wedding and honeymoon packages and they can also help you in organising every single detail of the ceremony. Everything is possible. You can choose to have an intimate, private occasion or a more adventurous way of exchanging vows. On a sunny beachside, under the sea or in the sky, Mauritius will transform your wedding or your honeymoon into an unforgettable moment just like it did for us. I would definitely recommend people to stay at least on a half board basis if not All Inclusive. It is expensive to eat out in Mauritius and the All Inclusive option is definitely well worth doing. We flew to South Africa to spend the second week of our honeymoon. I have been to South Africa three times since. What more can I say. If you are looking for plenty to do I would highly recommend it as a holiday destination and it is a great combination with Mauritius for your honeymoon. When I recently returned to Mauritius to attend the Gold Travel Counsellors Conference, this time I stayed at the 5 star Beachcomber Paradis Hotel; a wonderful property. The service in the hotel was top class and the food was amazing. On this visit I explored the island and all it has to offer. I took the half day Catamaran Cruise which was a fabulous trip where we had a BBQ lunch on board and swam with the dolphins; a fantastic experience. Another day I did the Tour of the Islands South West and we travelled through the Champagne Forest, stopped at the Grand Bassin which is a sacred lake to the Hindu community. We then travelled through the mountains towards the coast at Black River Gorges and its waterfalls. The Mauritian people always have a friendly smile and offer a wonderful service. The only way I can describe MAURITIUS is PARADISE. For more information, please contact me.

19 December 2013

In September I travelled to Dubai on a work trip with Emirates Airlines and the Dubai Tourism Board. We started off our journey travelling Business Class which was such a treat. On arrival we were transferred to the Sofitel -The Palm. Transfer time was approximately 45 minutes from the airport. Our first 2 nights’ accommodation in Dubai was at the Sofitel the Palm. Newly opened in July 2013 this 5 star luxury hotel offers a French Polynesian island theme. It is an excellent choice for both couples and families and has a fabulous kids club. The rooms are either Palm or Sea View and the staff couldn’t do enough to make our stay very special. On our first day we visited the Fairmont – the Palm and Atlantis the Palm resort. We spent the afternoon at the Aquaventure water park and the Aquarium, great fun for both adults and children. We visited the Dubai Mall entertainment centre, the world’s largest shopping mall. The entertainment centre has so much to offer both adults and children Kidzania, Sega Republic, Dubai Ice Rink and Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo you could definitely spend a full day here no problem. The big treat of the trip was High tea at “ At. Mosphere” in the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world with over 170 floors. The lift whisked us up to the 122nd floor in less than 1 minute. The scenery was spectacular. We sampled the luxurious high tea and a glass of bubbly served followed by amazing treats. I would highly recommend this experience cost is approx 90 Euro per person. One morning we did the city tour of Dubai where we visited the old quarter of Dubai, Al Bastakiya, and we also enjoyed a water-taxi ride across Dubai Creek visiting the exciting spice market and shopped for bargains in the Gold Souk. While there we stopped to visit many of the most popular hotels in Dubai and I would be delighted to share my experience with you. I will definitely return to Dubai again and take the family with me. It is a fantastic destination. I would recommend it for a winter destination with fantastic weather and something to offer everyone.

10 January 2009

Travel in South Africa is one great adventure after another: from Kruger Park safaris to the epic coastal Garden Route; from the bright lights of Cape Town to the sweeping Drakensberg Mountains; from vineyards to deserts and from beaches to the bush. It really is 'the world in one country’. Whether you choose to stay in an internationally recognised South African hotel, bed and breakfast, lodge, guest house or resort you are assured of excellent service, good food and sound sleep We stayed in Cape Town for the first couple of nights. The waterfront area is a lovely area to stay it is very central to everything and it is safe. There are so many trips you can do. Take a trip up Table Mountain in a cable car. Take a boat trip to Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was in prison. Take a trip to the winelands. Definitely a must and you can even do an over night. There is great shopping in Cape Town and plenty of bars and restaurants to suit everyone. After a couple of days in Cape Town I would recommend you hiring a car and driving the Garden Route. They drive on the same side of the road as we do. Along the garden route you will enjoy national parks, open savannas, ostrich farms, sweeping mountain views and then settle back at sunset with a glass of your favourite tipple. You can not go to South Africa without experiencing a safari trip. You will enjoy staying at a luxury lodge. All meals and game drives are included during your stay. A 2 night stay is perfect and you will have the opportunity of getting to see the Big Five. South Africa is my Number One Holiday Destination. Tempted?? Give me a call for more information.

07 October 2008

On the 30th Aug 2008 my husband, little daughter and I travel spent a 1week family holiday on the lovely island of Majorca. I stayed at the Lagotel Hotel and Apartments. I stayed in a one bedroom apartment which was very spacious and cleaned on a daily basis. The food at the hotel was very good. It was a buffet service with a great choice everyday. I would highly recommend doing Half Board. The complex was excellent for families. Great on site kids club and creche for toddlers. Lovely playground and great evening entertainment. The apartments were a 15minute stroll to the beach in Playa de Murro. The beach was beautiful and was as good as any of the Caribbean beaches with lovely white sand and crystal blue water. There was a good choice of water sports and great for walking as it went on for miles. Playa de Murro itself has a good selection of shops, bars and restaurants but a little further a field is the resort of Alcudia which has a wider selection of bars, restaurants, nite clubs and shops. I would definitely recommend Playa de Murro for both a family and a couples holiday. Also a very good choice or a short break in the sun. Palma city is only a stone throw away and we decided to visit here for the day. This cosmopolitan city, and capital of the island, stretches around a lovely bay. It has a busy, promenade and everything one would expect of a fine old city - museums, art galleries, designer boutiques, and a wide variety of shops and restaurants. The harbour and old town’s narrow streets are home to stunning architecture. Palma is a great place in which to spend a day or to take a short break. Majorca was a perfect destination for a great family holiday.

17 August 2008

I took my husband to Barcelona in February. The main reason for going was so that we could take in a match at the Nou Camp. On the Sunday we went to see Barcelona play in the New Camp. Great atmosphere. We also did the tour of the stadium the following day. We found it easy enough to get tickets for the match. We went to the stadium 2 hours before the match and bought the tickets at the ticket box. Barcelona has so much to be excited about. Within minutes of our first walk along Las Ramblas the atmosphere was magic. This long street just fizzes with energy. The street is filled with spectacular shows and performers that go on almost every minute of the day and night. We enjoyed a beer while watching the buskers and street performers. The old city of Barcelona encloses the cleanest and loveliest city I have visited. The streets and buildings were all graffiti and litter free. The buildings and architecture is amazing. We took a city tour on the hop on hop off tourist bus and were explained some of the history surrounding the city. Excellent value for money and we saw all the sights close up. We visited one of the most unusual churches in Christian architecture. Gaudi’s unfinished Sagrada Familia. Amazing building and it is still not completed. Barcelona has also got a beautiful waterfront where you will find a selection of beautiful bars and restaurants and a big shopping mall. We walked along the waterfront. It is about 3km in length. It used to be Barcelona’s old Port. The night life is excellent and has definitely got something to offer for everyone. I would happily return to Barcelona for a nice short break. It is has got so much to offer and has the option of doing a 2 centre holiday along the coast of the Costa Dorada.