19 December 2023

When you hear the word “Maldives” what comes to mind? A tropical island paradise? Crystal clear waters? Complete relaxation? A once in a lifetime experience? The Maldives is all that and more! There are over 1000 islands in the Maldives, over 150 of those are tourist resorts. Kuramathi Island Resort is one of the most popular choices for Irish honeymoon couples. I always get great feedback from couples I send there and this year I got to experience it for myself. The most impressive thing about Kuramathi is the choice you have while staying there. It starts on arrival with the choice of a speedboat or seaplane transfer, then you have a choice of accommodation from beach villas to over water villas (with or without your own private pool). There are numerous places to eat and drink (9 a la carte restaurants, 3 buffet restaurants, 7 bars), lots of entertainment options from live music to karaoke to DJs. There are also a lot of activities to choose from – snorkelling, diving, water sports, excursions and most importantly – the choice of treatments in the spa! There is also an environment and eco centre on the island. Kuramathi has a medical centre and a hydroponics garden where they grow a lot of the food for their restaurants. I stayed in a 2-bedroom beach house which would be more suited to families or groups of friends as it sleeps up to 6 people. I loved it as you are right on the beach so can fall asleep to the sound of the waves outside. I would recommend the over water villas for Honeymoon couples as they are more private – you don’t have anyone walking past. There are lots of little extras you can add on too like a floating breakfast, private dinner on the beach or a couples massage in the spa. When travelling to the Maldives I always advise to go All Inclusive. When you think about it, you are on an island in the middle of the Indian Ocean, so everything must be imported and costs so much more. You don’t have a local supermarket to stock up in. Kuramathi offers two great all-inclusive options – All Inclusive or Select All Inclusive. All Inclusive includes food in the buffet restaurants and all your drinks. If you want to eat in any of the other restaurants you get a discount to do so but will still end up with a big bill to settle on departure. If you are a foodie, I would highly recommend going for the Select All Inclusive option which includes all the restaurants on the island. The food is incredible. My 3 favourite restaurants were Island Barbecue, The Palm and The Reef. No cash exchanges hands on the island so anything extra like a treatment in the spa (which has to be done for the ultimate relaxation and incredible views) will be added to your room and you pay by card on check out. There are no cars on the island, all sandy tracks so leave the heels at home! You can walk everywhere – barefoot if you want – but if you get tired all you have to do is wait at one of the buggy stops and you will be picked up and dropped to wherever you want to go. Kuramathi really is a picture-perfect island paradise and the ideal place to relax and start married life together after a busy time planning a wedding. There are great connections with Emirates through Dubai – you could even stop there for a few nights on the way out or back to break the journey. Get in touch if you would like me to help you talk through all that Kuramathi has to offer and let’s get you booked on your dream honeymoon!

13 September 2023

Have you thought about a cruise for your Honeymoon? Cruise lines are constantly trying to outdo each other bringing out bigger and better ships every year. That’s great for us, it means more choice, but with that, how do you know which one to pick? That’s where I come in. As an award-winning Honeymoon Specialist, I can advise which cruise line and ship will suit you best. I have first-hand experience of a lot of the major cruise lines and there really is a cruise out there to suit everyone. Read on to find out 5 reasons why I think you should choose a cruise for your Honeymoon. 1) The Destinations A Cruise is the perfect way to visit numerous cities or countries in the one trip without the hassle of packing and unpacking and wasting time at airports. You check in to your cabin – balcony cabin preferably to enjoy sunrise or sunset with your loved one – unpack once and wake up in a new destination every day. Imagine sailing away from Italy after a day exploring the Amalfi Coast and waking up in beautiful Santorini! You can also fly out a few days before or stay on a few days after the cruise to explore more of your surroundings. 2) The Food Cruises are great for foodies. Generally, the main dining room and buffet are included in the cost of your cruise. You can happily eat here all week as there is so much choice in the buffet and the menu in the main dining room changes every evening. However, for the more adventurous there are also some amazing speciality restaurants with different experiences you can try for a supplement. These include speciality Italian, Sushi, Steakhouses and some unique dining experiences to name a few. 3) The Entertainment There is so much to do onboard that you could easily stay on the ship for the entire cruise. There are pub quizzes, themed nights, casinos, west end shows, designer shopping, lots of different sports to try. The list goes on and each ship is different. You can be as relaxed or adventurous as you like from spa treatments to ziplining and everything in between! 4) Adult Only Areas Most cruise ships are family friendly and in recent times we have seen the rise of multi-generational cruises where children, parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles all cruise together on the one trip. This makes a cruise ideal for a Familymoon if you are planning on bringing your children with you on Honeymoon. However, if you want to be away from all the hustle and bustle and completely relax onboard there are adult only areas on every ship from pools to the spa, bars and casinos. Some ships have adult only decks and some cruise lines and ships are more suited to adults than others. 5) Value for Money When you take into account the different countries you get to visit, the food, drink and entertainment onboard, a cruise really is the best value for money you will get for a Honeymoon. Keep an eye out for special offers – some ships do a buy one get one half price offer, others offer onboard credit and others offer great value drinks packages. The key is to book early for the best value and it also gives you more time to pay it off. Cruises go on sale up to two years in advance! Get in touch to book your cruise Honeymoon!

06 July 2023

Your Honeymoon is the ideal time to go on that once in a lifetime trip you always dreamed of! It gives you a chance to unwind and enjoy each other’s company after all the planning and excitement of your wedding. It’s going to be the most memorable trip you both take and your first as a married couple! When it comes to picking a Honeymoon Destination it can be difficult to know where to start. To give you some inspiration I’ve put together a list of the top 5 Honeymoon destinations being booked this year. 1. Maldives The Maldives is at the top of most people’s lists when they think of the ultimate, luxurious Honeymoon. It’s easy to see why! Stay in a stunning water bungalow and take in some of the world’s most beautiful sunsets. Savour delicious cuisine and experience world-class water sports or relax in some of the world’s finest spas in some of the most incredible beach resorts in the world. There are over 1000 islands to choose from which means you’ll find a resort to suit everyone. 2. South Africa From breathtaking mountain scenery to world-class surf breaks, Cape Town, Winelands, safari, hikes and beaches, South Africa has it all. Depending on the type of Honeymoon you’re looking for you can be sure to find something that suits you and your partner. With bungee jumping and shark cage diving for the more adventurous or sipping wine in the vineyards of Franschhoek and Stellenbosch and spa treatments in luxurious 5* hotels overlooking the beach for the more relaxed. No two Honeymoons to South Africa are the same as there is so much to see and do there. 3. Cruise Going on a cruise is a perfect way to tick a few countries off your bucket list without having to constantly pack and unpack or waste time at airports. Most cruise ships are destinations in their own right and offer more than even the biggest and best all-inclusive resorts. Cruise lines are constantly updating and offer such amazing experiences onboard from casinos and spas to west-end shows, zip lines, water parks, rock climbing, and nightclubs -the list is endless. It’s the ideal Honeymoon for couples where one wants to chill out and relax and the other wants to go exploring. With so much choice, it’s all about finding the perfect ship for you! 4. Bali Home to glorious palm-fringed beaches, soaring volcanoes, ancient temples and friendly people, you’ll soon see why Bali is often referred to as the ‘Island of The Gods’. Venture inland and you’ll also discover there’s much more to Bali than meets the eye. With traditional villages, beautiful rainforests, and breathtaking cultural sites to explore, Bali really does offer something for everyone. When it comes to Honeymoon destinations, Bali offers the perfect balance between luxury and island life. 5. Mexico Mexico blends lavish all-inclusive beach resorts with a rich culture that is sure to thrill you with its music, food, and drinks. Away from the beaches, there’s a wide section of charming towns and villages for you to visit and experience the traditional Mexican way of life. A Honeymoon in Mexico allows you to have a lavish, luxurious experience without blowing your budget. Ideal for couples who want to experience a thriving culture and leave feeling refreshed and relaxed. Planning a wedding can be stressful but planning your Honeymoon shouldn’t be. That’s where I come in. As your personal Travel Counsellor, I will tailor-make a bespoke Honeymoon to suit your needs. As “Honeymoon Supplier of The Year” at the Brides of Munster Awards 2023 and “Honeymoon Planner of The Year” 2020-2023 at the Irish Wedding Awards I love working with couples to create their dream Honeymoon. Get in touch today to start planning your Honeymoon. I’d love to hear from you.

01 February 2020

Your Honeymoon is an exciting chance to enjoy your dream holiday, giving you time to unwind and enjoy each other's company after all the excitement of your wedding day. Whether it’s dining under the stars in the Maldives or spotting wild animals in South Africa, it’s very likely to be the most memorable trip you both take. This is where I come in. I’m your personal Travel Counsellor who specialises in creating bespoke honeymoons that ensures you will feel completely at ease and relaxed for your entire trip. If you are starting to think about booking your Honeymoon (or that holiday of a lifetime) here are a few things to consider… Plan in Advance Most airlines release their seats 11 months in advance. This allows you time to budget accordingly, and by booking with me you will gain access to the MyTC portal which allows you to pay a deposit and pay the rest of your holiday in instalments throughout the year. Other benefits of booking with me is that I will take the time to get to know you and your travel goals, whatever they may be. I have the expert knowledge to help you see your dream destinations at the best time of the year so you can avoid inconveniences like public holidays or rainy season. Minimoon, Familymoon or Honeymoon A lot of couples go on a Minimoon after their wedding and wait until later in the year or the following year to go on their Honeymoon. There is a lot going on in the lead up to a wedding and family and friends to catch up with after so it can be nice to have your big trip to look forward to. Weather in your chosen destination, budget and taking time off work can be a factor here too. Or if you’re looking to take the whole family why not consider a Familymoon? Familymoons are more popular than ever with couples choosing to bring their children with them and go on a big family holiday Where To Go? The world is your oyster and there are so many destinations that it can sometimes feel overwhelming when deciding on the perfect location. I would advise couples to sit down and decide what sort of a Honeymoon they would like - quiet and relaxing, action and adventure or best of both worlds? Time and budget are also a factor here. Picking an exotic location is ideal if you have enough travel time and don't mind long flights but if you only have a week I can help you find a destination that includes everything you need and is closer to home. This is where I come in. Pick up the phone or send me an email and I will arrange a call with you both to find out exactly what it is you are looking for. I take the hassle out of booking your Honeymoon so the only thing you have to worry about is what to pack!

23 April 2020

In this Interview, I talk to Amy and Phil about their honeymoon • Tell me about your Wedding Day. We had our wedding last November at Tinakilly House, Wicklow. We loved celebrating our marriage with all of our friends and family! • How soon after your Wedding did you go on Honeymoon? We went on honeymoon at the end of January, for us this was perfect as we went from wedding to Christmas celebrations and then had January to get ready for the trip! • Why did you choose South Africa for your Honeymoon? We chose South Africa for our honeymoon initially as going on safari had always been on our bucket list. However, when we learnt more we found that South Africa offers so much such as the wine regions, amazing beaches and city exploring in Cape Town. • What was the highlight of your Honeymoon? Safari was the highlight of our honeymoon at Pumba Waterlodges. Waking up to the sound of hippos entering the lake for the day was incredible! • Any must see/must do’s that you would recommend? Franschhoek and the wine tram would be a must do recommendation of ours. Also if fine dining is your thing then dinner at La Colombe in Cape Town was very special. • Why did you book your Honeymoon with me (Susan Ryan Travel Counsellor)? We had seen you recommended in a onefabday.com real wedding post, and as we were finding researching the honeymoon, while planning the wedding overwhelming, we were keen to book with you. you were so patient with us as we worked through what would work best for our honeymoon. • What advice do you have for other couples planning their Honeymoon? Start pulling together ideas of what you would both like to do early. Using Travel Counsellors for a big trip was perfect. We felt very well taken care of by you and would recommend to everyone to book their honeymoon through Travel Counsellors; from being met on arrival by a colleague to being able to reach out to you about the time of a transfer during our holiday, it was all very seamless. Thank you Susan!

01 February 2020

My passion for being personal comes out in every holiday I book for my customers and as a travel expert with Travel Counsellors, I listen to exactly what you’d like from your holiday and the things that matter most to you. If you book your next holiday with me here is what I offer my customers: Available at a time that suits you I offer a free holiday consultation at a time that suits you including evenings and weekends. We all lead such busy lives that I find it suits a lot of people to speak about their holiday plans in the evenings when they are home from work. I arrange a phone call and discuss what it is you are looking for in a holiday, your likes, dislikes, budget etc. On this call you have my full attention and I can answer any questions you may have. After our initial consultation I then tailor the quote to your personal needs and requests. Personalised Service I am passionate about travel and dedicated to finding the right holiday for you. As Travel Counsellors are independent, I am free to recommend the holiday that best suits your needs and budget. I take pride in getting to know my clients which enables me to tailor make their ideal trip. I have a lot of clients that book with me every year as a result. I love arranging special occasion trips such as birthday celebrations and Honeymoons and I always include a personalized gift. You will also have my mobile number while on holiday and access to a 24/7 duty office so you are never on your own in case of an emergency while away. Financial Protection Travel Counsellors are licensed and bonded by the Commission for Aviation Regulation here in Ireland, so your money is safe. You will also have access to your very own "My TC" account with your own private log in to make secure repayments throughout the year. Award Winning I set up my business in August 2016. Since then I have been a finalist in the Brides of Limerick Wedding Awards for "Best Honeymoon Provider" in 2017, 2018 and 2019. I went on to win "Best Honeymoon Planner 2020" at the Irish Wedding Awards in Dublin in January this year. To be nominated for these awards by my past brides and grooms is a testament to the service I provide, and I am grateful to them all. I was also a finalist for Businesswoman of the Year in Tipperary for Network Ireland in 2018 and I was Highly Commended in that category in 2019. I Love What I Do I absolutely love what I do. I have travelled all over the world and I love to speak to people about their holiday plans. From a city break to a cruise, escorted tours to solo travel I cover it all. If there is a place, I haven't been I can get in touch with one of my Travel Counsellor colleagues that have been there and provide you with a personal recommendation of what to do. What are you waiting for? Pick up the phone or send me an email today and let’s get planning your next holiday!

23 April 2020

In this interview, Seán and Siobhán talk about their honeymoon to the USA and Mexico. * Tell me about your wedding day: We got married in June 2019 and had our reception at the picturesque Aherlow House Hotel in Co. Tipperary. Our closest friends and family came to celebrate with us and we had the best day of our lives. The weather was warm and sunny, the food was excellent and we danced and sang long into the early hours of the morning! * How soon after your wedding did you go on Honeymoon? We went on a mini-moon to New York for a few days the week after our wedding and then we went on our Honeymoon the following October. * Why did you choose Cancun and Las Vegas for your Honeymoon? We'd had a hectic year and wanted to go somewhere that we could relax and unwind, and an all-inclusive holiday to Cancun seemed like the perfect answer! Las Vegas was another destination that was on our bucket list so it made sense to combine the 2 into one holiday. * What was the highlight of your honeymoon? Everything! In Cancun we went swimming in the pool and ocean every day, sampled lots of different food and drink and went on a day trip to the ruins of Chichen Itza. In Las Vegas we visited the Grand Canyon, took in all the Casinos and even got married again by Elvis! * Any must see/must do's that you would recommend? Chichen Itza is a definite must see if you go to Cancun and the Grand Canyon outside Las Vegas is also worth a visit. * Why did you book your Honeymoon with me (Susan Ryan Travel Counsellor)? We have booked other holidays with you in the past and for something as important as our Honeymoon we wouldn't have trusted anyone else to do it! You are excellent at your job and will always go the extra mile to make sure the holiday is perfect for us. You are the ultimate professional and the enthusiasm with which you carry out your job reassures us that we are in good hands. * What advice do you have for other couples planning their Honeymoon? Get advice from someone with experience of the area you are thinking of going to before you book. They can help you source the best flights/places to stay and will know where to look for the best deals. For someone with the best knowledge and experience in this area, you need look no further than Susan Ryan Travel Counsellor!

23 April 2020

In this interview Georgina and Mark talk to me about their Honeymoon to Orlando and a Caribbean Cruise. • Tell me about your Wedding Day. Our wedding Day was a beautiful sunny day in the beautiful Castletroy Park Hotel, an intimate ceremony it was definitely the right choice for us. Every word & every lyric was heard so clearly and everything went off smoothly. It was a really romantic setting with our nearest and dearest. • How soon after your Wedding did you go on Honeymoon? We booked our Honeymoon four months after our wedding. We felt it was nice to have something to look forward to after the hype of the big day. Best thing we ever did. It also gave us time to pack and prepare without the worry of leaving the kids and trying to organise everything on top of the wedding. • Why did you choose a Caribbean Cruise for your Honeymoon? A cruise was never something I had in mind. I always wanted to do a bit of traveling but with work and kids it never would have happened. We are a young couple and I was conscious of the age group on board but Susan suggested the perfect ship to suit our needs. We were never bored. The idea of seeing so many beautiful places in one trip was a dream come true. 17 floors on the ship and at the end of the trip there was still areas we hadn't seen. In no way did we feel claustrophobic, never did we meet the same person twice there was so much to do on the ship. • What was the highlight of your Honeymoon? The highlight of the whole trip has to be as we docked into each destination, waking up at sunrise on the balcony to sights only seen on a postcard. There was too many experiences on our trip that I cannot put into words. Jaw dropping scenery that everyone in their lifetime must experience. When we first arrived on the ship I was speechless never in a million years would I have thought it was as nice as it was. I would love to go into detail but I wouldn't like to ruin the surprise! • Any must see/must do’s that you would recommend? My advice to anyone doing a cruise is to do your research into the excursions pre book if you must as the good ones fill up quickly. You may never again visit these destinations so staying on the ship while docked is a personal choice but there is so many thing's to do and see. Do dedicate yourself a relaxing beach day also as its a busy day out on your trips. • Why did you book your Honeymoon with me (Susan Ryan Travel Counsellor)? You were recommended to me by a friend. We had kept putting off booking as we didn't know where to start and I can honestly say from that very first phone call you put my mind at ease. You did absolutely everything for us. As we all know weddings are stressful enough and a honeymoon should be stress free. You personalised our trip to suit our wants and needs. I do not think I would have booked a cruise if it wasn't for you. You took the stress away from us. We picked our destinations and even added 2 days in Orlando before heading to the ship. When we got there we got a little lost, You were at the end of the phone immediately even past midnight trying to find our taxi as we could not find him. It was such a relief to know you were there for us. We also met up to discuss the trip as I was a little anxious about the dollar and tipping etc on the cruise.. There was a really amazing app that you set us up with and it showed us every thing from our balance, days till our holiday etc. If there was ever an emergency you were there waiting and ready to approach the situation. Luckily enough it was all just so perfect and I have her to thank. • What advice do you have for other couples planning their Honeymoon? My advise to couples looking to book a honeymoon is find a person who knows everything there is to know about cruise ships and how they operate not just someone who wants to sell you a holiday and that person is SUSAN... It can be quite over whelming when it's your first time so all of her advice really helped us. She made it the most special trip customized for us and little added extras. She checked in with us regularly and even after our trip sent us a welcome home card. Susan will always be a friend to us after all she did we truly appreciated all her help I can't explain how much pressure she took off us. We got a great deal on our cruise and Susan will find a budget to suit your needs. So with all of that I cannot stress enough if you want a perfect holiday you need to book with Susan it will be a holiday you will never forget, dreams made reality!

23 April 2020

In this interview, I talk to Aoife and Robert about their honeymoon • Tell me about your Wedding Day. We got married on a beautiful dry and sunny October day in Terryglass church followed by a reception at Coolbawn Quay. It was an amazing day with all the people we loved. • How soon after your Wedding did you go on Honeymoon? The wedding was on a Friday and we went on honeymoon on the Monday • Why did you choose Dubai and Bali for your Honeymoon? We were unsure where to go but wanted to experience something a bit different that we would probably not get the chance to do again. We were also somewhat limited in locations with the time of year. You gave us lots of guidance and the Dubai/Bali option seemed to have all we were looking for with a mix of city break and total luxury and relaxation in Bali. Food is also important to us and Bali definitely had that going for it. • What was the highlight of your Honeymoon? In Dubai we went to the Atlantis for dinner one night and it was amazing but a real splurge! Also would really recommend visiting the spice and gold souks. Dubai Mall is also worth a visit just to see the enormity of it! In Bali, the resort was amazing! It was pure luxury and relaxation and we got upgraded to a room with our own infinity pool. There was a spa in the resort which we made full use of. We also went with a tour guide in his taxi for the day around the island to the main spots e.g Ubud, an amazing temple, a silver outlet and to the monkey forest and coffee plantation which I’d really recommend especially because he was a local and knew all the spots. • Any must see/must do’s that you would recommend? The monkey forest is a must see as is the coffee sanctuary (with a cool swing that we went on). Ubud and the temples are also a must. In terms of food, I would totally recommend a visit to Bumbu Bali- an authentic Balinese restaurant that was amazing!! The staff were delighted to see Irish people because they know Nevin Maguire the Irish chef as he goes there often. • Why did you book your Honeymoon with me (Susan Ryan Travel Counsellor)? A friend recommended we try Travel Counsellors and you were in our local area. I am so happy we did! • What advice do you have for other couples planning their Honeymoon? Take your time and really think about what you want out of the holiday. We had to up our budget to get the luxury we wanted in Bali and we’re delighted we did-it was such an amazing resort and the people are unbelievably friendly and accommodating.

23 April 2020

In this interview I talk to Catherine and Jamie about their Honeymoon. • Tell me about your Wedding Day. Jamie and I got married on 12th July 2018. We were blessed with beautiful sunny weather and to have all our family and friends celebrate with us. We really loved our church wedding ceremony as the priest was a friend of the family and made the wedding very personal. Our wedding music was also very special. We had only recently got the keys to our new house and it was lovely to be able to get a photograph of us together outside our new home on the way to the wedding reception. We were also able to get more photographs taken at our engagement location by the lake which was en route and the grounds in the hotel were beautiful for photographs too. Everything from the speeches, food and the band were great and we danced the night away. • How soon after your Wedding did you go on Honeymoon? We went on our honeymoon a week after our wedding as we wanted to be around for a few days to meet up with family and friends who had travelled for the wedding and also to recover from the celebrations. • Why did you choose a Mediterranean Cruise for your Honeymoon? Jamie and I both enjoy seeing new places and exploring and neither of us had been on a cruise before. We also aren't sun worshippers so a beach holiday wasn't for us and we wanted something more active. A Mediterranean cruise was the perfect opportunity to explore several countries (Spain, France, Croatia, Montenegro and Italy) and also experience life on a cruise. Every evening after returning tired from a day of sightseeing it was great to board the cruise again and have your evening meal to look forward to. There was such a variety of restaurants and bars on board and lots to keep us entertained - a spa, two pools, a gym, duty free shopping and a variety of shows to choose from every night to name but a few! Our cruise also included a day at sea which was a welcome break from all the sightseeing and we were able to sit out on the top deck with our books and cocktails and watch the ocean go by! • What was the highlight of your Honeymoon? We saw lots of new places. It was great being able to start our honeymoon in one country (Spain) and end it in another (Italy). We spent a few days in Barcelona before embarking on the cruise and at the end of the cruise we also spent a few days in Venice which I would recommend as it was very relaxing. Venice has really beautiful scenery and delicious food and wine and we enjoyed a gondola ride! Venice is such a unique, romantic city on the water. • Any must see/must do’s that you would recommend? Barcelona: Sagrada Familia Basilica and Las Ramblas and be sure to try some Spanish tapas and Sangria! Nice: a stroll along the promenade Rome: St. Peter's Basilica, Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain Zadar: the Old Town Venice: St Mark's Square, a gondola ride and lots of Italian pizza and wine! Bellissimo! On the cruise ship itself I would definitely recommend booking a cabin with a balcony as it was great to be able to sit and look out over the ocean and also get a preview of the scenery in each new place as you came into port. • Why did you book your Honeymoon with me (Susan Ryan Travel Counsellor)? I have booked other holidays with you in the past and I knew I could trust you to plan and organise a fantastic honeymoon for us. Knowing that you were taking care of all the cruise details gave us peace of mind and allowed us to focus on enjoying our honeymoon. The ability to use the Travel Counsellors App to pay for our honeymoon in installments was a great asset. You were always there to answer any questions or queries we had before and during our travels. You truly care about your clients and this was evident in your thoughtfulness in giving us a personalised gift before travelling and even organising for chocolates and prosecco to be delivered to our hotel room on our first nights stay! • What advice do you have for other couples planning their Honeymoon? Our advice is to choose a honeymoon that best suits your needs as a couple and what you enjoy doing together. It's a once in a life time opportunity to follow your dreams! Susan is great for advice and recommendations of places to go to suit every couple. Thanks for organising the trip of a lifetime for us Susan!

29 August 2016

The idea of a cruise always intrigued me but I never took the plunge as I thought it was the type of holiday that was reserved for older couples and retired people. How wrong I was! When I got the opportunity to go on a 2 night trip to Istanbul and a 3 night cruise from Istanbul to Venice I jumped at the chance. After a very comfortable flight with Turkish Airlines we landed in Istanbul late one Monday evening. The Pera Marmara was to be our home for the next two nights – a fabulous 4*hotel in the centre of Istanbul with beautiful rooms and magnificent views over the city. As dawn broke over Istanbul we were treated to a tour along the Bosphorous Strait, the famed stretch of water that separates Asia and Europe. After that we went to see the Aga Sofia and Blue Mosque. The next day was the moment we had been waiting for. All aboard the MSC Divina! What a ship! Any thoughts I had of a cruise being for retired, older people were quickly dispelled when I saw the age range on board and the amount of activities the ship had to offer. There was duty free shopping, spa, gym, swimming pools, Jacuzzis, theatre, 4D cinema and various different bars and restaurants. I wondered how I was going to fit everything in over the next few days! As the MSC Divina set sale Andrea Bocelli’s “Time to Say Goodbye” echoed through the tannoy while we waved goodbye to Istanbul and its beautiful skyline of Mosques. This was a full day at sea so I used the time to explore the ship. On special offer at the spa was a candle massage which I had to try – very relaxing! There was a Michael Jackson Tribute Show that evening which was brilliant. Then it was back to the restaurant for dinner before dancing the night away in the nightclub. The next day we docked in the beautiful Croatian City of Dubrovnik. My colleague and I didn’t pre book a tour so we got a taxi from the port to the centre of the old town. The taxi wasn’t very expensive €10 one way so if you have 4 people travelling together it only works out at €2.50 per person. We wandered through the old town and took the cable car to the top of the mountain overlooking the city. This is definitely a must do when visiting Dubrovnik as the views are incredible. We then sailed to Venice & when we docked at 9am it was very straightforward as our bags had been collected from outside our rooms the night before. I had decided to spend the night in Venice and explore the city so I waved goodbye to the rest of the group as they went straight to the airport and I walked to my hotel. The best way to explore Venice is by foot – getting lost and finding all sorts of quirky little cafes and shops along the way, or by boat – taking a gondola or water taxi through the many waterways of the city. The views are incredible whichever way you look! Venice is such a beautiful city and a tourist attraction in itself. It has to be experienced once in a lifetime at least. I have been there 3 times and counting! If you have any queries about cruising, Istanbul, Croatia or Venice please send me an email susan.ryan@travelcounsellors.com or pick up the phone 067-64823 or 087-0568729 and I would be delighted to help you create the perfect itinerary! Looking forward to hearing from you.

29 August 2016

I was very lucky to fly over to Orlando and experience all that it has to offer, from amazing hotels to the theme parks over there. Now I have a very bad fear of heights and have never been on a rollercoaster before – I can still say the same after this trip. I was worried that I would be missing out but there is so much more to do over there you’d have to go back year after year to get it all done! I flew from Shannon but there are also flights from Dublin, you can clear customs and immigration in Dublin and Shannon airport before you go which is great, it makes it a lot easier to transit in the USA. On arrival we checked in to the Cabana Bay Beach Resort which was to be our home for the next 3 nights. Seaworld was first on the list and here along with all the usual rollercoasters and rides you’d expect in a theme park there were shows with seals and killer whales. We went to see Shamu the killer whale in the show “One Ocean”. In the afternoon we went to Aquatica which is a water park across the street. There is something to suit all adventure levels here from zipping through clear fumes to bobbing along a lazy river. That night we went to Universal Studios where the streets were transformed for Halloween Horror Nights. You will get a few frights as you walk through the eerie streets but it’s all in good fun. The next day we started out at Universals Islands of Adventure where they have such a range of rollercoasters and simulator rides. Our Universal Express Passes allowed us to jump straight to the front of the Qs. I really enjoyed the simulator rides from The Minions to Transformers to The Simpsons. We went to Wet ‘n’ Wild water park for the afternoon where again you could be as active or as laid back as you wish. Busch Gardens. This is an African Adventure Safari park located about an hour away from International Drive. We went on a mini safari to see the animals and then there was time to wander around the park or go on many of the thrill seeking rides they have there. That evening we switched hotels for our last 2 nights and checked into the Loews Portifino Bay Hotel which is modelled on the village of Portofino in Italy. We took a water taxi from Loews Portifino Bay to Universal Studios where we had a tour of all things Harry Potter. We wandered through Diagon Alley and had lunch in The Leaky Cauldron. We then hopped on board the Hogwarts Express and travelled from Kings Cross Station in Universal Studios to Hogsmeade Station in Islands of Adventure. We also went on a ride through Jurassic Park and took a stroll through Springfield stopping at Moe’s tavern for a light refreshment. We also got to see the Hard Rock Hotel and Loews Royal Pacific Resort, both beautiful hotels. Then it was on to our last park of the trip, Discovery Cove. There are no rollercoasters or rides here but is a tropical island paradise where you can swim with dolphins, snorkel amongst tropical fish or just chill out and sunbathe. You would have to book your dolphin swim in advance. After that it was on to the Premium Outlet Mall. Lucky we only had an hour as we were on our way to the airport as a lot of damage could be done otherwise. You could do some serious shopping in a day there – just make sure to bring an empty suitcase! We also got the chance to stop at the Florida Mall for some last minute shopping as it is only 15 minutes from the airport. Que some frantic repacking of bags! Orlando has something for everyone so if it is a Honeymoon, Family Holiday or a Shopping Trip with friends you are after please send me an email and I will be happy to put together a package that suits you.

24 October 2016

Iceland has always been at the top of my list, so I was very excited to finally get to go for 3 nights with my boyfriend one November. We went on an organised package that included our return flights, airport transfers to and from the hotel in Rekyavik, 3 nights B&B in Reykjavik Lights hotel, rep on site to help with any queries or to book any excursions while you are there. There are direct flights from Dublin, so if you wish to go for a shorter or longer stay this can be tailor made to suit you. On arrival in Keflavik airport we were met by a tour guide who brought us to the bus to our hotel. That evening I had booked us to go on a Blue Lagoon and Northern Lights tour. The Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa and the water is naturally heated and said to have healing properties. There are buckets of silica mud around the edges of the lagoon so we had to try them. It was there in the middle of the Blue Lagoon with mud on my face that my boyfriend asked me to marry him! A moment I will never forget. We also did the Golden Circle Tour, I had this tour pre booked and paid for before we left which I would definitely recommend to do. It is an 8 hour tour but the best way to get a feel for the country and its beautiful scenic landscape. Our first stop was the Hot Springs at Geysir. This area smelled a bit like rotten eggs from the sulphur but it was great fun to watch the different geysers erupting. Our next stop was Gullfoss Waterfall and the views from it are amazing. We had our lunch here which consisted of traditional Icelandic soup. Our final stop of the day was to Pingvellier National Park. This is a UNESCO World Heritage site where the American and European Continents meet. Our tour guide brought us on a walk and gave us the history of the park while we took in the amazing scenery. Exploring Reykjavik is a must! We were excited to explore the city on foot as it’s very easy to get around. Another must do when in Reykjavik, is to visit the beautiful cathedral Hallgrímskirkja and climb to the top to witness some amazing views. It is Reykjavík's main landmark and its tower can be seen from almost anywhere in the city. You are never guaranteed to see the Northern Lights as it is weather dependant. However, Autumn/Winter is your best chance and they can just as easily be seen from your hotel as on a tour. Needless to say my trip to Iceland was one that I will never forget. I didn’t get to see the Northern Lights but I came home with a fiancé! If you are thinking of going to Iceland please don’t hesitate to get in touch. I will be happy to discuss it with you and help organise your Icelandic adventure.