Popular 5* Kurumba Maldives

The original Maldivian resort, popular Kurumba offers quality at great value, with a convenient location, traditional style, fabulous dining and sublime hospitality, all in cosmopolitan surrounds fringed with delectable beaches

4* Holidays to the Azores

Nine islands in the Atlantic Ocean make up the Azores. Located about 1,400km from Lisbon, and 3,900km from the United States, they are renowned for their relaxed pace of life and stunning natural beauty.

The Azores were discovered in the 15th century by Portuguese navigators in transit to the New World. They have been under the control of Portugal ever since, save for a spell under Spanish rule from 1580 to 1642, when the two countries were in union. The islands now have a permanent population of just over 246,000 people.

Green Island with an area of 744 square km and a population of just over 140,000, it’s the largest and liveliest of the isles. Its capital, Ponta Delgada, is a lively town with cobbled streets and old Portuguese architecture that offer clues as to its long heritage.

São Miguel and the island of Santa Maria form the Eastern Group of the Azores. Northwest of these two are the five islands that make up the Central Group: Faial, Graciosa, Pico, São Jorge and Terceira. Furthest out into the Atlantic are the Western Group of islands – Flores and Corvo. Because the islands were colonised gradually, over the space of two centuries, there is great variation in their culture and traditions.

The nine islands that make up the Azores are remote, unspoilt and scenic. Located in the middle of the North Atlantic, some 3900km from the east cost of America. They were first discovered by Portugese mariners in the 15th century. Today, holidays in the Azores are a popular choice for those seeking peace and relaxation in a pristine environment

A weekend in Berlin

Berlin is a very interesting city but you need to arrive in the right mindset.  The starkness of the city itself and, of course, its history make for a bleak background. The good part is that once you get past Berlin’s grey past there is a plethora of things to do 24 hours a day. The public transportation runs, as expected, like German clockwork and getting around is easy and economical.

These main draws are historical but must be seen as this is what old Berlin is about:

-The remaining sector of the Berlin Wall
-The Jewish Museum
-The Brandenburg Gate
-Checkpoint Charlie

These four locations will take up a full day at least and if you are in Berlin for more than a weekend you may wish to devote more time to them. We spent two nights in Berlin but were able to get a very good grasp of these and I don’t feel I missed anything.

Other main attractions are the Alexanderplatz, which is the main transportation hub, and the fantastic museums and galleries. Photo opportunities are as abundant as the beer and bratwurst. Shopping is a popular pastime in Berlin and the shops range from everyday market stalls to the designers on the Jägerstraße. Another sight for me was the fact that there is a Volkwagen/Bugatti dealership in the centre of the city…a haven for petrol heads in the midst of the shopping.

After a day of sightseeing, I don’t think we were prepared for the fact that many of the bars never close. We discovered that the cleaners arrive in the morning to tidy up around the survivers but the party keeps going on. Berlin has an amazing night life which offers something for all walks of life. The ravers can dance all night but there are, also, bars that are more akin to coffee houses where friends can chat the night away and nobody shouts last call.

Before our night on the town we filled ourselves on traditional German fare and I was pleasantly surprised to find cabbage rolls on the menu. I grew up in a household with a strong German influence and the food was a warm reminder of meals long past. While all the normal fast food joints are available, quick snacks can be had from the bratwurst vendors or great restaurants are abundant wherever you are downtown.

We stayed in the old, Eastern, part of Berlin and found that the food options were fewer and definitely not as good as downtown. While the hotels are cheaper outside the centre I’d suggest dining before you get the train back. I also found that the people were much more reserved in the old town and that English was less spoken but the ambience was more traditional…central Berlin is very flash.

A trip to Berlin is, I believe, a must if just to reflect on the past but the new city has so much more to offer.  Flights are available to Berlin Schoenefeld from various UK airports and the train is easy to get into the centre. English is widely spoken and getting around shouldn’t be an issue for even the most reserved traveller. I recommend Berlin for a 2-3 night break but it can also be incorporated into a more comprehensive rail or coach trip.

Pure Luxury – St Regis Mauritius

St Regis Mauritius

The St Regis Mauritius is set on the beautiful Le Morne beach in the South West of the Island. Although the hotel only opened in October 2012 the opulent Colonial Style architecture makes the hotel feel like it has been part of Mauritius’ heritage for may years.

The hotel prides itself on excellent service and each of the delightful rooms has beautiful sea views and access to personal Butler service. All rooms have fabulous bathrooms with sensuous egg shaped baths, I made the most of this and arranged for Hugo my butler to draw a luxurious perfumed bath which was very relaxing after a hard afternoon sunbathing.

The St Regis offers 6 restaurants and their Signature dining is at ‘Simply Indian’ where the menus are supervised by the award winning chef Atul Kutchar. We dined in the Floating Market which offers a fusion of Pan Asian cuisine, and it was here that I first tasted Wagyu Beef which certainly delighted my taste buds.

For those that wish to relax and chill, you can enjoy sunrise yoga on the lawn with the sound of the sea to relax you or take advantage of the 2000 sqm spa, where I experienced my best ever back massage.

If you are more energetic then the hotel also has a great Water sports Centre which is a centre of excellence for Kite surfing on the Island. They also offer a PADI Dive Centre and complimentary pedal and sail boats.

For Pampering and Style the St Regis is fantastic – call me for more details.

5* Holland America Line

For more than 139 years, Holland America Line has been a recognized leader in cruising, taking our guests to exotic destinations around the world. If you are looking for some of the most spacious and comfortable ships at sea, award-winning service, five star dining, extensive activities and enrichment programs and compelling worldwide itineraries, you’ve come to the right place. We are committed to our mission: through excellence, we create once-in-a-lifetime experiences, every time.

Today, Holland America Line’s fleet of 15 elegant, mid-size ships offers more than 500 sailings a year visiting all seven continents.

Always at the heart of the Holland America cruise experience is our warm and award-winning style of service that is never in the way and never out of reach. We sail with nearly one crew member for every two guests, providing the intuitive, gracious service that has long defined classic cruising. Our extensive onboard services, from special dining requests to full service laundry and dry cleaning services, are designed with your comfort and convenience in mind. Our specially trained crew takes pride in anticipating and fulfilling your every wish. From our waiters and bartenders to our chefs and wine experts, our spa technicians and fitness instructors to our officers and housekeeping staff, everyone is dedicated to providing you with the gracious and personalized service that will make your cruise vacation memorable. On board the ships of Holland America Line you’ll discover a cruise experience that is modern, fresh and appealing — in an ambiance that is timeless and refined.

SIGNATURE TOUCHES IN EVERY STATEROOM
Spacious, elegantly appointed staterooms, many with private verandahs
Luxurious Mariner’s Dream™ beds and premium linens
Daily housekeeping to tidy belongings and keep staterooms immaculate
Large, extra-fluffy Egyptian cotton towels
Lighted magnifying mirrors; massage showerheads; salon-quality hair dryers
Luxurious terry cloth bathrobes
Elemis Aromapure “Time to Spa” bath amenities
Televisions with DVD players
Generous storage
Safes for your valuables
Complimentary fresh fruit
Complimentary 24-hour in-room dining
Nightly turndown service
Complimentary shoeshine service
Complimentary ice service

To Book Call 0114 3273436 Now

Viking River Cruises – As seen on TV

Glide along the majestic Danube. Sail the Main or Moselle, and discover the heart of Europe by cruising the Rhine. There is no more relaxing or rewarding way to see the world than from its great rivers. And there is no better river cruise line than Viking.

On a Viking European River Cruise you’ll enjoy a wealth of history, culture and beauty. Discover the historic windmills of the Netherlands. Marvel at Germany’s fairytale castles and gothic cathedrals. Explore the wild natural beauty of Saxon Switzerland, and the imperial palaces of Austria.

France is a destination that always appeals, and with Viking you can discover a new view of this enchanting land. Whether you are sailing through glorious southern France with its Roman monuments, or Paris and Normandy with its dramatic history and stunning landscapes, or beautiful Bordeaux, you are sure to enjoy any one of our river cruises in France.

Discover the art and culture of Barcelona, the cosmopolitan capital of Catalonia. Explore Lisbon and Porto on Viking’s Douro, River of Gold holiday through Portugal. There are so many wonderful Viking river cruise holidays, you are spoiled for choice.

If you’d like to travel further afield, let Viking show you the real Russia. From St. Petersburg to Moscow, sail the Waterways of the Tsars and see all the highlights of this remarkable land. Or explore China and its many treasures: the Great Wall, Forbidden Palace, Terracotta Warriors and Three Gorges. Combining hotel stays and deluxe cruising along the Yangtze, our China cruises offer the best of both worlds. Likewise, Vietnam and Cambodia are best explored on Viking’s cruise and stay holiday, the Magnificent Mekong.

Whats included in a Viking River Cruise

Return flights from the UK.
Deluxe ensuite accommodation with river view.
All on board meals.
Specially selected wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner.
A wide range of guided tours to must-see attractions and World Heritage sites.
Cultural enrichment programme for an in-depth understanding of the places you visit.

To Book Call 0114 3273436 Now

5* Intercontinental Aphrodite Hills Golf and Spa Resort

The Five-Star Luxury Hotel at Aphrodite Hills

This award-winning Cyprus Hotel is uniquely situated at the heart of the internationally renowned Aphrodite Hills Resort. Luxurious, contemporary and elegant in style, offers the ultimate accommodation, facilities, activities, services and entertainment.

The Inter Continental is ideal for both couples and families alike and is the perfect getaway for a variety of holidays in Cyprus. For those wanting to just relax; for sports enthusiasts looking for a golf or tennis vacation; or for an idyllic Cyprus wedding location, this high-class haven is the supreme and unparalleled choice. Contemporary, elegant and set in an area immersed in Cypriot culture, mythology and tradition, the Hotel is an opulent paradise for those enthused by sheer luxury and absolute comfort – and is the first Resort Hotel of its kind in Cyprus.

Offering 290 luxurious and spacious guest rooms and suites, all interiors are a subtle fusion of contemporary designs and traditional Cypriot décor. Deep orange, red and gold fabrics symbolising the year-round Cyprus sun, are combined with Lefkaritika linen and lace bedspreads. Hand-carved solid wood cabinets and traditional Cypriot ceramics crafted by local artisans, introduce a natural warmth and elegance to each hotel room.

To Book Call 0114 3273436

Le Home Studios – Corsica

Le Home has been a favourite with British holidaymakers for many years, providing a great value for money option for couples in particular. All 38 apartments are set within spacious and immaculately kept gardens in a peaceful location, yet just a short walk from the fabulous beach and the amenities of Calvi.

The English speaking owners, Marie-Laure and Christophe, are always on hand to help and it is clear to see how passionate they are about their properties and gardens. With skilfully landscaped grounds as well as an abundance of flowers, plants and trees, evidently much care and attention has been put into the properties making them a real little oasis in the middle of town.

The apartments provide a real home-from-home; each is comfortably furnished and individually styled with some lovely touches and a great deal of care. They all have air-conditioning as well as views over the gardens towards one of the swimming pools from a balcony or terrace – the perfect retreat for the inevitable Corsican apéritif or one of those long lunches. The kitchenettes are functionally equipped with a hob and microwave, however, there are numerous bars, restaurants and shops within a 10-minute walk. For an evening out, try the Quai Landry, the promenade overlooking Calvi marina, which is a fantastic location for a relaxing drink, watching the sun set and enjoying a spot of people watching.

To book call 0114 3273436

Villas Santa Caterina – Sardinia

Peacefully tucked away in the countryside just outside Alghero, Villas Santa Caterina are perfect for those seeking an “away from it all” holiday. Consisting of 3 villas, Santa Caterina provides simple, rustic accommodation as well as a distinctive homely feel – each villa is individually styled with a number of personal touches and traditional wooden furniture, appealing to both couples and families alike. As for the grounds in which the villas hide away, they are simply fabulous. The gardens are filled with an abundance of Mediterranean plants and flowers and are surrounded by sprawling vineyards giving the whole setting an air of seclusion and tranquillity. All three villas share a good-sized pool, a tennis court and a choice of terraces and little hideaways under the shade of trees. Take a leisurely stroll and discover the hidden corners of the local countryside on foot or visit the renowned “Sella & Mosca” vineyards close by.Alghero with its wide range of facilities and fantastic beaches is only a 10-15 minute drive away.

The owners live discreetly on site, you will see them occasionally maintaining the pool and gardens.

Layout:
1 bedroom villa: Open plan living/dining room, simple kitchen, double bedroom, shower room, wc, terrace. 2 bedroom villas: Open plan living/dining room, simple kitchen, double bedroom, twin bedroom, two shower rooms, wc, terrace.
Facilities:
Shared pool (6m x 12m, depth 1.5m-2.5m – not available between 1pm and 3pm), television, hairdryer, barbecue, tennis court.
Only in the 2 bedroom villas: Washing machine, air-conditioning.

Location
Beach: 9km
Restaurants: 400m, 3km
Shops: 3km
Main Town: Alghero 12km
Airport: Alghero 10km

Call 0114 3273436 to Book

4* Preskil Beach Resort Mauritius

Set on the south-east coast of Mauritius on a private peninsular is where you will find Preskil Beach Resort.  The resort is set in wonderful gardens alongside the beautiful white sandy beach, boasting views across to L’ile aux Aigrettes nature reserve and the marine park of Blue Bay. Preskil Beach Resort offers a wide variety of complimentary land and water sports along with the enticing Ylang Spa. There is also an impressive PADI dive centre and a Mini-Club offering daily activities for the little ones. There is something to suit all tastes at Preskil Beach Resort as it really is fantastic for families or for those wanting to relax and soak up the sun. Dining is on all-inclusive basis  with the choice of dinner in three sumptuous restaurants, that include the new à la carte Charka Steak House. Preskil Beach Resort is a large resort with a wonderful romantic setting, prefect for long lazy strolls along the beach, a honeymoon or even a wedding!

Rooms

Lagoon Rooms are spread out into one storey buildings across the peninsula, whereas the Prestige Rooms and Deluxe Penthouse are located in colonial style cottages offering fantastic views over the lagoon, the Lion Mountain and the outer islands. All rooms lead onto a balcony or terrace with sea view and are equipped with air-conditioning, television , telephone, dial-up internet connection, mini-bar, electronic safe, shower, hair dryer, tea & coffee-making facilities. Prestige Rooms feature a corner bathtub, the Deluxe Penthouse an open-plan bathroom. Allmfeature  Air Conditioning, Balcony/Terrace, Hair Dryer, MiniBar, Room Service, Safety Deposit Box, Satellite TV, Tea/Coffee Making Facilities, Telephone, Television, Shower

Facilities

200 Rooms
3 Restaurants
3 Bars
2 Swimming pools
Whirlpool
Wellness Centre
Tennis
Fitness centre
Aquagym
Table Tennis
Kids Club £3-11 years)
Babysitting on request

Watersports

Waterskiing, windsurfing, snorkelling, canoeing, pedal boats, and sail boats

PADI & CMAS Dive centre (payable locally)

Deep sea fishing (payable locally), catamaran cruises to IleauxCerfs (payable locally), hobbie cat (payable locally), glass bottom boats to Blue Bay Marine Park (payable locally) and undersea walk (payable locally)

Call 0114 3273436 to speak to a Mauritius Specialist

6* Azamara Cruises

The deluxe Azamara Cruises are the perfect way to cruise. With only an occupancy of 694 and a tonnage of 30,277 this intimate cruise ship offers the ultimate in luxury. As the ship is much smaller than some cruise lines it allows the Azamara Quest to visit ports that are often unavailable to other ships. With a 1:2 ratio of guest to staff onboard the service is exceptional, making it a very popular with repeat guests.

One of the benefits of the ship is the open seating dining policy which means you can eat where and when you like at a time to suit you. The quality of the food is what you would expect from a 6* ship – phenomenal! With a choice of 6 dining options including room service you really will be spoilt for choice. From Mediterranean and seafood to steak house and poolside grill.

All of the staterooms are furnished to a high standard to make your cruise as enjoyable as possible. With 70% of all staterooms having a verandah this is the perfect way to enjoy seeing the ocean while sipping a cocktail.

INCLUDED ON EVERY VOYAGE:

AzAmazing EveningsSM event
Select standard spirits, international beers and wines available throughout the voyage
Gratuities
Bottled water, soft drinks, specialty coffees and teas
English-trained butlers for suite guests
Self-service laundry
Shuttle service to and from ports, where available
Concierge services for personal guidance and reservations

 Call 0114 3273436 to book Now

The Wonderful Le Touessrok

Le Touessrock

Well from the moment I entered Le Touessrock I knew this hotel was special. The warm welcome with cooling towels, fresh fruit skewers, calming sea view combined with the sweet smell of Frangipani  was like heaven to me. My room enjoyed views over one of the hotel’s own islands called Ile aux Cerfs and sitting on my balcony I could hear the sea gently lapping below. This beautifully appointed room had a Sea View and fabulous bathroom with the sensuous egg shaped bath that I really love.

Before I visited Le Touessrock I had heard about their other Islands, Ile aux Cerfs and Ilot Mangenie, however, I can only say that you must take the complimentary boat service to visit these Islands and discover a whole new dimension to this hotel.

This is now on my list of hotels that I must take my husband to!!! – call me for more details.

New York City

New York City has so much to offer and is an amazing place to visit. A very good friend of mine lives in Williamsburg, just across the bridge from Manhattan, and loves it. There is just so much to do and see that even a week is not enough time to get totally stuck in but, I believe, any time in New York is better than no time in New York. The trip across the Atlantic is only about 7 hours and New York and New Jersey airports host up to 25 flights a day from London alone. The most popular time to go is from September to mid-December for shopping trips but be prepared to pay a higher price for hotels and expect some snow. All in all, this is part of the experience.

Things to do

There are so many things to see and do but if you just want to chill out and watch the world go by then there’s always Central Park. A day could easily be spent here just lazing around in the summer or, in winter, why not have a go at some ice skating. If you’re thinking of a short stroll from end to end, best keep in mind that this park is 2.5 miles long and you’ll quite likely get sidetracked so leave yourself a good few hours to explore.

Shopping, of course, is a huge draw to New York, and it seems that everybody ends up in Macy’s to get some deals but, once again, leave yourself some time. This department store is massive, and even the most rushed of shoppers can spend hours in here. Make sure you take advantage of the tourist discount cards they offer, as well. The other shopping hotspot is 5th Avenue where, due to prices, you’ll find more window shoppers than spenders but it’s a must see.

There are many other must-sees in Manhattan, such as the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Centre, Madison Square Garden and Grand Central Station to name just a few. Grand Central is an amazing building, is beautiful, and hosts numerous high-end food shops that are great for a browse. If you need inspiration for things to do, just give me a ring.

Getting away

While Midtown is the hub of everything in New York City, there are loads of wonderful neighbourhoods to explore; Little Italy and Chinatown are fun but getting out to Brooklyn or the Bronx can be a lot of fun as well. Get yourself a good top up for the subway and go exploring but take a good look around the stations as well…there are some interesting sights to see underground.

New York is a fabulous city to visit and explore and has something for all ages. This is not one of those places that you can only enjoy without kids, and I’d venture so far as to say it would be more fun with them.

Discover Morocco

I found Morocco to be fascinating and wish we would have been able to see more. Fes, Agadir and the Atlas mountains were, unfortunately, missed, but our two weeks was well spent in other locations. I don’t like just to pass through a place without getting the local feel so we started off with 4 nights in Marrakech and, really, could have stayed longer as the heat made it difficult to do anything in the afternoon. Mornings were spent wandering the maze of streets and exploring the souks and Djemaa El-Fna in the evenings were perfect for the spectacle of Africa’s largest square.

I think my favourite part of Marrakech was the food and, in particular, the tajines. These Moroccan wonders seem to pop up everywhere and I had no apprehension concerning eating ‘street food’. The souks are amazing places to stock up on all the spices required to make these tajines at home but be careful of the street hawkers who have a ‘cousin’ or ‘brother’ that will give you a good deal. Afternoon snacks are abundant from the many fruit carts in the square and dinner can be had from any one of the dozens of stalls that seem to pop up out of nowhere. Djemaa El Fna truly has to be experienced to be appreciated.

On the road

We went to Morocco without a firm plan but knowing the basics of where we would like to go. Errachidia and Fes were on the list but we realised that these would need to wait for another trip as the coast was a higher priority. Thus, we opted for a coach instead of a train and set off for Casablanca. This port city was both amazing and disappointing at the same time. The art deco buildings and 1930’s influence is worth seeing and the Hassan II mosque is a must. On the other hand, Casablanca seemed to have a seedy side that may be the reason the very name conjures images of bandits and badly lit streets…worth a visit, though.

On the road again

We decided that our next stop would be Oulidia and we enjoyed two nights in a shabby motel ( the budget was an issue), relaxed on the beach and, once again, enjoyed some foodie delights. There was a tiny coffee and sandwich shop that made tuna paninis with freshly caught fish, and we had an amazing seafood dinner in one of the waterfront restaurants. A Moroccan man approached us on the beach and very politely enquired if we’d like to but some cinnamon coffee. My thoughts don’t usually turn to hot drinks when the temperature is hovering around 40 degrees but we thought we’d have a go…it was amazing. There’s not much to do in Oulidia as it’s mainly a fishing village and seems to be a getaway spot for Moroccans. There are no attractions other than the beach, and the water is cold but if you want to get away and relax, this is the place.

Essaouira

Getting to Essaouira from Oulidia was an issue as the buses only run a couple of times a week and not at great times. We struck a deal with a taxi driver and made our may down a mostly, gravel track through desolate towns and bleak terrain that was very interesting. How people manage to make a living when there is nothing but sand and rock to be seen is something amazing. Essaouira was our favourite of the trip and we found a hotel with self-catering apartments in the middle of town.

A trip to the market was in order and we purchased some fresh lamb and veg and had a go at a tajine (we didn’t have a tajine so we used, and I still do now, an old pot with a lid) and, while I’m better at them now, this one was great. Essaouira has some beautiful beaches and lovely Moroccan architecture but one of the biggest attractions is the fishermen and the fish and I found that I could spend hours there just watching the world go by.

Tobago, truly Caribbean

Tobago tends to be the forgotten destination but has so much to offer to everyone looking for pure relaxation.   It is a very tranquil all year round destination but is an ideal place for families to enjoy.

Tobago offers natural beauty, mountains, trekking, nature walks, snorkelling, scuba diving with live corals, bird twitching with very rare birds, waterfalls, and of course their white sandy beaches.

Various airlines fly to Tobago, BA, Virgin and Monarch. Flight durations will be 10 hrs 40 mins but includes 1 hour touchdown in Antigua.  They also hold the Tobago Carnival sometime in April every year.

These pictures have been taken from Blue Waters Inn, a small intimate super family friendly hotel situated in a secluded bay approx 1.5 hr road transfer from the airport with only 38 beachfront rooms, 1 bedroom and 2 bedroom bungalows.  The hotel has only 1 restaurant and 1 bar and nothing is too much trouble for the hotel chef.  He will cater for all clients eating requirements.  The hotel does not offer any motorised sports and prides themselves in total tranquility for clients. They however have a stingray which comes for feed everyday and is a place where you will see the rarest species of birds.