3.5* Kombo Beach Hotel

Kombo Beach takes pride of place on Kotu Beach so whether you want to relax on the beach, round the pool or in the spacious gardens, you are never more than a few steps away. This popular hotel has a fantastic reputation and plenty to offer you on your Gambian holiday including an excellent choice of activities and entertainment to keep you occupied day and night. There are a couple of restaurants, beach bars and craft market within walking distance of the hotel, or the taxi rank right outside the hotel makes it easy to get out and about. The lively resort of Kololi with a wide array of bars & restaurants is approx 5 mins by taxi

Accommodation

Kombo Beach boasts 258 tastefully decorated rooms. The standard rooms and premium rooms have been refurbished over the last couple of years. The decor is of a light and airy feel. Surrounded by fabulous well kept gardens where many species of birds have their home. All rooms have air conditioning, Fan, Balcony or terrace, TV, Safe (payable locally), Mini-fridge, Hairdryer (on request), desk, Sofa / comfortable chairs, Shaver plug, Shower or Bath, Complimentary toiletries

Features

There is always something to do at Kombo Beach. The full daytime and evening entertainment programme has a wonderful array of delights to keep you busy throughout your stay. Learn how to play golf with the resident golf coach. Learn how to cook African food. The choice of activities is endless

Long sandy beach, Pool and sun terraces, Hotel Shop & Clinic, Laundry service, Massage and beauty salon (payable locally), Wi-Fi and internet access (payable locally), TV area in reception, Children’s play area, Table Tennis, Tennis courts and coach (payable locally), Petanque / Boules, Volleyball, Small outdoor gym, Bird Guide, Golf Pro (payable locally

Restaurants & Bars

Kudulu is the main buffet restaurant of Kombo Beach. It boasts views of the pool and the magnificent ocean. Breakfast and evening meals are served here. There is a vast choice of cuisine on offer and also live cooking stations. The pool BBQ is also a feature of this restaurant.

The Brasserie is a wine bar and also the A la Carte restaurant. Offering fresh fish and tasty steaks. From here you have amazing views of the beach and ocean. The perfect place to watch the sunset after a hard day in the sun.

Geckos beach bar and restaurant is right on the beach, next to the pool. You could have a light bite of pasta or pizza brought right to your sun lounger. Why not try one of their famous cocktails.

Kingfisher lounge is located in the lobby with great pool views. The ideal place for pre-dinner cocktails and to catch up with the news and sport on the big screen

Barracuda is the small bar with a very cosy atmosphere. Drinks and snacks are served throughout the day. A waiter service is offered on the beach and in the gardens

For more information and booking call 0114 3273436

Images provided by The Gambia Experience

Le St Geran 5* Hotel in Mauritius

The stunning One & Only Le St Geran Mauritius is the definition of paradise. Steeped in its own ambience and elegance on its own private peninsular. Surrounded by coconut palms and fresh flower gardens, this hotel is luxury personified. The hotel has Dutch and French influences, offering stylish European comfort and character. All of the fabulous suites at One&Only Le Saint Géran’s have views that extend over the tempting white sands and crystal clear sea and lagoon, while the interior is both intimate and romantic. Enhancing the outdoor experience, the elegant suites are thoughtfully fitted with outdoor blinds, offering both shade and privacy without compromising the breathtaking views.

Situated on the East Coast of the island and only 60 minutes from the airport

Accommodation

St Geran has 162 suites and one villa. All tailored to the highest of luxury and state of the art technology.  All feature a private terrace or balcony facing either the ocean or cove.  Spacious bathrooms are beautifully appointed, with fabulous cascading showers. All guests enjoy personalised 24-hour butler service.  All suites and villa feature in-room multimedia entertainment systems, satellite flat screen television, DVD/CD player, hair dryer, mini bar, coffee machine, 24-hour room service, safe and in-room business services, iPod docking station and Wi-Fi.

Features

Complimentary activities include unlimited water-skiing, Hobie Cats, kayaks, snorkeling, glass bottom boat trips, yoga, fitness classes, beach volleyball, complimentary green fees at the Gary Player-designed 9-hole course located on the resort’s grounds, tennis courts, or you can enjoy a yacht ride with the use of Cabo Yacht Rentals online.

Restaurants and Bars

La Terrasse – This is the resort’s main restaurant stunningly situated overlooking the pool and the Indian Ocean. It is open for all meals. In the evening there is also live entertainment with a live band or cabaret, where you can dance the night away. Buffet, table d’hote and themed dinners are served to the highest of standards

Rasoi by Vineet – Michelin-starred chef Vineet Bhatia has created a modern-Indian menu bursting with flavours and aromas. Perfect romantic waterside restaurant. This was flawlessly designed by the commercial architecture.

PRIME Contemporary Grill – a modern and relaxed steakhouse serving great steaks, seafood and sumptuous desserts. The perfect blend of contemporary design and antiques works well while providing a fabulous dining ambience. Specialities include  Australian Angus Wagyu Beef and Pan Roasted Rock Lobster.

Le Touessrok Mauritius

Call 0114 3273436 to Book

Le Touessrok 5* Deluxe Hotel Mauritius

Can you imagine a place so wonderful that you wouldnt want to leave it behind?

Well this is exactly what you will feel like at the end of your stay in Le Touessrok. Guests come back time and time again to sample the luxury and charm of this premium hotel – making this an established favourite on Mauritius.

Tranquil blue waters, fabulous white sandy beaches and service like no other. These are just some of things that make Le Touessrok one of the best hotels in the Indian Ocean and a member of The Leading Hotels of the World. Situated on the stunning Trou d’Eau Douce Bay and only an hour from the airport.

Rooms

Le Touessrok has 68 Deluxe Rooms and 33 Junior Suites located on the beach. 92 Junior Suites and 6 Ocean Suites are located on Frangipani Island which is over the  bridge from the main resort.

All rooms have safe, mini bar, hair dryer, satellite TV, DVD/CD player, telephone, air conditioning, Internet/email access, 24-hour butler service, en suite bathroom with separate shower, in-room multimedia entertainment systems.

Features

An array of Boutique shops, 2 stunning swimming pools, hairdressing salon, luxury Givenchy Spa, activities for 12-17 years, Kids Club 4-11 years , nightly entertainment including resident band, cabaret and shows, 18-hole championship Le Touessrok Golf Course designed by Bernhard Langer, Full range of free land and water sports including bocci ball, floodlit tennis courts, kayaks, snorkelling, table tennis, volleyball, water-sking and windsurfing. All water sports take place on Ile aux Cerf island, a short boat ride away.

Restaurants and Bars

Barlen’s – The wood and thatch beach restaurant and bar on the shore of Trou d’Eau Douce. The restaurant offers a range of dishes, based on a fusion of Asian and European cuisine.

Crusoe’s Restaurant & Robinson’s Bar – On the resort’s romantic private island of Ilot Mangenie, fresh local food and drinks are served on the beach under the trees.

Paul et Virginie & Sands Bar – Lunch is provided at the relaxed, barefoot restaurant Paul & Virginie. The place to relax after taking in the watersports or relaxing by the pool.

Safran – The main feature of this wonderful restaurant that overlooks Hibiscus Bay has to be the open kitchen with tandoori ovens decorated with mother of pearl. Serving varieties of Indian bread, appetisers and main courses.

Sega Bar – The Sega Bar takes centre stage at the resort’s main pool, and is the perfect spot throughout the day for refreshing cocktails, drinks and light snacks.

Three-Nine-Eight – The main restaurant of Le Touessrok is based on three floors. It hosts cuisines of nine countries in a culinary theatre presented by eight show kitchens. This is the place for breakfasts, and sociable and entertaining evenings.

Call 0114 3273436 to Book Now

HONEYMOON’S – WHERE WILL ROMANCE TAKE YOU

Possibly the most important decision you will make in terms of a Holiday.

Everybody wants everything to be perfect—it’s the first time you’ve been away together as Man and Wife, and you want the magic of the wedding to continue. Choosing the right wedding venue plays  a big role in making those cherished moments last, setting the perfect scene for your special day and beyond. For wedding venue Randolph County call Williams Place Venue.

Daunted, not booked yet, waiting to the last minute, I have known people book their Honeymoon a Day before the Wedding!

Don’t worry I am here to assist you in finding the honeymoon for you, call in advance to book so that you can relax in the knowledge that the honeymoon is taken care of, plus receive some great early booking offers.

The World is your Oyster, whether you wish to stay in the UK or Europe, enjoy a Belmond Andean Explorer train in Peru, or go further a field, there are so many options to fit every budget.  Adventure tours, safari’s, cruising, luxury villa stay’s, diving tours, simplistic to the most luxurious what ever takes your fancy.

Give me a call or if you like I can arrange to meet you, in order to arrange your honeymoon, I look forward to hearing from you and to arranging the best honeymoon for you.

For all honeymoons booked with me from now until the end of April, will be entered into a prize draw to win a Unique one of a Kind Handcrafted Tiara by Orange Blossom Florist Daventry.  All you have to do is book and like me on facebook for the chance to win.  Winner will be notified by e-mail and posted on Social Media.

Shopping in Canada

I’ve just mentioned that I was going to write about Canada and my wife’s comment was, “Mooses, pumpkin pie and Mounties”…charming!  While these are familiar bits of Canada and its history, there is so much more to consider and see.  From the French history and mystique of Quebec,  to the mountains and forests of British Columbia, there is something to offer all travellers.

Getting to Canada is easy as there are several flights into Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa and Calgary, as well as daily services into other locations such as Edmonton and Halifax.  Onward arrangements to locations such as Niagara Falls can be made via train, coach or car hire but onward flights may be an option for cities such as Victoria on Vancouver Island.
There are so many reasons to go to Canada but a very popular one is shopping as Toronto and Montreal are but a few hours away and offer some of the world’s best shops, along with a few that are classicly Canadian; where else can you get a Hudson’s Bay blanket or Montreal corned beef?

If you’re after a longer trip then Vancouver’s Robson Street , Gastown and the Granville Street market may appeal but I think you’ll want to make it a bit more than a weekend…it’s an 11 hour flight.  As I’ve mentioned markets (I love them), I’d have to say that my favourite is Lawrence Street Market in Toronto;  not huge but really great food to go and amazing fish and meat venders.

If you’d like more information or advice on a shopping trip to Canada, please feel free to contact me at any time.

Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu

Set on the private island of Dhuni Kolhu in the Baa Atoll Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu is an intimate hideaway, which is abound with Maldivian charm.

I have visited the island on many occasions, yet everytime I step foot on the island, the calm and tranquility engulf’s me.

The island has lush tropical vegetation and is fringed with white sandy beaches and an idyllic crystal lagoon.

The island is comprised of 98 villa’s with the Beach Villa’s and Deluxe Villa’s being located around the island and the Lagoon Villa’s and Sunset Lagoon Villa’s being located on stilts over the lagoon.

There are 2 relaxed bars and dining options of inside the main restaurant or under Banyan Trees in the Cornus Restaurant.  In villa dining is also available as is private dining on the beach for those special moments alone.

Whilst the Sunset Lagoon Villa’s are the only villa’s to have TV’s do not worry there is plenty to see and do that you will not miss having a TV.

There is an incredible house reef to discover as well as some incredible diving spots in the BAA atoll, the PADI diving centre Dive Ocean will take care of all your diving needs.

There is also a tennis court, fitness centre, Jacuzzi, water sports centre, Coco Spa and a weekly cinema on the beach.

With Uniquely Coco Experiences whether shared or private you are sure to have a memorable experience, be it a night fishing trip or an overnight stay on a desert island.  My ultimate favourite has to be spending a day with a local family in their own home.

Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu is Green Globe certified Silver and is committed to maintaining the island according to Eco Tourism principles.

The resort is perfect for diver’s, honeymooners and couples.

Transfers to and from the hotel are operated by seaplane, which is an incredible way to transfer, do not worry if you see the seaplane pilots flying without shoes.

The resort has many offers including Early Booking Discounts, Free Nights, Room Upgrade Offer and Honeymoon discounts and honeymoon complimentary services.

For more information and prices please contact me on 01327 702717 or 07577362392.

It’s Vegas, baby!

A great place to start a road trip

Here we are on the West Coast trip but where do we start?  At the beginning, of course.  Having just arrived in Vegas by air, you’ll need to get to your hotel and those in the know will agree that the best way is just to get a taxi.

If you want to show up in style, I can arrange a private car or limo at an extra charge but I never include the transfers in Vegas.  If you’re coming in by road from Los Angeles, try to time it so you’re hitting Vegas at sundown and into the twilight. If you plan to drive around or go on a road trip, be sure that your car is good condition. Those who need to replace their old vehicles may consider purchasing used cars in glendale.

As you get closer to the city, every little hill in the road will provide you a closer and brighter view and a thrill that I can’t really describe…it has to be experienced.

Get checked in and then get out there

Having gotten yourself to the hotel, and checked in, it’s time to experience everything that Vegas is about…glitz and excess!  Many go to Vegas for the gambling but the city has changed itself in the last decade or so; this is now a place to take your family and relax or catch some world class entertainment.  The old Las Vegas is still there in spirit and all-night drinking, gambling at the best online casinos in usa and cavorting in ยูฟ่าสล็อต are the attractions for a good portion of visitors but the old images of gangsters and corruption are (at least visibly) a thing of the past. To get a chance of winning big prizes, you may try your luck at these online situs slot gacor games. You may also check out daftar mpo888 if you’re looking for exciting rewards. If you’re looking to win exciting rewards and cash prizes, then you may consider checking out reddice.

There is more to Vegas than just ‘the strip’; if you want to get away from the high rollers and noise, there are some nice bars and restaurants in the suburbs where you’ll find the ‘locals’.  Most residents are relative newcomers and the city continues to grow;  I like the East end as it has a suburban feel to it and lacks the pretence of downtown.  My favourite casino is Sam’s Town on Boulder Highway (easy to get to by taxi or bus); here you can go elbow to elbow with the diehard bingo players (blue hair included) for just a few dollars, or while away the hours at the penny slot machines.  Sam’s, definitely, isn’t the Bellagio or Venetian but it does have an appeal and it won’t break the bank. If you prefer online casinos, you can also try your luck and ลุ้นรางวัลใหญ่กับ UFA.

The best shows anywhere

Entertainment in Vegas is big business and it is here that you will see the best of the best.  People fly from all over the world to watch a title fight at the MGM Grand or, on the other end of the spectrum, to see the likes of Celine Dion…you haven’t made it until you’ve played the strip!  The shows that are put on by the hotels are fantastical spectacles that cost them millions to produce and some are free…you’ll have to do some research .

There are few ‘Must Do’ things for your time in Vegas :

-See the Grand Canyon (pop me over an e-mail for info on how to do this)

-See the light show on Fremont Street (free)

-The fountains at the Bellagio are amazing

-Buffet, buffet and more buffet (you can get these for free, sometimes) but if you only try one, make it a champagne brunch on the weekend…usually in the range of USD35-40.

-Play golf if you’re a golfer or attend a sporting event, such as baseball

I could go on and on but don’t want to be long-winded so, if you do want more on Vegas, get in touch and we’ll have a chat.

Western fly drive

Many of my friends and clients have experienced the classic West Coast fly drive but most tend to overlook my absolute favourite San Diego. I always recommend taking as much time as possible to see as much as you can and, when possible, include Las Vegas, San Francisco and Los Angeles. I’ll get to more about the individual locations on separate blogs but let’s just get the itinerary for now.

The glitz of Vegas is always worth a look for at least four nights and, also, to allow for a trip out to the Grand Canyon. Die hard gamblers will want to stretch this out a bit but there is always enough to see as not to move on right away. Exotic shows and bright lights are the normal attractions, but golfers will be spoilt for choice, as well.

San Francisco is the next stop, and you can get there either by road or by air…I’d suggest just getting there by plane and picking up your car on the other end as the 9 hour drive may be too much for some or, alternatively, stopping along the way but this is a wasted night. After about 4 nights in ‘Frisco’, it’s down the coast to Los Angeles and this time it is worth a stop in the Pismo Beach area just to enjoy the scenery.

Los Angeles has a love-hate relationship with tourists; it’s big and smoggy, but there’s a ton of stuff to do, as well. It’s important to consider exactly what appeals to you so a decision can be made as to the length of stay.If you want to explore you’ll need a week but if there are just a couple of points of interest then 3 days will be sufficient.

A short drive down I-5 brings you to San Diego and, arguably, one of the best climates in the world. It’s a busy city with a lot to see but, at the same time, San Diego invites you just to relax. I always recommend at least 4 days but would gladly stay for weeks. Your time constraints may limit you to a couple of days, but at least you’ll get a taste.

In between these major centres, there are other popular options for side trips or stays. The coastline itself has many towns and events to visit, and there are more out of the way choices such as Yosemite, Lake Tahoe and the giant redwoods in northern California. The more adventurous could consider travelling into Oregon and Washington to explore the Pacific Northwest, but you will need to allow more time.

There are numerous other considerations to be had; available time, school holidays when travelling as a family, budget and, ultimately, what you want to see. As I mentioned, I’ll put more detail into individual blogs but this will get you thinking about where to start planning.

If you’d like to discuss a fly drive (or any other holiday), or have these details e-mailed to you, please feel free to contact me at any time.

Best All inclusive hotel in Mauritius

Preskil Beach Resort

Is a beautiful resort set on the most picturesque corner of Mauritius. The hotel is situated on a private peninsula on the south east coast of Mauritius.    All around the hotel, you can see unspoilt clear blue sea, white sandy beaches, mountains.   Further afield, there are small pirogues passing by other several inhabited islets among which is also the natural reserve of Ile aux Aigrettes.   Preskil Beach Resort is a magical place to stay at and is one of my favourites on the island.

After 12 hour flight from London, we were pleased to travel only a short distance, approx 15 minutes drive from the airport to the hotel. I have stayed at the four star Preskil Beach Resort on several occasions with the family, children and adults and on every occasion, the service from every member of staff has exceeded our expectations by far. This hotel offers unbelievable 5* service at unbeatable 4* prices.

All rooms are situated on either first or second floors. There are no high rise buildings which is a big bonus. I particularly do not find high rise buildings relaxing at all. On different occasions, we stayed in the Prestige Cottage located on the ground floor of the individual cottages. Each individual cottage has 2 Prestige Cottages  on the ground floor and a Deluxe Penthouse on the 1st floor.  Both room types offer bath and shower with the most amazing seaviews in the quietest area of the property. Lagoon rooms are the lead-in rooms with shower only are spread out harmoniously across the island with sea views.   The rooms are clean, spacious and cosy. For an exceptional vacation on Koh Samui, you should definitely consider staying in one of the luxury villas koh samui.

Food and Drinks

The hotel offers 3 restaurants and bars. The main restaurant “Spices” offers an array of most delicious buffet style foods at breakfast, lunch and dinner. We had the most amazing Mauritian lentil soup and rice made from the best spices on the island and the Chef kindly gave me her recipe which I have tried and treasured for years now. Whilst you are there, you must try “Charka Steakhouse & Bar” which has also been our favourite steak restaurant for years with its fresh meat directly imported from South Africa. You can also enjoy nice Mediterranean cuisine in shades of “Tapas Grill & Beach Bar”  with your feet tucked in the hot sand.  Another must try is the Indigo Bar.   This lively meeting-place offers an international selection of exotic cocktails as well as light meals during the day.   In the evening, the bar is an ideal setting to enjoy a warm, relaxing atmosphere with either live or background music.

All locally bottled drinks are included in your All-inclusive basis together with imported drinks shown by an asterisk on the menu making it really good value for money. In addition, the same is available from your mini-bar menu which makes it so wonderful to be able to sit in your balcony or terrace with a nice cold beer.

What makes this property even better value for money is that your All-inclusive finishes at 3 pm on check-out day rather than at 11 am which applies for most hotels.  If you have an evening flight, this is just a perfect added value to your prefect holidays.

Weddings

I have arranged many many weddings at this hotel in the past and every time, guests have been overwhelmed by the attention and the service that they have received from staff, especially from the wedding co-ordinator. The wedding locations are just breathtaking and you feel so privileged and pampered. For couples dreaming of getting married abroad, you’ll be glad to know that you can Get a Federal Apostille Quickly to make the process even smoother.

I can highly recommend this hotel for honeymooners, couples, families.  They will love this property as much as we adore it.

Bequia Beach hotel

Bequia Beach hotel is situated on the island of Bequia in the Grenadine Islands. I had the pleasure of visiting this island in December 2011. This is a very laid back hotel in my opinion suitable for couples who need minimum entertainment. I would recommend this hotel as a twin centre with St Vincent. Please call or email for more information.

I have been to Buccament Bay

Buccament Bay is a luxury all inclusive on the beautiful island of St Vincent. I visited this fantastic resort in December 2011 and it certainly has the wow factor. I would recommend this property if you would like your holiday to be filled with peace and tranqulity but at the same wanting lots of activities on offer. It would suit couples and families alike. For more information about this exciting resort please do not hesitate to call or email me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Rn6klpbEEs

Wynn Las Vegas

Wow what a hotel….

When we arrived, the lobby area was very busy but the check-in took less than 20 minutes. For me the hotel reception is a little on the gaudy side with lots of bright colours however the facilities at this resort more than make up for that & past the reception area it is much calmer & more relaxed.

Our deluxe room was huge with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the strip. The bathtub was like a mini swimming pool ! Unlike the reception, the rooms are tasteful with muted tones.

The shopping is superb although bring the plastic as the outlets here are all designer. Dining was an absolute delight. Our fave dining experience was at the Lakeside seafood restaurant. We were lucky enough to be seated right by the lake so had a great view of the funny light show that took place every hour complete with it’s dancing frog! Make sure you try some of the hotels restaurants & bars. I have a long list of restaurants that we tried – if you want some recommendations just let me know.

You can walk from the Wynn straight into the sister hotel the Encore. You are also just a 5 minute walk from the Palazzo & Venetian.

Of course a holiday to Las Vegas in not complete without a side trip to the Grand Canyon. We have some great special offers for day excursions by plane, helicopter or bus – just ask for details.

Don’t delay booking for Las Vegas…the earlier you book, the better deal you will get.

Las Vegas is my number selling destination & I have negotiated some superb rates.

Maldives My Second Home

I first visited the Maldives back in 1999 flying on Emirates with a stopover in Dubai, before the airport was renovated, on route to Male for a year’s work placement for my university course on Makunudu Island, a quaint Maldivian resort set on a small island of 6 acres.  I did not know what to expect, the Maldives was relatively unheard of in the UK at the time.

I was met at the airport and taken on a speedboat and whisked away speeding through the ocean with the sea whooshing past with the wind in my hair and the sun shining down with the warmth engulfing me.  An incredibly awe inspiring transfer where a smile was stuck on my face the whole way through, I was not thinking of what was awaiting me on the island I was too busy looking around at the islands that we kept passing and the incredible view.

Upon arrival to the island I was greeted with the warmth of the people, who cannot do enough for you, whether you are a member of staff or a guest, this was to be my home for a year after which I had to return to the UK to finish my studies.  Although studying in Newcastle where the temperature reached minus 13 one day, I sat looking at a Maldives poster which was on my wall and pledged that after I finished my course I would return.

And so I did and I never looked back, I returned to Makunudu Island where my then boyfriend was working, now my husband.  I spent a further 1 and half years on Makunudu Island until I moved on to Male working from the Head Office as a Reservations Manager and then a Sales Manager for Sunland Hotels – Makunudu Island and Biyadoo Island and Coco Collection – Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu and Coco Palm Bodu Hithi. Connecting me to a global network of tour operators and clients and giving me the opportunity to travel to destinations such as Cannes, Singapore and London.

Throughout my time in the Maldives I enjoyed some wonderful experiences of….

Desert island picnic’s / sunset cocktails / beach parties / night fishing / sand bank picnic’s and snorkeling / full moon picnic’s on the beach / parasailing / morning fishing / afternoon fishing / scenic photo flights via seaplane / snorkelling / sailing on a safari boat / luxury spa treatments / butler services and surfing in the maldives.

I had the opportunity to visit a number of other resort islands – Thulaghari, Kanahura, Soneva Fushi and Soneva Gili, Biyadoo Island, Makunudu Island, Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, Coco Palm Bodu Hithi, Cocoa, Herathra, Kurumba, Banyan Tree, Taj Exotica, Baros, Anantara Dhigu, Summer Island, Fihalhoahi, Four Seasons Kuda Huraa to name but a few.

I also visited many local islands to experience and understand the Maldivian way of life stay in great apartments like the flats for sale Limehouse you can find online.  The basic needs of the people and the way in which they live is very different from what you expect, but there is one thing that shines through their smile, their happiness and the lack of materialism.

I even managed to venture over the equator to visit Addhu Atoll where my in laws live, it was a great visit to see a different area of the Maldives and to see where my husband had been brought up.

I also arranged and took part in guests Wedding Ceremonies, an experience which I was honoured to be part of every time.  Whilst the Wedding Ceremony in the Maldives is not legally binding it is a truly romantic and beautiful way of vowing your Love for that someone special.  Not to mention being an amazing backdrop for wedding photos.

The scenery above the water is amazing, although the scenery under the water is another spectacular world to be discovered.  The highlight for me so far was swimming with the Dolphin’s, swimming with the Manta Ray’s and swimming with a Whale Shark, to say incredible is an understatement.  With some of the most amazing reefs, fauna and flora it is no wonder that it is a diver’s paradise.  I too took the plunge and passed my PADI diving course (beats doing it in a quarry in the UK).

The Maldives is a true paradise where many ‘magical’ moments and experiences await all guests.  The islands and the people embrace you with their incredible hospitality, service and genuine passion for sharing their country with you.

The Maldives prides itself on Personal Service Excellence and experiences, holidays are no longer about the room, board basis, transfers and facilities, it is now about the experiences that can be had whether staying in a 3 Star resort, a Luxury resort or to one of those Maldives family resorts.

So to discover the experiences that await you book your holiday now.

For EXPERT advise on the Maldives call 01327 702717 or 07577362392 or email angeleenn@travel-pa.com

It will be my pleasure to assist you in booking your holiday and to sharing the Sunny Side of Life with you.

Now Jade Riviera Resort & Spa

I’ve booked my family to go here next summer.

We have some superb early booking offers with massive savings. They are booking fast. This resort offers everything that a family could wish for: 2 large pools, a children’s pool, children’s club, spa, tennis, gym, cycling, entertainment, 7 restaurants, 6 bars, a fabulous beach……..I could go on & on.

I can’t wait….

Tongsai Bay

From the moment we landed in Koh Samui, we knew that we were in for a treat. The airport at Samui is delightful & feels very exotic.

After we had collected our bags & passed through passport control, we met our driver for the short 10 minute taxi ride to the Tongsai Bay.

We arrived at the hotel around 6pm so it was dark & the weather balmy. The check-in was speedy & friendly. We were then transported by golf buggy to our cottage suite. We could easily have walked but the buggy was much more fun!

In my opinion the Tongsai Bay has got it right, it’s a wonderful relaxed, rustic 5* property offering exceptional service. Our room was wonderful, split over two levels with a large private terrace with two sun loungers and an outside bath. It was incredibly romantic to have a bath on your terrace whilst enjoying a glass of bubbly. The views during daylight were fabulous. The rooms are nestled amongst tropical gardens and coconut trees so the terraces are very private.

For me, a holiday revolves around the food. It was the dining that made the Tongsai Bay so special. The menus were superb & everything that we eat was fabulous. After dinner each evening we would walk down to the Po-Lad beach bar for a cocktail and listen to the waves. I would highly recommend venturing out for a few nights, there are a lot of very good restaurants nearby & of course are much cheaper than eating at the hotel.

Mark & I both did a Thai cookery course which was great. You get to visit the hotel gardens to pick ingredients first. Afterwards you all sit down to eat what you have made with the chef.

Koh Samui is easy to get around & the hotel will book a car for you.

If you are looking for a swanky 5* resort with marble everywhere & tv’s in every room then the Tongsai Bay is not for you however if you appreciate great service, lovely views & more natural surroundings then consider this wonderful hotel. We are planning to return & will try a pool villa next time.