Hotel de France and Ayush Wellness Spa From £349pp

The Hotel de France is a family owned 4* hotel on the outskirts of Jerseys vibrant capital St Helier.

The hotel is home to the award-winning Ayush Wellness Spa where the vision is simple and concept authentic. Relax in the infinity or massage pool before heading into one of the five treatment rooms for a spa therapy. There is also a Sauna, steam room and plunge pool and classes are available for all abilities in the yoga studio. When the sun is shining head to the outdoor terrace and relax on one of the sun loungers

Treatments available

Ayurveda means “science of life” and is a natural holistic form of healing promoting both physical and emotional wellbeing.

Authentic Ayurvedic Rituals
Ayush Body and facial therapies
Couples and friends rituals
Full and half day spa experiences
Pregnancy treatments.

Prices start from £45 and we would recommend pre-booking to avoid disappointment.

Packages available:

3 nights accommodation at Hotel de France in a standard room with use of spa facilities

Option 1
With flights from London Gatwick, with Easyjet on hand luggage only and private return transfers – just £349pp, based on April 24th departure and 2 sharing

Option 2
Take your car from Poole – just £339pp, based on April 26th departure and 2 sharing

To Book this or any other Holiday call Jackie: 0114 3273436 or email jackief@travel-pa.com

Detox at Oceano Hotel Tenerife From £1464 pp

Océano Hotel Health Spa is based to the quiet and lush north side of Tenerife, right on the coast, in the tranquil fishing village Punta del Hidalgo. It may look high-rise in design but it’s actually very remotely located and non-touristy, with no other hotels around. Associated with the Mayr philosophy (world experts in the field of wellness) and harnessing the healing powers of real Thalassotherapy, it’s a great place to unwind, relax and recharge the batteries.

Transfer Time is 30 min from Tenerife North Airport by car, and 1 hour from the more widely-used Tenerife South Airport.

SPA & MEDICAL CENTRE CLOSED EVERY SUNDAY
THE HOTEL IS CLOSED BETWEEN 01-31 JUL 17

Whats Included in the Detox Programme:

1 x Initial Medical Examination
3 x Medical Abdominal Examination
1 x Medical Abdominal Examination OR Colonic Irrigation Therapy
2 x Massage (45 mins)
3 x Thalassic Application
2 x Personal Training (30 mins)
1 x Bioimpedance Measure
1 x Bittersaltz (Epsom Salt to use daily during treatment)
1 x Final Medical Examination
Daily Special Detox Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, Water, Tea
Complimentary Daily Group Activity Classes such as Yoga, Stretch & Relaxation, Weekly Guided Hike*, Nordic Walking, Pilates (subject to change in resort)
Weekly Group Town Visit*
Optional Activities at Extra Cost in Resort: Mountain Biking, Tennis, Water Sports, Golf, Spanish Lessons, Surfing, Paddle-Boarding & Hiking Tours in Anaga Mountains
Complimentary Access to the Spa, Seawater Heated Outdoor Swimming Pool, Outdoor Whirlpool, Gym, Finnish Sauna & Bio-coloured Light Sauna
*Please note the return transfer cost is approx 20 Euros for these optional free excursions

Wellbeing Approach

A powerful combo of authentic Thalassotherapy and the expertise of the Mayr medical centre make this a great destination for some results-driven wellness. Led by a professional team of doctors and therapists the spa treatments are aimed at aiding detox, weight loss or boosting fitness, through massages, shiatsu practices, osteopathy and natural cosmetics that often take advantage of the natural healing powers of seawater.

Spa Facilities

Thalassotherapy is the name of the game here and there are three delightful seawater pools heated to different temperatures (26°, 32° and 34° degrees separately) that guests can take a dip in, as well as the focused Thalasso pool for specific treatments only. There is also a gym designed for low-stress workouts. Thankfully, it’s complete with gym equipment second hand.

Fitness & Activities

There is a yoga studio on the 11th floor with wonderful views and classes take place outside too. The free public seawater pool just outside the hotel is also available for guests to swim in and feels especially fantastic on a hot day. You can swim safely in the sea and feel the energy of the Atlantic as you do. The hotel also offers a variety of daily complimentary optional exercise classes or optional excursions and activities at an extra cost, like hiking trips, electronic biking, paddle-boarding, tennis and even Spanish lessons across the week.

Rooms

All 91 rooms face the sea to varying degrees to take in the exquisite views. Spacious, light and clean (just don’t expect total luxury unless you book a Design Room which have a contemporary bathroom), the rooms come equipped with balconies, ensuite bathrooms complete with all the mod cons. However there’s no air con as the gentle sea breeze is enough to keep you cool all year round. You can also borrow a DVD recorder and DVDs from reception free of charge – just ask!

Food

Food is fresh, mainly seasonal and organic, with seafood, meat, poultry or vegetarian options all available. Delivered in an imaginative and varied way you will feel very satisfied. However, the detox programmes follow the Mayr principles and offers quite a restricted but thoughtful version of the normal menu. If you are doing a detox,you actually eat in a separate dining room with terrace and are encouraged to to dine in quiet contemplation – perfect for avoiding temptation!

Great Tips

• There’s a lot to explore on your doorstep. From a hiking tour in the Anaga mountains, wandering some of the most ancient woodland in Europe, or a visit to the UNESCO protected village La Laguna, the hotel will help you make the most out of your stay. Paddleboarding anyone?
• Thanks to having its own micro-climate, the weather in the area stays a balmy 18 – 28 degrees Celsius all year round – perfect for a visit anytime!
• Try to avoid arriving on a Saturday when possible as the health spa and Thalasso Centre are closed every Sunday, so you might miss out on the immediate chance to unwind. If arriving at the weekend it may also take up to 48 hours until your consultation with the doctor.

Best Bits

• The 5 different ‘levels’ of Mayr food with a separate restaurant for those who are on the strictest menu option, so you don’t have to stare enviously at other diner’s dinners!
• The excellent thought through medical care from the team of doctors and therapists who blend fantastic treatments and massages to help bring about total relaxation.
• The location, it’s bang on the coast and although there isn’t a beach as such, there are plenty of places to sunbathe around the hotel itself

Prices are based on Low Season for a minimum of 7 nights, 2 people sharing a room and are subject to availability at the time of booking

To Book Call Jackie on 0114 3273436 or email jackief@travel-pa.com

Marbella Club Fitness Booster From £1115 pp

Marbella Club is undoubtedly one of Spain’s most iconic and exclusive resorts, which is now part of the ‘Leading Hotels of the World’, located along Marbella’s chi-chi ‘Golden Mile’ beachfront. It was once the residence of Prince Alfonso von Hohenlohe who paved the way for Marbella to become a much-loved glitterati jet-set playground. This historic, luxury hotel has a traditional Andalucían design, with elegant interiors, and is set within lush, Mediterranean gardens, leading towards the sea. Companies like Wellesley Interior Designer were able to make such a beautiful atmosphere for a property.

FITNESS BOOSTER INCLUDES (min stay 3 nights)

Private Functional Fitness Consultation (1 hour)
2 x Private Fitness Sessions (50 mins each, choice of: Yoga, Pilates, Personal Training, Guided Hike, Beach Walk, Beach Workout, Coached Running). Archery is another good way to get your body fit, especially shoulders, back, core and glutes. Check out https://www.thebodytraining.com/ to know more.
1 x Full Body Massage OR Thalasso Vichy Treatment (50 mins)
Complimentary Daily Access to the Spa Facilities & Gym (worth € 40 per person per day)
Daily Access to Complimentary Group Fitness Classes (such as yoga, beach workouts, Pilates, meditation, cooking demonstrations, guided Sierra Blanca hike)
Complimentary Unlimited Green Fees at the Marbella Club Golf Course
FREE Private Return Transfer from Malaga Airport (min stay 3 nights, worth €346) – only for Wellbeing Escapes Guests
Free Wi-Fi
Breakfast Daily (Healthy Half & Full Board options are available at a supplement)
Flights are NOT included – please ask for details with flights

Wellbeing Approach

The philosophy at the spa is to deliver an exceptional fusion of modern and ancient healing methods based on the principles of healthy eating, regular activity and rejuvenating spa treatments. The highly experienced team deliver top-notch holistic, therapeutic and Thalassotherapy treatments which will leave you feeling uplifted and energised. As well as a resident doctor, there is also an in-house nutritionist as well as a visiting psychologist life coach.

Facilities

The beachside Marbella Club Health & Wellness Centre takes the Mediterranean Sea as its inspiration and has a large Thalasso pool at its heart. Effective Thalassotherapy is the speciality with a range of treatments which will stimulate circulation, relax muscles and improve skin tone. There are 12 treatment rooms, each with a private shower, offering a range of full range of treatments from body wraps to Vicky Shower massages. In addition to the indoor Thalasso seawater pool, there is a relaxation room, hammam and Finnish sauna.

Fitness & Activities

The fitness centre is fully equipped with the latest machines and there is a team of top-notch personal trainers and coaches who actually love to help, our customers recently got recommended a few products that consistently boost their testosterone levels and increase workout results. There are complimentary group fitness classes (up to four a day depending on the time of year) which include beach workouts, Pilates, yoga and meditation. There are two outdoor, heated swimming pools, a water sports centre (seasonal openings), a nearby 18 hole golf course owned by Marbella Club (and yes, all hotel guests have unlimited complimentary green fees here!), plus ten tennis courts and four paddle courts at the neighbouring sister hotel, which guests can use.

The Marbella Club also owns a horse riding centre nearby (lessons and hacks are available at an extra cost). Cookery classes are also offered and for those with children, Marbella Club has a truly impressive children’s club. The guys at schlüsseldienst berlin lichtenberg advise visiting local yoga groups, because this takes place on the beach with a refreshing sea breeze in pleasant company.

The Best Bits

• The guided hikes to the Sierra Blanca mountains – the scenery is spectacular
• The ‘wellbeing pathway’ menus that are served throughout the resort, based on healthy
Mediterranean cuisine and exclusively created by top nutritionist, Amanda Hamilton
• The fact that so many members of staff have happily worked at the Marbella Club for decades, and recognise so many repeat guests!
• The buzz of the Beach Club pool – great if you fancy doing a spot of people watching from your lounger!

Rooms

The hotel has 130 rooms ranging from deluxe to suites to villas. They are both classic and contemporary in style and all have a private terrace with views across the lush gardens or towards the sea. The marble en suite bathrooms have a separate bath and rain shower plus Natura Bissé bath products. All have air-con, flat screen satellite TV with film channels, DVD and CD player, Wi-Fi, blackout curtains and Nespresso coffee machine.

Food

There are five restaurants and bars which all serve deliciously healthy food packed with the freshest ingredients. The Grill allows you to dine under the stars with classic ‘fine dining’ options and meat from the central grill as a speciality. The Beach Club is more relaxed with a vast buffet featuring fresh seafood, local specialities and exquisite salads. The McBeach and the McCafe serve lighter meals and snacks to be enjoyed as you look over the sea and there is also the Garden Pool for sandwiches and light meals. What’s more, Mediterranean-inspired healthy menus are available in all restaurants, designed by the nutritionist Amanda Hamilton, whilst completely personalised menus are also available, aiding weight loss for example. Please note that during winter months, two restaurants are usually open for lunch and three for dinner.

Great Tips

• Wander around the quaint streets of Marbella’s lovely old town – there are weekly markets too
• Jump on a bike and pedal along the promenade which is directly in front of the hotel – work those lungs as you explore!
• Make time to read about the hotel’s history while you’re there, so you can sense the footsteps of Grace Kelly, Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn

NB:This offer does not include flights

To Book this offer Call Jackie on 0114 3273436 or email: jackief@travel-pa.com

Longevity Cleansing Juice Detox at Vilalara Portugal From £1536 pp

Last year I was lucky enough to go on a fabulous 3 day cleansing juice detox Retreat at Vilalara Longevity Thalassa & Medical Spa Retreat in Portugal.

I really wasn’t  sure what I was expecting it to be like but it certainly surpassed my expectations.

We were greeted on arrival by one of the spa team who had a little paper carrier bag with what I thought were nice little oils or body lotions for us to use during our stay.  Nope! Got that very wrong, it was a detox liquid to put in our  PH 9.5 water that was provided in our rooms and an Enema to use that night!

We were then taken to our room which was a lovely junior suite, very spacious with nice seating area and lovely big bed.  The bathroom was very large with twin sinks and separate toilet and the good old weighing scales in the bathroom so I can check how much weight I have lost during the liquid diet. Luckily for me my suite was right next to the spa and as we were spending most of our time there it meant I didn’t have far to walk.

On the first day we were on a low calorie healthy diet so had minestrone soup and chicken stuffed with spinach and sundried tomatoes, it was absolutely delicious. Was very impressed that the waitress knew who we were without us having to tell her.  We were only offered water to drink and were politely told that there was no pudding much to my disappointment.

At 3.30 pm we headed to the spa ready for our first appointments. We sat outside the spa near the heated pool to enjoy our mid afternoon snack of carrot, beet and parsley juice. As juices go it was very nice.

The first test was a bio physical test which measures your body fat, metabolic age, weight, BMI, lifestyle analysis.  This was a real eye opener for me as it highlighted some quite serious issues that I wasn’t aware of.

This was then followed by the osteopath session which was absolutely awesome. He was such a knowledgeable man who talked to me about Chinese medicine and Eastern philosophy which I loved. He told me the reasons behind me having fibromyalgia which basically all stems from the liver. Childhood illness weakened my immune system which in turn put pressure on the liver and since then really it hasn’t been operating properly. I found all of this absolutely fascinating and enlightening, to speak to someone who understood what was going on with my body. I could have spoken with him for hours. He did torment me with the fact that he was going to relax in the evening with a bottle of wine whilst I would be on a very different type of liquid.

He concentrated most of the session on trying to help my liver to drain and work better. Structurally it isn’t right so it needed some manipulation. The session lasted an hour and half which ran over time but it was fantastic. It was worth the flight over just for this session alone without all of the other wonderful things we would experience.

We headed down for dinner later that night and had aubergine to start and then fish with vegetables which was all delicious – again no dessert but we did have fresh mint tea which was very nice. I’ve had peppermint tea before but not fresh mint. I liked it that much that I ordered a teapot with infuser from Amazon as soon as I got back to the room so that I could make my own fresh mint tea when I got home.

The next day we had full on treatments and check ups scheduled in all day. This was also the start of the 2 day liquid diet.  So basically we have a juice or soup every two hours from 9am to 9pm. It was a mixture of juices and soups all of which I have to say were lovely. I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was expecting to hate all the juices as they would all be green and slimy but no I enjoyed the majority of them and also the soups. I took notes of what the ingredients were so that I could make them when I got home. Also been drinking detox tea which was provided in the rooms. If you have a busy schedule or find it challenging to prepare and consume enough vegetables and greens daily, a greens powder can be a quick and easy solution to supplement your diet. You can read this review at https://www.outlookindia.com/outlook-spotlight/athletic-greens-ag1-review-is-it-worth-the-hype-or-superfood-don-t-buy-until-you-read-this-news-301982/ if you’re interested.

First couple of appointments were to have blood pressure checked, blood tests to check cholesterol and a heavy metals test to see what trace minerals and heavy metals we had in the body.
Then all of the information from the tests was sent to the Doctor with whom I then had an appointment with. She gave me very good Health and Fitness advice to follow and explained that my liver was intoxicated due to childhood problems and never giving chance for it to heal properly. She also said all the travelling that I do doesn’t help it either with the change of diet and drinking alcohol along with the stress of travelling.  One of the biggest surprises for me was the Heavy Metal Testing results as they showed up very high levels of Aluminium, Mercury and Silver. I was aware of the dangers of heavy metals but wasnt expecting to have such high quantities in my system. Time for a proper detox when I get back to help my liver and also to rid my body of the high metals.  I had other issues come up – in particular that I have high cholesterol which I wasn’t aware of and would probably never have had checked. I was advised that Omega 3 capsules are very good at helping to reduce cholesterol, so yes I was ordering those when I got back to the room later that day.

Then met with the nutritionist who gave me tips on how to detox my liver and what foods are best to eat with what combinations of protein and carbohydrates to consume and when. I did take lots of notes during the session but all of it is sent out to you by email a couple of weeks after you return.

I also had an invigorating body peel which made my skin feel so soft and glowing.

Later in the afternoon we had a yoga session with meditation and singing bowls. Wow !! It  was so relaxing and the singing bowls were just amazing. I have a singing bowl but don’t really use it that much but I will start too when I get home. The sound they make is beautiful and great to mediate with. I very nearly didn’t go as I was very tired but I am so glad that I did as I would have been very disappointed to have missed it.

The final day started with a multi jet bath that was relaxing and invigorating at the same time. You sit in a warm bath while jets of water target areas of your body that need the most work. Mostly my stomach then!

This was followed by pressotherapy which I had never heard of let alone knew what it was supposed to do. You have to climb into what I can only describe as something that resembled a space suit and then lay down on the couch while straps are put across your body that are linked up to the machine. You lay for 20 minutes while the machine goes to work on reducing water retention and cellulite. It felt like I was having my blood pressure taken all the way along my legs, hips and stomach. You do have to remember to breath into the lungs when the machine is working on your stomach as it does feel like you can’t breathe otherwise. Quite a strange experience but not unpleasant.

My final treatment was a Lympathic Drainage Massage, again something I have never had before. This type of massage helps to clear and unblock the lymphatic system and drain away the excess fluid. This was so relaxing and gave a feeling as if I was floating on air. I would definitely have one of these wonderful massages again.

We headed down for our what I would normally be saying was dinner but as you have probably guessed it was for our final soup and juice. We talked about how wonderful the few days had been and how life changing an opportunity it was and how we would implement our new found knowledge into our everyday lives moving forward.

Conclusion:

This has to have been one of the most enlightening, invigorating and life changing experiences of my life. I can’t thank Wellbeing Escapes and Aspire Travel Magazine enough for allowing me to take part in it. I would love to go back next year and do all the tests again and see how I have turned my health and life around

To Book or Enquire about this Wellbeing Break Call Jackie on 0114 3273436 or Email: jackief@travel-pa.com

Club Med Palmiye

About the Hotel

Based in a wonderfully scenic position between the Mediterranean Sea and the Taurus Mountains, Club Med Palmiye is a great place to come and stay. It offers a wonderful venue with an 800m beach nearby to relax on as well as pools in the hotel to enjoy. Likewise, you can enjoy numerous events such as tennis on 12 different courts, flying trapeze events and even a CARITA spa to enjoy whilst you are here!

As far as luxury goes, this makes sure families can truly enjoy Turkey.

Hotel Accommodation

Like any hotel you would wish to stay at, the quality of the accommodation is brilliant. With 724 rooms in total with both hotel and bungalow sections to pick from, you’ll have no problem finding somewhere that ticks every box. With the bungalows in five semi-circular rows around the resort with stunning gardens adding to their feel, you can definitely feel at home in the accommodation here.

Each suite and club is going to give you a wonderful view of the world around you, making sure you can look out on the sea with ease.

Hotel Restaurants

Trying to find a bite to eat? Then Club Med Palmiye has you covered. The Phaselis is one of the main restaurants here and provides you with meals during the day at any time from breakfast to dinner. It’s got low-caloric selections for those who want to avoid going overboard.

You also get wonderful restaurants like The Topkapi, a restaurant that sells awesome roasted and grilled meats. Le Bosphore is another good choice with breakfast and lunch choices galore. Come back at night and you’ll get some amazing local cuisine to try.

Hotel Bars

If you fancy a little refreshment during the day, then the Tulip Bar is the place to start off. It can fit as many as 100 people and it has everything from pool games to kids sections so you can all stay together. The Turkuaz is another great place to go and check out, giving you a wonderful view of the site and the chance to try some excellent Turkish cocktail drinks.

Lastly, the Efes bar is another major place to check out here. With excellent cocktails and a more low-key atmosphere this is a good place to sit if you want to try and avoid too much chaos around you when having a drink.

Hotel Facilities

From table tennis and swimming pools to lounges and kayaking, you can enjoy so many different features and activities here thanks to the wonderful selection. You can even join a fitness school, or take up archery! Just don’t forget to bring all the essentials like that replacement bowstring.

The people who run this hotel have done a wonderful job of making sure it’s highly inclusive. There’s even a facility for babies up to 23 months old, meaning that you can have the youngest looked after whilst you relax a little.

Childcare is first rate here, and alongside the excellent bars, venues, sporting locations and social sections you’ll find this hotel captures everything you may have expected to see.

For anyone wanting to find a scenic view in Turkey that delivers on quality and consistency, Club Med Palmiye is the place to be.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cz_Pn5XetCM

In summary:

Club Med Palmiye is a truly amazing resort and the team of staff from the GO’s to the waiters and chefs are second to none. There are at least 250 GO’s (guest organisers) in the resort.
There is so much included in the price of the holiday with lots of sports and watersports including:

Tennis
Power Walking
Aquarobics
Football
Beach Volleyball
Ping pong tables
Fitness Room
Pilates
Archery
Zumba
Sailing lessons
Windsurfing
Kayaks
Paddle Boards
Snorkelling
Water Ski-ing

Read all about my stay at Club Med Palmiye and My Visit to Club Med Palmiye

If you would like more information on Club Med or To Book Then Please Call: 0114 3273436 or Email: jackief@travel-pa.com

My Stay at Club Med Palmiye Turkey JUNE 2016

Slept well and they have black out Curtains too so you forget that is morning when you wake up.
Went down for breakfast in the main hotel buffet restaurant. Which opens from 7.30am to 10.45am or you can go to the Bosphore Restaurant for waiter service late breakfast 10.30am to 12pm. There was a very good selection of hot and cold food. Plus a drinks machine for hot drinks. Sat at a table on my own. Wasn’t sure if they would sit me with other people but no I sat very nicely on my own with a view of the pool and sea.
Someone did try to sit at my table but then realised I was there. When I saw her later she said I looked very sophisticated, far too sophisticated to be English! I said she wouldn’t have said that if she’d seen me in the bar last night lol

Went to have a look at the Zen pool in the main hotel. Absolutely stunning but the beds were all in the shade at around 10am so I went round the main hotel pool which faces the sea. It is was a lovely 24 degrees at the start of the trip but towards the end of the week after a day of rain,  it went up to around 36 degrees.

Around 12ish they serve little pastries and sandwiches near all the pool areas – nice little snack

Then lunch at the Olympus Buffett restaurant in the village part of the hotel. Fantastic choice of food – really really impressed. The desserts were so good. Lunch is served here every day from 12.30pm to 02.45pm or you can have a late lunch in the Bosphore Restuarant.

Then we had site inspection of the hotel. It’s such a massive complex. Went to see a suite in the main hotel which has a separate living area and two balconies. Plus a bath and shower in the bathroom

We had a go at tennis and I surprised myself by actually getting the ball over the net!! There are free tennis lessons every day for beginners and intermediate, or you can just  go and use a court whenever you wanted too.

We were then taken to the archery courts – I really enjoyed this but hard work. Managed to hit the board so was quite pleased with myself. Your arm would arm if you did it more than a few times so that’s my excuse for not doing it again. Again you can go along whenever you like to practise and it is all included in the price.

In the evening they always have a dress code which is not compulsory but it adds a nice feel to the evening. Again you can either eat in the main hotel restaurant or you can book a reservation at the Bosphore Restaurant for an a la carte meal, which 4 of us did one night.

Went to the Efes nightclub most nights and it was always busy with guests and GO’s. There was a beach party one night with fires on the beach and dancing.

Went on the snorkelling boat trip from the hotel which is included and goes twice a day at 10am and 3pm. Around a 30 minute journey which was nice and smooth and quite relaxing. Then anchored up for an hour to do snorkelling. The sea was a bit rough so not much to see in terms of fish but it was good to go out and about for a couple of hours.

Ate in the specialty restaurant Bosforus which was really lovely. Had a Turkish mezze and then pumpkin soup – didn’t really taste of pumpkin soup which was good as I don’t actually like pumpkins. Then had shrimps in an asparagus sauce omg they were delicious. Then had beef and roasted vegetables that came out on a steaming hot skillet. Followed by chocolate fondue – the presentation was fabulous with a little spoon shape sprinkled out on the side. The chef came out to see us, to check if we had enjoyed our meal and to find out what the service was like.  It was a nice change from eating in the Buffett restaurant.  We had forgotten to make the reservation so one of the GO’s who we speaking to the previous night in the club booked it for us.

A few of us went into Kemer to watch the football in a local pub. Kemer is lovely with lots of shops and bars with a market once a week. It is a shame it is so quiet as so many tourists are staying away from Turkey.

When we came back to the hotel I noticed how good the security is. You had to walk through a scanner to get back into the hotel if by taxi. If a coach was dropping guests off then they check under the car with mirrors. It is the same at Antalya Airport too the bags go through scanning machines twice and you have to go through two lots of passport control.

On the last night the theme was White night – amazing.  Displays of fruit and vegetables cut out to look like flowers. There was a violin band playing. It looked absolutely stunning as they saw this first at nt-instruments.com cecilio electric violin and brought them at affordable price. All of the tables had been moved around the pool area and covered with white cloths and white center table decoriations.

Dinner as always was fantastic, I have never stayed anywhere with so much choice of food. They really do work so hard in the kitchens. There is always such an array of desserts on offer, every night I made the decision not to have any until I walked past the dessert table and then of course it would have been rude not too.

After the white night dinner there was a firework display which had me filling up as it was so emotional with it being the end of the trip and how much trouble they had gone too to make it so wonderful for us

We then went down to the Amphtheatre where they have a show every night and we watched the Michael Jackson concert which was the best show I’ve ever seen. Every one singing along and so professional. Again the entertainment staff and GO’s work so hard to put these shows on for people.

As if that wasnt enough we then went to the Efes nightclub and one of the pople on the trip  had booked the VIP area in the club with champagne. It was fabulous and made a real finish to the whole wonderful trip. The club look superb with everyone in the club dressed in white.

In summary:

Club Med Palmiye is a truly amazing resort and the team of staff from the GO’s to the waiters and chefs are second to none. There are at least 250 GO’s (guest organisers) in the resort.
There is so much included in the price of the holiday with lots of sports and watersports including:

Tennis
Power Walking
Aquarobics
Football
Beach Volleyball
Ping pong tables
Fitness Room
Pilates
Archery
Zumba
Sailing lessons
Windsurfing
Kayaks
Paddle Boards
Snorkelling
Water Ski-ing

The food is 5* with so much choice and fantastic quality. You get breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks and a kebab place is open from 10pm to 1.30am

There are 4 pools in total: Two Zen pools, one in the main hotel and the other at the village side. The party pool is in the village, this is where the animation team are based to get people joining into the activities.

You can ask for any drink you want including cocktails (champagne is extra) and if you are in the restaurant and ask for a glass of wine they will bring you the bottle.

The setting is out of this world with the most stunning views and it has such a great ambience in the whole of the resort

The kids club are fantastic and run throughout the day with lots of things to keep the little ones busy.

You can do as little or as much as you want at Club Med Palmiye, the choice is completely up to you.

I have left a little piece of my heart at Club Med Palmiye

 To book your stay at Club Med Palmiye please call 0114 3273436

My Visit to Club Med Palmiye – Turkey

Arrived at Birmingham airport for the meet and greet service about 5.30am.
This is not what I would class as meet and greet. You Park in the car park  opposite the terminal after you have drove around to find which bit you are supposed to be in. You then leave your car there and walk across the car park to the terminal.

The terminal was very busy. There were two queues for Thomas cook, one for bag drops and the other to check in. A word of advice would be to make sure you check in online the day before as the queue for bag drop was much smaller than the check in queue. At 5.50am there was a chap who was flying at 7am and was in the check in queue. He would have struggled to get his flight

There was a big queue for passport control but it did go down very quickly. You can also buy a fast track ticket for this to get through quicker. There were machines for this just before you go through security

Quite a choice of shops in the terminal including a champagne bar. Got my boots meal deal for the flight. Much cheaper than buying a meal on the flight

It’s 6.40am now and I’m tired already lol. Will see if I can kip on the flight, forgotten my ear phones for my phone !!

Turkey is two hours ahead of the UK so will land 1450 local time.

Flight took off pretty much on time. Looked through the duty free magazine and decided to treat myself to a two pair set of prescription sunglasses to replace my good old primark ones. So on the flight I was picturing myself wearing these stylish glasses round the pool while reading the new book “Me before you ” that I bought at the airport which I have now read nearly half way through it on the flight,  only to find that the duty free magazine I was looking at was for one that you preorder for the return flight home !!! What ?! So the fabulous sunglasses I would not be able to wear until I got back to the UK!! Suddenly the appeal of them diminished as quickly as I slammed the magazine shut. Will just have to make do with my primark ones for now.
The stewardess just announced its a nice 26 degrees in Antalya. Lovely…

Flight arrived on time and we were greeted by Club Med staff for our transfer to Club Med Palmiye which took about 40 minutes. When you walk into the foyer the view is stunning.

My Deluxe Sea View Room is on the first floor in the main hotel section and the view is amazing. You can see the pool and the sea too very panoramic.  Couldn’t have wished for a better view. The room is a good size with a double bed which could harmonize with products like the customize blanket with In2Green. Plenty of wardrobe space with dressing gowns and slippers. Bathroom is on the small side but does have a very big shower. All in all it is a lovely room that I will be happy to stay in for the next 7 nights

As we didn’t get here until around 5pm I was very hungry so went to find somewhere to eat. There is a restaurant called Bospherous which is just to the left of the main hotel. It is waiter service and I had a lovely kofta kebab and a delicious cheesecake dessert. I asked for a glass of wine and they gave me the whole bottle !!

So now back to room to get ready for tonight. Very tired so I am expecting an early night but who knows.  Went down to the main bar which is in the hotel part of the resort and got talking to some of the other people who are on the trip. The main hotel bar closes at 12am and if you want to carry on drinking you can carry on to Efes nightclub which opens until 2am

It was a lovely night and fairly cool too as the hotel is north facing,  the staff come round with blankets in case you get cold on an evening which is a nice touch.

Went to bed around 12.30 ready for a good nights sleep

3* Club La Costa World

Club La Costa World, is a CLC located on the Mijas coast and can almost be described as Andalusian village, set on the magnificent Costa Del Sol coast, perfectly nestled in this excellent family friendly resort with spacious studio’s, one and two bedroom apartments surrounded by lush gardens all fully equipped with modern conveniences. As a guest of Club La Costa World, you have a plethora of great facilities on site to enjoy, and close enough to nearby Marbella and Puerto Banus allowing you to mix with the jet set in one of Europe’s best known Marina’s.

Just 32 km from Malaga Airport ensures a nice short transfer.

The surrounding area is a magnificent haven for golf lovers and closest to the exclusive golf courses of El Chaparral, and Miraflores, as well as ten more courses within a 10-minute drive.

With other local attractions to tempt the family including Aquapark, Sea Life, Tivoli World, Telecabina, Selwo Park, and the Casino.
To enable you to get around easily I highly recommend hiring a car from just £89.
Onsite you will have access to a selection of food and drink and an array of great entertainment.

Accommodation is available in 1 and two bedroom self-catering apartments with well-equipped kitchens. The resort has a choice of 4 restaurants, “Zachary” or “Safari” for families, the “Sunset” club the most romantic dinners in the sunset and “El Rancho”, an extra family venue during the summer months, a coffee shop 2 snack bars, and mini-market.

You can also enjoy top quality evening entertainment boasting more than 30 shows per week during the peak season, including jazz bands, magic shows and flamenco evenings in keeping with true Spanish culture!

Six swimming pools, one of which is heated, children’s play areas and pools, a Jacuzzi, a well-equipped fitness centre, a games room, tennis, mini golf, pool table, massage services, Sauna, a large excursions programme, and plenty of both day and evening entertainment – all within 1 km radius, and a novelty road train making everything easily accessible.

The mini-club Team Marina keeps youngsters entertained all day long. Guests may use the facilities of the Fitness Centre situated at San Diego Suites 1 km away.

Excellent for a holiday all year round ..but school holiday and peak dates will be higher.

Sicily – Jewel of the Mediterranean tour

Sicily, at the geographical and historical heart of the Mediterranean, has been coveted, fought over and colonised for millennia. As such, the island presents a unique culture, best exhibited in its architecture, language and cuisine, which bears the stamp of the Phoenicians, Athenians, Romans, Arabs, Normans, Byzantines and Bourbons. This comprehensive 10-day exploration introduces you to Sicily’s best-known treasures, including its superbly well-preserved Greek temples, legendary Mount Etna and splendid Monreale Cathedral.

Day 1 London – Catania

VIP Home Departure Service collects you from home, for your journey to London Gatwick Airport for a direct, scheduled British Airways flight to Catania. On arrival you are driven to your hotel for the next three nights, the Hotel Romano Palace or similar, where dinner is included this evening.

Day 2 Syracuse – Ortigia

You will travel south with our local guide to Syracuse, rich in Ancient Greek history. Later you visit Ortigia, a small island joined to Syracuse by a bridge since the 16th century, but its past goes further back and it is a pleasure to explore the narrow medieval lanes. Dinner is included at the hotel.

Day 3 Aci Castello – Catania

In the morning you travel to Catania before moving on to Aci Castello, whose 11th century Norman castle is built out of lava, then you are free for the rest of the day.

Day 4 Catania – Cefalu – Palermo

You will spend some time in the attractive maritime town of Cefalù this morning on your way to the bustling city of Palermo. Your hotel, the Hotel Palazzo Sitano or similar, is centrally-located close to the sea and the lively streets. You will receive a welcome drink on arrival and dinner tonight is at a local restaurant, just a short walk away.

Day 5 Palermo – Monreale

Morning at leisure. This afternoon you will travel to Monreale for a guided visit of the magnificent cathedral, famed for its multi-coloured marble paintings and mosaics. You will return to Palermo for a guided tour of the town including the stunning 12th century Norman cathedral.

Day 6 Segesta – Trapani – Selinunte – Agrigento

Your first stop today is Segesta for a guided tour including a visit to the fascinating Greek temple ruins then continue to the fishing port of Trapani. Lastly, at Selinunte you will be joined by a local guide to view the Greek archaeological site. You arrive early evening at your hotel, Hotel Baia di Ulisse, where dinner is included.

Day 7 Agrigento – Valley of the Temples – Piazza Armerina – Taormina

You start your day with one of the highlights – a guided visit, including entrance, of the nearby Valley of the Temples. After time for lunch, you head east to Piazza Armerina for a guided tour of the Roman Villa. You stay at your hotel for the next three nights, the Hotel Caparena or similar.

Day 8 Taormina

This morning you visit the town centre of Taormina and include a visit to the Greek theatre and the Alcantara Gorge.

Day 9 Mount Etna

This morning you are driven to the slopes of Etna. After a short walk, there will be free time available to explore this fascinating area. Later you will visit Catina Murgo winery for a tasting of wine and local produce. Return to your hotel for a farewell dinner.

Day 10 Taormina – Catania – London

After breakfast, you transfer to Catania Airport for a direct, scheduled British Airways flight to London Gatwick Airport. On arrival you will be met and guided to your vehicle, for the journey home.

4* Castro Marim Golfe and Country Club

Castro Marim Golfe & Country Club, Algarve

Castro Marim Golfe is only 30 minutes away from Faro Airport or an hour from Seville airport.  A car hire is highly recommended as it is very affordable.  Only 8 kms from the beach, Castro Marim is superb for families and golfers.  Golfers have a choice of 3 x 9 hole golf to choose and combine their game.

It offers fantastic accommodation within a hotel and villa users have full access to the hotel gym as well as full wifi in the villa.

The Village Houses share a nearby large pool and tropical pool with snack bar and terraces. The village way of life is great for families who want to meet other people and make friends.

The properties are built to very high specifications and offer a choice of two or three bedroom houses. They are smaller than our linked villas, but have the advantage of being detached.

5* Voyage Torba Hotel

The Voyage Torba Hotel is located in a lovely position on the beach at Torba Bay only a few km from the unique town of Bodrum. In Bodrum you can enjoy the vibrant nightlife or visit places of amazing cultural interest such as the medieval fortress built partly with stones from the Mausoleum (one of the seven wonders of the ancient world). The hotel has a somewhat contemporary feel and offers stylish accommodation for a range of budgets.

The modern 5-star hotel offers an all inclusive service combined with luxury rooms and modern facilities.

Guests have access to water sports, superb dining and a genuine Turkish experience

The Airport is 30 km from the Hotel.

About the Hotel

Guests have access to 6 restaurants providing a wide range of different meals from Italian to Greek, Turkish, Chinese, Japanese or even Mexican dishes available.

There are 7 bars available and also a range of live music shows, discos and events on every night.

Facilities include:

– An Aqua-park

– Main swimming pool and pools associated with the deluxe rooms

– Two swimming pools have areas for children

– Private beach with Parasols, etc

– Wellness centre

– Treatment rooms

– Turkish bath

– Jacuzzi

– Water polo

– Sauna

– Swimming pool activities during the day

Complimentary canoeing is available, and windsurfing (with certificate). Other paid for services include parasailing, water skiing and the diving school.

For the children, there is a Mini Club available with trained staff for children between the ages 4-12, from 10.00 until 18.00. There is a sand pool unit, consisting of climbing towers and slides, a buffet where lunch and dinner get served. There is also an ice cream kiosk, T-shirt colouring, sand colouring, face colouring, various games, and a mini disco in the evening.

Additional:

– Reception is available 24 hours a day

– Shopping arcade

– Car Hire

– Medical

– Tours desk

– Dry cleaning

– Hair Salon

– WiFi

– Special added value for honeymooners (wine and fruit basket in room)

5* Adams Beach Hotel

It has everything to offer, lovely people, lots of history, excellent climate, white sand beaches, warm blue sea, Troodos mountain, and not to forget the most gorgeous enormous amount of Meze with locally produced wine and desert wine all at affordable prices. Cyprus is very well known for its Cyprus potatoes because of their rich red soil. Although the season is from April to November, more and more hotels now stay open all year round.

Only 4.5 hr flight from London, there are several direct flights to Paphos or Larnaka airport. From there, I would recommend car hire as it is extremely easy to drive everywhere and there is hardly any traffic. I have stayed at several beautiful hotels such as Anassa in the north, Annabelle in Paphos, Intercontinental Aphrodite hills hotel and villas Paphos which has the most beautiful golf course with all holes overlooking the sea, Amathus Beach hotel in Paphos, Le Meridien Limassol and the 5* Adams Beach resort and Spa in Ayia Napa. Yes, Ayia Napa is actually a quiet place, they have the party area but is nowhere near Adams Beach hotel. The party time is only from July to mid August, all other times Ayia Napa is quiet.

Paphos is also very interesting with a beautiful harbour , lots of seafood restaurants and the tombs of the kings. I recommend having a guide as the history of Cyprus is fascinating. Sea caves are also very interesting to see.

I was also fascinated to visit the town of Famagusta, after 40 years of invasion by the Turks is still a ghost town and the problem remains unresolved.

I would highly recommend visiting Cyprus for holiday or short visits as it is absolutely fascinating, full of archaeological sites and beautiful places to visit.

Spectacular Day Trip To Lapland

A spectacular one day tour to mystical Lapland, set in an exclusive location. Enjoy snowmobiling, husky & reindeer sleigh rides, a visit to a snow castle and a private family meeting with Santa. A never to be forgotten day

It’s an early departure from your chosen regional airport and breakfast will be served during your flight. On arrival in Enontekio we’ll provide you with an all in one snow suit & boots to keep you warm during the day. Then it’s time to head to our idyllic location beside a frozen lake shore by snowmobile & sleigh. Once at the venue you can relax & enjoy the magic of this amazing Winter Wonderland. Participate in husky & reindeer sleigh rides & learn to drive a snowmobile (suitable for both adults & children alike). Of course, children always love to do some tobogganing & at this location we have special Stiga toboggans, which allow greater steering ability to enhance their enjoyment. A visit to the snow castle is a must & in a specially constructed antechamber you will find traditional ice sculptures and tables made from ice where hot berry juice will be served. But when will we find Santa Claus? Well, a snowmobile & sleigh will be waiting to transport you to his home in the forest. Father Christmas knows you have travelled far to see him today & he has set aside time to see everyone. He especially enjoys reading children’s personally delivered letters & each child will receive a present from him. Lunch will be available throughout the day and a sample menu generally includes soup, baked potatoes with either a meat or vegetarian filling, pasta & a sweet dessert of pancakes & jam. Finally, after a fun-filled day it’s time to return to Enontekio leaving Santa & his helpers to continue their important duties. At the airport there will be an opportunity to purchase a memento of your visit to Lapland. Dinner will be served during your return flight home..

Lapland 3 Day Tour

Capture the true spirit of Christmas at the scenic resort of Luosto, the perfect setting for your amazing Lapland holiday. While a shorter and perhaps more condensed break, this tour provides the perfect opportunity to experience the same magical ingredients as those of a longer duration. Enjoy reindeer & husky sleigh rides and exciting trips by snowmobile through beautiful snow-covered forests and plains as we seek the great man. Where shall we find him? Will the scouts and elves be there to guide us? Of course they will and even though Santa has been a very busy man, supervising the dispatch of toys in time for Christmas Day; he will be thrilled to meet all the children who have made this very special journey to see him and to present them with a gift in person.

Set on the edge of the National Park, which is renowned for its natural beauty, the magnificent ski resort of Luosto provides the dramatic backdrop for your holiday to Lapland. Situated above the Arctic Circle; just 90 minutes from north of Rovaniemi, it is hard to imagine anywhere more beautiful or unspoilt than Finnish Lapland. And it is here where we can see why Santa has chosen Lapland as his homeland… a magical place, surrounded by lush pine, spruce and larch forests.

A luxurious traditional Turkish gulet

A luxurious traditional Turkish gulet with a total of 9 cabins, it has been built using the best teak and mahogany materials available. The large decks have been designed with space, comfort and relaxation in mind. Ideal for luxury gulet holidays