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. You can also talk to a healthcare professional from ED Clinic Rochester to help you increase your testosterone level. 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

Naman Retreat Vietnam 10 Nights From £2089.00pp

Every guest can enjoy a FREE daily spa treatment and the exquisite Pure Spa offers a range of detox programmes.

This Luxury resort is designed by an award-winning architect and makes a striking impression. This tranquil retreat blends modern
luxury with contemporary facilities and includes traditional Vietnamese hospitality and charm.
Sweeping bamboo columns and domes complement cool stone interiors and floor-to-ceiling windows which blend the line between inside
and out, to make you feel connected to the surrounding tropical landscape. The infinity pool provides a stunning focal point and is
the perfect place to admire the views over the white-sand beach and the East Sea.
The friendly staff really look after you here and you’ll be assigned a personal ambassador and iPad on arrival so that you can learn
all about the resort, activities, excursions and the local area. Every consideration has been made to help you make the most of
your stay, whether you’re looking to unwind or you’d prefer to get out and about – there’s a free shuttle to the charming nearby town
of Hoi An. There’s a superb range of activities from hiking and biking to Tai-Chi and yoga on the beach.

Every guest can enjoy a FREE daily spa treatment and the exquisite Pure Spa offers a range of detox programmes.

Tuck into traditional Vietnamese cuisine at the stylish Hay Hay Restaurant and enjoy Asian fusion cuisine, tapas and themed nights
which include a popular seafood barbecue – at the chic B Lounge. Sitini pool bar is a great spot for watching the sun set over
the ocean while enjoying a tempting range of snacks, ice-creams and healthy cocktails.
This is a place to just “get away from it all” and just “chill out”, but also a place to get up and explore to beautiful surroundings.

OFFER INCLUDES:

10 Nights B/B From £2155.00pp
Travel 1st April-13th April/17th April-27th April/3rd May-30th May/1st June-3rd July/31st Aug-7th September 2017
Economy Flights with British Airways (Regional “add-ons” available at a supplement)
Complimentary Transfers
One Bedroom pool and garden villa
One Spa treatment per person per paid night
2 FREE NIGHTS INCLUDED!!!!

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

Wellbeing Booster at Macdonald Monchique Portugal From £345pp

This privately run hotel is surrounded by mountainous forests and nature in the Algarve and offers an idyllic setting to relax and unwind. It is modern in style with soft tones and clean lines and there is plenty of space to enjoy the stunning surroundings.

The transfer time from Faro International Airport is about 50 minutes.

Accommodation

There are 190 bright and airy suites with separate living rooms. Each has a balcony with mountain or coastal views and a private bathroom with exclusive Monchique toiletries, bathrobe and slippers. The living room has a small kitchenette with refrigerator and tea and coffee-making facilities. The suites are contemporary in quiet tones with floor-to-ceiling windows. Facilities include two HD flat-screen televisions, an interactive TV system, free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, a telephone and tea and coffee-making facilities.

Dining

There are four restaurants that serve amazing food, with lots of healthy choices and a range of tempting dishes to tantalize your taste buds. The elegant Mon-chic serves seasonal specialities from the region. The O Mercado Culinario serves national and international dishes, a tapas-style restaurant and Pizzaria da Serra with an outdoor terrace with authentic Neapolitan cuisine. There is a pool bar for light snacks and a cocktail bar.

Spa

The luxurious spa is called a “sensory” spa and is inspired by the natural resources of the Algarve and the beauty of the surrounding mountains to offer an experience of pure rejuvenation and relaxation. It uses the luxury brand ESPA as well as own Monchique products, which contain local thermal water.

The luxurious spa area for adults is equipped with 8 treatment rooms as well as a sauna with Himalayan stone salt wall, aroma steam room, aromakabine, hydro-pool, foot baths, tropical massage jugs, igloos, marble baths and 2 resting rooms

Helpful Tips

• Try the Monchique Mountain bottle of spring water, which is proudly the most alkaline water in Portugal
• The hotel was reopened only in 2016 after an expensive renovation, making it shiny and new with great spa facilities.
• Go to the nearby historic village of Monchique with its typical Algarve houses, cobbled streets and natural thermal waters.

Wellbeing Booster Includes:

Minium stay of 3 nights
Wellness/Spa Consultation
1 x Full Body Massage (60 mins)
1 x Foot OR Head Massage (45 mins)
1 x Private Yoga OR Private Pilates OR Private Personal Training Session (60 min)
1 x FREE Salt & Oil Body Scrub (30 mins, worth €40) – for stays until 31 March 17
FREE daily access to the spa facilities & gym (worth approx €20 a day)
Daily access to complimentary group fitness classes
Free Wi-Fi
Breakfast Daily (Half Board & Full Board are available at a supplement)
Free shuttle to the beach is runs  6 days a week between April and October 17

NB: The £345.00 does not include flights, if you would like a price with flights then please ask.

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

Bodyholiday St Lucia From £1919.00 pp

BodyHoliday, Saint Lucia – Your Detox Heaven

BodyHoliday is a dream destination offering the most comprehensive wellness experience in the Caribbean. Guests staying at this beautiful beachfront resort are promised an energizing, revitalising and soothing stay, making the most of superb watersports, outdoor activities and personalised exercise classes, all included. Perfect for spa lovers, sporty types and single travellers, at BodyHoliday you will enjoy complimentary water aerobics, scuba diving training and fantastic dining options – on that basis alone, we are sold – but it’s the 50-minute spa treatments each day that make this an exceptional wellness experience.

BodyHoliday – September Solos

The ‘September Solos’ retreat at BodyHoliday is perfect for single travellers or groups of friends looking to enjoy an active holiday where you are bound to meet like-minded people. We have access to exclusive offers for Single Garden Rooms at BodyHoliday, which are perfect for these retreats. Here are our top reasons to escape to Saint Lucia for your very own September Solos getaway:

– The social atmosphere is great and easy to get involved in, whilst indulging in a combination of sport, spa and relaxation.

– You can do as much or as little as you like, and if you’re in search of an inspiring destination to kick-start your health drive, Saint Lucia’s mountains, rainforest and sandy beaches are unbeatable.

– Your days can be filled with yoga, zip-line tours, watersports and fun sports tournaments, all with outstanding trainers who will work with you directly to achieve your goals.

– You can focus on health and well-being with a personalised schedule of spa treatments and holistic exercise classes, to get the pampering you’ve been looking for.

– In the evenings the atmosphere is fun and relaxed, guests get to know each other over sunset cruises and group dinners, and you’ll come home feeling like a whole new person. As our friends from diplomarbeit schreiben lassen say – new acquaintances lead to an easier and faster acceptance of oneself, to inner harmony.

7 nights from £1,939 per person.
Based on 1 adult staying in a Standard Garden View Room
 All-Inclusive

WHAT’S INCLUDED:

Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner daily
Unlimited premium brand drinks, selected wines and Champagne by the glass
Personalised schedule of daily spa treatments
All watersports and land sports including tuition
All holistic and exercise classes
Hosted cocktail party at Cariblue Pool
Weekly hosted dinner in Cariblue
Weekly hosted dinner in TAO
Master classes
Fun sports
Tournaments
Group fitness classes
Group Pilates classes
Weekly sunset cruise

PERFECT FOR
SINGLE TRAVELLERS
SPORTY TYPES
SPA LOVERS
WATER BABES

ACCOMMODATION:

There are 155 air-conditioned rooms and suites. All are well featured with a four-poster bed, iPod docking station and complimentary WiFi, and most do have a private balcony or terrace. Standard Garden Rooms are perfect for solo travellers whilst Luxury Rooms are larger and overlook the main building and gardens. Luxury Ocean View Rooms have full or partial sea views, Luxury Ocean Front Rooms are beside the sea and Grand Luxury Ocean Front Rooms and Suites are located right on the magnificent water’s edge.

To Book or Enquire Email jackief@travel-pa.com or Call: 0114 3273436

Tour of Berlin, Dresden, Meissen and Colditz

Tour of Berlin, Dresden, Meissen and Colditz

5 days

Overview

This is a fascinating, historic and varied tour to two great European cities, Berlin and Dresden. The Berlin Wall fell over 20 years ago and Berlin now is a city full of life whilst Dresden after severe bomb damage during World War II has been almost completely restored to it’s former status as one of Germany’s most beautiful cities.

You will also visit a number of Germany’s smaller towns, see rolling countryside and visit medieval Meissen, famous for beautiful hand crafted porcelain. Lastly you will visit Colditz Castle, which was used as a prisoner of war camp during World War II.

Highlights

Selected departures from April to October 2017

Experience lively Berlin and beautiful Dresden on this varied escorted tour to the heart of Germany. Our friends and fellow Berliners ghostwriter klausur recommend visiting this incredible city.

Included

Return flights

Four nights superior four-star hotel accommodation with breakfast

Tour of Berlin, a vibrant city which is home to some of the world’s finest archaeological and fine art museums as well as having amazing historical significance.

Tour of Dresden on foot covering great art collections and insights into the re-building following bomb damage.

See the famous Meissen porcelain studio

Trip to the world famous Colditz Castle – Second World War prison camp.

Escorted by experienced tour manager

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

Sen Wellness Sanctuary in Sri Lanka From £1161.00 pp

VOTED ONE OF THE TOP 20 BEST YOGA RETREATS IN THE WORLD BY THE TIMES

Sen Wellness Sanctuary, tucked away in Rekawa Nature Reserve coasting the Indian Ocean, is a peaceful Sri Lankan get away. Swap the hectic buzz of city traffic and interfering mod cons with chirps from neighbouring feathered friends and the sea shingle being brushed by the rolling waves. With four beautifully designed cabanas accommodating a maximum of 16 guests we can ensure your stay will be quiet, peaceful and private.

Sen Wellness Sanctuary promises unique, personalised retreats. Our experienced team brings together world-class osteopaths and yoga teachers as well as local therapists, skillful chefs and knowledgeable Ayurvedic doctors – amid the unspoiled natural beauty of Sri Lanka.

***Health Rejuvenation at Sen Wellness Sanctuary***

In a space of complete peace, Sen Wellness Sanctuary provides many tools to help unlock your full potential while ensuring you enjoy a restful, genuinely rejuvenating break. Receive personalised treatments including Ayurvedic and oesteopathy plus daily yoga sessions along with meditation. You will come back feeling reviltilsed and energised with a completeness of wellbeing.

Included:

• Minimum of 7 Nights
• Buffet Full Board
• Initial Ayurvedic Medical Consultation
• Daily Personalised Ayurvedic Treatment (30-90 mins as prescribed by the doctor. such as 1 longer or 2 shorter treatments)
• 1 x Osteopathy Session (45 mins)
• 1 x FREE Additional Osteopathy Session (45 mins) – min stay 7 nights
• Daily Group Yoga Session such as Kundalini, Hatha & Yin (twice a day, 90-120 mins each)
• Daily Meditation Sessions (30 mins)
• Complimentary Group Excursions (such as food markets & turtle-watching, 2 – 3 times a week)
• Access to Complimentary Workshops, Talks & Activities (subject to availability)
• Group Cooking Master Classes (once a week)
• Farewell Ayurvedic Medical Consultation
• Free Wi-Fi (in common areas only)
• Complimentary Pre & Post Skype calls with the wellness team – min stay 14 nights
• Unlimited Herbal Teas & Drinking Water
• FREE Return Colombo International Airport Transfer (worth £160, may be private or shared, depending on arrivals)

Club Med Sandpiper Florida

About the Hotel

Located next to a warm sandy beach so you can enjoy a cocktail with a little straw hat, Sandpiper Bay is the definition of an ideal US tourist resort. For those who want to come and enjoy an exceptional view and a wonderful location with plenty to see and take in.

Not only is this going to make your holiday much easier in general, but it’s going to make it much easier to stay on track with regards to having the perfect time away here at Sandpiper Bay.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7l6HZo3zdo

Hotel Accommodation

Hotel accommodation ensures that you get an easy and decisive level of comfort, with plenty of facilities making sure you can relax and enjoy yourself. If you come as a family you’ll find that there is a Club Med experience, and a quality childcare and club facility selection to pick from.

This makes relaxing in this venue much easier, with dedicated areas for specific venues and staff ready to help out at a moments notice.

Hotel Restaurants

Another major element of Sandpiper Bay is that the hotel provides you with awesome restaurant accommodation. With a Ultra All Inclusive waiting for you during the day that includes beautiful lunches and dinners from across the world, you’ll have absolutely no problem finding a luxurious bite to eat here at the hotel.

From The Market Place that provides wonderful Asian, Italian Mexican and American cuisines to the Le Soleil that makes it easy to get beautiful meals prepared daily by the chefs, you’ll find it easy to get a bite to eat there that covers everything the family would have been hoping for from the venue.

Hotel Bars

The hotel bars are another great way to have some fun when you first come here, with the likes of The Slice waiting for you. This is situated between the main bar and the theatre, as well as the Resort nightclub being placed nearby for easy and effective access.

The Slice, though, makes it easy for couples and families to have a few drinks and just relax for once. The sports bar is open most of the day alongside the lounge area for the kids, meaning that the whole family can easily find somewhere to just relax a little.

Hotel Facilities

There are plenty of great facilities waiting for you here, with the likes of pools and hot tubs to water parks and lounges for sitting around and mingling in with other guests. Plenty of sports activities exist, too, so that you can all enjoy everything from a bit of fitness in the training room to enjoying the sailing school and the AquaZumba fitness courses.

Whatever you want to do, you’ll find that you have access to all that you need. From going on power walks to a Volleyball Academy, this is the perfect place to have fun and enjoy some leisure, too!

In Summary

Sandpiper Bay is a great place to spend your time, as it makes it easy for you to enjoy the depth of positivity and welcome feeling that awaits you in this little piece of paradise. From the beautiful view of the St Lucie River to high-end products just making sure you can live like royalty, this is the ideal part of US paradise to enjoy.

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

UK Rock The Boat Cruise

Ship: Eclipse
Cruise Line: Celebrity Cruises
Departures: 30 September 2016
Duration: 3 nights
Ports: Southampton, Zeebrugge, Cherbourg, CRUISECO CHARTER
Airport gateway (Arrival) :Southampton
Airport gateway (Departure) :Southampton

After 5 hugely successful years rocking the waters of Australia – Rock The Boat has arrived in the UK for the very first time! Boasting a star studded line-up like no other ever assembled on water. The very best British legends of rock are coming together onboard Celebrity Eclipse for 3 glorious nights of pure Rock & Roll. Join us onboard for the most iconic music festival at sea and let’s Rock The Boat!

The Rock the Boat Cruise Experience Includes:

• 3 night cruise aboard Celebrity Eclipse
• Ports of call include: Southampton, Zeebrugge, (for Bruges) Belgium, Cherbourg, (for Saint Mont Michel), France
• All meals(exclu. specialty restaurants), entertainment and gratuities onboard (excluding drinks)
• Port charges and government taxes

The Stars

Gerry and The Pacemakers

The Searchers

Gary Puckett & The Union Gap

Brian Poole & Chip Hawkes

The Troggs

The Merseybeats

The Fortunes

Antonio & Kate Villano

The Fourmost

Captain Howdy

The Dakotas

Plus many more!

The Entertainment

• Live performances from the very best in British Rock ‘n’ Roll artists
• Daily Rock ‘n’ Roll dancing lessons and performances
• Artist signing/ meet & greet
• Fortunes Casino
• Piano Bar
• Poolside

My Tour Around the Seychelles April 2016

Our journey to the Seychelles started at Heathrow where we had booked the Skyteam Lounge in Terminal 4. Very impressed with the lounge which is on two levels. There was a hot and cold buffet on offer along with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages which you can just help yourself too.

We then flew on Ethiad Airways to Abu Dhabi which is around a 7-hour flight. This was on the new A380 Airbus so a huge aircraft with bigger than average seats. We went for a look in business class with the full flat bed seats and then into First Class which has compartment seating and looked so comfortable and expensive ! There is also a Residence onboard which is catered for two people at around £18000 return – very nice

We had around a two-hour connection in Abu Dhabi which was just long enough to look around the Duty-Free and then onboard for the flight to Mahe. This flight was around 4 hours 45 minutes, it is amazing how quick the flights seemed to be, I think the break in journey helped a lot

On arrival at Mahe we were met by the Rep from Masons Travel and transferred to our first hotel of our five night stay.

Banyan Tree on Praslin – We were taken straight to our Beachfront Pool villa. Wow! what a beautiful villa in a beautiful setting. You walk in through the front door where there is a massive double bed which looks straight out onto the private pool. To ensure that the double bed is soft, options from the Bear Mattress Reviews may have been chosen. The bathroom is at the back of the villa with a separate shower cubicle and a walk in wardrobe. Slippers and bathrobes are provided for your comfort. The villa feels very spacious with a seat on one side and dressing table and chair on the other side.

Outside there is the private pool which is a great size for two people with a covered seating area with sofa and table just to the left of it. There is alos an outside Jacuzzi and outside shower if you want to try al fresco washing.

There are two sun loungers in the garden and the best bit is that you can walk right onto the beach from the garden. The beach is absolutely stunning with crystal clear water and perfect white sand. There was an absence of sun loungers on the beach but we found out later that the law in the Seychelles prevents hoteliers from having them on the beach due to the high tides and to preserve the ambiance of a beautiful beach.

We spent a couple of hours on the beach and in the sea although the sea was very rough and you couldn’t swim in it. There was a storm in Madagascar which was causing some very high waves and rough sea in the Seychelles.

In the evening, we had a hosted dinner in the Saffron restaurant  which is Thai Cuisine in a very Asian-inspired setting. We were served a three-course Thai menu with a mixture of different dishes which went went down very well with everyone, some were a little hotter than others and I had to gulp some water down a few times during the night. The wine glasses were huge!!
After dinner we went to the hotel bar for a night cap before bed. The average price for a glass of wine was around 230 Rupees which works out to around £10 and a cocktail was around 300 Rupees which is approx. £15

 Banyan Tree Opinion –

First impressions was that the Banyan Tree is really for people who want to get away from it all and to do absolutely nothing. According to the manager of the hotel a lot of people choose to stay in their accommodations rather than venture out.

To get around the resort as quite spread out,there are little golf buggies to take you and there is a variety of accommodation to choose from.

There are a few dining options here together with in villa dining options. After dinner we sat in an area overlooking the fabulous beach whereby you could have a good variety of drinks to choose from whether hot or cold. After having visited some other hotels after the Banyan we did pick up that it is more expensive drink wise at this hotel.

There is also a dive centre nearby if you wish to go on boat trips, snorkel or dive.

The Banyan Tree is only recommended for people who want an extremely quiet hotel and would recommend it for a few nights combined with another hotel. They confirmed that most customers stay on average 3 to 5 nights.

We transferred over to the Four Seasons Hotel for a site inspection. This is a very impressive hotel and fairly large.

Four Seasons – Mahe

First impressions were that this resort is very spread out with the accommodation dotted around on the hillside. At the top the views are stunning with total greenery and the turquoise blue sea lifting the colours of the land and a white sandy beach. The only way to get around is the golf buggies as it is extremely hilly. There are all types of villa and suite accommodation all very spacious and some with infinity pools. The views from the rooms will not disappoint.
The beach offers snorkelling, surfing and stand up paddle boarding these are just some of things available. Not forgetting families as the hotel caters well for children and there are programmes for children aged 4 to 12 and also aged from 9 to 15 years. The area is also great for walkers and joggers .
There are a couple of restaurants here offering fine dining/ international cuisine and cocktails.
The spa offers all sort of treatments even a night spa is possible . It’s location overlooks all the greenery.
To conclude this hotel is very much all about the views. We did not stay here but it looked like it had more going on than Banyan Tree.

We left the Four Seasons resort and hit quite a downpour of rain, when it rains in the Seychelles it rains!

Then we went for lunch on Eden Island to the Bravo Restaurant. This sits on the edge of the marina with fabulous views across the bridge and the island of Mahe.

The restaurant is very casual and has a great lunch menu. The portion sizes were huge and very reasonably priced too.

Then we had a tour around Victoria the Capital city and went to look at the local market where they sell fish and spices and fruit and veg. Not as big as I was expecting – nothing like the markets back home.

H Resort Hotel

Our room was a Junior Suite with views of the garden. It had a large balcony with big table and chairs and a sofa. Twin four poster beds with drapes. Lovely sized bathroom with his and her sinks, large shower and bath tub.

We had drinks in the garden of the H Resort before having dinner in the buffet restaurant. There was so much to choose from including freshly cooked pizza. The small portion size little desserts were lovely.
After dinner we went to Traders Restaurant which is on site of the hotel and had drinks and listened to the live Cuban band. Great place to have drinks and a boogie.

The H Resort Conclusion

Situated about 10 min’s drive from Victoria, and situated just off the main road, the entrance to the hotel is over a wooded walk way to the main reception area, which is a large open area, which also has the lobby bar, and walk out to the pool & beach area.
The rooms are spacious and comfortable, but please remember the bathroom in not enclosed the toilet & shower have glass semi frosted doors, and the bath tub is open, although a French shutter style blind can be used between the bath tub & beds.
The balcony has table & chairs and a large day bed to lounge on
Jnr Suite Rooms are situated in block and offer garden view rooms, although sea facing none are advertised with sea view due to trees obstructing view. Villas are more to the beach and have their own pool, but not private.
All rooms have Tea & Coffee facilities which are complimentary, Mini Bar payable
There are lots of choices of restaurants& Bars (7 in total) offering a mixture of cuisines, even to private dining where the Chef cooks what you want to eat !
Mainly booked on Bed-Breakfast with an HB upgrade, HB can be used in A la Carte restaurants, where you will get a credit towards meals (drinks not included)
Trader Vic’s opens until 1am and becomes a music bar (Cuban ) if you want a little entertainment and a late cocktail
Children Club & Spa available at hotel This hotel is would be great for families or couples which still like a little something happening in the evening, it is reasonably priced and the bar prices are similar to London prices in my opinion

To Enquire or Book Your Trip To The Seychelles Call: 0114 3273436

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