07 November 2024

On arrival in Kochi, having cleared immigration, we collected our luggage and passed through customs, we met our representative who was waiting to greet us to transfer us to our hotel and assisted with check in. We checked into the CGH Eighth Bastion Hotel in Kochi and had the rest of day for leisure. Eighth Bastion is a CGH Earth luxury boutique hotel in the heart of Fort Kochi in Kerala. A hotel of preference, its design is inspired by a Dutch nautical theme with scale models of Dutch ships, Batavia and Friesland decorating the interior and in a great location. The following morning, we strolled around Fort Kochi, Chinese Fishing Nets, Jew Town, took a t visit to the Jewish Synagogue and the Dutch Palace, and then an afternoon of leisure. Which we booked in for a gorgeous massage & went for a lovely coffee. Early night as we had a big drive the next morning! After breakfast we began or drive to Periyar /Thekkady by a private chauffeured driven vehicle (approx… 04 – 05 hrs drive). It was a long drive, but our chauffeur car was very comfortable, and the scenery was very fascinating along the way. We check-in to the Spice Village hotel. Loved this hotel. Spice Village is situated in Periyar. It is a resort with lush gardens, individual cabins and that practices ecological methods during its day to day running. This resort belongs to the CGH Earth Group. Visitors out for a nature escape is drawn to the Spice Village. This is the tribal village, reborn for the modern traveller The next morning, we were up before sunrise for a Nature Walk at Periyar National Park. Incredible experience and would highly recommend. After the hike we went back to the hotel and had breakfast and freshen up before we headed to the spice plantation. Yes, I bought a lot of spices!! Next day we hit the road again after breakfast we set off on a journey to Kumarakom [approx. 4 hrs drive] On arrival we checked into CGH Earth Coconut Lagoon, this was a very cool experience, we had to take a boat trip to get to the reception of the hotel. CGH Earth Coconut Lagoon is located upon the Vembanad lake, one of India’s largest inland lakes with its distinctive ecology that supports a plethora of natural life. We had 2 days of leisure at this hotel, we did a Sunset Cruise which was amazing and lazed around by the pool.

23 October 2024

Discovering Cleveland, Ohio: A City of Culture, History, Music and Innovation Cleveland, Ohio, often overshadowed by larger cities, is a vibrant hub of culture, history, and innovation. Nestled on the shores of Lake Erie, this city offers a unique blend of Midwestern charm and urban excitement. If you’re a planning a visit, there’s always something new to discover in Cleveland. Cleveland is steeped in history you can explore this rich history at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which celebrates the impact of music on American culture. The Cleveland Museum of Art, the museum offers free admission, making it accessible for everyone. For theatre enthusiasts, the Cleveland Playhouse and the KeyBank State Theatre host a range of performances, from classic plays to modern musicals. I had the absolute pleasure of attending the Rock and Roll Hall of fame inductions 2024. The most magical experience, to be in the same room as some of the biggest artist and celebrities was so surreal, from Cher to Ozzy Osbourne the list was endless and the night was full of entertainment & surprises. Food lovers will find plenty to choose from in Cleveland, we had so many beautiful meals, we dined in Aqua de Luca, this is a fabulous fine dining contemporary Italian cuisine with seafood in downtown Cleveland, we also ate in Cordelia, very cool vibe in the restaurant and the food and service was amazing. The West Side Market is a must-visit, showcasing local vendors offering fresh produce, meats, baked goods, and international delicacies. We had a gorgeous breakfast at the West Side Market café. We also took a trip to Little Italy roughly 15 minutes from downtown Cleveland and had a delicious lunch & pastries in Presti’s Italian Bakery. Also had breakfast at Betts, very chilled atmosphere in here, great to watch a game and grab a drink too. Cleveland’s location on Lake Erie provides ample opportunities for outdoor activities. The Cleveland Metroparks system, known as the "Emerald Necklace," encompasses over 23,000 acres of lush landscapes and scenic trails perfect for hiking, biking, and picnicking. The Cleveland Botanical Garden is another gem, featuring stunning plant collections and a tropical rainforest. In the summer, head to Edgewater Park for beach outings, picnics, and breathtaking views of the city skyline. The park is a favourite spot for locals looking to relax by the water or enjoy a stroll along the shore. This was my favourite part of Cleveland. The views were incredible & such a calm atmosphere. Cleveland’s sports culture is unparalleled. Home to the Cleveland Guardians (MLB), Cleveland Browns (NFL), and Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA), the city boasts a passionate fan base. While I was in Cleveland there was 2 games happening over the weekend, the camaraderie among fans and the electric atmosphere made the city come alive. Cleveland may not always be in the spotlight, but it’s a city with heart, resilience, and a wealth of experiences to offer. From its rich history and vibrant arts scene to delicious food and passionate sports culture, there’s something for everyone in this dynamic Midwestern city. So, whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or looking to explore another city as part as your USA trip, Cleveland invites you to discover its many treasures.

01 October 2022

Dubai was always a place I wanted to see. I sell a good bit of Dubai and every time I get an enquiry for Dubai, I fall in love with it even more. I spent 4 nights in Dubai, and each moment was as spectacular as the next. I had a very busy itinerary for the 5 days, the first day we arrived I couldn’t believe how warm and humid it was. We had temperatures of 40 degrees! It was beautiful but very warm. The first 2 nights I stayed in Downtown Dubai. We stayed in the Rose Rayhaan by Rotana, it was an average 4*, great location & very spacious rooms. Some rooms had a view of the Burj Khalifa. We chilled by the pool for a couple of hours in our hotel. Later that evening we headed to the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo and the Burj Khalifa, we prebooked this in advance. The Aquarium & Underwater Zoo was situated in the Dubai Mall and the Burj Khalifa was right next door. The queues were long to get to the top of the Burj Khalifa, but the views once you reached the top were amazing! We took a small wander around the Dubai Mall; it is so big you would really want a full day in here to get around and go to all the shops! The food court in the mall had an excellent choice of restaurants. Once we were finished in the mall, we went down to the Waterfront Boardwalk outside the Dubai Mall to see the fountain show. The fountains come to life every 30 minutes from 6pm daily, you can also view the Burj Khalifa from here and this also lights up with an amazing light show to match the fountain show. The next day we headed for Dubai Parks & Resorts, this is the Middle East’s largest integrated theme park, it features Motiongate Dubai, Bollywood Parks, Legoland & Legoland Water Park all in the same location! A lot of the attractions are indoors which is great when the temperatures are high. The parks are suitable for all ages. We went to visit the Museum of the Future; this museum welcomes all ages! It opened in February 2022, and it has been booked out every single day since. The museum allows you to see, touch & shape our shared future. It brings you on a journey through the possible future and brings hope and knowledge back to present. We then took a tour of the city. We strolled around the Dubai’s Old town (Al Fahidi) which was interesting as the buildings were all low rise and in the shadows of the skyscrapers in Dubai city, most buildings were only 5-7 stories high portraying a classic Arabian style. We then took an Abra across the Creek from old town Dubai to visit the Souks including the Spice & Gold Souks. This was a fabulous experience and very safe. Later that evening we got to experience the sunset at the View of the Palm on the Observation Deck, stunning 360-degree views from 240 metres above the world- famous Palm Jumeirah. It was very humid, so we didn’t experience a very clear view, but still beautiful and worth going to see. That night we got invited to view Raffles the Palm Dubai, a luxurious brand-new hotel on the Palm. We had dinner & a jazz night! The food and atmosphere was fantastic. That night we checked into the JA Lake View hotel in Jebel Ali. This hotel is perfect for golf lovers as it overlooks the 9-hole championship golf course and consists of 348 guestrooms and suites with balconies, three swimming pools, and four new dining experiences. Guests also have full access to the private beach. The hotel was very modern, food was amazing & rooms were very spacious. It’s roughly a 25-minute transfer from Dubai City. There is nothing in this area, but perfect if you want to play golf or just to relax and soak up some sunshine. It is close to the Dubai Parks. Our last attraction was very special and the highlight of my trip personally. We did a VIP Desert Safari tour. We were picked up from our hotel in a Jeep Wangler and chauffeured to the edge of the desert, where we begin our Safari with an exhilarating dune drive. This drive will take you up and down the endless sand dunes experiencing an adrenaline rush just like being on a roller-coaster!! After the dune drive, we had a glass of bubbly at a picturesque sunset stop. After the sun went down, we made our way to a beautiful Bedouin-style camp. As we entered the camp, we were welcomed with aromatic Arabic coffee and some delicious dates. Inside the camp was stunning and we enjoyed a delicious BBQ under the stars, while watching traditional local entertainment. Our Safari ended and we were transferred back to our hotel. This was truly a unique experience. I will always treasure these memories. Overall, I think everyone should visit Dubai at least once, it's an incredible place, super clean, amazing food and very safe! Yes, it’s expensive and I would advise half board as a dining option. Dubai is relaxed and open minded when it comes to clothing, you will see people wearing all sorts of clothing in Dubai, but don’t forget it is a Muslim country and you are a guest. Dubai is a great winter destination, fabulous weather with great attractions. I will be returning as I still have a lot more of Dubai to explore.

09 March 2020

We recently did a city break to Prague, it was my first time visiting the city. We flew from Dublin on a Monday and back on a Thursday, we had 3 nights in total. I personally feel we had enough time to explore this amazing city in the 4 days. The transfer from the airport to central Prague is around 30 minutes. We had arranged a private transfer, so no hanging around after our flight! We arrived at our hotel, which was within walking distance from all the main attractions. The hotel we stayed in was called the NYX Hotel. This hotel was perfect for a city break. The hotel is a historical building built by one of the most famous Czech architects Josef Gocár. The hotel was very quirky with a lot of art as part as their decor. We stayed in the Little Star room type, this is one of their smaller rooms, but was perfect for 2 people. On the first evening, we strolled around the streets of Prague and got our bearings for the following morning. I was completely blown away by the views of the city at night, I couldn't wait to get up early the next morning to explore. We had a gorgeous Italian the first night and the price of the meal with a wine and a beer was so reasonable. Next morning we walked to Charles Bridge, it really was amazing! The art and culture on the bridge alone was so beautiful. We had pre-booked a boat trip called " Prague Venice historical boat trip" this trip costed €14.00 per person, this included a drink & snack on board. The trip last 45 minutes. This historical boat tour will give you the chance to see Prague from a different perspective. It I would recommend it, we also got free entry into the Charles Bridge Museum as part of the boat trip. After the boat trip we strolled around the Jewish Quarter in Prague this is located between the Old Town Square and the Vltava River. We spent the rest of the evening roaming the streets of Prague. On day 3 we did the National Museum on top of Wencelas Square, I found this museum outstanding. Later that day we did the steel museum. It was grand, but very small and a little over priced but if you had children with you they would love this. We both fell in love with Prague, from the city views at night, to the old town square during the day with the little markets and traditional food stalls. I was blown away with how clean the city was, I felt extremely safe walking around, we saw no trouble on the streets day or night. The standard of food was excellent and if you socialised in the local bars the price of drinks was so cheap. The streets are mainly cobble streets, so I would recommend a flat shoe for walking around. I did decided to wear heels one night but carried them in my bag and slipped them on when I got into the bars!! The currency is Czech Koruna the rate we got was 25 Koruna for €1. I would definitely recommend having the currency prior travelling or exchanging your Euro in a bank in Prague, we found the rate was very bad withdrawing from the ATM's. In my opinion Prague is definitely a city everyone should visit once.

25 November 2019

I recently stayed in all 4 of the Martinhal resorts and was totally blown away with the standard of hotels, villas & apartments they offer. The Martinhal resorts are for all types of families and they have so much to offer all ages. When you start your day with Yoga and end it with a sunset jeep Safari you know your in the dream holiday resort. Our first 2 nights we stayed in Martinhal Sagres. We flew into Faro and our transfer was 1 hour and 45 minutes to Sagres. I knew straight away I was in for a treat staying at this resort and the level of professionalism from the staff from the minute we arrived was fantastic. Everything about Martinhal Sagres is designed with families in mind. Martinhal Sagres offers families a luxury beach holiday experience with high-class family-friendly accommodation, restaurants, bars, kids and leisure services that put families first. We stayed in the hotel rooms, which offered the most amazing sea-views. They also have villas, garden/bay and pinewood houses and apartments, all of these are well equipped for families. You have the choice of four restaurants around the resort, all family friendly, featuring a dedicated children’s play area and a special children’s menu. I had never seen a menu broken down into age categories from babies right up to teenagers and this was a major plus for me. They offer 5 kids clubs and they take children from ages 6 months up to 17 years old. There are five swimming pools set around the grounds of Martinhal Sagres and plenty of playgrounds. The atmosphere in Sagres was very much chilled. Even though they were at full capacity when I stayed here, it never felt overly crowded. After spending 2 nights in Sagres we were on the road again to head to Lisbon, the Algrave to Lisbon is roughly over 3 hours transfer. We stopped at Quinta on route to Lisbon to view the fabulous Martinhal Quinta. The family friendly resort is in the famous Quinta do Lago region of the Algarve, featuring a selection of luxury family villas and town houses with private pools, baby concierge, family activities - Martinhal Quinta allows families to spend quality time together. This resort in my opinion would be slightly smaller than Sagres and is a 4*property. We had a beautiful lunch at the pool side restaurant. After spending a few hours in this resort, I could see why families would come back year after year, this resort is also ideal for families that like to travel as a group, most villas have up to 4 bedrooms. Then it was back into our transfer to finish the drive to Lisbon. When I heard we were staying in apartments in the city centre, I was a little unsure of how I felt about this, as I love a good hotel especially for a city break. But Martinhal Chiado changed my opinion forever. As a mum of 3, I always wanted to do a city break with my children but struggled to find the right accommodation to suit us. Well these apartments ticked every box for me, and we will be doing a city break as a family sooner than I had previously thought. A five-star family apartment, with a supervised Kids Club until late, right in the heart of Lisbon. Martinhal Chiado makes city breaks with the kids simple. From studios, one-bedroom apartment and even two-bedroom apartments – this is the perfect family accommodation. The apartments were so retro and really had facilities to suit all ages! We spent one night in these amazing apartments and then the following day we headed to Cascais to spend our final night. Cascais Martinhal was truly outstanding, and personally my favourite. The rooms were so luxurious, I would gladly return here for a couple’s break as well as a family holiday. Cascais is 30 minutes from Lisbon City. Cascais Martinhal has something to offer for everyone, from kid’s clubs with tree houses, golf course, spas indoor and outdoor pools. The standard of food was outstanding. The hotel ran a shuttle bus to and from Cascais town on a regular basis. I left the next morning feeling so refreshed after a fantastic sleep. The atmosphere was so chilled around the hotel. Next day we had a gorgeous breakfast with a huge healthy selection to choose from and took the shuttle bus into Cascais before catching our flight back to Cork. If you’re looking for the ideal family getaway, why not contact me to find out more. With my first hand experience and travel expertise I can plan the perfect holiday that exceeds all your expectations.

25 June 2019

After plenty of family holiday, my husband and I decided it was time for a little getaway by ourselves to relax and explore a new city. We decided to fly to Lisbon from Cork for a long weekend and we based ourselves in Cascais, mainly for the hotel. We stayed in the Grand Real Italia 5*. An amazing hotel in a great location. We were within walking distance of the centre of Cascais. The hotel staff were truly fabulous, and the hotel was an excellent 5*, it was spotless clean. Our priority on this little getaway, was to relax and get in some sightseeing. We had no children with us on this trip, so it was important we got to recharge. Cascais was a pleasure to explore, with a real authentic Portuguese experience. Within the cobbled streets of the historic centre are gorgeous mansions, an amazing fort and fascinating museums. Cascais is situated on the beautiful Lisbon Coast, and is known as a fishing village, with nice beaches and a great nightlife. Cascais has great transport to Lisbon. We took a day trip into the city and fell in love with the beauty of Lisbon. There was so much to do and see. I would recommend visiting the Zoo, they had cable carts, Dolphin shows and much more to offer. Entry into the Zoo was very reasonable and is situated 3 miles from the centre of Lisbon City. Lisbon downtown is where you will find all the shops, from traditional shops to high end shops. We had a fantastic trip! We could have done with an extra day or two to get in more sightseeing, we never made it to Sintra, which is meant to be another great day trip. But this also gives us an excuse to return as the area has so much to offer! If you think a trip like this would suit you, why not give me a call and we can chat more about it.

11 June 2019

When I originally booked Kusadasi, I had mixed feelings about travelling to Turkey. It’s not a country that would have been on top of my list to see. But when an amazing opportunity comes about its hard to say no! We flew from Cork to Izmir and it was just over a four and a half hour flight and our transfer was one hour and ten minutes. That gush of heat when the plane door opened was such a nice feeling after leaving a rainy Ireland. We stayed in the Sea Pearl Hotel, a fantastic 4* hotel with amazing staff, they were over and beyond helpful. The hotel is very near ladies beach, and it was about 5km from the town of Kusadasi. The Dolumus (local minibus) stopped right outside the hotel and was €2 each way. When we ventured into the town, the lively resort was nestled away close to the port. It was so upbeat, and the atmosphere was electric. Everyone was so friendly, and the place was full of fantastic restaurants. The food was by far one of the best standards I’ve had abroad. Each restaurant offered such a big selection of different cuisines. The famous Bar Street is also an abundance of nightlife. It was also shopper’s paradise, the shops included branded fashion, jewellery and leather goods. If your good a haggling, then you’re in for a big treat! They also have a huge market once a week with a great selection of goods, there really is something for everyone there! Kusadasi also offers a huge range of water sports, from paragliding to jet skiing, the list of activities are endless. Kusadasi also has two large water parks, one of them is the biggest in Europe and both are very responsibly priced. The marina is too stunning, you can watch all the cruise liners sailing in and out of the port while taking in the beautiful weather. Most of the best attractions are located close to Kusadasi, such as the ancient city of Ephesus, the Virgin Mary’s House, and you can also do a day trip to Greek Island of Samos. Our stay in Kusadasi came to an end, after a fun-filled 7 nights. It was a fantastic holiday resort, that offered us so much! Contact me if you would like to create your own special holiday memories.

11 June 2019

Nashville, Memphis, Natchez and New Orleans. 10 days, 4 cities equal an incredible trip. This trip was such an amazing experience from start to finish! This was my first time doing an escorted tour. I was a little apprehensive about spending a lot of time travelling on a coach and I really didn’t know what to expect from this trip but it exceeded all expectations. I flew from Dublin to Nashville via London with Virgin Airlines. On arrival we were greeted by our tour guide, he was very professional and friendly. We travelled in a luxury coach with air conditioning, WiFi and sockets to charge your phone! I was so impressed with the comfort of the coach. Our coach driver was just as friendly as our tour guide, which to me was important because we will be spending the next 10 days with them. We headed for our hotel The Renaissance 4* in Nashville, where we were based for the next 3 nights. On arrival at the hotel we had a welcome reception, this gives you a chance to get to know the other people that will be sharing the trip with you. Later that evening we got to venture out to see the town of Nashville! It was a real honky tonk town and the atmosphere was electric! It was like something you’d see in the movies; each bar had County music blaring and all the locals wore the check shirts, denims and cowboy boots. During our time spent in Nashville we got to experience the RCA’s Studio B, we had a Q&A session with Johnny Cash’s granddaughter which was very interesting hearing about his life. We then went on and visited the Country Music Hall of Fame and had a backstage tour of the Grand Ole Opry House, as a country music fan, this was a jaw dropping moment! After spending 3 nights in Nashville, we made our way onto Memphis! The home of blues, soul and rock and roll. We stayed in the Sheraton Downtown Hotel 4*. We got to visit Sun studios on Beale street, this is where the recording of the first rock and roll single took place. The likes of Elvis Presley, B. B King and Johnny Cash all recorded albums here. Later that evening we got to soak up the atmosphere of Memphis heading to B.B Kings bar for a real night of Jazz and Blues music! The most surreal moment of the trip was getting a VIP tour around Graceland. Being inside Elvis Presley’s mansion, getting to walk onto he’s private air crafts and standing at his grave side, this was an incredible experience that I’ll always cherish! After spending 2 nights in Memphis and taking in the major highlights they had to offer, we took to road again and carried on to Natchez. We stayed one night here, in the Magnolia Bluffs Hotel. This was more so to break up the journey from Memphis to New Orleans and gave us the opportunity to tour the Oak Valley Plantation. The stunning views of Oak trees that were over 300 years old! We drove across the Mississippi River and headed straight for New Orleans. A completely different world!! It truly lived up to its nickname “Big Easy” it offers around the clock nightlife and vibrant live music scenes. I had never experienced anything like this! I was excited to think this was home for the next 3 nights, staying in the Sheraton Hotel 4* We strolled around the French markets eating famous Beignets’. That afternoon we took in a full tour of New Orleans city, and headed for a swamp and bayou tour! I was terrified while observing the grounds of alligators, but I was glad of the experience afterwards. On our last night of the trip, we had a farewell dinner with our tour guide and coach drive. They both went above and beyond to give us one hell of a trip. It was Au Revoir to New Orleans and we headed back to the airport. We flew from New Orleans to Dublin via Dallas. All meals and gratitude were included on this trip. All hotels were a fantastic standard and in a great location. Reminiscing on this trip always brings a huge smile to my face and feel so inspired with the knowledge I gained along the way. If this is a trip you think would interest you, please don’t hesitate to get in contact with me and we can discuss it further.

11 June 2019

The little village that stole our hearts! Family holidays are so important to us, as I’m sure like all other families we live a very busy lifestyle and it’s the only down time we really get as a family. We have a family of all ages so it can be a task to keep everyone happy when we plan a family holiday! Recently we travelled to Alvor, Portugal from Cork Airport. The flight was only 2 hours and 15 minutes, and the transfer time was 45 minutes. The short flight was so important to us as a family this time round, as we were travelling for 5 nights with a new baby. We went all-inclusive for the first time 3 years ago, and it completely changed our holidays for the better. At the time, I was nervous about booking an all-inclusive option, what about if we don’t like the food? Is it worth paying that little bit extra? It was by far the best decision we made. It took the pressure off. No rushing out looking for a restaurant in the evening that would suit us all, and then try and make it back to the complex for the evening entertainment! We didn’t have the stress of the kids not liking what they ordered, because they could take a little of everything and then go back for more if they wished. The mealtimes were very flexible and outside of mealtimes you had the snack bar, so you were never without food. This trip we stayed in the Alvor Baia Hotel 4* and this hotel was outstanding in every aspect. The staff were so friendly. We arrived at the hotel after 9pm although I taught the food would be finished serving, the receptionist offered to keep our bags and advised us that we could eat in the ‘Adult Only’ restaurant as the other restaurant for families closes at 9.30pm. This was a huge relief! They checked us in very quickly, minded our luggage until we were finished our meal. The food was outstanding that late in the evening and I knew we were in for a good holiday. We had so much to choose from each mealtime, and it also had a great selection for the children, we even had a BBQ one of the nights. The rooms were spotless clean and so spacious! We had two rooms with a kitchenette and the cleaners were around every day. The pool area was spectacular. The Alvor Baia has the largest swimming pool in Europe, a great little kiddies pool area and play park. The entertainment around the pool was good and they also had a kid’s club that ran until 6pm.The hotel was about a 15-minute walk to the stunning little village of Alvor. Alvor consists of two long streets of gorgeous bars and up market restaurants and shops! The hotel runs a free shuttle bus to and from the beach. I think if you are doing an all-inclusive option holiday, you should always book a high standard hotel! You spend a lot of time in the complex and I know from our family experiences, we would find it hard to go back to the self-catering. The all-inclusive option means you’re not worrying about over spending or saying ‘no’ for most of the trip. If you have never experienced an all-inclusive holiday, why not give me a call and I can help you plan your next dream holiday.