08 November 2017

Porto is situated in Northern Portugal and it's a really picturesque city with lots to do. There are direct flights from Dublin. I travelled with my Husband and our 2 Sons and there was something for everyone to enjoy. We started with the hop on hop off bus tour which I always find is a great way to find your feet. We did the Cable Cars (A few times!), the 6 bridges boat trip on the River Douro, walked one of the bridges that connects Porto and Vila Nova De Gaia and provides amazing views. We visited the World of discoveries museum which is lovely for families and there was a Reptile place in Vila Nova Da Gaia. A trip to the Port Wine Cellars is a must if you are a wine lover. The city has some really beautiful old buildings and monuments. We managed to fit in some shopping on Rua De Flores and there were plenty of street entertainers to keep the Lads amused! I'd highly recommend a trip to this lovely city. To get a quote or make a booking, drop me an email or give me a call, 045 889315 or 086 3208383 or gail.buckley@travelcounsellors.com

22 September 2017

Once again myself, my Husband and our two sons had an amazing holiday. San Francisco is an amazing city. Lots to see and do and very easy to get around. We loved this quirky city and all it has to offer. We did hop on/off tours and a huge amount of walking. • Yosemite National Park - we really loved the drive from San Fran. There was some great scenery and we managed to do some panning for gold on our stopover in Sonora/Columbia before moving on to Yosemite itself which has the most amazing scenery. It's so picture perfect that it looks like a postcard even in person. The only downside was we didn't see any bears! We stayed a night in Fresno on the other side and made our way to Solvang from there. • Solvang - what a lovely village and worth a visit. It's an old Danish village with everything Danish. Beautiful buildings and shops. • On to Los Angeles/Beverley Hills where we stayed for 1 night. Showed our sons the sights, Hollywood Sign, Chinese Theatre etc. We didn't have time, but you can do Universal Studios here too. • Our next seven days were spent cruising the Mexican Riviera where we had some lovely stops. Being a cruise specialist and having been on many ships before, this older ship didn't rate highly for me but the lads really enjoyed the Teens & Kids clubs on board and we made the most of it. • Next stop Las Vegas - both my husband and I have been to Las Vegas about 6 or 7 times now so I guess you could say we love it. Although it's not really a place I would recommend for children, the boys were naturally curious that we had been so many times, so we stayed here for two nights which was enough time to show them all the iconic hotels, Fremont Street and we also managed to fit in a spectacular helicopter ride, a dolphin encounter and some shopping. I would highly recommend the helicopter ride! I've also been to the Grand Canyon - for families, this is a trip you could do which would take a full day and there are many ways to get there. There are also loads of family friendly Broadway style shows too. • Our last stop was back to Anaheim and we had three full days to spend at Disney. Having been to Disney in Paris twice and once in Hong Kong I was a bit unsure if we would enjoy three days here but, of course Disney is always magical and we had a great time. All in all, it was an amazing holiday. This trip or similar can be tailored so that you can do parts or all of it to suit you. It can also be tweaked for couples only and can make a great adventure holiday or form part of a luxury honeymoon. So whatever you are thinking, just give me a call or drop me an email and together we'll create your next amazing trip!

20 July 2016

This was a Family Holiday with my Husband and our 2 Sons aged 6 and 12 but I can also recommend for Couples and Honeymoons or groups of friends. Dubai is family friendly with waterparks, desert safaris and indoor skiing and my lads were in awe of the spectacular buildings and cars. There are many fabulous hotels and beautiful beaches with loads of shopping and an abundance of restaurants. Bangkok, I have visited before and this was a stopover for 2 nights on route to Chiang Mai. It’s an interesting city to say the least, very busy. The hotels are immaculate, the streets not so much. We did a river cruise on a rice barge and got to take in the sites including the Grand Palace. We also took a tuk tuk ride and did some shopping and the kids enjoyed the experience. Chiang Mai was fab. We stayed in the centre and were right beside the night markets. There are loads of excursions that you can do to experience the authenticity of Thailand. It’s most popular for the elephant sanctuaries and my kids loved that so much. We also did white water rafting and then a tour to Chiang Rai to the White Temple which is also amazing. Unfortunately, we didn’t have enough time to do the Golden Triangle. Koh Samui was our chill out time at the end. It’s a lovely Island in Thailand. We saw some beautiful sites and did more elephant rides and Angthong Marine Park. We spent a lot of time by the pool and beach and enjoyed browsing the markets. It’s a small island so you can see most of it in a day. Thai people are just so friendly and smiley. I didn’t go to Koh Tao in the end as I felt the kids were happy out at the pool but it’s a beautiful Island and I would recommend a few nights there if you intended going. If you would like to receive a quote based on this trip or similar itineraries, feel free to get in touch. You can also check out my Facebook page for more pictures.

04 November 2015

Malaga is a really lovely city. There are plenty of historic buildings & monuments, a bull ring, museums, beaches and loads of shopping. There are so many eateries from Michelin starred restaurants to tapas bars. There is also plenty of nightlife. You can do day trips from resorts like Torremolinos, Benalmadena etc. The cruise port makes it ideal for staying a night or 2 before or after a cruise. You can also just do a shopping weekend! A great way to get an overall impression of the area is to hop on and off the Malaga Tour Bus. The whole tour takes under one and a half hours. The big bonus is the Malaga has over 300 days of sunshine per year making it an ideal destination for any occasion! For more info, please contact me and I would be happy to give you all the details.

06 October 2015

After having visited campsites in France & Italy, myself, my husband and our 2 Sons aged 5 and 11 decided to try Spain. We flew to Girona, hired a car and drove to the Resort of Playa De Pals. Whilst the resort is small, there is a huge beach and a good array of shops and eateries. Being the more independent travellers, we liked to leave the resort and visit the more Spanish areas and smaller coves & beaches. Pals itself is a beautiful town and well worth a visit. There is some really fab scenery and we managed to visit other more touristy resorts such as L'Estartit & Roses. The campsite was good. It had nice pool areas and the pool remained open until dark which we loved as we could spend the day out and about or at the beach and come back and still enjoy a dip in the pool! Although we aren't really into the resort entertainment, there was plenty there to keep families amused and the bowling alley was great fun.

06 October 2015

Las Vegas! What can I say… it's the adult version of Disneyland! I brought my husband for his birthday in November 2011 and wow was he impressed! In fact we loved it so much we travelled again in July 2012, November 2013 & June 2015. From the minute we landed we were captivated by the buildings we once saw on TV and now we were here seeing them for real. From the Luxor Hotel to Excalibur's Castle and the MGM Grand, to the Eiffel Tower at the Paris to the Stratosphere Tower at the north end of the strip…you can see them all. We stayed on the strip and enjoyed a great view of the dazzling lights along Las Vegas Boulevard. We arrived at night and although tired we couldn't wait to see everything. By 6am the next morning we were having pancakes for breakfast in the Bellagio after dancing and gambling the night away. There is so much to enjoy besides gaming of course such as the fab Broadway shows, comedy nights, endless shopping from the Miracle Mile to the Forum shops at Caesars Palace, not to mention the retail outlets. We really enjoyed the trip by plane to the Grand Canyon West Rim where we walked the Sky Walk. The scenery at the Canyon is breath-taking and it happened to snow the day we went which made it even more spectacular. We also took a hop-on hop-off bus tour where we saw the fountains at the Bellagio, the exploding volcano at the Mirage, Fremont Street and the infamous Little White Chapel, just one of the many little Chapels - where I can arrange your wedding too by the way. Out of the five nights we were there, we managed about 20 hours sleep just because we were afraid we'd miss something. Our only regret was we had to go home. But don't take my word for it… Go and see this fabulous city in the desert for yourself. Give me a call or e-mail me for details today.

18 November 2014

I travelled with my Husband and our 2 Sons aged 10 & 4 to Lake Garda. We stayed in Peschiera Del Garda but as usual we hired a car to explore the surrounding resorts. We managed to visit all of the resorts around the lake and the scenery was stunning. We even got to visit Venice for the day. My favourite resorts were Malcesine, Sirmione & Garda; beautiful lake side resorts with meandering streets full of craft shops & cafes. Malcesine also has a cable car which offers the most amazing views from the top. Many of the resorts are quite small with beautiful little marinas and there are loads of castles dotted around the lake, some of which make fabulous wedding venues (I can organize your wedding abroad). There is plenty to do for families and my boys loved Gardaland & Movieland. We also hired a small speed boat on the lake for a few hours which was fun and we really enjoyed the gondola ride in Venice and some of the places that Venice is famous for such as the Rialto Bridge & St. Marks Square. Verona is also a beautiful city steeped in history and famous for its operas and Romeo & Juliet's balcony. We did a small train tour here and again there were lovely craft shops and pavement cafes. There were plenty of activities in our campsite for the kids and the mobile was adequate for the 4 of us, however there are lots of Hotels around if you fancy a bit more luxury. The north of the lake around Torbole is great for the more active holiday makers with lots of surfing, water skiing and hill walking/hiking. All in all we had a really lovely holiday and I can thoroughly recommend this holiday destination. For more information, please call me 045 889315 or 086 320838 or email gail.buckley@travelcounsellors.com

22 October 2014

I'm a huge fan of Greece and have been to Crete before, but this was my first time to Chania. I stayed in Stalos, a few kilometres from Chania Town which is easily accessible by local bus (very cheap). The views from the Hotel were just beautiful and the area was quiet, which was just what I was looking for on this mini break. Chania Town is big, the 2nd largest on the Island, but still retains its old Cretan charm with an abundance of craft and pottery shops throughout the narrow streets, indoor stalls and many seafront restaurants and Taverna’s. At the Old Port & Marina you can take a horse and carriage ride through the town. There are plenty of excursions to do in the area or you can take a ferry to other parts of the Island. All in all a beautiful area to visit... Contact me for more details and best rates.

20 July 2013

I really loved this city and would definitely return. It's one of the nicest cities I have ever been to. I would highly recommend a visit! There is endless shopping and sightseeing, nightlife and family entertainment. There is something for everyone. I travelled with my two Sons (9 and 3) and we did Edinburgh Castle & Royal Mile (Check out the most pierced lady and William Wallace on the Royal Mile). We also did Edinburgh Zoo, The Natural History Museum (Free) and the Museum of Childhood (Free). We saw the Royal Yacht Britannia and had picnics in Princes Street Gardens and dinner in some lovely little eateries. I even had time for a chilled out coffee in some of the many lovely cafes. We were so tired from doing so much in the day time that we unfortunately didn't get to fit in a show at one of the many Theatres in the evening. I loved the old stone buildings and architecture which is everywhere, the cobbled streets and the warm hospitality. For the nightowls, there are loads of clubs and nightclubs but don't forget to bring some flat shoes for the cobbles!! For more information or to book a trip to Edinburgh why not give me a call on 045 889315

08 June 2013

As a fan of cruising and being a cruise specialist I absolutely couldn't wait to board Allure of the Seas - the biggest and most spectacular cruise ship in the world! I travelled with my husband and our sons (aged 9 and 3). We stayed for two nights in Miami, South Beach. I had always wanted to see Miami and it was just how I imagined it with the Art Deco buildings and lively atmosphere. The beach was lovely and we did a fab trip to the Everglades. We had an enjoyable stay and I felt two nights was enough with children, however if you are looking for plenty of night life this is the place for you, but again a few nights is enough. I have always been wowed by cruise ships, but this ship is amazing. With a capacity to hold over 6000 guests and over 2000 staff my first thoughts were it's going to be too crowded, but I could not have been more wrong. We never had a problem getting a sun bed at any of the swimming pools. There was so much space to walk around the ship comfortably, from the boardwalk with its candy shops, amazing Aqua theatre and full size Carousel to tree lined Central Park with its many bistros and restaurants to the biggest Promenade yet with shops and restaurants. The children's play zone is huge with different areas for different ages. There is even a science lab that will blow your child’s mind (pardon the pun!) They even have a mini theatre where the children preform shows. The flow riders and zip lining are so much fun and we enjoyed mini golf and basketball on-board. There are numerous venues for shows and a huge Vegas style casino. I could go on and on but you can't even imagine how awesome this ship is until you experience it for yourself and the great news is, the Oasis which is identical to the Allure is coming to Europe in September 2014 so you don't have to travel far to see this absolutely wonderful ship. After the cruise we spent one night in Fort Lauderdale which was lovely. The beach was beautiful and again there is good night life, but it’s still family friendly. We did a jaw dropping mini cruise on the Jungle Queen on the inland waterways. I have never seen so much wealth in my life. The houses and yachts are amazing. Why not give me a call to hear more about these fab destinations on 045 889315 or 086 3208383.

16 May 2013

After been to Disneyland in Hong Kong I couldn't wait for Disneyland Paris. I travelled with my husband and our 2 sons (8 & 2). We had an absolutely brilliant time. Favourite rides - Peter Pan & Buzz Light and my personal favourite - It's a Small World. We stayed for 4 full days and had loads of time to meet the characters and do all of the rides. We even spent a full day in Paris where we visited the Eiffel Tower, The Lourve and Notre Dame. We loved Hollywood Studios and our favourite restaurant in Disney Village is definitely the Rainforest Cafe. My husband and I had been to the one in Las Vegas so couldn't wait to bring our children to the one in Paris. We loved Disneyland Paris so much we went again in February 2013 If you are planning a trip to any of the Disneyland’s.... why not give me a call?

31 October 2012

My husband and I took our two sons (aged 2 & 8) to France to try out a mobile home self catering holiday. It was really very enjoyable. We stayed in the Canet Plage area of Languedoc and the airport was close by so no serious driving to do, although we did hire a car so we could visit other areas. We had a 2 bedroom mobile home with decking and it was ample. It was very clean and airy. The site itself catered well for families with entertainment during the day and evening. There was a bar and restaurant and a shop where you could get fresh french bread every morning - yummy!! There was a number of pools and even a small waterpark. If you don't like driving that's okay as the Noddy train stops at the entrance to all the campsites in the resort every 20mins or so. The beach was amazing and it was sandy as far out to sea as you could walk - not a stone in sight! The Resort of Canet Plage was really nice with a main square full of restaurants and low key bars. There were many streets leading off the square with shops and more restaurants and there were stalls all along the promenade every night. It was very family orientated and I would definitely recommend it. We visited some lovely sites and there were other lovely villages dotted around the coast such as Collioure which is well worth a visit. If you have any questions on camping/mobile home holidays please give me a call.

23 May 2012

Having been on Voyager Class Ships before, I couldn’t wait to go on the Adventure of the Seas. It’s a fab ship with endless amenities from an ice skating rink, rock climbing wall, mini golf course, arcade, theatre, library and not to mention the swimming pools and Royal Promenade with its shops and much more besides. The shows were brilliant and very family orientated. The staff are wonderful, so helpful, nice and so accommodating. I travelled with my husband and our 2 sons (8 & 2) and we had a Family Ocean view Stateroom at the front of the ship on Deck 7. We had loads of space, with bunk beds for the children, a seating area, vanity area, loads of storage space, a super king size bed and an extra seating area with 2 large port holes. It was really lovely and the view was brilliant. Our itinerary was from Malaga to Valencia, Rome, Pisa/Florence and Corsica. We enjoyed it thoroughly and as a cruise specialist I have loads of tips and advice should you wish to book a cruise holiday!

08 September 2011

I travelled with my Husband and our 2 Children aged 7 & 1. Our first stop was Barcelona. We stayed in a hotel just off Las Ramblas and we loved this city. It's so vibrant but with so much culture. There’s something for absolutely everyone. We enjoyed the endless shops, we fed the pigeons in the Plaza Catalunya, took a cable car ride, we visited Mount Juic, Barcelona Zoo, Camp Nou Stadium and Sagrada Familia. We also did a tour bus ride passing the famous monuments and buildings and we saw the Olympic Stadium. We loved the pavement cafes, the hidden courtyards, street entertainers and market stalls. Barcelona is a city that never sleeps and I would highly recommend a visit there. You can do it before a cruise as we did, or just for a weekend away or even as a gateway to another Spanish resort. Barcelona has a fantastic rail system and has the advantage of being near beaches so you can combine beach and shopping in one trip. From Barcelona Port we boarded our cruise ship, the MSC Splendida. It is a beautiful ship. The decor is very rich and Italian. Our cabin was a balcony cabin on deck 11. It was spacious and very comfortable for 2 adults and 2 children. The food was plentiful and good quality and there was always a good variety. We enjoyed the shows in the main Theatre as they were very family orientated and although it is an Italian ship, everything was said in 4 languages including English. There was no baby pool as such, however I liked that there were small pools around the larger pool so I could allow my children to play happily while I relaxed. I had the pleasure of some Spa treatments onboard which were heavenly. The spa rooms have floor to ceiling windows so you can lie there and watch the gentle waves go by. There is a Children’s Club onboard but my children were happy to do their own thing. The Formula 1 Similator and 4D cinema looked like fun for the older teenagers or adult children!! My Children were just a bit small. Our cruise itinerary was from Barcelona to Marseille, Genoa, Naples, Palermo, Tunis and Palma. Having been to Marseille before on a different cruise, we took advantage of a quieter day by the pool. In Genoa we brought the children to the Aquarium. In Naples we stayed on the ship as we had been there before too. In Palermo we took a horse and carriage ride around the centre where we were shown museums, theatres and the shopping areas. We also had a chance to walk around the centre afterwards. In Tunis we did an organised tour of the Mdina and Souk which was enjoyable. In Palma we took a taxi to the centre which is just beside the Cathedral. Again there was beautiful pavement cafes and plenty of designer shops . Back in Barcelona we collected our hire car and drove up the coast to a resort called Santa Susanna. We stayed very close to the main strip and were there for 5 nights. We really enjoyed this part of Spain and certainly as an add-on from Barcelona it was very nice. There were loads of shops and restaurants. There were those little trains to take you all around the resort. We hired a Family Bicycle for the four of us which was fun and every night along the strip there were little stalls like a night market, the whole way along the strip. It was really lovely. We also did a day trip to Girona from here which is closer than Barcelona. The Historical Centre of Girona is really lovely. It reminded me of a smaller version of Barcelona. They even have a little Las Ramblas and gain, there was the beautiful architecture and back street shops with beautiful arts and crafts. I would also recommend Girona for a weekend break or you could continue on to another Spanish resort from there also. I hope you enjoyed this Travel Journal and if you would like more information or indeed book a trip to any of the places mentioned, please do not hesitate to contact me.

15 February 2011

This was my 3rd visit to Australia. I travelled with my husband and our 2 sons aged 7 & 1. I hope you enjoy the read and will be inspired to travel to this amazing Country.We flew via Hong Kong to Brisbane - see separate Journal for Hong Kong From Brisbane we hired a car and drove to Hervey Bay/Fraser Island - see separate Journal for Fraser Island From Fraser Island we travelled inland to the Hinterland where I have family. This is a very picturesque area and is particularly popular with Artists. We visited areas such as Conondale, Maleny, Eumundi & Montville. Conondale is a small little Town set amidst rolling hills and creeks a very tranquil area. Maleny is a bustling town with loads of little Art & Craft shops, many stock homemade produce. Montville is similar with amazing views over the Hinterland. I especially loved the Christmas Shop there! Eumundi although quite similar had a cool hippy market which is set up every week. In total we spent 4 days here and enjoyed the scenery. From here we travelled 40 minutes to the Coast to Maroochydore which is a big bustling resort with a fabulous beach and plenty of shopping and eateries. We flew from Maroochydore to Airlie Beach (Whitsundays). This area was amazing. It's a good drive from Proserpine Airport. Our accommodation had fabulous sea views. Airlie Beach is a busy Town good for all types of travellers. We met loads of other families and backpackers. There was good nightlife, but we were there for the sights! We took a trip to Whithaven Beach (most photographed beach in the world), we also took a sea plane over the Great Barrier Reef where we could see the Heart Reef. It was breathtaking. We could see sting ray swimming in the turquoise waters below. We went scuba diving and snorkeling here also, which is a must. We also visited the wetlands and had the pleasure of meeting some of the areas Saltwater Crocs! After Airlie Beach we continued to Cairns stopping at Townsville for 1 night. Townsville is ideal for a stop. It's a really big town also at the coast with large beaches. We stayed in Cairns for 5nts. I really liked Cairns. Our hotel was on the Esplanade with beautiful sea views. There were plenty of shops and markets. Whilst in Cairns we visited some of the nearby places of interest and did some amazing boat trips. We snorkeled in the Barrier Reef and the colours of the coral and fish was just unimaginable! We took the Scenic railway to Kuranda which is an absolutely gorgeous town & beautifully kept. There were hippy markets and Aboriginal shops and you could visit some of Australia’s unique animals. On the way back we took the Sky Rail across the Rainforest, it ran for approx 8 kms and the views are just breathtaking. We also visited Port Douglas which is really lovely; we swam in Mossman Gorge (Daintree National Park). One of the things I really loved about Australia is how clean it was everywhere we went and I loved that there were public areas/parks with swimming pools that had life guards and they were kept so well and they were free. At night you could have BBQ's there and there was always security patrolling the area but there was never any trouble. I will definitely go back to Australia. There are so many places to see and explore. Other places I have been to include - Sydney & surrounding areas including Blue Mountains, Surfers Paradise & Brisbane, so if you have any questions on these areas please don’t hesitate to call me! On our return we travelled via Singapore - see separate journal for Singapore Tips: Driving in Australia is very easy. They drive on the same side of the road as we do in Ireland. The road from Brisbane to Cairns is called the Bruce Highway and it is straight the whole way. You only need to leave it when you are stopping off somewhere.

20 December 2010

Singapore is a fabulous city. I stopped here on the way back from Australia with my husband and our 2 Children aged 7 & 1. There were so many things we did such as Little India, China Town, Universal Studios, City Tour, Singapore Flyer, Boat trip, a visit to Clarke Quay. A visit to the famous Raffles Hotel and there was endless shopping. I have never seen so many shops. We were only there for 3 days and we were sorry we didn't have longer. There were so many other things we could have done on Sentosa Island and the Night Zoo etc.... I would highly recommend a visit to Singapore and the people were so helpful and friendly.

20 December 2010

I opted to do Hong Kong as a stopover on the way to Australia with my husband and our 2 children aged 7 & 1. We stayed at the Eaton Hotel, Kowloon and it was perfect. We had a small suite which looked out on to the Golden Mile, so called as it lights up like Times Square at night. The hotel was situated across from the night market also which was really handy. We thoroughly enjoyed Hong Kong. The highlight of the trip was our visit to Disneyland which was so magical. We also visited Ocean Park - Theme Park and took a ride in a Sampan Boat. At night we watched the dancing lights on some of the buildings overlooking the harbour. There was an endless amount of shopping for both the bargain hunter and for those who enjoy the chic designer outlets. We only spent 3 days there but we really enjoyed it and found that it had everything we needed to cater for our family. The food was really nice and plenty of choice of all types of cuisine.

08 December 2010

Fraser Island is truly amazing and I felt it warrants its own testimonial. I stayed here with my husband and our 2 Children aged 7 & 1. This was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. The shear beauty of the Island is breathtaking. We only stayed 2 nights as it is quite expensive to stay in the Kingfisher Bay Hotel but we wished we could have stayed longer. We did a beauty spot tour by 4 wheel drive bus which was just spectacular and along the way we had the pleasure of paying extra to get an aerial view of the island by light aircraft. I hope that the photos do it justice and that you enjoy browsing through them. There was a good choice of restaurants around the hotel. The swimming pool was absolutely gorgeous and heated even though it was summer. The views around the hotel were to die for. This is a very romantic place if you are considering a honeymoon in Australia you should definitely include Fraser Island. It's not all honeymoon couples though, there are families too and my family loved every minute of it.

17 April 2010

Tenerife is a lovely Island with plenty to do for everyone. We stayed in La Caletta a suburb of Playa De Las Americas which was lovely and as we had a car everywhere was completely accessible. We found loads to do for families. We drove to Mount Teide and took the cable car to the top which was breathtaking, but not for the faint hearted!! Tenerife is great for Scuba Diving and hill walking. My Husband went diving and really enjoyed it. There are also plenty of boat trips and we had the pleasure of spotting Whales on one of those trips. We found an endless amount of shops to explore with great bargains from designer labels to perfumes. There are many lovely beaches with plenty of water based activities. There are loads of really nice restaurants too. A lot of the bars & restaurants provide Family entertainment which was great. On one of our days out we visited the resort of Los Gigantes which we thought was really beautiful. Very picturesque. It was quite hilly though. Other resorts we visited were Los Cristianos, which is really nice. It's a bustling resort but far more low key than Las Americas which is truely for the night owl. There is also the option of staying in Las Americas without being too close to the nightlife. We found a very nice area with lovely restaurants and a designer outlet which was more upmarket and away from the hustle & bustle of all the nightlife. I loved the fact that Los Cristianos, Las Americas, Costa Adeje and La Caletta are all withn a 20 minute drive from the airport.

17 April 2010

New York is really fantastic. The sightseeing is endless - as is the shopping. I travelled with my Partner and our 5 year old Son, so shopping wasn't our biggest priority. As it was our first time in New York, we decided to stick to the sights. We did the Downtown, Uptown & Brooklyn bus tours which were really good and it helped us to find our way around the city. We also took the ferry from Battery Park to Liberty & Ellis Islands. The view of the City looking back was brilliant. When we booked our tickets for the Tour Bus, we also got tickets for a cruise on the circle line, which took us up the Hudson River under Brooklyn & Manhattan Bridges. We opted for the later cruise at 4pm and the sunset on the way back was spectacular. Our Hotel (Novotel) was right at Times Square & the Broadway Theatres, which was brilliant and also within walking distance of Radio City Music Hall and the Rockefeller Centre. The Rockefeller Centre is well worth visiting, with amazing views of the city from the "Top of the Rock". In the winter there is also the added bonus of the Ice Skating Rink in Rockefeller Plaza. There is a second rink in Central Park and you can't go to New York without taking a Horse & Carriage ride through Central Park. As we were looking for a more Family orientated trip, we visited the Central Park Zoo which is small but really nice and very cheap and we then walked across to FAO Schwarz (Toy Store) which is opposite the Plaza Hotel (Hotel used in Home Alone). We did all the other sites too like the Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, Macy's, Ground Zero etc.. The thing I noticed most about New York was that the locals were so very friendly and that alone would ensure my return.

09 August 2009

Having decided to only take a week for our Honeymoon we wanted to do something really different but not too far away. We decided to hire and skipper or own private Power Boat/Yacht! With no experience we firstly did a course in Ireland and obtained our licences. We then hired a Cranchi Zaffiro 34 from Alimos Marina, Athens (Greece). We flew into Athens and boarded our yacht and although it's not huge we instantly felt like millionaires. We enjoyed 6 nights in the Saronic Gulf and vistied the Islands of Aegina, Poros, Hydra & Spetsos. All of which were beautiful and very unspoilt but our favourite had to be Poros. A very typical Greek seaside Village it was really picturesque with lovely cafes, ice cream parlours and a scattering of restaurants. Although small it was quite busy and there is a fantastic ferry service between all of the islands. We spent most of our days anchored in turquoise coves, where we snorkelled and basicly did nothing. It was like Paradise. We spent our last night in a hotel in Athens near Omonia Square. It had a roof top swimming pool with the most fantastic view of the City and the Acropolis. At night you could eat in the roof top restaurant again with a view of the Acropolis which was lit up. We watched a beautiful sunset over the hills on the opposite side - very romantic!! What amazed me most about Athens was the size of it. It reminded me of New York without the skyscrapers and it has all the designer boutiques and cafes and department stores. I was really impressed and was sorry we hadn't more time there. I will definitely go back again. We had a fabulous honeymoon and would recommend it to the more adventurous holiday makers.

28 July 2009

As a big fan of Greece I couldn't resist travelling to Zakynthos with my Family. We stayed in very basic accommodation on the outskirts of Laganas and pre-booked a car from the airport. Laganas is a very vibrant resort with plenty of bars for the young at heart. There is also a good long beach at the end of the strip. For families it's a good idea to stay in accommodation away from the centre. We did enjoy our stay though and found plenty of things to do. We took a submarine trip which is good fun and there were family activities such as karting & mini golf. Having hired the car we managed to drive around most of the Island. Zakynthos Town is really nice. There is a lovely square with nice little cafes to sit and watch the world go by. The Town Hall (were I can arrange weddings from) is just at the top of the Square and off that there are side streets full of shops. There are bicycles and battery powered cars etc for children to hire while you sit and relax. You can also take the ferry to neighbouring Islands from the port which is across from the marina. Kalamaki is where the unspoilt Caretta Beach is. Famous for it's loggerhead turtles, the locals take pride in protecting the beach and the turtles nesting grounds. We had the pleasure of hiring a small motor boat where we spotted several Turtles. My Husband also went scuba diving and he said it was very enjoyable. We found a beautiful little seaside town called Keri which has a tiny beach but with fine sand as far out as you can walk. There are a few little restaurants and shops, but otherwise a sleepy town for people who enjoy peace and tranquility - our little bit of heaven. Although we only really passed through Tsivily & Argassi they looked like nice Resorts. Tsilivi seemed to have a very large beach and we enjoyed walking around the shops there. Argassi had plenty of shops and family activities, but we didn't get to see the beach. Some of the other trips we did included The Blue Caves which was really nice and Ship Wreck Beach & the Water Park which was good fun. The rest of the time was spent chilling at the beach. In my opinion, I don't think this is one of the nicest Greek Island's but we certainly did enjoy it and there was plenty of really nice scenery. Give me a call for more information............

08 July 2009

Situated on the Balck Sea, Bulgaria has something to suit all tastes, from spectacular mountains and fine sandy beaches to traditional picturesque villages. There is also plenty of nightlife for the night owls. I stayed in the bustling resort of Sunny Beach. Let me tell you some more.... Sunny Beach is the largest resort in Bulgaria with the longest and widest beach. The resort is good for children with plenty of family restaurants and loads of fun areas all along the strip. There are several mini golf courses throughout the resort. There are mini trains to take you around and horse and carriages for the old romantics. There is also surfing, water skiing, hang-gliding, paddleboats, scooters, rowboats, tennis courts, and beach volleyball. There were endless shops where we could spend our days haggling with the locals, not that anything costs much anyway. The night life with disco bars etc is really good and local drinks are quite cheap. What I liked most about it was that it was all in one area at the top of the strip which was away from a lot of the family hotels and apartments. We could walk there in a few minutes, but you will be sure to get a better nights sleep if you stay further down the strip. Things we did: I would definitely recommend the jeep safari. It's great fun for all the family. We visited the neighbouring resort of Nessebar. It is a more typical Bulgarian type village, with loads of shops selling everything from sports wear to jewellery and trinkets. There are loads of lovely restaurants. The boat is a little more expensive than a taxi, but you could get the boat over and a taxi back. Scuba diving is quite good and the water is usually very clear with plenty of marine life to see including sea horses - very cute!! We found there are a number of different boat trips and you can also visit the Turkish city of Istanbul. I thoroughly enjoyed my holiday here and it is definitely perfect for a family break. If you are planning a trip to Bulgaria give me a call and I can give you some more useful tips.

08 July 2009

I travelled to Malta with my Husband and our Son who was then 3 yrs. Although it was off season we had a lovely time. The weather was really nice, about 17 degrees with the odd shower. We stayed in the Resort of St Pauls Bay, which was lovely, but my preference if I were to return would be to stay in Sliema or St Julians. Selima is more upmarket with nice Restaurants, while St Julians is good for nightlife. St Pauls Bay was just a bit small and quiet for us. We hired a car and drove from the airport which was very easy. The Island is quite tiny and very easy to get around by car, so it didn't matter all that much where we stayed. Valetta is a fascinating city steeped in history and we enjoyed a guided boat ride from Sliema into Valetta. We also visited a market there, which wasn't the best but I am sure it would be better during the summer months. Some of the other places we visited were, Marsascala - a more sleepy town with pavement cafes, Mellieha were there is a war museum and a sandy beach with some nice restaurants and cafes. Although Malta is not popular for it's beaches, there are a few scattered around the Island and Paradise Bay is probably the best one. Just past Mellieha we got the Ferry to Gozo which seemed lovely. A tiny version of Malta. Further on we found the Popeye village, which is lovely for Families and I believe at Christmas they do it up as a Christmas Village. We also visited the Play Mobil factory which is great fun for Children. All of their toys are on display for Children to play and there's a cafe and playground too. There is a Dolphin Park between St Pauls & St Julians on the main road and you can see Dolphin shows and swim with the Dolphins if you are a bit adventurous. There are also some other birds and animals too. I found that accommodation is quite basic, but clean but of course there are also many 5 star hotels on the island. The local people are very friendly and all speak English. Malta is big on scuba diving and my Husband enjoyed a dive there with one of the PADI centres. We did plenty more during our 5 night visit and I would definitely recommend this Island as a holiday destination. Why not see for yourself????

06 March 2009

I travelled with my Husband and our Son who was 3 months old at the time. We stayed in a 3 bed villa near Puerto Del Carmen with car hire included. The Villa (Tamarindos) was gorgeous, part of an estate with private access. It had everything we wanted and included a good sized private swimming pool. We were only a few minutes drive from the Old Town with it's lovely restaurants and big shopping centre. Further on is the newer part and it's wide beach, which although has dark sand is very nice and was always kept very clean. There are loads of very nice restaurants along the strip. Lanzarote has lots to do and as it's a volcanic Island, it has many places of interest quite different from other destinations. It looks a bit like landing on the moon. We visited Cesar Manrique's cave house and museum, the Cactus Garden, The Cave of Los Verdos, Timanfaya National Park, Jameos Del Agua, Mirador Del Rio to name a few. All worth visiting. We also took the ferry from Playa Blanca to the neighbouring Island of Fuerteventura which had beautiful white sandy beaches. We were in the resort of Corralejo which had plenty of Restaurants and bars, and a water park. The Island of Fuerteventura is very popular with surfers as it can be quite windy. It has low key nightlife, geared towards Couples wanting to relax and unwind or Families. This was my second trip to Lanzarote and I would recommend it for Families & Couples or Singles looking for nightlife, but not too hectic. All the hotels and apartments are low rise and modern.

01 March 2009

If I said to you "Close your eyes and picture white sandy beaches and turquoise waters" I bet your mind would drift to the Caribbean, but there is no need to go that far... One of the most popular destinations in Europe for families and yet so much of the Island is unspoilt. Majorca is one of my favourite European destinations for many reasons, but mainly its beauty and charm. With sprawling fine white sandy beaches and stunning scenery it makes it hard to come home. My personal favourite in Majorca are the quainter resorts with tiny coves and little hideaways. Resorts such as Andratx and Soller have a sleepy relaxed feel and while I normally base myself in some of the busier areas, I always have a car on hand to escape the hustle and bustle. While holidaying with my partner and our son we explored the Island from North to South and East to West, spending endless hours on the many beaches on offer or taking in the spectacular scenery from the Mountains down to the sea. There are several resorts dotted around the Island that we visited such as Alcudia, Puerto Pollensa, Paguera and Cala D'Or and they make for a great holiday with a low key atmosphere yet with plenty to do. Resorts such as Santa Ponsa, Palma Nova and Magaluf are also popular for their close proximity to the airport and lively atmospheres. There are loads of eateries from fast food places to more upmarket restaurants to choose from and all very reasonably priced. Some the attractions that we sampled are: Pirates - a family show with acrobatics and dancing - book in advance. Caves of Drach - Caves 25 metres below the surface with a subterranean lake where classical concerts are preformed – stunning. There are numerous water parks to amuse and markets for shopping. The Cathedral of Palma is amazing and you can also travel from Palma to Soller by vintage Train! Call me for first hand tips on Majorca. Palma is excellent too as a “City Break” in the early summer months.

22 September 2008

Although Barbados is a relatively small island there is much to explore so you should consider renting a car during your stay. There's so much to discover about this island - from the historic homes and buildings, to underground caves. You will see tropical flowers and breathtaking landscapes and seascapes. Take a tour of the local towns and villages to truly experience Bajan life!! Barbados is one of the most relaxing places I have been to and yet so much fun. You can while away the hours sipping cocktails at the beach or spend your day doing something adventurous like a jeep safari, swimming with the turtles, scuba diving or even a tree top trek and for the golf lovers, there's always Sandy Lane. The people are friendly, fun loving, warm and they love to party. They made our stay a memorable and very happy one. When the sun goes down in Barbados, the fun continues! Barbados nightlife is extensive and varied, providing entertainment for every taste, from historic dinner shows to romantic cruises. St.Lawrence Gap is the main party spot on the island and definitely worth a visit if you are looking for nightlife. The island is a great location for a family holiday. Enjoy the wonderful beaches and watersports activities, or for fun there's the Wildlife Reserve or Harrison's Cave! The whole family really enjoyed the thrill of the submarine trip, and there is also a helicopter ride option. Most of the hotels cater very much for children. Why not experience it for yourself!!

10 September 2008

With a beautiful coastline, dotted with bays, beaches, steep cliffs and many forested islands, Croatia definitely is the Pearl of the Adriatic. Dubrovnik is an integrated, living walled city which has been placed on the list of World Heritage sites. It has everything from designer shops to chic, sophisticated cafes and restaurants. The one thing to note is that it is accessed mainly via hundreds of steps. Once inside the main walls you will feel like you have gone back in time. Enjoy a walk along the top of the castle walls, with amazing views down to the crystal clear waters below or take a boat ride to some of the nearby islands. Lose yourself in the many shops and stalls or just sit and watch the world go by. The choice is yours.......... I stayed in the Lapad Peninsula which is very close to Dubrovnik and as we had a car, nowhere was too far. Lapad has a quiet, laid back feel. I would recommend staying there if you are looking for somewhere to just relax by the pool during the day and enjoy drinks in your hotel at night. There is not much else around at night and you would need to get taxis or drive to Dubrovnik. Cavtat is a really lovely village not far from Dubrovnik. It has a small stoney beach and lovely pavement cafes. There are some really nice hotels in this area. Driving is very easy in Croatia and having a car it allowed us to travel to Montenegro which was very beautiful and further up the Croatian coast where we took a ferry to Korcula, a beautiful island also steeped in history. It's very popular for walking and hiking enthusiasts. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed my stay in Croatia. The people were friendly, the food was tasty and the scenery was spectacular.