17 December 2024

I visited Dubai in September 2022 and spent 4 nights in seeing the sights and all that Dubai has to offer. It was a busy few days with 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 even had a view of the Burj Khalifa. 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. Expect long queues 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. On exiting the Dubai Mall, we went down to the Waterfront Boardwalk to see the Dubai 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. I would recommend booking a table at Joes Café for a clear view of the shows as the area is busy with lots of tourists. On day two we went 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 also visited the Museum of the future. 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 were 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. Dubai is an incredible place, super clean, amazing food and very safe! Yes, it’s expensive and I would advise half board as a dining option. It an amazing city to visit and I will definitely be back again. Since I was there lots of more attractions have opened including the Dubai Frame. I would also love to do a helicopter tour of the city to take in another viewpoint. Dubai would be a lovely break on its own or it is popular as a stopover to Asia, Africa or Australia.

17 December 2024

I visited Athens on day trip from my recent cruise. My flight was departing late so I took a taxi into the city and dropped my bags in a baggage drop at Syntagma Square. It is probably one of my favourite cities I have visited so far. A day trip in the city offers a perfect opportunity to experience the city's rich history, ancient monuments, and vibrant culture in a short time. I took the local tourist train to get my bearings in the city. It cost around €7 for roughly an hour. From here I was able to walk to the temple of Zeus and to Acroplis Hill to visit the Parthenon. The Acropolis is Athens' most famous landmark, home to iconic structures like the Parthenon, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the Erechtheion. It offers stunning views of the city and is a must-see for anyone visiting Athens. Located at the foot of the Acropolis, the Acropolis Museum showcases artifacts from the Acropolis archaeological site. The area close by to Acroplis hill is call Plaka, the old neighbourhood of Athens, which is a maze of narrow streets to explore some local shops and Greek restaurants and cafes. It is a very safe area. Monastiraki is also nearby and known for its vibrant flea market where you can find everything from antiques to souvenirs. Transportation in the city is very good. I got a taxi from the cruise port to the main square for less than €30 but there was buses for a few euro also available. Similarly, there are regular airport buses from Syntagma Square for roughly €5 one way and it takes about 45mins. There is no shortage of historic sights to visit along with plenty of museums if I had more time. Athens blends ancient history with modern-day vibrancy, making it a fantastic destination with something for every type of traveller. I will definitely be back to Athens in the future, and I would highly recommend it as a stopover on route to the Greek Isles or as a standalone city break.

17 December 2024

I was lucky enough to be invited onboard Enchanted Princess in 2023. The Enchanted Princess is a luxury cruise ship in the Princess Cruises fleet. It’s known for its sophisticated design, modern amenities, and exceptional service. The ship features a wide variety of dining options, entertainment, and luxurious staterooms. It also offers numerous activities, spa treatments, and excursions, making it ideal for both relaxation and exploration. The ship sailed from Rome to Athens on a 7-night itinerary of Italy, Greece and Turkey. Our first day we stopped in Naples. From here you have the opportunity to visit Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius. Instead, I decided to take the ferry to Sorrento to explore the city on foot and also stopped off on the Island of Capri for a quick visit. The ferries are very easy to navigate but you would need to ensure you have sufficient time to get back to the ship or risk missing your departure. If you book a planned excursion with the cruise company, they will ensure the ship will wait for you. Our next stop was in Crete. I explored Heraklion and the surrounding beaches for the day before boarding for a day at sea. There is so much onboard entertainment from Broadway style shows, live music to relaxing spa areas in the Lotus Spa. You could also use the fitness centre which includes a running/walking track. Our next stop included a day in Mykonos to wander around the cobble streets and enjoy some sightseeing in little Venice or from the Mykonos windmills. I got to enjoy a fabulous sunset over the Greek island before we set sail for Kusadasi in Turkey. In Kusadasi I enjoyed a morning of shopping. There are also a lot of excursions to enjoy here on this stop. The ship continued to Istanbul. We took a taxi into the Grand bazaar and while on foot we took in a visit to the Blue Mosque. Istanbul was very busy but a very enjoyable city. Our last stop on the cruise was in Athens. This was my favourite stop. We were disembarking this day, so I took the opportunity to take a taxi into the city. I dropped my bag in a local baggage drop and explored the city on foot. I got to visit the Acropolis and the Parthenon as well as the temple of Zeus. There is so much to see and do in the city I will definitely be back in the future. The streets close to the Syntagma Square were filled with little shops and Greek tavernas along cobbles narrow paths. There was a lovely, relaxed atmosphere in this area. My flight was a late direct flight back to Dublin. It would be worth extending your stay in Athens to explore more of what the city has to offer. I would highly recommend Princess Cruises. The food and entertainment onboard were amazing. The offer a Medallion Class service enhances your cruise experience with a wearable device that allows you to unlock your cabin, order drinks or food from anywhere on the ship, and even track your luggage. It’s all about offering a seamless, high-tech, and personalized cruising experience. The service onboard was really good, and this experience added to the whole trip. I stayed in an inside cabin which was very spacious but upgrading to a balcony or suite would be a lovely treat on any cruise. Especially as a honeymoon or special occasion cruise. Enchanted Princess offers a wide variety of dining experiences, from casual buffets to fine dining, ensuring there’s something to suit every taste and occasion. Whether you're in the mood for a quick bite, a specialty pizza, or a multi-course gourmet dinner, you’ll find a venue that caters to your culinary preferences. The Enchanted Princess, like other ships in the Princess Cruises fleet, offers a variety of exciting and engaging children's entertainment and programs designed to keep young cruisers entertained and happy while parents enjoy some downtime. The ship is family-friendly and provides tailored activities for children of different age groups. Get in touch with me to explore your next cruise holiday.

17 December 2024

In October 2023 I got the opportunity to visit Mykonos on a day trip from my Princess Cruise Fam trip. Mykonos is one of the most popular and famous islands in Greece, known for its stunning beauty, vibrant nightlife, and charming Cycladic architecture. • The best time to visit Mykonos is from May to October, when the weather is warm and sunny, and the island is bustling with activity. • July and August are the peak tourist months, so if you prefer a quieter experience, it’s better to visit in May, June, or September. Some of the best sights on the island which are worth visiting on the island are Mykonos Town itself. It was lovely to roam through the winding streets to see the whitewashed buildings. The town had a fabulous atmosphere as you explored the labyrinth of narrow cobblestone streets while browsing the quaint tourist shops. Little Venice features buildings with balconies that extend over the water and provide the perfect backdrop for sunset views. It’s one of the most picturesque spots on the island. There were some lovely restaurants and cafes along this are where you could enjoy a meal or drink to sit and people watch with beautiful sea views. From here I went onto explore the windmills of Mykonos. These are perched on a hill above Mykonos town. The views from here were also breath taking. There are several beaches on the island from the lively atmosphere of Super Paradise beach which has vibrant beach clubs and DJ performances. I didn’t visit this beach as my visit was short. There is also Psarou Beach and Elia Beach. Mykonos would be a lovely honeymoon destination. It would be lovely to also combine with some of the other Greek island. There are regular ferries which I can book for you between the Greek islands to make the perfect Greek itinerary. Athens is a lovely city break addition to any Greek holiday.

03 August 2022

This year, we went on our family holiday to Lake Garda and Verona. We flew from Cork to Milan Bergamo and got a private transfer to Bella Italia Campsite in Peschiera Del Garda. This town is set on the south of lake Garda just over an hour transfer from the airport. Verona airport would be a closer option but flights at the time were not available from Cork. We stayed with Eurocamp in a 3 bedroom azure mobile, which sleeps up to 6 people. The mobile was equipped and had a separate toilet and shower room. We booked a linen package to include bed sheets, bath towels and beach towels. While the living space in our mobile wouldn’t have been huge we had an extra large deck area outside to enjoy. Bella Italia has plenty of facilities to entertain children. It has 4 pools with slides for the bigger kids and an area for the smallies. The pool area has a snack bar close by. There are zones set in various locations throughout the park to entertain all ages from toddlers to teens such as a bouncy castle park, soccer pitch, tennis courts and carousel rides. The park also has a kids club and provides nightly entertainment for all ages. There is an onsite supermarket, green grocers and shop to buy all the essential water gear. There is a few restaurants on site and a bar but if I'm being honest I preferred to eat out in Peschiera as there was some lovely restaurants in the town. The park provided a tourist train into town which took no more then 7 mins and cost only a few euro with a service running every hour. The town was only a 15 minute walk away along a scenic path. We spent 9 nights in the campsite and did a variety of day trips. We spent two days in Gardaland theme park which catered for all ages with rollercoasters, a Peppa pig world which my little girl just loved. She even got to meet the “real” Peppa so she says. My son was delighted to go to the on site Legoland waterpark which we paid extra for but it was well worth the evening pass. There is a free shuttle from the train station in Peschiera to Gardaland but there is also a public bus just outside the main gate which will pass by Gardaland on a regular basis. Another day we went by ferry to Lazise which was a lovely little town to spend a few hours. There is a big children's playground outside the castle walls and some lovely restaurants by the lake to relax and enjoy a meal or drink. We got a bus on our last day there to Malcesine in the north of the Lake. This is where we got married some years ago. It’s a fabulous town with a Castle in the centre, definitely worth exploring. There is a cable car to the top of the mountain with lovely views over the lake. The bus journey is only an hour and cost us about €15 one way. Another town worth visiting is Sirmione which has a lovely spa. We had our final night in Verona. We arranged a taxi with reception in the campsite. The drive took less then 30mins. We stayed in a lovely boutique hotel which was only a 10 min walk to the Arena. Verona is very easy to get around, we took a tourist train around to see some of the sights. Of course we walked to see the famous Romeo and Juliet's balcony. We also took a tour of the Arena and ate our last pizza by the Arena while listening to a concert inside. I would highly recommend a holiday in Lake Garda and a short break in Verona for families or couples. There is so much to do. Whether you decide to stay in a campsite or book a hotel I can help you to plan an itinerary to remember. Get in touch to start planning your next Italian escape.

02 August 2022

I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to be invited onboard the launch of Celebrity Beyond ship in April. Along with many of my colleagues we flew to Heathrow and transferred by bus to Southampton port. An antigen test was required at that time within 48 hours before boarding and I had to upload my proof of vaccination to the celebrity app in order to obtain by sail pass. Boarding the ship is not too unlike checking in for a flight. The check in staff checked all our documents on arrival and we were cleared to board. To say I was blown away by the interior of the ship is an understatement. I stayed in an infinity balcony stateroom which meant our room extended out into the balcony making it feel even bigger. I really would recommend a balcony stateroom on board any cruise ship as it gives extra space and waking up each morning to a different view is amazing. If budget doesn’t allow for it you could always book an ocean view cabin which has a window or an interior cabin which has no window and hence no views. Of course you can upgrade to a suite for an extra special treat giving more space and benefits depending on the ship and company you are sailing with. While onboard Beyond I had the choice of 32 food and beverage venues including eight specialty restaurants with an array of bars and lounges. Specialty restaurants need to be booked in advance and you do have to pay an extra supplement to dine in these restaurants. The food on board was really good. I experienced all the areas of the ship from the Grand Plaza, Rooftop Garden, Eden Restaurant & Bar, Resort Deck and even the Magic Carpet to mention but a few. The Magic Carpet is a cantilevered, floating platform that reaches heights of 13 stories over sea level. While I didn’t do any shopping on board there are a few shops to sample. There is even a casino if you fancy your luck on the slot machines or poker. There is no shortage of night entertainment from the club to the theatre. I loved the décor on board. The attention to detail was amazing from cushions on chairs to wall art. I would highly recommend booking a cruise on board Beyond for a couple or group of adults. While there is a small kids entertainment area I feel it is more a reserved atmosphere on board and the pools wouldn’t be huge to facilitate a lot of children. If you would like to book a cruise and have any questions about itineraries or cruising in general get in touch and I would be happy to discuss in more detail.

02 November 2020

What a lovely week I had when myself and my 2 kids, 1 year and 4 years together with my mother headed off to Lanzarote for a week. We stayed in the Fariones Apartmentos between the Old & the New Town. It was an ideal location as it was close to restaurants, the beach and the Biosphere shopping centre. Our accommodation was spacious, very clean and included a fabulous breakfast every day in the little restaurant - everything from delicious fruit, meats, cheeses, so many types of bread, juices and even a warm selection for those that want something more substantial including bacon, eggs, beans, pancakes and hash browns. As it was off season the kids club wasn’t running when I was there. However, they did have a Festival on over the weekend which provided us with great entertainment. The resort had a parade of local dancers and face painting for the kids. We could also use the facilities in the Los Fariones Hotel & the Fariones Playa apartments just around the corner so every evening there was live music. The resort has a fabulous long promenade where you can enjoy a long walk while enjoying views of the sea or browsing the various souvenir shops or boutiques. The Biosphere shopping centre which was located close to our accommodation had a great array of shops for all ages along with Jurassic Park Crazy Golf which went down a hit with my kids. Whether you are a family, large or small, or just a couple looking for good food, drink and a week or so away to enjoy some sunshine I would have no hesitations in recommending Lanzarote. There are lots of things to do and see including the Teguise & Playa Blanca Markets, a visit to the National Park, a Wild West Show at Rancho Texas, and the water park in Costa Teguise is a must with the kids too or even the kids at heart!

15 October 2019

One of my favourite destinations has to be Croatia, where I’ve been lucky enough to visit twice. The first time as a couple and then with our one-year old son. When we travelled the first time, we stayed in a little town called Cavtat which has a beautiful seafront promenade with lovely restaurants and bars. It is the ideal place to relax and watch the boats arriving in the harbour. We stayed in the 5 star Hotel Croatia which was amazing. We also had the opportunity to visit Montenegro while on our first trip. While it isn’t as developed as many European countries it is definitely worth a visit as it has some beautiful scenery and lovely restaurants. From Cavtat we took a day trip to Medjugorje, which is of course is a famous pilgrimage destination. On route we stopped in the town of Mostar located in Bosnia. The town is famous for its iconic Old Bridge which was destroyed during the war in 1993. It was subsequently rebuilt and acts as a major tourist attraction. Mostar is well worth a visit as it has interesting historical landmarks. Croatia has beautiful clean green waters for swimming however the beaches are mainly pebbles rather than sand. It is worth bearing this in mind if you like lying on a sandy beach. The walled old town of Dubrovnik is beautiful with shops and plenty of restaurants. We walked the walls and took the cable car to avail of the views. Be aware the city gets very busy when the cruise liners dock at the city gates. We returned to Croatia a second time for my brother’s wedding and decided to stay in the Lapad area of Dubrovnik. Staying in the 4 star Hotel Kompas. It wasn't as busy and is only a 10-minute bus journey to the old town, but it was much more relaxed. There no shortage of restaurants in the area. The hotel we stayed at was ideally situated with views of the beach and sea and we enjoyed our breakfast every morning on the terrace overlooking the sea. Being close to the harbour we took the opportunity of a boat trip to Lopud Island with the family. We had free time there to have lunch and relax on the beach before returning to our hotel that evening. Both of our trips to Croatia were fantastic and it is a destination I highly recommend to all types of travellers as it has something to offer both couples and families. If you’re interested in planning a short couple's getaway or a family holiday why not get in touch to find out more!

15 October 2019

I travelled to Australia on two occasions as my brother used to live there. The first time was for 6 weeks with my husband and we flew via Singapore. To break up the journey we spent 2 days in Singapore which is a beautiful city-country. We did the hop on hop off sightseeing bus tour as we wanted to see as much as possible during our short stay. We got to stop at the Singapore Flyer, Chinatown, Little India and Garden of Bays to name a few. After a short stay in Singapore, we continued our trip to Sydney and we were eager to see all the tourist attractions the city offers such as Manley Beach, Darling Harbour, the opera house. After visiting these tourist attractions we decided to leave the city for 2 nights and visited the Blue Mountains. We travelled by train and stayed in a guesthouse in the town of Katoomba. It’s a very scenic area set in the National Park with views of the rugged mountains less than 2 hours from Sydney. It was ideal to get away from the busy city. When I returned to Sydney for a second time we visited Palm Beach just north of Sydney. This is where the TV series Home & Away is set and I even got to meet Alf as the cast were filming a scene at the time which was very exciting. Another highlight of Sydney for me was eating in the 360 Bar and dining restaurant which is a revolving restaurant where you can dine and take in the amazing views that Sydney has to offer. We travelled to Melbourne next to take in the Melbourne Cup which was a great experience. We also visited the fairy penguins on Philip Island which is a few hours outside Melbourne and a helicopter trip of the area. We continued our trip with another internal flight this time to the North East town of Cairns. We hired a campervan for 2 weeks to travel down the coast to Brisbane, where we stayed between the campervan and chalets in campsites. We visited many landmarks including Fraser island, the Whitsundays, Noosa and Whitehaven beach. On returning to Brisbane we chose to fly back to Sydney where we spent our final days enjoying some beach time and shopping. Australia was an amazing adventure for me! If you are interested in a trip to Australia why not give me a call to discuss your options.

15 October 2019

My husband and I decided to get married abroad in Italy and after we honeymooned Canada. We flew to Vancouver from Dublin for 3 nights stayed in the city centre we could be close to all the action and explore the city. I loved Vancouver as it was very easy to get around. While a city there was a very chilled and relaxed atmosphere here. It had everything from sightseeing, shopping and a great night life. We did the hop on, hop off bus which was ideal to get a feel for the city. We also visited the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park and took in the amazing views. On the fourth day we set off on an Alaskan cruise which I would highly recommend. We sailed with Celebrity cruise as they offer great onboard facilities and are known for their excellent food and entertainment. which had great facilities onboard. The food and entertainment were great. The little touches onboard made it even more special as I celebrated my birthday and was surprised with a birthday cake at dinner. We spent 7 days sailing the inside passage of Alaska and visited the towns of Juneau, Ketchikan and the famous Hubbard Glacier Valley. It was an amazing experience to be surrounded by glaciers on every side of the ship. We visited the valley on a beautiful sunny day which made the experience all the more memorable. We did various day tours from the ship on the days were docked including a flight over one of the glacier valleys and a historical tour with an Indian Native which was something different and very interesting. Once we arrived back to Vancouver we had a private transfer await us to bring us back to the airport. We finished our honeymoon with 3 nights in Toronto. We stayed in the downtown Toronto and found it to be a much busier city then Vancouver. We visited the CN Tower which has an observation tower that offers a 360 degree view of city both day and night. When in Toronto we decided to visit Niagara Falls as it had been on my bucket forever! The falls were simply amazing, we took the Maid of the Mist boat trip to the falls which I would recommend but be prepared you will get very wet. The Falls are in the town of Niagara on the Hill which I didn’t particularly like as It was quite touristy and full of fast food restaurants and carnivals. Our bus trip down from Toronto took us through Niagara on the Lake which was a nice quaint town with nice tourist shops and coffee shops. As it is only a short distance from the Falls, I'd recommend staying here if you’re planning a trip. On our final day we spent some time shopping back in Toronto. I would highly recommend a trip to Canada and the Alaskan cruise and I will definitely return in the near future. If your interested in planning a trip that combines visiting different cities and cruising why not contact me to find out more. With my first-hand experience I can tailor make the perfect getway for you!