dawsonforex

Sun, Sea, and Salou: Lucy’s Travel Diary

admin@travelmarketingsystems.com (TMS Help Team) — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 15:41:57 GMT

TRAVEL DAY

DEPARTURE

Travelling from Newcastle airport was very efficient as their new security machines let you keep all liquids and electronics in your bag. However, the machines flag some liquids, so we recommend you refrain from taking any expensive liquids in your hand luggage as they may dispose of them.

The flight was under 2.5 hours, which is great for families or people who prefer shorter flights. Throughout the flight, we were consistently offered hot meals and drinks.

We got to the hotel by private transfer using Holiday Extras. They were waiting at arrivals with a sign with all our names on, so they were easy to find and helped us with our luggage. The transfer was only around 15-20 mins, again, great for families.

DAY ONE

THE H10

We arrived at H10 Salarius Palace, and our room was not available for check-in as we arrived at 12 pm. However, we were able to store our luggage until it was ready. The receptionist advised us of the H10 app, which allows you to get all the details of the hotel and its facilities. There is a supermarket a 5-minute walk from the hotel, which is handy.

The hotel is average—not too big, but not too small. A supermarket is a 5-minute walk from the H10 Salarius Palace. There is plenty of space by the pool and a rooftop terrace with a Jacuzzi. The hotel also has a spa, sauna, and indoor heated pool. You can book these easily using the H10 app. The hotel reception also has schedules with daily entertainment and details about the kids' club.

The rooms were clean and spacious and have a good-sized balcony. They also have refillable toiletries, which is great for sustainability. The hotel is also using 100% renewable energy.

The hotel's food was great. We had breakfast and an evening meal. Both had great food and variety, including a kid's section at the buffet with plenty of choices for fussy eaters.

Tea and coffee are not automatically provided in the room; however, you can purchase them at the bar for 1.50 euros.

The H10 Vintage is an adult-only hotel. It has a more relaxing feel and is suitable for a wide range of ages, meaning it would be great for anyone. A unique feature of this hotel was the rooftop bar, which had great views and reasonable drink prices. Soft drinks were around 2 Euros, and beer was around 3.50 Euros. The rooms were spacious, and the dining area had a lot of choices. The hotel offers reusable water bottles for 4.50 euros with free refills to compact single-use plastics.

This hotel was closer to the Salou resort centre than the Salarius Palace if someone is looking for more of a 5-10 min walk to the beach.

Salou has plenty of choices when it comes to bars and restaurants. We walked along the main street, which had various options, which was good because there was something for everyone. The beach was lively but not too crowded, and the weather was around 20 degrees. In the evening, we walked along the beach and wanted to see the sunset, which was beautiful.

DAY TWO

PORTAVENTURA WORLD AND FERRARI LAND

The park is only a 15-minute walk from the H10 Salarius Palace, so it is an excellent location for access to the park. Getting in was easy; you only had to scan your ticket at the barrier.

There is an app with a map of the park and free Wi-Fi. We pre-booked the tickets with Do Something Different, which was significantly cheaper than buying them there. A day pass for both parks was 80 euros when bought there! There was plenty of choice for food, with various cuisines.

There were bins all around the park, so it was spotless. There were lots of toilets available, and I didn't queue once. The park was very accessible. Everywhere had ramps, and there were mobility scooters available to rent. They also have disability fast-track zones.

As someone who doesn't like rides, I was unsure whether I would enjoy this, however, I loved it. Port Aventura world has different themed areas, including the Mediterranean, Mexico, China, Far West and many more. The other areas felt like you were in different worlds, and the attention to detail was excellent. Various shows are going on throughout the day. We watched the Polynesian show, and it was spectacular. Plenty was going on for people who didn't like rides and would still recommend going if you don't.

The park is very sustainable. They have recycling points all around the park and a reusable cup scheme. You are automatically given a 1-euro reusable cup at the price. You can keep this as a souvenir or return it and get your money back. This is a great way to combat the use of single-use plastic.

Ferrari Land opens from 16:00 to 22:00. Because it is so close to the park, we left around 4 pm and went back around 8 pm after dinner. I recommend this, as it meant we had time to relax, and the queues were a lot shorter. Ferrari Land was much smaller than Port Aventura World, but it was still great.

DAY THREE

BARCELONA DAY TRIP

The train station is only a 15-minute walk from the H10 Salarius Palace.

I recommend buying the train tickets in advance as the line for the ticket machine was huge when we arrived. We could buy them on the train but recommend going to the station in advance to get the train schedule details as it was slightly confusing.

We arrived around 12 pm, and the train arrived right at the centre of Barcelona. We walked 20 minutes to see the Sagrada Familia and explored Las Rambles. It was a brief visit to Barcelona but a great trip from Salou to explore a new city. It was hectic, so I wouldn't recommend taking families, but if you fancy a change of pace, this would be great.

For our last evening, we walked down to the beachfront for a drink. There were plenty of bars, each with a different atmosphere to suit anyone.

WHO WOULD THIS TYPE OF TRIP BE SUITED TO?

Great for everyone. Salou had many different activities that are great for all ages.

BEST EXPERIENCE FROM THE TRIP?

I just loved going to a place I would have never picked to go to myself. I love to explore when I go away, so I always stay in busy resorts/cities. However, this was the first time I had considered travelling to the bigger cities from the resort, and I enjoyed doing that with Barcelona. Stepping into the hustle and bustle of the city is great, but returning from that and relaxing was perfect.

Favourite Hotel Visited

H10 Vintage Salou.

This hotel had a more relaxing feel and was adults-only. I also loved the rooftop terrace. I prefer A more relaxing feel when going away, but the H10 Salarius Palace is great for everyone.

Favourite Restaurant Visited:

I mainly ate at the H10 Salarius Palace because I enjoyed the food. They had fresh seafood paella every night with a different flavour and a range of desserts, including a chocolate fountain and pick-and-mix. There was something for everyone.

General Comments and Tips:

I recommend this hotel to people looking to go to Port Aventura World for a day trip to Barcelona. The hotel has a fantastic location for these, everything being a maximum 15-minute walk.

Jet2 staff were friendly and welcoming not just on the flight but at Newcastle Airport and Reus Airport.

Dawn's Unforgettable Orlando Experience

admin@travelmarketingsystems.com (TMS Help Team) — Tue, 16 Jul 2024 15:46:53 GMT

DAY ONE

DEPARTURE

After a smooth Check-In, we boarded flight VS 91 for Orlando. The seats were comfortable, and service was excellent.

We checked in for two nights at Courtyard Titusville Kennedy Space Centre, a unique space-themed hotel that is the closest to the Kennedy Space Centre. The rooms, designed to provide a Space Experience, feature an Astronaut Projector that shines shapes and colours onto the ceiling, and all rooms are equipped with binoculars for watching the rocket launches.

This evening, we met on the roof terrace at Space Bar and were served space-themed cocktails. This hotel is unique and fun. I recommend it for any family of space enthusiasts.

DAY TWO

KENNEDY SPACE CENTRE

This morning we were served breakfast on the roof terrace whilst watching the sunrise over the Indian River.

After this we boarded our coach for a ten-minute journey to Kennedy Space Centre. On arrival, we wandered through the Rocket Garden, which displays a history of rockets used for Space Exploration. We completed the Microgravity training challenges needed to set a path to Mars and saw space ship Atlantis – a real space shuttle – which has completed 33 missions. We were shown Planet Play – a multiple-story play experience for ages 2 – 12 years.

This evening, we dined at Shilohs – Steak & Seafood restaurant – in Titusville – this fantastic restaurant is located right at the waterfront across from Kennedy Space Centre.

DAY THREE

WONDER WORKS

Today, we made another visit to the Kennedy Space Centre. We viewed the restricted areas of Kennedy Space Centre, the working space flight facility – where America launched to the moon.

Then we boarded the Shuttle Launch Experience – A simulator astronauts say is the next best thing to fly aboard a space shuttle.

We departed and were driven to Double Tree Hotel By Hilton Orlando at Sea world. We were allocated rooms in the tower. This hotel is in an excellent location, a 10-minute walk away from SeaWorld.

This evening, we visited Wonder works Orlando and the Outta Control Magic Comedy Dinner Show, where we had plenty of laughs !! The pizza and other food included were great.

DAY FOUR

SEA WORLD

Our Sea World guide greeted us and took us to the Sea World Rescue Centre, where we looked closely at how Sea World aided sick, injured and orphaned animals.

We visited the Dolphin Stadium and watched a fascinating Dolphin Presentation. After this we had a Dolphin tour where we got to touch and feed them, which was an amazing experience.

We had lunch at Sharks Underwater Grill, which has a giant shark tank, making diners feel like they are underwater.

We then rode on Rollercoaster Pipeline- the world's first Surf Roller Coaster – which was an unforgettable experience. Then we rode Roller Coaster Mako – a hypercoaster known for high speeds, deep dives and thrills around every turn. Afterwards, we headed to Infinity Falls – the world's tallest river rapid, which was great fun.

This evening, we headed to Top Golf for a fun night of food and drinks and some healthy competition to see who was the best golfer.

DAY FIVE

BUSCH GARDENS

Today, we were greeted by our VIP guide to explore the Busch Gardens. Firstly, we took a safari across the Serengeti Plain. In a close-up animal encounter, we could hand-feed the giraffes and explore the habitats of zebras, ostriches, and rhinos. We then rode on Cheetah Hunt, Tampa Bay's longest roller coaster, which was a thrilling and terrifying experience!!

DAY SIX

AQUATICA

Aquatica is a water park with super-sized slides, speedy splashdowns, and sandy shores. We set up base for the day on the white sandy beach—an incredible day of watery fun!!

Later that night, we experienced the horrifying houses, sinister shows, and terrifying thrills at Sea World, for example, Howl' O' Scream. Howl' O' Scream is a yearly Halloween fright fest — a terrifying but fun evening.

DAY SEVEN

DISCOVERY COVE

We had an early start today for the best experience Discovery Cove. Upon entering, I noticed it had a gorgeous tropical vibe! We were shown to our private cabana and then headed to Dolphin Lagoon, where we swam with dolphins, which was an unforgettable experience.

We did Sea Venture, an underwater walking tour that involved wearing a dive helmet, and we came face to face with all kinds of Sea creatures.

This afternoon, it was time to say goodbye to the amazing hosts, incredible itinerary, lovely group, and many pinch-me experiences!!

WHO WOULD THIS TYPE OF TRIP BE SUITED TO?

A Family holiday with an educational twist.

BEST EXPERIENCE FROM THE TRIP?

Discovery Cove – Dolphin encounter having the chance to interact with them – a magical experience.

Favourite Hotel Visited

Courtyard By Marriott – Titus Ville: The space bar on the roof, the food, the view- you can watch rocket launches here too!

Favourite Restaurant Visited:

Laguna Grill Signature Entrees in Discovery Cove. It was a wonderful lunch.

General Comments and Tips:

Discovery Cove is relaxing and fun, so maybe schedule it in between busy theme park days. All of the parks we visited are now cashless. Look at upgrading clients to VIP passes, which have many benefits.

Virgin Atlantic crew were attentive at all times. The afternoon tea onboard was good and well-presented.

It is the perfect holiday for parents wishing to benefit their child's education and development while having fun!

Marie's Swiss Bliss: A Holiday to Remember

admin@travelmarketingsystems.com (TMS Help Team) — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 15:31:29 GMT

DAY ONE

DEPARTURE

I flew to Zurich airport from Manchester and took the train to Luzern where I checked into the 5-star National Grand Hotel.

We then had a walking tour of Luzern which is a beautiful city on a lake, with plenty of shops, and is excellent for Christmas Markets.

We met up with the rest of the group to find out where we would go next, as we were still waiting for someone to tell us. I was lucky enough to be going on the Bernina Express where we had a three-course dinner at the Rebstock restaurant for regional specialities.

DAY TWO

SWISS TOURS

Our tour guide, Claudia, from Swiss Tourism was a fantastic host who didn't let us pay for anything, even when using the public toilets (which were £1.50).

After the tour, our luggage was handed to the hotel reception who were transferring it for us to our next hotel.

We took the train back to Zurich and went on a tour around the vast and busy city. The old town was lovely but very expensive.

After having lunch in an Old Guildhouse, we took the train to Chur and stayed in the four-star Hotel Stern, where our luggage was waiting for us in reception. It was in a great location and had friendly staff.

Then, we ate in the fantastic restaurant Flavours (top on Trip Advisor).

DAY THREE

BERNINA EXPRESS

Today had to be the best day as we spent the whole day onboard the Bernina Express first class. The views along the way were fantastic.

We got off in Italy (Tirano), had an Italian Meal, then headed straight back on for our return journey, ending the night with a meal in our hotel.

DAY FOUR

CHUR

We checked out of the hotel early and had our luggage transferred to Thun. We then had a city tour of Chur, a small town primarily known for the Bernina Express boarding point and small ski resort.

The fondue for lunch, was such a good experience.

The next hotel we stayed in was Deltapark Hotel Vitality. That evening was a VIP evening where we had a fantastic meal and watched the water magic show. We also met with the rest of the group and shared stories of our day. Some had done hikes, zip lines, spas, gondolas, caves, etc.

DAY FIVE

THUN

We dropped our luggage at Thun train station early for the day and headed out for a city tour, including a visit to Thun Castle's top which has fantastic views of the Alps.

We then took the train to Interlaken West and boarded a boat where we enjoyed a three-course meal while travelling back. After this, we collected our luggage and took the train back to Zurich Airport.

WHO WOULD THIS TYPE OF TRIP BE SUITED TO?

Bucket List Trip

Lakes & Mountains

Walkers/Hikers

Skiers

City Break

BEST EXPERIENCE FROM THE TRIP?

We chose the National Grand in Luzern because it was very luxurious. We were given the best rooms with the best views of the lake.

Favourite Hotel Visited

The Bernina Express, I never thought I would experience first class on an express train. The views were just unreal.

Favourite Restaurant Visited:

The flavours in Chur's atmosphere were great, as were the service and food, and the waiter wasn't bad either. However, the Fondue one lunchtime was our best meal because it was different to anything I've ever had.

General Comments and Tips:

Switzerland is a very scenic, beautiful place. It is easy to get around, especially if you have a Swiss pass like ours. A Swiss pass means you can get around by train, boat, or bus and also get discounts for different museums throughout Switzerland. It's more expensive to eat and drink the more central you are. For any information that is ever needed, myswitzerland.com is a great website.

We got Swiss Airlines both ways, and the flight had excellent service! I even got a free bar of Swiss chocolate and a bottle of water.

I understand more about how to get around using all the different transport methods and what is on offer in different resorts/cities. I also understand more about the different Swiss passes available.

Qatar Unveiled: Nadelle's Arabian Adventure

admin@travelmarketingsystems.com (TMS Help Team) — Tue, 09 Jul 2024 10:40:16 GMT

DAY ONE

DEPARTURE

I met with Jane Hoyes from Qatar Airways and seven other agents at Manchester Airport for the early morning flight. We flew business class directly to Doha International Airport. After arriving late in the afternoon, we were transferred to the first hotel, the W Doha. We freshened up and enjoyed dinner in one of the hotel's restaurants, Spice Market. The meal was absolutely delicious—an Asian Fusion set menu that included Japanese cheesecake!

DAY TWO

B12 BEACH CLUB DOHA

Today was a VIP day at B12 Beach Club Doha, which included brunch. We were shown around the Beach Club, where cabanas were reserved for us in the VIP area.

We enjoyed a dip in the sea, and then, for lunch, we went inside the restaurant for a few hours and enjoyed brunch. We enjoyed pizza, chicken satay skewers, thai beef salad, Caesar salad, mini fish and chips, spaghetti arribiata, mini beef burger sliders and chicken tikka. There was also a wide variety of cocktails, wines, beers and soft drinks.

We then returned to the hotel in the afternoon to pack our suitcases and transfer to the next hotel, the InterContinental Doha, where we stayed for three nights.

After we were shown our rooms, we freshened up and headed out for an evening tour of the Doha Souk Wakif. We came alive with people in the evening. We had a gorgeous meal at a Persian restaurant called Parisa. Here, we enjoyed a meal of various barbequed meats, rice and salads. After the meal, we were transferred back to the hotel.

DAY THREE

DUNES

Today, we were picked up from the hotel and travelled in 4x4s to the desert, where we did an excursion called Discover the Dunes & Inland Sea. It was amazing driving on the dunes with our driver, Masood. Afterwards, we went to Regency Sealine Camp, where we all enjoyed a BBQ for lunch. We then went back to our hotel to freshen up for the evening. We had a tour around the Waldorf Astoria Lusail Doha hotel and then had our evening meal at Sushisamba, which is one of the hotels restaurants.

DAY FOUR

SIGHTSEEING

Today, we were picked up from the hotel for a busy day of sightseeing—we visited the Blue Mosque, Lusail City Tour, Lusail Stadium, Vendome Shopping Mall, The National Museum of Qatar, and Pearl Island. We had lunch at BOHO Social in Lusail, and later that evening, we had a tour of the Park Hyatt Doha Hotel and then had our evening meal at La Mar Beach restaurant at the InterContinental Doha.

DAY FIVE

LAST DAY

We were picked up at 4 am for our early flight home. After arriving at Doha International Airport, we were taken to the Executive Lounge for breakfast before flying back home in Business Class.

WHO WOULD THIS TYPE OF TRIP BE SUITED TO?

I think that this destination and chain of hotels is mainly for couples and older clients who maybe don't want to leave the complex as these hotels are basically in the middle of nowhere, so there's nowhere to go for a walk or anything around to entertain kids over the age of 12.

However, families with younger ones would be fine as there's a great kids club and entertainment program in the Athena Pallas Village. If they want to adventure out of the hotel every night, it's not suitable, only for trips through the day and excursions.

BEST EXPERIENCE FROM THE TRIP?

I met new people and learned about a destination I'd never been to or sold. It was great to learn about it and be able to recommend it to clients that it would be suitable for, not just the hotels that I visited but the different areas.

Favourite Hotel Visited

My favourite hotel has got to be the one we were staying in, The Athena Palla Village, as it was amazing. It had everything you would need, the entertainment was amazing, all the restaurants were fantastic, and the rooms were perfect. I especially liked our private residence; it had a sense of privacy and was away from the main pool area, which was slightly loud and busy.

I also loved the Porto Brava Villas as they were the nicest villas I've seen. They were a great size, and the attention to detail was amazing in all the properties, especially the villas; it gave a luxurious feel.

Favourite Restaurant Visited:

The Dionisos restaurant was my Favourite. The whole experience and the food were great. The staff's service was exceptional, and the food, although it wasn't something I'd usually eat, was lovely (Yep, the goat I ate was surprisingly nice).

General Comments and Tips:

Pack Mosquito repellent (it doesn't work perfectly, but it definitely helps).

All properties have air conditioning, slippers and robes in the rooms, free safety deposit boxes, and access to Athena Pallas village.

Exploring the Magic of Halkidiki: Laila's Travel Diary

admin@travelmarketingsystems.com (TMS Help Team) — Tue, 11 Jun 2024 10:59:58 GMT

DAY ONE

DEPARTURE

After a slight delay, we landed in Thessaloniki and headed to our first property for an inspection. The Elea Beach Hotel is a hotel which is situated just 20 meters away from Elia Beach. This property is a bungalow-style hotel with 80 rooms; there are 30 family rooms, 30 superior rooms and 20 double rooms. The double rooms are all on the ground floor; however, this property isn't accessible for wheelchairs or people with walking difficulties. You have a choice between your board basis here, bed and breakfast, half board and all-inclusive, all as a buffet.

They host themed nights every two days. The hotel has free onsite parking. All rooms have tea and coffee-making facilities, slippers, robes, a safety deposit box, a minibar and room service available. There's a large pool, a children's pool, and a pool bar serving snacks, meals, and various drinks. After a lovely look around the hotel, we sat down for an amazing lunch of various local dishes. We then got the transfer to the hotel we were staying in, The Athena Palla Village, where we were greeted at reception with cucumber water and had our luggage delivered to the private residence before we got into them.

After a quick turnaround, we headed to the pool bar before dinner in the buffet restaurant, which served a variety of international foods. Once we had dinner, we returned to the pool area for an evening of light entertainment.

DAY TWO

HOTEL VISITS

After heading to the buffet restaurant for breakfast, we got shown around the hotel we were staying in, The Athena Pallas Village. This hotel has 145 rooms and a private residence that consists of 20 maisonettes, 2 with a private pool and the rest with access to a pool only for the people staying in the maisonettes. All rooms in the main hotel and residence have QR codes where you can book spa treatments, tables, and excursions and see different entertainment. All rooms also have minibars (chargeable), safety deposit boxes (free), slippers and robes. There's an animation team for kids and adults, a kids club, a bowling alley and games room, 2 2-story gym, a spa and a sauna. There are 3 à la carte restaurants and a mini market. The kids' club is open for children up to 12 years old , and babysitting options are available.

The hotel has its own private beach; guests can order drinks on their phones from the QR codes on their sunbeds to be delivered to the beach. After looking around the hotel, we headed to the cooking class, where we were shown how some local dishes are made. After the cooking class, we had lunch and then went to Lily Anne Boutique Hotel for a site inspection. This hotel has 35 rooms; 22 have sea views, and the rest have garden views.

This hotel hosts entertainment 2 times a week. The hotel has a private pool and beach with 100 sun loungers. There are 2 accessible rooms and an à la carte restaurant with live cooking shows. After the site inspection, we headed to another of the properties, Elia Villas; this property has 2 maisonettes and 2 villas that can be rented out separately or as one whole property. There's 1 pool and a private beach. There's a pool bar that has someone working all day serving drinks and snacks and a chef for dinner time.

After looking at the villas, we went back to our hotel, where we could enjoy free time to use the hotel facilities before dinner. Our evening dinner was in an ancient Greek à la carte restaurant. We were given Greek gowns, headpieces, and named after Greek Gods & Goddesses.

DAY THREE

NEO MARMARAS

After heading to the buffet restaurant for breakfast, we headed to Nikiti for our boat trip, where we headed around Neo Maramaras and Kelifos. We had a light lunch on the boat and had time to swim in the ocean. We stopped in Neo Marmaras for an hour and had time to walk around the town before getting back on the boat to head back to Nikiti.

After the boat trip, we got our transfer back to the hotel. We had time to relax, use the spa facilities, and try some treatments before getting ready for dinner. Tonight's dinner was in the buffet restaurant. After dinner, we headed to the pool area, where we enjoyed the entertainment, which was "Greek Night."

DAY FOUR

FINAL DAY

Today was our last day, so we headed to Ormos Panagias after breakfast to look around The Porto Brava Luxury Villas. There are 8 two-story villas on this property; 2 of the villas have 3 bedrooms and have a gym in them, and 6 of the villas have 4 bedrooms. All of the villas have a large living and dining area with a large kitchen and 3 bathrooms, one of which is ensuite. There's one pool between the 8 villas. However, they do have beach access.

We then went to Lily Ann Village for our last site inspection. This hotel has 42 rooms, 14 family rooms, 11 superior and 17 doubles. This hotel has a buffet restaurant; however, unlike the rest of the hotels, it only has entertainment and activities once a week.

After the last eight inspections, we headed back to our hotel for our last lunch in Halkidiki before checking out our room and getting our transfer back to the airport.

WHO WOULD THIS TYPE OF TRIP BE SUITED TO?

BEST EXPERIENCE FROM THE TRIP?

Favourite Hotel Visited

Favourite Restaurant Visited:

General Comments and Tips:

Pack Mosquito repellent (it doesn't work perfectly, but it definitely helps).

All properties have air conditioning, slippers and robes in the rooms, free safety deposit boxes, and access to Athena Pallas village.

Island Escapes: Mark's Marella Cruise Diaries

admin@travelmarketingsystems.com (TMS Help Team) — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 15:05:56 GMT

DAY ONE

DEPARTURE

I flew from Birmingham Airport to Tenerife with TUI Airways. I met the rest of the group at the airport, but unfortunately, we did not meet our hosts from Marella until we arrived on board.

Tui set up a WhatsApp group, and we had all arranged to pay for the Premium Fastrack directly through the BHX website at a cost of £6pp, which was worth it as it bypassed the long queues.

It was the first time I had flown with TUI for over ten years, and I was impressed with the seats and the legroom; all the cabin crew were very professional and pleasant.

I arrived at Tenerife airport and got through customs with no issue, but the baggage reclaim was very slow; after that, we made our way to the Marella desk to find where the coach was, and again, this was a bit of a nightmare as four other TUI flights from the UK had landed about the same time. Hence, the queue for the transfer coach was about Half an hour. The transfer to the cruise port was about 45 minutes. (It could be worth paying for a private transfer)

Arrival at the port was speedy and smooth. You are issued your cabin key card and set up your cabin account with a credit/debit card (not compulsory, though). Then, you had to walk to the ship, which took about 5-10 minutes.

Once onboard, we went to the Squid & Anchor bar, where we met the other group from London, our TUI Hosts, and Kerri & Craig.

That evening, we met at 6:30 and ate in the Latitude 53 restaurant. I was staying in an Outside Cabin on deck 8 at the back of the ship.

** In Tenerife, you have to collect your luggage yourself at the airport and take it to the coach, but in some destinations like Palma, you don't see it until delivered to your cabin **

DAY TWO

Gran Canaria

We docked in Gran Canaria at about 6.30. I chose breakfast in the Market Place Buffet Restaurant on deck 11. The menu offers a variety of options, from continental to full English, with a gluten-free selection.

After breakfast, we had to meet at 10 am as we had planned a morning excursion called the "Treasures of Gran Canaria." A leisurely guided walking tour of the old town of Las Palmas, which lasted for about 2 hours. If you chose not to book an excursion, Las Palmas was only a short walk away, where you could explore the Christopher Columbus Museum and Santa Ana Cathedral or, look around the chic boutiques, try the local tapas bars or even relax on the beach.

After some free time in Las Palmas, I returned to the ship for lunch at the snack shack on the pool deck. The snack shack serves Burgers, Hotdogs, fried chicken, Fish Goujons, chips, and sandwiches.

This evening, the organizers split us into smaller groups, and each group dined in different restaurants, all included in the price. I ate at the Med Italian on Deck 11, which serves Pizza & pasta.

Tonight, we headed to the pool deck for the 'Sail & Shine' party to celebrate our departure from Gran Canaria. We also listened to the resident band, The Beats, in the Lounge Bar.

DAY THREE

FUERTEVENTURA

Today, we arrived at Fuerteventura docking in at 7 am and had our breakfast in the server service restaurant Latitude 53.

Today's excursion was the "All Inclusive Catamaran Cruise," which included a transfer. It took us to the Barcelo Fuerteventura. Then, we had to walk about 5 minutes to the marina.

The catamaran company was Oby Cat. We set sail at about 11 am and took about 1 hour to get to the cove of Lobos. Here, you could get off and swim in the sea or do some snorkelling. The excursion includes Beer, wine, soft drinks, and lunch. The whole trip lasts about four Hours.

You then had the option of getting the coach back to the ship or staying in Caleta de Fuste to explore what the resort has to offer

My evening meal was in the Med Tapas on Deck 11 (reservation required).

After this, we went to the Broadway lounge for a night of ZUMA (Latin dance show), followed by a late-night disco in the Indigo nightclub.

DAY FOUR

LANZAROTE

Today, we docked on the Island of Lanzarote at about 7 am.

Headed for Breakfast in the Buffet Style Market Place on Deck 11

Today, we went on the "Timanfaya & It's Volcanos!" excursion, a half-day tour that cost £48.

The highlights of the tour are Tour Timanfaya National Park

Travel the Lunar Route and see 'Fire Mountain' See El Gelfo lagoon

Enjoy a local wine tasting in La Geria.

The coach journey to the National Park isn't for the faint-hearted, as the roads are high and close to the edge!

After returning to the ship, we had a tour to explore its facilities.

The Main facilities are:

2 x Saltwater pools 1 x Kids Pool

3 x Jacuzzi

4 x Restaurants Included in the cost

4 x Specialty restaurants (supplement payable) Pool snack bar

Cinema Gym

Kids Club/Teenager Hideout/Mini Golf Spa & Beauty Salon

Nightclub Casino

And many more.

The evening meal was back to the Med Tapas.

Tonight, we went to the Squid & Anchor for Karaoke, followed by the late show in the Broadway Lounge with a Comedian, "The Man They Call G" adult version.

DAY FIVE

DAY AT SEA

Today was a relaxing day to sample some of the facilities and activities.

After breakfast in Latitude, the server service restaurant, the whole group met in the cinema for a brainstorming/feedback session with Kerri from TUI.

I participated in activities today, starting with Aqua Aerobics in the morning and followed by morning Trivia on the pool deck. Later in the afternoon, a few of us joined in with Line Dancing in the Indigo nightclub.

The Market Place buffet serves afternoon tea daily with freshly made sandwiches, sausage rolls, and warm scones with jam and cream.

The evening meal was back in the Vista restaurant.

Tonight's evening show was in the Broadway Lounge, with the Marella cast performing songs and dances from the Movies.

DAY SIX

FUNCHAL

Today, we are in Madeira Funchal, docked around 8 am. Morning excursion on the "Toboggan Experience & Island Views", where you get to experience the Monte Toboggan sliding in a wicker basket mounted on wooden runners; it is possible to cover the 2 km (1 mile) descent from Monte to Funchal in 10 Minutes, a 45 minute stop followed this in the lovely quaint fishing village of Camara de Lobos.

I suggest you try the Portuguese tart 'Pasties de Nata'. If you want to explore the city of Funchal yourself, it is a 20- 25-minute walk, or you can take a transfer bus, which costs £6 return and runs every 20-30 minutes.

I walked around the newer part of Funchal, where most modern hotels are, along with ample shops, bars, and restaurants. If you are a football fan (which I am not), on the way back to the port, you can take a photo with the statue of Cristiano Ronaldo or visit his museum.

By this time, lunch was calling, so we headed for the pool deck and had chicken and chips from the snack shack. We met for pre-dinner drinks in the Lounge bar before heading for our last meal in Latitude 53.

Tonight's show in the Broadway lounge was 'Le Cabaret' with songs from Moulin Rouge, Gatsby, Burlesque and many more.

** You must make sure your luggage is outside your cabin by 11 pm **

DAY SEVEN

FINAL DAY

Unfortunately, this was the end of a fantastic trip with Marella. Unlike other cruise companies, you don't have to disembark by 9 am; you are allowed to stay onboard until your transfer coach is due so you can continue enjoying the ship's facilities.

The return transfer and flight home with TUI were excellent.

WHO WOULD THIS TYPE OF TRIP BE SUITED TO?

Marella is suitable for all guests, including families, couples, singles, and groups. There is something for everyone. Marella is moving away from the traditional formal nights, so they call it "Dress to Impress."

Solo travellers will receive a welcome letter in the cabin with details of a special welcome meeting where they can meet other solo travellers. They will be allocated a table together in the Lattitude 53 restaurant but are free to dine alone at any of the other eateries.

Marella is also suitable for the LGBTQ+ community and will hold a get-together if needed.

BEST EXPERIENCE FROM THE TRIP?

The best part for me was visiting different places each day, but I did like the sea day where you can just relax and enjoy the facilities of the ship.

Favourite Hotel Visited

We didn't visit any hotels, but the best excursion was the Catamaran in Fuerteventura. We enjoyed swimming and snorkelling in the sea, and the food and drink were all includ ed.

Favourite Restaurant Visited:

Med Tapas - Loved the King Prawns in Garlic & Chili

General Comments and Tips:

It is worth upgrading to the Premium Drinks package, about £90 for the week. You get a better choice of spirits and cocktails and the speciality coffees from Lavazza; it only works out to be about 2 x speciality coffees and a premium cocktail a day, and you've made it back.

Kerry's Indian Odyssey with Wendy Wu

admin@travelmarketingsystems.com (TMS Help Team) — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 12:43:33 GMT

DAY ONE

DEPARTURE

We met Sandra Foreman (who was hosting the trip) at 0400 Manchester Airport and the rest of our group of 10. We travelled with Air France via Paris for our 1.5-hour and 8.5-hour flights to Delhi. The Air France flight was comfortable, and the choice of movies, etc., was good, but the food was lacking in choice, and most people were not impressed.

We arrived in Delhi at 0100, absolutely shattered. After collecting our bags and a straightforward immigration and visa control, we met MK Jain, who was to be our guide for the rest of the week.

India, even at this time in the morning, was everything and more than I was expecting. The smell of spice, musk, and food rolled into one is the only way I can explain it. Before our arrival, there had been fasting for the previous days, and as of Midnight, the celebrations began. On our transfer to the Suryaa Hotel, the roads were packed with families and people of all ages, eating from the hundreds of stalls along the roadside. The traffic and noise were incredible.

We arrived at the Suryaa Hotel Delhi at 0200 (the transfer takes around 45 minutes) and eventually went to bed.

DAY TWO

D ELHI

Breakfast at 0730 was at the Suryaa Hotel, which was a delightful surprise. There was lots of choice, from Omelettes cooked to choice, curry and rice, pastries, etc. The food was excellent. The Suryaa is a good choice of hotel: 4 stars, clean and comfortable, with a nice pool and a lovely restaurant. Most hotels have a small shopping centre, selling jewellery, pashminas, clothes, etc., which is good value for money. Bartering, as always, is expected.

We then went on a Rickshaw ride, which was a fantastic experience. It was like a Hollywood set where the director had just said action. Around every corner, there was a new experience: cows pulling carts, bikes, and scooters driving past, wires hanging down, stray dogs running around, and we even saw a funeral passing by. It was a truly indescribable experience.

Lunch was at a restaurant Wendy Wu chose, which I highly recommend. It is very similar to an Indian restaurant that you would expect in the UK.

After lunch, we passed the Official residence of the President of India - Rashhtrapati Bhavan and visited the Tower of Victory - Quatab Minar. I went back to the Suryaa Hotel for an evening meal and collapsed into bed.

DAY THREE

J AIPUR

0645 wake-up call, breakfast and leaving for Jaipur (250km and 6 hours ). There are more amazing sights: cows on the central motorway, camels, cows, monkeys, mad driving, people riding on the top of buses and even a man delivering a Whirlpool Freezer on his bike.

We arrived at the Ramada Jaipur Hotel. Jaipur is the Capital of Rajasthan, otherwise known as the Pink City. After lunch, we passed the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) to the Jantar Mantar Observatory, the world's largest stone and marble-crafted observatory.

Our next stop was the Maharajas City Palace, part museum and part Royal residence for the King, who drove past us while we were there.

Then we went to a night market, which was an incredible experience. After bartering and purchasing a few items for those professional shoppers amongst us, we went on to a cookery demonstration, which took place in a local home. The home was more like a Villa. We met the whole family: grandpa, grandma, mother and father, 6-year-old son, and, most importantly, Oscar, the dog. The family-owned a successful restaurant, and after the cookery demonstration, they invited us to stay for our evening meal, which was provided with local entertainment and ended with fireworks—yet another fantastic day.

DAY FOUR

AMBER FORT

Another early start for our Visit to Amber Fort, a historic sight and marvel.

We then visited the textile factory, where we witnessed the manufacturing process of rugs and fabrics.

It was a relatively quiet night tonight, with an evening meal at a local restaurant with live music and traditional dancing.

DAY FIVE

RANTHAMBORE SAFARI

Today, we left Jaipur and headed south for a 4-5 hours drive to Ranthambore National Park.

On arrival, after check-in and lunch, we proceed to the Centre for our 1st Tiger Safari. What an experience! Our three-hour Safari was brilliant. We saw lots of wildlife, but eventually, after a couple of hours, we saw our first Tiger. She had been asleep and was waking up and grooming herself. She was so beautiful.

After many photographs and following her as she walked in the Jungle, we searched for more Tigers. We saw another Tiger; this time, she was so close you could practically touch her.

We returned to camp at the Sher Garh Resort, a fantastic Hotel/luxury tent resort.

DAY SIX

AGRA

0445 start for our 2nd Safari at 0530

Although this was just as great as yesterday, we were in a different zone in the Jungle, and unfortunately, we didn't see any Tigers today. It was a little disappointing, but still a good morning.

Our next adventure was going to Agra, Home to the Taj Mahal. En route, there was a man on his elephant. The coach pulled over, and we could take photos and stroke the elephant—another tick on my bucket list. India is full of surprises.

5-hour drive to Agra with a stop at Fatehpur Sikri - built by Emperor Akbar in 1569.

Then, we stopped at the Marble factory to witness the artisans making the designs and learn about the construction of the Taj Mahal.

The last Hotel stop is Clarks Shiraz AGRA.

DAY SEVEN

TAJ MAHAL

The earliest start was 0400, but no one minded as this is the sight most of us have been waiting for all our lives - The Taj Mahal.

The gate opened at 5:00, and we went to the central photo opportunity and Diana's seat. We took photos, but Wendy Wu also arranged for a professional photographer. This was another WOW moment and another tick off my bucket list.

After this, it was a long drive back to Delhi to check in for our return flight home.

General Comments and Tips:

Wendy WU is a fully inclusive tour company. The guide was the best you could have. He was extremely informative and explained everything well. He looked out for us and looked after us. Tips are taken at the beginning of the trip, $70.00, which covers everything. He helped barter with the local street sellers. He ensured that anyone with allergies or dietary requirements received proper catering.

He was with us every step of the way.

Thank you, Wendy Wu.

Gemma's Floral Expedition: Holland & Belgium with Emerald

admin@travelmarketingsystems.com (TMS Help Team) — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 11:06:10 GMT

DAY ONE

DEPARTURE

Early start KLM Flights from Newcastle to Amsterdam: 10.05 am….. I took advantage of the fast track… an absolute must in school holidays. The flight to Amsterdam was approximately 1 hour 15 minutes. On arrival, I went straight through security and collected my suitcase. I was met at the airport's meeting point and driven in a luxury minibus to the ship, which took approximately 30 minutes.

I was swiftly onboard, welcomed with a warm towel and a drink during speedy check-in, and then taken to my room, a Panorama Balcony Suite. I met with other agents in our UK Group for the ship's safety talk and staff intro.

It's time for dinner, with beautiful food, a couple of drinks in the lounge, and an early night, ready for the next day's adventure.

DAY TWO

AMSTERDAM

Still in Amsterdam. Breakfast is between 7.30 – 9 am. It's a lovely Buffet choice.

Excursions start at 9 am. Some went cycling, but I chose the coach tour to De Zaanse Schans…. a village that looks like a living museum. We saw how they make clogs, how windmills work, and how cheese is made. There were also some little shops and a café.

Afterwards, we travelled to an area called Beemster, which is the first known Polder in the Netherlands.

Back to Amsterdam and on board, ready for Lunch.

The afternoon was free, apart from the obligatory safety drill. Some of us took a walk into Amsterdam, which was very busy. Then, I returned to the ship to prepare for the daily port talk at 6:30 pm, followed by dinner. In the lounge, we had a few drinks and entertainment from a classical string trio.

We then went to the top deck to watch the ship sail from Amsterdam. Tomorrow, we will wake up in Rotterdam.

DAY THREE

ROTTERDAM

We woke up and docked next to Riviera Ship Geoffrey Chaucer. To leave the ship, we had to go up and over to get off.

Today's activities were an optional 3-hour coach tour or a bike ride. I opted for the bike ride (there were limited spaces, so I needed to put a name on the list the night before). I also visited the market hall to taste some food and sample cheese, stroopwafels, and bitterballen.

The bike ride was just over 9 miles, so we were back at the ship for the afternoon, which was free time.

The evening started with the daily port talk and then dinner. The activities manager, Ben, put on a show featuring ABBA songs tonight. If ABBA wasn't for you, there was a movie showing on the pool deck, or you could have walked back into Rotterdam as we were docked overnight.

DAY FOUR

THE HAGUE

We have an early start this morning as we are off to the Hague at 8 am from the ship. Today, we visited the royal and administrative capital of the Netherlands, The Hague, which is situated on the North Sea Coast.

The city is home to a thriving cultural and culinary scene. Famously home to the Peace Palace, which houses the United Nations International Court of Justice, a guided tour of the Mauritshuis Museum, home to the best Dutch paintings from the eras of Rembrandt and Vermeer.

In the afternoon, those feeling more active enjoyed a guided bike tour through the Dutch Countryside (it was fully booked, so I missed out on this one). Back on board, we set sail to Willemstad, a little village further along the river. There was free time to take a stroll.

Dinner again was terrific, so there was so much choice. This evening's entertainment was a quiz. Name that tune, and the UK team won!!! The game was paused so everyone could go outside and watch the ship go through a lock.

DAY FIVE

ANTWERP

After breakfast, we met our tour guide for our walking tour of Antwerp. Charming city with a central square, small shops and restaurants. Our tour guide, Jonathan, was excellent in telling stories of Giants and a boy's relationship with his dog. The tour ended with a chocolate tasting.

After the guided tour, we met with Nina and Ben from Emerald, who walked us through the tunnel from one side of the river to the other. The escalator we used was wooden. Once we went to the other side, it was a lovely viewing point from which to see the whole city. The afternoon was for free time.

Two of us took the bikes out for a ride. We went back through the tunnel and explored the bike paths, doing just over 7 miles. The bikes can be taken out in free time at leisure; you just need to ask reception.

Back on board, I sampled a selection of sandwiches and cakes from afternoon tea held every day at 4 pm at the back of the lounge. There will be no entertainment tonight, just a bit of background music, but it's nice to sit and catch up with everyone.

Went down to the pool deck to see the pool converted into a movie theatre. Sailing through the night tonight to Nijmegen.

DAY SIX

NIJMEGEN

Still sailing, we don't arrive in Nijmegen until later in the afternoon. Later, we will start for breakfast and have a chance to participate in onboard activities.

I decided to participate in the morning exercise, which was yoga at the poolside. After breakfast, Ben and Nina held a dance class. Learned a few routines.

I spoke to the captain on the top deck. The cruise director, Nina, then discussed the Netherlands, including tasting some Dutch Delights. We arrived and left the ship at approximately 15.30 pm for the drive to Arnhem. We went to the Airborne Museum. I learned about the Mission 'Market Garden' story during World War 2. This was followed by a trip to the war cemetery.

Back on Ship for Celebration Farewell Dinner, followed by live music in the lounge.

DAY SEVEN

FINAL DAY

Back in Amsterdam. One of the highlights of the overall trip included an excursion to Keukenhof Gardens.

Beautiful displays of brightly coloured tulips of all shapes and sizes. The gardens are open for a 7-week season. 10 million bulbs are planted using over 1000 different types of tulips. The gardens don't accept cash – Cards only!

The final meal this evening was just as lovely as every other meal. It was followed by a few drinks in the lounge.

WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THE FOOD OPTIONS?

One main restaurant on board:

Breakfast - Buffet

Lunch – choice of Buffet or pick from a menu

Afternoon tea – Sandwiches and cakes

Dinner – set menu choice, but if you wanted nothing, there was a classic choice.

Everyone is catered for. The wine was chosen to complement what was on the menu, and every evening, there was a chef's recommendation.

What did you think of your trip?

Stayed on the Emerald Dawn River cruise. Amazing ship, very modern. The staff are wonderful with the support and genuine desire to ensure you have a great time. The Panorama Balcony suite was comfortable with plenty of room – the added bonus of lowering the window and watching the world go by.

Best Experience of FAM and Why?

What a fantastic trip. First ever river cruise – I can highly recommend it.

The organized tours are fab, but you don't have to do them if you prefer your own free time at each port. It's easy to get into town on foot. It has something on offer for everyone.

I came on board thinking it would be very much a followed itinerary of what to do every day—which it was, don't get me wrong, but the excursions included were optional, and you didn't have to take part in them.

Airline/Cruise Comments:

KLM Flights - Short flight with a snack and drink both ways

General Comments and Tips:

Warning: This part of the river is tidal, and people may get riversick. I recommend deck 2 or 3. Deck 1's window is waterline—you don't get to see much.

Cheryl's Antalya Adventure at the Titanic Deluxe Hotel

admin@travelmarketingsystems.com (TMS Help Team) — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 13:49:33 GMT

DAY ONE

DEPARTURE

We were met at Manchester Airport by Adam and Ashleigh, the Regional Sales Managers for Classic Package Holidays, ready for our flight with Sun Express. The check-in process was smooth, and the flight was on time. I was really impressed with the aircraft and crew. The legroom in the standard seats was probably the best I've had on any charter airline, with a menu provided for food and drinks onboard.

You could pay by cash or card for anything purchased. The meals were mainly things like donner kebabs and cheese sandwiches, priced from 10-12 euros, and pot noodles, priced at 5-6 euros.

At Antalya airport, we were greeted with a glass of fizz and a rose, a lovely touch. Our coach transfer was direct to the Titanic Deluxe Golf Belek and took approximately 45 minutes. Upon arrival at the hotel reception, we were again greeted with a glass of champagne as we checked in. We were lucky enough to be upgraded to a Maldives room, which was amazing.

It was like a villa on stilts, with a balcony outside and private stairs down to another platform containing your private sunbeds and direct access to the pool. We ate dinner in a private dining room off the main buffet restaurant. The menu choice was extensive and as good as I've seen in any hotel. We noticed a separate restaurant, Tiny Kids, that is just for children, and they also have an extensive buffet for themselves. Following this, CPH provided entertainment in the nightclub, with professional live singers who had travelled with them from the UK.

DAY TWO

HOTEL VISITS

The main restaurant also had a great selection of breakfast items. After this, we attended a business update from Classic Package Holidays and an informative supplier showcase, including Iberostar Hotels, Titanic Hotels, Newcastle Airport, CPH, Grand Yazici, and Sun Express.

We then ate lunch in The Cullinan, the sister hotel of the Titanic Belek. This is also a 5* deluxe hotel with a massive choice of food, which was of a very high standard.

The hotel itself was every bit as impressive as the Titanic Belek. After returning to our hotel, we took a boat ride to the beach, where there was an 'Ibiza Vibes' beach party at the beachside bar. Cocktails and drinks were provided, as well as entertainment such as singers, a saxophone player, and games to win prizes such as holidays.

Instead of taking the little train back to the central hotel, we walked the 800m past the hotel's golf course, which was fantastic. The hotel is top-rated for golfers, providing their Golfers Lounge in the main reception and many other things.

We had pre-dinner drinks and canapes in the evening at the Nori Japanese a la carte restaurant, where the Classic Package agent awards were held. This restaurant has a beautiful outdoor area on the river. Following this, dinner and entertainment were provided at the Beef Grill, an a la carte restaurant. This included a 5-course meal with wine, and the food was incredible. Later in the evening, there were more drinks and entertainment at the Eternity nightclub.

DAY THREE

ANTALYA

There was an optional half-day excursion available to The Mall of Antalya available. However, we decided to stay at the hotel and look around at all the available facilities. Many pools wind around the complex, with a huge waterpark for families (this was due to open on 15 Apr).

The hotel is home to one of the largest spas in the Antalya region, and a large gym is also available. The grounds are immaculate, and waiters uniquely serve drinks to tables and sunbeds on rollerblades.

Numerous shops and bars are in the complex, including an Irish bar, beach bar, lobby bar, and sunset bar. The hotel also includes a large indoor play area for children and a bowling alley.

They have a variety of room types available, as well as the Maldives rooms, such as swim-up Bali rooms and family suites. Some rooms contain a French balcony, which you cannot sit out on, so this is worth considering when quoting customers. After viewing one of these rooms, I recommend a room with a full balcony.

We ate lunch in the main restaurant, with entertainment provided by live singers. The afternoon was free time, so we used this opportunity to relax on our Maldives terrace, and the weather was surprisingly good for the time of year. We had dinner and more entertainment in the Pascarella Italian a la carte restaurant, which again was very impressive, and the food was excellent. This restaurant also has a lovely outdoor area that is available by the river. There was further entertainment available in the Eternity nightclub. However, we headed to our room, ready for our early departure the following day.

DAY FOUR

FINAL DAY

We were picked up at 6:30 a.m. and taken to Antalya airport, where we were ready for our flight back to Manchester at 9:15 a.m. The check-in was seamless, and the airport was bright and spacious, with plenty of facilities. The flight home with Sun Express was again perfect.

WHO WOULD THIS TYPE OF TRIP BE SUITED TO?

This hotel is an excellent all-around hotel for everyone. It has fantastic facilities for golfers, families, and adults/couples alike. It strikes a good balance between being family-friendly with hordes of facilities to keep children happy and plenty of luxurious facilities for adults.

It would suit customers who prefer a luxury hotel and don't usually prefer all-inclusive holidays in other destinations. This is due to the wide choice of restaurants onsite and the vast range of bars that serve premium branded drinks and cocktails. Due to the size of the hotel, it doesn't have to be a repetitive experience of constantly eating, drinking or sunbathing in the same place. It would also suit customers who like hotels in the Caribbean but may not want to fly as far on their holiday.

Favourite Restaurant Visited?

The Beef Grill, but all others were a close second.

Best Experience of FAM and Why?

The flawless service and amazing food in the hotel, as well as the beautiful room, were worth the trip. We also met the lovely team from Classic Package Holidays, who went out of their way to make us feel so welcome, well looked after, and entertained.

Airline/Cruise Comments:

I definitely recommend Sun Express. I was really impressed.

General Comments and Tips:

It was fascinating to discover all the new destinations that Classic Package Holidays offers to book on their website. These include Cape Verde, Thailand, the Maldives, Italy, Croatia, and Montenegro.

Mauritius Unveiled: Tamzin's Insider Guide

admin@travelmarketingsystems.com (TMS Help Team) — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 10:59:01 GMT

DAY ONE

DEPARTURE

I set off from Newcastle at 08:00 on the train down to London Kings Cross; I was really looking forward to meeting all of the other agents. I got to Kings Cross and went to St Pancras, where I caught the Thameslink service to Gatwick Airport. I met all the other agents and chatted about what we looked forward to seeing and learning. Before we knew it, it was time to board the aircraft. We flew with Air Mauritius directly to the island on an overnight flight where two meals were served: an evening meal and a breakfast.

DAY TWO

ARRIVAL

We checked into the Jalsa Beach Resort & Spa, which offers a private beach with kayaking and snorkelling activities. The rooms were spacious, and my room had a lovely view of the beach and pool area. We visited the Veranda Palmar Beach Hotel and were shown around. We ate lunch at the beach restaurant, where guests receive a credit for this during their stay. We then visited the Laguna Beach Hotel & Spa, which has stunning views of the mountains and an incredible infinity pool.

DAY THREE

HOTEL VISITS

We checked out of Jalsa Beach and made our way to the first adult-only hotel visit of the day, Radisson Blu Poste Lafayette Resort & Spa. This hotel offers its guests the chance to be adventurous with themed buffets that can be Indian, Mauritian, or Moroccan. They also have a snorkelling trail with 23 stations where guests can see different sea life.

The All-Inclusive package starts when people check in and ends when they leave – not when they check out. We also visited The Nine Golf Course, an award-winning Course that has only been open since November 2022. From here, we visited the Radisson Blu Azuri Village, which has an infinity pool and direct access to the beach. The Blu passport means that clients can use facilities between the two hotels at no additional charge. Overnight stay at Pearle Beach, which has a pool bar and live entertainment every night.

DAY FOUR

DOLPHINS & VOLCANOS

We woke up early for our Dolphin sightseeing trip. We had a glass-bottom boat and could see the coral beneath us. Seeing the dolphins was an incredible experience. From here, we went on to visit a volcano in Curepipe that last erupted 600,000 years ago. We visited the Grand Bassin (Sacred Lake) and Hindu Temple, where a festival is held at the end of February each year. We had lunch at the Avalon Golf Estate, which also has spa facilities.

DAY FIVE

CATAMARAN TRIP

After our overnight stay at Silver Beach, we headed out for our Catamaran Day trip. We sailed to Île aux Cerfs, an offshore island with a variety of watersports and some independent restaurants. We also saw another group of dolphins, which swam so close to our boat. After a long day in the sun, we went to the Casuarina Resort & Spa for our overnight stay.

DAY SIX

VERANDA HOTEL VISIT

We had breakfast at the Tarisa Resort & Spa. The breakfast was served by waiters, so it wasn’t the usual buffet-style breakfast. The hotel had 13 suites, 1 garden suite and 2 penthouse suites (only one of the two penthouse suites have a plunge pool). Sports such as mini golf, volleyball and tennis are available too. We then visited the Veranda Grand Baie, where we had lunch. The hotel was one of the first Veranda properties. All furniture in the rooms is hand-made by the locals, and the spa personalizes each individual’s treatments.

The restaurants are a la Carte and have no extra supplements; guests can enjoy the Ultra All Inclusive package, which allows them to eat where they want when they want. We had our overnight stay at the Intercontinental Resort, which has had £15 million spent in renovations and has 210 rooms spread across 10 blocks. They have some on-site shops, babysitting services, and no extra supplements for their a la carte restaurants.

DAY SEVEN

PORT LOUIS

We visited the capital of Port Louis, which had a traditional market where fresh produce, herbs, spices and clothing are sold. We ate lunch at the Sands Suites Resort & Spa, where we also had a guided tour. This is the sister property of the Maradiva Villas Resort & Spa and encourages fresh food to prevent wastage. They offer a free guided nature walk twice a week. We then visited the Varanda Tamarin Bay, which is big on sustainability and has an adult-only rooftop bar that overlooks the bay; each guest also receives a Tamarin juice drink upon arrival.

DAY EIGHT

FINAL DAY IN MAURITIUS

We visited the Outrigger Mauritius Resort, where all rooms will have a view. The hotel has themed buffet nights and a separate pool only for adults. From there, we visited the Heritage Awali, where a concierge service is available to guests. There is an option for guests to have Premium All Inclusive, and if you’re a golfer, you will receive a round of golf with this option. We also visited the Heritage Le Telfair Golf on the same grounds as the Awali. After a fantastic trip, it was time to fly back to the UK!

WHO WOULD THIS TYPE OF TRIP BE SUITED TO?

This destination is suitable for all age groups, but Mauritius may be a fantastic option for travellers looking for an extra memorable honeymoon.

Favourite Hotel Visited

I liked all the hotels during the trip, but the Veranda Grand Baie was my favourite. The facilities were of a great standard, and the rooms were spacious and had clean, modern décor. The location for this one was great as well. It’s around a 15-minute walk to the main resort centre, where you will find shops, bars, and restaurants, along with the public beach and casinos.

Best Experience of FAM and Why?

My favourite experience of the FAM trip was seeing the dolphins in their natural habitat twice. It was such an incredible moment, and seeing them in their natural habitat was more ethical. It’s truly a memory I will never forget.

General Comments and Tips:

I’d like to take this time to thank Mercury Holidays for having me and for the opportunity. It was great to see everything firsthand, and learning from a local tour guide was amazing, too! Thank you to Brinda from Cathay Tours and Josh from Mercury Holidays.

Air Mauritius has a daily direct flight from London Gatwick.

Join Gemma's Unforgettable Vietnam Expedition

admin@travelmarketingsystems.com (TMS Help Team) — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 16:56:33 GMT

DAY ONE

DEPARTURE

When arriving in Hanoi, we will transfer to our hotel, the Chalcedony Hotel, which is in the Old Quarter and central to exploring the city.

I walked around the city and visited Tran Quoc Pagoda, one of the oldest Pagodas in Vietnam. The city is bustling, and the amount of motorbikes on the road is crazy; the first challenge for us was working out how to cross a road! It's like taking your life into your own hands, but we crossed with a local who happened to be crossing simultaneously, and they made it look easy. You step out and hold your hand up to the traffic as you are walking, and they stop and let you pass or drive around you.

Later that afternoon, we met our CEO (Chief Experience Officer), our tour guide for the trip. He introduced himself, as did we, and explained the itinerary and what we would do. He also gave us hints and tips for the country and local areas, such as what to avoid.

We then headed out for dinner at a local restaurant within walking distance of our hotel. Our guide recommended the place and came along and had dinner with us. We ordered a Vietnamese set menu for the table to try some of everything, as we were keen to try the local food.

DAY TWO

Hạ LONG BAY

We took our tour bus to the infamous Hạ Long Bay, where we stayed a night on a Traditional Junk boat. We were all given cabins, which were very spacious with little porthole windows, air conditioning and ensuite facilities. I was very impressed with the standard. We had Lunch onboard and then headed out to explore the Island's caves, which were impressive and well worth visiting. We visited another island with a beach where you could swim and relax; there was a café for refreshments. There was also the opportunity to climb 400 steps up to the top of the Island and a 360-degree viewing platform for photo opportunities.

DAY THREE

H ạ LONG BAY TO HANOI

First, we were able to explore the natural beauty of Hạ long Bay close-up on our Kayaks. It was a genuine pinch-me moment. The sunshine came out, and the green of the Islands and the water set against the blue sky was magical.

We took our kayaks to quieter islands where no other tourists were around. It was peaceful, and we could genuinely soak up the natural beauty of our surroundings. We collected rubbish that had washed up around the islands. We wanted to make a slight difference by keeping the area clean and litter-free. This issue arises in areas of interest for tourism.

We head back to our junk boat for a shower and change, and we have our Lunch onboard before disembarking and heading back to Hanoi.

We spent the afternoon in Hanoi. A great way to see the city and learn more about its culture and food is the foodie tour in the Old Quarter, where we experienced the local street food culture.

We even tried the coffee made with eggs, a local speciality. It was surprisingly delicious and sweet, like a dessert.

DAY FOUR

HOE

We caught an overnight sleeper train from Hanoi to Hoe, once the ancient Capital of Vietnam. We visited the Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and Tien Mu Pagoda. Our local guide was very knowledgeable and gave us an insight into the area's history.

Lunch was at a local Monastery, where local monks prepared and served our food. It was delicious, and the location was peaceful and beautiful.

After Lunch, we went on a bike tour to explore the town that afternoon. Our experienced drivers were terrific, and I would highly recommend this activity. The whole group enjoyed it. Dinner was at a local restaurant in the evening, and then we took part in some Karaoke, hugely popular in Vietnam.

DAY FIVE

HOI AN

We took our tour bus to Hoi An, where I am currently. We drove through the stunning Vietnamese countryside and stopped along the way, filling our day with more unforgettable and unique experiences.

We visited the City of Ghosts, learning about the buried culture and the richly decorated tombs. We also visited a fishing lake close to the mountain pass between Hoa and Da Nang. We took a traditional fishing boat and shown the local fishing methods, including oysters, fish, squid, and other seafood. We had Lunch on the lake with a local family on their fishing platform, set in beautiful surroundings.

After Lunch, we drove over the Hai Van pass, where, from a height, you can view Da Nang from one side and Hoe from the other. There are still some old French Bunkers up there from the war. The views from here are breathtaking. Having a local experienced guide with G- adventures means we have money cannot buy experiences—memories of a lifetime.

We arrived in Hoi An to another ideally located hotel close to the old town. That evening, we walked into the old town to see the evening markets and had dinner in a local restaurant recommended by our G guide. We saw the boats on the river with all the colourful lanterns for which Hoi An is known. We stayed in Hoi An for three nights, allowing us to explore the area before moving to Ho Chi Minh City.

DAY SIX

HOI AN

We had an early start as we had opted to take part in a cycling tour of Hoi An, and it's better when it's quieter and cooler in the morning. I highly recommend this as you explore areas you ordinarily wouldn't see. Cycling through the villages and rice fields immerses you in the culture. We stopped to taste and see how you make rice wine, a local drink, but only one shot as we didn't want to be drinking and driving.

We stop at the river for a quick refreshment before boarding some small traditional basket boats, paddle up the river along the coconut plantation, and watch the locals dancing in the boats.

In the afternoon, we make our noodles at STREETS International Oodles of Noodles, a G partner for good. A give back to the community initiative. STREETS helps Vietnamese orphans and disadvantaged children, teaching them life skills such as cooking, hospitality, and English to assist them in seeking employment and providing a good life for themselves. The initiative has a 100% success rate with getting students into employment. They provide medical insurance so they can get medical care.

Some students took our cooking class and taught us how to make noodles. In the afternoon, we had some free time to relax. We were ready for some downtime before heading out for dinner and exploring the night market in Hoi An. Be prepared to haggle; many stalls and street vendors are ready to bargain. At night, Hoi An is beautiful; there is a photo opportunity everywhere you turn. There are lanterns everywhere, traditional boats on the river and the quaint old town with its traditional charm. I have genuinely fallen in love with Hoi An.

DAY SEVEN

HOI AN

It was the last day in Hoi An, and today, we had some free time in the morning after breakfast. Some of the group chose to walk into the old town to see some of the historical sites and grab a coffee in a local shop.

After we get picked up from our hotel, we go lantern-making. Lanterns are a big part of Hoi culture, so we can't come here without trying our hand at making one. It was a wet morning, so this activity was perfect until the sun came back out. We get to keep our lamps to take home as a keepsake.

Extra excursions to add to your guided tour are always booked and paid for locally. After Lunch, we treat ourselves to a spa; Vietnam is well known for its spa treatments, such as massages, facials and other pampering treatments. We went to a spa recommended by our tour guide, Rocky, and as there are so many to choose from, it is great to have local knowledge. I had a full body massage and a manicure for 550,000 Dong, approximately £16. It was probably the best massage I've had! After our spa, we returned to the hotel to freshen up before heading out for dinner in beautiful Hoi An; we headed to a recommended restaurant by our G Adventures guide. We are pinching ourselves daily as this trip gets better and better.

DAY EIGHT

HO CHI MINH CITY

Today, we left Hoi An and took our internal Vietnam Airlines flight to Ho Chi Minh City, our last stop on our tour. Arriving in Ho Chi Minh, we expected it to be busy as it has 12 million residents, the biggest city in Vietnam even though Hanoi is the Capital. Once named Saigon, the city changed its name in 1975 after the Vietnam War. Most of the younger generation want to live and work in Ho Chi Minh City because it's a more developed, modern and cosmopolitan city with more career prospects. As we drove through the city, we could see the difference between the cities; Ho Chi Minh felt more vibrant, with a mix of old traditional and new skyscrapers and shopping malls. The one thing you can't fail to notice in the big cities is the traffic, and all the motorbikes blow your mind, but it's all part of the culture here.

Our tour bus took us straight from the airport to the Cu Chi Tunnels; there was a specialist local guide to meet us and explain the Vietnam War and what part the Tunnels played in helping them win the war. This part of the trip was so interesting to me. I enjoyed listening to the history of Vietnam's struggle to win their independence.

We arrived at the Golden Hotel for two nights, another one of Gadventures' preferred central hotels. It is just around the corner from Ben Thanh Market Saigon, where you can find everything from cooked foods, souvenirs, clothes, fresh fruit, meat, fish, and pots and pans. All the locals shop here; it's a bit bizarre. There are lots of restaurants, shops, bars, and spas nearby.

Our G Adventures Guide gave us some recommendations for places to eat our dinner that evening; we headed for the Street Food Market, which is foodie heaven with its hustle and bustle and the smell of incredible fresh food everywhere. We also tried the cocktails.

DAY NINE

MEKONG DELTA RIVER

It was the final day of the tour, and we chose to add a trip to the Mekong Delta River. Our tour bus took us to the Mekong River, where we boarded a traditional Vietnamese wooden boat and headed out onto the famous Mekong River. We went to four small islands in the Mekong. These islands are named after sacred animals (Unicorns, Turtles, Dragons, and phoenixes). They are different sizes, with more residents on some than others.

We transferred to smaller boats to take us through the narrow waters of the water coconut farm. A pinch-me moment, I felt truly immersed in the destination. Afterwards, we headed onto Turtle Island to see how they make chocolate from cocoa beans and try some for ourselves. We also were shown the many uses of coconuts, which they grow locally. They use all the coconut and even craft door mats from the green casing around the coconut.

They also make beauty products, cooking oils, sweets, utensils, and other valuable objects from the hard shell. We visited a fruit farm and tasted the many tropical fruits produced locally, such as dragon fruit, mango, pineapple, and guava. We stopped to try some bee pollen and honey tea with cumquat, and it's delicious. The locals make and sell the produce from the bee honey and pollen. As we sit and have tea, some of the group hold a bee Hive, and the bees fly freely around us. Strange not to run or try and swat them away, but they are friendly and don't harm you, so everyone is at ease. We take a tuc tuc around the Island, a form of transport I wanted to tick off being in Vietnam. They use the Tuc Tuc less in Vietnam as technology has advanced. They have moved onto more efficient modes of transport, so it's great to have the authentic experience on the little untouched Island on the Mekong.

WHO WOULD THIS TYPE OF TRIP BE SUITED TO?

Singles, Couples Any age category Adventurous families Explorer's Bucket-list trip Culture/History Beach & City

BEST EXPERIENCE FROM THE TRIP?

The whole experience was amazing: having a cocktail in the wake bar while watching the sunset and waking up at different ports to explore.

Favourite Hotel Visited

Ving Hung Old Town Hotel in Hoi An has an Amazing location, a good breakfast, and modern and spacious rooms with balconies. There is also a pool for relaxing. It is an ideal central hotel.

Favourite Restaurant Visited:

HANOI – 5 SPICE RESTAURANT

HOI AN – MORNING GLORY

HO CHI MINH CITY - SOL KITCHEN & BAR

Best Experience of FAM and Why?

Halong Bay was a major Highlight for me. We stayed on a Junk boat overnight, and it was extraordinary to experience this Wonder of the world. We explored some of the Island's caves and beaches and climbed to the top of one for a spectacular 360-degree view. Kayaking in Halong Bay the following day was very special, and you felt immersed in the destination's natural beauty. It was an added activity, but it was well worth 10 USD.

General Comments and Tips:

For guided tours, pack a rucksack or soft roll-away bag for transporting from place to place and keep luggage to a minimum. They have cheap laundry services everywhere.

Check recommended Vaccines. Take strong mosquito repellent, an umbrella, and a poncho, especially in rainy seasons. Wear casual, comfortable clothing and footwear, e.g., trainers and flip-flops, high sunscreen, and cover-up for temples and monasteries. Vietnamese Dong is the currency. You can also use cards, as they will take them in shops and restaurants. Cash machines are available in most places. They use European plugs. Be careful using taxi services. They have registered services such as Grab, Vinasun, and VM Cars.

Airline/Cruise Comments

Vietnam Airlines: Direct from Heathrow Economy seats are comfortable; however, I'd recommend paying extra for Extra Legroom or Exit seats. Service was terrific, the food was good, and the onboard entertainment was fair. Premium and Business classes are available.

Stacy's Journey Across the Mediterranean

admin@travelmarketingsystems.com (TMS Help Team) — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 16:58:57 GMT

DAY ONE

DEPARTURE

I travelled from Manchester airport to Athens with EasyJet, which took around 4 hours; after arriving, I met up with Jo, Millie and Ellie, the Princess hosts, who were fantastic from the start. The coach transferred us to the port, which took about an hour. I then received my Princess medallion, a small accessory the size of a coin you keep with you throughout your cruise.

The check-in process was swift and efficient; the staff took our luggage, which they delivered to our cabin. I was so impressed with Sun Princess from the moment I stepped onboard, from the gorgeous decor to the friendly, welcoming staff. My cabin was on deck 11, a deluxe cabin with all the mod cons, plenty of storage space, and sense lighting. We then met up for drinks at Cascades bar and went to the Horizons dining room for dinner—the creme brulee was amazing!

When I returned to my cabin, the turn-down service included fresh towels and a copy of the "Princess Patter" daily leaflet telling you about the next day ahead.

DAY TWO

AT SEA

After a good sleep, the bed was comfortable with a choice of pillows. I went to the Eatery for a buffet breakfast, then onto The Landing, a meeting area for a presentation from the Princess hosts and some onboard staff. They took us on a tour of the ship, which included visiting the Lotus spa, The Piazza, Princess casino, The Dome, and the shops of Princess, wow!

After the tour, we stopped at Crooners bar for a much-needed cocktail, a "French Martini", which I highly recommend.

DAY THREE

MESSINA, SICILY

After an overnight sailing, we arrived at Messina port around 6 am, and the view from the balcony was spectacular. I had ordered breakfast to be delivered to the cabin using the info provided the night before.

I decided to go offshore, and we got a taxi into Taormina, about 40 minutes away; the scenery was out of this world. After a few hours in Taormina, I tried a Scillian gelato and visited the famous Isola Bella. From there, I went back to Messina to visit the Norman cathedral.

When we arrived back on the ship, staff offered us cool drinks and hand towels. Again, it was a smooth process back onboard. That evening, I had dinner in the speciality restaurant "Catch by Rudi." It was a great experience, and the food was amazing.

DAY FOUR

AT SEA

Today, I had breakfast at the international cafe, which is open 24 hours, ideal for those who want a quick coffee and grab something on the go. I thought I would struggle to find things to do as this was the first time I had cruised, but I was so surprised by the range of facilities onboard, something for everyone.

The Piazza was the ship's heart, with great entertainment, music, games, and Princess Live, which featured live acts, dancing and singing.

We were fortunate to visit the Princess Arena theatre, which wasn't fully ready for performances; I can only imagine how fabulous it would be when completed and the range of shows for all to enjoy. It was a fab experience dressing up for the formal night, but for those who didn't want to, there were plenty of relaxed areas, so everybody felt comfortable.

There was a vast range of restaurants and bars, and the choice of food, sweet treats and drinks was endless; one of my favourite bars was O'Malley's Irish Bar, which had a great atmosphere with live Irish music.

DAY FIVE

PALMA, MAJORCA

The ship arrived early in port, around 6 am. First, we had a galley tour, which was really interesting. We learned all about food preparation for over 4000 guests. I then went on to Horizons restaurant for an all-American breakfast. Again, the service and food were unreal, especially the pancakes.

I then went offshore and took a taxi into Palma. It cost 15 Euros and took about 10 minutes; what a gorgeous city, and I saw sights such as the Cathedral Basilica de Santa Maria and the old town. I enjoyed sitting in the square and watching the street entertainment with a glass of sangria – Perfect!

That evening, back on board for our last night, we had dinner at Alfredos Pizzeria, one of the casual dining options included in the Princess Plus package. I had the Pizza Capricciosa, and it was delicious. I then went to "Good Spirits at Sea." The cocktails were so premium, and it was such a fun atmosphere.

DAY SIX

BARCELONA

The ship docked in Barcelona around 6 am, and after arranging our time to disembark with the Princess hosts, we met at 8 am. After leaving our cabin, we received luggage labels.

The process was really efficient, and the staff onboard was on hand to help. We then got on our transfer coach back to the airport. Overall, I had a wonderful time and have some great memories onboard the Sun Princess.

WHO WOULD THIS TYPE OF TRIP BE SUITED TO?

Couples, friends, Families and solo travellers.

BEST EXPERIENCE FROM THE TRIP?

The whole experience was amazing: having a cocktail in the wake bar while watching the sunset and waking up at different ports to explore.

Favourite Restaurant Visited

Catch by Rudi, I ordered the surf and turf, and the steak was excellent. I highly recommend booking this restaurant.

General Comments and Tips:

Always have your Princess medallion with you, and download the app, as everything can be done through that. You can order drinks or food, and they will find you anywhere on the ship to deliver your order directly to you. Take a card as this is a cashless ship.