11 March 2019

Why you can trust me Jelena with all your travel arrangements... How comfortable are you spending R50,000, R100 000 or R200 000 and more online? Are you sure that the airline you just purchased your air tickets for your family holiday won't go "under"? And will the airline contact you, should the flight be cancelled due to various reasons? And what if the hotel you booked via an website has been overbooked, and when you get there with all your family, you will be told that unfortunately you do not have a room, as the hotel is full? And what about all the hidden costs, like additional taxes, fees, etc, that the internet won't advise you on? How about simple, but very important stuff, like entry visas, vaccinations, religious requirements of certain countries, or political situation? Yes, nowadays the internet is amazing - you can find any information. But can you trust every source you find? Overall you need to consider what will the cost could be if it went wrong while booking on the internet, versus the value that I can provide to your trip. I can guarantee you, that there is a good chance you will get few different answers to your question... Which one do you trust? Are these answers provided by travel professionals?... As a Travel Counsellor, I can offer a personalized approach to your travel requirements. I offer you years of knowledge and experience. I am here for you 24/7, and if you are stuck at any point of your trip, I'll be there for you to assist or to guide you out of unpleasant situation. Travel Counsellors' rates on all travel products are highly competitive and are market related. It takes time to prepare a good quality travel offer, especially if it is a family holiday and include various stops. But, the offer you get is not a final one, but merely a suggestion, as I need to make sure that it will suite your taste, your budget and your interests. It might not be the cheapest option, but it will be an experience you will remember for years. Please remember - anything can be changed on my quotes, and we can make changes until you are happy with it. Nowadays the market is flooded with special offers, deals, discounts, etc. And I can guarantee you, that if you will find a "great deal" at the nearby travel agency, I can offer you the same, or better, BUT it's not to say it will be your best match. Please do not discard me as your Travel Professional, if you find something cheaper at another travel agency or on the internet. Give me a call to discuss this.

05 January 2018

South Africa is an amazing country - from desert to sea, from mountains to forests, this country has it all. This December (2017), together with my family (my hubby and my 9-year-old girl), we went on a road trip to the East Coast. Port Elizabeth was our first stop just for 1 night. It is a lovely costal city. We didn't spend much time there, as the next morning we were up early to drive to Addo Elephant Park. And my, oh my... It was amazing. (Tip: if you can, rather use an SUV or a bakkie, preferably anything than a sedan, due to the gravel roads). We've encountered plenty of animals - loads of elephants, zebras, wild pigs, various bucks, we even saw one jackal, which are rather scarce and don't come near people. To get from the South to the North it can take you about an hour (non-stop), but take your time and enjoy the scenery. There are several loop driving trails (not for sedan cards, I am afraid), where you can see even more wildlife species. After Addo, we made our way to our holiday accommodation - Elandsrivier Guesthouse. It is located about 5km away from Stormsriver, on an active milk farm. They have only 4 units, but so pleasant, clean, with a private patio and a braai. Breakfast can be included in your room/rate. Your unit is cleaned daily, dishes are washed, and the beds are made. It is no different to staying at the hotel. The location is also great - right in the middle of all the sightseeing and attractions - on one side - Stormsriver, Plettenberg and Knysna, and on the other side Oyster Bay and Port Elizabeth, etc. Our main attraction for this holiday was to explore the Tsitsikamma forest. We did the Canopy Tour (starts in Stormsriver Village). It is a total adrenaline rush, especially for someone like me, I am scared of heights. I did it, the whole forest heard me, but I was very proud of myself. The tour cost R650 per person, and it will take you about 3 hours from the moment you walk into their office until you are done with your lunch (lunch is included in the price). The highest point on this tour is about 30 m and the longest stretch is about 94 m. It is a very professional service and is very safe. I can recommend this to anyone. Tip: if you travel to that area, and plan on going hiking and to explore the forest and national parks, the I would recommend that you get a "Wild card", as without it you will end up paying entrance fees to every single National park you go to. My daughter and myself love horse riding, so I booked us to go horse riding on the beach at Oyster Bay Lodge. It was a great experience and costs R350 pp for an hour. But, don't try to go there in a sedan (our big mistake) - to get to this Lodge you will need to drive about 20 km on a gravel road. We discovered a hidden gem - Jubilee Creek. It is about 30 km North from Knysna, again gravel and rather winding road, but it is worth it. It is a tranquil place with picnic/braai spots, small creek streaming through the forest, a walking trail and at the end of the trail a natural pool with a small waterfall. The whole trail will take you about an hour each way. Another fun attraction we found on a way to Plettenburg was a 3D maze. It offers loads of fun for the kids and adults and it will cost you about R90 pp. It will keep you busy for at least an hour or two, depending on your direction skills. Afterwards, you can enjoy a glass of something refreshing at the coffee shop and play some table games (free of charge). Our favourite beach on the whole stretch between Port Elizabeth and Knysna was Nature's Valley. There is a beautiful lagoon, where one can swim away from the big waves. The water is much warmer than the ocean itself. If you are keen on doing some canoeing, rent a canoe from the Caravan Park (just up the road from the Lagoon. It will cost you R400 for the whole day, or you can also rent it per hour. We also went to the Wolf Sanctuary in Knysna. It has a good number of farm animals, as well as wolves, wolf-dogs and huskies, which are placed in spacious enclosures. The cost for this visit is about R100 per person. You will also get a small bag of food to feed the farm animals (not to be given to the wolves). On our way back home, to Bloemfontein, we stopped in at Port Elizabeth again, and spent some time at the ice skating rink. It was one of the biggest highlights for my daughter. The tickets cost R100 per person, including your skate hire and there is no time limit :-). If you are planning on travelling to the Eastern Cape, then be prepared to do lots of driving, as all the villages and small towns are about 50 to 100 km apart, and don't be in a rush, as there is something interesting to see almost on every corner.

26 October 2016

Bali is indeed for everyone - for any age, budget and taste. This small island offers amazing variety of sightseeing and entertainment. It is known for its forested volcanic mountains, iconic rice paddies, beaches and coral reefs. It is home to numerous religious sites. Bali is also known for its yoga and meditation retreats, as well as beautiful beachside towns. The most convenient way to get to Bali from South Africa will be with Cathay Pacific Airlines, via Hong Kong, or with Singapore Airline, via Singapore. My family and I travelled with Singapore Airlines – it was a great experience - brilliant service and comfortable seats. If you can, plan a stopover in Singapore for couple of days it is really worth it. We only had 2 hours in transit, but had a chance to browse through the Singapore Airport. Beautiful. Kids corners with various entertainment, mini gardens, coffee shops and very comfortable rest spots. When travelling to Bali, you can either take some US Dollars, or you can take your credit/cheque card with, or withdraw Indonesian Rupees once you get to Bali. Their money nominations start with 1000 Rupees, which is equal about R1. So, congratulations, you will be a millionaire :-). To make it easier to convert to Rands, take the last three zeros away, and you will get an approximate Rand amount. Keep in mind, when you draw the money at the ATM, there might be a limit of no more than 2,500,000 or some of the ATMs might give you up to 3,000,000 at once. You will pay about R80 bank charges per withdrawal. Bali International Airport is about 30 minutes away from Kuta area. The furthest beach town is Nusa Dua, which is about 60 minutes away from the airport. The traffic is crazy in Bali. There is only one rule - make your own. Despite this, you will not hear any swearing, impatient gestures, or unnecessary hooting. People in Bali are extremely polite and friendly. They manage to manoeuvre through the constant traffic-jam with a smile on their faces. If you are brave enough, you can rent a bike for a few hundred Rand a day, and take your chance in the sea of traffic. There are several lovely beach town areas (Sanur, Seminyak, Legian, Kuta, Benoa and Nusa Dua), where one can enjoy the beach, shopping, entertainment and sightseeing without travelling for miles. You need to be careful when swimming in the sea, as the waves break at the beach and the currents can be rather strong. But if you are a surfer, it is your paradise – hire a surf board in one of the many surfing shops and enjoy the ride. To satisfy your taste buds, Bali offers a huge variety restaurants and coffee shops. You can even indulge yourself at the Jamie Oliver Italian Restaurant. Local food is cheap, but if you decide to go for any of the popular food chains then you can expect to pay 20 - 30% more. Whatever you choose, is really delicious. A tip to remember - if you feel like having a lobster, choose the restaurant which has a set price on a lobster, and not the ones that charge per 100 gr, as priced per weight will cost you a fortune. The local beers are rather good, and cost about R20 per bottle, where as any other alcohol will cost you a small fortune (a bottle of cheap wine is about R200). You will not get bored in Bali. From Waterparks to Monkey Forests - they have it all. Bali boosts the number 1 Waterpark in Asia and the number 2 in the world! It is an amazing place. The entrance fee is about R500 per adult per day, and is worth it! Both kids and adults will have a blast. Take a Chocolate Factory Tour, where you will see how chocolate is made. Or visit a Coffee plantation, where you will be able to taste various coffees and teas, and also see how the Luwak coffee is made. Next stop at the silver factory and witness how the amazing creations are coming out of a plain brick of silver. Then take a trip to the nearby island and enjoy snorkelling or scuba. They have a saying in Bali - if you've seen one temple, you've seen them all. Thana Lot is a temple to see, as it is located on a cliff, and offers amazing views. About 80% of Bali’s population is Hindu. They are religious and have strong beliefs that if you do something wrong that it comes back to you double fold. Because of this there is little/no crime and is a very safe day and night. Local people are very respectful towards their religion and follow all their religious ceremonies and traditions – it is an interesting experience. Take a day trip to Ubud. It is known as a centre for traditional crafts and dance. The surrounding Ubud District’s rainforest and terraced rice paddies are dotted with Hindu temples and shrines, and are amongst Bali’s most famous landscapes. Ancient holy sites include the intricately carved Goa Gajah (“Elephant Cave”) and Gunung Kawi, with its rock-cut shrines. There are loads of other sites to see where you can visit a monkey Forest, ride an elephant, do some shopping, and you can have a real Balinese experience. Bali has a tropical climate with year round temperatures of about 30 degrees plus and it has a very high humidity. There are 2 seasons - Wet (October to April) and Dry (May to September). During the rainy season, you might experience a hard rainfall for a few minutes during the day and some rain during night-time. Feel free to contact me if you wish to make Bali your next holiday destination.

08 August 2016

“A country that has no more legends is set to die of cold.. But a nation without a myth runs towards death.” – Dumézil Goerge. Legend has it that… Once upon a time a colony of giants inhabited the great crescent of Lemuria. One day they set out in search of the land of Paradise. They searched east, they searched west; they searched north, they searched south, but Paradise was never in sight. Then one day on their return journey to their native land, while they were roaming over the Tropic of Capricorn, they found a magnificent island freshly forged from the depths of the sea by Vulcan, the blacksmith magician of the Gods. The Lemurians decided to remain on the island. This is how Mauritius was first discovered and settled… A Paradise on your door step, I can tell ya. Only 4 hours away from Johannesburg by SAA or Air Mauritius. It’s an all year-round destination. Even in winter you can still swim, tan, and enjoy the sun and temperatures can get to 27C. I was invited on "educational" trip by Beachcomber (yes, yes, I know what you have to say, but one has to check all that fabulous sand, sun and sea to share a first-hand experience :-) ). It was wonderful. We stayed in 5 Beachcomber Hotels and visited all 7 of their hotels (Shandrani, Le Mauricia, Le Victoria, Le Canonnier, Trou Aux Biches, Paradis and Dinarobin). They offer brilliant accommodation, delicious food and beautiful views. You will not be disappointed, if you decide to stay at any of the above hotels. I won't be posting any hotels' photos, as I wouldn't give them any justice, but I will share with you my Mauritian experience instead. Speak to me for more resort information. When travelling to Mauritius, no visas are required for SA passport holders, nor any vaccinations. The best way to obtain Mauritius Rupees, is to travel with South African Rands, and to exchange them at any exchange counter at the airport in Mauritius as they do not charge any commission. Please remember to exchange any leftover Rupees back to Rands before you leave Mauritius, otherwise you will not be able to exchange them when back in South Africa. Depending on where you are staying in Mauritius, it can take you anywhere from 15 minutes to 1h30 minutes to get to your hotel. The roads are very narrow, but there is a highway, which goes through the island. Have a look at some photos of the streets and roads to give you an idea. It is not very safe to walk or cycle on these roads (unguided), as there isn't enough space for pedestrians, unless you are taking a special cycling tour. When travelling to Mauritius, I strongly recommend that you to choose an all Inclusive meal option, where all your meals and drinks are included, as prices for food and drinks in Mauritius are expensive. And even though you are using Mauritius Rupees, the costs are similar to that of the Euro. For example, for a glass of house wine, you will pay about R80, coffee will cost you about R70 and for a cocktail – about R200. Starters at the restaurants can be anything from R200. I would recommend that you pack beach shoes/flip flops, as even though the beaches are very nice, and some hotels have really soft sand, it is illegal to rake the corals away from the beach, therefore you might hurt your feet, if you step onto the coral when walking along the beach or whilst going swimming. Mauritius is an excellent holiday choice for families, couples, groups of friends, and is even perfect if you are travelling on your own whilst looking for some quality “me” time. Everyone will find something to their own liking, for example, water sports, a bit of sightseeing, to name a few – huge National Parks for hiking, curious corner (Illusion park), Grand Baie for a bit of shopping or eating out, snorkelling and swimming with dolphins, and lots and lots of sea, sand and sun. Contact me if you would like any further information.

19 May 2016

The best way to explore Paris is either on your own, or with your partner, or family or with a few friends, but my recommendation is not to explore it through an organised tour, as you will miss the best parts of the city. Try to stay there for longer than 3 nights, as the first impression of the city can be very overwhelming, and only after about 2 days, you might start to relax and enjoy your surroundings. Take a ride in a Metro, where you can enjoy the real French music (musicians play French music in trains to earn a bit of money). Walk... a lot. Take a city map and start walking. Pick a direction per day and just go. If you feel you are lost ask for directions. This way you will be able to see different hidden historical sites, enjoy the authentic French cuisine in a small local coffee shop, and not the ones you will see in the main areas, which cater for tourists. Get yourself a Hop-on-Hop-off pass, and get off on each stop so that you can explore your surroundings. If you visit the Louvre, do your homework first. Do the research and go there knowing what you want to see, as it is HUGE, and it can be very frustrating and overwhelming if you just want to pop in for a specific art piece. Take a day trip to Versailles (my personal suggestion - Versailles is so much better than Louvre). The gardens are amazing, and the palace itself offers huge collections of art pieces. If you feel like some fun, take a train early in the morning to Disneyworld, but buy the tickets beforehand at the Disney shop on Champs Elysees - it is cheaper, and you won't need to stand in a long queue when you get to the park. The queues for each attraction can be long, but they move rather quickly and the few minutes that you stand in the queue will be totally worth the wait. In the evening get on-board one of the Seine cruise boats, and enjoy the ride with a pre-recorded guide describing points of interest you will be passing by. Try to pre-book the skip the line passes for the main attractions that you wish to visit, like the Louvre, Versailles, Tour de Eiffel, to save you time, and also the passes will give you access to certain levels, rooms/areas, where the normal tickets might not be able to offer you. Please note that I can sell all these attractions. Also, keep in mind, that French people are very proud of their language and their culture, so take a bit of time and learn some basic phrases in French, while you are on a plane (or before), as even if you just say Bonjour and carry on in English they will have more respect for you and will be willing to help. If you would like to find out more then please speak to me and I would love to tailor-make your dream trip to Paris.

19 February 2016

As some of you may or may not know, I am originally from Riga in Latvia. For those of you who don't know where that is - it's in Eastern Europe. This amazing city is over 800 years old and is a fantastic combination of both medieval and modern. There are well preserved heritage sites which offer great experiences to those who are interested in history and architecture. Thanks to its prime location right on the Baltic Sea, at the mouth of the River Daugava, Riga offers a wide variety of water activities, from canal boat tours to beach swimming. The Old Town is the place to be in Riga, with cobbled stone streets, old churches and cathedrals, coffee shops and restaurants, beautiful hotels and historical buildings are all waiting to be explored. If you choose to stay in one of the hotels in the Old Town, everything will be within walking distance. You don't need a car in Riga, as the public transport is great - trams, buses, trolleybuses and of course taxis. You need to have a special permit to be able to drive inside the Old Town, and to find a parking there, is not that simple, so pack your walking shoes and explore those streets filled with many hidden treasures. Don't forget to visit Riga Market. What an experience! You will find anything you want (food wise) - from meats to sweets, to all the local fresh products. You must definitely try the dairy products, and the local pastries and cakes. As a South African citizen you will need to apply for a Schengen visa prior to departure at the Hungarian Embassy. The currency used in Latvia is the Euro. Just as most of the European countries, Latvia is fortunate to have 4 seasons. Each season offers a unique experience. It might be rainy during Autumn (September to November), but what an amazing colourful time it is, this is when most of the trees change their colours. My Tip: If visiting in Autumn - go and sit in one of Riga's parks and enjoy the scenery. Spring (March - May) - this season will bring you joy and a sense of a New Beginning as you catch the aroma of the fresh blooms of the trees wafting through the air. Winter (December - February) - during this season you can enjoy the snow, however lately, with the climate changes, it is not an every year event, but you may be lucky enough to make a snowman :-). Summer (June - August) – this will give you an opportunity to explore everything and everywhere. Generally it is not very hot during (June - August), and the average temperature is between 25C and 30C. One of the biggest attractions in Latvia is Jurmala. The Baltic Seaside with its long stretch of white sandy beaches, and it is only 20 minutes away from Riga by train. The sun is not as strong as it is in South Africa, so, you can spend hours on the beach without burning to blisters. Children's play areas and Volleyball nets are scattered throughout the beaches. After a nice sunbathing session, go and have come lunch or a cocktail in one of the local coffee shops or restaurants. Speak to me if you would like to plan a trip to this beautiful city.

19 October 2016

It's been a rainy day... In fact, most of the days of the year are rainy or cloudy in Ireland. But who cares, when there are so many things to see and do. Grab an umbrella, rent a car and off you go, exploring an amazing Emerald Island. I lived in Adare, Co.Limerick for just over 3 years. One of the tidiest towns in Ireland, for which they received several awards. Not much going on there, and if you drive through, don't rush, as you might just miss it. But, as small as it is, it hides some treasures, you might wish to experience. Stretch of thatched cottages are home to arts and crafts shops, as well as small and cosy restaurants. Stone buildings, including churches and a picturesque park are the biggest attractions of this town. Two boutique hotels, The Dunraven Arms Hotel and Adare Manor, as well as a family Woodland's Hotel will make you feel at home whilst away from home, and it will let you experience the real Irish hospitality. Just few steps away from the Adare Heritage Centre (by the way, you just have to taste their amazing banoffie pie they serve at the Heritage Centre's coffee shop), you will see the Trinitarian Priory, the only recorded Trinitarian Monastery in Ireland. It is believed that the Trinitarian monks who came to Adare may have come from Scotland. The monastery was badly damaged during the reign of King Henry VIII. Today, they call it "Holy Trinity Abbey" and is used as the local Catholic Church. Have you ever wanted to know what it feels like to walk through the regular gardens of a castle, or to have a high tea within an ancient walls? Then Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Club is the right place for you. Take an afternoon walk up the main street of Adare (the only main street, by the way), and visit this amazing castle, and who knows, maybe you'll see a ghost of Lady Dunraven. :-).