12 August 2021

To say that the past 18 months has been out of the norm would be an understatement. Travellers are waiting patiently as borders open slowly, restrictions lighten and vaccinations get underway. New Zealand borders are still closed to tourists but we do see light at the end of the tunnel, so in anticipation of when this may happen I decided to take a bit of a tour of my new country to share what is waiting for you when you can visit again. Travelling in New Zealand in July means experiencing a winter wonderland. Arriving early in Christchurch we had a short wait for our shuttle to pick up our rental car, with an online check-in service available to be completed beforehand. Our vehicle was ready and waiting for us with no additional paperwork waiting for the road trip ahead. A day in Christchurch was the start of this journey. A vibrant, beautiful city with so much to offer. Even with many buildings still under repair from the 2011 earthquakes the beautiful parks, graffiti on the buildings and state of the art library is not to be missed. Hungry? Stop in for a burger and fries at Shaka Bros or head into the market next door for your choice of food yumminess. And for dessert - Waffle Haus will make sure you will not leave without your sweet tooth being satisfied. Tip: Before heading out on a road trip in New Zealand, be prepared to not be in a rush. Most of the motorways are single lanes with an 80-100 km/h speed limit with many interesting stops along the way. Our first destination from Christchurch was to head to Mt Cook in Aoraki National Park, a comfortable 6-hour drive with a lunch stop at Faerlie's Bakehouse for their famous pies a visit to the Barkers shop in Geraldine for a taste of all the products they have to offer and a moment to take in the breathtaking beauty of Lake Tekapo. Our accommodation for the night was at the Hermitage Hotel where every room has a view of the majestic Mt Cook. Be sure to pack in your walking shoes as you have the choice between hiking trails varying between 1-8 hours to various Glaciers and viewing points. If you want to extend your visit you may want to take a helicopter flip or even skydive over Mt Cook. Our next stop would be Queenstown (a trip to South island in the winter would not be complete without this visit). This beautiful town is situated on Lake Wakatipu, at 80km long and spanning 291m2 it is the 3rd largest lake in New Zealand. With crystal clear waters you have a myriad of activities to choose from whether it be renting jet skis, take a Jet Shotover boat or a semi-submersible shark ride. Land lovers will not be disappointed. A visit up the Gondola promises you the most amazing views of Queenstown and the Remarkables mountain ranges and just for fun, try a bit of luging - great fun for all ages. On our 2nd day we decided to try on a bit of snowboarding, lessons and rentals were easily bookable in town and a half hour bus ride had us arriving to enjoy a day in the powder. Your rental gear is collected on arrival in a quick and easy system and be sure to rent some ski pants and gloves to keep warm and dry. A visit to Queenstown would not be complete without grabbing a burger at the infamous Fergburger and a donut or breakfast bagel from Balls & Bangles. With numerous wine farms in the area and Milford Sound, a day trip away ensures you carve enough time in your itinerary to make the most of your time here. South Island does have something to offer everyone, we only experienced the very tip of the iceberg and I cannot wait to go and explore the West Coast, Sounds and many of the smaller towns in more detail. When borders re-open, I highly recommend that New Zealand be on that bucket list.

16 April 2018

From 09 - 12 March 2018 I had the opportunity to spend 4 days onboard the MSC Sinfonia on a cruise sailing from Durban o the to the Portuguese Islands for our annual Travel Counsellors South Africa Conference. I so look forward to these trips as I am able to give my clients my firsthand experience as to what they can expect when onboard. The queue for check-in at Durban Airport was a long one, but with everyone around us excited to board, the time passed rather quickly - however take a hat and some water and get there early, as this can be a bit of a wait. Keep your travel documents and passport handy at all times as there are 3 - 4 security checks before you actually board and at the last check they retain your passport for the duration of the trip (don't worry, you get it back the day before you disembark.) I am a rather nervous cruiser as I suffer from terrible motion sickness, but with a bit of planning and with the correct tablets and acupuncture bracelets it was time to sail away. The Indian Ocean waters are a little rougher than the Med or Caribbean but with a little practice we were making our way around the boat and exploring. The cruise includes all your meals onboard so get ready to try out as many of the restaurants as you can, there is always something happening at the pool deck where you will be entertained by the wonderful staff with dancing and games. If you don't want to leave the boat with a big bill at the end of your cruise you will also have the opportunity to buy a drinks packages which can include just sodas and waters or cocktails and coffees too. The cabins were a comfortable size; however, the bathrooms and showers are fairly small so if you do are looking for more space, I would recommend considering a Balcony Suite to make your stay more comfortable. In the evenings there is usually a themed evening that you can dress accordingly, this can be anything from tropical, carnival or nautical, so have a little fun, dress up and join in the fun. After dinner you are welcome to have your time at leisure or you can attend a show with some dancing and fun after. If you have your children with you there is a kid’s club, (I sometimes thought the children were having more fun than the adults) with loads of entertainment and activities to keep them busy you need not worry and you can enjoy some downtime. The day out at the Portuguese Islands is a really lovely treat, you can choose to spend the day on the beach and in the water or up on the decks enjoying some cocktails and music with a light lunch served as part of your onboard meals. Don't forget your sunblock and sandals if you want to do a bit of exploring. These cruises are a really great way to spend a weekend away as a couple or a family and I highly recommend it when looking for something out of the ordinary. And with the MSC Musica heading to our waters for the 2019 cruise season it's a holiday that I'm considering this for my family.

27 May 2016

I was privileged enough to be invited on an educational trip of a lifetime to the beautiful islands of the Maldives. A lengthy but comfortable journey on-board Qatar Airways via Doha saw us arrive in Male to board a smaller aircraft to another island before taking a speedboat to an even smaller island - but the adventure had just begun. Six Senses Laamu is picture perfect, barefoot luxury. Before arriving on the boat we were given a shoe bag and encouraged to spend our days without shoes on, even to your meals - YES, I took full advantage of this. Each guest is provided with their very own bicycle at their villa on arrival to move around the island and explore. With so much to do and so little time to do it, this is a welcome addition to your island holiday. Staying in a Lagoon Villa and being surrounded by water makes your room a peaceful haven. Outdoor showers, water viewing glass in the toilet and a deck leading out to the lagoon where you can jump off into the water at any time adds to the feeling of relaxation that just seems to accompany your arrival. My first morning started with a back, neck and shoulder massage at the spa with a view overlooking the blue waters of the lagoon. This was a great way to unwind and help with the jetlag that I was feeling a touch of. With over 5 restaurants to choose from, breakfast, lunch and dinner is an exciting time to try out local and international cuisine in a setting of your choice. As for dessert, well the complimentary choice of 44 flavours of ice-cream and sorbet is a must. Our second day was spent on a private island surrounded by white sand, blue waters, a picnic basket to die for and snorkelling as far as your eyes can see. You can finish your day off with a private dinner on the beach or movies under the stars. Six Senses Laamu's water sports centre offers, Stand Up Paddling, water-skiing, kayaking and surf lessons amongst other activities so you can fill your day with excitement and much needed Vitamin D. If your need of a holiday is to relax completely and find a sense of peace then a Maldivian Island holiday is definitely for you. Qatar Airways offers quick and seamless connections and there is more than enough to do during your downtime at Doha Airport from shopping to dining. There are relaxation areas, plenty of restrooms and even jungle gyms for your little tots. I will definitely return to these beautiful islands.

01 October 2015

Imagine arriving on an island with the look and feel of a desert, the coastline of the Mediterranean and the cultural influence of Europe that leaves you breathless - that is the island of Tenerife in the Canary Islands of Spain. I was very privileged to spend a few days here for our Gold Awards conference in September at the magnificent Gran Hotel Bahia Del Duque Resort. My first impression on arrival was a bit of mixed feelings but I left the island completely in love with a wish to return. There is something for all ages and interests. Hire a car and take a day trip to the capital of Santa Cruz to learn about the history of Tenerife, book a day trip to the winelands at the base of the volcano Mt Teide where you can do a bit of wine tasting and even stomp grapes or if your love is for the water take a kayaking excursion out to the cliffs of Los Gigalatos. The highlight of my visit was a Whale watching catamaran cruise, we were blessed to encounter Sei Whales, Pilot whales and a massive pod of Dolphins who played and frolicked in the waters around us. For food lovers you can walk from your hotel to one of many of the lovely cafes and restaurants along the walkways next to the beaches for anything from light meals to fine cuisine, and some cocktails while watching the sun dip - a wonderful experience for the palate and senses. You can get to Tenerife through cities in the UK and Europe and a short 4 hour flight down to Tenerife with one of the many low cost airlines. If you are looking for a destination with a difference then the Canary Islands should definitely be on your bucket list. On my return I fitted in a quick day stop in Paris, having booked myself L'Open tour hop-on-hop-off bus ticket I was lucky enough to see all of the must see sights and capture a selfie in front of the Eiffel Tower. A whirlwind few days with a lifetime of memories.

19 September 2014

Imagine your day spent visiting a volcano, swimming in waterfalls or hiking for kilometres to return to your oasis on the lagoon with a cocktail in hand. If this is your idea of the perfect getaway then Reunion awaits you. I was privileged enough to be selected out of 700 entrants to take part in the first ever South African "mascarun", this is a race made up of physical and intellectual challenges to learn about the diverse island that is Reunion. A short 4 hour flight on Air Austral will get you there; they offered good service and good food to make for an excellent start to your journey. Reunion is a French Island so their roads are immaculate and car hire is a great way to go, but they drive on the "wrong" side of the road and English is not widely spoken which put together can confuse the greatest of minds. An hour after our welcome we arrived at the Lux Ila De La Reunion which would be our home for the next 4 nights. Clean, comfortable rooms awaited us and a stroll on the white sandy beaches on the lagoon was the perfect end to some tiring days. Our first evening we were introduced to our teams and a group of people that would become good friends within just a few days. We were a diverse group of people and everyone was special in their own unique way. The next week was one surprise after another; each coastline of Reunion has its own climate, vegetation and sights. We got to hike 8km of their 200km hiking trails to the cirque Mafate, enjoy helicopter flips over the mountains and lagoon and a visit to the Rum factory and vanilla plantation which left me with an understanding as to why vanilla carries the price tag it does. A 4x4 excursion to the active volcano Piton de la Fournaise took us to an altitude of 2400m above sea level and left a few of us a little bleak on the journey down. The aqua hike to another cirque, Salazie, was my highlight (this basically entails jumping off a 6m cliff into a waterfall pool and then using your body to "raft" down the river from one pool to another - big WOW) finishing our challenges with a great day on the beach with kayaks, archery and local beach games. In our "down" time we got to visit a few hotels and took a final drive to the last cirque of the island, Cilaos – it was an interesting drive with 420 bends in the road over just a 30km distance. We arrived at a beautiful combination of both - Switzerland and France, just in the mountains! The food was a gastronomical experience from one meal to the next. Fresh fruit, line fish, seafood and local specialties had me excited for what was to come. From French inspired cuisine in the hotels to local specialities in guesthouses and a restaurant "Lychees", lying next to a sparkling river. You need to try a little of everything to get a feel for the island and its people. We were hosted by Lux Recif for our last 3 nights, and it was just a short walk to the local beach, nightclubs and supermarket. The best part of the stay was grabbing a cocktail and watching the sunset on the beach, it was unforgettable and breathtakingly beautiful. So go ahead and contact me to book your adventure to Reunion, you need your passport, international drivers licence, a swimming costume and hiking shoes. The island will welcome you with open arms.

22 June 2012

Mauritius is a tropical island paradise on our doorstep - with something to offer every taste and interest for the discerning traveller. I had the pleasure of visiting this beautiful island for the Travel Counsellors Annual Conference from 17-20 May 2012. With an early start to the day and a very comfortable four-hour journey on SAA, I arrived in Mauritius at around 15H20 to a warm welcome - and I don't just mean the weather. A short 15 minute drive had us arriving at the 5 Star Beachcomber Shandrani Resort & Spa, welcomed by the Resort Manager and a cold hand towel to refresh after a long day. Check-in was swift and soon I was relaxing on the lounger on my patio overlooking white beaches and the beautiful waters of Blue Bay Lagoon. Shandrani Resort is a beautiful resort on the southern tip of Mauritius in a protected Marine reserve. The hotel is made up of 327 rooms (110 Superior, 69 Superior Beachfront, 108 Deluxe of which 18 interconnect, 36 Family Apartments, 2 Senior Suites and 2 Family Suites), 5 restaurants, 2 bars, a conference centre, La Source spa and a fitness centre. The list of activities available to keep you busy is endless, to list a few: tennis, mashie golf, sailing, skiing, snorkelling and bicycle hire, all forming part of the All Inclusive Serenity package offered by the resort. If activity is not what you are after and you would just like to laze on the beach, you can choose from 3 beautiful beaches, my favourite being the Wild Beach which is on the far end of the property away from the hustle and bustle, and as the name suggests “Wildly” beautiful. The resort really has the resources to cater to everyone’s needs from a family getaway to a honeymoon or that much needed break, and if Mauritius is where you want to get married, you won’t be disappointed. After a day and a half of information packed conference sessions we were privileged enough to go spend the afternoon with a supplier of our choice and visit other properties on the island and this is what I found: • 3 Star Astroea Beach Resort: This hidden gem is a new hotel to the Mauritian island, it is small and intimate and perfect for the traveller that wishes to feel as if they are on a deserted island, the hotel is made up of 1 restaurant, 1 bar and 4 room types, namely: 5 Standard, 4 Comfort, 2 Deluxe and 4 Family Villas, the rooms are decorated in refreshing turquoise and cream giving a wonderful island feel. With a maximum capacity of around 44 guests, the service is personal and exceptional. The resort itself offers few activities but should you wish to have a day filled with activity you are welcome to use the facilities of the sister resort, Le Preskil just down the road. With a beautiful stretch of white sandy beach and sparkling waters, your days promise to be relaxing and sun-kissed. • 4 Star Le Preskil: “Le Preskil” meaning “Before the Island” offers it guests a privacy that cannot be guaranteed elsewhere by the fact that there is only one entrance to get onto this island hotel. This is a lovely resort, larger than its sister hotel down the road boasting 114 Lagoon rooms, 28 Prestige cottages, 14 Deluxe penthouse rooms, a spa, 3 restaurants and activities galore. Catering for the more budget conscious, the hotel offers an all-inclusive option to take the fright out of the end of your stay and makes Mauritius an option for all travellers. We ended our day being spoiled with a Catamaran cruise, snacks, sparkling wine and an energetic crew who were determined to show us a good time. Anchoring out in the bay, we had a refreshing swim and were treated to Mauritian style entertainment onboard before returning for our coach back to the Shandrani. I recommend Mauritius because of its beauty, friendly culture and for being an island rich in history. If you want advice on your next island holiday to Mauritius, feel free to contact me and I will be happy to assist with the best option for your needs. South African's do not require a visa for travel to Mauritius; however you need to ensure that you have a valid passport with no less than 6 months validity left on it. If this is in order, pack your swimming gear and I will send you to Mauritius…