Office: Maesteg 01656 737755

I have been in travel for five years and have enjoyed various aspects of the job, like managing a bureau and selling tailor made holidays.

Selling holidays is my passion second only to my passion for travelling. I am always excited about new destinations. I get really engrossed by world itineraries and my aim is to plan one for myself someday, hopefully in the not too distant future.

I have seen some fantastic places such as the ancient Petra in Jordan, the thrilling theme parks in Florida and the beautiful sights of the Istrian coastline.

It gives me great pleasure to pass this knowledge and experience of Different places to my clients and help them find one to suit them.

Canada

I travelled to Canada in April and visited Toronto and Niagara Falls. Toronto is a very busy cosmopolitan city, with the largest shopping area in Canada. There is lots going on with exciting night life, shows and fabulous restaurants. My tip for Toronto is not to miss a visit to the CN tower restaurant. The top of the tower rotates 360 degrees every hour giving a fantastic view of the city.

Niagara Falls is fantastic and a visit to the old village of Niagara on the Lake is a must, it's fascinating. Take a trip on the Maid of the Mist right up to the falls but wear a waterproof jacket!

Make sure your hotel room has a view of the Falls, what a sight to wake up to.

 

Italy

We stayed on the Amalfi coast and a bus trip along this coastline allows you to take in the spectacular scenery. The coach hugs the edge of the cliff road and the views are breathtaking.

This is not really a family holiday it would suit couples or groups. There are many trips worth taking and we visited beautiful Capri, romantic Venice and the historical city of Rome on day trips.

You could also visit Pompei or Sorrento. Then we relaxed at one of the restaurants, with wonderful food.

I would advise that you plan which trips you want to take and book them in advance. One less thing to worry about.

Gran Canaria

I travelled to Gran Canaria in January, and the weather was fabulous, this island is a perfect winter destination.

Some of the resorts can be quite hilly, so if this could be a problem you would need to check in advance.

The nightlife in some parts is buzzing and there are plenty of bars and restaurants at reasonable prices. My top tip would be to go self-catering because there are hundreds of great restaurants to choose from.

 

Tenerife.

I went to Tenerife in April/May and while I would go back to the island I would only return in the peak summer months as the weather can be slightly overcast.

Tenerife has something to offer for all ages. For clubbers there is the nightlife of Veronicas, for families Los Cristianos and for couples the Costa Adeje.

Visit Puerto del Cruz for sightseeing, this is my favourite resort. It is a quaint town with a large shopping complex. Loro Park is a must do for the family.

If possible pay a little extra to stay in a 4* hotel, it will be well worth the money.

 

Ibiza

Ibiza is such a beautiful island with a mixture of quiet and busy resorts and large or more secluded beaches. The main resorts are San Antonio bay, Es Cana and Playa den Bossa all have excellent hotels It has a fabulous water-park, and if you are looking for nightlife Ibiza has many clubs. Alternatively there are quieter bars and restaurants.

May, June and September would be my favourite months to visit the island.

 

Egypt

Sharm el Sheikh is a purpose built resort in the Sinai peninsula of Egypt. The hotels are all modern, large and spacious some set on the beach and some on the desert.

It is a perfect destination for hot winter sunshine without the long haul flight times, and is a must for those who enjoy diving.This resort is growing every year and if you pay a little extra for an upgrade you will notice a huge difference in food quality.

Tips for this resort : book early because the flights sell quickly and avoid April which is jellyfish season.

 

Croatia

I travelled to Croatia in June and stayed in Porec but took the opportunity to go on several excursions around Croatia includingVenice and Slovenia. These are a must if you enjoy seeing the old towns and sights and appreciate good food.

The hotels cater mainly for German tourists and the resort would not be one I would recommend for families with children, or for anyone who enjoys a beach holiday.

I would like to return to Croatia to explore the southern part of the country.

 

Crete

I travelled to Crete in August and stayed in the resort of Malia,this is a very lively resort and I would not recommend it for a family holiday. Stalis is a good resort with wide beaches and more suited to families. If you are looking for a relaxing couples holiday or even a honeymoon some of the hotels in the Elounda area are just amazing. I would go back to Crete but would like to go with a group of girl friends.

 

Kos

I stayed in Kos Town and would recommend this resort. It is a busy fishing village which has a beautiful harbour area.

The beaches are golden and very safe, and the restaurants offer a wide selection of excellent foods. You can take a trip to Turkey from here.

If you venture to the smaller town of Mastahari which has a lovely beach and childrens animal farm, you can take a 20 minute ferry trip to the island of Kalymnos. The shopping is great and I really enjoyed the harbour area.

 

Zante

I stayed in the busy and lively resort of Lagana which can get very busy during peak periods. There is a brilliant waterpark which is great fun for all the family.

The resorts on the northern part of the island are more quiet and suited to couples who are looking for a peaceful and relaxing holiday.

I would recommend the boat trips because they take you to caves where you can swim in crystal clear blue water.

Next time I visit Zante I would try a resort such as Kalamaki because this is quite close to Lagana and the airport.

Flight times to Zante are always good because planes are not allowedto fly over the beaches at night in case they disturb the turtles.

 

Florida

This is one of my favourite destinations. I would only stay on International Drive because it is so easy to get around from there. You have i-ride trolleys(buses), taxis and it is very easy to drive. There are plenty of restaurants in this area and within walking distance, it is cheaper to eat here than in the Disney parks.

All the parks are a must and I think you need to stay for two weeks as one just isn't enough time. Florida is great for kids of all ages and most of the theme parks cater for all age groups. I would always return to Florida because there is so much to do, you can go to the coast and enjoy the beaches or go to the theme parks or combine the two, in a two centre holiday.I would always go in the quieter time of year because the queues can be long.

Buy your park tickets before you go and beware the time share sellers!

 

Disneyland Paris

Disneyland Paris is great for a family weekend getaway. Some of the hotels on site are a distance from the park but there are transfers available. I would go back there but in Spring as in Winter it can get very cold.

Buffalo Bills wild west fun is a great night out for the family, don't forget to pre book this.

 

France (Camping)

In July I went camping with my family in the region of Brittany.

Most of the camp sites cater for familes with playgrounds and pools and is a great base to explore the countryside. This sort of holiday would be no good without a car. I would recommend that you research the driving distances of parks and camp sites before booking.

 

Butlins

My experience of a Butlins camp was an adult only weekend in Minehead in April. They are great for a crowd of people or for hen and stag parties.The pubs and clubs on the camp can get very busy however the resort of Minehead is a pretty place if you want to visit shops, pubs or restaurants.

I stayed in the Gold class apartments which was central for all activities, they were very spacious and had everything you could possibly need.

My tip would be to upgrade to a silver or gold accommodation.

 

Lille

I visited the town of Lille in France in December. Lille is a great town especially in the run up to Christmas withits' Christmas market. There are plenty of traditional shops around and the food is outstanding. I stayed in a 2* bed and breakfast accommodation which was fine for exploring the area. If I went back I would like to stay longer to see all the things I had missed. This is an easy place to get to with the Eurostar going direct, however if you want a bargain try going by coach!

 

London Theatre Break

I have been on two theatre breaks to London, first time I went to see Phantom of the Opera and then again to watch Les Miserables. Both were fantastic. I travelled on a coach package staying in 4* central London hotels and also had free time for shopping, on a two day trip.

Next time I want to see Chicago.

This is a great idea for a birthday, anniversary or Christmas present, or why not just treat yourself!!