Having got married in March, we decided to take a Mediterranean Cruise on board P&O’s Arvia as our honeymoon, later in the year.

Cruise Ports

The ports we visited included La Coruna, Barcelona, Alicante, Marseille and Cadiz.

 

I loved all of the ports –  Marseille for the authentic French windy streets.

 

The hustle and bustle of busy Barcelona and its colourful markets.

 

Cadiz really surprised me and was one of my favourite places. An old city full of architecture. We spent the day just walking through the narrow streets, taking in the sites and drinking coffee in the pavement cafes.

P&O Cruise Ship – Arvia

Arvia was a huge ship.

During the day, when not in port, we relaxed by the pool. There are hot tubs all over the decks so you could relax and watch the dolphins swim by close to the ship.

There is plenty happening on board, with enough to keep you occupied all day and night, if you wanted it.  From the Aqua zone, Splash Valley, the on-deck Sports Arena and mini golf to the spa, nightclub, and much more.

The food is amazing and there is lots of choice. From the 6th Street Diner, where you can get breakfast, lunch and dinner, through to Sindhu, where the menu is inspired by India’s diverse regional
specialities.

The evening shows were amazing, something different every night from West End style shows, comedy acts, singers, and acrobats!

All in all, I would highly recommend a Mediterranean Cruise and in particular, P&O.

Click here to read Emma’s blog on her Caribbean Cruise

Written by Emma Holden , Chic Boutique Travel

50th Birthday Bali Holiday!

We had planned to take a holiday to Bali in 2020 for my husband’s 50^th birthday, but, due to Covid, we had to cancel. Three years later, and for another big birthday, we finally got there, and it was well worth waiting for.

Here is a review of my trip.

DUBAI

We started the celebrations by having a couple of nights stopover in Dubai on the outbound journey.

 

Arriving in Dubai after a 7 hour flight with Emirates, we then had a short private transfer to the Amwaj Rotana hotel,  located on the start of The Walk in Jumeriah resort.

There were plenty of bars, shops and restaurants in the immediate vicinity of the hotel and just a 5-minute walk to the beach.

The views over the city from our room were amazing.

On our second day in Dubai we took a 20-minute taxi ride to the Adventure Waterpark located at the Atlantis The Palm hotel, which is the world’s largest waterpark. There are endless activities

to keep you busy from Shark Lagoon/Dolphin Experiences, over 105 slides, Aquarium Tours, and a lovely sandy beach to relax on if it all gets too hectic. We had a great day here as a family.

 

BALI

 

From Dubai we flew direct to Denpasar Airport on the beautiful Island of Bali.

The first 3 days were spent at the Sol by Melia Benoa Hotel directly on the beach in Nusa Dua. This hotel has a calm relaxing feel with lush gardens.

Here there is plenty to do including hiring bikes, water sports, jet skis and paragliding. In the evenings there is light entertainment with local Balinese Dancers and singers.

 

Ubud, Bali

After our relaxing time in Nusa Dua we took a private transfer to Ubud, about an hour’s drive away. Ubud is situated inland amongst the rice paddie fields

 

Ubud is a great area to visit. There is a lot to see and do with a great local market, plenty of chilled bars and reasonably priced restaurants.

Although, be aware of the mopeds on the roads that always have the right of way!

Our home for the next 4 days was in a 2 bedroomed villa with pool at the Ubud Wana Resort & Spa, right next to the Monkey Forest. These Monkeys are very cheeky indeed. Be careful not to leave your bag unattended as they will take whatever they like. They particularly like to steal everyone’s sunglasses and hats!

 

Bali Zoo

This was an amazing opportunity to have our breakfast early in the morning with the Orangutans. We were picked up from our hotel at 7am and transferred to the zoo which took about an hour. The breakfast provided an extensive range of foods from an egg station-any egg you could wish for,  to sweet treats, to chicken and Noodles!

They had two Orangutans, one of which had recently had a baby so to get so close to them was a brilliant experience.

 

 

 

Other animals around us were parrots,  an anteater, porcupines, and rabbits!

Next was Elephant Mud Fun. This was an amazing interactive 2 hour experience with the Elephants. We learnt all about the Asia Elephants,  getting to put mud on them to keep them cool, having lots of photos taken with them and brushing all the mud off. They are particularly proud to have a new baby that was 18 months old. He joined us in the mud fun. It was a day that I will treasure the most and remember for the rest of my life.

 

 

 

 

The following day we enjoyed a full day tour. First we took in the breath taking views at Wanagiri Hidden Hills for some Instagram pictures and then onto Banyumala Twin Waterfalls.

 

We stopped for lunch at Beratan Lake, again enjoying fabulous views.

 

The whole trip took about 8 hours and we had our own private, local driver for the duration.

I didn’t really want to leave Ubud as it was amazing. I could have spent longer here.

 

LEGIAN/SEMINYAK, BALI

After leaving Ubud, we travelled to our final destination on the edge of the resort of Legian/Seminyak. We stayed for the remaining 7 nights at the stunning hotel Astagina Hotel Resort & Spa in a spacious 2 bedroomed suite on bed and breakfast.

 

Double Six Beach was just an 8 minute walk from our hotel and had plenty of shops, bars and restaurants to choose from. This area is quite lively if you want that. As a family we preferred to go down to the beach to watch the amazing sunset and relax on the many coloured bean bags and just watch the world go by.

 

 

Whilst in Legion, we enjoyed a day trip to Uluwata. This was about an hour’s drive from Legian.

 

We visited Pandawa Beach for an hour then went onto Uluwatu Temple, which has stunning dramatic cliff views and was home to more mischievous Monkeys!

 

Pendang  Beach was our next stop. This beach has a lively atmosphere with lots of surfers and again some naughty Monkeys.  In the evening, we went for a lovely meal on Jimbaran Beach. We enjoyed great Seafood, good service and another beautiful sunset. They also treated us to a firework display to celebrate our final evening.

 

All in all, it was an unbelievable family holiday. I would highly recommend anybody to visit Bali and would be more than happy to discuss it with you further if you are thinking of going yourself.

Please do get in touch – 01706 250006 or email me on [email protected]

https://www.cbttravel.co.uk/contact/

 

Sensational scenery and charming details

We caught up with Inghams’ own Julie Franklin, Head of Agency Sales who recently returned from a wonderful week in Austria, wisely having done a twin-centre holiday visiting both Saalbach and Zell am See. In our blog, Julie shares the highlights of her trip with us, which we think will give you lots of inspiration for a fantastic mountainous holiday destination!

 

Travelling as a group of girlfriends who all enjoy the outdoors but have different ideas for a holiday, this Austrian summer adventure managed to tick the boxes for all involved, and it’s not difficult to understand why. From enchanting emerald lakes hidden between marvellous mountains to charmingly picturesque towns and cities, Austria is the ideal destination for any outdoor enthusiast wanting to revitalise the mind and body while connecting with nature. What’s not to like?

 

Without further ado, let’s walk you through Julie’s amazing trip and everything the girls got up to in Austria. Be warned, there’s a strong likelihood that by the time you finish reading, you’ll want to book your own holiday here as soon as possible!

 

RESORT CARD

A real added-value feature of this holiday was the personalised ‘Joker’ resort card (free with the Inghams package), as it ended up saving the girls a fortune, giving them each access to the buses, the chairlifts and gondolas, as well as various attractions which were either completely free or had reduced entrances. Like Julie, we are rather partial to a bargain when we see one!

 

 

HOTEL SAALBACHER HOF, SAALBACH

Staying at the fabulous Hotel Saalbacher Hof in Saalbach, Julie and friends were perfectly placed in the charming centre of this traditional resort, complete with a relaxing outdoor pool located in the hotel’s stunning gardens which Julia described as a perfect way to spend the day when they weren’t out exploring all that Saalbach has to offer.

Not knowing the area themselves at all, the girls appreciated the ‘resort ramble’ from the local representative, which was essentially a guided tour of the resort, highlighting the history of the various landmarks in Saalbach and pointing out places of interest.  As well as how to get around, chairlifts locations to get up into the mountains and more, proving a most helpful introduction to the local area and irrefutably saving the group lots of time figuring things out for themselves.

HINTERGLEMM

For a lovely way to start the holiday and ease into the local area, Julie recommends a leisurely and scenic 45-minute walk along the Saalach riverside to Hinterglemm, the next resort along. As well as taking in the scenery, you’ll stumble across a charming wood-carving workshop where you can wander around and buy interesting pieces along the way to Hinterglemm. Upon arriving in Hinterglemm itself, the group enjoyed what Julie describes as the most “fantastic iced coffee and handmade ice cream” in the family-run Miksch Café Schleckena. A quaint location all year round, Hinterglemm is known for being Austria’s biggest ski resort for the winter and has an array of options for hiking in the summer, as well as horseback riding and even mountain climbing, depending on how adventurous you are feeling.

TALSCHLUSSWEG

You can also take the local bus to a place called Talschlussweg for free using the resort card, to then jump on the Noddy Train (otherwise known as End of the Valley Train – also free with the resort card) to the park area, which is perfect for adults and children alike, with high ropes, zip lines, tree top walks, and fabulous walks to mountain restaurants with stunning views.

SAALBACH

There are 2 chairlifts from the resort in Saalbach, and Julie opted to take the Schattberg X-press up the mountain purely for the views. Needless to say, they weren’t left disappointed.  Julie adds; “A day pass on the chairlifts would usually cost €30, so the fact we could go up for free meant that simply going up for the view alone was more than justified.”

 

HOTEL TIROLERHOF, ZELL AM SEE

After a few glorious days in Saalbach, the group headed to Zell am See on a free, 30-minute transfer bus, taking further advantage of their resort card.

Staying at the picturesque Hotel Tirolerhof which Julie describes as “a fabulous spa”, the girls were delighted to be so close, to not only the centre of Zell, but also to the stunning lake, providing breath-taking views from the indoor pool and spa areas. Julie points out that “clothing is not an option in the spas, so you will need to have an open mind”.  But with such incredible views, various steam rooms and saunas, the girls could think of nowhere they would rather be to chill out and relax.

Using the resort card once more, Julie and the girls booked one of the guided walks that took them up in a gondola to start with, a chairlift and then walked along a track on what Julie says “felt like we were at the top of the world!” And one of the best things about this guided walking tour is that the girls all had different abilities. So whilst some walked ahead a little faster and others took a slower pace, it didn’t disrupt the walk or take away from the experience at all – each of them loved it. To end the walk on a high, the girls were rewarded with delicious food and a Radler at Franzl restaurant with unbeatable views.

 

No visit to an Austrian lake resort is complete without taking a dip in the lake itself! This hotel also gives free access to the lido, so the girls enjoyed a swim and a bit of time to chill. We can’t imagine there being anything like a swim in a lake surrounded by mountains.

TOP TIPS WHEN TAKING A HOLIDAY TO THE MOUNTAINS

• The weather is changeable, so go prepared for both sun and rain! Most hotels provide umbrellas.
• Take good walking shoes or boots, even if you don’t think you will do major hiking, as the terrain can be rough, so don’t risk taking just trainers!
• Always have a rucksack – some hotels do have these in the rooms. Great to keep your hands free, and also gives you somewhere to put your water and essentials.
• Always carry a map with you in case you end up somewhere that you want to explore more.
• Bring a good camera because the views are incredible.
• Take advantage of other activities such as paragliding, cycling, water sports – there is a lot to do.

 

FIND OUT MORE

We hope we’ve shown you some insight into mountain holidays and what’s on offer in Austria with Inghams. Whether you’re planning on travelling as a group of friends, with the family, as a couple, or  flying solo, contact us today to discuss and start planning your trip.

Telephone – 01706 250006

Email – [email protected]

YOU CAN COUNT ON US, YOUR LOCAL TRAVEL AGENT

With so much choice and a variety of online booking platforms available, many people ask us how travel agents are still in high demand. But, with specialist expertise, an unbeatable, personal service and up to date knowledge of the ever-changing covid-19 rules – we can offer something that online providers can’t. Let us tell you more…

IMPARTIAL ADVICE AND PERSONAL RECOMMENATIONS

It’s our job to know the destinations we sell inside out and will have had face to face training on destinations and resorts that we sell to you. Or even better, we’ve often been lucky enough to experience the resorts and destinations first-hand so that we can provide you with our very own experiences and recommendations. We’ll also take the time to listen to your needs so that together, we’ll find the perfect holiday for you and your travel party.

YOU’RE IN SAFE HANDS WITH US

We value each and every one of our customers, and don’t just consider ourselves as your local travel agent. Your health and safety are our top priority, which is why we’re keeping up to date with testing advice and will help you make sense of travel testing requirements to your chosen destination. We’re also in the know of the latest travel regulations – and should your booking be impacted, we’ll be in touch straight away to talk you through your options, whether you’re at home or in-resort. Whatever you decide, you’re in safe hands with us.

1,000’S OF HOLIDAY OFFERS AVAILABLE FOR 2021 AND BEYOND

We have access to 1,000’s of great value holiday offers – so whether you’re looking for a city break in Europe, a tour of South America or a luxurious getaway in the Maldives, we’re on hand to find the right holiday at the best price. Not only that, but we only work with reputable tour operators, so you can sit back and relax knowing that everything is being taken care of.

STOP DREAMING, START BOOKING!

We’re sure that we’ll all agree that 2020 was a difficult year. But with a new year, brings a new start – and we for one hope that it will include more holidays than we saw last year! So, whenever you’re ready, we’re here to book that long-awaiting break that you deserve and give you something to look forward to.

Get in touch with us today, and we’ll get to work in finding you that perfect break https://www.cbttravel.co.uk

[email protected]

Tel 01706 250006