My Blog
Bulgaria
Weather
I visited Bulgaria the 20th to 27th of May and the weather was a complete mixture. From 25 degrees sunshine one morning, to thunderstorms in the afternoon. The season officially begins in June and finishes in September. The locals have advised me that the temperatures can reach 40 degrees!
Transfer from Bourgas Airport-The transfer time from Bourgas airport to Sunny Beach is only around 30 minutes which is a huge benefit!
Beaches
The main tourist beach area is Sunny Beach-8km of Blue Flag award winning golden sand with beautiful blue sea and picturesque mountains in the background. The sand is soft and the sea is shallow for a few metres so it is fantastic for children or those, like me, that just like a refreshing paddle! For those of you who love water sports, such as jet skiing, these all take place for you to experience. There are plenty of sunbeds on the beach, but apart from a couple of hotels that supply their own areas, these are at a local charge of around £10 a day for 2 sunbeds and a parasol. If you stay a bit further out in hotels such as the Diamant Residence and The Palazzo, you have access to Cacao beach which is also lovely. There are plenty of beach bars to keep you refreshed, and whether you want to sit comfortably on a chair or lounge on a huge bed, there is plenty of choice!
Food and Drink
Bulgaria is known for its Fantastic value and this certainly does not disappoint when it comes to food and drink. There are so many different places to eat. From 'fine' dining to huge pizza slices at 70 pence. With 2.5 litres of beer from LIDL at 80 pence and cocktails at around £3 (and getting one free in happy hour) the value is simply hard to believe!
My recommendations
One restaurant that I would most definitely recommend is 'Djanny'.
This is in a great location, just off the main square of Sunny Beach. To look at the restaurant you would think that it is somewhere for the rich and famous to dine-however this is not the case at all! A lot of local Bulgarians eat here and you can most certainly see why! The menu, as with nearly every restaurant in Sunny beach, is plentiful! The name of spinach stew with mixed cheeses far from does the dish justice! It is so delicious that I had it 3 times in a week! (And at just over £2 you can't complain!) You can't go wrong with any food here but the Chicken Teryaki was one of my favourites, and the skewers coming in chicken, pork, lamb and veal are definitely one to try.
You would not believe your eyes at how big they are and your stomach will certainly appreciate at how delicious they are! Another recommendation that I must mention are the jam pancakes. At £28 for a 3 course meal with 3 drinks, and for two people, the value is incredible. The food, service, and ambience, is one of the best that I have experienced.
One restaurant that is around a 20 minute walk from Sunny beach centre (2-3 minutes in a taxi or train) and in a great location for hotels such as The Palazzo, Diamant Residence, and Julia Family Apartments, is 'Messoni'. As soon as you enter the restaurant it immediately gives you the 'wow' factor.
The theme is purple and has tables that you can dine at with large, plush, comfy chairs, or sofas! There is plenty of variety and also a choice of where to sit, whether it be inside, or outside in a covered area or in the open. The portion sizes mere towards a la carte, however saying that the desserts are on the large side! I would recommend the lamb chops that melt in your mouth with a fantastic flavour, along with a variety of fresh salad. Also the ice cream sundae for dessert is 'a must'. At prices averaging at £24 for a two course meal with drinks and freshly stone baked bread.
Shopping
If you are into your designer labels then Sunny Beach is a shoppers paradise! I was absolutely in my element. With 200-300 shops selling all the designer duplicates, from Louis Vuitton handbags to converse shoes. Guess, Tommy Hilfiger, Gucci, and Ralph Lauren tops to Hollister and Superdry tracksuits. Not forgetting Michael Kors watches to Ray Ban sunglasses. The choice really is huge at incredible prices! Around £7 for a designer t-shirt and £12 for a designer handbag! I would definitely recommend that you look around all of the shops as although they can be repetitive, you may, as I found, only the one top that you absolutely love in just the one shop! Also the quality can vary, especially with the Hollister brand. It isn't really the place to 'haggle' but at the prices, you can't complain!
Nightlife-During the peak season Sunny Beach becomes very lively! There is a wide range of bars and clubs, along with outdoor events on the beach itself. However if you are travelling outside of their main season then things are a lot quieter! Also you an always go over to the nearby town of Nessebar which is a UNESCO world heritage site. Here is it very quaint and quiet and is easily accessible by ferry, bus, or taxi. There is something for everyone!
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Los Angeles
When I heard my Father's next trip to America was going to take in Los Angeles I had to hint that I would like to go! After a great ten hour flight on British Airways's new A380 on the upper deck I finally arrived at LAX-Los Angeles International airport.
My first night staying at the Staybridge Suites Torrance/Redondo Beach, which was very impressive. There was a lovely lounge area with huge flatscreen tv, fully equipped kitchen, we had two bedrooms-both with their own bathrooms and TV's.
we decided to take a drive down to Long Beach, there is a huge harbour where the cruise ships dock and the world's famous original Queen Mary has its home. Further up from the harbour we had a very enjoyable lunch at Bubba Gumps. I would recommend Long Beach as an area to visit and stay. It is a lovely cosmopolitan area with some great beaches.
The Crowne Plaza Redondo Beach, is where we spent two nights, it was a lovely hotel. There is a stunning lobby and the swimming area was very nice with pool, hot tub and nice sunbed loungers which were just like sofas and very relaxing! The hotel is located just across the road from a fishing marina which is slightly run down. There are a handful of restaurants and bars within walking distance but if you plan to leave the hotel then I would recommend car hire.
The four and fifth night was spent at The Holiday Inn and Suites Hollywood Walk Of Fame. This was about a thirty minute drive from Redondo Beach and was in an absolutely fantastic location, being literally a five minute walk from the Hollywood Walk of Fame itself! The hotel was absolutely perfect for a stay in central Los Angeles and the rooms were large with kitchen facilities and a nice breakfast.
There was plenty I had on my list of things to do in Los Angeles starting with a viewing of the famous Hollywood sign! Many people say that you cannot get up close to the sign but with the ability to explore using car hire we found a fantastic spot with great photo opportunities(For more information please feel free to contact me).
Next on my list was to see where some of the stars lived! I took a tour which cost around fourty US Dollars and spent about two hours in a small open top minibus viewing the homes of the likes of Vinnie Jones, Justin Timberlake, Bruno Mars and former homes of Sylvester Stalone, Tom Jones and Nicholas Cage. We viewed the location setting from the fantastic film Pretty Woman.
After a great night's sleep at The Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites Hollywood Walk Of Fame we started off by taking a trip to the famous Rodeo Drive. It is only about a fifteen to twenty minute drive from the Hollywood Walk Of Fame and is easily accessible by car or you can get a tour bus or taxi if you do not have car hire.
Rodeo Drive was paradise for me with designer shop after designer shop, including all of my favourites such as Tiffany & Co, Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior, The Regent Beverly Wilshire, which is where Richard Gear and Julia Roberts stay in the penthouse suite in Pretty Woman, which is located at the end of Rodeo Drive. It is a beautiful hotel which you can enter to have a look around the reception and downstairs area and have a drink or bite to eat if you wish.
After a stop at Simon Cowell's house (the beauty of having access to the internet, car hire and sat nav!) we had some lunch at the Hard Rock Café situated on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame-this was really enjoyable. I spent the afternoon in the footsteps of the stars and doing a bit of shopping at the same time!
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Las Vegas
We took a drive along the strip to check it out which was amazing and the settled in ready for our four nights in the MGM Grand. We stayed in a two queen bedded suite which compromised of two extremely comfortable queen beds, a working desk area and large flat screen tv. Then a lovely large corner sofa with another great tv and a bathroom with his and hers sinks and showers. One thing I would say is that the mini bar is extremely expensive and you cannot really remove things without paying for them so a trip to Walmart is in order with lots of ice from the hotels ice machine!
As the weather was beautiful on our first full day we spent our time lounging by one of the MGM Grand's pools. The pool areas are lovely and they've even got their own lazy river where you can spend the days relaxing in your rubber dinghy. When it was time to hit the strip in the evening I was very much looking forward to it! After finally finding the way out of the hotel (these hotels are indescribably big) we walked past all the famous hotels; The New York New York, The Cosmopolitan, The Aria, The Bellagio, Caesar's Palace and The Mirage.
Along the strip we stood and watched the truly spectacular fountains of The Bellagio. Words cannot describe how breath-taking the fountain display is and I could have watched it over and over again. We also viewed the erupting volcano at The Mirage which was also fantastic.
During our stay we entered The Cosmopolitan, The Bellagio and Caesar's Palace-all fantastic hotels. The casinos are extremely large and if you spend time gambling, whether it be the slot machines or tables, there are waitresses that offer you complimentary drinks. The only thing you pay is a small tip-one or two us Dollars is acceptable but the amount is at your discretion.
Many people do go to Las Vegas to gamble, and it is viewed as a gambling holiday, but there is something for everyone-whether it be the gambling itself, catching some rays by one of the superb pools, sampling some fine cuisine, shopping, or just having a good time. (I also spent a night off the strip in The Candlewood Suites so I can give you the pros and cons of both-just ask me anything you would like to know.)
We were extremely lucky that The Grand Canyon opened as it had been closed for over a week because the US government shutdown. I had seen pictures of the world famous Grand Canyon before but these do not in any form do it justice! It is absolutely incredible! We only stayed for a short time but we walked to the viewing platform and drove for around half an hour along the East Rim which was fantastic as there are so many different viewing points. I would definitely recommend going to see The Grand Canyon as it is an absolute must see!
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New Mexico
As we arrived in Gallup, New Mexico, at night and left early the following morning for our drive down to Phoenix we didn't see much of the area. Our one night in Phoenix was to be spent in The Holiday Inn and Suites Fountain Hills. This is located just outside the centre of Phoenix but is absolutely perfect if you have a car. The hotel was lovely and a two minute walk across the road brought you to a beautiful lake with huge fountain and park area. We enjoyed a dinner in the restaurant overlooking the lake-not only was it great food but accompanied by the great scenery
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San Diego
After an incredible two weeks we decided to finish our journey near to San Diego in a place called Del Mar. The hotel of choice was the hotel Indigo in a studio suite. I personally loved this boutique style hotel. The rooms were decorated to a high standard with one of the most comfortable beds I have ever slept in and there was a kitchenette area.
As you stepped outside the room one of the pools was right in front of us, no more than a couple of metres walk, with the most comfortable sunbeds I have relaxed on! The lovely Pacific ocean was in the background which could be reached by foot or car. The hotel has a nice terrace area where you can sit and enjoy a nice drink or bite to eat and watch the sun go down. This really was the most spectacular sunsets I have ever seen! This was a perfect way to end a holiday of a lifetime!
(For more information, any questions and queries, or for a quote please do not hesitate to contact me.)
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Lapland
When you think of Lapland you think of somewhere truly magical-This it definitely is! It was a fairly last minute decision to book a day trip to somewhere you imagine you would only dream of! Getting up very early on this occasion was not a problem at all as I was full of excitement. Whilst flying to Rovaniemi we were already in the Christmas spirit with Christmas carols being sung and everybody sharing their excitement-children and adults alike!
When arriving in Rovaniemi you are greeted by elves who are waiting to take you to the Santa Park. The transfer is nice and quick, and you are provided with plenty of information about your exciting and busy day ahead. On arrival we headed straight to the food quarter for some nice warm lunch which was all included in our day trip package.
Then first stop was to brave the cold outside and let the fun begin! We were provided with snowsuits and snow boots to keep us warm. We walked through the snow in picturesque scenery that makes you feel like you are in Narnia. We started by taking a reindeer sleigh ride followed by a husky sledge ride. Words cannot describe how magical this was
We then decided to go back into the underground Grotto to meet Father Christmas himself. With presents for the children and warm Finnish greetings I felt like a happy excited child on Christmas morning. We then went to Santa's Post Office where you can send a postcard or two from the North Pole itself.
There were plenty of activity's for children with the opportunity to graduate at Elf School and decorate gingerbread men in the Elf Bakery. Inside the Santa Park there is also an area full of ice sculptures which are amazing and really fascinating. You can view all of these for just a small charge.
After the day was drawing to a close we took our transfer back to the airport. On the flight home everybody was tired after a long fantastic day and we were given a nice Christmas dinner to end a Christmas dream. I would thoroughly recommend Lapland. The day trip is a long day but worth every minute and there are also various durations you can visit for such as 3 and 4 nights. Whether you are a child or an adult this really will bring out the big kid in you with memories to last a lifetime.
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The Maldives
Everyone always talks about the Maldives as paradise. So I took a trip there myself to see the islands with my own eyes. From the moment I stepped off the speedboat the unspoilt sugar white sands and pristine water left my breathless. I began to think paradise was an understatement.
I stayed in a standard beach bungalow which was adequate enough. However for a once in a lifetime occasion I would recommend to upgrade to a superior beach bungalow or even 'splash out' on a water bungalow. Saying this, this was only applicable to where I stayed which was Sun Island. (I do have a list of a variety of various islands with which I can give you any first hand recommendations or information on rooms or anything else required.)
I travelled with my Mother to the island, however this was nothing to be concerned by. Yes, the majority of guests are couples enjoying their honeymoon, with this particular island their were also family and friends which made it a suitable environment for me. (Again I have the information to pick the right island for you.)
During my stay I had the pleasure of snorkelling the coral reefs, something that the Maldives is famous for. I had never been snorkelling before, and what a way to begin, by seeing the likes of parrot fish, angelfish and flute mouths. It really is a colourful amazement.
I experienced fantastic service whilst in the Maldives and nothing was ever too much. From a smile to a beautifully hand decorated table in the sand saying "Have a safe journey". The Maldives is the best place to relax and completely switch off, and you have the option to do a few activities such as island hopping, snorkelling, diving, and sunset fishing if you wish too. This amazing place in the world truly captured my heart.
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Jamaica
With two hundred miles of beautiful beaches, spectacular scenery, great nightlife, and home of reggae, Jamaica is a truly fascinating and spectacular island. My visit was only for a week, but it left me wanting to go straight back!
I stayed, yet again, in another Grand Palladium. This one being The Grand Palladium Lady Hamilton Resort And Spa. With four swimming pools, including four whirlpool baths built in to the main pool itself, three buffet restaurants and seven a la cartes, serving everything from a steakhouse to Mexican, and rooms with hydromassage baths, this hotel certainly was a great choice!
There is also a beautiful sunset cove beach with its own jerk hut so you can lay on the white sands eating some jerk chicken with a refreshing cocktail in your hand! With phrases such as 'yeh mon' and 'there are no problems, only issues', everything is what they call 'IRIE!'. We took an unmissable trip to the world famous Dunns River Falls during our stay. It is absolutely breath-taking-both the view and the climb. When you get to the top you literally feel 'on top of the world' and as though you have achieved something incredible. Jamaica definitely is an island not to miss!
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Cuba
There is no wonder why I want to enjoy a third visit to this Caribbean gem that's nothing like anything else. You can start off by experiencing the best of both worlds and visiting the unique and vibrant capital of Cuba that is Havana. This is a one of a kind country that everyone must visit.
You can enjoy the images of vintage Chevrolets, beautiful old palaces and atmospheric cigar factories. It feels like you have stepped into a time capsule and gone back into the fifties while you view the museum of the revolution to learn about the famous Fidel Castro.
Not only is Havana full of history, there is a 7 kilometre seafront boulevard. The beachside area of Guardalavaca is a rural town that used to be a farming hub. This still shows to this day as you see the many horse and carts pass by. Here you can enjoy the finest pina coladas on pure white sands whilst taking in the view of crystal clear waters that you would think only dreams are made of. In one of Cuba's beach hotels you will be treated like royalty with the best service and hospitality imaginable. Cuba can be your new 'home from home'.
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Dominican Republic
hey say that the South East coast of Punta Cana has world class beaches and luxury hotels-with this they are not wrong. I first layed my eyes on the resort of Bavaro over five years ago. Being my first trip to the Caribbean, I only knew what people had said. This alone however, did set my expectations high and wow were they exceeded! I stayed in the amazing 5 star Grand Palladium which certainly pulls out all the stops! With four swimming pools, notching up four swim up bars, 12 high-end restaurants ranging from Italian to Brazilian, and nineteen bars, there certainly was a variety. It may sound overly busy or crowded but this was not the case. With it being set out on a complex consisting of three hotels, and the suites section, there is plenty of space. You are able to drink, dine and play in all three, even with a mini train continuously driving around the complex, so if after a delicious meal or mouth watering cocktails you decide your feet cannot carry you, just jump aboard!
The people in the Dominican Republic truly are layed back and friendly, providing excellent service at all times. One afternoon I was looking out on my terrace when one of the grounds men reached up to one of the many giant coconut trees, knocked one down, and cracked it open for me to drink the beautiful fresh juice. Although the hotels of Bavaro are fairly resort based there is the odd local market you can go too and trips to fulfil all your senses. Ranging from the Dolphin Explorer, where there is a mini zoo and marine park rolled into one, to the Outback Jeep Safari.
This is a trip I would thoroughly recommend, having personally experienced it. We travelled to a local house to see 'The real Dominican', stopped off and had some delicious local cuisine for lunch-true Caribbean style, followed by an afternoon of boogy boarding or laying on the pristine sands soaking up the rays. The name of the trip says it all, transportation wise and we had a fantastic guide who had stocked the jeep with rum. You would ask for a rum and coke and he would tip half of the glass coke bottle off the side of the jeep and fill it with rum! The Dominican Republic truly is a beautiful island. (I have since been back for a second time!)
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Orlando
Orlando, Florida, was always a dream for me, and one that amazingly came true more than once! I was brought up with all of the Disney films, had grown to love dolphins and shopping, so this was paradise! My first trip was for two weeks and within this time we managed to visit Disney's Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Along with Universal Studios, Universal Islands of Adventure, Discovery Cove, Seaworld, Aquatica and shopping! So I would definitely say that two weeks is a good duration to spend in Orlando. With the various different parks there really is something for everyone!
While visiting Magic Kingdom you can embrace your children's excitement as their eyes light up, or like myself without children, just be a big kid! There are plenty of opportunities to meet the characters and get some fantastic pictures with your favourites. Animal Kingdom was a favourite of mine, going on a mini safari, seeing the Disney characters dressed up in animal inspired costumes and watching part of The Lion King Musical.
Discovery Cove fulfilled my dream of swimming with dolphins and is a fantastic day, also being able to relax on the man-made beach and snorkel amongst colourful fish in the Grand Reef. It is also an all inclusive day, offering breakfast, lunch, snacks and drinks, all included.
The shopping in Orlando really is fantastic, not only with their being a variety of shops but at amazing prices. I would definitely recommend the Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores. You can get some fantastic deals and there is also a Disney shop where you will find cuddly toys, accessories and clothes, much cheaper than at the Disney parks. With regards to accommodation I have stayed in two different hotels, and a villa, in various areas so I can recommend the best to suit you.
I must also say when I travelled at the beginning of December it was great in all the parks and attractions as it was so quiet. However it was only what I would call hot on one or two out of the fourteen days, but still far from cold on any of the others, and the Christmas Festivities are amazing! In July the heat can be extremely hot, with large downpours and long queues at the parks. Orlando really does give you special memories to last a lifetime! (There is just too much to compact in one blog so why not go and see for yourself!)
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Sri Lanka
I can't believe it was 8 years ago when I experienced one of the best holidays of my life. Imagine golden sandy beaches, fascinating temples, lush rainforests and amazing wildlife-that is Sri Lanka. I had heard that it was an island that offered colourful culture and a wealth of activities so our amazing holiday began with a four night tour.
After a long flight we were happy to have our first stop in Colombo, only having a fifteen minute journey to our hotel. On our first full day the adventure began as we travelled to Pinawella Elephant Orphanage. This was a fantastic morning as we fed and bathed the elephants. Then it was on to Kandy, a UNESCO world heritage site and the cultural capital of Sri Lanka. Kandy holds the famous 'Temple Of The Tooth', where a tooth of Buddha is being kept. The atmosphere is indescribable as local people flock to the temple to worship, music is played, and you see a building that is visually impressive.
We then went on to the fantastic spice gardens and beautifully maintained botanical gardens. After a night in Kandy it was then time to take our journey to Nuwara Eliya, otherwise known as 'Little England' due to the climate being typically British-cold and wet weather. We watched the skilful hands of the ladies in the tea plantation and learnt how it is made. Our final day on tour involved visiting one of Sri Lanka's national parks. We climbed aboard the jeep and had fantastic sighting's of wild elephants, alligators, birds and more wildlife. Our holiday finished with a ten night stay in a beach hotel. With great food, accommodation and hospitality, this was a perfect way to unwind and finish what seemed like a dream.