by Val | Jul 12, 2017 | Featured, Travel
When I had the suggestion from my ‘Bestie’ to go away for a City Break, I was really excited. It had been a while since we spent quality time together, and I can’t say that we are completely ‘Abs Fabs’ any more but had certainly shared some fabulous times in the past when we partied hard and shopped till we dropped, helped mend each other’s broken hearts and even broken heels as we stumbled home from a Night Club or heavy night out in the nineties.
But now, twenty or so years down the line, three marriages between us and two kids later, we are again in the party mood and up for sharing a bottle of Bolly and a belly full of laughter.
I did a quick scan of the latest deals online, and discovered that Eurostar were doing a great weekend break to Belgium. I have to say that Eurostar for me has always been a really civilised way of travelling, and they had got it spot on with their choice of Hotel, near to the Station but central to the City itself and all its shops and amenities.
I settled on a Standard Premium rate for the Train and a reasonable rate for the Hotel and Brussels as the destination. Neither of us had been to Belgium, and so it was fresh, new and full of promise with the commodities we both loved, shopping, eating and interesting places to visit.
My friend Jackie loves music, and so I discovered that the Musical Instrument Museum
http://www.mim.be/en MIM is a Museum with a collection of more than 8000 musical instruments, so decided that this would be our first port of call.
Eurostar also offered a special package of around 20 euros each of extra train fares to travel to other destinations near to Brussels, and so we chose Ghent, which is a lovely town full of beautiful architecture and great restaurants, and spent the day there. We even found a mini comicom at the ICC and a lovely Brasserie called The Rambler, where we did share a glass or two of champers to round off the day.
In Brussels itself we discovered a square full of fish restaurants, and Le Quai on Quai aux Briques was our favourite, reasonably priced and both food and service came up to full expectation
The shopping in Brussels was another experience, and on the main shopping Street Rue Neuve, you have a combination of all the regular High Street shops you would find in the UK like Zara and New Look, plus a combination of German and French outlets and shops from the past that I thought no longer existed like Etam and Naf Naf. Completely fascinating!
The host of side streets are a ‘must do’, and we both picked up some bargains in boots and shoes, as well as some amazing ‘off the beaten track’ cafes, where you can stop to have a coffee or break for a light midday lunch.
We made it three full days to really make the most of the time and money that had been expended, and both felt we had enjoyed both the Country and the experience. I would say it feels like a more relaxed Paris, and most people speak French or English.
The journey to and from London is certainly shorter than other destinations, and overall I would highly recommend Belgium as a safe bet if you are planning an away day or weekend with a friend or loved one – or as a lone traveller.
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by Gemma Thomas | Jan 11, 2017 | Featured, GloWellness, Travel
Whether or not you voted Brexit one thing that will remain is the concern of your dog if you are planning a holiday or shopping break, and you will be making travel choices based on the demands of your furry friend to be cared for in the fashion set by your own high standards.
If this is really determining your plans then why not travel with your doggie in the many pet friendly hotels and outlets across the UK that will welcome you both with open arms.
Did you know that even Harrods and Selfridges are open to well behaved dogs as long as you carry them. Harrods insist on vaccination certificates and you have to go in by door 3, but if you really want to shop they even provide a crèche so that you can browse at your leisure. Liberty’s too are dog friendly, and again you must carry your pooch, and this old traditional store provide a great browsing adventure if you like their retro designs and iconic patterns.
There are many hotels that also welcome dogs and are at great holiday destinations with nearby walks. They even provide doggie sitting so that you are free go out for a meal in the evening if you want to.
Pubs are particularly welcoming for dogs and many provide ‘doggie bags’ for them in the way of treats and bowls of water so that they don’t become hungry or thirsty while you are sipping at your wine or beer or snacking on the bar food.
The most popular pet friendly holiday of course is a cottage break, and one that springs to mind is http://www.watersidebreaks.com/ which has a variety of options for pet minded people. It is a family run business whose owner Tim Wells is hands on with advice and hands on experience with pets and children as they often go hand in hand.
The other ideal way to holiday or travel with a pet of course is in a caravan, and the caravan holiday has taken an upsurge in popularity in recent years, with the endorsement of celebrities such as Helen Mirren and Jamie Oliver to name but a few. Check out www.thecaravanclub.co.uk to find your options. This is another fabulous organisation who are customer friendly and will go to the end of the earth to tick all the boxes to meet your needs.
It does warm my heart that we consider our pets important in the UK. After all a dog is a man’s (or woman’s) best friend, and this was again confirmed with the beautiful story of Gobi the dog who followed marathon runner Dion Leonard, 80 miles across the desert in China, only to be lost at the last minute before the athlete’s return to the UK.
For those of you who are not familiar with the story, he has now been reunited with his owner through a social media campaign, and is now safely back in his care in the UK.
by Glotime | Jul 29, 2016 | Featured, Travel
Many families and empty nesters are opting to stay close to home this Summer and Staycations are the new trending ‘it’ word in holidays. There is a lot to be said for the new fashion in travel – no airport delays, or food and language challenges. In effect, your holiday starts here!
There are some incredible places to discover in the UK, and will cater to every palate – whether travelling alone or with your family.
You may prefer a City Break, or a complete escape to the wilds of Scotland or the great British countryside. Here are some ideas to whet your appetite and get you more involved in discovering the UK and all its treasures.
Waterside Breaks have a vast variety of cottages and mini break deals, ranging from the Cotswolds and the Lake District to Geo Domes in Loch Tay in Scotland. Their friendly staff will help you to select from their many holiday options and make sure you tick all the boxes, whether travelling with family, with a partner or on your own. Tim Wells their founder is still at the helm of the business, and very hands on with the decision making, which is why they are a unique family run business who care about their clients and will personally make sure you are well looked after in the old fashioned sense of the word. A 21st Century travel company with traditional values.
http://www.watersidebreaks.com/
There are some exciting Woodland Walks for Autumn and Winter if you are the energetic type, and want to explore more remote parts of the country. The New Forest has some interesting locations as do further afield in the Lake District or the Welsh countryside.
www.woodlandtrust.org.uk
If you are a fan of the City and its hustle and bustle, why not book into one of our Capital’s Hotel Break offers, and soak up the town with its restaurants and nightlife – you can grab a show in the West End or for the more discerning theatre goer, visit the National Theatre on the South Bank to experience the classics or the works of new writers. Holiday Inn and Travel Lodge are doing some great mini breaks, and you can also combine culture with a ‘shop til you drop’ adventure, with a spa experience thrown in to ease your aching limbs.
www.holidayinn.co.uk/London
For those of you who love being near water, hire a houseboat and have a splendid relaxing week meandering through the peaceful Norfolk Broads. Its stunning wetland landscape is both calm and wild, bleak but beautiful – and a haven for wildlife. Like a canal-boat holiday for nature lovers – but without any locks to contend with – this is the place to come to recharge those batteries.
www.hoseasons.com/boating/norfolkbroads
