The Gambia had previously been described to me as a “Marmite” destination (you will either love it or hate it!) and at the end of October I joined Monarch on the 6 hour flight to find out. Courtesy of The Gambia Experience, I spent four nights at the Kairaba Hotel in Kololi.

My arrival at Banjul airport was met with eager porters to assist with my luggage in reward for a tip despite the 10 second walk to the air conditioned minibus. The transfer to the hotel was only 20 minutes so it did not take long to check-in at the Kairaba.

Our trip began with a pretty good service economy class with Royal Jordanian. Flying time is approx 5 hours, so making it an ideal destination for those not liking long flights to somewhere just that bit different.

With only three full days in Jordan we made the most of this time by first starting off with a relaxing float in the Dead Sea. A really strange feeling just floating without any effort, then coating ourselves in the local Dead Sea mud and allowing that to dry before washing off in the sea. Claims have been made that women end up looking 5 years younger – I am still checking the mirror!

Sightseeing and adventure/exploring holiday

This experience started well with British Airways Club Class seats to Vancouver – always a welcome start to any trip, especially a 9 ½ hrs one!

Our week was to start with a 2 night’s stay in Vancouver at the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel which I have to say is in a superb location right near the waterfront. It’s modern, contemporary and extremely comfortable with very spacious rooms and very spacious bathrooms.

If nature, wildlife and adventure are symbolic of your ideal holiday then I can highly recommend a trip to Costa Rica after my visit in November 2010.

It was my first trip to Central America and I went with an open mind, wet weather gear, good walking boots, binoculars and a camera. They all came in very handy, especially as the unseasonal floods caused a national state of emergency whilst we were there. But this is travel after all so I did not let this affect my enjoyment during my stay there.

calling at:- Puntarenas, Panama Canal, Puerto Limon, Puerto Cortez (Honduras), St.Thomas (Guatemala), Belize and Progreso (Mexico)

Captain: Richard Hobbs. Ship’s gross tonnage : 30,277. Max. Pax : 702

This was our second cruise on Minerva II (following our cruise to Madagascar, etc. in 2004). Again we had cabin 602 – a very comfortable suite with a large balcony overlooking the prow of the ship.

Minerva II

calling at:- Lanzarote, Agadir, Casablanca, Malaga, Valencia, Barcelona, Marseilles, Monte Carlo, Portofino and Livorno
Captain : Knut Hanssen from Norway. Ship’s gross tonnage : 42,363. Max. pax : 700

This was our first cruise on the Voyager, sister ship of the Mariner on which we’d cruised from Alaska to Vancouver in 2004. The two ships are very similar, having exactly the same tonnage and number of passengers but the Voyager is very slightly newer and has very slightly larger cabins (known in this 6-star class of ship as suites).

RSSC Voyager

I have shamefully never known the correct spelling but as I was going to visit this vibrant city I thought I better know once and for all. My findings resulted in both being fine to use as there is not a literal Arabic translation, however to get the “esh” sound it is Marrakesh if speaking English or Marrakech in French.
What I do know is that I have always been intrigued by Marrakesh so was pleased when an opportunity presented itself in February to stay for 2 nights at La Mamounia with Kirker Holidays. The flight from Gatwick with Royal Air Maroc was 3 ½ hours and although we were served food it was inedible, and I am one of the few who generally enjoy a meal onboard.
After collecting all our bags successfully, we left the airport building to find warm sunshine, bright blue skies and a view of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains. Twenty minutes later and we were warmly greeted by the door staff at our hotel.
La Mamounia is a destination in itself and guests stay at the hotel to enjoy the spa and restaurants in addition to what Marrakesh has to offer. The hotels lengthy refurbishment was completed in 2009 and it has a high percentage of return guests. Just within the medina walls it is close enough to all the places of interest yet just outside the chaotic and frenetic bustle of Djemaa El Fna square.
The lobby and communal areas are dimly lit with pockets of seating areas you can sit and relax in. I was assisted with my luggage to a deluxe room and shown around before being left alone to enjoy the balcony overlooking the hotel grounds and across to the mountains. The room was spacious, extremely comfortable and does not compromise on style or tradition as it still reflects Morocco using mosaic patterns on the wooden doors and tiles.
Not to infringe on the reputed La Mamounia title, the hotels restaurants are simply named Le Marocain, Le Français, L’Italien and Le Pavillion de la Piscine. I enjoyed a delicious traditional Moroccan meal in Le Marocain and I could not fault the entire meal or attentive service. The same praise goes to our lunch at Le Pavilion de la Piscine the next day where a vast buffet offered a variety of fresh dishes which we enjoyed in the sunshine.
Unfortunately time did not permit the use of their beautiful indoor pool, outdoor pool, tennis courts, swimming pool or gardens. I did get time to catch a glimpse of Marraskesh’s history and culture on the second day starting with a visit to the Koutoubia Mosque.
If you are ever lost in Marrakesh, which is highly likely given the maze of souks in the medina, the Koutoubia minaret can be seen from almost anywhere in the city so is useful for regaining your bearings. We could not go inside the Koutoubia Mosque so we continued onto the Saadian Tombs where you can see the tombs of sultans, princes, officials and servants made up of exquisitely carved marble.
Our next visit was El Bahia Palace, once the residence of a grand vizier who enjoyed his lavish lifestyle with his four wives and harem of numerous girlfriends.
As a complete contrast to the busy city life, the Majorelle Gardens are an oasis of calm. Originally owned and designed by a French painter, the garden is full of exotic plants, an Islamic Art museum and a cafe.

We took a rare opportunity to sample the delights of a Seadream Yacht for an overnight visit whilst she was moored on the Thames by Tower Bridge. Usually found in the chic harbours of the Caribbean or the Mediterranean these beautiful vessels provide a most agreeable holiday experience, creating the feel of being a guest on a private yacht. At just over a 100 guests at full capacity, pampering comes in all forms supplied from a crew of around 95.

Sea Dream I

Cabin

Library & internet stations

A recent short trip on the Dutch waterways out of Amsterdam proved to be a great trip of many facets. Travelling there by Eurostar and local rail was stress free and most enjoyable.

Royal Crown

Embarkation was from near to Amsterdam Central station, and what a delightful vessel we embarked on. The Royal Crown, with a full capacity of only 88 guests, has that traditional charm that comes with mahogany wood, brass fittings and elegant furnishings, but surprisingly was only actually built in 1996, and then fully renovated in 2010. This has the pleasing result of providing the feel of traditional luxury, but also ensures you are benefiting from decent sized and comfortable cabins or even larger suites, plumbing that works, and all those mod cons today’s travellers come to expect from a luxury vessel like a spa and a fitness room.

25-28 March 2011

As I am the best big sister in the world (!), this year I agreed to take my younger sister to Paris as her birthday present. Of course the fact I had won a voucher to help cover the cost worked in some way to nurture the agreement! I booked through Kirker Holidays; 3 nights at the Hotel Victor Hugo in the 16th arrondissement – which to you and me is half way between the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower. We also pre-booked private transfers and as standard Kirker Holidays provide a 1 hour river cruise and carnet of metro tickets to help you make the best of the city.