Bulgaria Beyond the Party Scene: My Stay at Secrets Sunny Beach

This is the holiday I've been dreaming of, our incredible belated honeymoon! We booked it a couple of years ago, hoping for something special. Thanks to our honeymoon fund, our dreams came true. We chose the Sandals Royal Barbados , what a treat! Beautiful beachside location with a Premium All-Inclusive concept. Access to 21 dining experiences from French to Asian we really were spoilt for choice! 14 bars including the rooftop sky bar, and a swim up bar. 11 swimming pools with very different vibes. Non-motorised watersports and land sports! Our room was wonderful, complete with tranquility tub on the balcony (as standard) Super comfy bed and restocked minibar. There are plenty of other wonderful room types including swim up rooms and even a private plunge pool with sea views on your balcony! Barbados truly stole our hearts! No matter how much there was at the hotel, of course we got out and about to explore. From horse riding and swimming with horses in the warm sea to the fun at Oistins Friday Fish Fry with locals, the island was magical. Harrison's Cave mesmerized us with its stunning limestone formations and nature trails. We can't wait to return and explore even more that this beautiful island has to offer. Don't forget to chat to me about a honeymoon fund for your wedding gift!

I have recently returned from a holiday with my husband and our 3 year old grandaughter to Majorca staying at the Iberostar Waves Club Cala Barca " As I'm more used to adult only holidays now, this threw me out of my comfort zone and totally exceeded my expectations" A wonderful family-friendly beachfront resort set across 18 acres of lush landscape. With space to unwind and plenty to keep everyone smiling, its the perfect setting for an unforgettable family holiday. The Room: We opted for a central location room and so pleased we did, travelling with a little one, it was great being close to the restaurants and pools, we could also see the entertainment from our balcony which was fab! Food: We were very impressed over all by the standard of the food in all 4 of the buffet restaurants. The beach restaurant was idyllic with its overhead fairy lights steps from the sand (this has to be prebooked) The Mexican (lunch) and Mediterranean restaurants were our favourites though! The Pools: Something for Everyone A total of 8 pools. We spent most of our time at the children's splash pool which was wonderful for the little ones! Just a few steps from this area were the food trucks, such a good idea so could grab something to eat during the day without having to dry off and get dressed. A great selection of food especially for the kids from toasties to nuggets! Entertainment & Activities The entertainment team worked tirelessly throughout the day/night - kids clubs, aerobics, spin classes, yoga on the beach to name just a few. In the early evening we had the much loved mini disco and then later on a show. Even though our granddaughter wasn't old enough to be left in the kids club, they welcomed her to join in all of the activities and games as long as I stayed close by. The Beaches The hotel has its own lovely little beach, however it is worth getting out and exploring the other beaches in the area - stunning clear waters, you could be in the Caribbean! We hopped on the local bus which stops right outside of the hotel and within 20 minutes were in the larger resort of Cala D'or ... wandered around the many shops, stopped for a tapas and spent the day on the beach! TOP TIP: Private Transfer is Worth it! I’d definitely recommend booking a private transfer from airport. It’s just under an hour by taxi, but standard transfers can take much longer, especially if you're dropping off at multiple resorts! What stood out for us We had such a fantastic time, I have stayed at Iberostar resorts previously which I love, but this one has really thought of things a step further for the family (or was it that I noticed more running around after a 3 year old) CHILDS OWN CHECK-IN WITH STEPS TO THE DESK - Great to get the little ones involved. SLIDE IN RECEPTION - What a great idea to keep the kids entertained when we were waiting at check-in, or chatting with new found friends in the lobby bar! PULL OUT CHILD STEPS TO THE SINKS in all public toilets. what a game changer! MULTI-COLOURED CHILD PLATES in all restaurants, stacked at child level so they could choose their own colour! WATER STATIONS - Filtered water stations all around the hotel and corridors, all rooms provided with a large water jug to refill whenever you please (well done Iberostar, not a plastic bottle in sight) FRIDGE & MICROWAVE - As standard in all rooms

"We had a fantastic time in Zadar, the old town is compact and easy to navigate with little vehicular traffic. The Croatian people are so friendly and we found everyone spoke at least a little English and most were fluent. The sea is warm (we went in July) The beaches are mostly rocky so make sure to pack reef shoes. The food is fantastic and prices are reasonable (we had a whole lobster on pasta for under 40 euros) drinks are also very well priced and the local beer and wine is good! Several of the restaurants do not take bookings, however they turn around really quickly so if you are determined for that table with a view, simply wait at the entrance you won't be disappointed. Do not miss: A boat trip to visit the islands! Greeting to the Sun - is a monument dedicated to the sun which consists of multi layered glass plates on the same level as the stone paved waterfront - spectacular when the sun goes down. Sea Organ - the waves flow through the organ, a wonderful piece of architecture where the waves make music. All this only 2 hours, 30 minutes flying time from the UK. Would we go back? Most definitely!"

Karen & Kelly had the time of their lives aboard the new Norwegian Aqua and here's why YOU will too: "The food was absolutely incredible - hot, flavorful and so much variety!" "There were so many places to sit and relax outside - this ship is built for the sunshine" "The Aqua Coaster was a must-try, and the spa - well breathtaking!" "The entertainment is world class, we were speechless by the talent" "With anytime dining, handcrafted cocktails and spacious cabins - this is cruising like never before" So whether you're looking for relaxation, adventure or a little of both, the Norwegian Aqua is your perfect escape!

Amy has recently returned from a family holiday to Rhodes staying at the TUI Blue Sensatori Atlantica Dreams "A Dreamy Family Holiday" The Room: Swim-Up Bliss We stayed in one of the swim-up rooms, and I can’t recommend it enough. There was nothing better than coming back in the afternoon, slipping straight into the pool from our terrace, and soaking up the sun in peace. The room itself was lovely, cleaned daily, with the fridge restocked too, which was such a nice touch and made everything feel that bit more luxurious Food: Some of the Best All-Inclusive Dining we've had! The food really impressed us. Probably the best we’ve ever had at an all-inclusive resort. So much variety in the evenings, with something new to try each night. I was a bit gutted not to get a booking at any of the à la carte restaurants (note to future self: book early!), but we absolutely loved the Greek and American snack bars for lunch The Pools: Something for Everyone The pools were fab! We mostly gravitated toward the main pool area, but there’s something for everyone; an activity pool, an adults-only pool, and a splash pool that was a big hit with us too. The splash zone had great slides, fountains, and it’s located right next to the park and sports bar, which made it easy for the little ones to play, grab an ice cream, and enjoy the space safely. Entertainment & Activities The resort had a packed schedule when it came to entertainment and activities. There was yoga, water aerobics, football, archery, you name it. The kids’ club was another highlight! Just a heads up: bookings for the kids’ club open the day before on the app and go very quickly, so set a reminder if that’s something you’re planning! Would we go back? Absolutely. We had such a fantastic time - relaxed, well-fed, entertained, and with happy kids. Would we go back? 100%. Top Tip: Private Transfer is Worth it! I’d definitely recommend booking a private transfer from Rhodes Airport. It’s just under an hour by taxi, but standard transfers can take much longer, especially if you're dropping off at multiple resorts Huge Thanks to Expectations Travel We booked through Karen at Expectations Travel and she made the whole process completely stress-free, from initially finding us the perfect family friendly hotel to the room upgrades, organising private transfers and even letting them know it was my birthday during our stay! Massive thank you to the team for making our trip so special!

I have just returned from a fabulous city break in Krakow. WOW what an great time we had and with a flight time of just over 2 hours from the UK was perfect for a few days away. The city itself is full of character with wonderful buildings and sculptures at every turn, with amazing food, great value and friendly locals who could ask for more! I chose a wonderful 4* adult only hotel, located by the train station. Just 10 minutes walk to both the Old Town & The Jewish Quarter so a fantastic location. With a rooftop hot tub, which was great to relax after a day exploring, we watched the sunset over the city with a glass of bubbles .... bliss! Our trip to Auschwitz was the reason behind initially choosing Krakow. I do believe everyone should go once in their lifetime. It w as such an incredibly humbling and thought provoking experience that will certainly stay with me for ever. Another great trip was to the Salt Mines, we almost didn't book this but so pleased we did! Finding landscapes and stunningly beautiful chambers - fascinating us with every turn. We went for 4 nights in early March, was cold but Spring was definitely just around the corner - when the sun was shining we sat outside on the Old Town Square drinking hot chocolate and maybe a little glass of "Grzane Piwo" watching the world go by. Would I go back? DEFINITELY - I would love to go back for the Christmas Markets, they are supposed to be amazing - time to book again I think!

I went on this great cruise with my husband and parents in May, sailing from Southampton was so incredibly easy - parked the car and onboard within 30 minutes! The Virtuosa is a large ship, great for all age groups! With sparkling crystal staircases, lots of entertainment areas and bars so you can join in with the many activities or find a quiet spot it is totally up to you. The staff were wonderful, the ship was clean. the food was plentiful and the views were out of this world! TOP TIP Sailing through the Fjords, we set our alarm for 3am and so pleased we did, sitting on our balcony we watched in awe at the breathtaking scenery unfolding before our eyes - it was so quiet with just the sound of waterfalls in the distance, made us feel lucky to be alive to witness such wonderful natural beauty.

"What a fantastic time we had in Agadir, a beautiful long stretch of beach stretching for miles. With a wonderful promenade leading right the way along to the lovely marina. So safe to walk along at any time of day, we loved an evening walk after a meal, Agadir really does come to life after dark! Being on the Atlantic, the waves are great - why not make the most of this with one of the many surfing schools. We stayed at the beautiful Iberostar Hotel, very impressed with spotless grounds and friendly staff. Being All-Inclusive the food and drinks were plentiful - even the buffet didn't get boring! Do not miss: The Cable Car up to the Kasbah ruins, with incredible aerial views of the city. Top Tip - travel up early evening and make the most of it with the views in daylight plus see the most spectacular sunset! Souk El Had, one of the biggest souks in Morocco! Authentic traditional market spread over 13 hectares. Top Tip - if you find yourself going around in circles, take one of the exits and walk around the old walls to another gate! We loved our sand buggies trip for a morning adrenaline rush speeding through the dunes. Top Tip - don't wear white you will get covered in dust! All this only 3 hours, 30 minutes flying time from Bournemouth! Would we go back? YES Its already booked!