It’s not too late …

Playa Barca - Fuerteventura

Image copyright - https://www.hellocanaryislands.com
Playa Barca

It’s not too late to get away for Christmas. There is plenty of winter sun to be had in destinations such as Mexico, the Caribbean, the Indian Ocean, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Oman. 

However you don’t have to travel so far to sit on a beach and enjoy the warmth of the sun. Daytime temperatures on the island of Fuerteventura (the second largest of the Canary Islands) are 22 oC in December compared to 24 oC in Cancun and you will get there nearly 7 hours faster.

Prices for a week in Fuerteventura are a lot less than you might think at this time of the year and represent great value when compared to long haul destinations like Cancun.

If Fuerteventura isn’t for you, then I am sure that Maggie can find you something to suit you.

Book with your British Airways American Express Premium Plus Card between now and until 27th December and you will earn 1 bonus Avios for every £4 you spend.

Christmas, Chill, Relax

Person about to touch calm water.

Photo by Yoann Boyer on Unsplash

Now that Christmas is almost sorted. Presents bought and wrapped, cards signed and sent, food ordered but yet to be cooked. Isn’t it time to think about unwinding and spending some time relaxing and being pampered, after all you don’t want to start the New Year stressed.

Spending time relaxing is good for both your mind and body and whether you’re spend it relaxing close to home or a little further afield what better way to finish off the old year and see in the New Year.

Maybe you have a few days between Christmas and New Year or a week or two after all the festivities have finished. Even a simple massage has a huge range of benefits from reducing muscle tension and anxiety to improving joint mobility and skin tone. Just imagine the joy of letting someone else take care of you and your loved ones.

Contact Maggie today to take the stress out of planning and booking your relaxing spa break.

Why not try out the The American Express Platinum Card? Upgraded status in the following hotel groups comes as standard. Gold in Marriott Bonvoy, Radison Rewards, Hilton Honors, Melia Rewards and Jade in Shangri-La Golden Circle.

103 days to before the red lights go out.

Photo copyright of formulaone.com
Formula One

The 2020 Formula One season promises to be one of the most hotly contested in recent years. Will Lewis Hamilton be able to retain his title for a record equalling 7th time? Will 2020 be the year that Max Verstappen or Charles LeClerc seriously challenge Lewis for the title?

All the race venues make great destinations to see the race or to combine with a holiday. Shake off the winter blues with a trip down under for the Australian Grand Prix on the 15th March. How about Vietnam on the 5th April for the first ever Vietnamese Grand Prix. Next season starts in Australia on the 15th March and then heads off to Bahrain the following weekend before visiting Vietnam for the first time ever. For something closer to home how about experiencing Max-Mania as the Dutch (Netherlands) Grand Prix returns to the calendar for the first time in 35 years at the Zandvort circuit on the 3rd May.

Maggie can put together the perfect package for you, your family and friends. Contact her today.

Get away faster with Avios and the British Airways Premium Plus American Express Card.

Black Friday, Golden Tickets, Sunny Deals

Well if we didn’t convince you that Jamaica was the place for a fantastic getaway then maybe these Black Friday deals from Virgin Atlantic might do the trick.

Virgin Atlantic Upper.  Photo copyright of Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic Upper

Virgin Atlantic are offering new Black Friday deals every day at midnight not just to Jamaica but to Antigua, Barbados, Grenada, St. Lucia and Tobago. Flights are being offered at 20% off plus £100 of flight and holiday deals to the Caribbean if you book by midnight on Monday 2nd November 2019. Prices are currently being offered in Economy light for under £430 to Tobago in March.

Look out on Monday 2nd November for the return of Virgin Atlantic’s Golden Ticket game. There will be 90 Golden Tickets available giving their finders access to £1 fares on random flights.

Maggie is here to help you find the best Caribbean deal for you.

New Cardmember, earn 30,000 Membership Rewards points when you spend £4,000 in your first three months of Cardmembership. Click on this link to earn an additional 5000 points – The American Express Platinum Card.

‘Wah Gwaan’

“What’s Up?” Not much as you look at the grey sky and the rain pouring down. Wouldn’t you rather be somewhere warm surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery in the Caribbean. This is the perfect time of year to be thinking of a wonderful holiday on the beautiful island of Jamaica.

Ocho Rios Bay Beach Courtesy of Jamaican Tourist Board
Ocho Rios Bay Beach

Jamaica has so much to offer it’s visitors and that’s why according to the Jamaican Ministry of Tourism 40% of tourists are repeat visitors. Over 4 million visitors a year can’t be wrong. The beaches are a magnet, the golden sand and the clear blue sea, but once there, there is so much more to do and see. Jamaica is the cultural capital of the Caribbean there’s never a dull moment.

In recent years Jamaica has become an increasingly popular destinations for weddings and honeymoons. The naturally heart-shaped ‘jacuzzi’ at Reach Falls and the sunsets in Negril are the perfect backdrop to your romantic getaway.

Whatever your reason for wanting to visit Jamaica, contact Maggie who will put together a tailor made holiday that will meet your needs and fulfill your expectations.

Get away faster with Avios and the British Airways Premium Plus American Express Card.

The Call of the Northern Lights

Northern Lights, igloo, luxury

Snowland Rovaniemi

Photo from Visit Finland
Snowland Rovaniemi

Finnish Lapland is a one of the must visit destinations at this time of year. Not only can you experience all that Lapland has to offer with northern lights trips, moose, reindeer, husky and snowmobile safaris but its a once in lifetime trip for that little ones that will make this time of year so special.

An ideal destination is Rovaniemi which is the official home of Santa Claus. Just 8km north on the Arctic Circle is Santa Claus Village where you can find Santa at home everyday of the year.

For more information about seeing the Northern Lights, winter safaris or meeting Santa contact Maggie.

Pay with the card that gives you complimentary access to over 1,200 airport lounges across more than 130 countries worldwide as standard plus reward points – The American Express Platinum Card.

Are these the quirkiest hotel rooms?

My favourite is the Keemala Bird’s Nest Villas on the beautiful island of Phuket, Thailand. You have to visit just for design of the villas, never mind the views, expansive bathroom with monsoon shower and a stand-alone bathtub with a view.

“Uninterrupted ocean views create a unique castaway experience. The beautifully designed villas offer the ultimate in privacy and laid back luxury” is the boast of the Soneva Jani Resort in the Maldives. Your villa comes complete with its own pool and waterslide direct into the welcoming Indian Ocean.

What could be better than camping out in luxury of course amongst wild animals. Elephant Hills are Thailand’s first Luxury Tented Jungle Camps, combining the camp idea of African national parks with the Thai tropical forest environment.

Even though the views are to die for there is no “Murder in Paradise” on this caribbean island. Jade Mountain St Lucia is your perfect getaway. Jade Mountain was voted No. 1 Resort in St. Lucia and No. 15 in the Caribbean in the 2019 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards.

For more information about visiting any of these exciting destinations or other quirky hotels contact Maggie.

Interested in the Top Hotels in the world then you might be interested inthe book “Luxury Hotels Top of the World*” by Martin Kunz.

Any links with an * by them are affiliated, which means get a product via this link and a contribution may be made to us

History in Food

Esterházy torta.
Esterházy Cake

Esterházy (Torta) Cake is a reminder of the fact that modern day Hungary was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until the end of the First World War. It was named after Prince Paul III Anton Esterházy who was an Austrian Diplomat who served at the Austrian Ambassador in London from 1815 to 1842. In Hungary he is most remembered for being a minister in the first Hungarian government during 1848 and of course having this wonderful cake named after him. One of the best places to enjoy a slice is at the Gerbeaud Cukraszda in heart of Pest.

Why not enjoy coffee and cake on a short break to Budapest. At this time of year experience the magic of the Christmas Markets.

Tempted by Hungarian Cuisine then we can recommend Gundel’s Hungarian Cookbook*. You can also visit the Gundel Restaurant in Budapest.

Get to Budapest faster with Avios and the British Airways Premium Plus American Express Card*.

Any links with an * by them are affiliated, which means get a product via this link and a contribution may be made to us.