Celebrity Eclipse ship visit 26 May 14 - CLIA Cruise Convention Southampton

As part of the cruise convention, we were able to visit 3 ships RCCL Adventure of the Seas, Cunard Victoria, and Celebrity Eclipse.  We had the longest time on board the Celebrity Eclipse and were able to view several categories of cabin/staterooms including inside, outside with picture window and balcony staterooms, suites including Royal and Presidential suites and the full album of photos can be found on Emsworth Travel business facebook.  Click on 'like' and you can access the full album.  We have 2 facebook accounts so make sure it is the business facebook. I have shown the lead in inside cabin and one type of balcony staterooms below.

There are several restaurants to chose from the above being the main dining area with no cover charge but some speciality restaurants have a cover charge. There is a cafe style restaurant for more casual dining.

 

This was our lunch menu which was delicious

This was the panoramic lounge with almost 360 degrees view.

This was one of the speciality restaurants called Murano serving good quality classic and modern contemporary cuisine

The display an idea of the food to expect and this is typical of Murano $45 cover charge for this restaurant

The Tuscan Grill is a popular choice and carries a cover charge of $25 or $35 depending on your choice

This is an idea of the food that they serve

There is also a creperie with a $7 cover charge so there is a good choice of food available if you want to have a change from the main restaurant which is included in the cruise price

 

There is a large gym and various classes available - some with charge

This is the indoor pool just for adults and connected to the spa area called the conservatory

These stone beds are warmed and very confortable and relaxing with superb views from the windows

 

There are a selection of bars to chose from and this is the Martini bar and Crush with ice top to the bar

This is another bar to chose with a different style

This is Cellarmasters which has a cover charge of $50-$150 depending on the number of wines that you would like to sample

Celebrity are the only ships who have 1/4 acre of real grass on this deck so that you can chose to play croquet, bowles or simply picnic or sunbathe.  Other activities in this area include glass blowing

They have a reasonable size outdoor pool area with jacuzzis

This is the lead in room which is an inside stateroom and a good size

This is an outside balcony cabin

This is a typical shower room

Other cabins shown on our facebook Emsworth Travel.  All cabins have tea/coffee making facilities in the rooms

This was a lovely modern luxury cruise ship with fantastic  food and service - they offer a range of special offers at the moment with reduced prices being one of them and also offering drinks packages offers and others - call Emsworth Travel 01243377211 or email travel@emsworthtravel.co.uk for more details

Sue Tooke

Cyprus Educational with Classic Collection 12-16May (Gill Mogg)

 

 Cyprus Educational

Classic Collection Holidays 12 – 16 May 2013

 

12-May

Easy jet flight to Paphos depart 15:10

Arrive 21:45

Transfer to Amathus Limassol and check in to a Sea view room

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13-May

09:00 Breakfast

10:00 Tour of Amathus Limassol Hotel

This Hotel has a lovely seafront position which makes the sea view rooms well worth paying for.

Inland view rooms do not have a balcony or terrace but can accommodate 2 adults and 2 children.

Guests staying on half board are entitled to eat in all 5 restaurants.

The hotel has a lovely Spa and wellness centre and a kid’s cub for children between 4 years and 12 years. Older children are also catered for with a club for teenagers 12+.

 If however you want some adult quiet time there is an adult only pool and sunbathing area
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11:30 Walking tour of old town with guide

13:00 Lunch was taken in a local restaurant where around 10 Tapas style dishes were provided.  

After lunch we then visited the newly developed marina area and although not complete will eventually provide apartments and many restaurants and bars for tourists and residents alike.

Return to Amathus Limassol

18:30 Depart for hotel visit Le Meridien and dinner

The Hotel is a large complex of main hotel building and small blocks of suites set around the landscaped grounds.

The 5 pools are all very different with the largest one landscaped with rocks and waterfalls. The main hotel and rooms did in my view require some updating as I felt it was a little tired. The complex has a great kid’s club and facilities for teenagers including bowling, mini football pitch, and games room.

Plenty of sports facilities for adults too and with a secure enclosed environment.

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14-May

08:30 Breakfast and check out Amathus Limassol

10:00 Depart to Intercontinental Aphrodite Hills Resort Hotel

Passing Aphrodite’s birthplace on route

Upon arrival at this resort the impression was of large open spaces around an 18 hole golf course with private villas set around the grounds too. Although not on the beach the hotel runs a shuttle bus which takes around 20 minutes.

There are plenty of restaurants with a village feel and the hotel will be offering all inclusive dining as an option

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After a lovely buffet style lunch here we then boarded the bus again to travel on to The Columbia Beach Hotel

This hotel also has a sister hotel next door The Columbia Beach Resort. These hotels are set around midway between Limassol and Paphos approximately 20 minutes drive to each.

The Beach resort is a five star property with the main pool area set between the buildings leading down towards the beach. The feeling is of a quiet, high quality hotel with facilities at its sister hotel that can be enjoyed by all. It has 4 bars and 2 restaurants but only 94 rooms with the standard room being a junior suite.

Its sister hotel next door has 116 rooms and they are set out in small blocks. Guests staying here are able to use the restaurants next door if they pay a small supplement.

 

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Depart to The Annabelle and check in where I was lucky enough to be given a studio suite with private pool. How amazing this room was, large airy room with separate sitting area and the terrace leading to small private pool with sea view.

The large bathroom was stylish with a separate bath and shower cubicle.

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This evening we visited the Asamina Suites part of the Constantinou Bros hotels which is a 5 star all-suite hotel and focuses on adult relaxation and service. The rooms with private pool are lovely overlooking the pool and sea. The hotel has a small private sandy beach and exudes peace and luxury throughout.

We then proceeded on to The Athena Royal Beach and Athena Beach hotels which sit alongside each other on the seafront on which you are able to walk to Paphos harbor in approx. 30 minutes.

Both these hotels are of a good standard and have great facilities including 18 rinks full size green bowls court, tennis courts and Elixir Spa. The Athena Royal focuses on adults but the Athena beach does have a children’s playground and waterslide. After a tour of both hotels we then had dinner at the Athena Beach where we were served the most delicious meal including sea bass and a trio of desserts.

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15-May

After breakfast we had a tour of the hotel Almyra situated next door to the Annabelle.

This hotel has a very contempory design decorated in black and white and quite minimalistic furniture in rooms. Very stylish hotel but unfortunately not to my particular taste.

The standard sea view rooms do not have a balcony so worth paying additionally for the balcony.

Beautiful spa area which can be used both by Almyra clients and Annabelle clients. They also have tennis courts with complimentary coaching available.

After a short drive on our coach we arrived at The Paphos Mosaics where we had a guide take us through the Mosaics which have been uncovered and preserved for visitors to see.

Following this we visited the Tombs of the Kings an interesting archeological site well worth visiting.

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Next door to this site is the Elysium Hotel which we then proceeded to visit.

This hotel is a very elegant hotel and one of my favorites. The lobby has a light and airy feel and wide corridors. The rooms are very elegantly furnished. There is a classy bar area and a well-designed pool area.

Paphos harbour is walkable in approx. 35 – 40 mins. We were treated to an exceptional lunch here and if the food we enjoyed is the normal then I would love to stay here on half board.

We returned to the Annabelle hotel where we had a small amount of time to enjoy its facilities including the beautiful landscaped pool area.

Dinner this evening was next door at the Almyra hotel where the restaurant overlooks sits above the seafront and you can hear the sounds of the waves lapping on the shore. The food again was of a very high standard.

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16 May

Following breakfast this morning we boarded the coach for a drive north to Ayii Anargyri hotel for a tour of this secluded mountain retreat.

A former monastery converted to a boutique hotel and spa resort this hotel has a lovely gentle feel around the public areas and the rooms although quite individual in style again have a relaxing feel to them.

Some of the rooms have the sulphur spring water which is believed to have healing properties.

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Leaving the tranquility of this hotel behind we continued on to Anassa hotel which is a member of the leading hotels of the world.

The entrance to this hotel is simply stunning.

This hotel has 169 rooms of which only 10 do not have a sea view. It has 4 restaurants including an Asian fusion restaurant that does not allow children under 12.

There is a Thalasso spa, 3 outdoor pools and an indoor heated pool.

They also have 2 and 3 bedroom houses with private pools.

We had lunch here in the open air with a mezze of dishes served to us.

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We returned to the Annabelle for our last few hours before travelling back to the airport for our Easy jet flight back to Gatwick.

Thank you Classic Collection Holidays for a truly memorable trip to see some of the most beautiful hotels on Cyprus.  For more information contact Gill on 01243377211

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Madeira Fam 11-14Dec - Sue Tooke

 

I decided to try the Easyhotel as this was one of the best prices for Heathrow hotels and though basic and an orange basin, I was only staying for a few hours so it was adequate for what it represents.  The prices for the rooms start at £25 for a double with no window -£35 upwards and parking is £6 per night.  There is a small gym which is free for guests.

 

Wednesday , 11th December 2013

We met our hosts at 05.00 hours
06h40 – Departure direct flight to Madeira Island, Heathrow Airport
10h10 - Arrival to Madeira International Airport flight number TP 371 The flight was with Air Portugal and was a little bit late but a good flight with a snack and drink included.
Transfer to the Pestana Casino Park Hotel took approximately 30 minutes and this was our hotel for the trip.  The rooms were large and the hotel spacious with Casino in a separate building next to the hotel but this did not detract from the hotel even though it is open to nonresidents and has a disco below but I could not hear too much noise from my room. 

This was the view from my balcony

 The hotel feels a little sparse with open spaces and little furniture to fill them. 

Breakfast room overlooking the port where the cruise ships dock

 The hotel was clean and the position was good with just a 10-15 mins walk into Funchal.

13h00 – Pick up and transfer to Reid’s Palace Hotel. Welcome cocktail at the Foyer.  The Reids Palace Hotel has always been one of my favourite hotels and has been awarded the best in Portugal. 

 

Often non residents have tea and the Reids but we were very lucky to be able to have lunch which was a spectacular  cold buffet with the piece de resistence being the wonderful desserts.  It was so difficult to chose so we just had to try several.  There went the diet!

19h00 - Departure from Pestana Casino Park for City sightseeing onboard the panoramic Yellow buses which was open top to enjoy the  Xmas Lights and views in Funchal Bay and surroundings

20h00 - Bus stops at Cable Car and guests go on foot for short walk and Welcome drink at S. Tiago Fortress

20h30 - Gala Dinner S. Tiago Fortress. This was my favourite meal and a spectacular position with superb views towards Funchal.

 Included entertainment throughout dinner with excellent singer.

Thursday, 12th December 2013

9h00 - Pick up at Hotel and departure for excursions. Visit to the Market Place – Mercado dos Lavradores.

We were shown the wide variety of fruits and vegetables they can grow due to their mild climate

 Cable Car from Funchal until Monte where we took the optional toboggan ride which was fun and very enjoyable at a cost of 15 euros where 2 local men in costume speed us down windy roads in a basket - well worth this unique trip which was Madeira's first form of transport from the top of Funchal to bottom

 

11h30 - Visit to the Madeira Wine Lodges, includes wine tasting.  Madeira wine is similar to sherry but quite unique and higher alcohol content than wine.

12h30 Extensive lunch at the Armazem do Sal Restaurant which was very pleasant.

15h30 - Workshop with local trade

18h00 - End of workshop and transfer to Pestana Casino Park.

20h00 - Dinner at Adega da Quinta Restaurant, located in Quinta do Estreito which was buffet style and very nice.

Friday, 13th December 13

08h30 - Pick up at Pestana Casino Park and Departure in jeep with Mountain Expeditions

company. Our first stop at Pico do Areeiro – 3rd highest mountain in the Island.  You could feel the difference in temperature at the altitude of.1810 metres..Departure to Ribeiro Frio, stop by the trout station followed by very pleasant Levada walk Balcões – about 45 mins – easy level with a specatacular view at the turning point.

12h00 - Departure to Santana where we saw Santana typical houses.

 

13h00 - Lunch at Quinta do Furão with spectacular views at this peaceful retreat.

 

14h30 – Departure to Funchal
Stop in Caniçal, on the way, most eastern tip of the Island
16h30 – Arrival to the Hotel

19h00 – Pick up at Pestana Casino Park.

20h10 - Farewell dinner at The Vine Hotel.  This unusual and quirky was ideal for romantic couples with bathtub in the room and extensive use of glass partitions throughout.  It has a delightful rooftop pool and sunbathing area with bar but regrettably I was only able to take pictures in the dark.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our final day 14th December, we were picked up and taken to Avenue do Mar pier where we had a Sea Pleasure Catamaran trip with the hope of dolphin spotting but due to rough weather prior to our trip, they had moved away from the area.  However, the sun was shining for the duration of our trip and it was lovely to be able to see Madeira from a different aspect.

Madeira has always been considered as a destination for the retired but this trip has proved to us there is a lot more to do to appeal to a wider clientele.  Weather is generally mild even throughout their winters with temperature in late teens to early 20s centigrade.  It is very lush and green yet mountainous and scenic with walks to suit all abilities.

All too often on these fam trips, we are shown lots of hotels and little of the surrounding areas. It was the decision of the organisers to show us as much of the island as possible to give us a true feeling of what tourists can see and do during their stay. It made it a most memorable trip and I thank the Portuguese Tourist Board and Classic Collections Holidays for inviting us on this superfam.  For more photos, see our facebook Emsworth Travel album and for more information speak to Sue on 01243377211