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We spent two unforgettable weeks in Thailand for our honeymoon, splitting our time between Phuket and the quieter island of Koh Yao Noi. Although the two destinations sit close together on the map, the experiences couldn’t have been more different. One sociable and beachfront, the other tucked deep within the jungle. This post captures what stood out to us, how the hotels compared, and the moments that made our trip so memorable.

Where we stayed

Hotel 1: The Surin Phuket (7 night stay)

We spent our first week at The Surin Phuket, and if we had to choose a favourite hotel from the entire trip, this would be it. The standout feature is The Surin’s incredible private beach. Soft golden sand, clear aqua water, and a peaceful atmosphere that never once felt crowded. We spent hours simply sitting, swimming, and soaking it all in.

The resort has a relaxed but sociable feel, with excellent food (especially at the Thai restaurant) and a layout that blends beautifully into the hillside. Everything felt effortless, the kind of place where you instantly unwind without even trying. 

Room/Beach hut

Our beach hut was clean, comfortable, and perfectly in keeping with a tropical Thai resort. Some online reviews criticise the décor, but we loved the natural, authentic style. If you want glossy, ultra-modern interiors, Dubai might be a better fit, but for a beach escape that feels connected to its surroundings, The Surin gets it right.

Housekeeping were fantastic, keeping everything spotless and adding thoughtful touches like aromatic candles and cookies at turndown.

In-room touches

The Surin excels at the little things. Alongside the usual fruit and coffee, we were provided with quality flip flops, hats, fans, and umbrellas, all of which we used daily. These touches made the stay feel generous and well considered.

Dining at The Surin

Sunset Restaurant – Thai Cuisine

This was our favourite dining spot. Set between a lake and the beachfront, the glass‑fronted building looks magical at night. The food was exceptional, traditional Thai dishes cooked with real finesse. Our meals averaged around £100 for two including drinks, which felt very reasonable for the quality and setting.

Sunset Restaurant – Italian Cuisine

The Italian restaurant sits in an elevated position overlooking the pool and sea. The food was excellent, but eating Mediterranean cuisine in Thailand didn’t feel quite right for us, so we only dined here once. Still, around £120 for a first‑class meal for two is impressive.

Poolside Dining

Don’t be fooled by the casual name! The poolside dining in the evening is atmospheric and surprisingly refined. We enjoyed a relaxed meal here followed by reading on the sunbeds in the dark, listening to the waves. Bliss.

Lomtalay Restaurant – Breakfast

Breakfast was plentiful and high quality, with chef stations for eggs, omelettes, crepes and pancakes. A picturesque spot to start the day.

The Surin resort complex

The resort is built into the hillside, so expect lots of steps. It’s very Squid Game‑esque in places! We didn’t mind, but it’s worth noting for anyone less mobile.

The pool, tiled in black, feels warm and inviting, and sits right on the beach with views across the ocean. The gym overlooks the sea and is regularly stocked with drinks and fruit. Everything feels well maintained and thoughtfully designed.

The Surin hotel’s private beach

The beach is the jewel of the resort. With soft sand, clear water, and a gentle breeze that make even the hottest days comfortable. It’s one of the most beautiful beaches we’ve ever visited.

Our Surin top tips:

• Bring strong insect repellent, evenings can be buggy.
• Prepare for steps, and lots of them.
• Explore the shops and restaurants just outside the resort for cheaper drinks.
• For a special treat, book dinner at Amanpuri next door, see write-up below (free buggy transfer via The Surin).

Highlights: the beach, the food, the views, the atmosphere Lowlights: mosquitoes, steps (for some)

(Overall hotel rating [The Surin] 94/100)

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Hotel 2: Six Senses Yao Noi (7 night stay)

Our second week was spent at Six Senses Yao Noi, an eco‑luxury resort on Koh Yao Noi. It was more expensive than The Surin and had a completely different feel. It was more secluded, more nature‑focused, and more immersive.

Six Senses has a strong commitment to sustainability, which is evident everywhere: herb gardens, mushroom farms, chickens for fresh eggs, and villas built from natural materials that blend into the jungle. It feels deeply connected to its environment.

The service was exceptional. Our GEM (Guest Experience Manager), Margie, was always on hand to help with bookings, restaurant reservations, and anything else we needed. This personal touch really elevates the experience.

The resort also has a big focus on wellbeing, with a spa, gym, open‑air fitness studio, Muay Thai boxing, and healthy food options. It’s the kind of place you leave feeling restored.

However, there were a couple of downsides. The resort is starting to look slightly tired in places, and the mosquitoes were relentless. Even covered head‑to‑toe in DEET, we were still bitten badly, which did affect our ability to relax outdoors.

Room/Villa:  

Our detached villa was stunning. The cosy, dark‑wood hideaway with floor‑to‑ceiling windows made us feel part of the rainforest. We had a private pool, a sunken bath overlooking the jungle, an open‑air shower, and a beautiful his‑and‑hers bathroom. Everything felt natural, thoughtful, and in harmony with the surroundings.

Dining at Six Senses

The Lounge – for breakfast

Breakfast at The Lounge was impressive, with a huge variety of dishes including international hot options and a dedicated section for dietary requirements. There was even an ice cream parlour (sadly closed for most of our stay due to low season).

The Lounge and Hilltop restaurants – for evening dining

We ate at both Hilltop and The Lounge restaurants a couple of evenings. The food was excellent, offering pizzas and lasagnas to samosas and jerk chicken.

Nihan – Thai restaurant for evening dining

Nihan was our favourite dining experience at Six Senses. Elevated above a stream and surrounded by rainforest, it felt magical. The food was delicious, especially if you love spice.

Six Senses complex

Walking through the resort feels like stepping into Avatar, with glowing lamps, dense forest, and the constant hum of nature.

Six Senses, inside the communal area

The gym overlooks the trees, the spa blends into the landscape, and the communal areas feel like giant treehouses. I even tried Batik painting in the sustainability lab, which was a lovely, calming afternoon.

Hilltop Pool

The Hilltop infinity pool overlooking Phang Nga Bay is one of the most breathtaking views we’ve ever seen. We spent hours here, sheltered under the thatched roof structure on rainy days and basking in the sun when it cleared. It’s impossibly photogenic.

Hotel private beach

The private beach feels like a hidden paradise. Boasting golden sand, a swinging love chair, and even an open‑air cinema. It’s quiet, romantic, and beautifully maintained.

Sustainability

Six Senses deserves huge credit for its sustainability efforts. Everything from the herb and veggie gardens, and farms to the livestock to the recycling systems is thoughtfully managed. It’s the first time I’ve ever given a hotel 10/10 for sustainability.

We loved Six Senses for what it stands for, but the little niggles mentioned above took that shine off.

Six Senses top tips

• Bring strong repellent, long trousers, and scarves – mosquitoes are everywhere.
• Use the free buggies to avoid steep uphill walks in the heat.
• Book excursions. We recommend the James Bond and Tuk Tuk tours.
• Make use of your GEM and tip generously as the staff work incredibly hard.

Highlights: the Hilltop pool, Nihan restaurant, the GEM service Lowlights: mosquitoes, slightly tired décor, breakfast closure

(Overall hotel rating [Six Senses Yao Noi] 92/100)

Exploring beyond the hotels

James Bond Island and Koh Pan Yee excursion

We booked a long‑tail boat trip to James Bond Island and the floating village of Koh Pan Yee. Our teenage guide was brilliant, he was knowledgeable, friendly, and full of local insight.

Caves and ancient art

We explored caves filled with bats and ancient paintings, admired dramatic limestone formations

James Bond Island

We visited the famous James Bond Island (beautiful but extremely busy). The beachfront stalls were a bit overwhelming, and we ended up buying a plastic Bond gun just to escape the sales pressure. That said, it made for an iconic bond photo.

Koh Pan Yee – floating village

A highlight of the boat trip was Koh Pan Yee, the floating village where an entire community lives on the sea with schools, football pitches, and homes built entirely on stilts. It was humbling and fascinating.

This trip gave us a real sense of classic Thailand, and we both absolutely loved it.

(Overall excursion rating 92/100)

Yao Noi TukTuk tour

This tour gave us a glimpse into everyday island life. Koh Yao Noi is predominantly Muslim and was peaceful and harmonious. We visited rice fields, rubber trees, fruit farms, and local neighbourhoods. Some areas felt a bit third world, but this added authenticity. Cost of the tour £70 for circa 2 hours.

Yao Noi island’s production and sustainability

The industrial and commercial side of the island include rice paddy fields, rubber trees being harvested, and a surprising variety of fruit including pineapples, dragon fruit and durian.

Island’s deprived neighbourhoods

As we drove through the island in the three wheeler, we couldn’t help noticing that some parts were in disrepair, with shack-style homes often built on stilts (something we were curious about).

We loved this tour and would highly recommend.

(Overall TukTuk tour rating 91/100)

Dining trip to Hotel Amanpura

Although we didn’t stay at Amanpuri, we dined at Nama, its exquisite Japanese restaurant.

Amanpura hotel complex communal area:

The setting was serene, the sound of a Khim playing in the hotels main square is the most relaxing, yet lifting experience.

Nama – Japanese Restaurant

Utterly exquisite. High end, immaculate quality authentic japanese cuisine in the most tranquil of surroundings. We even popped into the chefs table area to see where all the eastern mastercheffing magic happens which follows Japan’s UNESCO-recognised Washoku tradition of cuisine. The sushi and sashimi were some of the best we’ve ever had.

Amanpura and Nama was a fleeting but exquisite trip. Luxury at another level and if I were to return to Phuket again, I’d dig deep and splash out to come here.

(Overall dining trip rating 98/100)

Boat Avenue Night Street Market

We visited the Boat Avenue Night Market on a recommendation. The atmosphere was lively, with stalls selling everything from clothes to street food. The smells and sounds of the market, in the warm, humid temps was lovely.

What stood out to us

The geology, cannabis outlets, mosquitos and nature of Thailand caught my attention:

1 – Geology

The limestone islands around Phuket look almost unreal. These towering karsts rise straight out of the water in dramatic shapes that feel more like a film set than real life. We learned how thousands of years of erosion carved them into the formations you see today, and seeing them up close on our boat trip was genuinely mesmerising.

2 – Cannabis outlets

One thing that surprised us was the sheer number of cannabis shops. They were everywhere. Brightly lit, colourful, and openly advertised on almost every street. Coming from the UK, where this isn’t the norm, it definitely caught our attention. It added to the sense that Thailand has its own relaxed rhythm and way of doing things.

3 – Mosquitos

The only real downside of the trip was the mosquitoes. They were persistent throughout, but especially at Six Senses where the jungle setting makes them impossible to avoid. Even with DEET, long sleeves and trousers, we still ended up with plenty of bites. It didn’t ruin the holiday, but it was a constant challenge and worth preparing for.

4 – Nature

Thailand’s nature is everywhere. Vibrant plants, huge leaves, bursts of colour, and plenty of reptiles darting around. It felt like being immersed in a living rainforest, and we loved capturing the wildlife in photos.

Small moments

Honeymoon touches

Both hotels made us feel incredibly special with flowers, fizz, romantic meals, and thoughtful surprises.

Airport hotel stay: Sugar Marina Hotel

For our late arrival and early departure, we stayed at Sugar Marina which is within walking distance of Phuket Airport. The hotel was clean, quiet, air‑conditioned and a bargain at only £45 p/n.

(Overall hotel rating [Sugar Marina] 91/100)

Looking back

hailand felt ancient, raw, and magical. The balance of relaxation and exploration was perfect, and splitting our time between Phuket and Koh Yao Noi made the trip far more memorable than staying in one place. It was the perfect honeymoon destination – beautiful, exotic, and full of unforgettable moments.

This balance worked perfectly. It was indulgent but not overwhelming, adventurous without being exhausting. It felt less like ticking off a destination and more like understanding a place.

(Overall Holiday Rating 95/100)

Dates of stay: 2 May to 18 May 2025

Intro

An unexpected but welcome opportunity for some mid-Autumn sunshine came up. It was another Sensatori resort, this time on the stunning island of Rhodes.

Observations:

The Ancient past of this small but beautiful greek island caught my attention:

1 – Ancient past

There are many remnants and artefacts of the islands rich past. You can read more about the ruins and ancient sites we visited further down in the blog.

Ratings of our stay:

I’ve rated aspects of our stay and places we visited below.

Hotel: Atlantica Dreams

Fronted by TUI’s Senatori brand and backed by a gallery of luxurious photos, Atlantica Dreams appeared to be next level luxury travel. And whilst the hotel does have some plus points, it wasn’t the five star retreat we had been expecting.

I’m not one to rant about negative experiences, but I do think it’s right to

Room:  

Food:

Food:

The Restaurants:

Complex:

Inside

Kids:

Hotel private beach:

Ancient ruins:

(Overall rating 89/100)

Lindos

We decided to spend a day visiting Lindos, home of the Acropolis (ancient greek fort). The hotel is situated on a direct bus route and for €1 per person, it would have been crazy not to use public transport.

Wow – what a mistake. What should have been a 15 minute ride turned into 45 minutes and about 25 stops! And the bus got jam-packed, not even standing room left so we had to pass by the last two stops.

But it was worth the ordeal once we arrived, the bus drop-off is very close to the acropolis entrance so we we walked down a very narrow road to start our ascent up to the top.

Streets of:

At the top:

Other observations:

Miscellaneous experiences or things that caught our attention.

Another (but very different) Sensatori experience

Having

Summary:

Our r. (Overall Holiday Rating 95/100)

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Date of visit: 12 October to 19 October 2024

Intro

We decided to spend 24 hours in Copenhagen as part of a connecting journey to visit family. It goes without saying we crammed as much into our itinerary as we possibly could!

Observations:

Three key things stood out for me about in Copenhagen. Firstly, the prominence of and provision for Cycling, but also Quirkiness and Gastronomy in this city caught my attention:

1 – Cycling

The provision for cycling in Copenhagen is exceptional. I’ve seen superb set-ups in London and Cambridge, but the cycling infrastructure in Copenhagen pips them to the post. The wide cycle lanes are everywhere, equipped with their own traffic light system and parking bays. But it’s not just the provision that’s impressive, the way it’s promoted also gets a thumbs up. Cycling really is the way to venture across this city.

2 – Quirkiness

There’s something about Copenhagen that oozes trendiness. The touches of quirky objects and artefacts dotted across the city contribute to it. A few things caught my gaze and left me with an inner smile, here are just a few…

3 – Gastronomy

One thing I knew before visiting Copenhagen was it’s reputation for first class food. It’s why foodies across the world descend on this city and where the famous NOMA restaurant originates. Much to my disappointment, as I’ve not had chance to visit, NOMA is set to close its doors at the end of 2024! But fear not food-lovers, there appear to be a few top nosh eateries in town – namely the Alchemist, a staggering art-cum-food ‘experience’ restaurant commanding a staggering £600 per person for their set menu. Sadly (or maybe fortunately) they were fully booked during our visit, so we settled for a cosy snack restaurant called Apres instead. The relaxed atmosphere and quality of grub was a perfect combo. Suggestion for tourists, tipping isn’t possible by card so carry a bit of cash if you can do.

Ratings of our stay:

I’ve rated aspects of our stay and places we visited below.

Hotel: 25 Hours 

With just 24 hours in Copenhagen, lodging at the 25 Hours hotel felt rather apt! Although we’d never heard of the brand prior to visiting, we’ve discovered an array of their hotels dotted around Europe so will be hunting them down for future travels. The Israeli chain of hotels are aimed at young, vibrant couples – and boast futuristic interior design, quirky features and subliminal signals of dirty weekend stays! Check out the debauchery inspired curtains. 25 Hours reminds me of Malmaison – it isn’t your typical hotel, it’s many steps above that 

Hotel:

Hotel Quirkiness:

Room:

(Overall rating 89/100)

Tivoli Gardens 

Tivoli gardens is a coming together of so many opposing things; 1920s, theme park, mature gardens, modern street food hall and Blackpool illuminations! They all blend together to bring both nature and fun to the heart of the city. We enjoyed our evening walk through the park and stopped off at the street food mall to indulge in some incredibly tasty takeaway food. Highly recommend a visit.

Gardens

Street food

The New Harbour (Nyhavn)

Translated to ‘New Harbour’, Nyhavn is the classic postcard picture that depicts what we all love and recognise about Copenhagen. One of the iconic dwellings is said to have once being the home of Hans Christian Anderson. We walked around the harbour and settles in a bar for 30 minutes to soak up the world renowned views and atmosphere. We didn’t partake in a boat trip but the queues and number of full vessels suggest it’s a worthwhile activity.

National Museum

We spent four or five hours at the National Museum. It wasn’t something we planned to do, but when we saw the promo for the ‘Viking Sorceress’ exhibition, we were too intrigued not to pay a visit. The museum itself is what you’d expect, a collection of pieces that show the past, present and future of this Nordic country.

The Viking Sorceress Exhibition was very good. The curators have gone the extra mile to bring wizardry and magic to their storytelling of sorcery and the role it played in viking life. The proximity headsets were a little temperamental during the second part of the exhibition but otherwise this was an excellent event.

The Viking Sorceress Exhibition 

Room:  

The Round Tower (Rundetaarn)

The Round Tower is located on the doorstep of our hotel, so it made absolute sense for us to step outside and wander on up. The Round Tower, built in the 1600s, is conjoined to a working christian church. Although we didn’t wander into the church, we had a quick peep through the door and it looked welcoming and holy.

To get to the top of the Round Tower, you need to walk in a circular direction on an incline to cover six floors. The helter-skelter style journey to the top left me in awe of the craftsmanship and architectural excellence required to build such a structure. From the neatly paved floors to the smooth rounded walls – the beauty of these interiors are the sheer simplicity of them. When we arrived at the top we had a glimpse at the terracotta rooftops and copper spires across the city and took one last climb up to the observatory at the highest point before descending back down. The Round Tower was a nice thing to do and left us appreciating the journey more than the destination at the top.

The streets of..

Stand out buildings

Copenhagen has

Other observations:

Miscellaneous experiences or things that caught our attention.

Pride

Having

Summary:

Our r. (Overall Holiday Rating 95/100)

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Date of visit: 15 August to 18 August 2024

Intro

We had an unexpected trip to Turkey at the start of the season. It was a birthday treat to the South West region of Fethiye (pronounced Fet-ee-yeh)

Observations:

The one thing that stood out for me in Fethiye was its Patriotism:

1 – Patriotism

It’s evident that Turkish people are proud of their heritage and there’s a nod to their patriotism everywhere. Not only do Turkish flags don the interiors, streets, transport and clothing, but on this particular trip we also visited a shrine to former leaders. Although unintentional, we spotted a few flags on our holiday snaps so thought it’d be rather fitting to pop them into a collage.

Ratings of our stay:

I’ve rated aspects of our stay and places we visited below.

Hotel: Tui Blu Sensatori

I was mightily impressed with this hotel. For its category, I’d say it’s top of the league and rank it among the best you’ll get. In particular, the food is of a standard I’ve never experienced in buffet format before. I can’t emphasise how delicious and impeccable it was. Though you’ll see what I mean in the pics below.

Room:  Our room was clean and adequately specious, with standard styling and interior decor. All rooms are to a maximum of two floors so plenty of views and opportunities to catch a few rays at all times of day.

Restaurants:

‘The Restaurant’ – Hotel Main Restaurant – Breakfast

‘The Restaurant’ – Hotel Main Restaurant – Mains

‘The Restaurant’ – Hotel Main Restaurant – Desserts

‘Basilico’ – Italian Restaurant – Lunch

‘Basilico’ – Italian Restaurant – Dinner

‘Tao’ and ‘Sunset’ – Chinese and American Restaurant

‘Neoman’ – Sushi Restaurant

Complex:

Rooftop:

Private beach

(Overall rating 89/100)

Fethiye 

Sea front walk:  

Quirkish:

Other observations:

Miscellaneous experiences or things that caught our attention.

Introduction to Sensatori

Having

Summary:

Our r. (Overall Holiday Rating 95/100)

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Date of visit: 12 April to 19 April 2024

Intro

It’s been a fair few years since we last did a long haul flight. But the opportunity of Singapore presented itself and I grabbed it with both hands! A wonderful treat from my parents that gifted me with memories that will last my lifetime.

Observations:

Three key things stood out for me about in Singapore. Firstly, the green and lush landscape, but also chilled way of life and tropical environment caught my attention:

1 – Green and lush landscape

The Singaporean landscape was green, lush and utterly beautiful.

2 – Chilled way of life

Everything about Singapore was still, calm and chilled. The places, the people, the way of living – everything we saw and did was just chilled.

3 – Tropical climate

Finally, one of the most notable things for me this trip was the climate. Being so close to the equator comes with lots of rainfall and lots of humidity. The tropical climate takes some getting used to, but the downpours serve as welcome relief rather than an inconvenience!

Ratings of our stay:

I’ve rated aspects of our stay and places we visited below.

Hotel: Marina Bay Sands 

Wow. Just wow. Marina Bay Sands, or MBS as it’s referred to locally was like no hotel I’ve ever experienced. Now whether it’s more like a shopping mall, museum or work of art, I can’t decide. But MBS is not your average hotel – in fact I don’t think anywhere else I stay again will top what this amazing structure has to offer.

Shots from the inside:  

Walking inside MBS for the first time took my breath away. And leaving MBS for the last time brought tears to my eyes. It’s not just a hotel, it’s an experience. At times I felt I was Alice in Wonderland, with giant plantpots lining the corridors (three times the height of a person) chandeliers that look like museum masterpieces. The vast expanses and angles or lighting is like no place I’ve stayed before.

Shots from the outside:

This iconic and fascinating piece of architecture is recognised across the world. Close up you realise it’s an engineering masterpiece. No two angles are the same.

The main restaurant (RISE) for breakfast:

RISE must dine thousands of guests every day. I’ve never known so much hustle, footfall, and of course FOOD, in any hotel I’ve ever stayed at. How the catering team put on this exceptional service every day to such clockwork standards is orchestral. The waiting staff are grafters and they do not stop in serving, cleaning and taking care of guests.

I must call out the food too. It was all to a very high standard. The volume of diners does not detract from the quality, presentation and service of food.

In my write-up I should add that we are early diners, so we often arrived in the dining room about 7:30am to 8:00am and we never had to wait for a seat. As we left at approx 10am it wasn’t quite the same story though, not sure how I’d feel about having to queue for brekkie!

Deluxe room – Garden by the Bay view:

We upgraded rooms to have a garden view, not only for the actual view, but because it comes with a garden balcony too which is a must for me on holiday.

Rooftop:

MBS rooftop must have been seen by anyone who owns a mobile or has a social media account. The Infinity pool is an insta haven and I’d seen hundreds of pics before my visit. But nothing prepared me for being up there, seeing the city through my own cortex.

(Overall rating 99/100)

Gardens By The Bay (GBTB)

Gardens By the Bay was on our hotel doorstep, so we were furnished with sights, sounds and views of this stunning area day after day. For anyone wanting to visit, it’s primarily free and well worth a visit. The tough decision you’ll have to make is whether to visit by day or night. If possible, I’d highly recommend doing both.

GBTB – By day:

By day time the gardens that fill this visitor attraction is exquisite. How it’s possible to erect metal structures in a garden and have them feel as though they belong would have puzzled me. But that’s until I came here.

GBTB – By night:

When the sun falls and night takes over, GBTB is a transformation like no other.

(Overall rating 93/100)

Flower Dome, Cloud Forest and Floral Fantasy

Nestled in the landscape of the gardens are two chrysalis like domes. At first, we didn’t realise these were part of the GBTB complex, but after a bit of googling we found a site that sells package tickets so we decided to visit both domes, as well as Floral Fantasy which is a short walk away.

Flower Dome:

Flower Dome was the first of the three domes we visited. I imagine that every type of tree and flower species can be found in this stunning dome and it was both playful and interesting at the same time. If you want to learn about plant life, see and smell their habitats, then it’s a must visit

Cloud Forest:

Inspired by Avatar (we think) Cloud Forest was like entering another world. I’d say this was the best of the three domes, the waterfall that greets you as you walk in is breathtaking. As you walk the full length of the dome in circles, the waterfall remains a constant feature, but you just see it from different angles and heights. I’d highly recommend this place.

Floral Fantasy:

The smaller of the three domes, but certainly not one to miss out. This place was fairytale and the flowers hanging from the ceiling were hard to pull away from.

(Overall rating 93/100)

City by foot

We walked the city on foot over a few days. It’s worth noting though that the heat and humidity don’t allow pavement exploring for long periods of time. We were amazed by the streets and buildings domaneering this city – many of them were a mixture of glass and greenery. And a few special buildings remianed from the colonial era. Raffles and the Fullerton to name a few.

Raffles:

Of course we couldn’t visit Singapore without a visit to Raffles. It’s unheard of! And it didn’t disappoint. Just as you’d expect, Raffles was a first class, boasting the quintessential amenities of a world renowned luxury hotel – probably the way it’s been described for the last century. How they’ve kept it so tip top shape is outstanding. We had the obligatory Sinapore Sling cocktail, throwing our peanut shells on the floor as we went. Oh how satisfying, we lost a couple of lovely hours in this place…

Chinatown:

Chinatown, to the east of the city centre, is made up of low-rise, traditional buildings and covers an area of circa 20 streets. Every street is decorated with bold and bright lanterns, graffiti and lighting that adds to the vibrancy of this place.

Arab Street:

Similar to Chinatown, Arab street is also full of bustle and vibrancy. Although its religious undertones are present, the streets are welcoming to people from all walks of life. The Sultan Mosque is particularly striking.

Marina Bay area and river quay:

Marina Bay is a vast area of the city and boasts some of the most iconic landmarks. Not only did we overlook the bay from our hotel, but we also spent many days walking around it on foot.

(Overall rating 92/100)

Windsor Nature Park

Appox 12 kilometres from Marina Bay is Windsor Nature Park, a relatively untouched landscape full of trees and wildlife. We took the Metro from Marina Bay and arrived at Upper Thomson station just 30 minutes later. It’s a short 10 minute walk from the station to the start of the trek we decided to take so very accessible for people wanting to get out of the city without needing to pay for a taxi.

(Overall rating 93/100)

Singapore Zoo and Bird Paradise

We decided to buy a bulk ticket that covered both Bird Paradise and the Zoo. Both were fantastic tourist attractions.

Bird paradise:

Bird Paradise was newly built when we arrived and building work around the periphery were still going on, although that didn’t impact our visit. The baking sun and heat though unfortunately did! The attraction itself is beautifully constructed, sympathetic to natural habitats and spread out across a huge area. Another plus point is the covered walkways and periodic air-conditioned huts so you don’t need to walk too far in the heat without cool resting zones to stop you overheating.

Zoo:

We went to the Zoo after bird paradise and really enjoyed the slow walk around the park. There is a passenger train that can transport those who would find the walk too much, but for most people, it’s a very walkable thing to do (all dependent on the sun and heat of course).

(Overall rating 93/100)

Satay Street (Street Food)

“Can you tell me how to get, how to get to Satay Street” – Yes I can! And yes you must go!.

Satay Street, or Lau Pa Sat was recommended to us by work colleagues who live in the city. It comes to life at about 7pm every evening when Boon Tat Street is closed to traffic and turned into an outdoor barbecue and dining area. Robonson Road runs alongside the Lau Pa Sat hawker centre, a traditional street food market that are plentiful in Singapore.

The authenticity of this place is what makes it so special. The smoky, spicy aromas that fill the city do nothing but lure you in – and once you’re in, the only thing youll have to complain about is the fact you’ll have to choose.

(Overall rating 93/100)

Sentosa Island 

Island overview:

The island of Sentosa is separated from the mainland by just over half a kilometre. It can be accessed by road or cable car and we were fortunate enough to do both. We stayed on Sentosa Island for a week, splitting our time between two hotels – Shangri-La and the Capella (see individual writeups below).

The images below don’t really capture too much of the island, but that’s only because we didn’t visit it all. If I were to describe Sentosa to someone who’s never been – I’d say it’s an amalgamation of so many different things that it brings something for everyone. It has theme parks, raving nightlife, tranquil beaches, historic landmarks, luxury hotels and an abundance of local wildlife. WOW!

Fort Siloso:

To the Eastern most point of Sentosa island, and within walking distance of the Shangri-La hotel is Fort Siloso. This former military hideout has been renovated and converted into a visitor museum. What really delighted us during our trip was the untouched nature of the former barracks. It’s got that ‘untouched’ feel to it, which really helps to cast you back to the early start of last century when it was probably at its height – when colonial Singapore conceded to the Japanese. The museum tells the story of this invasion, and mannequins are used to imitate people and things that would have been around at the time. We loved our 2-3 hours meandering around the site – it’s one of the best wartime museums I’ve ever visited.

Palawan Island:

Although disputed, Palawan Island claims to be the southernmost point of continental Asia. It’s situated on the door of the Capella so we decided to leave the grounds for a trip across the road, across the bridge and up the viewing tower to take a look.

Hotel: Shangri La

We’ve stayed in Shangri-La hotels previously so felt very at ease booking this place for half of our second week.

Complex and accommodation:

The complex provides a good mix of a tropical environment along with the feel of a hotel resort, making it ideal for families who appreciate quality destinations.  

Main restaurant:

I have to give 10 out of 10 for the quality of food at Shangri-La. Whilst the interior wasn’t quite to the standard we’ve experienced previously, there were no holds barred with the food on offer. It was both top nosh and in abundance. We all were delighted with the variety, display, quality and ultimately taste – pass on our thanks to the chef.

Hotel: Capella

The Complex:

No photos will do the Capella justice. Ours included.

The Villa:

We were upgraded to a villa on arrival so had the unexpected bonus of this lavish accommodation for our stay. Each villa comes with its own private pool, spacious luxury interiors and outdoor bath and shower.

Fiamma for breakfast:

Breakfast at Fiamma was everything we expected it to be, and more. It boasts a number of buffet service stations as well as a sit down menu to order from as well.

The Living Room for Afternoon Tea:

Between 2pm and 4pm daily, complimentary afternoon tea is laid out in The Living Room. We took advantage of this every day. Not just for the delicious sweet treats and nibbles, but also to soak up the ambience.

Fiamma for Dinner:

We had evening meal at Fiamma, the Michelin recognised Italian restaurant all three nights. A selection of our servings are shown below. The quality of every dish was impeccable and the service was next to none.

Changi airport, including Crowne Plaza hotel 

I’d seen photos of Changi Airport but nothing prepared me for actually being there. I should have know when I’d read recommendations for people suggesting visiting Changi Airport as things to do when in Singapore – and I now know why. The indoor waterfall that dominates the main tropical hall is invigorating. We were lucky enough to see it by day and into the night.

Other observations:

Miscellaneous experiences or things that caught our attention.

Remnants of F1

We knew we would be visiting Singapore the week after the 2023 Singapore Grand Prix, but didn’t expect to see remnants of it during our stay. As F1 fans, of course it was great to see some of the track infrastructure and we made it in our way to soak up some of the left over fumes.

Summary:

It’s not possible to give a one-word summary of our trip to Singapore because it was full of so many things. But memories made with my parents really adding icing to the cake and has adorned me with memories that I will cherish forever. (Overall Holiday Rating 95/100)

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Date of visit: 23 September 2023 to 07 October 2023

Intro

Our Greek week came about for no apparent reason. Other than we needed a nice relaxing break and craved somewhere warm and pretty. Greece came up trumps!

Observations:

Two things stood out for me in Halkidiki. Firstly, its abundance of Olive trees, but also the country’s Unique alphabet:

1 – Olive trees

My first observation is the abundance of olives and olive trees.

2 – Unique alphabet

Although the greek alphabet is probably older than ours, the groovy characters are quite striking and we spotted lots of them during our trip.

Ratings of our stay:

I’ve rated aspects of our stay and places we visited below.

Hotel: Domes Noruz Kassandra

Arrival: We arrived at the hotel mid afternoon to the sounds of a live DJ by the pool. The very lovely hotel manager sat us in the lounge and spent a good thirty minutes providing refreshments and talking us through hotel facilities. It was a nice experience and a good way to get into holiday mode.

Complex outdoors: The hotel grounds were well maintained and appeared to be recently renovated. The gardens were lush and green and the pool was clean and inviting.

Complex indoors: The communal indoor areas were equally as nice. All oozing a chill vibe.

Restaurant: The hotel’s main restaurant had a boutique feel. Everything had a home-made feel and it wasn’t overbearing or offering too much choice.

(Overall rating 80/100)

Stroll around Hanioti town

The hotel is located approximately 500 m from the Hanioti town centre. We walked there a few days and spent time in Hanioti both day and night.

Other observations:

Miscellaneous experiences or things that caught our attention.

Fruit trees

In every garden, climbing walls and in open expanses we saw colour. Growing fruit and plants in abundance. We captured a few colours here and also spotted some fruit growing in gardens – perfect weather for a perfect, home-grown harvest.

Summary:

Our week in Halkidiki gave us exactly what we needed. A lots of chill, rest and relaxation in superb grounds and in a stunning part of the world. (Overall Holiday Rating 91/100)

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Date of visit: 8 July 2023 to 15 July 2023

Intro

The Canaries wouldn’t have been my first-choice holiday destination this year. Not because it’s not a stunning place to visit, but because it’s less than a year since we were last there. It’s also a place I’ve visited many times before. That said, a family invite with the chance to see our granddaughter on her first overseas holiday swayed our thinking.

Observations:

Two things stood out for me in Gran Canaria. Firstly, its unexpected Natural sand dunes, but also the island’s Picturesque towns:

1 – Natural sand dunes

My first observation of the island was the Maspalomas Dunes. A thousand-acre site which has been protected as a nature reserve since 1987.

Part of the wonder of these dunes is that they’re located in the most unexpected part of the globe. The backdrop of a rugged, anthracitic, volcanic landscape couldn’t be further from soft, golden sandy dunes. There’s a rich geological story to how these dunes ended up on a Canary Island – quite fascinating to learn that they’re the sole work of mother nature herself.

We spent a good hour walking across the dunes – during which I could have been mistaken for thinking I was striding across the Sahara desert in search of an oasis. It was warm, hazy and open to the elements – a pleasurable and stimulating jaunt nonetheless.

2 – Picturesque towns

Although we often think of the Canaries as newly inhabited islands, there’s actually more history lurking off the beaten track than you’d think.

During our stay we hired a car and set out on a day trip to visit the less commercialised side of the island and descended on a small town called Teror. The main street reminded us of a typical town in the Wild West. With the coloured facades, wooden shuttered doors and protruding balconies, we were braced for a potential shootout like the American frontier!

Ratings of our stay:

I’ve rated aspects of our stay and places we visited below.

Abora Interclub Atlantic Hotel 

Arrival: We arrived at Abora Interclub Atlantic Hotel around round 10pm and was gutted that the restaurant had just closed. We were offered snacks from their ’24/7′ serving hatch, but a quick glance at the stagnant looking grub on offer was enough for us to realise we’d be heading to bed hungry!

There was a definite sense that this hotel was built for young families. Quite a novelty for us and one that made us feel a bit uneasy as we generally search for peace and quiet when we go away!

Complex: The hotel grounds were vast, with pools, park areas and things to do for little ones. The complex was broadly clean and suffice for our needs.

Pools: The hotel has three pools, a very large main pool for everyone, a small pool for tots and a private pool for adults who had upgraded – something we were glad to have done when we dropped our eyes on it.

Room: We opted for a deluxe room which was adequate for our needs, the view wasn’t fantastic overlooking the dining room roof but it was clean and comfortable.

Restaurants: The hotel’s main restaurant was large and felt more like a canteen. The food was adequate, although certainly nothing to write home about.

(Overall rating 80/100)

Stroll along San Agustin beach

The hotel is located approximately 50m above sea level, so to get to the beach there are two options – either a long 3km walk, snaking down the streets or a steep but snappy descent by steps to the beachfront. We tried both options and found the latter worked best for us. It’s a bit trickier to get to with a pushchair particularly on the return journey having to lift a pushchair up the many steps. But either method gets the heart racing so offers a good workout to start the day.

San Agustin beach was both rocky and sandy. We paddled in the sea and walked up towards an old military building made of volcanic rocks that was probably used as a lookout in times gone by. On a windy day the seafront can become hazardous as small grains of sharp sand are picked up by the gusts and lashed against your skin. Ultra exfoliation treatment!

Maspalomas

The hotel offers a free, daily bus trip to Maspalomas and back, and is worth taking advantage of. Maspalomas is a classier side of the island with an abundance of hi-spec hotels and shops overlooking the sea. We spent a few hours walking along the wide promenade, stopping off at a couple of bars and a nice restaurant to really take-in the views and appreciate this part of the island.

Maspalomas also hosts a working lighthouse which has been converted to a museum. Built in 1890, the 55m high structure is an iconic symbol of the town and popular tourist attraction.

(Overall rating 83/100)

Pico de las Nieves and Roque Nublo

Pico de las Nieves

We couldn’t wait to explore, so on day four we hired a car and headed to the highest point on the island, Pico de las Nieves. The ascent to the viewing deck was a thrill in itself – snaking up a very thin, winding road on the cliff edges in misty conditions needs high levels of concentration!

Once up there, the view is breathtaking and well worth the trip. We had a 360° view of the entire

Roque Nublo

We spotted Roque Nublo from Pico de las Nieves (80m rock, 1800m above sea level Monolithic volcanic, often said to be the symbol of Gran Canaria – it’s the third largest rock in the world.

(Overall rating 89/100)

Other observations:

Miscellaneous experiences or things that caught our attention.

Family time

This holiday was special as it was Len’s first and I got to see her paddling in the sea for the first time.

Summary:

Our week in Gran Canaria gave us a stack of those sentimental memories that last a lifetime. Being with our first grandchild on her first holiday abroad was special and unforgettable. Although we’re unlikely to return to Gran Canaria, we wouldn’t have missed this trip for the world. (Overall Holiday Rating 91/100)

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Date of visit: 27 June 2022 to 2 July 2022

Intro

Although I’ve never been a massive Lego fan myself, I’ve spent many hours building coloured masterpieces with my son. Craig, on the other hand, has always been a Lego fan and was keen to spend the long UK Jubilee weekend in Billund, the town where Lego was invented.

Observations:

Two things stood out for me in Billund. Firstly, its Raison d’être, but also the Flat and green landscape it’s nestled within:

1 – Raison d’être

Its reason of being! Billund earned its place on the global map in the 1930s when it became the home of Lego. Ole Kirk Christiansen, the founder of Lego, established the business when he started making toys from scraps of plastic there at the start of the last century.

Today, around 2 million people visit the small town each year. You could therefore conclude that being the birthplace of Lego has defined Billund’s existence, certainly in the eyes of the rest of the world.

Lego features everywhere in Billund. Sometimes the brand’s presence is subtle and other times it’s absolutely in-your-face. From full scale hotels made from Lego bricks to hanging chandeliers or tiny pieces of chocolate. I’m certain that the famous bricks will leave their imprint on Billund for an eternity (like it does on your feet when standing on them!)

2 – Flat and green landscape

Although Lego is bright and colourful, its birthplace and the homeland it’s nestled within is surprisingly flat and green. The wider area has more of a farming feel than theme park. My reckoning is that this modest, nay discreet landscape, was planned this way. Billund doesn’t need to flash itself to the world, as one of Denmark’s biggest exports, it’s the world that shines a torch on Billund.

Ratings of our stay:

I’ve rated aspects of our stay and places we visited below.

The Lodge Hotel 

Arrival: The Lodge Hotel is perfectly situated for anyone wanting a short stay in a location between the airport and Legoland – both are within equal walking distance. Although with suitcases in tow and a late evening arrival, we decided to taxi there instead. We descended on the hotel about 11pm and it was straight to bed!

Room: We stayed in a small, cosy room which was minimalistic yet modern and quirky in design. Would visit here again.

(Overall rating 80/100)

Legoland

The entrance to the park was grand. As with any theme park, we sensed lots of excitement in the ticket queues, especially among the younger visitors (and the older ones who are just young at heart!)

Exquisite gardens: The entire park is built amid the most stunning, well-tended greenery. From miniature trees to colourful bushes, the backdrop to the park is beautiful. I spent much of the visit admiring the gardens as much as, if not more than, the Lego displays.

Intricate displays: Famous places, faces and landmarks are showcased throughout the park. But it’s the attention to detail in every model that catches the eye and adds to the amazement. A few examples below.

Places of the park

Faces of the park

Landmarks of the park

(Overall rating 87/100)

Lalandia cafe

In addition to the Legoland theme park, Billund also has an indoor water park called Lalandia. Although we didn’t visit the pool area itself, we popped in for a coffee and were pretty taken aback by the internal decor in the entrance hall. It looked like a historic Italian city, we could have been in Rome, Pisa, Florence or even Palermo with the staggering interior surroundings. The area boasted staged ruins, piazzas, a mini lake and even deep blue skyline. Nicely executed.

(Overall rating 89/100)

Summary:

Our short trip to Billund was fun. It was a nice place to spend a long weekend with family and watching the little (and big) ones enjoy themselves was icing on the cake. I’d have no issues visiting other Legolands across the globe if we were in the vicinity. (Overall Holiday Rating 90/100)

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Date of visit: 3 June 2022 to 6 June 2022

Intro

It’s not the first time I’ve visited the Canary Islands or Tenerife for that matter. In fact I’ve had four Canary Island holidays to date as well as a Cruise around the Canaries back in 2001.

The popularity of this tiny part of the world is hardly surprising. It’s one of the closest holiday destinations to the UK offering good weather all year round. With a measly four hour flight time, Tenerife is an easy and familiar getaway for us Brits. It served as a great destination to spend a week with my wider family (parents and sibling) who’ve also been many times and recommended the Hard Rock hotel as their top-choice venue in the Canaries.

Observations:

Two things stood out for me in Adeje. Firstly, its Martian landscape, but also its similarities to Spain in the 80s:

1 – Martian landscape

My first observation is the Martian landscape that forms each of the eight Canary Islands. Tenerife’s entire landscape is dark, volcanic and dry. It makes you wonder how the first inhabitants actually survived! Over the years, humans have carved out the island to create flatter, habitable foundations, transport infrastructure and greenery through special irrigation networks.

Although I LOVE the uniqueness of volcanic land, I miss the look and feel of real sand. On some coastline locations, sand has been imported to create man-made beaches – but it’s not the same. So if a sandy beach is a must when holidaying then the Canaries is not for you.

2 – Spain in the 80s

In my younger years I visited Spain a handful of times and have many a fond memory from those early package holiday trips.

I was amazed to see subtle remnants of ’80s Spain’ in Tenerife 2021, though it was satisfyingly comforting. I spotted a couple of bars and eateries with outdoor menus that had photos of the drinks/dishes on offer – something I remember vividly from my childhood. The signage on shop fronts also had a tinge of 80s typeface and colouring. And then the iconic souvenir shops – overflowing onto the pavements with inflatables, suncreams, gifts and trinkets.

A trip down memory lane is always good and having been away from typical Brit resorts for well over a decade – it was a completely unexpected but welcome surprise.

Ratings of our stay:

I’ve rated aspects of our stay and places we visited below.

Hard Rock Hotel 

Arrival: We arrived at the Hard Rock hotel around 8pm and felt instantly ‘alive’ as we walked through the foyer to chanter, foot tapping and loud music reverberating around the open-plan main communal area. We were taken behind the reception desk to a quieter section so we could communicate with the chap checking us in, without having to resort to sign language!

We were greeted as ‘Rockers’ and within just 10 minutes of entering the building it dawned on me that this place is for ‘the living’ – those who like to party, be in the zone and mingle with fellow ‘hard rockers’. Not my usual bag – but why the hell not. So we quickly let our hair down and assumed the accustomed vibe.

Complex: Every area and aspect of the hotel was nicely designed and always incredibly clean and well maintained.

Pools: The hotel complex has three outdoor pools, I’ll refer to them as ‘upper’, ‘middle’ and ‘lower’.

The upper pool (Splash) is more suited to children – the pool depth and play equipment was the giveaway there. We didn’t spend any time in this particular pool but it looked like a decent place for families with small children.

The middle pool (Eden) is adults only – so a big appeal for us! We spent many-a-day by this more tranquil poolside, sipping sweet and fruity cocktails at the pool bar.

The lower pool (Lago) is the real wow-factor though. The large expanse of waist-high water with pool bars, DJ station and concert stage says it all. We didn’t visit during a performance or event, but from the volume/tempo of music and overall vibe we did experience, we were able to imagine what pool-party days might be like!

Decor: The hotel decor was a mixture of two very different halves. On one hand the hotel boasted class and simplicity: with white marble floors, lots of well-tended shrubbery and dark walnut timbers. Yet on the other hand, the hotel was bling: with high gloss red and black furniture, red swirly carpets, multicoloured neon lighting and an abundance of mirrors. I couldn’t decide if the contrasting decor was by design or unintended circumstance. So I came away with the conclusion that the Hard Rock hotel has multiple personalities!

Classy and calm…

Bling and exciting…

All about the brand: Hard Rock is a global brand and although I’ve never been to one of their cafés or hotels, I’m very familiar with its identity and what it represents.

The hotel is riddled with ‘signature brand touches’ dotted about at every opportunity and appealing to all of your senses. From the branded chocolates in the room, to the unique, perfumed scent pumped through the aircon, or the Rockers theme-tune that greets you each time you enter your room – the brand identity is everywhere in a multitude of guises. Both subtle and discreet, yet in-your-face at the same time. This hotel is all about the brand, ensuring there’s more than just memories imprinted when you leave.

Room: We opted for a slight upgrade to the silver suite. It was plushly designed with an open-plan layout, ‘jacuzzi’ bath and his & her sinks overlooking the bed and out onto the balcony.

Restaurants: The hotel has five à la carte restaurants as well as a main buffet restaurant, aptly known as ‘Sessions‘. As all inclusive guests, we had the option of eating at the Sessions or any of the à la carte restaurants, to a limited daily budget of £39 which broadly allows a good meal and a couple of drinks.

The Steak House (Montauk) was the finest of all on-site eateries in my opinion – the grilled octopus and mash was delicate, succulent and divine. The Italian restaurant (Capolavoro) came a close second, offering authentic cuisine cooked to a high standard in a lampshade-spinning quirky environment. 

Many-a-fine delicacies were also sampled at lunchtime in the outdoor poolside eatery (Beach Club) including a slightly different rendition of octopus and mash – becoming my favourite dish of the holiday.

I was less enamoured with the Sports Bar (Third Half) but I’m not a burger and fries fan so didn’t expect to be!

Finally, I was gutted that the Asian restaurant (Narumi) was closed when we visited. I’m pretty sure this would have been my favourite dining experience but I’ll have to reserve judgment for now.

Despite being the freebie, the ‘open all hours’ Sessions buffet was a surprisingly decent place to eat. We spent around three hours each morning there, lapping up the unfolding day to a long and leisurely breakfast. The quality of food was good, with plenty of choice enabling even the fussiest of eaters to be catered for – perfect for Annie who managed the odd donut and bread roll!

Spa: As part of our package, we had also had a 90 minute session in the hotel’s spa. It comprises four pools of varying temperatures and locations, as well as a range of therapeutic rooms: snow room, steam room, sauna, relaxation room. Along with a couple of glasses of fizz, we managed to unwind and take in this first class sanctuary with ease.

Memorabilia – Unlike most hotels I’ve visited, the Hard Rock is a shrine to current and former rock stars. It’s not possible to walk around any of the communal areas without seeing artefacts or memorabilia of rock legends. We didn’t capture as many shots as we would have liked, but it was fun to nosey around and digest some interesting facts and trivia about the items on display. A real plus-point for hardcore Rock fans.

Poor Service – Although the Hard Rock hotel was an excellent place to stay, I’m afraid the poor service throughout our stay was a real let down. In making this claim, I should point out that this was mainly the fault of management for not having sufficient staffing in place for the number of guests. I suspect this was due to cut-backs, perhaps Covid-related, but the inadequate staff levels to meet demands impacted everyone. The waiters and waitresses themselves were fraught, particularly around the pool. Although they tried to be friendly and never stopped working, orders were missed or incorrect. On many occasions we waited up to 45 minutes to get a drink.

(Overall rating 93/100)

Stroll along Av. Adeje 300

We took an early morning walk out of the complex along Avenue Adeje 300 (a quirky B-road from the coastline up and along to the A-road). It was our only real breakout from the complex and enabled us to get a small taster of the traditional dwellings and lifestyles of the Adeje locals.

(Overall rating 83/100)

Swim in Playa El Pinque

To the far side of the lower, Lago pool is a gated exit to the coastline. It’s just a small shaley enclave but a totally picturesque setting and gave us our only opportunity of a real sea swim.

We swam from the shoreline to the small rocky outcrop about 150m away. Once on the rocks I could hear what sounded like prehistoric creatures. It was great fun and nice to enjoy a swim with the old man.

(Overall rating 89/100)

Other observations:

Miscellaneous experiences or things that caught our attention.

Covid-19

Covid is still dominating the world. Masks are still required when in areas of high footfall, passes are required for entering and leaving the country. But, we know the drill and it’s a necessary part of wanting to travel.

Summary:

Our week in Tenerife’s Hard Rock hotel was great fun. It was a superb place to spend some quality time with family and I’m so glad it was recommended to us.

Although we’re not the hotel’s stereotypical clientele, we embraced all that this holiday had to offer. I’m not sure how long we could have kept it up for though. The constant consumption of rich, tasty food and alcoholic beverages all day long actually takes some doing! 

My only regret was not getting out to see Mount Teide, the island’s biggest and main volcano. It had been on our plans to visit but it just didn’t work out this holiday. Who knows for next time 🙂 (Overall Holiday Rating 91/100)

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Date of visit: 30 August 2021 to 6 September 2021

Intro

An unexpected and last-minute early-Autumn break took us 2,000 miles South East to the city of Antalya in Turkey.

And by ‘last-minute’ I mean four hours before take-off! At 10:30am we were contemplating having a short break and by 2:30pm we were hurtling down the runway. 

If anything, the lack of time to prepare added even more excitement and adventure to our trip. We opted to travel ultra-light too, stuffing just a few lightweight summer essentials into our hand-luggage rucksack and off we went.

Observations:

Two things stood out for me in Antalya. Firstly, its multi-influenced culture, but also how inexpensive it is to visit:

1 – Multi-influenced culture

My first observation could be viewed positively or negatively. So instead of going down the ‘lacking identity’ angle, I’m adopting a positive spin and defining Turkey as having a ‘multi-influenced culture’. Given its unique geographical location, Turkey encompasses influences from two adjoining continents. As such, I sensed both European and Asian cultures in equal quantities. 

Food: Local cuisine was a hybrid of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern specialities. I could have been in France or Italy with the fresh fish, mussels, olives and roasted veg on offer. Yet in equal abundance was an array of Middle-Eastern delicacies such as spiced kebabs and sweet baclava pastries. 

People: Generally speaking, locals had dark skin and dark hair. I detected both Middle Eastern and Southern European ancestry in Antalyans. Most Turks are practising Muslims, so as you’d expect, they dressed respectful of their religion and appeared to embrace it too. Hearing chants from the local Imam and seeing countless mosque spires added charm and character. We noticed an increased prevalence of smokers in Antalya to what we’re used to and lots of disregarded fag-ends scattered about.

Language: Where does the Turkish language originate? I sensed Russian and Greek in both the accents and lettering of this unique language. We also spotted the odd bit of ‘Turklish’ too. Whereby an English word gets thrown into a Turkish sentence, spelt in a fashion you’d expect from a five year old. Taksi (taxi), Soshal (social) and Antik (antique) are just a few examples.

2 – Inexpensive

Overall, we found Turkey to be a relatively cheap place to stay. In fact, of all the places we’ve visited over the last four years, we got a lot more bang for our bucks in Antalya than anywhere else. Taxi to the airport was £7.40, a 40-min scuba session was £40, a glass of wine was £4, and luxury cocktails cost a mere £5 each.

That said, we got stung with our taxi out of the airport. Instead of following our gut instincts to get in a registered cab – we were cajoled into the back of a ‘private cab’ and ended up paying £13 more than we would have. A school-kid error for which we only have ourselves to blame!

Ratings of our stay:

I’ve rated aspects of our stay and places we visited below.

Accommodation – Hotel Akra 

Hotel: We arrived at Hotel Akra just five minutes before the restaurant closed for dinner, so we were whisked straight down to dine before we’d even checked-in. Ensuring we got some decent, hot food before turning in for the day was a thoughtful act by the reception team and very much appreciated.

Every part of Hotel Akra was ultra spacious, clean, modern and classy. With so many facets, features and activities on offer – this place caters for everyone. The private beach, rooftop bar and restaurant, pool area and gymnasium were some of our favourite hangouts, and all offered the highest levels of service and provision. The hotel complex is so vast and spread out, it never felt crowded.  

Room: Due to the hotel’s triangular construction, most rooms face the sea. But we didn’t want to leave it to chance so paid a little extra for a sea-view room. Our ‘honeymoon’ suite came with complimentary Prosecco, strawberries, cream and balloons!

Restaurant: The buffet-style restaurant was a delight. We spent hours at a time each morning and evening dining alfresco on the tiled terrace. The views were spectacular and away from direct sunlight offering the perfect place to dine. The quality and range of food was excellent although perhaps a little on the meaty side for my liking, though the deliciously grilled veg and varieties of olives certainly compensated. I also sampled Perch fish for the first time and it was delicious – white, light, flakey and utterly exquisite! The waiters were always pleasant and attentive. (Overall rating 93/100)

Düden Waterfall and ‘Buzz Beach’

Thanks to a hydro-electric plant further upstream, Antalya boasts a manmade waterfall, also known as Karpuzkaldiran. We were keen to see it cascade over the cliff-edge and drop 40m into the Mediterranean Sea. We coupled the waterfall trip with a mooch to ‘Buzz Beach’ a 20km round trip on foot. And what a stunning walk it was too. With lots of open parks, walk & cycle lanes and viewing platforms along the route there was never a shortage of sight-seeing opportunities.

The waterfall itself is epic. The dramatic, fresh expulsion of H2o invigorates the soul. No wonder it pulls in the tourists. We hung around for a good hour soaking up the drama of Düden – appreciating the crevasse beauty spot that was created thousands of years ago by tectonic plate movements.

Buzz Beach, a 6km walk from Düden, was pretty cool too. With young sun-worshippers scattered around and loud music pumping into the air, I can see why they named it Buzz! It’s not a place I’d want to lay back and retreat to for too long, but we certainly enjoyed kicking our trainers off and getting our feet into the fine pebbly sand to stroll along the trendy expanse.

Other memories of this on-foot excursion include:

• Being furious with a local man handing out bagels from a basket on his bike. After cajoling us over then handing us one of his home-baked treats that we really didn’t want – he insisted we took a bite. Out of sheer politeness we took a nibble, at which point he demanded payment! An underhand trick that far from impressed Craig as we had no local currency that day so had to walk away like criminals!
• Comparing a Starbucks kiosk to a desert oasis as we entered, completely dehydrated, for much-needed liquid. It was one of the only places we came across that took Apple Pay so we strode in quickly to hydrate and cool down. This ‘Starbucks lifesaver’ served as a useful reminder to always carry enough water OR guaranteed means of payment when walking long distances in high temperatures overseas!

(Overall rating 87/100)

Antalya Old Town and Marina

We spent a full day walking to the Old Town, Marina and back. It was mesmerising to meander through the origins of this historic city. Taking in the mish-mash scattering of quaint, colourful, winding streets and terracotta-roofed dwellings was a pleasure. There’s so much to see and absorb it’s difficult to walk around without looking up in amazement. With lots of traditional eateries and second-hand shops selling rugs, plates and trinkets around every corner – it’s worth a trip to see and feel where Antalya really began.

The Tekeli Mehmet Pasa Mosque which lies in the centre of the Old Town was sadly under renovation when we visited. However, we managed to snap some shots of the spire which looked so fairtytale-like it reminded me of a castle tower from a Disney movie.

To the north-western edge of the Old Town and 40m above sea level is Republic Square with viewing platforms that offer unrestricted 360-degree views of the Old Town and Marina. We climbed the haphazard stone steps to reach the summit (there is also an elevator to take you up) and spent a little while absorbing the dramatic views. Antalya Old Town is most definitely worth seeing.

We took the Marina path route back and caught a glimpse of the hundred or so yachts anchored up to the shore. With remnants of the old town in the distance offering a dramatic backdrop, I think Antalya Marina has to be one of the most prettiest I’ve seen. (Overall rating 94/100)

Scuba Experience

I’ve been a wannabe mermaid for as long as I can remember, so learning scuba was something I’ve always been destined to do. When we discovered that Antalya Scuba Dive was located on the hotel complex, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to book my first taster session.

Gökhan, my friendly and attentive instructor, showed me how to use the equipment and talked me through the planned dive. Once in the water, Gokhan checked that I was comfortable with the oxygen and mouthpiece before we descended into the depths of the ocean.

We were submerged for somewhere between 30-40 minutes, finning the sea floor and dancing with the fish – it was utterly amazing. The muffled sound of the ocean and the slow-motion nature of movement gave the sensation of being suspended in time. The clear waters, the array of fish and coral life all added to the experience. Would highly recommend the session to anyone thinking of scuba. (Overall rating 102/100)

Myra

Unbeknown to us, the ancient city of Myra is also the alleged homeland of Santa Claus! How a generous individual called Nicholas who resided in an ancient city in the South of Turkey centuries ago came to resemble a fat, red-gowned, white-haired grandad living in the rather chilly depths of Finland is mind boggling – I guess that’s the power of marketing!

However, the real magic of Myra has nothing to do with a mythical festive character. It’s the remnants of an ancient city and amphitheatre that really blows your mind.

Myra is located just 150km from Antalya, but the coastal road route means it takes more than two-and-a-half hours to get there. That said, it’s a steady and scenic journey with coastal cliff-edges, traditional farming villages and alpine-like mountains to absorb along the way. We hired a car for the day at a measly cost of £35.

When we arrived at the site of the ancient city the dramatic, domineering man-carved tombs in the rock-face grabbed our attention straight away. I’ve yet to visit Petra in Jordan, but have always been fascinated by its sculptured rock facades. Myra is very similar, albeit on a much smaller scale.

The mock-windows, doors and dwelling fascias sculpted into the rock-face ooze Roman craftsmanship. With tall pillars, round columns and intricate carvings everywhere, it’s hard to believe these works of art were sculpted from stone and unbelievable to think they were only created to provide a final resting place for influential people from the area.

To the right of the ancient rock-face façade stands an impressive amphitheater ruin. Semi-circular in shape, this once grand venue hosted thousands of spectators but is now a shadow of its former self. However, clues of the opulence and drama that took place there are everywhere. From the perfectly-positioned circular seating stones to the symmetry of stair wells that creep up to the top level. The arched performance entrance is tall and domineering, I suspect it witnessed large animals parading through to the centre stage.

It’s difficult to take-in this fascinating place without sparing a thought to the performances that might have taken place there. Imagining the sounds and smells of show night, the large crowds and the acts on display got me thinking. I suspect sinister and chilling activities took place in the amphitheatre. The carved faces of horror that line the structure suggest it bore witness to sordid, gladiatoresque events where lives were taken in the most brutal ways – and all for entertainment!

(Overall rating 92/100)

Other observations:

Miscellaneous experiences or things that caught our attention.

Streets of Antalya

The streets of Antalya were all so very different. There was a vast mixture of hotels, apartments, restaurants, places of religion and tourist attractions all within feet of each other. But variety adds spice in my opinion. What also impressed us was the method in which garbage is collected. Refuse collection points are lined periodically along the pavements and by using the foot pedals you can open the floor-level ‘bin lid’ and dispose of your waste. I suspect there’s an underground network gathering all this waste and sending it discretely to a waste management facility. I loved this concept – it’s a refreshing way to remove garbage and renders the ugly, smelly, wheely bins from the streets of big cities redundant.

Covid-19

What a difference eight months makes! During our flight back from the Maldives in January, news of a new and unidentified virus was just emerging. By mid-September, COVID-19 was likely the most used word of the year and the most damaging occurrence to hit the globe for a millennia. Our Turkish getaway was slightly nuanced as a result. Keeping distance, masking up and being more aware of contamination is now a way of life. As in the UK, Turkey also felt just that little bit sombre as a result. The inability to get close, engage in conversations or have the same freedoms we are used to inevitably impacts a holiday.

Summary:

Our four days and five nights in Antalya proved to be a Turkish Delight. It wasn’t a honeymoon, which is what we were expecting this year, but it gave us a charming sun-filled getaway with a little culture and pampering thrown in too.

Turkey impressed. But it wasn’t just the panoramic landscapes and warm climate that caught our attention. The Turkish culture and cheap-to-stay location brought an unexpected bonus. 

We’re looking forward to seeing more of this unique country in the years ahead. (Overall Holiday Rating 91/100)

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Date of visit: 24 September 2020 to 29 September 2020