Posts Tagged ‘travel agent’
Stephanie’s Sweet Escape to Geneva
I was lucky to be invited to Geneva by the team at Switzerland Tourism. It was a fantastic trip and really changed my thoughts on Geneva as a city break. I always thought Geneva looked beautiful and we all know about Swiss chocolate… but I didn’t know the city would have such a relaxed vibe and such friendly people!
I arrived from Edinburgh and headed straight for the hotel to drop off bags and have lunch with the rest of the group. It couldn’t be easier getting into central Geneva, the train is 7mins and it’s 1 stop – we had the Geneva City pass so this was included in the card benefits. Once in central Geneva it was about a 10min walk to The MGallery Rotary (4*+). I really liked this hotel and the rooms were huge (they do seem to be larger all over Geneva in comparison to other cities), lovely sitting area in the reception and the breakfast was also great, lots of continental options and cooked options made to order too. The pancakes are especially good!
Lunch was out on the terrace at L’Artisan and we could have happily stayed there all afternoon! It was a pretty terrace in the shade with delicious food and tasty cocktails. Alas, we had a Wine and Heritage tour to get to so we dragged ourselves away to meet our guide.
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Stephanie Visits Porto & Aveiro
Porto and Lisbon is the usual combo people think of when deciding what cities to do on a twin centre Portugal trip. I love Lisbon, but have been a few times already so I decided to look and see if there were any other options. Just 1h 20mins on a train from Porto Sao Bento station is Aveiro, marketed as the “Venice of Portugal”, with colourful boats sailing past the traditional buildings, it looked like a great alternative.
We landed in Porto early afternoon, the tram from the airport is very cheap (€2.90each*). We took the tram all the way to Sao Bento, 1 change, and then purchased our tickets to Aveiro. In case of flight delays I hadn’t pre-booked these tickets, but there’s 1 train per hour and the cost was €4.50pp, we just missed the 13:55 train so stopped in the station café for a coffee. Sao Bento station is one of the sites you want to see in Porto anyway, covered in beautiful blue tiles it’s stunning – so waiting the hour with a coffee was no hardship at all!
Our Prague Winner, Jan!
We’re delighted to share some exciting news from our latest agent competition, and what a fantastic prize it was! After a brilliant response and so many enthusiastic entries, we’re thrilled to announce that Jan from Courtney World Travel is our lucky winner.
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Foodie Favourites: Osprey’s Guide to the Best European Foodie Capitals
If you’re planning a short break with unforgettable meals at the heart of it, Europe is packed with some real foodie gems. From pastry-lined boulevards to buzzing food markets and family-run trattorias, these destinations are perfect for travellers who explore through taste.
Paris – A Capital of Classic Cuisine
Paris is the gold standard of European food culture. Meals are more than sustenance, they’re a social ritual, often long, leisurely, and savoured with conversation. From buttery croissants at corner bakeries, to cosy bistros serving steak frites and world-class cheese boards, eating here feels like an experience every time.
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Destination Copenhagen: with Steph and Diane
Day 1: Arrival & First Impressions
We arrived in Copenhagen and were pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to get into the city by train or metro. The station is under Terminal 3 and tickets are available from the machines. The journey from the airport took around 15 minutes. From our stop it was a 10-minute walk to the Hotel Kong Arthur where we were staying. The hotel is located over 5 buildings but has a real boutique feel to it. There are great indoor and outdoor seating areas, and we really enjoyed the “cosy hour” every night between 5-6 where you can have a free drink and chill out before heading out for dinner.
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Exploring Luxembourg: Irene’s Guide to the Hidden Heart of Europe
I was very lucky to be invited on a fam trip to Luxembourg by Visit Luxembourg. Luxembourg is not the first city you think of for a short break so I was interested to see what there was to do there.
On arrival at Luxembourg airport I took the tram into Luxembourg City Centre. It’s very straightforward with one line in and one line out and the best part is that all public transport is free in Luxembourg (apart from first class rail), no need to get a ticket, just jump on. It took about 30 minutes to the nearest stop for my hotel and although it was late and dark I never felt unsafe on my own.
Stephanie’s Top Tips for Multi-Centre Adventures
Our Senior Short Break Specialist, Stephanie went on an incredible holiday that’s left us all envious! She came back with so many tips that we’ve decided to compile them all for you. Read on for some amazing hints and tips when visiting Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Salzburg & Munich!
Berlin
Berlin’s a very large city, so I’d recommend getting the Berlin card. This gives you free transport and discounts on museums. If you’re not here for long, the hop on hop off bus is a great idea and it’s easy to knock off all the big sights in one day. If you’re staying longer, it really helps to get your bearings. You can stay on the bus for the full 2 hour tour or as the name suggests hop off and on. We would get off at one stop, see what we wanted and then instead of waiting for the next bus (only 20mins) make our way to the next stop and hop back on, so we saw not only the big ticket places but plenty of charming places in between. We used the Big Red bus tour and their App was very helpful, you can see exactly where all the buses are and the directions between stops is really clear.
Karen’s Greek Getaway in Athens!
Many more years ago than I care to disclose, I studied Ancient Greece at university but I’d never actually put boots on the ground. Beyond the Acropolis I had little idea of what to expect from modern Athens, so my recent short break there was a real revelation. I think most people’s mental picture of Greece is going to be whitewashed island villages, sandy beaches and crumbling ancient monuments, so it might not be the first place on your list for a city break, but Athens is a fantastic place to explore:
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Our Hamper Hero – Frankie!
Congratulations to Frankie from Travel With Meon!
After entering our agent competition which was held for the month of April, Frankie from Travel With Meon has won herself a Fortnum & Mason Hamper with a selection of scrumptious goodies! Frankie’s entry was selected at random after filling out an agent feedback questionnaire.
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Beyond The Classics: 5 Alternative Destinations to Visit in 2025
In Europe, you’ll find plenty of iconic cities, from the romantic canals of Venice to the impressive monuments of Paris. But why not visit somewhere a little different for your next holiday? If you’re looking for a unique experience this year, we’ve got you covered. Here’s a list of 5 alternative destinations to get you started…
1. Ljubljana, Slovenia
Ljubljana is Slovenia’s capital, nestled between Austria, Italy, and Croatia. Unlike its more well-known European counterparts, this city offers a very laid-back atmosphere, with interesting medieval architecture and an eco-friendly environment that locals take pride in. Ljubljana is compact in size, so it’s very easy to navigate and the welcoming locals are sure to make you feel right at home. Stroll along the Ljubljanica River and take in the fresh Alpine air, or visit Ljubljana Castle which offers stunning panoramic views. Relax and enjoy the superb café culture where you’ll find several quirky spots along the riverside.
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