Travelled to Tanzania with KLM via Amsterdam.

Arrived at Arusha Airport, transferred to Outpost Lodge where we stayed for 2 nights. Very nice hotel and grounds. The following day we went for a hike to Mataruni Waterfalls. The hike was easy through local villages and ended at the beautiful waterfalls. On our return to the hotel we had an amazing view of Mount Kilimanjaro.

The following day we started our safari to Ngorongoro Crater. Stayed at the Serena Lodge. Beautiful hotel over looking the Crater. We had 2 full days of safari in the crater. Fun fact, no female Elephants in the crater as they are unable to descend with the young. So the females stay above the crater and the males come to them.

We headed next to Serengeti staying at the Heritage Camp for 3 nights. This was incredible. The animals we saw were amazing and finally my 1st sighting of a leopard. The teens were all entertained with the staff and drivers.

From the Serengeti we headed to Lake Manyara National Park,  the Hotel we stayed at was beautiful and it was nice just relaxing around the hotel for the day. The next day we went into the park it is totally different vegetation to the Serengeti. We saw Elephants Giraffes Lions and monkeys. Many monkeys...  

After leaving Lake Manyara we heading to the airport where we caught a flight to Zanzibar. We stayed here 7 nights at the Karafuu Resort. Nice hotel a little disappointed in the staff on the last day. Beach was beautiful and we were close to the Rock restaurant where we ate one night. We were about 40 minutes from the tourist options but managed to find a driver who took us in to Stonetown for a guided tour and over the prison Island and Nakupenda Island. Also rented a Catamaran for the day.

An amazing vacation!

In July of 2021 I had the chance to travel to from Banff to Vancouver on the Rocky Mountaineer. It was an amazing experience and would highly recommend if you ever get the change. The Train was 1st class and the staff were Knowledgeable and attentive.

We flew into Calgary and rented a car to Banff where we stayed at the Banff Ptarmigan Inn. Hotel was clean and the restaurant on site was good. Close to the downtown area and across the road from where many local tours picked you up from.

We went to Johnston Canyon and then took a tour to Lake Moraine and Lake Louse. Stunning views all around.

I travelled Transat to Malaga Spain to visit a friend. Malaga is a great city with a fabulous market in the centre. I stayed in Torremolinos with a friend. Lovely Long white sand beach. You can visit one of the many restaurants beach front and have the local BBQ Sardines. There is a lovely city centre with shopping. A train runs from Malaga Airport along the Costa Del Sol coast.

The Second week I spent in Norfolk [England) visiting family in Heacham and Hunstanton. Beautiful seaside towns close to Sandringham Palace. One of the Queens favourite homes. There are great walks around the Palace grounds and along the coast.

I returned to Vancouver with Air Transat from Gatwick airport the night before staying at the Holiday Inn Express. Great location with great walks around airport shuttle provided for 3 pounds per person.

Spent a weekend in Whitehorse and Dawson City, visited the Yukon Animal Preserve in Whitehorse beautiful spot  and Natural Hot Springs. The next day we took a small flight up to Dawson City and experienced -40 degrees weather. Blue sky but very cold! Went for a hike to a look out, camera kept freezing. We were taken an a small tour of the city. We also went bowling Yukon style and I had the chance to experience drinking a cocktail called Sour Toe cocktail with a real dried toe that you kiss as you drink the cocktail. That evening we went to a local lodge and waited to see Northern lights which did eventually decide to come out for us. Spectacular! The following morning we flew back to Whitehorse to catch our flight to Vancouver. We flew North Air and I must say their service was excellent. The hot chocolate cookies were yummy!

Travelled to Nova Scotia to visit family and friends. We also went camping along the Cabot trail for the 1st time. Scenery was  amazing!

On our return flight we stopped in Ontario for a few days visited down town Toronto and Niagara Fall.

Travelled to Vienna staying in Vienna for a 2 nights before boarding the River Cruise. Visited Vienna Christmas Markets. Travelled along the Danube to Nuremberg stopping in towns to visit local Christmas markets. The Danube water was low so our itinerary was a adjusted, but it was still amazing cruise. We ended in Nuremberg where we were transferred by coach to Prague. Spent 3 nights in Prague. Amazing city!

I spent 5 weeks in England in Wales ending in Scotland for 1 week. We spent 1st week in London I bought a London Pass which was excellent for visiting any Historic buildings. Tower of London, Churchill's Bunker, The Monument, St Paul's Cathedral, Hop on Hop off, Westminster Abbey and Greenwich. You exchange your voucher at a kiosk close to Leicester Square. Walked a lot around London visiting Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar square, Marble Arch, Covent Garden. We also visited the London Eye and London Dungeons.  We also went to the Warner Brothers Studio Tour. The making of Harry Potter. Excellent tour!

From London we rented a car from Heathrow airport and travelled into Wiltshire, where we were able to visit the City of Bath, Caen Locks, Avebury stones, Stonehenge, Lacock Village and Lacock Abbey.

We then drove up to Chester Stopping at Pontcysyllte Aquaduct. in Wales. Beautiful! Chester is one of my favourite cities in England. We spent the day wondering around this walled Roman city. We also drove to Northern Wales and hiked near Snowdonia and then ended our day at Caernarfon Castle. Beautiful! Part of my family went Zip lining through slate caves. Amazing trip.

After leaving Chester we travelled to Kings Lynn Norfolk. I have family in this area but we also visited Castle Rising, Sandringham Palace, Grimes Graves and Kings Lynn. We stayed at the Dukes Head hotel which is in Tuesday Market place. Great location for walking around the historic area of the town. Captain Vancouver departed England from this town.

During our stay in England we also visited Kent where we managed to visit Dover Castle, Margate, Maidstone and Iwade. We also visited Suffolk visiting Framlingham Castle and Village where Ed Sheran is from.

After departing Norfolk we drove to Kendal Lake District where we stayed one night before heading up to Scotland. This is a small town on the out skirts of the Lake district. Well known for the mint cakes.  The following morning we drove up to Loch Lomond in Scotland stopping to see Hadrian's wall. Loch Lomond we stayed at the Inn on the Loch. Very nice hotel with a fabulous view of the Loch. We proceeded the next day to travel along the Loch to Glencoe and then on to Fort William. The views were amazing. After having lunch in Fort William we continued our journey to Glenfinnan Viaduct and monument. More lovely views. We ended out day driving Mallaig where we caught the ferry and continued our journey on to the Isle of Sky. Had 2 overnights in Uig at the Uig Hotel. Again a very clean hotel staff very friendly.

The following day we spent on the Isle of Sky, visiting Neist point lighthouse, Dunvegan, Fairy pools, Portree, The Storr and Kilt Rock falls. Beautiful Island I wish we could of stayed longer. From here we drove the Eilean Donan Castle the most photographed Castle in Scotland and then on to Loch Ness and Perth. We ended our visit to Scotland with a stay in Edinburgh for 2 nights. Where we took in the highlights of the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle and did some last minute shopping before we head home. The last night was spent at the Edinburgh Tattoo an amazing show.

In May of 2016 I travelled to France with Uniworld Cruise lines along the Rhone River. We started in Avignon and traveled North to Lyon. The Cruise ship was lovely in a French Provincial décor. The ship are All inclusive including all extras. Food and Wine exquisite.  I spent 7 days travelling the Rhone River visiting Burgundy and Provence. I flew into Avignon where we were transferred by coach to the Ship. Or first stop was Tarascon, where we took a walking tour of Arles. In Arles we saw Roman monuments and many stops along the way featured in Vincent van Gogh paintings.  The following day we stopped in Avignon where we took another walking tour of the town ending in the Grand Palace of the Popes. Beautiful! In the afternoon I went wine tasting and visited the Pont du Gard Aquaduct. Our next stop took us to Viviers the town was founded in the fifth Century and is blessed with a Medieval Character and Charm.  We climbed up the 12th Century St Vincent Cathedral to take in the views. Our guide an English Lady then took us to her home and invited us in for some Wine and snacks. It was an amazing day. The following day found us in Tournon another beautiful historic town, good shopping and Bridge to nowhere. Our final 2 dayes we ended in Lyon and Macon. Where we visited local markets, and learnt about the Hospices de Beaune. 

In June I went to Los Angeles California We stayed in the Disneyland area for 2 days before moving on to Los Angeles for 3 nights. Stayed at the Fairfield Inn Anaheim great location and service was good. In Los Angles we stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott airport from here we went to Universal Studios and Santa Monica Blvd. The new Harry Potter ride was great fun at Universal Studios.

Flew on a Sunwing package to Varadero staying at the Memories Varadero. Hotel is rated a 4 star. Pools were comfortable there was a quiet pool and also a more active pool where they played music and had pool parties. Also a slide for the kids as well as the big kids. Rooms were a good size nice balcony. A large bottle of water was provided daily. Beach was lovely with a number of water sports available to guests. We were unfortunate as the weather was not at is best so most of the time was spent at the pool.

The buffet restaurant was close to the lobby and while we were at the hotel we had to experience some construction in this area.  I would advise to find a table under a fan as there were a lot of flies. Food was as to be expected. The omelet lady in the morning was lovely. As well as the Pizza in the evening.  Otherwise there was a good selection of food but very bland. We visited the Japanese restaurant as one of our selections and found we had the best meal of our visit. The pool bar was great and the rum flowed easily.

Took the Jeep tour its a very busy tour and you need to know how to drive a standard car. During the tour we had the chance to snorkel, and visit a cave with a natural swimming whole. It was nice to have a dip after the ocean. We were then escorted into the mountains for Lunch and a visit to a local farm. You also had the chance to horse back ride and buy some local fruit in season.

We also went on the Havana day tour.  It was also a busy day with a quick visit to the fort (to buy cigars) and then into old town Havana for a walking tour. Amazing architecture and history. We them went by bus to New Havana ending at the local crafting market.

Over all our family visit to Varadero was fun. Memories Varadero was a solid 4 star hotel.

I also visited the Grand Memories Varadero grounds and Royalton Varadero. Both hotels I would consider 5 star hotels.

Travelled to Ketchikan Alaska for a short get a way on the Coral Princess. Very relaxing yet plenty to do for the kids. Stayed in an outside Cabin with the kids across from us in an inside Cabin. Lovely ship.