Karen Green at Hays Travel

12/09/2026

🤔 I remember standing at the bottom of that crystal staircase on Virtuosa, drink in hand, thinking "wow, this is stunning" as it caught the light with people coming and going above us.

It's the sort of moment that sums up exactly why people always ask us one thing about MSC: "Is it any good?"

But after years of cruising ourselves and helping customers find the right holiday, I've come to a different conclusion. The better question is always: "Will it suit me?"

We sailed MSC Virtuosa together a while back, and this month Tony's heading back onboard her again, without me this time.

🍻 The good news is we'll hopefully get regular updates on the page. 📸 The bad news is I'm not entirely convinced the photos won't be blurry, out of focus, pointing at the ceiling... or the occasional floor. 😆 After all, there's no adult supervision onboard this time. 🍻😂

And honestly, there was a lot we loved about it.

✨ The glamour of the ship.
✨ Those sparkling crystal staircases.
✨ The stunning lounges and public spaces.
✨ The huge choice of bars, restaurants and entertainment venues.
✨ The feeling that there was always something happening somewhere onboard.

One thing we particularly enjoyed was the amount of choice. Yes, some venues were busier than others at certain times, but that's the beauty of a ship the size of Virtuosa. If one bar was lively, there were plenty of others with a quieter atmosphere. If one area was busy, it was usually easy to find another spot to relax with a drink and watch the world go by.

Over the years I've spoken to people who absolutely love MSC, and others who simply haven't found the right MSC ship or experience for them.

Because MSC isn't really one experience. Virtuosa feels different to Poesia. World Europa feels different again. And then add Yacht Club into the mix and you're talking about another experience entirely.

That's why it's almost impossible to answer the question "What's MSC like?" My answer would usually be: "Depends... which ship are we talking about, and what do you actually want from your cruise?"

One thing that struck us when we sailed Virtuosa was the variety of people onboard. Families making memories together, couples celebrating special occasions, groups of friends, first-time cruisers, seasoned cruisers, guests from all over Europe. Some there for the entertainment and nightlife, some for a quiet cocktail and a sea view, some wanting action-packed days, others simply wanting to switch off from the real world for a while. Different people can sail on the same ship and have completely different holidays.

Then there's Yacht Club. Several of our customers have sailed Yacht Club and come back absolutely raving about it. ✨ Priority embarkation. ✨ Butler service. ✨ An exclusive restaurant. ✨ Private lounge. ✨ Dedicated sundeck. All whilst still having access to the wider ship's entertainment, restaurants and facilities. For many people, it really is the best of both worlds.

MSC isn't one cruise experience. It's several different cruise experiences sharing the same ship. Whether you're looking for fantastic value, family-friendly fun, a vibrant atmosphere, a romantic escape or something a little more exclusive, there may well be an MSC experience that's right for you.

👇 Be honest...
🍸 Are you the type who wants a quiet cocktail with a sea view and a good book...
🎭 Or the type who thinks "I'll just have one drink" and somehow ends up at the theatre, a quiz, live music and midnight pizza...
🥂 Or are you quietly hoping someone mentions Yacht Club so you've got an excuse to ask about the butler? 😆

Tell me which one sounds most like you, and I'll tell you which MSC ship, experience, or even cruise line might be the best fit.

☎️ Call Karen & Tony Green at Hays Travel on 02921 432167 / 02921 433104

🛡️ 5★ Rated on Trustpilot
⭐ Book with confidence — fully ATOL & ABTA protected
⭐ All offers subject to availability. Prices cannot be guaranteed until deposit/balance paid.



🧭 The best cruise isn't the most expensive one. It's the one that actually suits you.

12/09/2026

🌍 The best holidays aren't always about where you go. Sometimes they're about who you get to be while you're there.

For a few days in Dubai, you become the person who says "yes" to everything. Rooftop drinks overlooking the Marina. Luxury shopping without checking the time. Desert adventures that leave sand in your shoes for weeks afterwards. A city that somehow makes everything feel bigger, brighter and more exciting.

Then comes the Maldives. And suddenly, being busy feels like a distant memory. No schedules. No rush. No notifications. Just eight nights surrounded by turquoise water, white sand and the kind of peace that's become increasingly rare.

It's two completely different kinds of luxury. One unforgettable holiday.

🇦🇪➡️🇲🇻 5★ Dubai & Maldives Twin-Centre Escape

🌇 3 Nights — Stella Di Mare Dubai Marina Hotel ⭐5★ 🛏️ King Deluxe Room, City View 🍽️ Half Board Plus
Explore Dubai at your own pace, from world-famous shopping and incredible dining to beach clubs, skyscrapers and unforgettable desert experiences.

🏝️ 8 Nights — Villa Park Sun Island, Maldives ⭐5★ 🏡 Water Villa (Domestic Flight & Speedboat) 🍹 All Inclusive
Wake up above the lagoon, step from your villa into crystal-clear water, and spend your days doing as much or as little as you please. This stunning island sits within a protected marine area and is renowned for its incredible marine life, including whale sharks.

✨ What's Included
🏨 Hand-picked 5★ accommodation
✈️ Return international flights
🚐 Overseas transfers throughout
🧳 Hold luggage included
🛡️ ATOL & ABTA protection
📅 Selected departures throughout September 2027

✈️ Departure Airports & Prices
✈️ Birmingham — FROM £3,599pp
✈️ Manchester — FROM £3,599pp
✈️ London Heathrow — FROM £3,649pp
Based on 2 adults sharing.

🎁 Book this one and we'll include a complimentary UK Airport Lounge pass for each traveller, on us.

🤔 If you could fast-forward to one moment of this trip right now, which would it be? 🌇 Watching the lights come on across Dubai Marina, or 🏡 sitting on the deck of your Water Villa as the Indian Ocean drifts by beneath you?

☎️ Call Karen & Tony Green at Hays Travel on 02921 432167 / 02921 433104 to start planning.

🛡️ 5★ Rated on Trustpilot
⭐ Book with confidence — fully ATOL & ABTA protected
⭐ All offers subject to availability. Prices cannot be guaranteed until deposit/balance paid.

• Operator: Mercury Holidays

11/09/2026

🌧️ Every winter, millions of us do exactly the same thing.

We scrape ice off the car. We complain about the weather. We leave for work in the dark. We come home in the dark. And we spend half our lives wondering where the sun has disappeared to.

So here's a different idea.

🌴 Instead of joining the crowds on the same Canary Islands everyone already knows... how about escaping to the one that still feels a little like a secret? Welcome to La Palma.

Nicknamed La Isla Bonita (The Beautiful Island), it's greener, quieter and wilder than its better-known neighbours — dramatic volcanic scenery, Atlantic Ocean views, and a much slower pace of life. It's also a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and the world's first UNESCO Starlight Reserve. When I first read that this one little island holds a title like "world's first," it genuinely stopped me in my tracks. The light-pollution laws here are so strict that the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory up in the mountains is rated among the best stargazing sites on the entire planet. On a clear night, you'll see stars most people never get to see in their life.

And in December?

While everyone else is battling Christmas shopping crowds, wrapping presents, queuing in supermarkets and wondering how they've still got so much left to do...

You'll be sitting outside in around 20°C, looking out over the Atlantic and deciding whether another cocktail is a good idea.

(For the record, the answer is always yes.) 🍹😆

🔞 Esencia de La Palma by Princess
The adults-only section of the resort is perched above the Atlantic, offering sea views, multiple pools and the sort of peace that becomes increasingly appealing the older we get. No kids' clubs. No foam parties. No fighting over sunbeds. Just sunshine, sea air and seven days with absolutely nowhere you need to be.

🏨 Esencia de La Palma by Princess 🔞 Adults Only (16+) 🍽️ Half Board 🛏️ Standard Room 🌙 7 Nights 📅 December 2026

⭐ Excellent TripAdvisor reviews — guests consistently describe it as a genuine "sanctuary of calm."

✨ And here's the bit I genuinely think is worth considering... upgrade from Half Board to All Inclusive for approximately £112pp for the entire week. That's roughly £16 per person, per day for lunch, beers, cocktails, soft drinks and snacks. In holiday maths, that's what we'd call a no-brainer. 🍹

✈️ Departure Airports & Prices
✈️ London Stansted — 04 December 2026 — FROM £595pp
✈️ Manchester — 04 December 2026 — FROM £695pp

🧳 Hold baggage and transfers included.
Based on 2 adults sharing.
*Prices shown are lowest available fares on selected dates.

🤔 Be honest... would you rather revisit the Canary Island everyone talks about, or discover the one nobody seems to mention?

☎️ Call Karen & Tony Green at Hays Travel on 02921 432167 / 02921 433104 to start planning your escape.

🛡️ 5★ Rated on Trustpilot
⭐ Book with confidence — fully ATOL & ABTA protected
⭐ All offers subject to availability. Prices cannot be guaranteed until deposit/balance paid.

• Operator: Jet2 Holidays

☀️ While everyone else is following the crowds, you could be discovering somewhere different.

11/09/2026

❄️ Karen Recommends... and this one comes with a little honesty.

I've sold Lapland for years. But before I ever sold it, we experienced it ourselves. Twice.

Back then, Alana was still young enough to believe completely in the magic of Santa, elves and reindeer.

We flew into Enontekiö Airport in Finnish Lapland, and I still remember the atmosphere before we even boarded. Excited children everywhere. Parents trying just as hard to contain their excitement. Even on the flight, there was a feeling that everyone knew they were heading somewhere special.

We stayed at Davvi Arctic Lodge with Transun for four nights on both trips.

Now, let's be honest. The hotel wasn't plush. The rooms were warm, comfortable and welcoming, but some were a little tired and could probably have done with a refresh. The food wasn't fine dining either. When you're inside the Arctic Circle, fresh fruit and vegetables aren't exactly arriving daily. We saw plenty of tinned vegetables and fruit on the buffet, but we always found lots to eat and nobody ever went hungry.

And do you know what? None of it mattered. Not one bit. Because Lapland isn't about the hotel. It's about the experiences.

Before we travelled, we completed a questionnaire about Alana. Her school, favourite subject, pets, teacher and, most importantly, what she wanted for Christmas. The way Santa and the elves used that information when we finally visited Santa's cabin deep in the snowy forest was nothing short of magical. To this day, I still can't explain how they knew so much about her. 🎅✨ The look on her face was absolutely priceless.

We raced across frozen lakes on husky sleds before warming up with hot chocolate and cuddling the dogs afterwards. We rode snowmobiles through forests covered in snow while the children travelled behind in sleighs. We took a reindeer sleigh ride through the woods to meet Santa. And every spare moment seemed to involve tobogganing, snowball fights or making new friends in the snow outside the hotel.

The first year we visited, temperatures hovered around -6°C. The second year? -26°C. Let's just say thermals became my best friend. 😆 Thankfully, Transun provided thermal snowsuits and boots, but don't underestimate the importance of good gloves, hats and layers. Trust me on that one.

One of my favourite memories was the Northern Lights. The hotel staff would literally go room-to-room knocking on doors when they appeared so that nobody missed them. Now that's service. 💚

We upgraded to a log cabin on our second visit, complete with a private sauna. It turned out to be one of the best decisions we made. After a day of husky sledding, snowmobiling and standing around in sub-zero temperatures, stepping into that sauna felt like winning the lottery.

Tony became quite attached to it. In fact, he assures me this is the one point in the story that all men will immediately understand. 😆 Let's just say that after a day in temperatures of -26°C, that sauna wasn't a luxury... it was more of a reunion with parts of himself he'd been hoping were still there. 😂

There wasn't much around the hotel itself, which honestly added to the feeling of being somewhere truly remote. A small shop. A restaurant. A souvenir shop. But a short walk took us across the border into a tiny Swedish town. You could literally stand with one foot in Finland and one foot in Sweden. No passport checks. No queues. Just a lovely little place to explore for an hour or two, complete with a pretty church and a handful of shops.

The funny thing is... when I think back to Lapland, I don't remember the room. I don't remember what we had for dinner. I remember Alana's face. I remember huskies. I remember reindeer. I remember standing beneath a sky painted green by the Northern Lights. And I remember feeling like we'd stepped into a Christmas film.

That's why, all these years later, I still recommend Lapland. Not because it's luxurious. Because it's magical. ❄️❤️

👇 Have you ever been to Lapland, or is it still sitting on your bucket list? 🎅✨

If Lapland's been sitting on your list too, get in touch — we'd love to help you plan your own bit of Christmas magic. 🎅

11/09/2026

🇹🇷 Sometimes you don't need a new destination. You just need everyone else's children to not be there.

That's the honest case for adults-only, and Marmaris does it well.

Let's be clear — this isn't a five-star luxury resort, and it doesn't try to be. What the Poseidon Hotel does well is location and peace: it sits right on Marmaris Bay with its own private beach area, reserved exclusively for guests. Sunbeds and parasols are there, drinks come to your lounger, and the biggest decision you'll face all day is whether to stay by the beach, the pool, or wander onto the private pier stretching out into the sea.

No scramble for a sunbed. No inflatables. No cannonballs landing three feet away. Just a straightforward, comfortable adults-only week without a hefty price tag attached.

If you fancy a livelier evening, Marmaris' bars, restaurants and nightlife are all within easy reach. But you don't actually have to leave if you don't want to.

⭐ Rated 4/5 on TripAdvisor from nearly 1,800 reviews — genuinely solid, with guests consistently rating the location, staff and beach highly. Rooms are on the simpler side, so go in expecting comfortable rather than glamorous, and you won't be disappointed.

🏨 Poseidon Hotel, Marmaris
🔞 Adults Only
🍹 All Inclusive
🌙 7 Nights
📅 April 2027
🛏️ Double Economy Room

✨ My tip: worth the extra £50pp for a Double Side Sea View Room if you can stretch to it — waking up to Marmaris Bay is a nice start to the day.

✈️ Departure Airports & Prices
✈️ Bristol — 14 April 2027 — FROM £549pp
✈️ London Gatwick — 13 April 2027 — FROM £549pp
✈️ London Luton — 13 April 2027 — FROM £559pp
✈️ Glasgow — 14 April 2027 — FROM £609pp
✈️ Manchester — 06 April 2027 — FROM £609pp
✈️ Newcastle — 10 April 2027 — FROM £609pp
✈️ Liverpool — 09 April 2027 — FROM £619pp
✈️ Edinburgh — 13 April 2027 — FROM £619pp

Hold baggage and resort transfers included.
Based on 2 adults sharing.

👇 Be honest... what would make a bigger difference to your holiday? 🔞 Adults Only, or 🌊 A Sea View?

☎️ Call Karen & Tony Green at Hays Travel on 02921 432167 / 02921 433104 to start planning your Marmaris escape.

🛡️ 5★ Rated on Trustpilot
⭐ Book with confidence — fully ATOL & ABTA protected
⭐ All offers subject to availability. Prices cannot be guaranteed until deposit/balance paid.

• Operator: easyJet Holidays

11/09/2026

🌴 City or beach?

I genuinely think it's one of the hardest holiday decisions there is.

Some people love exploring new cities. The food, the culture, the energy and the feeling that every street leads to another discovery. Others just want warm sunshine, soft sand and absolutely nothing in the diary.

The problem? Most of us want both.

Imagine spending a few days exploring bustling night markets, rooftop bars and magnificent temples... then swapping all of that for palm-fringed beaches, turquoise waters and a pace of life that slows right down. No compromise. Just two incredible holidays in one unforgettable trip.

🇹🇭 That's exactly why this Bangkok & Koh Samui twin-centre escape stood out to me.

📅 03 May 2027 Departure 🌴 12 Nights Thailand Twin-Centre Escape 🥐 Breakfast Included Throughout

🏨 3 Nights — INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok
A stylish modern hotel ideally placed for discovering Bangkok's famous street food, colourful markets and spectacular skyline.

🏖️ 9 Nights — Chaba Cabana Beach Resort, Koh Samui
A beachfront retreat where island life revolves around beautiful beaches, warm seas and unforgettable sunsets.

✨ Why this itinerary works so well
🌆 The vibrant energy of Bangkok
🍜 World-famous street food and markets
🏖️ Relaxing on Koh Samui's stunning beaches
🚐 Private transfers included throughout
🥐 Breakfast included throughout

✈️ Departure Airports & Prices
✈️ Manchester — 03 May 2027 — FROM £1,559pp
✈️ London Heathrow — 03 May 2027 — FROM £1,559pp
Based on 2 adults sharing.
Only £75pp deposit.

👇 Which part of this trip would you be most excited about: Bangkok or Koh Samui?

☎️ Call Karen & Tony Green at Hays Travel on 02921 432167 / 02921 433104 to book this incredible adventure.

🛡️ 5★ Rated on Trustpilot
⭐ Book with confidence — fully ATOL & ABTA protected
⭐ All offers subject to availability. Prices cannot be guaranteed until deposit/balance paid.
*Prices shown are total package prices per person, based on the party size stated, and include flights, accommodation and all mandatory taxes/charges known at time of publication. Exchange rates may affect pricing prior to booking confirmation. Any resort/destination/city taxes payable locally are not included and may vary due to exchange rate fluctuations or local regulation changes.

• Operator: Mainstreet

11/09/2026

✈️ I think every traveller has two personalities.

There's the version of me at home.

And then there's Airport Karen.

Airport Karen is a completely different person. She's organised. She's excited. She's convinced this holiday is going to change her life.

But first...

🚨 Security.

Every. Single. Time.

I know I've packed correctly. I know I haven't smuggled anything. I know my rucksack contains nothing more exciting than a phone charger and a half-eaten packet of mints. Yet somehow, as I approach security, I'm convinced I've accidentally packed a kilo of something highly illegal and I'm about to feature in a Border Force documentary.

Then comes the scanner.

Ladies... you know the moment. The wire in your bra sets the alarm off and suddenly you're being escorted to one side for a pat-down in front of a queue of strangers. Absolutely mortifying. Although I'll admit it's slightly less traumatic if the security officer happens to be a total hunk. 😳🤣

The security staff always have that completely unreadable expression too. You genuinely can't tell if they're about to wish you a lovely holiday or drag you into a back room for questioning.

And don't get me started on the people ahead of you. The person who's shocked they need to remove their belt. The person emptying 47 pockets at the last second. The family who only discover liquids need separating when they're already at the front of the queue. Then there's my personal favourite... the person who collects their tray and proceeds to unpack their entire life directly in front of the conveyor belt while the rest of us are trapped behind them trying to retrieve our bags.

You know exactly who I mean. 😆

But then...

✅ You make it through.
And everything changes.
The shoulders drop. The pace slows. The holiday officially begins.

🍳 Within minutes I'm sitting in Wetherspoons at 6am with a full breakfast and a Bloody Mary, Mimosa or something equally inappropriate for that time of the morning, feeling like the most relaxed woman in Britain.

Holiday rules.

📚 Next stop is WHSmith.
I'll spend ages choosing the perfect holiday read, read a few pages on the flight, convince myself I've fallen back in love with books, then abandon it by Chapter 4 and rediscover it six months later on the bedside table wondering how it ends.

Every. Single. Time. 😂

🛍️ And somewhere in all this, I'll wander through Duty Free convincing myself I'm getting a fantastic bargain, only to discover two weeks later the perfume was cheaper online and the bottle of Bombay Sapphire I proudly brought home was actually on offer in Tesco for less the entire time.

I get annoyed. I tell myself never again.
And then I do exactly the same thing on my next holiday. 😭

So go on then...

What's your airport ritual?

🍳 The Wetherspoons breakfast?
🍹 The first holiday drink?
📚 The book you'll never finish?
🛍️ The Duty Free "bargain" that wasn't?

Or is there another airport experience that drives you mad?

Tell me I'm not alone... 👇✈️

11/09/2026

🌴 Somewhere in Bali right now, someone is floating in their own private pool, and hasn't had to put shoes on all day.

Honestly, a little bit of me hates them for it.

Because that's genuinely how this villa works — the private plunge pool sits right across the living area, so their morning swim, their sundowner dip, their "just one more float before dinner" is never more than a few steps away. No walk to a shared pool, no towel-on-the-lounger scramble. Just step outside and you're in.

The Tanadewa Luxury Villas & Spa sits in Nusa Dua, on Bali's southern tip — contemporary Balinese design throughout, an in-villa jacuzzi alongside that pool, and butler service on request for whenever doing absolutely nothing sounds appealing. When they do feel like leaving the villa, TanaLounge looks out over Benoa Harbour for sunset dining, and TanaSpa's treatments are right there too. Nusa Dua Beach itself is a short drive away, for the days sand under your feet wins over sand-free luxury.

Honestly? I'd take either.

🏨 Tanadewa Luxury Villas & Spa 5★, Nusa Dua, Bali
🏊 Villa, 1 Bedroom, B&B — Private Pool
🌙 10 Nights
📅 Various dates, June 2027
✈️ Departing London Heathrow

💷 From £1,539pp, based on 2 adults sharing
🧳 Baggage and private transfers included
Approximately £3.11 per person in local taxes is included in the price shown above.
*Prices shown are lowest available fares on selected dates.

☎️ Call Karen & Tony Green at Hays Travel on 02921 432167 / 02921 433104 to start planning your Bali escape.

🛡️ 5★ Rated on Trustpilot
⭐ Book with confidence — fully ATOL & ABTA protected
⭐ All offers subject to availability. Prices cannot be guaranteed until deposit/balance paid.

• Operator: Mercury Holidays

10/09/2026

10/09/2026

🐻 I went to Borneo expecting the orangutans to be the highlight. I came home slightly obsessed with a bear I'd barely given a second thought before.

It had been on my wish list for years — and I've genuinely just got back from doing it myself, with Newmarket Holidays. Didn't care one bit that it started life as a "work trip." I'd have found a way there eventually.

One afternoon at the Sun Bear Conservation Centre in Sepilok and that was it, I was sold. They're the smallest bear species in the world, spend most of their lives in the trees, and have a distinctive orange patch on their chest said to look like a rising sun. If I could've fitted one into my hand luggage, Tony would've come home to find me halfway up a tree building it a climbing frame. 😂

Of course, the orangutans didn't disappoint either — seeing them at the conservation centres was genuinely special. We share around 97% of our DNA with them, which, if you've met some of my in-laws, explains quite a lot. 🤣

Some of my favourite days were spent speeding along the river, everyone scanning the banks for pygmy elephants. We got lucky — proboscis monkeys, macaques, gibbons calling through the rainforest, flying squirrels, and slow lorises peering out from the dark (another one I'd have happily packed in my case). The creepy crawlies? We'll skip those. 😳

Then Mount Kinabalu appears out of the rainforest and steals the conversation, before the whole trip winds down on beautiful tropical beaches. Rainforest to reef, wildlife to white sand, all in one holiday.

🌴 The "Big Five" of a typical Borneo trip — and we managed every single one:
✅ Orangutan
✅ Pygmy Elephant
✅ Proboscis Monkey
✅ Hornbill
✅ Sun Bear

I've done this tour myself now, not just sold it — so if Borneo's anywhere on your list, ask me absolutely anything.

🇲🇾 Borneo's Orangutans & Rainforest Adventure — 13 days from £2,931pp (was £3,449pp), flights included, 9 excursions, 20 meals included.

🇲🇾 Same tour with the Kota Kinabalu Extension — 15 days from £3,195pp (was £3,759pp), save up to 15%, flights included, 9 excursions, 22 meals included.

⚠️ Zero Deposit available if booked by 24 September — spread the cost with monthly Direct Debit payments running through to 6 weeks before departure. Departures available from February 2027 through to late 2029 — give us a call and we'll work out your exact monthly figure for the dates that suit you.

🎁 Book by 24 September and we'll include a complimentary UK airport lounge pass per person, on us.

☎️ Call Karen & Tony Green at Hays Travel on 02921 432167 / 02921 433104 to book this incredible adventure.

🛡️ 5★ Rated on Trustpilot
⭐ Book with confidence — fully ATOL & ABTA protected
⭐ All offers subject to availability. Prices cannot be guaranteed until deposit/balance paid.
*Prices shown are lowest available fares on selected departures.