Rare Earth Travel

Rare Earth Travel I design seamless, tailor-made holidays for busy people who want to relax, reconnect and enjoy the journey.

Every detail is thoughtfully handled so you can simply travel with ease.

05/09/2026

A beautiful pool, a fabulous bedroom and impressive lobby are easy to photograph.

But when I visit a hotel, I’m looking beyond the obvious.

🛌 What’s the entry-level room actually like?

🏊‍♀️Is the pool peaceful or will you be fighting for a sunbed by 8am?

🚶‍♀️How far will you be walking to breakfast?

🧑‍🍳What does the restaurant feel like when it’s busy?

❓And perhaps most importantly, who is this hotel actually right for?

I visit different destinations and stay in hotels whenever I can because the little things don’t always show up in a brochure or online.

A fantastic destination or hotel can still be completely wrong for a particular client.
Knowing the difference is where experience really matters.

What’s one thing you always look for when choosing a hotel?

03/09/2026

More choice doesn’t always make choosing a holiday easier. In fact, sometimes it makes it much harder.

There are thousands of hotels, hundreds of destinations and an endless stream of recommendations online.

Add different opinions from everyone travelling and suddenly the holiday you’re looking forward to can take hours and hours of research just to work out where to go.

That’s a big part of what I do at Rare Earth Travel.

I get to know what matters to you, how you like to travel and what you want from your time away.

Then I use my own travel experience, industry knowledge and trusted contacts to narrow down the possibilities and recommend the options I genuinely think will suit you.

I’m going to share more of that knowledge here. The places I’ve visited, hotels I’ve stayed in, things I’ve learned, honest opinions and practical advice that might make planning your next holiday a little easier.

If that sounds useful, follow along.

Nicola 😃

25/08/2026

Our last day in Verona, and sadly the last day of our Italian escape. ☹️

We started with a date at Juliet’s House. I’ll admit, this wasn’t the highlight of Verona for us, but it feels like one of those places you have to see while you’re here. The historic house contains artwork, costumes from productions of Romeo and Juliet and, of course, the famous balcony where everyone wants their photograph taken. Although, rather less romantically, the balcony was actually added to the building in the 20th century to help create the Juliet story for visitors!

From there we wandered through Piazza delle Erbe, with its market stalls and beautiful fresco fronted buildings, and discovered one of Verona’s quirkier sights. Look up as you pass beneath the Arco della Costa and you’ll see an enormous whale rib that’s been hanging there for centuries!

There were plenty of lovely leather goods in the market, and yes, somehow, I managed to buy another handbag! That’s two in two days for someone who claims she’s not much of a shopper!

We walked across Ponte Nuovo over the River Adige into the Veronetta neighbourhood, before making our way back into the city and following part of Verona’s old city walls.

There was still time for a wander along Via Mazzini, Verona’s elegant main shopping street, which is packed with Italian and international brands. Another little surprise can be found inside the Benetton store, where glass panels in the floor reveal the remains and mosaics of an ancient Roman house beneath your feet.

Eventually, we found ourselves back where our Verona adventure had begun, at the Arena and Piazza Bra.

And so, our little Italian escape came to an end.

Two nights in Milan, three nights in Verona, an impromptu day on Lake Garda, opera under the stars, incredible food, plenty of gelato, two new handbags and, most importantly, five days away together, just the two of us which was exactly what we needed.

Something we haven’t done for a very long time, and something I don’t think we’ll leave quite so long before doing again.

24/08/2026

When plans change… jump on a train to Lake Garda!

Our plan for our second day in Verona had been to visit Juliet’s House, but we couldn’t get the tickets we wanted until the following day.

With temperatures soaring in Verona, we decided there was only one thing for it. Jump back on the train and head to Lake Garda for the day! And what a good decision that turned out to be.

We caught the train from Verona to Desenzano del Garda and after a short walk downhill from the station, found ourselves at the edge of the lake.

First stop? Gelato, obviously!

Desenzano is a really pretty town, with cafés and restaurants, lovely little shops and gorgeous views across the lake towards the mountains in the distance.

We decided to explore a little further and hopped aboard one of the ferries that criss-cross Lake Garda, choosing Sirmione, which sits on a narrow peninsula stretching out into the lake. The ferry from Desenzano took only around 20 minutes.

Sirmione was beautiful. We wandered through the historic centre before coming across the magnificent Scaligero Castle, one of the best-preserved medieval castles in Italy. From there we followed the path along the water, passing beautiful gardens and little beaches, and even a designated ‘kissing spot’, so naturally we had to stop for the obligatory kissing selfie!

There was also time to browse the shops filled with colourful Italian pottery, leather goods and mementos…and somehow a new handbag managed to come home with me!

We caught the ferry back to Desenzano and finished our day with some delicious pizza for dinner before strolling back to the station and catching the train to Verona.

What started as a last-minute change of plan turned into one of my favourite days of the trip. It also highlighted just how easy it is to combine Verona and Lake Garda. No car, no complicated planning, just a train, a ferry and a little spontaneity.

Sometimes the unplanned days really are the best ones.

Tomorrow, though, we have a date with Juliet…

22/08/2026

From Milan to Verona… and quite a first night! 🇮🇹❤️

After two fabulous nights in Milan, it was time to jump on the train and head to Verona, where we were spending the next three nights.

The train journey was really easy, as was the transfer from Verona station into the Città Antica, the beautiful historic heart of the city where we were staying.

Arriving into Piazza Bra, we were immediately wowed by the sight of the magnificent Verona Arena. Almost 2,000 years old and sitting right in the centre of the city.

Around it, people were enjoying the pretty gardens and finding some much-needed shade from the Italian sunshine.

Verona isn't completely traffic-free, but much of the historic centre is pedestrianised, with just the occasional taxi, scooter or cyclist passing through. It gives the whole city a wonderfully relaxed feel and makes it perfect for exploring on foot.

After dropping our bags, we wandered through streets lined with lovely little shops towards Castelvecchio, stopping for lunch at a small restaurant tucked down a side street. A platter of Italian cheeses and cured meats, fresh bread and a table outside — simple, but absolutely delicious. 🇮🇹

We spent the afternoon wandering around Castelvecchio and along the river, but we had one important mission for our first day in Verona…

Could we get tickets for the opera that evening?

After joining the queue at the Arena, we were incredibly lucky and managed to get tickets to see Aida that night!

A quick return to the hotel to get changed and then we sat in the piazza for dinner, watching everyone arrive for the performance. Some were in black tie and beautiful evening dresses, clearly heading for slightly more expensive seats than ours! 😂

There was a technical hitch which delayed the start, but when the performance finally began, it was worth every minute of the wait.

Watching Aida inside a Roman amphitheatre under the night sky was quite an experience. At one point I counted around 170 performers on stage, the sheer scale and spectacle were incredible. I'm not an opera buff by any stretch of the imagination, but I absolutely loved it.

We were in the cheaper seats with a side view, but could still see and hear everything brilliantly. The only slight downside? Like much of the audience, we were sitting on the Arena's stone steps. Even armed with the little cushions we'd bought beforehand, three hours of opera left us with decidedly numb bums! 😂

By the time Aida finished it was after midnight, so it was straight back to the hotel. What a way to spend our first night in Verona. And we still had another two days to explore…

20/08/2026

After yesterday’s first taste of Milan, today was all about getting out and seeing more of the city, with a little shopping thrown in, of course! And Milan is certainly the place for it.

We wandered through the beautiful Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, with its enormous glass-domed roof, mosaic floors and elegant shopfronts, before exploring some of the fabulous shops Milan is famous for. Whether you’re actually buying or just window shopping, it’s quite an experience!

Mrs S was getting a little bored, so we hopped on one of the city’s sightseeing buses. We love a city bus tour! It’s a great way to get your bearings, see more of the city and decide which parts you want to visit when you only have a short time somewhere.

We jumped off at Sforza Castle, we wandered through the lovely Parco Sempione and stumbled across a local market along the way. I love finding these little glimpses of everyday life when I’m exploring a city.

After a full day on our feet, there was only one way to finish…drinks at Terrazza Aperol, overlooking the Piazza del Duomo, with the magnificent cathedral lit up in front of us. Such a fabulous way to end our time in Milan.

Milan has given us great food, great shopping, plenty of history and so much to see. We’ve managed to pack a lot into our two nights and we’ve really enjoyed this city.

Tomorrow morning it’s time for the next part of our little Italian adventure…Verona, here we come! ❤️🇮🇹

18/08/2026

A cheeky little Italian escape… just the two of us! 🇮🇹❤️

With one child working over the summer and the other heading off to France with family, we suddenly found ourselves with something we haven’t had for a very long time - a few days with absolutely no children to worry about!

So, rather than stay at home, we decided to make the most of it and escape to Italy for five nights, starting with two nights in Milan before heading on to Verona.

After arriving and checking into our hotel, there was really only one place to start, the magnificent Duomo di Milano.
Wow! What a first impression of the city!

We also ventured beneath the cathedral into its fascinating archaeological area, where you can see remains dating back to Roman Milan, including the 4th-century Baptistery of San Giovanni alle Fonti. It’s amazing to think about the layers of history beneath one of Milan’s most famous landmarks.

And, of course, no first afternoon in Italy would be complete without some delicious Italian food and our first gelato!

This was the beginning of five nights of just the two of us, something we haven’t done for a very long time, and it felt rather lovely.

More from Milan tomorrow, because we managed to pack quite a lot into our two nights before continuing our Italian adventure to Verona.

It’s so hot in my office! My makeshift cooling system is helping though - an ice pack in a tea towel, around the back of...
14/08/2026

It’s so hot in my office! My makeshift cooling system is helping though - an ice pack in a tea towel, around the back of my neck. Try it, it helps!

07/08/2026

One of the things I loved most about GoldenEye is that you can enjoy it entirely at your own pace.

Stay in a Beach Hut just steps from the sand, a Lagoon Cottage where you can kayak or paddleboard straight from your deck, or one of the larger private villas offering even more space and seclusion. Everywhere you look, the Caribbean feels wonderfully close.

Days can be as active or as relaxed as you choose. Paddle across the lagoon, snorkel in the warm Caribbean Sea, cycle through the lush grounds, enjoy yoga, unwind in the spa or simply settle into a hammock with a good book and nowhere else to be.

On our way back from GoldenEye, we made one final stop at a 511 Plate to visit for some homemade ice cream. It felt like the perfect ending to an unforgettable week. One last taste of Jamaica before heading home.

From the warmth of the people and the incredible hotels to the music, food and endless smiles, Jamaica has reminded me that the best holidays aren’t just about where you stay, they’re about how a destination makes you feel.

Thank you Jamaica you have been wonderful. Until next time…and there will definitely be a next time. One Love 🇯🇲❤️



#007

06/08/2026

🇯🇲Happy Independence Day Jamaica🇯🇲

This is GoldenEye, where James Bond was born.

Nestled on Jamaica's beautiful north coast, GoldenEye was originally the private home of author Ian Fleming. It was here, overlooking the Caribbean Sea, that he wrote all fourteen James Bond novels, creating one of the world's most iconic fictional characters.

GoldenEye's story didn't end with Ian Fleming. The estate was later transformed by Chris Blackwell, the founder of Island Records, whose vision was to create a collection of distinctive Caribbean hideaways that celebrated Jamaica's culture, creativity and natural beauty. Today, GoldenEye remains the flagship of the Island Outpost collection, retaining its artistic soul while offering a wonderfully relaxed take on barefoot luxury.

GoldenEye has evolved into one of Jamaica's most distinctive luxury retreats, but it has carefully held on to the relaxed spirit that made Fleming fall in love with this corner of the island. Rather than grand hotel blocks, you'll find colourful cottages, private villas and secluded beaches woven into tropical gardens around a tranquil lagoon.

Luxury here isn't about formality or marble lobbies. It's about paddleboarding from your villa before breakfast, reading beneath the shade of palm trees, swimming in crystal-clear water and slowing down to the rhythm of island life. It's understated, effortlessly stylish and unmistakably Jamaican.

If you're looking for somewhere that offers luxury with soul, history and a genuine sense of place, GoldenEye is unlike anywhere else I've visited.


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