The Travel Genius

07/06/2026

Sunday is precious ❤️
My only day off!
I love the beach life and I the multiple live free music 🎶 events. This is what makes our new life sooo good! Many beers and lots of laughs!

How’s your weekend going? I’d love you to post your memories. Share with us!

07/06/2026

Here's how to experience the REAL VENICE like a local:

1. RIALTO BRIDGE AT SUNSET

Skip the crowds at midday. Come at sunset when the Grand Canal turns golden and the light is perfect. The view from the bridge is unforgettable - and the vendors start packing up, so it's less chaotic.

2. SAN MARCO SQUARE (BUT DO IT RIGHT)

Yes, it's touristy, but there's a reason. Go early morning (7-8 AM) before the cruise ships arrive. You'll have the square almost to yourself - that's when you understand why Napoleon called it "the finest drawing room in Europe."

3. BRIDGE OF SIGHS - THE REAL STORY

This wasn't romantic - it's where prisoners took their last look at Venice before jail. Best viewed from Ponte della Paglia. The name comes from the sighs of prisoners, not lovers.

4. BREAKFAST LIKE A VENETIAN AT PASTICCERIA TONOLO

Forget your hotel breakfast. Head to Tonolo (in Dorsoduro) where locals have been getting their morning pastries since 1886. Order a cappuccino and brioche - stand at the bar like the Venetians do.

5. TRAMEZZINI AT BAR ALLA TOLETTA

Here's what tourists miss: Venice's incredible tramezzini (triangular sandwiches). Bar alla Toletta makes the best in the city - fresh, creative fillings, packed with locals at lunch. Exceptional quality, not expensive. This is real Venetian street food.

6. TAKE THE TRAGHETTO - GONDOLA FOR €2

Want a gondola ride without the €80-100 price tag? Take a traghetto - the gondola ferry locals use to cross the Grand Canal. Same gondola, same experience, just 2 euros. You stand up like the Venetians.

7. ESCAPE TO BURANO

Take the vaporetto to Burano island. Colorful houses, peaceful canals, and the best seafood risotto you'll ever taste. It's what Venice feels like without the crowds.

8. MURANO GLASS BLOWING - WATCH THE MASTERS

Don't just buy glass souvenirs - watch them being made. Visit a traditional glass factory in Murano and see craftsmen create art with 1000-degree molten glass. It's mesmerizing.

9. PALAZZO GRIMANI - THE HIDDEN GEM

While everyone crowds the Doge's Palace, visit Palazzo Grimani. A Renaissance palace that feels like a secret - stunning frescoes, Roman sculptures, and you'll practically have it to yourself.

10. EAT WHERE VENETIANS EAT - CORTE SCONTA

Hidden in a quiet courtyard near the Arsenale, this family-run trattoria has been serving locals since 1980. Fresh fish arrives daily by boat from Rialto market. Famous for "moeche" (soft-shell crabs) and the freshest seafood you'll ever taste. Hugo Pratt (creator of Corto Maltese) was a regular. Book ahead - locals fill this place up. (Calle del Pestrin 3886, Castello)

11. APERITIVO AT A BACARO

Skip the expensive tourist restaurants. Find a bacaro (Venetian wine bar) and order cicchetti (small bites) with a spritz. This is how Venetians do happy hour - and it's cheap!

Venice is best experienced early morning or late evening when day-trippers leave. The city breathes differently without the crowds.

Save this for your Venice trip!

WhatsApp me for expert advice on any destination.

07757 113814

04/06/2026

🐅✨ INDIA'S GOLDEN TRIANGLE & TIGER SAFARI ADVENTURE
£1595 per person including flights and selected meals!

Experience the magic, colour and excitement of Northern India on this unforgettable journey through one of the world's most captivating destinations.

🏰 Explore the iconic Golden Triangle – Delhi, Agra & Jaipur
🚲 Ride through the bustling streets of Old Delhi by rickshaw
🕌 Discover magnificent palaces, forts and ancient landmarks
🐘 Visit the stunning Amber Fort in Jaipur
🍛 Enjoy an authentic dinner with a local Indian family

Then the adventure truly begins...

🐅 Venture into Ranthambore National Park on open-air safari drives in search of the majestic Bengal tiger and other incredible wildlife.

Marvel at India's greatest treasures:
✨ The breathtaking Taj Mahal
🏰 The mighty Agra Fort
🌅 Sunrise views over the Taj Mahal from Mehtab Bagh
💎 The spectacular Chand Baori Stepwell

Finish your journey in complete tranquillity at a beautiful retreat on the edge of Sariska Tiger Reserve – the perfect ending to an extraordinary Indian adventure.

Your Holiday Price Includes:

✈️ Return flights to Delhi
🏨 8 nights in a selection of 4* and 5* hotels across Delhi, Jaipur, Ranthambore, Agra and Rajgarh, plus 1 overnight flight
🍽️ 8 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 8 dinners
🚌 All transfers and air-conditioned coach travel throughout
🎟️ Entrance fees to all included monuments and attractions
🧳 Hotel porterage throughout the tour
💧 Complimentary bottled water during coach journeys
👨‍💼 Services of an experienced, fully escorted tour manager
💰 All mandatory local taxes and charges included
🎁 Most gratuities covered, including hotel and airport porters, restaurant staff, monument staff, naturalists and rickshaw drivers

Simply relax and enjoy the experience – almost everything is taken care of for you from the moment you arrive in India. 🇮🇳✨

India will awaken your senses, steal your heart and leave you with memories to last a lifetime.

Fly from Belfast, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Heathrow, Manchester or Newcastle

Price is based on 12 September 2026 departure and flying from Heathrow. 2027 and 2028 also on sale too! Lots of dates available, please ask for your chosen date and departure airport

📩 Message me for dates, prices and full itinerary details.
WhatsApp 07757 113814
[email protected]

23/05/2026

☀️ AUGUST BARCELONA CITY BREAK, JUST £550PP ☀️

Fancy a last-minute escape to one of Europe’s most vibrant cities? 🇪🇸✨

✈️ Birmingham/Manchester/Gatwick or Bristol to Barcelona
📅 24 August – 4 Nights
🏨 Stylish 4★ hotel
🌇 Rooftop swimming pool & sun terrace
🧳 1 x 15kg cabin bag + hand luggage included
💷 Total cost just £550 per person

Your modern 4★ hotel offers the perfect base for exploring beautiful Barcelona, with contemporary rooms, a rooftop pool ideal for relaxing after sightseeing, comfortable lounge areas, WiFi throughout and an excellent central location for discovering the city’s famous architecture, beaches, tapas bars and shopping.

Spend your days wandering Las Ramblas, visiting the stunning Sagrada Família, relaxing on the beach or enjoying cocktails as the sun sets over the city skyline 🍹🌅

Perfect for couples, friends or anyone wanting a stylish summer city break.

📩 Message me for full details or to secure your place before it sells out.

WhatsApp 07757 113814
[email protected]

20/05/2026

🤩 RIVER CRUISE SUITE SALE - NO SOLO SUPPLEMENT. From £1899 per person!

Paris to Normandy

Join Avalon on a fabulous relaxed luxury river cruise combining time in Paris with beautiful scenery along the Seine River and Normandy's picturesque and historical region.

📅 28 July 2026

⚓ Avalon Tapestry II

✈️ Flight inclusive

💛 Deluxe Stateroom Cabin £1,899pp

💙 Panorama Suite Cabin from £2,399pp

NO solo supplement!

🛫 Fly from Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham or Edinburgh

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ALWAYS INCLUDED WITH AVALON

✅ A choice of spacious staterooms, including Panorama Suites with beds that face the view

✅Choice of daily onshore excursions

✅Complimentary Room Service in all staterooms, with Continental Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

✅Gourmet cuisine with regional wine and beer with lunch and dinner onboard

✅Complimentary Happy Hour

✅Professional Cruise Director and guest-to-crew ratio of 3:1

✅Onboard gratuities

-----------------------------------

WhatsApp ⁨07757 113814⁩
[email protected]

Price advertised based on 1 or 2 sharing a cabin with flights from London Heathrow, Birmingham, Edinburgh or Dublin. Subject to availability. Includes all local taxes.

05/05/2026

She nearly cancelled the trip she’d spent 3 years saving for. After seeing the media headlines.

£100 a month.
A promise to herself:
“I’m going to Mauritius. For me.”

Then the headlines hit:
Flight chaos. Fuel shortages. Cancellations.

She called me in tears:
“Should I cancel?”

I said:

“No. Let me tell you what’s really going on.”

Long-haul flights like hers?
They’re prioritised. Protected.

And those scary headlines?
They rarely tell the full story.

So she went.

White sandy beaches.
Amazing dining and service
Top class hotels
A sky full of stars.

And one message:

“I nearly didn’t come… I would have regretted it forever.”

💡 And here’s the part most people don’t realise…

Whether it’s Kenya…
Or a beach in Spain…
Or a city break in Italy…

When you book through an ATOL-protected agency, your holiday is financially protected.

✔️ Your money is safe
✔️ You won’t be left stranded
✔️ You have someone handling it if things change

Before fear talks you out of something you’ve been dreaming about…

📞 Call me first.
07757 113814
[email protected]

Because you deserve to go. 🌍

With over 30 years of experience in the luxury travel industry, I have personally explored more than 50 countries, from trekking to Everest Base Camp to sailing the Amazon River. Every journey I’ve taken enriches the bespoke experiences I create for my clients.

04/05/2026

I’m back in the office and ready to start planning your next unforgettable holiday ✨

I’ve just returned from a beautiful river cruise along the Rhine — think stunning scenery, charming towns, incredible food, and effortless travel from start to finish. It’s exactly the kind of experience many people don’t realise is out there… and it’s far more accessible than you might think.

Take a look at my journey below 👇

Now here’s the important bit…

If you’re tired of spending hours searching online, unsure if you’re choosing the right hotel, flights, or destination — that’s where I come in.

I take care of everything for you:
✔️ Tailor-made itineraries
✔️ Expert recommendations you won’t find on Google
✔️ Full financial protection (ABTA & ATOL)
✔️ Personal service from start to finish

All you need to do is tell me where you’d like to go… and I’ll take care of the rest.

📩 Message me today to start planning — your next holiday could be closer (and better) than you think.

WhatsApp ⁨07757 113814⁩
[email protected]

24/04/2026

Couldn’t resist posting this 😂😂

23/04/2026

🌍 Out of Office… but for a very good reason! 🚢

I’m currently away until 5 May, taking some time to experience something a little different… a Rhine river cruise with A-ROSA Cruises 🇩🇪

Now, this isn’t your typical luxury ocean cruise I usually recommend…
…but that’s exactly why I wanted to try it 👇

✨ What makes it special:
• Fantastic 3★+ product offering amazing value
• Full board with selected drinks included 🍷
• Relaxed, informal atmosphere (no dressing up!)
• A real focus on authentic German food, culture & hospitality

It’s all about immersing yourself in the destination, rather than the formality of traditional cruising – and honestly, that’s part of its charm.

This is a brilliant option for anyone looking for:
✔️ A more casual cruise experience
✔️ Great value without compromising on quality
✔️ Something a little different from the norm

If you’re curious about the itinerary I’m experiencing, take a look here:
https://www.arosa-cruises.com/river-cruises/rhine/cruise/southern-rhine-nature-experience-2026-pre-7-nights-rhine-cruise.html

📩 I’ll respond to all messages when I’m back – and I’ll have plenty of first-hand insight to share!

Michelle ✈️
The Travel Genius

The Rhine is the chameleon of the world’s rivers. Sometimes it seems wild; indeed, in the past it was dangerous, particularly at the Lorelei rocks. At other times it appears vast, as when it joins the Moselle in Koblenz. The romantic meadows of Rastatt invite you to picnic after an afternoon of ro...

10/04/2026

📢 Special SUITE Sale river cruise offer

🌟🍷 BONJOUR BORDEAUX from £1999

📅26 May 2026

📅09 June 2026

📅16 June 2026

📅23 June 2026

Embark on a remarkable journey through the enchanting region of Bordeaux with Avalon Waterways! 🚢🇫🇷 Our 8-day "Bonjour Bordeaux: Châteaux, Wineries & Charming Villages" cruise is the ultimate escape for wine enthusiasts and lovers of French culture. 🍇🥐

Highlights include:

🏰 Explore grand châteaux, charming vineyards, and picturesque villages along the breathtaking waterways of the Garonne and Dordogne rivers.

🍷 Indulge in world-renowned wines during exclusive tastings at prestigious wineries, and savor delectable French cuisine. 🍽️

🌉 Wander through the medieval streets of Saint-Émilion, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and immerse yourself in the rich history of the region.

🚲 Enjoy leisurely bike rides through the stunning countryside or relax onboard with panoramic views from our luxurious river cruise ship.

Always included with Avalon:

✔️A choice of spacious staterooms, including Panorama Suites with beds that face the view

✔️Choice of daily onshore excursions

✔️Complimentary Room Service in all staterooms, with Continental Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

✔️Gourmet cuisine with regional wine and beer with lunch and dinner onboard

✔️Complimentary Happy Hour

✔️Professional Cruise Director and guest-to-crew ratio of 3:1

✔️Onboard gratuities

Priced with return flights from London Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham or Edinburgh

Includes local tax

🌟Deluxe Staterooms From £1,999pp

🌟Panorama Suites From £2,499pp

WhatsApp ⁨07757 113814⁩
[email protected]