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Sailing the 7 seas...ok, maybe not 7 (Caribbean cruise, Dec 2024)

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I saw an offer 3 months ago. I wouldn’t consider myself a fan of cruising (this being my 3rd - not counting the overnight cruise in Halong Bay Vietnam a few years ago). But what jumped out at me was one of the destinations - Jamaica. A long time ‘must visit’ on my bucket list - but let’s face it, most destinations are on my bucket list. I had been planning a 10-day trip here last year which didn’t work out. Then I noticed that I hadn’t been to any of the islands listed on this, Nieuw Amsterdam, Holland America, 14-day cruise so I jumped at the opportunity.  I hadn’t heard of the travel company, recommended by Travelzoo, but did due diligence in my checks and decided it was safe to book with them. Booking was smooth enough, a few small issues with errors and things they’d missed but easily rectified. Not so easily rectified was an occurrence about 12 hours before the flight. Despite the flights being booked via BA, it turned out the outbound flight had a codeshare with AA. Missed on...
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Daddy & Daughter Time (New York & Boston 2024)

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In my 20’s, I visited New York and Boston most years to shop (back when the pound was actually worth something to the dollar!). Then I started exploring other parts of the US and before I realised - it’d been 10 years since my last visit to NYC. The reason for this trip? To take Dad to see his sister who was about to celebrate her 100th birthday.  It was a little touch and go because just before I booked the flights (Virgin - my presence for the Caribbean and America) in September, Aunty took ill and it wasn’t looking great. But praise God, He answered our prayers. I love spending time with Dad and time away seems all that more special. He’d stayed at mine for a couple of nights before we set off. The flight was smooth. Got chatting to one of the upper-class attendants and when he found out I was heading over for Aunty’s 100th birthday, he gave me a bottle of Prosecco to celebrate; very thoughtful! (But neither of us will be drinking it, lol). I’ve visited New York more times than...
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A city filled with Borek (Istanbul Oct 2024)

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  And She’s Off For this trip I booked flights and a hotel through BA. Worth doing as you get checked luggage included at no extra cost. I would normally have taken the underground to Heathrow as I just had a backpack and small case but it was an early flight and I didn’t want to take the risk if there were any delays. Booking a hotel a short bus ride from the airport was less than half the cost of a taxi so that’s what I did. When I set out around 5am the rain was relentless. BA’s quick self-service bag drop - they really are getting rid of humans wherever they can. My bag was 12.5kg; you could tell I definitely wasn’t going to Barbados - you know where you’re quietly praying they’ll turn a blind eye to the 25kg of stuff you’ve packed for Mum.  One hour in the lounge and then I was off. 3 hours 20 mins to SAW airport.  My first purchase was an Istanbulkart - equivalent to London’s Oyster except it can be used for up to 5 people and gives you about 40% off standard fares ...
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