A quick catch up

 

I had decided not to blog every day on this holiday as I think you vicariously know Mijas.

This has been a wonderful and simple holiday for me, having arrived slap bang in the middle of Holy week most, and on some days all of the shops in the village have been closed which means that this holiday I return home without a new handbag!,

All restaurants in the village are open and so far I have managed to restrain myself from living on Roquefort lasagne or tagliatelle with walnut and gorgonzola sauce, good for the waistline.

What I have done though is totally relax. simple joys, like watching a very cheeky blackbird taking a bath on the swimming pool steps

sleeping in the sun and having a martini around the pool.

My nemesis Grumpy Gabriel has turned into my new best friend, and surprised me the other evening, when he told me that I was the only person to come to the hotel  and drink Dry Martinis, he know that I only have it made with Larios gin ( the essential gin in my opinion), and I have had several interesting conversations with him.

Tracey is also a one off in the hotel with her drink of choice being a Black Russian, again probably the only person to order it.

The weather has been absolutely wonderful with super hot temperatures, today we are looking at a high of 22, which will suit me nicely.

This has been the break that I never knew I needed. 

Every time I come here I say that I will get the bus down the mountain and have a wander around the coast, but I never do, I never want to leave the village until it is really necessary. 

And now I am pulling on my swimsuit and heading for another day of swimming, sunning, sleeping and reading.

Have a wonderful Sunday

Happy Easter

off I go

 Well, off I go again!

I decided to spend the evening at The Britannia Hotel at Newcastle airport so that I could take my case over for the twilight check in and have a decent sleep before heading off on my jaunt.

I have stayed at the Britannia several times over the last 5 years and luckily now they are slowly upgrading the rooms, which were slightly tired. I had a very nice room with views over the long stay car park, to be honest you are never going to get gorgeous views.

I was up at 2 am and the disappointing thing ( I noticed this last time I stayed) although there is a bath and shower, there is never really 'hot' water, more of a tepid splash ( even the wash basin). The shower was hotter but I do like a soak in the bath.

I was in the airport by 3.30am and through security ( no problems with the underwires!) and glass of champagne in front of me by 3.45am.

We were called to the plane and then sat on the tarmac for half an hour, due to loading cases they said, I was expecting delays in Spain not UK!.

The flight sailed( or flew??!!) by or maybe I dozed off.

We had a very hairy approach over the sea, as it was quite windy, and a bit of a bumpy landing but the blue sky and wonderful Mediterranean light made up for it.

All expecting delays due to strikes at Malaga were not noticed ( if they happened).

On the coach and surprisingly not the first drop off, we went to some hell hole on the coast, it looked like Blackpool on speed and the hotel pool and sunbathing area, had metal railings at road level so that you could be seen by everyone walking/ driving to and from the beach or just having a perambulation, not my thing at all.

Dropped off at the usual spot for the race down the hill to the hotel, this is due to the incline and the fact that your case takes on a mind of its own. walking into the foyer, I felt a sense of relief, I was 'home'.

Then suddenly I heard someone calling out my name, it was Ignatio on reception, I got some funny looks from the others from the coach! I was welcomed back with news my room was ready for me and it was room 33, my favourite room.

I was changed and swimming off the tiredness in less than 10 minutes.

The rest of my day was sunbathing, martini drinking and then sleeping which meant that anyone messaging me after 8.45pm got no answer. It had been a long day.

OOOHHH!!!! and I had a very long conversation with a smiling 'Grunpy Gabriel'. Not sure which I prefer!!!

Who knows what today holds.

As I have visited Mijas very very often, I will probably not be blogging every day.

Have a wonderful easter weekend ( if you observe this holiday).

Whats been happening?

 Well, it seems like an age since I wrote anything and for the first time in a long time, I have not been having a jaunt away every month.

I have though been working hard with my little travel business.

In the uncertain times that  we are experiencing at the moment, its been lovely to look at places to holiday that are closer to home.

I am, behind the scenes, planning a little trip to France this year, I love France ( not Paris) and have set out 4 options of places to go.  There will be more on this later in the year.

Spain is always an easy holiday option, with its lovely beaches and fabulous cities to visit, there really is something for everyone.

Italy holds lots of treasures, and whether its the industrial north or the Mediterranean south , again there is something for everyone.

What about Greece?, with its multitude of islands to hop around ( as I did on my early 20's). Sun, sea and sand with a bit of Ouzo thrown in, a perfect recipe for a holiday. Little known fact Norway has more islands than Greece, just not the climate!

Obviously price is often an issue, but if you look around a lot of holiday companies are giving extra incentives to grab the bookings.

If you are thinking of a holiday, drop me a message, I can work to your budget and help you to get the holiday you want.

In the meantime I am off to continue with my options of a French break.

lainey.robinson@notjusttravel.com

What's your 'thing'?

 

What's your 'thing' when it comes to holidays.

I think I have finished with the 'bright lights, late nights' holidays, and enjoy a good city break, I do also love a beach holiday but lately have taken to visiting a white village in the mountains of Spain, a quieter, more relaxed holiday.

There are so many amazing places to visit and my love of France ( not Paris)  has never diminished, to be honest there are so many amazing places to visit in this vast country.

There is something about France that keeps me  returning. I am currently looking for flights for later in the year, to where.....I am hoping somewhere exciting.

Are you a height of summer holiday maker or do you like the quieter times on either side of the summer season? Are you a ski fan, or is it winter sunshine that you crave, I love to top up my vitamin D levels.

Do you like a 'foodie tour' when you are away,or like me love to jump on the tourist trains, which usually meander through city streets.

Its the time of year when we are all looking to book a holiday, or have already booked.

What ever your 'thing' is, holidays are  the shut off  that we all need at times, the balm and calm to the hustle and bustle of  everyday life.

If you are looking for holidays at the moment and would like some ideas just get in touch.

lainey.robinson@notjusttravel.com

Faro the debrief

 

So Faro!?, my second visit to Portugal in just over a month. well its taken me a few  days since getting back, to get around to write the debrief.

I stayed at the 3* Faro boutique hotel, this is 2 mins walk from the old city walls, 1-2 mins from some great restaurants, and close to shops! ( always a bonus for me).

I was whisked from the airport by private transfer and the lovely driver, Nell, gave me a mini tour of the city on the way.

The bedroom was comfortable and warm and had the best bathroom, a peek-a boo shower, not sure if its a selling feature but it certainly tickled me.

The reception and bar area were spotlessly clean and had views across the square.

there was a roof top bar and sunbathing area, the bar wasn't open but I got to go and soak up some rays  on Saturday, very peaceful and relaxing.

I wandered around the city visiting the Cathedral and various churches. Also the Bishops palace which was amazing.

There are lots of parks too and the city is very walkable.

Within the old city walls  a lot of the buildings seemed to be derelict, but there did seem to be a huge regeneration programme going on.

I was in the hotel B & B which was also lovely and a good selection.

I then had a host of restaurants and cafes to eat at. I found that compared to eating out a home, I got a lot more for my euro. Saturday evening saw me having oysters down by the Marina and at €1.5 each they were a bargain I thought.

The rose wine was a pleasant surprise, not the pink sugary stuff we get here, but dry rose with  great flavour. I even had some amazing cocktails of which the dry martini I had on Friday  was the cream of the crop.

Shopping was very good as most shops had sales on and I brought home a fabulous handbag ( because obviously  I needed a new one).

.

 Before I knew it, it was time to get into my taxi and head back to the airport.

I had a great time and am definitely going back.

I flew with Jet2  form Leeds /Bradford to Faro.

If you are interested in this type of break or any holidays please get in touch.

lainey.robinson@notjusttravel.com

Final day

 

 I was up, dressed and down for breakfast by  7.30 am, I decided to make my last half day count, remembering that it was Sunday I thought that it would be quiet.

How wrong I was. I wandered down to the marina area at about 8.30am and already it was so busy, lots of runners and joggers, lots of families and almost every coffee shop open to serve the Sunday foot traffic.

Even  the quiet area around the hotel was busy with Sunday coffee drinkers. such a lovely atmosphere.

I wandered up through the back streets behind the hotel and spotted a small church

surprisingly for a Sunday it was not open.

Doing a full circuit around the old town I noticed this building

closer inspection of its name made me wonder?????

 

I had to google it...................................and it means compassion!!!???

As usual my love of doors abroad meant that I was constantly on the lookout for different one, however this window grill, above, really stood out, I thought was stunning.

I also found a mini library.

and a single hibiscus in bloom in Jan/ February

However before I knew it I had to get back to the hotel to wait for my transfer to the airport. Nell arrived and whisked me back, she gave me a huge hug when I got out and asked me to return soon to her city.

Four months ago a three night break in Faro seemed like the right amount of time, but now I wish I'd had one more night here. 

I have enjoyed every bit of Faro and cannot wait to go back.