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).

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 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.

Here comes the sun

 

The rumour on the weather forecast was that there might be a yellow ball in the sky today and sure enough as I sat eating breakfast, there it was. Outside, Faro had taken on a new look and people were smiling as they went about there business, was it the sun or because it was  the start of the weekend.

I headed off on a walk towards the marina and found out that there is a tourist train that takes you on an hours trip around the city, I had just missed it so decided to have a coffee in the sunshine and just relax.

Watching the world go by at the marina, seeing large groups of tourists  on walking tours, seeing families just out enjoying some winter sunshine.

Before I knew it, the 'train' had arrived and off I went.

I have to say that the 'train' driving over the cobbled walkways was an experience that I will not forget in a hurry, but it was the perfect way to do a city circuit.

We drove through the archway from the marina to the old town, trundling through the narrow streets.

making our way to the centre square and the cathedral, this square was edged with heavily laden orange trees and white washed houses. The Bishops Palace on one side of the square

A stunning building with amazing things to see.

Parks and open spaces are plentiful in Faro, a cool oasis to take a minute to sit and reflect.

And then as we came around a corner, there it was, a water tower. Anyone who knows me will remember well my pursuit of water towers when staying with my sister in France.

this one was a a beauty  in my eyes at least

we continued through the city with more parks 

Until sadly, we arrived back at the marina and the hour had flown by. for 6 euro it was worth every bone shaking, teeth rattling minute.

By this time, I decided that I should head off for some lunch and headed back to another square and garden close to my hotel, this was the one that I had found on Thursday.

The restaurant was called 'L'Osteria' and I took a seat outside and ordered a rose wine.

I then ordered the much anticipated 'duck breast' lasagne.

And when it arrived it was bubbling hot. Now as you may  or may not know in Mijas last October I expanded my tastes of lasagne with one that had roquefort cheese on top, this was outstanding, so this one had a lot to live up to.

And it did, it was absolutely amazing, the flavour was subtle but noticeably different, the sauce was wonderful and just the right amount of pasta. In my opinion if this had roquefort  cheese on top it could well have been the best lasagne in the world, as I said, my opinion only, but don't knock it until you try it.

I headed back to the hotel, to have a nap, but not before I decided to have an espresso martini and take it to the roof. there is a roof top bar, but due to it being winter and the grim weather the last couple of days they had closed it, A little bit of asking nicely and they opened it for me to have my cocktail over looking the rooftops of Faro. Apparently I was the only guest in the last three months to ask about it.

The sun was beautiful, I sat for an hour, soaking up some vitamin D and making the most of warmth, something that I will be craving once I get back home.

Back to my room and a nap ensued. I've slept a lot whilst I've been here, real sleep, not disturbed sleep like at home, I look exhausted in all photos, but I guess my body has forgotten what its like to have undisturbed sleep.

Anyhow, I woke up at 5pm and as I hadn't booked anywhere local to eat, raced about getting ready and out to grab some food.

I had googled some restaurants and headed to one about  10mins walk away, which was doing the only seafood which doesn't make me sick, razor calms and oysters.

This was all washed down with some very good quality rose wine. I have found that a lot of the rose wine here is fabulously dry. Always a win on my books.

The oysters were fabulous, but the razor clams....................OMG, grilled with lemon and black pepper, they were just perfect.

This was not meant to be a foody weekend, but has very quickly turned this way. And also at amazing prices. Something that I have found across the board here, from cake and coffee to amazing dinners  the prices are incredibly reasonable.

I headed back to the hotel and sat in reception with a glass of wine, chatting to the  two reception staff, one of whom used to work in Swindon and his English was perfect. Whilst there an English guest came in and said she had left her key in her room, could they let her in, she headed up the stairs and then shouted, 'hurry up, I haven't got all day'!!!! apparently she left her key in her room at least 3 times a day and expected to be let in as demanded.

Then they called another guest who had dyed her hair whilst here and the hair dye was all over the towels, white duvet cover and pillowcases, they informed here there would be a 20 euro charge!

I was shocked to say the least, but for them all in a days work.

I headed back to my room and spent the remainder of the  evening watching movies of which there are 4 channels showing back to back English language movies with Portuguese subtitles.

It was indeed a wonderful day.