My First Impression I've just returned from a very well organised fam to the Elounda Beach and Elounda Bay Palace hotels in Crete, and wanted to share my thoughts. The hotels are quite different. Elounda Beach is definitely the higher standard of the two and, for me, appeals more to couples and families who want privacy. There's a lot of choice when it comes to accommodation, ranging from hotel rooms to suites to large villas with private pools — I don't think I've stayed anywhere with so many private-pool options. Elounda Bay Palace is predominantly hotel rooms, with lots of interconnecting options plus a few suites and villas, so it's great for families.
At the beginning of October, I was lucky enough to be invited on an Educational Trip to Corfu with the lovely Dimitris, who was representing the beautiful Mayor Hotels this time around. My flight was with British Airways from Gatwick. It was an early start, but we departed just 15 minutes later than scheduled, which I’ll happily take. Even with the season winding down in Corfu, both my flights out and back were completely full. Here’s something I wasn’t expecting: British Airways now charges for pretty much everything on board. Since my last European flight with them, the freebies have disappeared, and water is the only thing you’ll get without reaching for your purse. Sandwiches and drinks are priced much like Easyjet. The good news is that the journey is short and sweet. It took slightly over 3 hours to reach Corfu and just under 3 hours to get home.
Getting There The Gran Hotel Taoro sits in the lush north of the island, around a one-hour transfer from the airport. A private transfer can be arranged through the hotel for €230, while a local taxi costs around £150. The Hotel's History Opened around 1890, this was Spain's first luxury hotel, and its guest book reads like a chapter of history. Over the years it welcomed the Duke of Kent and, in 1927, Agatha Christie, who wrote parts of two of her novels within its walls. After standing empty for more than 50 years, the hotel has been given a remarkable second life. Following a three-year restoration, it reopened its doors at the end of 2025, returning a piece of Spanish heritage to the island.
"Thank you for making Adrian’s dream trip come true and such fun!"
I was lucky enough to spend a day on board Seabourn Ovation, getting the opportunity to explore the ship, view a range of suites, experience the dining and public areas, and get a real feel for what makes Seabourn different. My biggest takeaway? Seabourn Ovation manages to feel luxurious without ever feeling overwhelming. It has the elegance and attention to detail you would expect from a luxury brand, but combines this with the intimacy of a much smaller ship. For anyone looking for a more elevated, yacht-like experience at sea, where the destinations are just as important as the ship itself, Seabourn Ovation certainly makes a strong impression.
Kerela Fam Trip with Riviera Travel 6th – 13th May 2026 I am back from my first-ever trip to India, and what a fantastic experience it was. If you have clients who want to visit India but without the hustle and bustle of the busy cities in the North, Southern India is a great choice. Having been to Sri Lanka in the past, I was able to compare them, and when you consider the proximity of the two, it is understandable that there are many similarities.
I was lucky enough to be invited to spend 3 nights on board the Azamara Journey for their first travel agent’s seminar at sea. I flew out to Seville and took an Uber to the port. Azamara are a fleet of 4 ships and because of their small size, Azamara Journey was able to sail the 70kms, down the river Guadalquivir, which then means the ship docked right in the heart of Seville city centre.
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises’ newest Super Ship, the S.S. Émile
LOS ANGELES A CITY OF CONTRASTS
WHERE BAREFOOT LUXURY MEETS AUTHENTIC ISLAND LIFE