From sunny Cape Town back to Boris Bikes

We are now at the airport at the end of our fantastic voyage culminating in this last weekend in Cape Town on the Waterfront. As you know, we were as pleased with Cape Grace as we have been with your other selected "watering holes" and, by comparison with the other 3 locations, rather overwhelmed by its relative size - we haven't used a lift for a week and nor are we used to sharing our meals with more than 2 or 3 other tables!!! However, despite adjusting to urban life, this property lives up to the standards we are now familiar with after receiving the "Mushinda" treatment. (Even the cosy pool area was ideal for wallowing in the heat and we probably resembled those we saw and photographed cooling off in Kruger!!)

It was great meeting you again in person - particularly as we have corresponded for the last 10 months and have so much appreciated your dedication and commitment, to say nothing of your generosity and patience throughout. The quality of your selections have all been exceptional and this level of pampering will be hard to match back in London - it's back to congestion, Boris bikes and winter for us!! Please extend our thanks to the managers at each location who, together with their dedicated and friendly colleagues, made us so welcome and don't forget those various airport "meeters and greeters" who navigated us through unfamiliar territory so speedily and efficiently. As urban trekkers they were as knowledgeable and skilful as Brett and Jabalena were at Singita!!!

Anyway, having won this prize we probably lost lots of friends out of envy or boredom with our discussion about "the" trip - but as soon as we have announced our return to London and shown the countless photos of life in the Bush, wineries, coast and in the shadow of Table Mountain we are confident that our social life will return and we will then be able to recommend the Mushinda/Collett team and this itinerary - a 'winning' combination!! It's been a week of high points and contrasts and has whetted our appetite for a return visit - we will just have to keep entering competitions!!!

Very many thanks for making this possible.

Mark & Carolyn London-bound (and delayed!!!)

PS: feel free to use these ramblings on your blogs, posters, tv campaigns, letterheads and other testimonials - they are genuine and heartfelt and hopefully will encourage others to visit SA and emulate this incredible mission by the Mishons!!!

Another win in Cape Town

Just arrived in Cape Town and yet another "win". Jessica the receptionist at the Cape Grace lived up to the now familiar Mushinda "welcome" that we have been spoilt to receive throughout our amazing voyage and, with Table Mountain in the background, we are about to spend these last few days in Cape Town.
Carolyn is using the Colletts voucher pampering herself, whilst I wish to maintain my "whale scale" food intake record and will enjoy Colletts restaurant voucher! This really is one helluva prize!!!
Adele - you deserve a drink or dinner on us!!!

Regards and yet again many thanks

Mark & Carolyn

Wow, the whales of Hermanus

Well - this is the latest update from the travelling Mishons, now comfortably residing in Hermanus. All still well and good - only slightly marred by a reluctance of the local whales to come and perform for the competition winners (they must have known!). However, we can exaggerate the distant view of a fin and the oohing and aahing of the locals who clearly have had a near daily introduction to their mammal neighbours and know them all personally!

We can see why Hermanus is on many visitors' itinerary and in saying so, have decided to mimic the whales; we have eaten continuously and possibly now equal them for size!! At the introduction and encouragement of La Residence, we dine tonight with Shane at Birkenhead House, having eaten in the Relais Restaurant at the marine last night - tourists will be photographing us tomorrow!

Adele, your arrangements have been outstanding and the warm welcomes so ..... welcome! As we now prepare for Cape Town it is hard to believe we have been in your amazing country for less than a week.
Looking forward to meeting you at the weekend.
Regards and many thanks as ever

Mark & Carolyn

Prize Draw Winners Hit The Jackpot in Singita

The most recent winners of our travel show prize draw, held in February each year, are now on the trip of a lifetime to South Africa. Their prize includes stays in Kruger National Park, the Eastern Cape's Garden Route and Cape Town, with flights on Virgin Atlantic - and it looks like they're having a fabulous time.

We've had a memorable weekend at Singita. We saw the Big 5, and experienced maybe the 8th Wonder of the World at Singita Boulders Lodge. The level of comfort, warm welcome, six-star professional service and a sensational setting all combined to make this a memorable stay that's hard to better. All this complemented by the enviable skills of Brett and Jab who ensured that we urban dwellers entered a different World in Sabi Sands. For us to share our day with the Big 5 leaves us with memories which exceeded our expectations. What a way to start our African adventure - we will spread the word !!


Another one for the blog ! La Residence is outstanding - we have been spoilt, pampered and indulged - we are concerned that we will struggle to achieve such high standards at home next week !! In Hermanus at the moment - different offering, looking for whales ...
Mark & Carolyn Mishon

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Just when you start to believe that it could not get any better!

Mark Kirsch, a well-respected travel agent here at Colletts Travel thought he'd like to share some recent feedback from Richard, a repeat cruise client after a recent cruise onboard Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas..

Just when you start to believe that it could not any better, then it becomes just that, better. We have, as you know, cruised for so many years and on so many ships, so we are used to it. I will tell you this, it was better than ever it was before. The whole concept of staying in Southampton over-night was brilliant - and in a brilliant hotel which was the Dolphin Hotel. This hotel is what I would call a 5*+ town hotel; it was within walking distance of the main town and the port, they arranged a cab service which was brilliant, they helped me both ways with all my cases by taking them out the car, and then when we returned they loaded my car for me. The hotel with parking and cab service both ways cost £95 for the night including a breakfast which was second to none. The Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas was fantastic, as was the Junior Suite and the service, we had a fantastic time! I don’t know what other agent enquires about how their clients enjoyed themselves a week after they return? I don't know anyone! You are brilliant at what you do and, more to the point, you are a true friend. RICHARD

aahh... contact Mark on 020 8202 2233, mark@collettstravel.co.uk
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Planning on taking kids to the US for the first time, we had a great trip…

Jason – who works in the Sales and Marketing department at Colletts Travel shares his recent family holiday to the US…

Thank goodness for seat- back TV! We had an excellent flight with British Airways, the journey literally flew by, and before you knew it we were coming in to land! As soon as the passengers disembarked we asked the stewardess if we could take our kids onto the flight deck, which to our surprise, they were happy to do, so up the stairs we went, the kids loved it!

Anyway after a ‘slight’ delay at immigration we jumped in a cab and headed off for the Four Seasons New York, our first of five hotel stays… after a quick cab ride from the airport (it really was quick!) we arrived at the hotel and checked in.

The Four Seasons New York is a classic New York hotel, we could tell it was the place to be, with its great location two blocks from Central Park, and great family attractions like the Sony Wondertech Lab, the Rockefeller Centre, and of course THE SHOPPING!

Our room was very spacious and had more than enough room for our large double bed, a sofa/bed and a rollaway bed for my son, off we went to explore!

We visited all the sites, including The New York Skyride, the Empire State observation Deck, Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum (Intrepid is an out of service 1950s US Navy aircraft carrier), NBC Studio tour, Top of the Rock (Rockefeller building) observation deck, and more, including the NY Water Taxi - a great way to see Manhattan from the Water, we didn’t stop!

In order to get better value for the attractions, we bought ‘The New York Pass’ a great value pre-paid credit card style pass, it was accepted at all our attractions and was excellent value, well worth it!

Next we’re off to Soho, for our second two night stay…

The Trump Soho was a pleasure to be in from the moment we arrived, the hotel is chic but friendly, which is entirely down to the excellent staff, all genuinely concerned to make sure we had a great time! The room (a one bedroom suite) was excellent, very smart, great views, all the latest gadgets! The Trump is well located to walk to local shops and restaurants, all very boutique style, so not having to rely on taxis is great! You are ideally located to visit many New York attractions and landmarks, such as China Town and other up and coming neighbourhoods, the Business district, including the 9/11 Memorial, the New Freedom Tower, which is currently under construction, and many small museums, galleries and other hidden gems.

Soho is a great place to stay for a second or third visit to New York, as it really contrasts the skyscrapers of Uptown, with its small original buildings containing trendy boutiques and artisan workshops, and doing a two centred stay in New York really gave our kids a complete picture of New York, new and old!

Next stop… Orlando!

Are you looking for an understated, five-star luxury hotel in Paphos, Cyprus?

I have just returned from a fantastic stay at the Constantinou Bros Hotel - Asimina Suites located right on the beach, which I can highly recommend.

From the moment I arrived I was welcomed with a private check-in, complimentary drinks and canapés and the feeling that nothing was too much trouble.

The Asimina Suites is an all-suites hotel with spacious, elegant suites (various types) all with Flat screen TV’s , Free WIFI, mini bar, Espresso machines, comfortable living room areas, floor to ceiling windows & large balconies.

If you choose to upgrade to Superior Deluxe Suites they include use of private cabanas on the beach with seating area & sunbeds.

The buffet breakfast was definitely worth getting up for, served till 11am they were really fabulous, better in my opinion than other deluxe hotels on the island, that are considerably more expensive!

With a large outdoor pool and lovely gardens that lead to the beach, the Asimina is the perfect location for a totally relaxing, chilled break.

With wonderful views, and its close distance to shops and restaurants, in my opinion this is a really well thought-out hotel, but crucially the service was exceptional, with all staff doing everything possible to make your stay relaxed and chilled, for a memorable stay.

Other facilities include the Elixir Spa with various therapies, which are not madly expensive! Steam bath, Sauna, Hair Salon & Gym (I didn’t use either!)

Local Tavernas/Restaurants are 300 metres from the hotel or a short taxi ride to the harbour.

In summary I had a wonderful time & will return again soon (and I am very fussy!!)

If you would like to speak to Laura to arrange a visit to the Asimina Suites please email her at laura@collettstravel.co.uk or call her on 020 8238 8484

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