The Travel House Magazine - Issue 15 by Travel House

The Travel House

TRAVEL

ISSUE 15

MAGAZINE 2019

Great destinations and offers from the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading tour operators

CUBA

Embark on a whirlwind trip to the latest hot travel destination, the vibrant Caribbean island of Cuba

CAYMAN ISLANDS Experience the sweeping beaches and tranquil turquoise seas that promise an idyllic island escape

EFTELING

Discover the World of Wonders! A theme park with exciting attractions and fairy-tale adventures for the whole family

PLUS INDIA DOHA BELFAST & GAME OF THRONES TOUR

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Travel House Magazine 15th Edition Welcome to the 15th edition of the Travel House magazine. Happy New Year from all at The Travel House! We hope this edition of our magazine inspires you to tick that next destination off your travel bucket list in 2019. The Travel House continues to strive to provide our clients with a fantastic range of holiday experiences, whether you’re a single traveller, family, couple or group.

As an independent travel agency, we can offer our customers a wide range of holidays from hundreds of tour operators, from well known brands to specialist niche products.

Key Destinations Cuba – Chantelle Crocker, Travel Consultant from our Mumbles branch takes a whirlwind trip to the latest hot travel destination, the vibrant Caribbean island of Cuba

Cayman Islands – Lisa McLaughlin, Manager of our Aberdare branch takes a once in a life time trip to the 3 sister islands of the Cayman Islands with Funway Holidays Efteling – Steve Lorey, from our Head Office explores the fantasy-themed amusement park and the surrounding areas of the Netherlands Doha – Ffion Williams, Travel Consultant from our Pontardawe branch takes a jam-packed trip of sightseeing to Doha, the capital of Qatar Belfast – Kirsty Northcote, Marketing Executive heads to Northern Ireland to explore the iconic filming locations of HBO’s epic series, Game of Thrones® India – Stacey Scanlan, Manager of the Gorseinon branch takes a fantastic 10-day tour of India’s Golden Triangle with Ranthambore National Park hosted by Titan Travel

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Chantelle Crocker Travel Consultant Travel House, Mumbles Experience: 15 years Travelled to: Cuba, Mauritius, Thailand plus many more Tel: 01792 366636 Email: mumbles@travelhouse.co.uk Visit travelhouse.co.uk and choose “Meet the team” to see more of our holiday specialists

Cuba is increasingly welcoming tourists from all over the world and is well prepared for all markets including groups, families, couples, and is perfect for weddings. I arrived at departures in Gatwick North Terminal to begin my familiarisation trip with Cuban Holidays. Here I was given a Cuba Tourist Card to complete and these can be purchased up to the day of departure from the Virgin Holidays desk at the airport for £15 per visa card. I boarded my flight from Gatwick to Havana which is approximately a 9hr 45-minute day flight. Virgin Atlantic was fantastic, the food was delicious and not only were the cabin crew very attentive, there were lots of little special touches along the flight to make all travellers feel a little spoilt, including snacks and sweets along the way. Once onboard you are given a customs declaration card to complete to declare any items you are taking in and the money you are carrying. As you come in to land in Havana, the flight route takes you over the beautiful Bahamas and this is an amazing sight to see - well worthy of a picture with stunning clear azure waters. Upon arrival in Havana, you feel you have been transported back in time. You will also feel the humidity straight away, as temperatures sit at an average of 27 - 31 degrees Celsius, so be prepared for warm, humid tropical weather. After a short shuttle transfer I arrived at the Melia Habana, which is located just outside of Old Havana. The Melia brand is very prevalent in Cuba, the Melia Habana boasts a fantastic

gym and has the biggest swimming pool in Cuba. It is located right on the beach front and it is a fantastic hotel that offers great value. Along the tour I visited many highlights in Havana including driving down 5th Avenue and seeing where they held the Chanel Fashion Show. I was lucky enough to be able to visit Old Havana and a highlight was a bar called Floridita - where I sipped on the famous Daiquiri that Ernest Hemingway apparently loved having when he visited. The streets of Old Havana are alive with the sounds of music. Musicians play on all corners, restaurants are buzzing with tourists soaking up the atmosphere and curio stalls offering you street art, crocheted dresses, maracas, and vintage car memorabilia, as well as Fidel Castro and Che Guevara memorabilia. Amongst the sightseeing I managed to stop off for a lunch at a highly recommended private restaurant - 5 Sentido’s. This was a fantastic modern restaurant and highly recommended as the food is freshly made to order in front of you with an open kitchen. Although not your typical menu of Cuban food, this restaurant offers the tourist food that is more internationally recognised. Definitely highly recommended! During the walking tour of Havana, I also stopped en-route to meet The Cuba Holidays representative who manages the private Casa’s.

These are locally owned and run homes that you can rent to stay in. They offer the privacy of either your own room with en-suite, own entrance, or you can have the entire home to stay in. These are more bed and breakfast style, with someone on site 24 hours who will be able to arrange transport for you, excursions or to even cook your breakfast. You can identify these by the blue logo outside (resembling an inverted anchor) - the red ones are for the locals only and the blue ones are for tourists. The ones I saw were very beautifully decorated, clean, with air-conditioning and all the mod-cons. These are perfect if you like an authentic environment. That evening I dined at O’Reilly 304 Restaurant. This restaurant has double stories with the tiniest of kitchens - one could not comprehend how the food could come out so quickly, so fresh and so tasty. Great Cuban food and great service, another fantastic restaurant to try out when in Havana. The next morning, we were greeted by four absolutely stunning vintage cars. We were taken on a 2-hour thrilling ride throughout Havana and into the Forest where all the Vintage cars congregate, to take photos and to experience the beauty of this stunning tropical surround. They drove us to the John Lennon Memorial where you can take your photo with a bronze sculpture with his glasses.

We then went on by coach to visit Ernest Hemingway’s farm. As expected, Carlos, the tour guide was on point with all the facts, sharing with us the history and Ernest Hemingway’s love for Cuba and how he came to live there in 1932 where he wrote “For Whom the Bell Tolls”. When you arrive at this farm, the first thing you get told about is the small baseball pitch Ernest Hemingway started for the local kids to come and play Baseball in his garden. I stopped along the way at the Morro Castle where you see the canons which get set off ceremoniously each day. This is located near the giant statue of Jesus, where you can take your photo kissing this statue, and right opposite it stands Che Guevara’s house. No trip to Cuba would be complete without a visit to the iconic Nacional Hotel. Celebrities in their droves over many years have frequented this hotel and it is the pride of Cuba, this is also where the Mafia held many meetings. You will find photos line the cigar- smoke filled bar. Meander outside onto the pristine gardens where you can then have a lovely traditional lunch whilst being serenaded. I then moved on to La Guarida Restaurant which is made famous by the movie called “Fresa y Chocolate” and many celebrities have visited this

upmarket restaurant. The courses came out one by one, carefully constructed, vibrant and tasty, this surely is a very romantic restaurant for that last night in Havana. We were heading off to Varadero the next day, so an early night was had by all. After another lovely buffet breakfast at the Melia Habana, I got on the bus and headed out of Havana to arrive in Varadero, two and a half hours later. I arrived in the beautiful coastal village that feels a little like Florida. Hotels line the beautiful beaches, and you cannot help but relax after the excitement of Havana. Varadero offers the water sports enthusiast all they could wish for, including Scuba Diving, Sailing, Angling, Snorkelling, as well as Paragliding. This is also the destination for golfers, with an 18-hole golf course offered at Xanadu Mansion. Before heading off to the Royalton Hicacos for a Mexican themed dinner, I travelled in a tropical rain shower by some beautiful vintage cars and drove out to Xanadu Mansion. The former mansion of the DuPont family, this deluxe hotel has six huge, marble-floored rooms with private balconies, a fine restaurant, and an atmospheric bar, with live music. Guests staying here get golf privileges at the club. One can stand in awe of the beauty and foresight of this mansion.

Royalton Hicacos Resort and Spa is my favourite hotel on the island, sporting a very relaxed and chilled out feeling, from the salt water man-made river that winds its way through the resort, or one of the many other pools, bars and lounges. This hotel boasts the mere fact that it is the only hotel on the island that can import and export food from all over the world, this allows them to offer, for example, Nescafe to their guests. After a fantastic buffet breakfast, I headed out to the shuttle to make my way back to Havana to catch the flight home on Virgin Atlantic’s Dreamliner. This has been a whirlwind trip, experiencing some exceptional hotels and sampling the new emerging gastronomical delights that hotels and private restaurants are putting out there for the tourists. This is a destination unlike any other. It has colour, vibrancy, personality, hospitality and diversity. As well as architecture and being a photographer’s dream. The beach destinations offer that azure blue sea, the sun, cocktails, relaxation, dancing and the ultimate in recuperating the senses and the soul. Cuba is definitely a destination worth visiting soon as it is destined to be the next hot travel destination!

Experience the beauty of the Caribbean Sparkling blue seas meeting white sandy shores… a colourful village alive with local life… a tranquil sunset burning with tones of pink, orange and yellow… the Caribbean isn’t short of fantastic photo-worthy sights. And while you’d be hard-pressed to take a bad shot, the region offers iconic scenes that will give you the kind of photos that bring back happy memories every time you see them.

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LISA FROM OUR ABERDARE BRANCH OF THE TRAVEL HOUSE TELLS US IN HER OWN WORDS ABOUT HER TRIP TO THE CAYMAN ISLANDS

My Familiarisation trip started at London Heathrow, flying with British Airways. Our flight had a touchdown in Nassau for 1 hour, but we didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get off the plane so it was classed as a direct flight. When we landed, we our rep from Cayman Islands Department of Tourism, and transferred to the Westin grand resort. At the resort we were welcomed and shown around the stunning hotel. It was renovated in 2017 and has 343 rooms. I can see why 60% of guests are repeat. Following our tour we went on to dine at a restaurant called Craft. This was an amazing American dining experience. The following morning we had a buffet breakfast at the stunning Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman. This 8

amazing hotel opened in 2016 and consists of two towers. A resort tower and an ocean front tower, totalling 369 rooms. This was a truly amazing hotel that I would highly recommend. Following our hotel visit, we met our guide at Pedro St. James, the oldest existing building on The Cayman Islands. Visitors can take a tour of the beautiful restored 18th century building with its original furniture and artefacts and learn all about the interesting history related to the building and islands. Following our tour we took a 20 minute drive to The Queen Elizabeth Botanic Park. This park is truly beautiful. We got to see the Blue iguana and beautiful flowers. This is a non-profit wildlife

park and gardens and is a must see. After lunch at Kurts Corner, we drove back to Seven Mile Beach to visit Sunshine Suites. They are just across the road from the Westin. They offer bed and breakfast and do not charge a resort fee. This property is a 3* and has everything you need and very large apartments. I was impressed by the suites, particularly the great location. Next, we got to experience The Locked in escape game in the centre of George Town. I would highly recommend this as it was such good fun for families or groups. After all the excitement we transferred to the marina for an amazing dinner in Agua.

The following morning we had breakfast at Icoa. They don’t let you reserve tables on Saturdays, so we were lucky to get there early as it is very popular. Following a filling breakfast we headed for the Stingray city 4-hour tour with the amazing Adam and crew at Cayman Luxury Charters. I got to view and hold the stingray in their natural habitat and beautiful surroundings. Following on from this we were given the use of jet skis. What an amazing experience in the beautiful waters.

The next day, following a delicious hotel breakfast, we had a tour of the outstanding Kimpton Seafire Resort and Spa. This hotel is out of this world. It is room only and consistently developing innovative ideas. In February 2019 it will be holding the popular Kaaboo Festival, which is a music festival uniquely curated to appeal to all five of your senses with world-class music, inspiring contemporary art, hilarious comedy, incredible cuisine, craft libations, and personal indulgences.

After a tasty lunch at Cabanas we went to Margaritaville Beach resort hotel which offers room only and half board. It has 285 rooms and a small beach which is practically private. It’s one of my personal favourites as it offers all-inclusive and cocktails are included! We ended this busy fun packed day with a dinner at the amazing Luca.

We then headed into George Town for a glass bottom boat tour where we got to see some coral and a ship wreck. After the tour we headed to another one of my favourites, the Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort, with the option of room only or bed and breakfast. This hotel is directly on Seven Mile Beach. It has 82% of its guests returning due to the high quality of stay you experience here. The hotel also offers a shuttle bus service and the resort fee includes use of e-books and GoPros.

The following day we headed into George Town for a walking tour, or so we thought. Only to be surprised with a helicopter tour! This really is the best way to see the island and starts from only $145 USD. This was one of the best experiences I have ever had. Once the excitement of the flight was over it was time for the islands main event ‘BRUNCH’ at the amazing Blue Cilantro. This event is talked about highly by all the locals, mainly to do with the fact there are around 18 courses of food to choose from. We decided to walk all the food off with a tour of the Crystal Caves, it really is amazing to see how they have formed over the years. It was an amazing day which we finished off at Rum Point with a mudslide cocktail.

I was sad to see my fantastic visit to The Cayman Islands come to an end. I can highly recommend this as a destination for all types of visitors including families, couples and groups of friends. I already can’t wait to get back to the Island. It’s the only place that I know of where the locals have a word that describes their feel-good attitude #Caymankind all the way. A massive thank you to Funway and the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism, as well as The Travel House, for giving me this once in a life-time opportunity.

Lisa McLaughlin Branch Manager Travel House, Aberdare Experience: 19 years Travelled to: Ibiza, Thailand, Cayman Islands plus many more Tel: 01685 874558 Email: aberdare@travelhouse.co.uk Visit travelhouse.co.uk and choose “Meet the team” to see more of our holiday specialists

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Stacey Scanlan Branch Manager Travel House, Gorseinon Experience: 14 years Travelled to: Jamaica, Mexico Algarve plus many more Tel: 01792 899944 Email: gorseinon@travelhouse.co.uk Visit travelhouse.co.uk and choose “Meet the team” to see more of our holiday specialists

The intriguing land of India ranks highly on the bucket lists of many travellers, and for good reason. You’ll find a whole new world of adventures in India’s enchanting destinations with Titan Travel. The tour I was invited to attend was the Golden triangle with Ranthambore National Park which is a 10-day escorted tour. Ticking off highlights including the Taj Mahal and the forts and pink-hued palaces of Jaipur along with safari drives in Ranthambore. I flew from London Heathrow with Jet Airways which was my first time flying with them and I would recommend. We had full in-flight entertainment with touch screen TVs and a full bar service with a selection of in-flight meals. The flight was approximately 8 hours and 30 minutes, so I arrived into Delhi early morning. I then transferred over to my hotel The Grand New Delhi. After a quick refreshment and relaxation, I started the tour. Before travelling I read up on the areas I was due to visit and the types of clothes I should take. It is advised that women cover their shoulders and don’t wear anything above their knees. Also because of the humidity to wear light and cool clothing. First stop was the UNESCO protected Qutab Minar, the tallest brick minaret in the world which was constructed in 1193. However, after being hit by lighting in 1369, and two earthquakes in 1505 and 1803, it was amazing to see what excellent condition

the minaret was in. Our next stop was the India Gate Memorial, which was built to commemorate the Indian Soldiers who died during the Great War. From here I drove to Mahatma Gandhi Memorial which is also known as the Raj Ghat. The beautiful and peaceful garden surround the black marble platform that marks the spot of Mahatma Gandhi’s cremation. I then headed back to my hotel through New Delhi soaking in all the sights and sounds and passing the official residence of the president of India. The next day after breakfast, we began our 6-hour drive to Jaipur. I very much enjoyed this drive as I felt I got to see the real India, from the colourful food markets, the sacred cows walking in the middle of the road and day to day life. I arrived at my hotel for the next two nights, the LaLit Jaipur. After a welcoming arrival I had the rest of the day at my leisure. In the evening the hotel arranged for our group to have some entertainment in the form of traditional Jaipur Dancers, which were amazing. Jaipur is also known as the pink city after the Maharaja, Sawai Ram Singh, wanted to impress the Prince of Wales on his tour of India in 1876. He ordered the whole city to be painted pink, which denotes the colour of hospitality. Still to this day the city is a beautiful pink colour. I stopped off for a photo opportunity at the Pink Palace, a gorgeous site. I then headed towards Maota Lake at the foot of the Amber Fort. From here you can see the Fort along

with the surrounding walls which are the 3rd largest in the world. Here our group had to travel in a jeep to take us through the narrow windy streets up to the beautiful Amber Fort. The Fort was built in 1592 and is also known as the Amer Fort. It is a classic romantic Rajasthani fort palace that has a fairy-tale feel and is one of the most popular forts in Rajasthan. The views from the fort are stunning and it looks over Lake Maota, which was the main source of water. From here I headed to Jantar Mantar monument which is a collection of nineteen architectural astronomical instruments built by the Rajput king Sawai Jai Singh II and completed in 1734. It features the world’s largest stone sundial and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The instruments allow the observation of astronomical positions with the naked eye. After a full day excursion, I headed back to the coach for the journey to Ranthambore. I arrived at the Ranthambore Regency where I had a 2-night stay. The hotel had a different feel from the previous hotels I had stayed in. It was very laid back with a lovely pool and gardens, we spent the afternoon relaxing around the pool ready for our early start for our safari the next day. A highlight of this trip included a very early start to arrive at Ranthambore National park which is a wildlife haven. I headed from my hotel in the search

of the leopards, monkeys, birds and hopefully a rare sighting of a Bengal tiger. Through the trees and along the dirt tracks you were greeted by many different species of birds and we continued uphill in search for a tiger. We stopped off at various points to take pictures of the beautiful scenery and wildlife, seeing deers, peacocks, and monkeys. Our group came to a sudden halt as the safari guide had noticed fresh paw prints from a tiger and suggested we go further into the park, driving through streams and up hills, this was all very exciting. The truck stopped as they could hear the monkeys and deer sounding the alarm call. We continued the journey deeper into the park and raced through the park tearing up the river, this was all such an adrenalin rush. At last we got to see the Bengal Tiger! We quickly stopped our vehicle and watched the tiger quietly from our truck, named Kumba, he was the largest in this safari zone. Kumba casually strolled past within a few feet of us, what a spectacular site of this majestic tiger, an experience I will never forget! Another early start this morning to catch an early train to Agra. Our train was very clean and had leather seats and tables. As part of the tour you have seats pre-booked for your train journey which are given to you at the station by the tour guide. This was a massive plus as I could board my train and take a seat with no stress. The journey was a

great way to take in all the scenery with great photo opportunities. I arrived into Bharatpur station at 9am ready for a full day tour of Agra. Hotel Radisson Blu Agra was my home for the next 2 Nights. After check-in I headed to our first site of the day, Agra fort. Agra Fort was the main residence of the emperors of the Mughal Dynasty until 1638, when the capital was shifted from Agra to Delhi. It comprises many fairy-tale palaces, such as the Jahangir Palace and the Khas Mahal, built by Shah Jahan. Audience halls, such as the Diwan-i-Khas and two very beautiful mosques. This was a great place for photos. After lunch I headed back, ready for our sunset visit to the Taj Mahal. As I arrived, I took a small mini cart to the gates of the Taj Mahal as no traffic is permitted, the gateway is bright red in colour with verses of the Holy Quran. The door of the gateway is made up of silver with letters engraved on it. As you walk through you are greeted by the beautiful Taj Mahal. The whole building is a bright white marble with beautiful floral designs and surrounded by beautiful gardens. The Taj Mahal was commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan to house the tomb of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who passed away during child birth of their 14th child. Outside the walls are several additional mausoleums, including those of Shah Jahan’s other wives, and a larger tomb for Mumtaz’s favourite servant. To finish

the tour, I entered the Taj to see the tombs of the Emperor and his wife. The bodies of Shah Jahan and his wife are buried beneath their cenotaphs in a lower chamber. I made my last leg of our adventure back to Delhi, before leaving I visited the city of Fatehpur Sikri, the smallest city in Northern India. Here I visited Jama Masjid which is one of the largest Mosques in India with the courtyard able to hold 25,000 people. Construction started in 1644 at a cost of 1 million Rupees at the time. Again, like the Taj Mahal I was mesmerized by the designs and architecture. I arrived at my hotel for the night the Roseate House, after check-in I had the rest of the day myself to visit any local shops or make use of the facilities and roof top pool of the hotel. I opted to take a few hours out to explore the area and have a feel of the local ambience. I then headed back to the hotel for a recharge ready for our farewell gala dinner. This is one of the best experiences I have ever had whilst travelling abroad. Titan Travel have left me with forever memories of India and leaving me wanting to experience more escorted tour holidays. It’s a fantastic way to see the great sights, history and culture of a country. I’m already planning my next trip.

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My family and I took a trip to the Netherlands this year, to visit the Efteling theme park and we also took part in a few local tours of the surrounding areas whilst we were there. We made our way to the Stena Line ferry port in Harwich as we were booked in for an overnight crossing to Hook of Holland. We arrived in plenty of time and experienced a very smooth check in. After passing border patrol, where they checked our passports, we were given our cabin cards and directed onto the ferry where they gave us a space to park our car. We then unloaded our overnight bags and made our way to our cabin. We were given a family cabin, which sleeps up to 4 adults, or 3 adults and 2 children. It was perfect, as there were 4 of us. The overnight ferry was an absolute dream. It took all the stress of travelling away, as we were able to sleep for 8 hours of the journey. The following morning, we were woken up before the ferry arrived at

Hook of Holland by the on-board announcement system. Upon arriving at Efteling we checked into our gorgeous hotel, the Loonsche Land Hotel, which was situated just outside the grounds of the theme park. We met the Efteling Country Manager for the UK, who gave us our welcome pack and advised us to leave our bags in the luggage room before we made our way to the park. Claire was incredibly helpful throughout our stay and was always on hand for any advice. On route we decided to download the Efteling App onto our phones. This was probably one of the best things we could’ve done. It gives you a map of the park and shows you exactly where you are. It also enables you to read about each park attraction, what it entails and how long the queues are for each one at any specific time. The park was full of rides and attractions to suit

all ages. There were bigger thrill rides to suit the adults and older children, or smaller, less scary options for the younger ones. Everywhere you went in the park, there’d always be a food and drink area nearby, serving traditional food and also local snacks. Once back at the hotel we were able to check into our room quickly before heading down to eat at the hotel restaurant. I don’t think any of us were ready for how amazing our room would be. We should’ve known it would be wonderful because the rest of the hotel was so perfect, but it didn’t hit us until we walked in. The room was huge and all open plan, with plenty of space to lounge and relax. You could tell it was made for families! The food in the restaurant was lovely and there was something for everyone to enjoy. The only downside to this hotel was that I wished we could’ve stayed longer. It was immaculate!

The following morning, we made our way down for breakfast, there was enough choice at to suit us all as everything was continental. We spent the day on the bus going from location to location, taking in the local sights and enjoying what the different cities we visited had to offer. Our first stop was the Beekse Bergen safari park, which didn’t disappoint. We were driven around through the different animal enclosures. Our guide would talk to us about the animals and stop at times for us to take pictures or to observe the animals more closely. The park also allows you to stay there overnight in one of their lodges. You can wake up each morning surrounded by the animals and enjoy them in a much closer environment. After the safari park we jumped back onto the bus and spent some time in the town of Den Bosch, which is in the city of Brabant and is known as being the oldest medieval town in the Netherlands. We enjoyed a walking tour of the town and stopped on occasion to learn about its history and to try one of the town’s famous delicacies, a Bossche Bol. These were cream filled, chocolate covered, pastries. They were delicious. After the tour and a quick lunch, we then took a canal trip on the river Binnendieze. The open-topped boat sailed between the streets and underneath some of the buildings. Our guide told us about some of the ancient heritage of the town as we sailed, and we were able to gain a unique insight to the history, architecture and culture of Den Bosch, from a different perspective. Before returning to Efteling we visited Heusden, a quaint city which is built inside the remains of an old fort. It looked like the kind of city you’d see on a postcard, it was so pretty. Whilst there we had the chance to go inside one of their 3 windmills. We were able to see how they worked from the inside and also learnt the history behind why the city is shaped the way it is and what defensive benefits it had during World War 2. Once back at Efteling we loaded up our car and made our way to the Hook of Holland ferry port to embark on our journey home. We all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and would absolutely love to go back again.

Steve Lorey Travel House, Head Office Experience: 19 years Travelled to: Jamaica, Greece Venice plus many more Tel: 01792 293743 Email: sales@travelhouse.co.uk Visit travelhouse.co.uk and choose “Meet the team” to see more of our holiday specialists

Efteling Theme Park Resort is Holland’s largest and Europe’s oldest theme park, offering thrilling rollercoasters, enchanting attractions and rides for all ages, set in the middle of nature and open 365 days a year! ill your day with thrills, spills and wonder - try the dive coaster, Baron 1898 with its 123 ft. vertical drop or Joris en de Draak, the double track rollercoaster where you can race your neighbours. If you prefer a more leisurely pace; then glide through a land of fairies and trolls on Droomvlucht or take the miniature train and admire the lush surroundings which change with the season. Feeling peckish, then there are delicious snacks to be had around the park, alternatively, visit one of sit down restaurants. Visit Polles Keuken, of Guinness Book of Records fame, for the largest pancake stack! Where you can choose from over 25 different sweet or savoury pancakes! Don’t miss Europe’s largest water show, Aquanura, on each evening - marvel at the breath-taking colourful water show set to music, fire and spectacular lights. After a magical day you’ll have only one wish: to do it all over again! So why not book an overnight stay in one of Efteling’s hotels or holiday villages; where you can choose from a lakeside lodge, woodland cottage, tree house, cabin in the sand dunes or even sleep like a princess in a fairy-tale themed suite. And it’s all great value for money………. fairytales really do come true!

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Kirsty Northcote Marketing Executive Travel House, Head Office Experience: 2 years Travelled to: Hong Kong, Italy, Florida plus many more Tel: 01792 293743 Email: sales@travelhouse.co.uk Visit travelhouse.co.uk and choose “Meet the team” to see more of our holiday specialists

Northern Ireland is the principle filming location of HBO’s epic series Game of Thrones®. I am an avid fan of the show and when the opportunity to take a place on this familiarisation trip was offered, I snapped up the chance. 20

We were recently given the chance to take 7 of our Travel House team on this Game of Thrones® tour, and with so many fans of the show we snapped it up!

which was a Holiday Inn located in the Queens quarter of Belfast, in the centre of the city. We had a bite to eat and browsed a few local pubs and of course sampled a Guinness!

We arrived at Cardiff Airport for an evening flight with Flybe to Belfast City Airport. Flybe fly daily to Belfast City from Cardiff which is very convenient as you can make your visit as short or long as you’d like. We stopped over for 1 night and the tour commenced the following day.

Bright and early the next morning I met our group for breakfast and we were transferred to the centre of Belfast where our coach was waiting for us to begin the tour.

I had never taken a domestic flight before and it only took 40 minutes, it was different to what I’m used to with longer international flights. As soon as you are up in the air you seem to be starting your descent, but the Flybe plane was spacious, and the staff were very attentive. As it was a domestic flight there were no passport checks on your arrival, so we grabbed our hand luggage and headed to a taxi. After a 15-minute journey we arrived at our hotel

We visited 7 iconic Game of Thrones® filming locations which would be instantly recognisable by fans. The tour guide did an excellent job of explaining the route and even played a clip of the scene which featured the location in the series, which was handy for those who might not be as familiar with the show. First stop was the Carnlough village, which featured in series six. The harbour was built in the nineteenth century and still holds its oldeworlde charm. We stopped here for only 20 minutes to take a quick photo in the same spot the characters from the show washed ashore.

Cushendun Caves were the next stop which is a stunning coastal location with many strong links to the series. The rugged yet beautiful geological features of these caves again offer beautiful photo opportunities. Inside the caves you can picture yourself finding shelter and huddling around a camp fire like characters of the show might have. After exploring the caves it was time to move onto the next location. The Giants Causeway is an UNESCO World Heritage Site where the tops of columns form hexagonal stepping stones that lead from the cliff foot and disappear under the sea. No eloquent description will do it justice, only seeing is believing! We entered using the National Trust entrance which usually charges a small fee but was included in the price of the tour. I was provided with an audio guide to accompany me on the walk along Causeway Coast. The walk is moderate but there are buses available for a small fee if you’d prefer not to walk. As you begin to get closer to the site you can take in the unbelievable views of around 40,000 interlocking hexagonal columns, which explained by the audio guide, is the result of an ancient volcanic fissure eruption. For your own safety and due to the high winds, you are not able to climb the tall columns close to the sea, but our group were happy enough to perch on top of a smaller formation for another group photo. This would be the longest stop on the trip where we stayed for about 90 minutes. After a browse in the gift shop and some lunch it was time to move on to the next location. Dunluce castle is a now ruined medieval castle and it’s easy to see why it was the inspiration for many fantasy writes. We stopped on the roadside to view the castle in the distance which is surrounded by extremely steep drops on either side and is connected to the main land by a bridge.

Larrybane limestone quarry is used as a car park for the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge but might be more recognisable as the location of the iron Island Kingsmoot from season 6 or Renly’s camp in the Stormlands of season 2. This location showcases the classic tell tale signs of the limestone with the white cliff faces offering wonderful landscapes. The colour of the cliffs contrasted beautifully with the bright blue Irish sea and waves that crashed against the rocks. Here we were also provided with stark cloaks and props to pose for a photo at no extra charge! Then we began a bit of a hike to the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge which is at the end of a coastal path. Bring your courage with you as this is not for the faint hearted. Only a few of us braved to cross this rickety bridge which connects 2 cliff edges. As I queued you can see others cross the bridge as it swings across the steep drop. Then suddenly it was my turn and I’m so glad I braved it as it was very safe, and staff were on hand to manage the crossing. What an amazing experience! Last stop of the tour was the picturesque site of the Dark Hedges which is a very iconic Game of Thrones® location representing the King’s Road. This impressive 100 beech trees form an atmospheric tunnel which is in fact the entrance to the Georgian estate. The Dark Hedges are as stunning in real life as they are in photos and as we were there during the Autumn and the colours were beautiful. Then just like that it was the end of our tour and we headed back to Belfast city centre to catch our flight home. The Game of Thrones® location tour takes a whole day (8am-6pm) and some aspects of the tour can be demanding but there is always the option to go at your own pace. I’m so pleased I got to experience Belfast, even though it was brief, I would love to go back again.

This tour is independently operated by City Sightseeing Belfast. It is not sponsored, endorsed, or af-liated with HBO or anyone associated with ‘Game of Thrones’.

Ffion Williams Travel Consultant Travel House, Pontardawe Experience: 3 years Travelled to: Paris, Cyprus, Berlin plus many more Tel: 01792 830030 Email: pontardawe@travelhouse.co.uk Visit travelhouse.co.uk and choose â&#x20AC;&#x153;Meet the teamâ&#x20AC;? to see more of our holiday specialists

DOH A Doha is a relatively new holiday destination which is located on the coast of the Persian Gulf in Qatar. Qatar is now the richest country in the world thanks to its natural gas reserves and oil. As a destination it makes for fantastic shopping, a mecca for foodies and home to some of the most extravagant hotels available. 2018 saw Qatar Airways enter Cardiff Airport providing daily flights across the globe with the airlines hub based in Doha. This allows our customers to travel from their local airport to 150 destinations across six continents. Qatar Airways has earned many awards and accolades, becoming one of an elite group of airlines worldwide to have earned a 5-star rating by Skytrax. I was lucky enough to travel on the second flight with Qatar Airways departing form Cardiff Airport. I was travelling to Doha with Jetset Holidays to experience all that this fantastic city has to offer. On arrival at the airport I checked in and made my way to the Executive Lounge which is great value for money. I was able to enjoy a range of drinks and snacks while relaxing in comfort before the flight departed. Once I was on board I was given a pillow, blanket and headphones. There was in-flight entertainment on the aircraft so I was able to watch TV programmes, films or listen to music. I was then given a menu to select what I would like to eat on board and a choice of drinks. An hour after I had eaten I was given further refreshments. The in-flight service was fantastic. On arrival in Doha I proceeded through security to transfer to my hotel, InterContinental Doha which took around thirty minutes. As it was 01:00am by this time the whole city was lit up which offered great views of the skyline.

At the hotel the concierge staff took my luggage to my room, which got there before I did. I stayed in a classic room category, which featured automated lights and curtains! The room was spacious with plenty of plug sockets including USB plugs. There was a large wardrobe with a safe inside which was great. All lighting, air conditioning and the curtains are controlled on a touch screen panel on the wall. After a couple of hours sleep I made my way downstairs for breakfast. The breakfast was located in The Coral All Day Dining restaurant. This restaurant is open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They offer themed evenings as well as brunch on Fridays and Sundays. In addition to this restaurant there is a Pool bar, Tea lounge offering afternoon tea, Belgian Cafe, and lastly a Greek restaurant offering traditional Greek dishes. After a look around the hotel I visited the Museum Of Islamic Art. The Museum is an outstanding building which features a collection covering 14 centuries of the finest art and artefacts from across the Islamic world. It is beautiful to see the range on display, such as an Iranian bow from the 10th century, and an Indian sphere dating from 1680-1720 including silver, rubies, emeralds and diamonds. Once I departed from the Museum I travelled over to the St Regis Hotel where I was able to have lunch at the Astor Grill restaurant. The hotel is located in the heart of the West Bay and adjacent to the Pearl Island. The hotel is suitable for leisure and business customers, it offers seven meeting rooms for business customers to utilise. The hotel provides sea views in the majority of their rooms plus a butler service. Rooms include a mini bar, flat screen TV, desk and free WIFI. The hotel has a swimming pool the size of a football pitch overlooking the sea and in addition they offer water

sports such as snorkelling, speedboat experience, kayaking and a sunset cruise. There are 12 restaurants and lounges available within the hotel providing local and international cuisines, two of the restaurants are linked with Gordon Ramsay. My second night was spent at the Westin Hotel Doha. The hotel offers 365 rooms and suites including some pool villas. The hotel has the first man-made wave pool in Doha and it benefits from both an indoor and outdoor swimming pool with spa and fitness facilities. There are 7 restaurants available within the hotel. I also visited The Souq Waqif which is a great place. It’s a traditional market for the Qataris and the oldest in the capital. Its name translates as “standing market” and it consists of a maze of small shops offering Middle Eastern merchandise from spices, perfumes, jewellery, diamonds, clothing and handicrafts to falcons. The Souq Waqif is a must see, it allows you to immerse yourself in the local culture and gives you a chance to try out your bartering skills. There are a few restaurants and cafes where you can sit and enjoy the atmosphere while watching the world go by. The following day I was able to join a desert excursion. During the journey to Al Wakrah, Sealine Beach you can take in all the sights of the city. When I arrived I was welcomed with Arabic tea and the chance to experience a camel ride. The desert excursion was around 7 hours altogether costing 450 Riyals which is equivalent to approximately £90 based on two adults. Throughout the journey the drivers will stop at the highest dunes for the perfect photo opportunities, great for your Instagram account. The tour takes another stop at the purpose build Arabian Adventures Qatar Bedouin Camp where you can spend a couple of hours free time. You can swim in the sea or relax on their private beach before you are taken back to your hotel. The next hotel on my list was the RitzCarlton Hotel Doha. The Ritz-Carlton Doha is situated on its own exclusive island resort, it is a 10 minute walk to the Lagoona Mall of West Bay and a 7 minute drive onto the Pearl. I was staying in a club level room which offered a private club lounge providing snacks and drinks in a reserved area. All rooms have a private balcony, multi-plug inputs with USB chargers, tea and coffee facilities, 24 hour in-room dining, and internet access that is wired and wireless, technology through touch screen pads that control the lighting and air conditioning within the room and fully stocked refreshments. There are 8 different restaurants and

bars in the hotel, an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, fitness facilities and spa treatments. The following day I spent a couple of hours by the swimming pool where they provide you with towels, a cooler box full of ice and bottles of water. There is a pool bar available with hot and cold drinks and a selection of snacks. Later that day I took a trip to DMC of Katara Cultural Village and the Pearl. The Katara is located on the eastern coast between the west bay and the Pearl. It holds theatres, concert halls and exhibition galleries. It is keeping pace with the emerging global culture that emphasises the importance of diversity in human development. It is the largest multidimensional cultural project of Qatar that brings people together. It is well worth a visit as it offers a diverse, lively year round entertainment programme. After a whistle stop tour of Qatar it was time to return to the UK. When I arrived at the boarding gates I was informed that I had been upgraded to business class for the flight home with Qatar Airways which was really exciting for me as I had never travelled business class before. Once on the aircraft I was provided with a welcome drink, you can have anything from soft drinks to champagne. My seat had a blanket, pillow and wash bag provided with headphones and a bottle of water. There is a 17inch television along with a LED reading light, USB Port and Apple Iport with a touchscreen control panel. On request I was provided with pyjamas and slippers as it was an overnight flight, it was much more comfortable as you plan on sleeping for the majority of the journey home. An hour into our flight I was provided a menu for snacks and you could also have a 3 course meal. At the same time they provide you with the breakfast menu you can preorder. This was great as a member of the cabin crew could wake you just before breakfast was served. The cabin crew and service on board was exceptional. I was very lucky to have the opportunity to experience all Doha has to offer. Doha is a growing destination especially with Qatar Airways departing from Cardiff Airport providing regular flights. Doha is currently known as a stopover destination for customers travelling to Asia, Australasia or even the Indian Ocean. This perception needs to change with so much more available to travellers. I would highly recommend Doha as a holiday hotspot. 23

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The Travel House Magazine - Issue 15

Articles inside

The Travel House Magazine - Issue 15