Our special places
We design holidays tailored to your priorities. Please contact us to discuss any destination.
Client feedback
Hong Kong, Bangkok and Hua Hin
Dear Chris,
Firstly, thank you very much for the superb organisation of our holiday. You and your team provided a first-rate service from start to finish, we will be recommending you to friends. If there are any sites you would like positive comments on, please let us know.
Regarding feedback, we have the following:
Metropolitan Hotel, Bangkok. This hotel far exceeded our expectations. The staff at the hotel could not be more welcoming, efficient and friendly. Breakfast was superb and open until 1100hrs. Great pool, very welcome after a day tramping around the city! Location-wise, it was also superb, close to Convent Rd for great street food and local 'buzz' and also only a short taxi ride to slightly busier areas for dinner. Free wifi and a complimentary cocktail was a very nice touch. The only point we would make would be that Bangkok taxi drivers do not necessarily know the location of the hotel, so advise future residents to take clear instructions or state it is next to the well-known Banyan Tree (which has a great rooftop bar). We would firmly recommend this hotel to anybody going to Bangkok. Very clean and fresh in appearance, it feels like it has just opened but without the niggles.
Six Senses, Hua Hin. Superb from start to finish. The standard of service was second-to-none. The villa was spacious with a great private pool, very comfortable bed, great showers and outdoor bath and free, fast wifi. Breakfast, again ran until 1100hrs and was utterly delightful with a fantastic setting. The pictures on their website are very accurate. Whilst there are restaurants in the complex, these are over-priced as one would expect. However, within 200m of the resort on the sea front there are a range of local restaurants serving the most delightful food at Thai (ish) prices. Again, we would very much recommend this resort, but probably not for people with children.
Harbour Grand, Hong Kong. Great location within 200m of the MTR and only 15 mins from key areas on the island. Having being spoilt at the previous locations, we were probably expecting a bit more from this 5* hotel. There is nothing specifically wrong with the hotel but it is looking a bit tired. Ultimately, we would recommend to friends to find somewhere else, perhaps a smaller boutique hotel or just go for a cheaper chain as this was nothing special. However, friendly and efficient service and they were still recovering from the fire which closed their major feature of the roof bar overlooking the harbour. They did provide taxis to their sister hotel to use the pool which we took advantage of on the final afternoon. One huge negative was the exorbitant price of wifi and the requirement to pay for each device rather than per room.
Transfers in Thailand. Both worked like clockwork with a driver and tour rep arriving on time having confirmed details of travel the day before.
Weather! We were exceptionally lucky with only 20 mins of rain in Hong Kong and nothing at all in Thailand.
All in all, it was a great break which felt much longer than the 14 days it was.
Many, many thanks for all of your help with our holiday.
Kind regards
Zoe
Zoe, May 2012
A special time in Vietnam
Chris
Sorry for the slow response but we’ve been rather busy!
It was a fantastic holiday, thanks, and we both felt like we got a lot out of our 11 or so days there. The hotels were all up to expectation and the service was great in all of them. La Residence in Hue was absolutely fantastic and in a class of its own in my view – it was a real treat to stay there. The Majestic Hotel in Saigon was also excellent.
The various guides we had were all of a good standard too.
Tam and I also got engaged in Hue while we were on the Perfume River so the trip was very memorable for us too. Having La Residence as somewhere to stay really made that part of the holiday for us.
Thanks again for all your help with organising the holiday. As Adam before me, I would definitely recommend your services.
All the best
Tim
Tim, May 2012
A family break at Iberostar Anthelia
Hi Steph,
We had a fabulous time - two weeks seemed like forever (in a good way!).
The hotel was lovely - smiling friendly staff at every corner, rooms were good and the boys were in the room next to us. Most fabulous was the Kids club - Nelson couldn't wait to get there every morning and the staff were great - energetic, cool, enthusiastic ... Lots of blokes too - they're usually young women...
Our rooms were facing the west, so sea to the left and pool/more hotel opposite and right. It meant we had beautiful early evening and sunset time in our rooms. Food was immense - breakfast had everything. And beautifully laid out. And kind, attentive staff. And Cava!
Suppers were also great - we also tried the two fancier restaurants in the hotel. The fish one was fabulous, the Italian one was friendly but not such great food. The main buffet had very helpful, genuinely friendly staff, you could be fussy and specific about what you wanted and still they smiled!
Maxine (the rep) was exceptional too. Ben was very demanding and made every use of her in entertaining himself and the big boys (fishing, segways, go carting, hiring a car x 2, etc). I needed her help in visiting a chemist for antihistamines and she was lovely.
It was the easiest, most relaxing holiday we've ever had, all five of us. Just what I'd asked you for.
Many, many thanks
Charlotte and Ben
Charlotte and Ben , April 2012
A weekend in Paris
Hi Sarah
First of all, many thanks for everything. The trip went perfectly and the Hotel Pont Royal was extremely lovely. Ideal location for us as we love the St Gemain area. So many hotels in that district are too tiny and pseudo chic but this was a proper old fashioned hotel with good facilities and very charming staff who all spoke English, even when I spoke to them in what I thought was fairly fluent French! Rooms were smallish but rather spacious by Paris standards. Well appointed with nice bathrooms. Mini bar horribly expensive and hotel bar quite pricey but everything beautifully presented and nicely served. Very good breakfast and very helpful concierge, good front desk and all round top marks for staff.
Musee d'Orsay is now my top museum. Completely stunning. Amazing building, imaginatively converted from a station into a museum. Incredible collection of Impressionists plus lots of lovely sculpture and even some wonderful Art Nouveau furniture and interiors. Make sure you get clients to book their tickets online. The queue was huge but we walked straight in with our pre-booked tickets. There seem to be three different agencies who offer tickets online. I used Digitick but although the site claimed to be in English some bits were only in French which might not be ideal for some people.
We had been to Paris so often we didn't do much sight seeing. We mainly hung around in bars and restaurants. Would recommend Germain and La Societe. The latter is incredibly cool and trendy! We also did quite a lot of flea market shopping and ended up with lunch on the last day at Chartier, a Paris institution that is worth the queue.
I am so impressed by everything you have done so far and will be in touch very soon for the next holiday.
Many thanks once again.
Very best wishes
Nikki
Nikki, April 2012
Hi Chris
Thank you for your email. We had a lovely time in Florence. The Palazzo was lovely, great central location, very clean, lovely atmosphere, friendly staff and nice breakfast. Could not fault it in any way. Would definately stay there again. All the arrangements went very smoothly. Enjoyed London City Airport, very slick and quick. 15mins from landing to out in the terminal!
Thank you for all your assistance, look forward to arranging something else with you in the near future.
Best wishes,
Justine
Justine, April 2012
Hi Kate
The villa was lovely and hosts very friendly and solicitous. They made us breakfast every morning.
Also, nice restaurant La Torre in Annunziata with v friendly owners.
Weather wasn't great, a lot of rain and wind. But we did have a few nice days.
Pompei, Herculaneum, Paestum were fabulous. As was Antiquities museum in Naples and the Capella San Severo, which was amazing.
The driving was absolutely awful though, terrible gridlocked traffic around Sorrento, so next time I'd stay near a train station and go by public transport.
Thanks for all your help.
Best wishes
Brigit
Brigit, April 2012
A week in St Petersburg
Dear Kate
Thanks for your message. We had a wonderful time in Petersburg, thank you, and we could easily have spent another week there (in fact you could easily spend a week in the Hermitage – there is so much to see there). There were not many tourists around and so very few queues – in that respect it was a good time to go. On the other hand it was a little colder than here, and the parks were not worth looking at because the snow had only just melted. Also the fountains at Peterhof were (apparently) still covered up against the frost so we decided to go to Tsarskoe Selo instead, which was fabulous – so beautiful we couldn’t sleep afterwards...We also went to the Mariinsky opera, and Pushkin’s apartment which was very moving. It undoubtedly helped being able to speak some Russian, but everywhere there are tourists you find quite a few people who speak English. The hotel was very nice, and friendly, and mostly pretty efficient. The room was a little on the small side but comfortable, and the breakfast good. We ate well, bought some nice shopping, and walked miles, as well as using the buses and Metro. There were no low points that you could have helped with – I didn’t sleep very well, perhaps because there was so much to take in and it was light until about 9.30 in the evening – my problem!
Thank you very much for all your help with arrangements and visas.
All good wishes
Huw
Huw, April 2012
Hi Kate,
Had a fantastic time thank you. Very much liked La Foresteria, and the food was excellent. This was just as well since it was a 30 minutes walk to the nearest alternative which would not have been any fun in the dark, and obviously driving after dinner is impossible. Two excellent local places for lunch however, particularly Da Vittorio, on the beach, which also has accommodation. I would recommend the hotel in Palermo as well - very comfortable and helpful. We did the Greek temples at Agrigento, Segesta and Selinunte, all of which was fun. It would have been fine to drive into Palermo in fact - it didn't strike me as particularly crazy.
Thanks for arranging all that so quickly - much needed break.
Best wishes,
John
John, April 2012
Surprise trip to Venice
Absolutely fantastic!
We arrived, cruised across the water on to the pontoon of our hotel. All in the glorious weather! The hotel was great but I have to say brunch at the Danieli was just awesome. Safe to say we ate and drank far too much!
Thank you so much for your help organising it. A thoroughly painless process - I'll be sure to use Real Holidays myself!
I hope you had an enjoyable Easter!
Richard
Richard, April 2012
Hello Sarah
We had some heavy rain but a very good time anyway.
Great to be next to the Pantheon and column and such a short walk to the Trevi or Barbarini in one direction and the Colosseum and Forum in another. And ice-cream everywhere!
The superior room was big and comfortable, the ordinary single adequate. The hotel staff were very friendly and helpful. Brilliant breakfast with big choice of fruits, breads, meats, cheeses etc etc and on the one sunny morning we were able to have it on the very nice roof terrace.
I'd certainly go there again and recommend it to others.
So thank you. Another happy time arranged by Real Holidays.
Caryl
Caryl, April 2012
Easter break to Florida
Dear Stephanie
We were most impressed by the Hyatt Coconut Point – beautiful situation, high standard of service and food. Dolphins almost on the beach too, a bonus.
Best wishes
Duncan
Duncan, April 2012
A short break to the south of France
Hi Stephanie
We had a lovely time in Nice. Everything worked out very well.
The hotel was nice. It was in an excellent position only a couple of blocks from the sea front and also about 10 minutes walk to the station. So everything was very easy to do.
The people in the hotel were very helpful too, lots of information and directions. There was a big area for sitting in and also a very nice garden (although they laughed when I asked if the outdoor swimming pool was open since they said it was closed because it would be very cold, even for the English!) There were two parrots who were in a large cage in the garden too (unlike the parrot at one of the hotels in Morocco which liked to share breakfast).
The rooms were nice too, simple and clean and well designed with space for chairs and tables. As the website had noted, they were individually painted - the mural on my walls was of someone meditating; Birgitta's had a bird. This made the rooms feel different and not too inpersonal. The only trouble was that although we were on the top floor, these rooms looked out onto quite a busy road so it was a bit noisy (especially with the windows open).
We went and had a drink at the other hotel we had looked at which was busy (the Petit Palais). We were pleased that we had ended up staying where we were. This hotel was on the hill above Nice and although close to the Chagall and Picasso museums, it was a bus journey from the centre of town and from the sea front. Also, the garden which had looked so attractive on the website did not have a view of the sea unless you were standing up and could see over the hedge! (And no parrots!)
Many thanks for arranging this all for us at such short notice.
Best wishes
Frances
Frances, April 2012
Hi Philip
Thought you'd like to know that our visit to foodie heaven was a great success. The sun shone the whole time, and we walked many miles around the city. We feel we know the place pretty well now. We didn't get to Ferrara as we spent more time with my cousin than we had anticipated, she was there on a tour with a youth choir and orchestra from Stuttgart performing Bach B Minor Mass.
Al Capello Rosso was fine, the apartment was good though maybe not modernised to the same extent as the hotel rooms. It was great to have the additional space for the five days, and it is practically next door to the hotel. Happy to recommend it to others who don't mind paying the price.
all best, Eva
Eva, April 2012
Hi Chris & thank you for enquiring about the holiday. It was a fantastic experience! What an amazing country - so much to offer and some of the friendliest people we have ever come across.
After a night on a plane, to be greeted with a Frangipani garland was rather fabulous & made us feel very welcome to the country. We loved the Wallawwa. The perfect atmosphere to wind down & just the right distance from the airport.
The units at Amaya Lake don't quite live up to that standard & are probably due for a re-fit but the setting & facilities were just right. Buffet meals worked well & reasonably priced. We enjoyed all the excursions from here except the massage which was in an Ayurveda centre outside the hotel at $65 each. I was expecting something v. special but it was very poor facilities & even quality of the massage - advise your clients to use the hotel facilities which I afterwards investigated & far superior. Absolutely loved the welcome drums, flute playing in a treehouse at dusk & live national music during dinner.
My vertigo did not allow me to get to the top of Sigirya! But my husband did & we thoroughly enjoyed all that the region offered.
Lavender House was interesting - superb decor (albeit colonial rather than national ) but we were the only clients so it did lack a bit of atmosphere. However, we took the opportunity to relax & be pampered! Have you ever been brought tea in bed? It was my husband's birthday & they did a cake & we pretended to be Lord & Lady of the Manor.
I would say that a night in Kandy would have worked better to do the sights there as it was a long trip back down having gone through there the night before - it also meant no time for Pinnewala (have to do that next time!). Rather than do that route yet again to leave, we opted to take the longer route to Galle - via Nuwara Eliya. This gave us a chance to see much more of the tea area which was fab + see the falls etc. & area around "Bridge on the River Kwai" - stunning scenery. We then took the new road - toll 400 rupees but saves literally hours.
You were absolutely right about the Lighthouse. As our guide said, it's always a problem dragging people away from there. It is a truly amazing hotel - just a shame you can't swim in the sea there. I wouldn't have missed the turtle hatchery - releasing one into the wild was an incredible experience. The time to go to Galle Fort is at dusk to shop eat & drink but we did other things (as suggested by tuk tuk driver) all of which we enjoyed but left ourselves not enough time to relax & enjoy. Tell your clients to resist the temptation here & just enjoy the surroundings.
I must conclude with enormous praise for our driver Deva who got it absolutely right. Never too talkative but always with the information when you wanted it - & he found us some beautiful stop offs, never made us feel rushed & always that he was there to do as we wanted. We left truly feeling we were saying goodbye to a friend & he has since text me to ask that we got back safely & sending his blessings.
So very many thanks. We were in need of something to take our minds off the events of the last few months & we certainly found it. As usual we did too much but at least didn't come away regretting having missed something. We have every intention of returning to visit some of the other areas.
Best regards and hope I haven't overdone it with the feedback! I think you can tell we enjoyed it.
Vivien & Chris
Vivien & Chris, March 2012
Trouble Free in Egypt
Egypt in general and Cairo in particular are trouble-free and desperate to recover their lost tourist trade. It's maybe 90% down and now is a good time to miss the crowds.
The Hotel Belle Epoque is a delight and in a the one and only quiet part of Cairo, so a nice out of the way place.
The night train to Luxor/Aswan is pretty comfortable but not luxurious; the only problem is not seeing the view as it leaves after dark. I might not bother another time as stupidly we chose it to see a bit more of the countryside. However it left on time and I think arrived on time.
The dahabiya cruise lived up to expectations.
The best thing apart from the obvious luxury and exclusivity which came from being on a small expensive boat was that dahabiyas can moor anywhere they like. This means that each night we moored on a deserted island or, in Luxor, outside the city on a bit of the shore well away from any other boats. We also moored one day just to go swimming in the Nile and another to go for a walk around the island to see the local landscape, farming etc.
So if you want an experience of really being on the river, you can't beat a dahabiya.
Finally, we were offered the option of a hot air balloon ride over the west bank at Luxor (the Valley of the Kings etc.). This was fantastic. You have to get up before dawn but it was well worth it.
Finally, if you're looking for the ultimate in luxury experience you might add on a stay at the Old Cataract Hotel in Luxor. It has real character (although owned by Sofitel and recently completely refurbished), great views over the Nile and you can - as we did - just go there for lunch or tea on the terrace and watch the small boats go by (it's too far up river for anything bigger than a felucca.
Paul, March 2012
Praise for the Neeleshwar Hermitage
Hi Chris,
I wanted to say thank you so much for suggesting such a wonderful place to stay. I wouldn't of chosen it on my own and it really would of been a loss. I will go through the trip for you, the transfers were incredibly smooth, the people who picked us up were there and friendly.
We had a sleep after the flight and the guide picked us up in the afternoon and took us round Mumbai, he was so knowledgeable and nice. He also pointed us in the direction of a brilliant shop and I ended up with some beautiful shawls and sarongs. Mumbai was great and actually we packed in a lot.
We arrived at the Hermitage and within an hour we were feeling more peaceful, it was strange, I have never been anywhere, that I felt settled so quickly. The space, the pace, the staff, it was all amazing. It was the perfect holiday, I had five days of treatments at the spa which were amazing (the same girl did my treatments each day and it really makes a difference, she was so lovely), also we learnt transcendental meditation (Alastair who did the teaching was amazing and I felt blessed to have the opportunity), did a bit of yoga, swam, ate amazing food. We preferred the main restaurant, if I had one point to say, I thought the fish restaurant not as good and overpriced. It seemed to be that the chef was experimenting with western food and it didn't really work as well. The food in the main restaurant was great though and it was as if we had the place to ourselves most of the time. I can’t say enough good things about it. I was upset to leave; it was such a beautiful peaceful place. It was a bit like being suspended in time and space for the ten days having complete and utter peace and being looked after so well. I am so grateful to Real Holidays (again), you just always seem to get it right. I was blown away this time. We ventured out one evening to a festival in the local temple which involved trumpets and an elephant and loads of people, it was magnificent. The whole thing I couldn't fault, except for the fact that we had to leave.
So now back in London and would love to revisit some time, we were planning our return before we had left.
The trip was magical; the Neeleshwar Hermitage is a very special place. Everything about it was exactly what we needed. The pool was incredible, the staff wonderful, the room lovely, the space and peace of the place indescribable. I want to go back. It was an incredibly nurturing experience, one I haven't experienced before.
Thank you so much Chris, for firstly pointing me in this direction, you were right, this was the place and I’m so grateful. Also, thank you for organising the whole thing and making the trip to India so smooth. I will be in contact again when I want another break. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Pass on my gratitude to the gorgeous staff at Neeleshwar Hermitage. I still have the picture in my head of their smiling faces waving us off as we left. Beautiful.
Thank you so much for a trip of a lifetime.
Kind wishes
Jayne
Jayne, March 2012
Feedback for Due Torri in Rome
Dear Sarah and Philip
Just back from our wonderful visit to Rome – thank you so much for organizing the hotel. It was perfect!
Sharon and I absolutely loved it and we did get our nice room with balcony – it’s so quiet there, and incredible to be so close by to everywhere. We had a wonderful time and managed to see so much in our three days – it was a great way to celebrate my sister’s birthday.
So just wanted to say thank you for recommending it – another success with Real Holidays! (my sister was v impressed and wanted to know who you are!)
All best
Tasmin
Tasmin, March 2012
Hi Chris,
Hope all’s well. I just wanted to drop you a line to thank you so much for organising us such a fantastic holiday! We loved every minute. The tours were great, we loved our vintage car and the driver was brilliant. All the hotels was gorgeous and unique, the staff were lovely, food was delicious and the sights amazing. Yab Yum in Goa was just perfect too – a real paradise.
We really did have a truly wonderful time and from the moment we arrived, felt like we were in very safe hands.
Thanks so much for all your help and advice. Looking forward to booking a trip with you again soon!
Best,
Maddie
Maddie, March 2012
Two Centre Morocco
Hi Kate,
Thank you very much for organising our holiday which was better than we had hoped in every respect - even Easyjet and the baggage handlers at Gatwick behaved well . The Riad Farnatchi is the most beautiful place we have ever stayed - a modern vision of Arabian nights in the best possible taste. The Kasbah was wonderful in a less luxurious but equally unusual way. We went for long walks without guides, the temperature was ideal for walking. The taxis arrived on time or before time.
Altogether a great break.
John
John, March 2012
Hotel Elisabeth - Lech
Hi Sarah.
We had a really lovely time thank you. The hotel is wonderful - really friendly and cosy. The kids loved it. We had loads of snow, too - in fact almost got snowed in.
Thanks for organising it.
Best wishes
Milly, January 2012
Hi Kate,
We had a wonderful holiday and when asked which bit we enjoyed the most have been unable to choose. It was well spaced, and because there were five completely different sections to it we felt as if we had been away for much longer than we had, in a good way!
The Gibbon Experience was very physical, and it is a good thing we are both relatively fit as there is a fair bit of steep trekking in between the zip wires. We were in a tree house with 7 others, all very nice, and although the facilities are basic the food, which arrived by zip wire, was good and plentiful, and the guide was excellent. It was a bit of a shock to get our supper at 4.30 but of course it is dark by 6 and there is no zip-wiring after dark. Early nights and early mornings. Fantastic jungle sounds, and on the very last morning we saw gibbons from the tree house. By this time we had given up hope so it was a lovely end to the first bit of our holiday.
Boat down Mekong - Luang Say looked after us very well, the river views from the boat were fascinating, as were the little excursions we did from the boat, and the lodge was lovely.
a problem.
Luang Prabang. Beautiful, could have wandered around for weeks! Lovely hotel.
La Folie. Also beautiful, another day wouldn't have gone amiss. Buffalo tours forgot us and we had to ring from the airport to tell them we were waiting for them. They were very apologetic!
Siam Reap. Lovely hotel, and very helpful with advice on the best way to do the temples. They arranged a very good guide and we spent all of the first day and half of the second day with a guide, and the third day with just a tuk tuk. In between we made the most of the hotel facilities and they even filled our room with jasmine and fruit for our wedding anniversary!
So that's it in a nutshell. It really was the holiday of a lifetime and thank you for your excellent advice!
best wishes
Geoff & Sarah, January 2012
St Lucia Babymoon
Hi Sarah,
It was absolutely amazing, lovely place, lovely staff, lovely food (bit over priced but it is st lucia!!) quality of everything was fab and we would def recommend it to everyone – we drove around the island and saw the other hotels we considered – this by far the best one so thanks for helping making our last holiday without baby so fab!!!
Thanks
G, December 2011
I thought I would feed back on the Venice trip straightaway so that I didn't forget the details!
It went very well, very straightforwardly. Flights on time (the return one was 15 minutes early into Gatwick) and all without incident.
Determined to make an appropriate entrance into Venice I caught the water bus, which takes an hour and a half, but has the advantage of introducing you to the city in all its glory from the start. It even ran in the rain and bad visibility on the return trip, and feels a bit more distinctive than going by train. It also takes you to within 3 minutes of the Hotel Flora which is a huge advantage.
The hotel was very central - next to Prada (or was it Gucci??!) and the people who ran it were very civil. Breakfasts were lovely, and they were happy to serve them in your room -probably the best room service I've had.
Very easy to travel round whether on foot or by boat, and lots to see. Probably one of the easiest cities I have ever been in and almost completely hassle free! The weather was warmish but damp for the first two days - and it was only on the final day that the rains started - though they still seem to be going on. So well-timed. The food was good - as long as you knew where to look for off-the-beaten-track restaurants and cafes.
Thanks for arranging the trip.
Jane, November 2011
We had a great time in Sicily.
The weather was unsurprisingly wonderful and hot and dry.
Mandranova was absolutely superb, probably the hotel I have most liked in many years of travel. The welcome and food were just magnificent and the boat ride was my daughter's favourite activity.
Getting back to food it was pitched perfectly, home cooked but to the highest possible standard, all the Sicilian dishes I wanted to eat including an amazing Leopard Pie and fantastic Cannoli.
The wine was really well sourced and well priced.
Its clear that the owners have the most impeccable, well judged taste.
All the extra touches, the architecture internally and externally, the 4 dogs and the pool, and the local lido with fish restaurant on the beach at Cala del Re made the week pretty much perfect.
To top it all was the restaurant in Licata, La Madia, serving innovative food, and with personal interaction with the chef.
I will certainly return some day.
Peter and family, November 2011
Three centre Relais Torre Marabino, L'Approdo delle Sirene and Mandranova.
All our accommodation was first class. The staff at each location were very good but the Torre Marabino need singling out as being exceptional.
What we enjoyed most about the whole holiday was our final stay of 2 nights at the Mandranova when we dined with eight other guests (from USA, Canada and Australia) at the big outside table and we all got along so well.
Can't wait to try other locations in Italy from Real Holidays!
Sean and Kara, November 2011
A quiet break in Turkey
Hi Kate
Sorry for delay - I'm so busy I need another holiday!
Yes Dalyan resort hotel is lovely I would go back. They gave me a big room in the nicest wing and made me very welcome. The setting is stunning among the rivers and lakes and mountains with the turtle beach a very nice boat ride away but you can catch a local town boat anytime if you want. Half board was very generous. Pool lovely and gardens quiet and restful. I didn't go into the town - looked commercial from the river bank but other guests enjoyed it. A good place for a quiet rest and nature walks / boat trips
Roseanna, October 2011
Dinarobin in Mauritius
Hi Matthew,
As promised...
My family and I spent a week in Mauritius and had a fantastic time. We stayed at the Dinarobin and thought it was a wonderful hotel. Our rooms were very comfortable and spacious. We used both the main swimming pool and our 'local' pool which we shared with a few other rooms. The beach along the Dinarobin is very nice and immensely quiet. We took a boat from the hotel to do some local snorkelling. We also arranged for some water-skiing from the beach as well as swimming with dolphins. The food was very good. Breakfast buffets were ample with a great choice and each evening there was a different theme for the buffet (there were also other restaurant options--we tried a few of them, and they were all of very high standard). I used the gym most days, and it was well equipped. The staff were all incredibly friendly and helpful.
I hope this helps...
Regards,
Russ, October 2011
Kenya and Zanzibar Honeymoon
Matt,
I just though I'd drop you a quick e-mail to say thanks very much for the honeymoon; it was a truly excellent trip and it all ran pretty much like clockwork. A couple of the flights were slightly delayed (at the African end, so no surprises there!), but nothing major. Kicheche is without question the most amazing place we've ever been - the hosts (Joanna and Patrick) are absolutely superb - I literally couldn't find fault in any aspect of the stay - very highly recommended indeed!
The balloon flight was a real highlight - well worth every penny!
The transfers were pretty much seamless - the hotel in Stone Town was remarkable - definitely a unique place and well worth a visit. Zanzibar Unique looked after us very well, and Kono Kono was prefect.....exactly what we needed after a busy few days on safari. We barely saw another person during our stay!
Thanks once again; we'll drop you a line in a couple of years when we think we can afford a return trip!
Regards,
Rob, October 2011
Italian Fly Drive - Borgo San Marco, Foresteria San Leo, Locanda Delle Monache.
Dear Stephanie,
Peter and I would like to let you know how well our holiday went. All the arrangements you put in place worked beautifully. The flights, car hire and accommodation were all co-ordinated very well. The accommodation, service and welcome were superb. All of this was helped by your very good itinaries showing us directions and information about restaurants etc. All together a splendid package of course enhanced by super scenery, friendly and efficient hotel and car hire staff and of course the lovely weather. Once again thank you personally and also your colleagues and company we will not hesitate to use your company again and of course to recommend you.
Best wishes,
Shirley and Peter, October 2011
Kate
We had the most amazing holiday, a real treat and eye opener and trip of a life time.
I could go on with my stock phrases.
Thank you so much for all your effort with thinking up every stop along the way, each one had us holding our breath waiting what awaited us. And they all managed to amaze us more and more, thank you
And for putting up with endless phone calls, since febuary, a very long time!!!!
Thank you so much it was such an informative and I hope life changing event for me, and hopefully for my three year old
Many thanks
Amanda, October 2011
Muscat and beyond
Thank you very much for your help in organising our trip to Muscat and beyond.
We thoroughly enjoyed everything from start to finish. Our arrival into Muscat where we were met by a rep and taken onto the Chedi was very smooth, the two nights at the hotel were wonderful. We were picked up by Aimon to start our desert adventure, he was very informative, looked after us well and good company. The night in Wahiba Sands was very special. Our final stop at the Al Bustan Palace was everything we hoped it would be. So all in all our trip was a success.
Nicky and Gavin, October 2011
I love the Palazzo dal Borgo, it really is delightful and really convenient to the centre of Florence. Altogether lovely!
I'm rather "in love" with Florence especially the religious art of Florence and the architecture is beautiful. I also enjoyed the food.
Jill Sweeting, October 2011
We had a wonderful time at Mazzaforte. We have had emails from all the children and their partners and everyone agreed that it was the most wonderful place. The pool and gardens were wonderful - and we only saw them at the end of a very dry patch. The pool was the deepest we'd ever used so you were quite right about being fine for diving. We spent most of each day watching the lads (big and small) inventing all sorts of pool competitions - hilarious entertainment.
The views were to die for and sundowners in the garden were a magical time. The outdoor eating area was ideal - nice to be close to the kitchen and in shade and we never used the inside sitting room or dining room.
Sally and Simon were very helpful with local info (drawing us maps etc) and babysitting and kept a low profile which we appreciated. We did plan to have her do a lot of cooking but although she cooked us a delicious first supper we actually did the rest ourselves because we all enjoyed using that fabulous kitchen so much. One thing that was especially welcome was the fact that because it was actually their own house, the kitchen had everything in you could possibly need, including pans big enough for 11 - this is something we have noticed is sometimes a problem in other properties.
I really can't say we have anything negative to say about the place at all. As we sat sipping our gins on the last night we all thought we must do this again, perhaps every other year, and started discussing where we could go and apart from the cost, none of us felt we could out-do Mazzaforte!
Helen and family, September 2011
Hi Sarah
We had a lovely time ... The house has a lovely feel about it and the Pelion reminds us of how Cyprus was about 25 years ago.
Thank you so much for your attention in arranging this holiday for us.
Penny, September 2011
The Villa Belvedere in Taormina is really lovely. It was much nicer the we expected. The photos I was sent didn't really do the Garden Suite any justice at all!
What we enjoyed most about our holiday was the location of the hotel and the niceness of the hotel; it made the rest of the holiday very easy.
We would definitely use Real Holidays again!
Olivia and family, September 2011
Agriturismo Sant'Illuminato, Umbria
We had a lovely week in Sant Illuminato. The atmosphere created by Marco and Alessandra was relaxed and welcoming to families. They were also very helpful with local information, restaurants etc and spoke English very well. The pool was great and a welcome relief from the heat. The location was lovely and we wished we had more time to explore the many beautiful towns around Umbria and in nearby Tuscany.
The Tulips was perfect for us. Being on the ground floor, it was close to the pool. - an advantage for the children! Those who are looking for privacy would probably prefer one of the other apartments, but we loved it. The shower had no enclosure which made the bathroom a bit wet & slippery, but this was a minor inconvenience. Everything was clean and well appointed.
Victoria and family, September 2011
Rome and Umbria
Dear Stephanie
Thank you so much for all the hard work you put into arranging our holiday. I have not used a travel agency for many years, but after your five-star service, I will definitely return to Real Holidays.
We had a lovely time in Rome and your suggestion of the Raddisson was a life-saver as it was very hot, so Anna could stay at the pool with her dad.
La Cassella was perfect and our hosts were very welcoming. It is such a relaxing environment and the food was fabulous. My parents also had a lovely time and we have some special memories to treasure.
Joane, September 2011
Budapest
Dear Rob,
Thank you so much for all you did to make this little holiday so great. In their different ways both hotels were wonderful - the Gellert for the space, mittel-european gloom (we got fond of that) and heavenly baths, and the Antiq in Ljubljana for its sweet and lovely charm and position. We really had a lovely time in both cities, though Budapest is much faster and more frenetic than I'd imagined, (and there are three railway stations, by the way, and no food or drink on nine-hour journey - but we anticipated that). Have come back hugely refreshed, and will of course use Real Hols when planning next trip.
Hope all is very well with you and thanks so much again.
Sue, September 2011
Tenuta le Piane, Marche, Italy
The accommodation was as expected, comfortable and the pool area was lovely. The owners were also very helpful. What we most enjoyed about our holiday was going to an area and accommodation that wasn't in the normal tourist area.
We had excellent weather so we were able to laze and explore the beautiful hill top towns at will.
Marianne Harding, September 2011
Cycladic feedback
Dear Philip
Just to say thank you for yet another successful holiday. It all went very well and was really enjoyable. It wasn't too hot and there was lots of red wine. The sun shone every day and the food was much better than either of us remembered.
Both hotels were good. The first was posher but we had a very small room so moving to Naxos we appreciated the larger room. We didn't do all that much but we were never going to.
Patti, September 2011
Two Centre in Malta
Hi Stephanie,
Thanks for your email. We had a great time actually and it was just what we needed.
Gozo is beautiful and I have fallen in love with the island! We will definitely be going back there. The Ta Cenc hotel was great and we loved everything about it. The Phoenicia in Valetta was a good hotel but a little bit formal for our tastes, although I suspected this would be the case before we got there.
In terms of transfers, everything went pretty smoothly, and the rep even managed to get some stuff to me in Valetta that I had left behind in Ta Cenc. It was all fine.
Thanks again for all your help
Joy, September 2011
Meganissi
Hi Sarah
Just to say thank you for helping us with our holiday arrangements. The island was wonderful, the villa was lovely, and we were looked after from the moment we arrived in Greece until we departed. It was a perfect recommendation and awe are very grateful for a marvellous holiday.
Bill, September 2011
Capo San Vito
We really warmed to the resort and the hotel, Hotel Capo san Vito. Our children love beaches and we got into a good holiday routine of sightseeing from 10 until 3 and then coming back for a few hours on the beach. The beach was very crowded but we found the Italian families very civilised and loved the swimming. On the sightseeing front we visited Selinunte and Segesta one day (very succesful), Erice (very succesful), Marsala and the Trapani salt route (excellent museum of the Carthaginian ship). We drove to the Zingaro national park to the beautiful beaches there. The hotel was friendly and the restaurant particularly was run by a charming man. We loved eating outside in the little garden every evening.
Cefalu
We were very impressed with the Alberi Paradiso which we found friendly and very civilised. We had a beautiful room with views across to the Cathedral and we loved the spacious gardens in which the hotel is set. The swimming pool was delightful and the food delicious. It has been voted by our family as having the best breakfast anywhere! We enjoyed walking into Cefalu and swam off the rocks at the far end of town for more wonderful snorkelling. We spent a fascinating day in Palermo. We also took a hydrofoil from Cefalu to Lipari and Vulcano. I know you are a fan of Lipari and we loved it too - definitely one to return to. Vulcano was an amazing experience. For me the highlight was all the dolphins we saw on the journey to and from Cefalu jumping through the waves behind the boat.
We drove the scenic route to Taormina via Randazzo for more volcano spotting - everyone enjoyed this as Etna was actually erupting....
We were very impressed with the Villa Belvedere. They put us in a very pretty garden cottage with three bedrooms, kitchen and sitting room which gave everyone lots of space and beautiful views out to sea. We had a very relaxing, car free few days by the pool and around Taormina.
Emily and family, September 2011
Palazzo Belmonte and Amalfi Coast two centre
The Palazzo Belmonte in Santa Maria di Castellebate is very charming, we enjoyed the peace and quiet, the accommodation in the palace is fantastic. It is in a beautiful setting.
The Hotel Poseidon in Positano is in a wonderful position with old fashioned elegance and sevice. Spectacular views and fantastic breakfasts.
We really enjoyed the peaceful charming Santa Maria and wonderful Positano, and the contrasts between the two. Both places highly recommended.
Derek Archer, September 2011
Hi Chris
Sorry to have taken a while to reply. Unfortunately now that I've been back to work for a couple of weeks, Martinhal seems to be in the distant past! However, we really enjoyed our stay in the resort. The Ocean House was truly lovely - just as we'd hoped. We were lucky to stay in one of the ones on the row nearest to the sea, which made a huge difference in terms of the view (which was beautiful). The House was clean and facilities excellent. We enjoyed all that Martinhal had to offer, especially the swimming pools - none more so than our young children, who also loved the availability of bikes and the Blue Room games room.
The thing we most liked was the location of Martinhal. It was wonderfully placed to visit many clean and amazing beaches - both along the south coast and west coast - (a car is definitely needed), nearby Sagres with great restaurants and from where we took a dolphin watching trip and Lagos further east along the coast. Many reviews have mentioned the wind at Martinhal. Yes, it was breezy, but we didn't mind. It cooled the high temperatures as, when it dropped, the stillness of the heat soon made it uncomfortable. All in all we had a truly wonderful time. It was a perfect place for families, in terms of things to do and also to relax. We would certainly go back, if there weren't other places that we'd like to experience instead.
We keep checking the Real Holidays site for ideas for next year, so I'll be calling you or a colleague sometime in the future. Thanks Chris - Martinhal was a great recommendation.
Simon, September 2011
Philip
Thank you very much for the email. We had the most fantastic holiday from beginning to end and I am not sure that we will be able to suggest any possible improvements - other than some therapy to address the depression of returning to reality! It really was a wonderful holiday and full of great experiences for both adults and children. Thank you very much for all your advice and help in making it happen.
PS We all particularly appreciated the upgrade on the return flight from Bangkok. I assume that this was all part of the Real Holidays service!
Charles, September 2011
Cotswolds Country Retreat
Hi Stephanie
We really loved Groves Barn. The accommodation is wonderful, spacious, comfortable and very luxurious. The location and setting are very peaceful, apart from when the farmer was harvesting the first couple of days. There were horses and dogs on the farm the children enjoyed.
We were able to do small local excursions, of which there are many to choose in the Cotswolds.
All in all we were very impressed. The owner was extremely helpful and put right any problems when they came up.
Bridget, September 2011
The accommodation was basic/sparse, but what we were expecting. The gardens the villas were set in were great, and the space for the kids to play was really good. The swimming pool was lovely, and the view gorgeous. The beach was beautiful, the area was lovely and the good great.
Leanne and family, September 2011
We had such an amazing time. The cost was prohibitive but the pleasure was enormous.
The hotel was the epitome of understated perfection. The staff were discreetly friendly, rather than oleagenous. The service was faultless, the standard was excellent all round, the weather, the sea, the food were all amazing.
Our trips around to Porto Ercole and Porto San Stephano were lovely and no tourists at all in either place. Our weekend in Rome was magical. I love the Hotel de Russie so much and Rome is one of my favourite cities in the world. It was just perfect going there, having been at Il Pellicano for 5 days. Next time I would plan that break in the schedule. Also there is a tennis Court at the hotel and a coach. If I had known we would have taken our tennis gear. The gym is also all one wants on holiday. The spa was very good too.
Thank you. We had such fun.
PS all the transport worked so smoothly and very nice people driving us.
Helen & Alan, August 2011
Naples and the Costantinopoli 104 were very good - helpful and friendly, and despite the decor and modern art, it is a traditional hotel which we liked. It was well located too.
La Locanda delle Donne Monache in Maratea - wonderful location, beautiful hotle, good reception staff. The shuttle to the sea was excellent and the food in Maratea was fantastic.
We had a great time in Naples & Maratea - the former for the sights, museums, atmosphere and food, and the latter for location, food, sea and climate, we liked being high up in Maratea because the heat was less intense than at sea level.
Jane Noble, August 2011
The accommodaitono was as we expected it to be as described in the information you gave. In fact, it had additional pluses in the high quality and professionalism of the staff, particularly Lucia and Anna. We ate in the restaurant on 3 occasions and used the pool everyday. The gardens are very well maintained too.
What we enjoyed most about our holiday was the location and the wonderful medieval towns with close reach. We would certainly look first at a Real Holidays brochure if planning a simlar future holiday.
Trevor Hendy, August 2011
Hi Rob -
just a quick email to say thanks for your recommendations for our holiday in Portugal. the villa was perfect for us and the Hotel Martinhal was excellent - really stylish and great service. Would certainly recommend it.
thanks again
Sarah, August 2011
La Foresteria Planeta Estate, Sicily
La Foresteria Planeta Estate totally exceeded our expectations. It is a gorgeous, small hotel with glorious views. Lovely room and bathroom and warm, super helpful staff. Great pool, we felt like we were almost the only people there. We mostly enjoyed to peace, the views, the food and watching the staff make pasta for lunch!
Amanda Evans, August 2011
A Trip to Thailand
Dear Matt
Just wanted to drop you a quick line to say how much we enjoyed our holiday to Thailand and how smoothly everything went, so thank you so much as usual for your meticulous organisation.
Flights and transfers all very easy. The trips you organised were great and the Exotissimo guide we had in Bangkok (Mr Pisanu) was a particularly nice chap and really engaged with the girls which made their first experience of Thailand one to remember.
The Sheraton, as you recommended, was great in terms of location, quality of rooms and service. Not sure if you have sent families to the Anantara in Samui before but again a lovely hotel, very attentive service and the new block where our two-room suite was situated was very spacious, large bedrooms and bathrooms, huge sitting room and fitted kitchen with washing machine and every gadget you could think of! The pool area was very crowded for the first few days, but did get a little better the longer we stayed and there was a private sunbathing area on the beach (I guess if you have stayed at the Bobadillia in Spain you get a little spoilt for room around the pool!). Very quick walk to the Fisherman's Village if you had had enough of up-market hotel food and wanted a quick bowl of noodles.
Weather also great. In Samui it did tend to rain rather spectacularly from about 6.00 pm, but the days were very warm and the girls came back with the required tan for school.
Thanks again for organising.
Mandy , August 2011
Touring around Canada
Hi Stephanie,
Thanks for your email. We had a lovely time on holiday – we really enjoyed Seattle and the Crowne Plaza hotel there was just fine – good central location, big rooms, good bathroom – worked very well as a base to explore the City. We also had a great time on Vancouver Island – the hire car was a decent size so plenty of space for our luggage. The drive to Tofino is long but it didn’t really feel like a chore as the scenery is amazing and we stopped off at a couple of places to take the sights / views (such as the Englishman River falls and the beach at Cameron Lake – both are worth a visit).
Tofino itself is a very cool little town – Middle Beach lodge was a really fantastic hotel. The room was compact but we didn’t spend much time in it apart from to sleep. The large lounge area downstairs was fantastic – we generally relaxed down there in the evening after a meal out. They don’t mind you drinking your own wine in the lounge (and provide glasses) which is handy as one of us drove into Tofino each evening for dinner (its not really walk-able) so we couldn’t really both drink at dinner. The breakfast was excellent as well – lots of muffins, pastries, cereal etc which you could just help yourself too. The Weather was generally pretty overcast – they nickname August as “Fogust” because the clouds come in off the ocean. I understand the weather is generally a bit better in July. The weather didn’t detract from the experience in Tofino though – we made the most of visiting the Pacific Rim National Park, as well as going sea kayaking and whale watching – both of which were very enjoyable.
Parksville was also very good – the hotel was good although perhaps a little tired not that this lessened our enjoyment (it wasn’t quite as nice as Middle Beach Lodge but then we didn’t expect it to be). The location was pretty good too – we walked to dinner in Parksville on a couple of nights which really brought home just how much North American towns are geared up for cars rather than pedestrians – we hardly passed anyone when walking at night! I think the area of Parksville known as Resort Drive (next to the Rathtrevor Provincial Park) is probably a nicer area to stay but I suspect it is much more expensive. That being said, the Quality resort did have fantastic views over the bay from its restaurant (we unfortunately did not have an ocean facing room!) As an unexpected bonus, we also received complementary breakfast here too – the choice was limited to 1 of 4 options but it was perfectly fine.
So all in all we had a great time and thank you very much for helping put together such a wonderful trip. We also had a great time with our friends in Portland which included a weekend in Central Oregon which was great fun too.
Please do let me know if you have any further questions.
Thanks again,
Simon, August 2011
Hi Sarah
Yes we're back - and we had a fabulous time. Thanks so much for your recommendation of C dei Fichi - it is even better than you said! I've put a glowing review on Trip advisor: there aren't any negatives, only superlatives.
All best wishes
Richard, August 2011
Three -Centre Croatia
Dear Sarah
We are back from Croatia and just wanted to let u know that it was a great holiday. Thank you so much for organising things so brilliantly. Adriatic travel were really good and all the transfers were excellent- helpful and punctual. It was really nice for us not having to worry about taxis etc. We actually took one taxi in Vis and it was exhorbitant so the way the transfers worked was really good.
Also your suggestion of san giorgio in Vis was perfect - a lovely hotel and the owners were incedibly helpful and pleasant - really nice people. And we will go back there for sure. Also loved Postira and hotel in great location - this one bigger and more impersonal but still v good.
The one niggle which of course makes a perfect holiday - having one thing to complain about! - was the half board at Hotel Postura. We were happy to have dinners there a few times on a separate menu but the policy in hotel was if u were on a half board menu, u had to eat inside in a rather institutionalised manner between 7 and 9 pm. As the location of the alacarte restuarantt of the hotel was beautifully placed alongside the sea with lovely views, it was where we wanted to be and we didn't want to be restricted by time or eat indoors. The hotel agreed to change us from half brd to B and B. So we paided a bit more to eat alacarte every night and it was lovely to sit out and till later than 9!
Otherwise thanks so much Sarah we had a wonderful holiday. Croatia is beautiful and you really organised it all so well.
Viv and Paul, August 2011
Mallorca
Hi Rob
We had a lovely restful time, the food was great, the staff very friendly, the location quiet with lovely swimming pools. We were given an upgrade on our room which was a lovely surprise, the new room evidently had a much better view and was free at the time. This gave us a lounge which was great for the bit of work my husband had to do!!!
You could have sorted out better weather though, we had 3 days which although warm were quite cloudy, but I think that would have been asking a bit too much!!!
Thanks for all your help
Sue, August 2011
Away from the crowds in Turkey
Hi Kate
Just to say…we had a wonderful time in Turkey.
Chalet Vista is a genuinely special place: the pride and joy of Ayhan, the owner, who built it about 12 years ago in an exceptionally beautiful location overlooking the valley above Bayir right in the very heart of the peninsula. It overlooks a dramatic cliff face on the other side of the valley (with the ruins of an archaic ‘acropolis’ just visible), with long views down to the sea and the Datca peninsula beyond. It’s a very pleasant 20 minute walk down to the village. Some of the décor is quaint and may not be to everyone’s taste, and of course there’s no air conditioning, but the sturdy thick stone walls did a pretty good job of keeping the summer heat out (especially on the ground floor) and there’s loads of natural shade outside in the pretty and extensive (quite overgrown) gardens. Pool is small (and more than half is shallow/childrens-depth) but absolutely lovely. Ayhan’s aunt who lives next door can provide fresh bread, yoghurt etc plus simple and very good meals on request (gozleme, salad etc). No need presumably to enthuse to you about the whole Bozburun area, except to say the huge stretches of it, especially further south, are still remarkably protected and relatively undeveloped (eg. the peaceful & beautiful west-facing coastal settlement at Sogut – eat at Denizkizi) – though who knows for how much longer?
The Mediteran worked very well indeed as a relaxed acclimatization stop-off for those first nights. It’s right at the edge of Kalkan high up on the hills with big views of the bay so you’re well away from the touristy buzz of the town centre (though there is a slight awareness of traffic noise from the big new coastal road the cuts across a block or so below). Fantastic pool, calm & welcoming atmosphere, some quite luxurious rooms, decent food. Clientele entirely UK of course. Pretty much impossible to walk into town so you’re taxi-dependent, but they reasonably good value and come quickly. Overall very good indeed.
Thanks very much for all your help. A very impressive solution to our last-minute challenge!
Roly & Caroline, August 2011
Hi Chris,
Just wanted to say many thanks for organising a fabulous holiday for us in California. It all worked perfectly - location of hotels, the car hire etc and you were right in that the hotels became increasingly more 'fabulous' as we went on! Best location was Harbour View Inn in Santa Barbara - what a place!
Would love to do something similar again sometime -maybe include the Nappa Valley. So do keep us posted.
Kind Regards
Valerie, August 2011
Hotel Bellevue, Dubrovnik
Dear Stephanie ,
Sorry for the late response to your email , we had a really lovely holiday thank you it was perfect !! , the hotel was really lovely , clean and plenty of room . The service was excellent...all the staff were extremely friendly and went out their way for us which was really nice. there was always someone around to answer any questions that we had , and the spa is definitely worth visiting. The area is great too , as there is the old and the new town so plenty of places for us to eat as the hotel food was quite expensive, but theres a lovely pizzeria and seafood restaurant not far away. but yes , all round very very beautiful place with everything green , the mountains and the beaches. definitely recommend the hotel, the private beach wasn't as private as the brochure made out as some people from the other hotel came down on it but it wasnt a problem as our hotel provided terraces with sun loungers which we stayed on and had lots of cocktails !!
Thanks so much for your help in finding the hotel , i would definitely recommend it and Dubrovnik's a great holiday destination
Alison and Rob, August 2011
We really enjoyed Sassaia and La Foce generally. We didn't see much of the other houses other than to some extent La Foce itself and Chiarentana. Benedetta Isidori, who seems to do and lead most of the client facing work for the estate, is wonderful. The concerts were very good and the gala dinner at the final concert was a social event not to miss. Although we have always avoided going back to the same place, we would consider returning to the estate in due course and perhaps to La Foce itself.
Philip and Natasha, August 2011
Exploring Italy
Hi Philip
I actually got home yesterday, and was about to get in touch to let you know how we got on.
I'm pleased to say the whole trip was an unqualified success, thanks to a great extent to the hotels you arranged for us. The Villa D'Est in Strasbourg was fine as a one night stopover. The Grand Majestic in Pallanza was splendid; its direct access to the lake was perfect for the children and the indoor pool was a big plus. Our only reservation was that the hotel restaurant was a little over-elaborate for a family with children, but this wasn't a problem since there were several good restaurants in the town. A morning's boat hire, a trip to the islands and a visit to the gardens of the nearby Villa Taranto meant there was never a dull moment.
The Palazzo Ravizza in Siena was excellent, with an old-fashioned charm, and ideally located for exploring the city on foot.
The Albergo Cesari in Rome was also very good and comfortable, and again perfectly located for city sightseeing. The welcoming party at the Coliseum, complete with massed Union Jacks, for the three cyclists coming from Paris was a memorable occasion!
We all agreed that you did a brilliant job for us, and that the trouble you went to on our behalf was key to everyone's enjoyment, for which we are extremely grateful.
Paul, August 2011
It was all absolutely fantastic - one of our best holidays and the absolute right choice for all of us. What a lovely place. I loved it there. Only wish I was still there now. Thank you so much for all your help - before and during! Transfers car hire everything went like clockwork so thank you.
The place itself was wonderful; the landscape beautiful; the people very very friendly; the rooms fine etc.
I strongly recommend the package--especially for families.
Francesca and David, August 2011
Dear Sarah
I wanted to write to you as soon as we returned a week ago but only now found the time.
We had a wonderful family vacation. Pelion area surprised us with its beauty and the calm blue sea.
But certainly the highlight of our visit was the house. I must say that the images on the site do not reflect the beauty of the house and the surroundings are. The house was resting and most hosts.
Give Julia Many thanks and compliments for the design of the house .
And for you Sarah,
Your assistance was very pleasant with a lot of patience. Thank you very much for everything
Dalia, August 2011
Hello Philip
You were on my email list already so you now go straight to the top!
Hotel Rosa and Begur get full marks. Wonderful atmosphere, just the right balance of tourists and locals (which includes Spaniards on holiday). Reminded us of Collioure because you sit in the square and the world comes to you: sardana dancing, line dancing, market etc.We were actually sad to leave because we could have stayed another week quite happily. A car is completely unnecessary because there is a wonderful bus service which goes to different resorts like Sa Tuna (thank goodness we didn't stay there, it is just beach), Aiguafreda, Sa Riera etc. Sometimes we'd walk to some of these places and bus it back up. We needed to walk to make up for the huge and excellent breakfasts. The staff could not have been more helpful and charming. On the last day they even made a Spanish omelette in my honour for breakfast, the cleaner hugged us goodbye and showed us the room for our next visit!
Given a choice we would always choose Begur and the Rosa. Calellla de Palafrugell is good for beaches but that's all and it 's very crowded-mostly French and Dutch. I think that's our last beach holiday in peak time. But we would return to Begur at the drop of a hat because you can combine beach with other activities quite easily. Ironically Robert couldn't get his early morning swim in Calella de P because the weather was not good enough but he would go quite happily looking for a copy of the Times instead!
On the whole another good holiday Philip, thanks to you. Do get in touch again if you want any other information.
Best wishes, Margaret
Margaret and Robert, August 2011
Newly converted to Stoupa
Hi Chris,
We're safely back now from Stoupa. I just wanted to say thank you very much for insisting we try Stoupa - we absolutely loved it! It was a fantastic week away so thank you again. We know we can rely on Real Holidays to meet our needs!
Very best wishes,
Ann
Ann, August 2011
The delights of the lesser known East Coast of Sri Lanka
Hi Philip,
I was just wondering whether you've set off on your holiday there yet! I'd been meaning to email you about our trip, which we all very much enjoyed. It's now Maddy's joint best holiday ever (with South Africa). We really liked going up to the east coast - it still feels very undeveloped which is lovely, and the hotel was very nice indeed. Will also made some friends to play with there which he loved! The only slight drawback is the roads are really terrible once you leave the cultural triangle area so it does take a while to get there and get back again.
We also absolutely loved the Horathapola Estate and were very pleased to be spending our last night there as well as the first. Probably the best food we had on the entire trip, which is saying something. We all loved the food in general, and our driver was great at stopping and buying strange fruit for us to try - one day we'd said how we'd like to try jack fruit so he stopped to buy some and then phoned ahead to the restaurant we were going to for lunch to ask them to cook it for us!
There weren't many downsides, I have to say. Possibly with hindsight we wouldn't have chosen to stay in the hill country - I imagine it would be possible to visit a tea plantation and see a bit of the scenery while staying in Kandy, and the Nuwara hotel was probably our least favourite (and the weather was terrible!). It also would have been nice to have another night at least in Kandy. We liked the hotel in Anaradhapura but it was rather prone to mosquitoes, no doubt because of its lush gardens. We very much liked our driver, Darrel, but it was slightly confusing when a second one turned up on the second day and then did the driving while Darrel did the talking, until after the beach when we just had the second one, whose English wasn't very good at all. I wasn't sure who I was meant to be tipping or how much! Also our minivan, although comfortable, wasn't one of the newer sort which were better for seeing out of as the seats were lower relative to the windows.
We're definitely hoping to go back and see the bits we didn't get to see this time! I hope you have a lovely time there yourself.
Cressida, August 2011
Hotel Villa Belvedere, Taormina
The Hotel Villa Belvedere was sublime and exceeded our expectations; excellent range of facilities, extremely beautiful setting, very high standard of cleanliness and general attractiveness and very helpful and friendly staff. We cannot recommend it more highly. We enjoyed the beautiful surroundings and the hotel's ambience and peacefulness and quiet.
Teresa De Villiers, July 2011
Fondo Le Teglie exceeded expectations! We have stayed in many villas for 10-12 people in different European destinations, but this was the bext ever! Attention to details was second to none, everything was supplied. The accommodation was very spacious in a superbly restored farmhouse. THe situation provides fantastic panoramic views. The photos on the website don't do it justice! There are some very interesting historical sights and towns with easy driving distance, and the peace, quiet and wildlife were what we enjoyed the most about our holiday. We will definitely go back to Fondo Le Teglie!
Kay Herriot, July 2011
The honeymoon was awesome. Can't thank you guys enough for all your help in helping us plan such a great get-away. The East Coast was beautiful and peaceful - it was early in the season i understand so it was quite quiet, but we had a great time and found our guide Krishantha a great companion on our travels about the place. We'll definitely be recommending Sril Lanka, (and Real Holidays of course!) to all our friends as a must see destination.
Jerome, July 2011
The Foresteria di San Leo was excellent, we were upgraded to a kitchen suite. We had friendly and caring attention throughout by the hosts. The food was excellent rustic local dishes which were of a high quality. The pool is also a bonus.
The Cheta Elite Hotel certainly has the quality, charm and style of a top class hotel. All aspects were as expected. The Terrace Restuarant has a view to die for.
What we enjoyed most from our holiday was the variety of the two hotels was such a contrast, the rustic charm of the Foresteria di San Leo and the style and service of the Cheta Elite. Both destinations offer superb dramatic scenery with plenty to see and discover.
Chris and Martin, July 2011
Maratea and La Locanda delle Donne Monache, Basilicata
La Locanda delle Donne Monache most definitely lived up to our expectations. Our accommodation was excellent, room size and balcony were great. The staff were also very attentive.
We enjoyed the scenery and good, and the quality of service was very good. Maratea is a charming village retaining a lot of original character. I did like the idea of the privte beach, the hotel pays for umbrellas and loungers, the hotel pool was also fab - and not crowded!!
Marianne, July 2011
Paxos
We had the MOST fantastic time, was truly, truly amazing. Paxos was beautiful, just the right size to not have the excuse to do anything but lie in the sun but also enough to do when we got itchy feet!
The Villa was really, really lovely, the garden and the position really made it. It was in the middle of the Island so you were pretty reliant on the car, but equally, as the island was so small we actually ended up walking a lot, but then we love walking so quite a few evenings we would walk into Loggos (which took about 1 hour with photo stops)! We’d have dinner there and then get a cab back which was only ever 8 euros. But I guess if we weren’t so into walking then always having to drive might not suit some people. We also LOVED Magazia the little village, we really got to know the locals over our two weeks, there was this fantastic little bar that had been in the same family since the 50’s and the interior was still exactly was it was in the 50’s. It was a lovely hub of activity and a great place for a gin and tonic or an iced coffee in the morning on the way to the bakery! The local Taverna to our villa which was literally 5 mins walk was just so sweet, a real local place with only whatever they were cooking that night on the menu and run by the friendliest couple. Sadly at the end of our first week he was taken into hospital and was really very ill, so we only managed to eat there 2 or 3 nights. But, the Villa was really well equipped for cooking had a great bbq area and a lovely big kitchen and otherwise there was the amazing sunset bar about 20 mins walk which had fantastic views and great food (although more expensive than the taverna’s and more touristy) and you could also within 20 mins walk to the next Village – Fontana which had a lovely Taverna too.
The only thing I would say if you were suggesting our Villa to other people is that I think it is absolutely ideal for a couple and maybe a family of four at a push. Although the Villa is really roomy inside and the gardens beautiful and spacious (lots of lovely terraces for eating in the shade etc the space around the pool for sunbathing was actually quite limited (as the pool was lovely and big)! The area for sunbathing was really only big enough for us two – it only got sun in one half of the terrace in the morning and then another half in the afternoon and if you had say two couples staying, there wouldn’t have been space for four people to lie in the sun! A small thing, but I guess useful for you to know! Also, if a family was staying there, it might be best if the kids were older as the spare room was actually in a separate annexe so to get to the 2nd bedroom you would have to go out of the main bedroom French doors and along the patio to the second bedroom.
Ideal for a couple though, really great!
Helen and Grant Parker, June 2011
We really enjoyed staying at the Albergo Cesari. It is in an excellent location and had really friendly staff. We would definitely stay there again. We did everything we had planned to and would like to visit Rome again.
Norman Redhead, June 2011
We'd set Annabel at Real Holidays our usual challenge of trying to put our travel expectations and requirements for long-dreamed of destinations into reality. Needless to say, she and Real Holidays arranged a holiday that was everything and more, than we'd asked.
We planned our holiday around New Zealand's Fjordland and south west South Island. We took taxis and public transport which was probably about the same cost as hiring a car. We stayed in only a few places but spent between 2 – 4 days at each. This was well worthwhile, giving us the chance to explore and undertake activities such as walking, cycling, birdwatching etc at each place as well as increasing our chances of seeing the stupendous scenery. Fjordland has rainfall between 1 – 8 metres of rain a year and therefore cloud and rain is always possible.
We arrived in Christchurch leaving the next day on the coastal train, 5 hours before the devastating earthquake. We were very lucky but our thoughts were with everyone seriously affected. Real Holidays' care extended to telephoning immediately after the earthquake to see that we were fine.
Our accommodation was in B&Bs which had a uniformly high standard with hosts ranging from very helpful and friendly to truly exceptional. By the way, cake seems to come as standard in all the accommdation in New Zealand that we stayed in.
We went first to Kaikoura going whale-watcing which was professional and informative. We saw a sperm whale and a pod of 500 - 600 dusky dolphins doing back flips and being completely over the top.
We flew to Queenstown, which is dramatic but definitely full of "gap years ".
We then did a 3 day tramp - Hollyford Track - a great experience. Well organised, interesting and definitely do-able being mostly flat with 17kms of walking on the longest day. Food, guides and lodge hosts were brilliant. It is not over-commercialised compared to, say, the Milford Track.
Te Anau was our next centre. From there, we went on an overnight Doubtful Sound cruise - wholeheartedly recommended. Stunning in all types of weather (and we had it all within 1 hour).
We took a minibus called the Back Road Bus with 2 other passengers and a very informative driver through the isolated Von valley. We transferred to a 100 year old steamship to Queenstown, then travellied on to Glenorchy which was awesome (a word that I do not use lightly). Absolutely lovely accommodation. Food in Glenorchy isn't haute cuisine but this is outweighed by the glory of the scenery and there was certainly no need for a car. Horse riding, jet boat trips, and an evening boat trip for dinner amply filled our time.
Our last centre was Wanaka which included going on the Eco Wanaka trip on the lake to an island refuge for endangered birds with stupendous views across a lake within the island with Chris Wylie, a superbly knowledgeable guide.
Thanks, Real Holidays.
Julie & Peter, May 2011
Hi Matthew and Stephanie
We had a GREAT holiday in Pueblo Marinero. A lovely resort;small, really friendly with a good range of activites for the kids. No canned music to be heard anywhere on the premises - which pleased me greatly! Huge and comfortable appartments with daily cleaner, plenty of pools, good kids room for the younger children and plenty to do nearby.
Many thanks once again for getting it just right
Anne
Anne S, April 2011
Hi Kate
Alfie and I had a fantastic time and many thanks for your recommendations. The flights went like a dream and being met at Jo'burg airport and guided through to the domestic departure proved to be extremely helpful as the guy who met us managed to whisk us along a fast track queue thereby avoiding a long wait at passport control.
Hlosi Lodge is simply stunning and run by a superb team of people. Our own lodge was luxurious and peaceful and the game drives (2 a day) were very well run by our ranger. We saw a huge number of animals - lions, cheetahs, elephants, rhinos (black and white) giraffes, zebra, impala etc. Alfie was fascinated and will never forget the experience. The food was not extraordinary but it was perfectly ok and sitting around a collective dining table meant that all the guests got to know each other and became friendly - of course this might depend on who your fellow guests are but ours were great. The main lodge area is comfortable and provides a very relaxing atmosphere for reading. Staying for 3 days at Hlosi was just right - another day would have been too much - and we were ready to head to Emily Moon by the wednesday am. The drive was stunning and so is Emily Moon which is located on a hillside overlooking a river valley. The food here was truly excellent- we ate all our meals there in the end - and once again the staff were friendly. We canoed along the river each day and took trips to lots of different places but were happy to spend a lot of time chilling out in the lodge where once again we had a beautiful room with a balcony staring down across the valley.
So it was a really great trip and I would strongly recommend it to anyone with kids of 8 and older.
best
Tim
Tim O, April 2011
Hi Matt
You are a total superstar! The holiday was a fantastic experience from start to finish, good flights-great locations-fabulous hotels -ideal rental car-everything went like clockwork and we even got some hotel upgrades,
Thank you so much for all your effort and hard work you gave us the holiday of a lifetime which we will always remember,
Thanks Again
Best regards
Tony and Val
Tony and Val, April 2011
We visiting Relais Torre Marabino, Mandranova and La Foresteria Planeta Estate.
All the places we stayed in either met or exceeded our expectations. We most enjoyed the fact that it was all what we expected it to be. All the details we thought through and made clear for us. Annabel was so helpful and patient - we will definitely use you again.
Alice and Simon, April 2011
BB22 was very well located and the owner is great and super helpful. Baglio Fontana was a little more "hick" than we expected from the brochure. The breakfast was basic - but good - and there seemed to be only one local restaurant - which was very good and we enjoyed for the three nights we were there. The couple running the place (owners?) were very nice but language was a problem. Mandranova was a much more upscale experience. The room was lovely, the food was sensational - we ate dinner there each night. The owners were super and the other staff as well. It's a bit pricier, but worth it. Casa Talia was in a fantastic location and the owner was super helpful, the staff great and the breakfasts very nice, with home baked treats every day. We were fine with all the steps, but would have some concern about less able folks going there. There are no handrails on some very steep steps that are necessary accessways. L'Approdo delle Sirene was my favorite. The location can't be beat, the rooms were really comfortable, the breakfasts were great and copious and the staff super professional and helpful.
Sara Matta, April 2011
BB22: Great location in Palermo, staff were very helpful, particularly Donalda and Patti, nothing was too much trouble for Donalda!
Villa Belvedere: Againi, great location and fantastic staff, especially Joshua and Antonella. Breakfast here was especially fabulous and Joshua made the best recommendations for tours and local restaurants.
What I enjoyed most about my holiday what the truly warm hospitality of the people in Sicily and the beautiful scenery.
R.S, April 2011
The accommodation at L'Approdo delle Sirene was great - just right for us. Wonderful location, very comfortable and quiet room, great breakfast and friendly staff. Not too formal, which is what we like. So, definitely measured up to what we had hoped for. The weather was great in Syracuse, sunny every day so we enjoyed that! Lots of thing to see, plenty of places to eat and good to experience a new part of Italy.
Jean Cater, April 2011
Kicheche Mara Camp was AMAZING.
Thanks so much for the recommendation. It was just what we wanted and good value for money.
Great food. Plentyful game. Lovely people there too! The valley that the camp was in was just beautiful!
Also the Safari link people where great, our guide / transfer back was brilliant.
Rob Lawrence, March 2011
We were recently on a 8 day trip to Sri Lanka organised by Real Holidays and their touring partners, Butterflies, in Sri Lanka. We could not have asked for a more perfect package which took in a couple of nights in Colombo, at then fascinating and famous Galle Face Hotel, then a memorable train journey to Kandy where we stayed at the wonderful Villa Rosa for 2 nights in a haven of peace and unobstrusive service with delicious food overlooking the mountains and the great brown Mahalewi River. From there we visited Kandy itself with its lake, the Queen’s Hotel, an elegant colonial relic, the Botanic Gardens and the Temple of the Budha’sTooth. Our choice was the ancient sites, temples and palaces. But we did also visit the Pinnewala elephant orphanage, such a memorable time with the great herd bathing in the river and on the way back a small tea factory and plantation. From the Cinnnamon Lodge where we had 2 further nights it was a completely different experience but very high quality. We visited two quite amazing ancient sites, thousands of years BC. remains of ancient worlds we had not known about before. Sugiriya was our favourite comparable to Machu Pich in Peru , but in a different way the very extensive Anuradhapura still an active place of worship in parts. As part of what is called the Cultural Triangle we also visited the caves at Damballa with its Golden Temple with tvery well preserved cave paintings and statues. The entire time of our visit we were looked after by our driver and guide Athula who was meticulously reliable, informative and discreet. We felt that he was there when we wanted him to be, but we were also free to be on our own to wander the different sites when we wished. A quite unforgettable experience which ended for us with an overnight stay near the airport at Taj Garden hotel – just the right kind of place for our rest before flying off to Singapore.
Lawrence and Jenny Scott, March 2011
Thank you so much for your advice and help when choosing a holiday. I cannot tell you how perfect Kamalya was, I got so much more than I was expecting from the experience. You were so right to say go there, it met my needs completely and was just wonderful. I am so grateful to you for your expertise and advice. I am wanting to go back there once a year and was wondering about booking up for next year, or even later in the year, it is a place which was really special a healing nurturing environment and I loved it. My room was amazing, the food wonderful, the treatments perfect. There was so much to do, I cancelled my program and went for treatments I wanted instead of those allocated, which was much better, less busy and designed by me for me, gorgeous. The amount of time I was there too was great, it felt like I was there for ages as I was truly rested and relaxed.
Once again thank you, the holiday was more than I expected, perfect and I am so grateful
Jayne, March 2011
Just thought I would let you know that we had a fantastic time at the Sarojin. It is a beautiful hotel and the service is amazing. We particularly liked the fact it had mountain bikes available and was on a very long stretch of beach - we are not too keen on resorts where we feel we are 'locked in' and can't get out and about so it was great to be able to do our own thing without relying on the hotel trips.
Alison and Paul, March 2011
We all had a great holiday and the tennis lessons were good fun. Our thoughts were as follows:
1. Abama / General. The first five days were great and the service quality very high. The Abama facilities were superb, all in good condition. The rooms were excellent. The main children's pool was really nice and warm enough even for me.
2. Abama / Restaurants. Overall really good. I would strongly recommend that anyone going there at a busy time books all their restaurants in advance as it wasn't always easy to get a booking. We particularly struggled to get into the Japanese restaurant which was bizarre as it was never that busy. However, when we did get in the food was spectacular (very expensive, but the quality of the fish was out of this world).
3. Abama / Tennis. The tennis academy premises were fabulous and the head coach really nice.
4. Abama / Golf. I didn't play, but from a distance the course looked stunning. All the players that I spoke to said the same.
5. Excursions / El Teide. We hired a car for a day and went up the volcano. At the top we went for a walk for about 3 hours starting at the visitor centre. Parking was reasonably difficult though we did arrive at lunchtime. Whilst the visitor centre was very busy, 200yds away it was quiet and we had a great walk. Really good day out with spectacular scenery. Car hire from Abama was really easy.
6. Excursions / whale watching. Great morning out. The boat was beautiful, staff really friendly and we saw lots of dolphins and whales which came right up to the boat (the small boat size really helps apparently). Highly recommended.
7. Prestige holiday staff. Very helpful and nice.
Neil and family, March 2011
What a beautiful place Sarah! The Continentale hotel was fab and exceeded our expectations, especially the location.
The flights all went to plan as did everything.
Thanks again.
Pam and Tim, March 2011
Just to let you know that we all got back safely and the trip was a great success. Everything worked like clockwork and all the extras definitely made a difference (car pickup at gatwick, private transfer from chambery etc.). Also kids creche at the hotel was very good. Oscar seemed to really enjoy skiing and I think we'll have him coming down red runs next year. Will have the twins on skis next year for sure. Just wanted to say thank you again for all your help.
Cheers
Malcolm and family, March 2011
We found the whole trip very enjoyable and were totally unaware of any demonstrations. One of the advantages of having a private driver is that he will guide you away from potential troublespots, if there are any. We found everyone very helpful and friendly. The only scary moment was driving through a thick fog as we motored up the mountain towards the Petra valley.
Jerash was a very impressive Roman site – spacious, full of atmosphere and also uncrowded which was delightful. After the visit to Ajloun and Jerash, we had a very late lunch at a Lebanese restaurant and ate so much that we only needed a beer in the evening at the hotel bar.
The next day we set off for Petra and enjoyed the journey via Mount Nebo and the crusader castle of Kerak. The roads in Jordan are good quality. The least interesting site for me was the mosaic at Madaba but that is just a matter of personal taste – it is very old and other people may be much more interested in Byzantine mosaics than I am. Rising through the fog to the Petra valley, we arrived at our hotel in the early evening.
The Crown Plaza has a wonderful location and is very close to the Petra gorge. The day in Petra was unforgettable – we arrived on horseback at the gorge which was hardly necessary (such a short distance) but fun anyway. We had a guide who was very patient and spent about 4 hours taking us through the gorge and into the vast valley of sandstone with all the rock carvings. We then had lunch and ambled slowly back to the entrance by ourselves until we arrived back at our hotel at sunset.
Before we left Amman, we felt that we had not seen enough of the city so we had arranged with our driver for a City Tour when he picked us up from Petra rather than heading straight for the Dead Sea. We like cities so we thoroughly enjoyed seeing Amman and driving up to the Citadel where there are the remains of a massive temple to Hercules and an interesting history of Transjordan through the ages. We paid about £70 extra but it was well worth it. After lunch , we headed off for the Dead Sea from Amman ( a drive of about an hour and a half).
The Movenpick is a splendid 5 star hotel with extensive grounds and we had a vast and comfortable bedroom plus patio which was really relaxing. Apart from the afternoon on which we arrived, we had 2 full days lazing around which was about right. The Dead Sea was a bit rough and not particularly warm but after a short dip there, we headed up to the Spa which had a huge heated pool overlooking the West Bank – again marvellous views and a very good way of relaxing and getting some exercise in the afternoon, although we also played tennis.
The agent seemed very efficient and our driver was very lively and well informed.
We only added the City Tour but it seemed sensible to incorporate this into a day when otherwise we were just driving from Petra to the Dead Sea – made better use of our time. I think one full day in Petra is enough although it is a wonderful site. We toyed with the idea of visiting the baptism site of Jesus from the Movenpick but in the end decided we were enjoying the 2 days of relaxation too much.
Victoria and Julian, March 2011
We have returned from our South African holidays with a tinge of regret – that we couldn’t stay longer! We don’t know whether you wanted feedback but we felt it was such a good holiday you would want to hear about it. The itinerary that was prepared for us was excellent. Our favourites were, in order, Pumba Lodge simply because it was extremely relaxing and so comfortable and the people were lovely, and the food was delicious, all you could eat and drink. We had a super guide for our game drives and the whole experience was wonderful (especially the bottle of champagne in our fridge on Valentine’s Night!). We also liked Hog Hollow for its friendliness, comfort, lovely food and ambience and also lots of places to go to from there. De Zeekoe Reserve was an interesting place and also very comfortable and we had a wonderful early morning experience of seeing the Meerkat colony rising from its bunker at sunrise taking in the sun, ab.fab. Leisure Isle was a beautiful place, and Maresa at Isola bella was lovely,although we did feel that the accommodation was a little squashed, especially when all the rooms were full, nonetheless a great experience. Prince Albert and the Sax Coburg Lodge was a lovely little haven and I think one night’s stay was adequate to see the Cango Caves which were awesome (unfortunately the Swartberg Pass was closed due to heavy rainfall which was a little disappointing, but we have no control over the weather). Last, but not least was Graf Reinet. Not sure what to say about this, and I know that this was Brian’s input into the itinerary, but we arrived in a very heavy storm and the dam was flooded, which for the locals was a truly exciting experience, and the Valley of Desolation was a magnificent viewing place. We had a very interesting host at Andries Stockenstrom Guest House, Gordon Wright (who fancied himself as a bit of a Jamie Oliver, scooter and all). His presentation of the fine dining was really interesting and also wonderful to eat (matt you would have loved this, although maybe the nouvelle cuisine part might not have been enough for you!) With so many other places to see, personally we felt that this one could be given a miss but we are glad we did it.
Brian and Joyce, March 2011
Dear Stephanie,
Sorry to have taken so long to reply, I just arrived to Argentina two hours ago. Again, I wanted to thank you for making this trip possible for me, I couldn't have done it without your help.
The tour was great, the coach was clean, the hotels were quite good, the driver was pleasant and the tour director was nice and incredibly clever. I was amazed at how many languages he was able to speak and how much he knew about everything we saw. It was a great trip, I caught a glance of everything Europe has to offer and now I'm looking forward to do this again, next time perhaps with more time (and money) in my hands!
Again, the whole thing went great. Although I would have liked to spend more time on certain cities (such as Munich, Koln and Firenze, for example) and have more free time, I understood that to make the trip work we were on a somewhat tight schedule. But it was great, and I'm very happy with how it all went. Thanks to you, of course, I cannot stress enough that I wouldn't have been able to do it without your kind help. Thank you ♥
I hope you are great, if you ever need anything that I can help with, just let me know.
Thank you so, so much!
-Julieta
Julieta, February 2011
A note from a very happy client
Hi Matthew
I felt it appropriate to email you with regard to the way our recent booking with Real Holidays was carried out . Stephanie was absolutely fantastic . Nothing was to much trouble, she was polite, efficient and extremely helpful.
In this day and age it extremely rare to find some one dedicated to her job with a friendly manor and nothing was to much trouble for her.
I will certainly recommend friends to your company
I only hope BA are as good on our flight
Regards
Kevin James
An extremely happy customer
Kevin James, January 2011
We have post mortemised on the holiday which was phenomenally wonderful. Just one of the best experiences of my whole life - and Ginny felt the same way (was amazed I seem to have spent the entire time smiling..) You HAVE to go - there's nowhere like it. A sort of prelapsarian dissolve into human invisibility in the face of the critters - they unaware that man ever bears them hunters' intentions.. even the fur seals (who almost WERE hunted to extinction); one is knee deep in marine iguanas of various hues; swimming with the naughty sea-lions; even the nurse sharks at the back of the boat put on a kind of synchronised swimming performance at night following the phosphorescence. And one night a pair of swallow tailed gulls following the dimly lit ship - the only species of gull in the world that fishes and flies by night- hauntingly beautiful. Many many fabulous things. Eclipse was fine - cabin VERY nice, beds cosy; people a mix but we found kindred spirits enough. Naturalist guides FANTASTIC - high spirited, warm hearted, inexhaustible even though they must have done it many many times - and v well informed.
Simon and wife, January 2011
Winter break to Koh Lanta, Thailand
Just a quick note to say that we returned on Thursday morning having had a truly wonderful holiday at the Pimalai. Weather was superb, resort was brilliant, food was divine, service was friendly and helpful. We both had a great break and would seriously consider going back there again.
Tom and Ruth, January 2011
Exceeded expectations - this is a superb small hotel in an idyllic setting. It is beautifully furnished and decorated and the proprietors are very welcoming, friendly and hands on in supervising the hotel's operations. The standard of the food in the restaurant was also excellent.
What we enjoyed most about our holiday was the hotel, its environment and the Umbrian countryside with its many accessible and interesting towns to visit.
John Shannon, October 2010
Our walk across Naxos and back in early October was fascinating, adventurous and often breathtakingly beautiful- taking in mountainous mule-paths with Bonelli's eagles circling above us, abandoned eighteenth-century monastery gardens, marble mines, a wonderful temple of Demeter, and much more. The schedule was brilliantly planned by Gilly and Robin Cameron-Cooper, whose knowledge of this richly varied island is encyclopaedic, and they were always at the end of a phone if needed- but it was the independence and the solitude, together with the strenuous exercise, that made it a unique walking holiday, rounded off by a week's well-deserved lounging by the sea at Aghios Prokopios.
Roy and Aisling Foster, October 2010
Accommodation was excellent, with a lovely views and good sized balcony (possibly had best bedroom in the hotel). We were concerned that it was only a three star but seemed more like a four star. Gardens well attended and nice pool area, although pool water very cold. Better than average pool side food too. The position of the hotel was excellent, only 5 minutes from numerous restaurants and near to sites. The most enjoyable aspect of the holiday was that it was very relaxing and loads of places to eat and drink. We would definitely recommend hotel and location to friends. We had a very enjoyable time and will return to Sicily again.
Ruth Winter, September 2010
The whole place was even better than portrayed in the brochure/website. Although "The Lady" was more basic, it suited us perfectly adn the remainder of the property was of very good quality and it was exactly what we needed - a place to enjoy and relax.
Natasha Batt, August 2010
Steward's residence was exquisite. Easy reach of amazingly rich cultural sights - Perugia (we discovered a wonderful one carriage train from Umbertide to Perugia so travelled there in style straight to the foot of the city escalators. Assisi of course, Citta, Gubbio. The hosts were so discrete and the house and garden and view were perfect. Second week it was just us and one other family, who we got on with really well.
People going there should not there's no internet, DVD player etc but this worked well for us. We had one of the huge feasts provided every few days by the hosts. Also used the pizza oven, which it turns out we needed a lot of assistance with and this was provided in a way that was generous, jokey and lots of fun - not advertised in the package but really great for us all.
Thank you very much for organising it for us.
Ben and family, August 2010
We found La Conchiglia matched our expectations in terms of accommodation and exceeded them in terms of stuff to do for the kids, friendliness of the staff and the beautiful gardens.
We mostly enjoyed the football pitch, the rooms were basic but comfortable, the swimming pool was great but I think the overall friendliness and relaxed nature of La Conchiglia suited our needs for a family holiday with young children.
Martha Forshaw, August 2010
This far exceeded our expectations. The place was beautiful and clean. The staff went our of their way to help (even driving us to and translating at the garage when we had a flat type). The pool was lovely and there were good places to go within 30 minutes' drive. The ambience of the Baglio was superb - the kids loved their dogs and the pool.
Andrew Winwright, August 2010
The accommodation was good, very spacious and excellent shaded terrace. Good pool, problems with water were resolved cheerfully and promtly. House has been very carefully restored and renovated which made it a pleasure to be in. Excellent location, very easy to get to lots of fascinating places. The pool and tennis court, plus piano and cultural opportunities meant there was something to satisfy everyone. We were particularly thrilled to chance upon some excavations of a fabulous roman villa when we visited Spello. Louise and Eugenio were charming hosts and did everything they could do to make us feel welcome.
Amanda Gibbon, July 2010
Albergo Cesari - excellent location, could not have been better. We loved that we could walk everywhere and the major sights were 5-10 minutes walk away. We really loved the roof terrace for breakfast, aperitifs and late night cafes. All teh staff were always pleasant and heldful. The rooms, although dark, were immaculate and cool! Highly recommended for a Rome mini break.
Palazzo del Gastaldo - we were delighted with our choice of apartment, La Scuderia, with our very own courtyard where we ate all our meals in complete privacy. We were a bit taken aback as we first looked around as we had not expected it to be quite so "rustic" as it did seem a little like a museum, but once we got over the initial shoick, we were quite charmed by it all. The pool was lovely with a small diving board which proved popular with our 16 year old, the views incredible, the restaurant popular and a generous home cooked meal (open on certain nights - needs to be booked ahead) and all in all, a very peaceful retreat. We thoroughly enjoyed it.
Locanda Palazzone - from rustic charm to style and luxury. This place was delightful. We loved being closer to civilisation - charming Orvieto with shops and bars and lots of places to eat. We loved the terrace for the most fantastic breakfast. We really loved the pool and more fantastic views. The hosts were charming and attentive and welcomed everybody. Their dinners (on certain nights, book!!) were legendary and all the guests commented - they were very pricey for a family but would be a very special thing to do. The rooms were elegant. We could not fault this place, it is a gem. It is stylish and romantic and very very special. This accommodation exceeded our expectations.
Derek and Margot Archer, July 2010
The Hotel Emilia was great. I've had bigger rooms for the same money but once you factor in the location / service etc...loved it! Service great and food wonderful. It was the complete package, location, service, vistas, the food, Le Marche, what more does one need to relax!
Kitty Debenham, July 2010
The Pelion was wonderful. We loved the house which was spacious and very comfortable and had everything we could possibly want/need. view from the house is wonderful, we never tired of looking out to the sea from the shady balcony where we ate lunch. The whole peninsular is so underdeveloped which we really like. The beaches were often very empty which given itn was July was very unusual. The short walk to the sea from the villa was so unspoilt and the sea was gorgeous, we swam much more than we ever have before, our 9 year- old loved the snorkelling. We travelled about a lot having rented a car in Volos and really liked what we saw of the other parts of the peninsular. Luckily we had filled the car up with fuel the day before the petrol strike! The restaurants up in Argalasti were a lot more interesting and authentic and pretty on the square. The shops were good too. I would definitely go again for the deserted beaches and wonderful swimming.
The Cohen Family, July 2010
The accommodation was as beautiful, luxurious and stylish as we had been led to believe. The facilities in the room were first rate and the service exemplary. The location and setting of the hotel, and its proximity to some wondering towns, were the most enjoyable aspects of the holiday, as well as the luxury of the hotel and its grounds, the charm and warmth of the owners and staff, and finally, the peace and quiet of the hotel and grounds.
Tracy Posner, July 2010
Casal dei Fichi was excellent, accommodation very good with great views. The whole site was well presented and the owners were very helpful. We really enjoyed the location and the area around Casal dei Fichi. Bob and Ian were very attentive hosts, and access to the vegetable garden was a nice touch.
Richard Woffenden, June 2010
The accommodation was first class. The apartment was very comfortable and very well equipped with everything you could possibly need. The owners also supplied water/wine/coffee/beer and their own olive oil as a welcome pack which was very thoughtful. What we enjoyed most about our holiday was the friendliness and helpful attitude of the hosts, Bob and Ian, nothing was too much trouble for them. Also, the location, in terms of scenery, was superb, picturesque and peaceful.
Ian Cranston, June 2010
The accommodation was perhaps the best I have ever enjoyed in 20 years. What we enjoyed most about the holiday was the food and wine, the accommodation and the wonderful owners really made it. The good provided by the Japanese chef was a Michelin star standard. Astonishing stuff. Really! The wine is outstanding and the owners are both dignified and knowledgeable. It was close to the best holiday we have ever had.
Don't tell anyone else about it, it's that good!
Anon, June 2010
Two centre to Albergo Cesari, Rome and Le Silve, Umbria,
Albergo Cesari, Rome - good quality, ideal situation in the centre of Rome. We particularly liked having the roof terrace, added the feeling of space in a very charming hotel.
Le Silve, near Assisi - a very special place, almost like being on a retreat, extremely peaceful and beautiful.
Our highlights of the holiday were looking over the rooftops at the hotel, enjoying the sun with a G&T, and watching the sun go down over the hills of Umbria and getting up in the morning to more sun, beautiful surroundings and birdsong.
Christine Walker, June 2010
Le Silve was just wonderful, better than we thought. Food, accommodation and staff all excellent. Everything was a highlight - location, just stunning, peace, quiet, beautiful.
Elaine White, June 2010
The Masseria Montelauro was superb, highly recommended and excellent service. Lots of places to eat in Otranto. We made good use of the complimentary guide book and map and found an excellent beach (Marina di Pescoluse) and a recommended osteria some way inland (A Casa Tu Martinu near Gallipoli) which was packed and excellent.
Tim Leadbeater, May 2010
It is fair to say that the holiday exceeded our expectations; a stunning location!! The facilities are excellent and it is very peaceful and quiet - there was only one other family there at the time though, which helped.
The region is stunning in terms of scenery and places to visit and Steward's Residence's location gives easy access to the main roads and motorways in order to visit them. We liked the remote location.
The owners are excellent, they left us alone to get on with our holiday, but were there when we needed them.
As for yourselves, we’ve been really impressed with the level of service & attention to detail, so thanks once again for all your help.
John Fearns, September 2009
We were not told that paradise lay beyond the road from Perugia – perched at 700 metres on the roof of Umbria.
The winding approach road from Assisi may have been trod by Roman legions; later by St Francis. It is now a memorable climb (by car).
And then ... Le Silve Di Armenzano, a 1,000-year-old fortified farmhouse of mellowed stone that has become an appealing four-star hotel. It nestles in the cloak of embracing, tree-clustered hills. Inspection reveals spacious rooms clad in stone and beyond a tennis court, a swimming pool, mini-golf and table tennis (all in the sunlit open air).
Best of all is a notable restaurant, Armentum, with memorable food and agreeably-priced wines. The charming and efficient restaurant director so enjoyed, he said, being asked for his wine recommendations (always modest) each evening, that on our last night we were treated to a complimentary Conta Do Aglianico, a mature silky red.
The 450-hectare estate rears it own cattle, deer and pigs so the meats and game are full of taste - and tender too. It offers many walks through shady glades, down to an ancient stone bridge, up to another large, swimming pool. You might see a deer, certainly cows and pink pigs, but not often boar.
We ventured down the hill again and up to Assisi, pristine in pink stone. We joined the pilgrims to worship at the shrine of St Francis in the loftily-set Basilica. We marvelled at the frescoes. Wherever we went, we sensed the presence of earlier Grand Tour travellers, including Henry James, who ventured from Rome.
We travelled afar, to lofty Spoleto with its stunning duomo, which we admired from the terrace of the Tric Trac restaurant above the piazza. We visited hill-top neighbours Spello, like Assisi pink-hued too, and Roman Foligno. Then Lake Trasimeno, which lies in the fortified heart of medieval Umbria. And finally we saw the capital city, Perugia, with its ancient treasures of stone, bronze, marble and faint paint.
We were always enticed back to our alluring stone hotel on the hill, to a hot bath, a change of clothes and a welcoming glass of Prosecco at the restaurant, with its smiling staff and enticing food and wines.
Peter Belchamber , September 2009
Borgo San Marco was fab. We both loved the hotel building and the simple but stylish way it had been converted. We arrived around 6 on our first day and were asked if we would like dinner - a set meal including wine for 37 euros and "tonight its very fishy". As we don't eat meat this seemed ideal.
At the agreed time we went to the bar - with a beautiful olive press. A very italian guy in white jeans and t shirt and long flowing white hair appeared and said ciao. We had no idea who he was but once in the dining room we realised he was the chef and sometime waiter ! The food was amazing - course after course of gorgeous seafood, fish and vegetables. I think we probably had 4 starters (it was a bit like tapas) a main course , a huge bowl of salad and then lots of fresh fruit. We didn't eat there on the meaty nights but other guests said the food remained wonderful.
We visited lots of the surroundings towns and villages which were great fun to potter around.
David Williams, September 2009
La Locanda delle donne Monache
Just wanted to write to say a big thank you for our holiday in Maratea.. We had just the most magical time, the hotel was stunning and the area was so beautiful. What also made it so special was that it was all so easy, you guys did a great job in sorting everything out for us, so thank you to everyone who helped us out.
thank you for our best holiday ever!!
Louise and Dariush , August 2008
What can we say? Virtually impossible to describe - it has to be experienced! We had the most brilliant weekend, we really didn't want to come back. 3 nights wasn't nearly long enough! The Masseria was very elegant - really lovely tasteful decor and incredibly well kept.
We had a superior room, which was fantastic with the vaulted ceilings - keeping the room cool despite the 30 deg baking hot sun. But the classic rooms were really nice as well - as they had a great view either onto the pool area or across country.
Eventually, there were 16 of us staying there and even though we arrived quite late, they were really accommodating, making us a cold plate and serving us wine till quite late! The service was impeccable - nothing was too much trouble for them, they would make you coffee and bring it to you by the pool, and on one occasion some of us missed breakfast, but they made us something anyway. We had lunch on one day - which was a feast of lasagne, various pies, stews and huge fresh melon for desert. On the last night we had dinner - also really nice - a mixture of lots of smallish courses. The pool was great - decent size with lots of sunbeds and deck chairs, but also dotted around were quite a lot of really comfy padded sofa-type things under cover of pergolas and bamboo awnings.
We have all said we would definitely go back. It is a real find and incredibly peaceful (except for the cicadas!). We loved it so much that we had to drag ourselves away to go our friends' party.
Anyway, enough of that, its making me feel sad that we're not there anymore.
Don't tell too many people ......
Cressida Sparrow , July 2008
Panta Rei, Calabria
We must have had upwards of 15 holidays in Italy over the past ten years, Rome, Venice, Florence, Turin, Tuscany, Umbria, Puglia etc etc. and I think we both put Panta Rei at the top of our list. Great location, excellent staff, lovely room, food was superb too. Attention to detail was outstanding – for instance Vicki has a gluten allergy which she mentioned on the first morning at breakfast, they immediately went out and found gluten free bread and pasta. Thereafter, without prompting, bread appeared at every meal and she was advised which dishes on the menu had gluten in them!
Attentive but not intrusive. I heard the phrase used so many times but service at Panta Rei was exactly that. Thanks for revealing this gem to us.
Phil Harnett , June 2008
Sicily and islands honeymoon
Thank you so much for organising our trip to Sicily, we had a lovely time and came back to london and reality with a bump!
The Belevedere was as lovely as ever, the people who run the place are really friendly and made us feel really welcome. Although they had given us a room on the top floor we did change it for one on the ground floor because although the view is great from the top, the rooms did have much lower ceilings and were a little small. Room 28 where we ended up is fab though, high ceilings, a terrace and a view of the pool; and those lunches by the pool were marvellous.
The Meligunis was also lovely and they gave us a great room, one of the few with a view of the sea. The staff were great, if a little hard to find sometimes but we pretty much had the place to ourselves and Lipari was a lovely island.
The Signum was a delightful hotel, quiet and extremely well run. The food was a high standard and the wine list was rather large. Fortunately the wine buyer/waiter/sommelier, called Vincenzo, was keen and very helpful. The rooms were lovely, some of which were located around the pool. We had a room away from the pool which we prefered as it was a little more secluded and had a beautiful view over the terrace (where we enjoyed a drink or 3 before dinner and sometimes after!!) and beyond to Panerea. Although there was not much to do, it suited us perfectly. We did get the bus to Pullara, the next bay along which was stunning and also walked down to the pebbly beach to swim in the sea with other, mainly Italian, holiday makers.
It was a lovely trip and the Signum was a great hotel, peaceful well run by very pleasant staff. I would go back again.
Guy Stevens, June 2008
Hotel Micalo, Naples
The Micalo is a really stylish little Hotel. They have some interesting contemporary art on display and we found the staff really helpful even though we were only there for an overnight stay. I liked that it was designed and built from locally sourced materials and how they promote local artists. In fact we want to go back to Naples when its cooler and have a better look around - its got a strong emerging contemporary art scene and of course there is the Museum now we've done Pompeii and Herculaneum!
Theres a great little restaurant nearby the Micalo - called Doras - which they recommended to us which kicked the trip off perfectly - (complete with singing staff - one of whom I assume must be Dora - not as twee as it sounds!)
Pauline Forrester, June 2008
La Conchiglia was stunning and we had a really lovely time. The apartment was clean and well kept with a sea view balcony (we were given the choice between an apartment or a villa upon arrival). Everyone at the villas was very welcoming and couldn't do enough to help.
The beach is less than 5 minutes walk and was never very busy at all. There are lots of great restaurants to choose from that are all very close to the villas so we could eat out at a different place each night. The restuarant at the villas was equally good and very inexpensive. We thought the location was perfect too - close to both the airport and Sicily, which we visited mid-week.
This is the 5th holiday I've been on in the last 6 months, and I can honestly say it was the most relaxing trip I've had so far. The best thing was feeling like we saw the 'real' Italy and not bumping into another English person all week!
Liz Davenport, June 2008
- Luxury holidays Italy
- Luxury villas Umbria
- Luxury villas Tuscany
- Luxury family holidays
- Family Wildlife Holidays
- Family Adventure Holidays
- Tailormade holidays to India
- Holidays in Southern Italy
- City breaks Italy
- Holidays with young children
- Family cultural holidays
- Holidays with teenagers
- Holidays to the Pelion
- Tailor made holidays to Italy
- Tailor made Indochina
- Umbria holidays
- Marche holidays
- Puglia holidays
- Sicily holidays
- Campania holidays
- Basilicata holidays
- Calabria holidays
