One for the ladies

I have been most fortunate to be treated to a spa day in London at the exclusive Flagship Elemis Spa courtesy of Holland America cruise lines, little did I realise at the time that there are only 3 of them worldwide, and wow what an experience it was.

Holland America have an Elemis spa on board all their ships and exclusively use their products and I can honestly say if you are going to cruise with this cruise line then the spa has got to be a pit stop on your cruise. Their products are amazing, if  I recommend one treatment it would be the
Exotic Frangipani Body Nourish Wrap. Aromatic Tahitian Coconut and Frangipani flowers are soaked together to produce the Monoi oil which is poured all over the body and then you are cocooned in a nourishing foil wrap for ultimate luxury. Drenching the skin with moisture, this exotic therapy provides ultimate radiance, vitality and all over body glow, and I can honestly say my skin has never felt so soft and smooth, a perfect treat before getting glammed up for those formal evenings. And if you really want to treat yourself, combine this with Exotic Lime and Ginger Salt Scrub, you will be in heaven and your skin will sparkle.

For the best deals on Holland America or any recommendations on the spa don't hesitate to drop me a line

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Brazil here we come.......but shopping not football

With all things world cup in Brazil at the moment, I couldn't help but share how much I love the country. I've been fortunate enough to visit the world famous Rio de Janeiro as well as parts of the North and South of the country.

What can I say about Rio, it has fabulous beaches, scenery, food, music and the energy and atmosphere has to be seen to be believed. But if you're anything like me the shopping is fantastic, especially if you like a bargain and something a bit out of the ordinary

Forget the shopping malls I loved wandering around the Hippie Fairs, these are Brazils craft markets that line the streets of Copacabana Beach on a daily basis, but also feature mainly in various parts of the city at the weekends, probably the most well known (and biggest) is the one every Sunday morning in Ipanema in the Praça General Osorio.

This is a shoppers paradise, over the years, the Ipanema Hippie Fair has evolved into a major arts and crafts market, showing off the works of some of the city's best artisans, it started out quite small and has progressively grown. If you want to buy presents for family, friends or yourself this is the place to shop.

A visit to Rio wouldn't be a visit without a visit up to Christ the Reedemer or Sugar Loaf mountain, but just as important is going to a typical Churrascaria (Brazil's famous restaurants where you are served meat in a restaurant until you are fit to burst) or drinking a Caipirinha (their famous cocktails), and for something that really makes you think wow I'm in Rio, you can't beat sitting at one on the beach front café bars that line the beachfront promenade drinking coconut water from a coconut and people watching, this is a definite must have moment, especially when you can turn to your left and see the long beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema. And just before you leave one more must try and you'll want to return purely for this delicacy, is their famous Pao de Quejo's, it's difficult to explain but translates as 'Brazilian cheese bread'. I can only describe them as a kind of like a cheesy doughball, these are so Moorish and I guarantee you will fall in love with them ( I have actually just found a recipe and attempted to make them, not a bad effort I will have you know)

So if this sounds like the kind of place for you, contact me and I can recommend which cruise lines sail around South America and get you the best prices

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