Author Archives: PamTravel

Bitez, Bodrum

26th July, 2016 | Article By PamTravel

AccommodationHolidaysRelaxingResortsTravel

Summer Garden, Bitez.

Recently returned from a week at Summer Garden apartments in Bitez near Bodrum. We normally stay in Gumbet and have had days out in Bitez, so we knew a bit about the place. Chilled out is the only way to describe it.

We went self catering and the nearby supermarket had everything you could ask for at low, low prices. Giant watermelon and fruit for breakfast on the balcony. Ate out every night.

Bitez is quiet compared to other local resorts. A short walk through orange and pomegranate tree lined paths brought us to the beach. A strip of sand with hotels and restaurants running the length of it. Plenty of free beds on the beaches with no pushy hard sell from the beach bars offering drinks. Same location at night where the beds were replaced with tables and quality food on offer.

No banging music, no hard sell from the few nearby souvenir shops. A relaxing week in the sun. Anyone needing more information and possibly a booking, feel free to call  +44 (0) 1257 698021.

Is Turkey safe?

20th July, 2016 | Article By PamTravel

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Is Turkey safe?

I work from home selling holidays to friends, and from phone and Internet enquiries.

Everyone wants a cheap holiday. Historically, Egypt and Tunisia were those destinations. Nobody can go there now, not even if they want to. Ok, so I say to people where do you want to go? What about Turkey?

Everybody comes back with the same question. Is it safe? Nobody asks that about Paris, Brussels, London or Florida. The unspoken reason for asking is Syria and its current political climate.

Put into perspective, Bodrum is nearer to Rome than the Syrian border. Turkey is a Muslim based country, but it’s secular. Nobody wears a burkah. The mosque calls people to prayer regularly, but the bars stay open and the music (in Gumbet) carries on banging out to the 18-30 crowd.

So, is it safe?
We’ve been going to Turkey for over 10 years, sometimes twice a year.
The world has changed, but nothing’s changed much on the Aegean coast.

We normally go to Gumbet near Bodrum and have just returned from Bitez. All 3 locations only a few miles apart. The sun still shines and everyone carries on as normal. We were there during Ramadam. Some of the bar and hotel staff were fasting during daylight hours. The majority weren’t. Religion isn’t a problem.

The security at Bodrum airport is as tight as its always been. Going to the airport there is a security checkpoint about a quarter of a mile from the terminal. Taxis and tourist buses pass through. Private cars are stopped and drivers asked why they are going to departures. At the entrance to the terminal building there is a bag and person check. ALL bags are X-rayed and people checked. If you’re not flying you cannot even enter the building. After that there is the usual check in and security measures. The airport is as secure, in my experience, as JFK. Anyone who has tried to enter the United States will understand the parity.

In resort, the Zabita (tourist police) are as visible as ever. Bar staff, restaurant and hoteliers are as vigilant as they have always been. They’re always on the lookout for drunks, troublemakers and scammers. It’s natural for them to have eyes on the street.

We’ve made many friends in this part of Turkey. Many are Brits who have either moved out there or married locals. I asked them discretely while we were out there.

“How safe do you feel?”
They all more or less had the same answer.
“When you see us heading for the airport with suitcases and all we can carry, it’s time to leave”

Try the Bodrum Peninsula. Warm waters, hot sun, cool drinks.
Bitez review will be posted soon.

New York Christmas

9th November, 2015 | Article By PamTravel

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As promised, part 2 of ‘NYC things to do’ that aren’t so well documented, this time at Christmas!

As usual we stayed at the Hotel Metro on West 35th, it’s mid December and we’re half a block from Macy’s! We did the obvious thing, go see Santa. One of the locals in the hotel told us the best time was a Wednesday afternoon, after 3. So we were there. 2 fifty year olds acting like kids. There were actually more adults than kids!

Santa’s grotto takes up a whole floor and the organisation is excellent. As you queue you trail through scenes and settings of animatronics and lights to get you in the mood. Helped along by the elves, all female blond 5 footers, you get to meet the great man. I’ll not spoil it by giving any more away, but you will not regret it. The cost doesn’t matter as it’s the experience of a lifetime. The cost by the way is zero. It’s free. Big up Macy’s. I BELIEVE!

Everyone says, see a show in New York. At Christmas there’s only one, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, featuring the Rockettes. We booked tickets in our hotel lobby. Exceptional show. Even the stage and building are breathtaking.

Christmas trees are everywhere. Big ones! There’s the well known Rockefeller tree, a big one on Wall Street near the NYSE, one in Bryant Park and another in Trump Towers. You can go up through the lobby at The Donalds and have a Starbucks while admiring the surroundings. Bryant Park has a skating rink, massive tree, Christmas market and a general feeling of happiness. It’s just east of Times Square.

It snowed when we were there the second time. In town the snow cleared in minutes, but lay on the grass in Central Park for some time. We did the obvious, a carriage ride through the park. Pick the shorter cheaper ride, better value than the longer one.

All the shops and stores decorate their windows and try to outdo each other. A great free show for all. The best tip is to get your Christmas shopping done. There are many sports shops in town selling all sorts of clothing, not just sports. Quality clothing at a good price. Throw in the exchange rate and you’re laughing.

I could go on, but it’s made me want to go back. Off to check the price.

Fancy a trip? Get in touch. If you don’t book with me, I’ll still be happy to pass on more advice and tips.

New York City

3rd November, 2015 | Article By PamTravel

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Fortunate enough to have been to New York 5 times! 3 in the spring and twice at Christmas. This ‘things to see and do’ concentrates on the Spring. I’ll write up the Winter one later.

We’ve always stayed at the Hotel Metro on West 35th. It’s pretty central. There’s a subway station on the corner and Macy’s across the road from that. One block up from the Empire State Building. Friendly staff, clean rooms, buffet breakfast, and a ‘drink as much as you want’ coffee machine. The best bit is the roof terrace – sit with a drink and stare up at the ESB!

Tourist ‘things to do’ in Manahattan are well documented, so this write up won’t dwell on them. It’s the less obvious things that make the difference. First off, use the subway. Yes, the subway. It’s easy to work out where you are and only has 2 directions – Uptown or Downtown – it’s safe enough and cheap.

Times Square. Have a meal in Bubba Gumps. The food is excellent and service second to none. Try to get a window table, as it is upstairs and you can watch the world go by.

Go to Bloomingdales and try stuff on. You don’t need to buy, but the staff will be all over you like a rash. Yes you’re a tourist, but are you a celeb, mega rich, or royalty? They don’t know, and have to assume you’re one of these, or all three!

Go to Saks on 5th avenue. It’s a toy shop, but you can run along the piano like Tom Hanks in Big. Make your own tune up. Same with ToysRus in Times Square. Walk in on street level and you’re eye to eye with the top of a big wheel that is based 3 floors down.

Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. It’s pedestrianised above the traffic with wooden decking. Although it was a mild spring day we only got half way due to the chill over the water. Wrap up well.

Have lunch in Little Italy. It’s hard to tell where Chinatown finishes and Little Italy starts. We ate lunch in La Viola on Mulberry Street. Think Goodfellas, Godfather etc. You’re in the movie. Back through Chinatown and marvel at the tat in the souvenir shops.

Grand Central Station has a shopping mall underneath it. Worth visiting if you have time.

Finally, although I could go on forever, go up the Empire State Building twice.
Once in the day and again at night. Pick clear weather and enjoy.

My NYC Christmas tale is coming up next.

For holiday and travel advice.

PamTravel About Me

| Article By PamTravel

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ABOUT ME

I walked into a travel agents in the late 90’s planning to go to Majorca. 2 hours later, walked out with a holiday to Tunisia booked. Three years later I’m sat behind a desk in a high street agency up selling and sideswiping. That’s how it remained for 15 years.

“Sell here, instead of there”
“Don’t use that company”
“Don’t mention the free child places”

One can only take so much. Yes, it is selling, but I like to see customers come in AFTER a holiday and tell me what a good time they’ve had.

This year I took the plunge and became self employed, working from home. No longer restricted to packages and city breaks, I can send you anywhere, anytime, at the right price. I can piece together any airport to any destination and book you on a boat to anywhere. A bit like a jigsaw really. I still do packages and city breaks and get a buzz when customers ring or email back after their holiday.

My aim is to send customers on a holiday that I would enjoy. Have people enjoy their holiday so much they come back and book with me again. I’ve made many friends in my first year and some are now in my mobile as friends first.

Please feel free to call and we can discuss any requirements. Don’t feel wary about calling. There is no compulsion to book at the end of your call. I would obviously like you to, but I want to become your personal travel advisor. Ask me anything, go away and think about it if necessary. I want to create a base of customers who see somewhere on TV or the net and phone me to see if a holiday there can be done.

Tel: +44 (0)1257 698021

Mob: 07494 863520

Budapest December 2014

28th October, 2015 | Article By PamTravel

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Stayed in the Hotel Central Basilica in Budapest in 2014 for the Christmas markets. Situated across the road from The Basilica and central for everything else, it’s a great hotel. The markets are among the best we’ve seen. Mainly food. Goulash, goose, sausages, potatoes etc. Cheap and tasty!

There’s a long list of things to do in Budapest, but these are some of the must do’s!

Visit St Stephen’s Basilica. From the Christmas carol, “Good King Wenceslas looked out on the feast of Stephen”. Strangely, that very same King Wenceslas also appears in Prague (a statue located on Wenceslaus Square) and we’ve been there too! After that go up the tower and take your time to enjoy the view over the city and the Danube.

Cross the Danube over the chain bridge and take the funicular railway up the hill. Take in the view, then turn round and watch the changing of the guard. You don’t argue with those men!

Back over the river and wander through the Market Hall. Watch as the locals buy pigs ears and tripe to go along with the kilos of paprika they purchase. Joking apart, you can buy anything in the Market Hall and do all your souvenir shopping in one hit. As the locals use it, it’s cheaper than tourist areas, although it’s pretty cheap everywhere really.

Back along the river to the Government Buildings, based on the British Parliament. Stop along the way to view the Jewish War Memorial on the river bank, a line of  bronze/steel shoes. I’ll leave it to you to find the story.

Ride the big wheel and then walk straight ahead for the biggest market, which is basically a street market opening up into a square and where the goulash is the best in town!

At night, go back to the Basilica and watch the light show cast onto the building. The only one I’ve seen top this is in New York!

There are hundreds of things to see and do, we didn’t get time for all of them, so will be back some day. Where else is there an 8 foot statue of Ronald Reagan grinning at a Russian war memorial!

I’m a Personal Travel Advisor.