JB-Brilliant-Travel

Get out and about whilst on holiday and hire a car More and more people are hiring a car on holiday. *It’s a way of visiting your local area, getting out and about further than just your immediate resort.*You can also sometimes save money by hiring a car at the airport and dropping off at the airport on your return than going on a transfer coach.*It is quicker getting from A to B than waiting on public transport or sometimes than on shared coach transfers.*You can choose anything from an economy priced car to a convertible or minivan. Or, you may choose to enjoy a self drive holiday, spending a few days in each town/city. DRIVING LICENSE All drivers must produce a full driving licence upon collection. In some destinations you are required to have held your licence for a minimum of 5 years. COLLECTION DETAILS You can choose to collect at the airport or in resort. Why not book a one way rental, full holiday duration or just a few days by collecting in resort and drop off at airport? FUEL AND MILEAGE Many suppliers allow unlimited mileage. Fuel – Usually the best option is picking upfull and returning it full. ADDITIONAL DRIVERS You can choose to have just 1 driver or add on others. Some rates include additional drivers. FUEL SAT NAV/GPS & EXTRAS All extras can be requested in advanced. Some packages you can include Sat Nav. Child seats are booked at the time of booking and paid locally. INSURANCE Mandatory insurance such as CDW (collision damage waiver) is included, but excess varies. Top-up policy can be added too as required. Why not get in touch for a quote to enhance your holiday? Email: Julie.Batchelor@brillianttravel.co.ukTelephone: 07944 542 640

Known as the ‘Happy Island’ and now even easier to travel to with direct flights from London, Amsterdam and Frankfurt with only the 1 connection flight from Glasgow making it very accessible.   There are 2 international airports – San Jose and Liberia. Enjoy its incredible climatic diversity, exemplified by the contrast in temperatures, being warm all year round.  Costa Rica can be found in South America between Panama and Nicaragua, with the Caribbean coast on 1 side and the Pacific on the other. Costa Rica attracts honeymooners, families, couples, anyone looking for a bit of adventure and looking to get out and about. GETTING ADVENTUROUS You can immerse yourself in a broad variety of adventure activities like sportfishing, scuba diving, surfing, mountain biking, zip lining, horse riding, volcano treks, fishing, waterfall canyoning and whitewater rafting.  Swim on 2 coasts in a single day.  Experience calm or exciting adventures. RAINFORESTS, NATIONAL PARKS & NATUREWith so many to choose from, you can see many species of  birds, the great diversity of flora and fauna, sloths, monkeys, crocodiles, green turtles and more.  Tortuguero Canals National Park & Rain Forest, Rincon de la Vieja Volcano and National Park, Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve and Vorcovado National Park are just a few.   Enjoy Butterfly gardens, refreshing waterfalls, small pools with hot springs and solfatric lakes. FOOD N’ DRINK Chorreadascorn pancakes served with natilla cream. Made by literally mixing mashed kernels of corn, milk, and spices, and then pouring this wondrous mixture over a griddle, these corn pancakes make an excellent breakfast or mid-afternoon snack. CevicheIf you love sushi or seafood for that matter, then you will adore this raw fish dish. Ceviche, which is said to have originated in Peru but has found a soft spot in Costa Rican diets, is raw fish cooked in lime juice, mixed with minced onions, cilantro, peppers and maybe even some Fresca. PataconesThese fried and smashed plantains are a very popular boca or appetizer in Costa Rica. Best equated to a thick potato chip, patacones are served with cheese, guacamole and bean dips. SMALL BOUTIQUE TO LUXURY HOTELS Offering lodging options for all tastes, from friendly ‘boutique’ mountain inns to five star luxury hotels on the beach, near the rainforest or in the city.

One of the key things we should be packing along with our passport is our Travel Insurance and an EHIC What is the European Health Insurance Card scheme for? The best way to apply for an EHIC or E111 renewal is online. No more paper forms to carry about – just a small plastic card to take with you when you travel outside of Great Britain. Just show your European Health Insurance card renewal whenever you need health care abroad. It’s quick and easy to apply with our help, and you’ll usually have your card within a fortnight – often it’s a lot sooner than that. Do I still need travel insurance as well as an EHIC? An EU health card is not the same as travel insurance. If you require airlifting back to the UK, cover for stolen or lost possessions, or a service such as mountain rescue, the EHIC will not pay for these. It’s still very important for you to purchase travel insurance as well as organising an EHIC Renewal. You may even find that your travel insurance provider demands that you have a European health insurance card before providing you with cover, making it even more important that your application is submitted quickly and accurately through a company who understands the application process, just like EHIC Applications UK. Who can we help gain a European Health Card? Anyone who’s resident in Great Britain can apply for a european health insurance card through EHIC Applications UK. The NHS will check eligibility based on the information you provide, so it’s important to give as much information as you can. An NHS number (Called a CHI number in Scotland, or Health & Care Number in Northern Ireland) and National Insurance card are the two main forms of identification which will be requested. If you’re worried you might not have some of these documents, get in touch with us, and we’ll be happy to advise on the alternatives. We understand how the application system works, and our specialist knowledge and experience is a great reason to submit your application through us today. If you’re not a British citizen, don’t worry. Other forms of evidence will be accepted as proof that you’re currently resident in the UK. You’ll commonly be asked for a visa, a letter from the Home Office, an A1/E101 or S1 document, or even just a letter from your employer. Everyone who’s traveling, even children, requires their own european health card. If the applicant is under 16 years of age, a parent or guardian will need to apply on their behalf. How long is my EHIC Renewal valid for? Each card is valid for five years. You can start the renewal process six months before your old European health insurance card renewal is due to expire, and EHIC Applications UK will be able to help you with that. Don’t gamble with your health care choices when abroad – trust EHIC Applications UK’s team to check and place your application for an EHIC card today.

Buy a lightweight suitcase Don’t assume that buying the most expensive designer suitcase will get you an upgrade, instead, it’s more likely to attract thieves at the airport and on your travels. It’s better to be inconspicuous and go for a lightweight option. If you’re using a hardshell suitcase, this can add up to 4 kilos of weight before you’ve even started packing, so expensive isn’t always best. Remember some airlines charge per checked-in bag. Do you really need 20kg each? Could you check in a 20kg bag between both of you. Remember you still have hand luggage you can use for clothes etc… Be Organised Write a list so you don’t forget your essentials. Don’t’ leave packing till the night before. Ideally 4 – 7 days prior. Packing too early can mean you pack more as you forget what you packed. Divide and rule One rule to ensure everything fits is when you have your selection laid out on your bed, just cut it in half. Drastic, but it forces you to focus and just remember all the items you have taken on holiday before and never worn. Consider everything you might be doing (tennis? posh dinners? hiking? swimming? city explorations?) – then put your favourite items for these scenarios on your bed in piles of tops, bottoms, dresses, shoes, beauty favourites, jackets/coverups, swimwear. Anything that doesn’t have a specific use doesn’t need to come without you. Colour code your clothes – look at everything and choose items based on the fact they will work with lots of other items. Thinking of a colour palette makes this even simpler. Make use of ’empty’ spaces such as shoes When it comes to packing, you need to make use of every little space you can. Roll tops/underwear/socks and other small items and stuff them into your shoes to make sure every possible space is filled. Packing clothes Don’t arrive at your holiday destination and be faced with a pile of ironing. To save space and stop creasing, roll your clothes instead of folding them or leave them flat. Slip in some scarves Scarves add very little to your load and will multi-task on holiday like a pro. Use to double over as a mini skirt on the beach, as a cover up over a bikini en-route to the bar, turban style on your head to protect hair during serious sun bathing and, of course, conventionally around your neck to brighten up a plain top or protect shoulders from sun during lunchtime. Dress for success Dresses are very hard-working and also scream “holiday glamour” – a good choice for slimming down that suitcase. In the day, wear with flats, beach with flip flops and sunglasses, then use the same piece by night with heels and lipstick. Luggage scales will save you money This is the secret weapon to help you avoid being charged unnecessary fees at the airport. Invest in some luggage scales and make sure you weigh your bags on both legs of the journey to see how close you are to reaching the weight limit. If you’re close to the limit, consider wearing some of the heavier items or cutting down on what you pack in the first place (especially when it comes to heavy toiletries as you can just buy them at your destination). Some hotels also rent towels than taking them with you. Flying home Remember when buying items on holiday to take home that you have enough luggage allowance. Alternatively, you can contact the airline to buy more allowance in advance than waiting till you get to the airport as more expensive.

Having returned recently from a trip to Holland, I thought I would share my experience with you. I travelled with my partner and daughter aged 12 with easyJet from Glasgow to Amsterdam – flight was excellent there any back. Great luggage allowance to of 20kg per checked in bag. They also now have a service where you can check in your hand luggage for a small fee at the airport. We were staying with Al-fresco holidays at their Duinrell site not too far from Amsterdam in a Rossini Lounge 2 bedroomed mobile home. It was very comfortable and spacious with lovely decking and bar-b-que. http://www.alfresco-holidays.com/campsites/wassenaar/hl012-duinrell/introduction.html Duinrell | Camping in Wassenaar & Holland | Al Fresco Holidays www.alfresco-holidays.comThe action-packed Duinrell campsite in Holland is a 4 star resort offering families spectacular swimming pools, water slides, entertainment, and a theme park! We decided not to drive whilst on holiday, so took the train and bus to the campsite which was very easy, however also reasonably costed for taxi from Leiden central train station straight to the park. Many people choose to take the ferry from Newcastle and drive over. We stayed there for 4 nights and tried to pack in as much as we could. The park has amazing facilities including its very own Theme Park with FREE UNLIMITED ACCESS whilst you are there. Duinrell has one of the best water parks in Europe. It has a total of 11 unique slides to get everyone excited, from the extreme Typhoon to the chilled out lazy river. If the adults want to chill out there is also a jacuzzi and (sauna-payable) for some much-needed rest and relaxation. This fantastic waterpark, aptly named the Tiki pool, is open all year round, so even if you do get a touch of wet weather, there’s always something to do. Duinrell is located next to the lively town of Wassenaar, just a few minutes’ walk from the site, with a great supermarket, amazing ice cream shop (with its own factory on-site) and various other shops, café’s, restaurants and old windmill. It is an ideal base for exploring further afield via public transport or bicycles, such as with a trip to the bustling city of Amsterdam or the local beaches! So, you can’t come this close to Amsterdam and not travel in for the day. We used local transport which is very easy to use. We visited Anne Frank’s house http://www.annefrank.org/ (which should be booked in advance) and well worth seeing, went on a Canal Cruise, seen Dam Square and a bit of retail Therapy and dinner as well as taking in other local sights. Anne Frank Museum Amsterdam – the official Anne Frank … www.annefrank.orgAnne Frank, the Diary and the Secret Annex. The most complete and current information with unique photos and film images. As Amsterdam is so flat, many people choose to cycle and is easily accessible to hire on-site or in Amsterdam and reasonably priced too. There are many cycle paths near the park.I would go back and hire a car to see more local sights. Holland is a beautiful country with lovely, friendly people and well worth a visit.These types of holidays are reasonably priced and offer a great value family holiday with loads to do on your doorstep.

Call Julie to discuss your future cruise on 07944542640 or email Julie.Batchelor@Brillianttravel.co.uk

Travelled in September 2021 Old Town Square Well, it had been approximately 2 years since I had last been on a flight and so happy to be travelling abroad again.  This was a trip that had been postponed twice since booking.  I think I pretty much felt the same as all my customers who have already travelled abroad, anxious, apprehensive, excited.  However, only happiness and relief when I took to the skies!  Don’t think I’ve felt like that on a plane since I was 13 on my 1st holiday abroad to Salou.  At the time of writing this, the government has made travelling simpler, so there is no need to have a lateral flow test to come back to the UK if double-vaccinated.  The day 2 PCR test when you return is still required, but again under review that it may be reduced to a lateral flow.  Krakow has been on my bucket list for a few years now and again, many people I know who have already travelled have raved about it.  So, I wanted to see for myself what all the fuss is about.    We travelled out mid-September for 4 nights from Edinburgh with Easyjet.  I have flown Easyjet now a few times and always found their staff to be extremely helpful and polite.  This time was no different.  We had to keep our face masks on walking through the airports and on the flight, except when eating and drinking.  This didn’t bother us at all.  Going through security at 5 am was pretty quiet but as always, we found Wetherspoons to have some breakfast which was fairly busy as not all restaurants/cafes were open.  We had private transfers booked to our accommodation – Central Krak apartments and had our driver meet us in the arrivals hall.  The transfer wasn’t expensive, however, you can opt for the train or bus to the city centre which is very reasonable.  Taking the train is a very easy journey.  We had a list of places we wanted to visit and didn’t waste any time.  We dropped our cases off and headed out.  We visited the Kazimierz area of the city, which is known as the Jewish Quarter.  We followed the walking tour in the lonely planet guide, taking in some museums, food trucks, and some quirk shops. We also went into the Corpus Christi church was stunning!  There was also a market at Plac Nowy.  I knew that at night Kazimierz comes alive so we went back down a few days later and had dinner at Marchewka z Groskiem restaurant where my partner had a local dish, Golonka.  We then went for drinks at the Alchemist bar.  I read some amazing reviews, although not as much my cup of tea, it was great to experience this quirky and bohemian bar.    Kazimierz reminded me of the West End of Glasgow.  I think at the weekends it will also be a lot busier than we experienced.  There were many bars and restaurants to choose from that looked fabulous.  Krakow is also very popular with Stag weekends, particularly in this area. We used the tram a few times to get about the city and thank goodness for google maps which made travelling so easy.   Local Tram – so easy and reasonable to get around the city We were only a 15-minute walk to the old town square.  WOW!!  This place is stunning.  You can take a ride on the horse and cart which was like something out of Cinderella.  We visited the Rynek underground which gave us a great insight into what is under the square and the history of Krakow.  We just purchased tickets there for later that day but you can book in advance to guarantee entry.   The renaissance cloth hall with lots of stalls runs along the centre of the square.  On one side of the square is St Mary’s Basilica, built 1397 and famous for its wooden carved Veit Stoss altarpiece and an amazing ceiling painted in dark blue and gold to look like the night sky. Old Town Square Highlights There are many eateries around the square, our favourite was one which was recommended to me – Sioux Restaurant.  We even went twice as such great food and value.  Some restaurants had live music playing which was lovely.   lovely local food Our weather was great, about 23 degrees so we were fortunate to eat and drink outside every night.  There are several milk bars around the city and opted for 1 for breakfast just near the square which was lovely.  One of our highlights was the Street Food Market just a 5-minute walk from the square.  We opted for some local food which was very reasonable and delicious.  Remember to take cash!  We also managed to visit Wawel Castle https://wawel.krakow.pl/en. You can walk around the grounds for free or opt to pay to enter various areas of the castle.  We opted for the All the King’s Tapestries ticket and paid extra to visit the Cathedral and gardens.  We climbed up to the bell at the top of the Cathedral, the views of the city are beautiful.  You can even see the dragon’s den which has a dragon blowing real fire!  The walk along the river running alongside the castle is just lovely.  You can even take a day river cruise or evening around the city.  I would have loved to do this, but just didn’t have the time.  The prices are very reasonable.  We booked 2 tours prior to leaving the UK.  We really enjoyed the Salt Mines which was a short transfer of approx. 30 mins from the city.  You honestly can’t believe that these were mainly completed by hand.  They are absolutely stunning and in my opinion a MUST SEE.  Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and funny.   You can’t go to Krakow and not visit Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum.  KL Auschwitz was the largest of the German Nazi concentration camps and extermination centres. Over 1.1 million men, women, and children lost their lives. Although a long transfer of 1.5 hours it was worth it.  You can’t comprehend seeing it first hand.  The tour guide brought what happened to life.  Be prepared for a long tour and ensure you have good walking shoes. This tour is not for someone with walking difficulties.  So, after walking approximately 50km,

Ever since I saw the movie ‘The Beach’, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, I’ve dreamt of going to Phuket and visiting the famous Maya Beach. So, when my fiancé’s 50th birthday rolled around, it was the perfect time to make that dream a reality. We booked a two-week holiday and planned to stay in four different hotels throughout Phuket, to make the most of our time there. We flew from Edinburgh, via Doha, in March 2023 and were pleasantly surprised by the airline’s excellent service. The long-haul flight was made extremely comfortable, with plenty of legroom and fantastic food, drink, and on-screen entertainment. Kata Beach Our first stop was in Kata Beach, where we spent six nights. The area had lots to offer, with restaurants, shops and bars within walking distance. As a lover of Thai food, I was delighted to find affordable meals, starting at just £3. We particularly enjoyed street food near the beach during the day and the lively atmosphere of the night markets. There were lots of fantastic restaurants to choose from, but we must give a special shoutout to https://www.twochefs.com/, for their fabulous food and entertainment. We also loved dining with a sunset view at https://www.beyondresortkata.com/ and sipping cocktails at the lively Lana Live music bar. We stayed in a superior sea view room at https://www.orchidacearesort.com/, which had recently been renovated. The view was breathtaking, and the service and meals were excellent. Phuket Town Our second stop was in Phuket Town, where we spent two nights and took in the infamous Sunday night market. We stayed at the charming https://www.casablancaphuket.com/ This lovely boutique hotel had a small pool and was just a few minutes from the old town and the market. It had a quirky, vintage vibe, and staff introduced us to some fantastic eateries, including https://www.torrys.com/. Papazula Restaurant & Bar across the street had great live music and a fun atmosphere. The night market was bustling with stalls, selling beautiful gifts and amazing street food – we highly recommend the chicken dumplings! Kamala Beach After some sightseeing, we headed to Kamala Beach for some R&R at the adults-only https://www.kamalabeach.com/. Our grand deluxe, pool view room was beautiful, and the hotel’s location on the beach made it the perfect place to unwind. We enjoyed aqua aerobics and beach walks and even visited Café del Mar for a shot on the big tree swing. One evening, we took a trip from Kamala to Patong, the busiest resort in Phuket. Bangla Walking Street offered a range of entertainment options, from live music to go-go bars. While some may find the street sleazy, we loved exploring the beautiful beach and the many bars and restaurants around the resort. Other hotels were set further out and offered excellent views from the hillside. Bangtao Beach Our last stop was at the luxurious Bangtao Beach resort, where we stayed at the family-friendly https://www.sunwingphuket.com/.in. As a treat, I booked us a swim-up room, which was fantastic! The hotel catered well to families, with a kids’ club, waterslide, and evening entertainment. We loved taking long walks along the beach and admiring the many beautiful hotels along the way. Excursions The three excursions we went on were simply the best I’ve ever experienced, and if you visit Phuket, you simply can’t miss out on them. Boat trips through paradise Our boat tours with https://seastarandaman.com/ were nothing short of amazing. From the moment they collected us from our hotel to the moment we returned, we were treated like royalty. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable, and the snacks and drinks available were perfect. We got to enjoy a buffet-style lunch and you can rent flippers for snorkelling too. The snorkelling mask is included. Our first tour was to Phi Phi Islands, where we saw Maya Beach, the filming location for ‘The Beach.’ We even had the opportunity to do some kayaking, stand-up paddle-boarding, or snorkelling at Pileh Lagoon. We had the chance to take a photo on a longboat, which was worth every penny. We also stopped at Monkey Beach and Phi Phi Don Island Beach. It was a definite tick off the bucket list and exceeded all my expectations. In the footsteps of 007 Our second tour was to James Bond Island and Phang Nga Bay, and it was out of this world. The scenery was spectacular, and we experienced canoeing around Panyi Island, seeing the stalactites, cave, and lagoon. We visited Hong Island and ended the day at Khai Island, where we enjoyed a gorgeous beach. We even got to visit the floating village, where we saw a floating football pitch, market stalls, and a school. Imagine waking up every day to that incredible view!   Phuket Elephant House Our last tour was to Phuket Elephant House Sanctuary https://phuketelephanthousesanctuary.com/. I can’t begin to describe how wonderful it was to get up close and personal with these magnificent creatures. We washed and fed them and could tell they were well cared for. The Sanctuary is ethical, and the staff were so helpful and friendly. Phuket exceeded our expectations in every way, and we feel incredibly lucky to have had the opportunity to visit this beautiful destination. If you’re considering travelling there soon, please get in touch. I’d be delighted to share more stories or insights and help you book the perfect trip! Until next time, Julie Email – Julie.Batchelor@Brillianttravel.co.uk Call – 07944542640

Do you dream of playing golf in sunnier climates? Let Julie choose the perfect destination for you. While I can assist you with traditional destinations like Spain, Portugal, Turkey & The Middle East, I can also offer further afield for once-in-a-lifetime style journeys to destinations further afield like South Africa, New Zealand & Australia. Or, if you fancy playing closer to home, we have various courses across the British Isles with the likes of Celtic Manor, The Belfry, Carden Park, Fairmont St Andrews, Dalmahoy Golf & Country Club & The Vale of Glamorgan.   On a typical itinerary, golfers may play 3 or 4 times in a 7-day holiday and some will want to play every day, so our itineraries can include a range of non-golfing experiences and excursions to suit. We offer full concierge service so other services can be booked and sometimes prepaid in the overall package. So, let’s start planning your next golfing break by contacting Julie.