Another lovely holiday in the Algarve. Carvoeiro is formerly a small fishing village, grown up around a cove with a small sandy beach. These days, we didn't see much evidence of fishing, and the village is really a tourist destination, full of bars and restaurants.
The Tivoli is a lovely hotel in a beautiful setting on the cliff top at the top of the hill out of town. It's about a 10 minute walk down hill into town and no doubt more going back. We took taxis back, at a cost including tip of Euro 5. Our room was sea view (essential!) plus looked over the cliffs, swimming pool and garden areas. The website gives a good perspective. The room was of a standard you expect from Tivoli, with tea/coffee making facilities and the staff were excellent. If you join a global hotel membership scheme, it allows you certain 'priviledges' including a free newspaper each day! Internet access is free.
There is no beach as such at the hotel, but there are steep steps down to the sea and those brave enough can swim in it from there. There is also a cliff top path into town.
The buffet breakfast was good and we ate a couple of times in the dining room (buffet) at night. They had a special offer on at the time. Euros 20 per person for the buffet including a glass of wine or another drink. Very good, but the offer was not advertised anywhere. You had to ask at Reception.
The restaurants in town were also very good and price-wise about the same as you'd pay at home. We enjoyed Martins and the Oasis very much (two visits each). Also a very good Indian.
The only real downside, as far as we were concerned, was that the hotel was a little too far from anywhere else for lunch, i.e. supermarket and/or snack bars. This was only a problem for us, as one of us has walking difficulties. Others would easily be able to walk to nearest cafes and mini-markets, you don't need to go all the way down the hill. Lunch at the pool at the hotel was very limited and quite expensive.
Apart from this last comment for those to whom it might apply, I have no hesitation in recommending this hotel and location.
Thanks again Sue and Dawn. We hope to resume our travels in the not too distant future.
Sally & Dave Rogers
Wednesday, 22 June 2011
Saturday, 18 June 2011
Pershore Office - Great Cruise
Thank you for your letter welcoming us home.
The cruise was a great success inspite of the closure of a swimming pool. It annoyed other guests as well and as far as we could make out it was repairs being carried out under warranty.
Calm seas, mill pond in the north Baltic, all the way save for a choppy return down the North Sea. Brilliant weather: wall to wall sunshine for the first twelve days and temperatures from 65-79 degrees. Enjoyed all our trips and Travemunde proved especially memorable as an officially estimated 20,000 lined the shore to greet our arrival at this port which never normally sees a ship of the Elizabeth's size. Possibly as many as 40,000 waved us off; an incredible sight with our National Anthem being piped through loudspeakers and a marching band playing. Food and service top notch but the extras soon add up!
One or two oddities: The requirement to bring a passport photocopy for the group Visa for Russia was never needed and no explanation was given. Some info, such as the need to convert currency in Estonia, was out of date. Estonia has been using the euro since the beginning of the year. Minor points.
Thank you very much for all your courtesy and setting up everything for us. We appreciate what all your staff did. It gave us the confidence to go on a cruise.
Yours sincerely,
Christopher and Maureen Savill
The cruise was a great success inspite of the closure of a swimming pool. It annoyed other guests as well and as far as we could make out it was repairs being carried out under warranty.
Calm seas, mill pond in the north Baltic, all the way save for a choppy return down the North Sea. Brilliant weather: wall to wall sunshine for the first twelve days and temperatures from 65-79 degrees. Enjoyed all our trips and Travemunde proved especially memorable as an officially estimated 20,000 lined the shore to greet our arrival at this port which never normally sees a ship of the Elizabeth's size. Possibly as many as 40,000 waved us off; an incredible sight with our National Anthem being piped through loudspeakers and a marching band playing. Food and service top notch but the extras soon add up!
One or two oddities: The requirement to bring a passport photocopy for the group Visa for Russia was never needed and no explanation was given. Some info, such as the need to convert currency in Estonia, was out of date. Estonia has been using the euro since the beginning of the year. Minor points.
Thank you very much for all your courtesy and setting up everything for us. We appreciate what all your staff did. It gave us the confidence to go on a cruise.
Yours sincerely,
Christopher and Maureen Savill
Monday, 16 May 2011
Italy Holiday - Coventry Office
Just a quick message to say the holiday you organised went like clockwork and we had a great time. The hotels were great Bercheielli was situated on the river Arno in a nice central position. The Olivi at Sirmione was another good location being very quiet and peaceful.
Both hotels did good breakfasts both had electric toasters and had scrambled eggs and bacon on the buffet.
Ideal for us Brits who like an English breakfast abroad.we had a very nice double room at the Hotel Berchielli.The Hotel Olivi did upgrade our room and we had a wonderful view over the lake.Also a bottle of bubbly in the room waiting for us. Very nice!
Once again thanks for a great holiday, we will no doubt talk soon.
Lynn & Richard Gibson
Both hotels did good breakfasts both had electric toasters and had scrambled eggs and bacon on the buffet.
Ideal for us Brits who like an English breakfast abroad.we had a very nice double room at the Hotel Berchielli.The Hotel Olivi did upgrade our room and we had a wonderful view over the lake.Also a bottle of bubbly in the room waiting for us. Very nice!
Once again thanks for a great holiday, we will no doubt talk soon.
Lynn & Richard Gibson
Thursday, 17 March 2011
Pershore & Gambia
Sincere thanks to all at the Pershore Branch for arranging our recent trip to The Gambia. Flights via Gatwick and Banjul were on time and, for a apckage flight, provided a good level of service and on-board catering.
Our chosen hotel, th Bijilo Beach, proved excellent. Although only 3 star, this family run hotel in quiet grounds situated right on the unspoilt beach proved an idyllic location for our two week stay. The hotel restaurant was very satisfactory with both good yet inexpensive table d'hote and a la carte menus. The Scene, a new restaurant only 5 minutes walk along the beach, is highly recommended. The hotel breakfast were adequate if a little linited in variety, but crepes and freshly cooked omelettes were very tasty! Each night between 8 and 9.30 there was a variet of evening entertainment including local drummers and dancers. No loud disco here though and no daytime pool activities or music to disturb the tranquillity!
The staff provided a personal, friendly and efficient service and seemed very happy to be working at the Gambian managed hotel; many have been there some years. True the linen and curtains could do with being updated, but the generous room size in the newer three-storey building more than compensated.
So delighted were we that we will be returning next year - same hotel. Thank you again.
The Gambia Hotels
Atlantic Hotel - Would not recommend. Close to Banjul, virtually no beach. Mosquitoes, beggers, nr Banjul hospital (coffins by front entrance) many complaints from returning clients at airport
The Sheraton - A grom newly built hotel, away from anywhere - would advise further enquiries
Senegambia & Karaba - Large hotels in excellent grounds, though Senegambia has noisy pools. Virtually no beaches at these hotels due to erosion.
Two charte flights arrive within 5 minutes of each other on a hot dusty runway. The single baggage collection belt eventually starts and the scene is a throng of passengers struggling to get a view of the oncoming array of luggage whilst combating the ever-enthusiatic group of porters fighting to carry your cases out of the airport. A quick visit to the gents on the way of the airport and 'oh dear', wish I hadn't bothered! Welcome to The Gambia, West Africa.
Our tour operator, the Gambian Experience, guided us to an awaiting vehicle and off to our chosen venue for the next two weeks. We were revisting The Gambia after a fifteen-year absence. A new tarmac road, street lighting and even the odd traffic lights. Apart from a huge number of unfinished new builds, the country was very much as we remembered.
On recommendation we stayed at the 3 star Bijilo Beach Hotel. Yes, a 3 star and it was idyllic. Run by a Gambian family, the small quiet setting on a wonderful unspoilt beach proved even better than expected. The Gambia provided for us a fortnight of total relaxtion and sunshine amidst a truly lovely people. Yes, there are the bumsters to combat and it can become a serious problem for those not prepared to be approached by numerous young Gambians. The Government and hotels have long been aware of this almost invasive begging situation and now have strict laws in place and licences are given to those bona-fide businesses from restaurants to the fruit seller on the beach.
Daily we walked the beach and often we trekked into the buzzy centre of Kololi to visit the cash machine and for a coffee. A good choice of world food restaurants here, but we usualy opted for the very fine restaurant of our own hotel.
We took a couple of trips with arch Tours of Kololi, a Gambian owned business who were well organised. We visited North Senegal - a real adventure talking the ferry from Banjul. A 5am start on another occasion took us on a bird watching trip based on the riverside venue of Lamin Lodge.
For a winter sunshine holiday which won't break the bank - just six hours average flight time from the UK - you won't be disappointed. After two weeks we weren't really ready to return to the UK, but time's up and we were duly despatched byut The Gambian Experience for our return journey.
The bells rang passing through the secruity gate at the airport. A pat down by the guard and some loose change in my pocket was quickly identified and yes, he was happy to relieve me of a few euro coins! Hey, this is The Gambia, the smiling coast. I smiled at his cheek and moved forward to the departure hall.
We booked the trip through our local agents, Carrick Travel, in Pershore, Worcestershire, and yes, we will be returning next year. Same hotel.
Chris & Sue Hermon
Our chosen hotel, th Bijilo Beach, proved excellent. Although only 3 star, this family run hotel in quiet grounds situated right on the unspoilt beach proved an idyllic location for our two week stay. The hotel restaurant was very satisfactory with both good yet inexpensive table d'hote and a la carte menus. The Scene, a new restaurant only 5 minutes walk along the beach, is highly recommended. The hotel breakfast were adequate if a little linited in variety, but crepes and freshly cooked omelettes were very tasty! Each night between 8 and 9.30 there was a variet of evening entertainment including local drummers and dancers. No loud disco here though and no daytime pool activities or music to disturb the tranquillity!
The staff provided a personal, friendly and efficient service and seemed very happy to be working at the Gambian managed hotel; many have been there some years. True the linen and curtains could do with being updated, but the generous room size in the newer three-storey building more than compensated.
So delighted were we that we will be returning next year - same hotel. Thank you again.
The Gambia Hotels
Atlantic Hotel - Would not recommend. Close to Banjul, virtually no beach. Mosquitoes, beggers, nr Banjul hospital (coffins by front entrance) many complaints from returning clients at airport
The Sheraton - A grom newly built hotel, away from anywhere - would advise further enquiries
Senegambia & Karaba - Large hotels in excellent grounds, though Senegambia has noisy pools. Virtually no beaches at these hotels due to erosion.
Two charte flights arrive within 5 minutes of each other on a hot dusty runway. The single baggage collection belt eventually starts and the scene is a throng of passengers struggling to get a view of the oncoming array of luggage whilst combating the ever-enthusiatic group of porters fighting to carry your cases out of the airport. A quick visit to the gents on the way of the airport and 'oh dear', wish I hadn't bothered! Welcome to The Gambia, West Africa.
Our tour operator, the Gambian Experience, guided us to an awaiting vehicle and off to our chosen venue for the next two weeks. We were revisting The Gambia after a fifteen-year absence. A new tarmac road, street lighting and even the odd traffic lights. Apart from a huge number of unfinished new builds, the country was very much as we remembered.
On recommendation we stayed at the 3 star Bijilo Beach Hotel. Yes, a 3 star and it was idyllic. Run by a Gambian family, the small quiet setting on a wonderful unspoilt beach proved even better than expected. The Gambia provided for us a fortnight of total relaxtion and sunshine amidst a truly lovely people. Yes, there are the bumsters to combat and it can become a serious problem for those not prepared to be approached by numerous young Gambians. The Government and hotels have long been aware of this almost invasive begging situation and now have strict laws in place and licences are given to those bona-fide businesses from restaurants to the fruit seller on the beach.
Daily we walked the beach and often we trekked into the buzzy centre of Kololi to visit the cash machine and for a coffee. A good choice of world food restaurants here, but we usualy opted for the very fine restaurant of our own hotel.
We took a couple of trips with arch Tours of Kololi, a Gambian owned business who were well organised. We visited North Senegal - a real adventure talking the ferry from Banjul. A 5am start on another occasion took us on a bird watching trip based on the riverside venue of Lamin Lodge.
For a winter sunshine holiday which won't break the bank - just six hours average flight time from the UK - you won't be disappointed. After two weeks we weren't really ready to return to the UK, but time's up and we were duly despatched byut The Gambian Experience for our return journey.
The bells rang passing through the secruity gate at the airport. A pat down by the guard and some loose change in my pocket was quickly identified and yes, he was happy to relieve me of a few euro coins! Hey, this is The Gambia, the smiling coast. I smiled at his cheek and moved forward to the departure hall.
We booked the trip through our local agents, Carrick Travel, in Pershore, Worcestershire, and yes, we will be returning next year. Same hotel.
Chris & Sue Hermon
Tuesday, 22 February 2011
Roca Navaria, Tenerife. Sally Carrick
Sally Carrick, our Chairman recently had the pleasure of staying at the five star Hotel ROCA NIVARIA GRAN at Playa Paraiso on Tenerife, The hotel is one of three owned by the Adrian family – the other two being the 5 star Hotel Jardines de Nivaria on the Costa Adeje – an Art Deco design hotel in the midst of the hustle and bustle of Playa de Fanabe and the 4 star Hotel Colon Guanahani, a boutique hotel also in Playa de Fanabe.
From the accommodation on the 6th floor there were spectacular views across the Atlantic to the island La Gomera – a luscious infinity pool – sports facilities – beautiful gardens – lovely staff - an ideal choice for families and adults
Highly recommended
From the accommodation on the 6th floor there were spectacular views across the Atlantic to the island La Gomera – a luscious infinity pool – sports facilities – beautiful gardens – lovely staff - an ideal choice for families and adults
Highly recommended
Abama Hotel, Tenerife. Sally Carrick
Sally Carrick, Chairman of the Carrick Travel Group recently visited the amazing 5 star de luxe Hotel ABAMA – managed by the prestigious Ritz-Carlton Company – in the tranquil oasis of Guia de Isora in Southern Tenerife.
This property is a spectacular achievement in architectural design – spread over many acres of lush gardens – amazing pools, a funicular rail link down to the beach – a Spa to die for – numerous restaurants and nooks and crannies to retreat to. Service was immaculate throughout my stay – for the golfers – the course is on your doorstep. All accommodations were beautifully fitted out from the rooms in the Citadel to the Suites and the Villas.
Choice of restaurants including the Japanese Kabuki restaurant and the 1 star Michelin restaurant – costs commensurate with the 5 star de luxe rating
Go there for the experience – a Junior Suite in the Citadel or even one of the Villas (comes with a buggy to get around the resort) would be an excellent choice (but maybe opt for half-board!)
This property is a spectacular achievement in architectural design – spread over many acres of lush gardens – amazing pools, a funicular rail link down to the beach – a Spa to die for – numerous restaurants and nooks and crannies to retreat to. Service was immaculate throughout my stay – for the golfers – the course is on your doorstep. All accommodations were beautifully fitted out from the rooms in the Citadel to the Suites and the Villas.
Choice of restaurants including the Japanese Kabuki restaurant and the 1 star Michelin restaurant – costs commensurate with the 5 star de luxe rating
Go there for the experience – a Junior Suite in the Citadel or even one of the Villas (comes with a buggy to get around the resort) would be an excellent choice (but maybe opt for half-board!)
Thursday, 6 January 2011
Milan - Thank you
I just wanted to thank you and the team for helping to organise my 4 day break in Milan over the New Year. We had a fantastic time and everything that Carrick Travel and Kirker did for us was absolutely first class.
I will have no hesitation in using your company again and will certainly be recommending you to others.
I will have no hesitation in using your company again and will certainly be recommending you to others.
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