Flying Fluskey

There is no greater feeling than getting up, slipping on a robe and having somebody bring you delicious things to eat…unless you also have a lush view of the waves. Ad @windstarcruises offers room service at no extra cost so of course we had to take advantage and enjoy a lie in. We only docked in Funchal at 1pm so we stretched being lazy right up until 10:45, 15 minutes before breakfast room service ended. As ever, we ordered too much food but I think I could have eaten 20 of the almond croissants. It was SO good! (And don’t tell them, but I had that coffee in bed). Do you like room service or do you prefer to get up and out on a sea day? @jernewithme #windstarcruises #cruiselife #cruising #cruiseaddict #roomservice #jernepartner #cruisevacation #breakfasttime #butfirstcoffee

“The Queen is the only person who can put on a tiara with one hand, while walking down stairs.” - Princess Margaret I might be lacking the tiara but I didn’t spill my bubbly on a moving ship so maybe I can be a minor duchess!? At the back of the Windstar Pride is a beautiful double helix staircase. The only problem is sometimes you end up on the wrong side for dinner. Smart people just go through the door and voila! They are on the other side. Silly people run all the way down a floor, around and up the other side. @windstarcruises @jernewithme

If you are checking in a bag for your flight, or even gate checking your bag, there are a few things that you need to keep with you. Now, this isn’t about comfort. I have already written an article all about how to pack liquids for hand luggage, and a long haul carry on essentials post. This, is what you should have in your personal item; the vital carry on items you should never let out of your sight....

When you are on a cruise, you’ve still got to get those steps in. In sea days, that means power walking on the treadmill, on port days it means getting off and doing some sightseeing. Ad During our trip with @windstarcruises, we got to visit five beautiful volcanic islands, each with their own unique cultural and natural highlights. Over eight days we saw: - Gran Canaria - La Gomera - Lanzarote - Tenerife - Madeira We thought this was a one off itinerary but Windstar have just announced that one of their ships is going to be based there so everyone will have plenty of chances to visit them too!! @jernewithme #jernewithme #jernepartner #windstarcruises #180degreesfromordinary #canaryislands #madeira #funchal #lanzarote #tenerife #lagomera

8 tips for your European summer. 1. Book Early Europe is busy in summer. The weather is good and everyone has summer break at the same time. Prices surge & activities book up. If you know where you are going & what you want to do, get it booked…now. 2. Don’t Overpack Struggling up steep hills/steps, sitting on a crowded metro or even just packing, the less you bring, the happier you will be (to a point). If possible, a backpack is easier if you plan a few cities as those stairs/bumpy pavements can be murder on suitcase wheels. 3. Expect Crowds It’s busy so be prepared to wait in lines, make reservations if there is somewhere you dream of eating or visiting & bring entertainment to stay occupied in the queue. Oh, and remember that not every country loves to queue like you are used to and you may need to fight for your spot sometimes. 4. Ditch the Heels Cobblestones & shiny tiled floors and long days are the enemy of fancy footwear. Wear something comfortable that you can dress up or down. 5. Don’t Overtip In most of Europe, people either round up a few euros or leave a standard 10% in restaurants/cafes. There are a few unscrupulous waiters in popular cities that have been trying to convince tourists that 20% is normal. Trust me, it’s not. 6. Bring a Water Bottle Water in most of Europe is perfectly safe to drink from the tap. Some places, like Rome and Dubrovnik have free water fountains where you can just fill your bottle. Save the money & the plastic waste by making use of the tap. 7. Watch Your Belongings Pickpockets do operate in many places around Europe, big cities popular with visitors are the worst affected so be wary. Bring a backpack which zips against your back or have a little lock or tag on your crossbody zip. Loop your bag through your arm or leg as you dine at pavement cafes & NEVER leave your phone next to you on the table. 8. Explore Somewhere New Everyone loves the big cities or the instagram famous spots (I do too). If you really want to escape the crowds though, skip the big hitters (Paris, Barcelona, Venice, Budapest, Prague etc) & consider lesser visited spots instead. #europeansummer #europe #europetravel

Soft white sand, rosy sunsets and peacock blue seas, Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) has everything you could dream of as a tropical getaway. Add to this the abundance of activities designed for adventure and romance and you have the perfect honeymoon destination. Here are our 5 reasons to take a Havelock Island Honeymoon. 1 - Havelock has Beautiful Beaches The sand on Havelock is pale champagne gold, burnished daily by the sunset and lapped by clear, turquoise waves....

La Gomera is the lesser visited sister of Tenerife. Its green forest is sliced by steep ravines and dramatic rocky peaks. It’s an unforgiving terrain that has led to some amazing adaptations. AD We took a four hour trip across La Gomera with @windstarcruises. They called it a “short island tour” but we saw so much. Then, when we got back to the ship we were treated to a show demonstrating the unique and UNESCO recognised art of Silbo Gomero. This is a language that is entirely made up of whistles and it is amazing. Typically the whistles can travel between 3-5 kilometres. Ideal for communicating between steep valleys. #lagomera #silbogomero #canaryislands #thecanarys #spanishtravel #whilstlanguage #spain #españa #windstarcruises #180degreesfromordinary #windstarpride #gomera #jernepartner #jernewithme

On a lazy Sunday, Arrecife (the capital of Lanzarote) is a pretty sleepy place. Museums, shops and many restaurants are shut. However, there is one spot that is open for business and it’s one of the nicest places in town. The Gran Hotel is Lanzarote’s only skyscraper. It was hastily constructed in the late 1960s and resident architect/artist César Manrique thought it such an eye sore that he insisted no other skyscrapers were built on the island. He was trying to prevent the rampant overdevelopment of Lanzarote, having seen similar elsewhere in Spain. It remains by far the tallest building which actually gives it incredible views and it now a five star hotel so you enjoy them! Take the glass lift up the 17th floor and turn left for Blue 17. From here you will get a stunning sweep of sand, the turquoise waters and the volcanic crates in the background. Pop for a cigarette in their smoking area and you can across the whole town. It’s very impressive and doesn’t cost a small fortune either. We had two cocktails and two dishes to share for €33.50. That is great value for the highest bar in the country! 📍 Gran Hotel, Arrecife, Lanzarote Taken on a press trip with @windstarcruises #windstarcruises #arrecife #jernepartner #lanzarote #arrecifelanzarote #rooftopbar #fivestarhotel #hotelsoftheworld #canaryislands #thecanaries @arrecifegranhotelspa

MSC is Italy's foremost cruise company, running its first cruise in 1988 and growing every year. They offer some amazing value cruises around the world with lots of great extras included in the price. In January 2023 my friend (Caz) and I were lucky enough to bag a spot on MSC Grandiosa for a week-long Mediterranean cruise. Here is my full MSC Grandiosa review....

AD Eight nights, five islands and lots of potential for adventure. We are embarking on a new adventure with @windstarcruises, on their boutique ship the Windstar Pride. Over the next week, we will be travelling through the Canary Islands (Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Gomera and Tenerife), heading up to Madeira and ending in Portugal’s capital, Lisbon. Come along as we explore the islands they call the Hawaii of Europe, on the very edge of the continent. #windstarcruises #jernewithme #jernepartners @jerne

📍 Santa Catalina - A Royal Hideaway, Las Palmas, Gran Canaria When I was looking at places to stay before our cruise, a pretty fancy hotel popped up. I booked it on a whim, as well as very cheap room in a hostel nearby (both with free cancellation). As the date approached, some new reviews popped up for the cheaper accommodation that mentioned the dreaded bed bugs. Well, that clinched it and we treated ourselves to a stay at the gorgeous Santa Catalina. As well as being beautiful with impeccable service, it had lots of personality and a history that goes back to 1890. What a perfect spot to start our @windstarcruises adventure (and would you believe, it was their recommended hotel all along!?) @barcelohotelsresorts @hotel_santacatalina #barcelohotels #santacatalinaaroyalhideawayhotel #hotelsoftheworld #hotelsofinstagram #luxuryhotels #luxurytravel #fivestartravel #fivestarhotel #laspalmas #grancanaria #spain #spaintravel #españa #windstarcruises

A quick boat ride from Port Blair is Ross Island (recently renamed as Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island but still widely referred to as Ross Island). This island, abandoned to nature, was once home to the British ex-pats that called the Andamans home. There was an officers club complete with teak dancefloor, a church, barracks and Commissioner’s mansion. They were hit by a huge earthquake in 1941 and then quickly vacated when the Japanese invaded in 1942. The island was occupied by Japanese forces before it was taken over by rhe Indian navy, and finally became open to the public for tours. Visitors can explore the dilapidated buildings, overgrown with roots or hot foot it to the striking lighthouse. You can also meet the spotted deer (chital). They bow just like the famous deer in Nara but they were actually introduced by the British as they missed game hunting. To get to Ross Island, make your way to Aberdeen Jetty. You need to put your name down at the small table and wait for a few others to fill the boat’s seats. Be mindful that the time you are quoted includes waiting for your boat to arrive. We were the first people to sign up for the day but the fourth boat to leave. When you arrive, you can join a golf buggy tour which will whisk you to the other side of the island, giving you time to go down to the lighthouse. We opted to walk and only got a shot of it from above but had time to explore the empty buildings all to ourselves. 📍 Andaman & Nicobar, India #indiatravel #incredibleindia #andamanislands #andaman #andamanandnicobar #rossisland #rossisland🌴 #netajisubhashchandrabose #tombraidervibes #portblair #portblairdiaries

For most people, Port Blair is the entry point for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Domestic flights arrive from the big cities of India, and with a shiny new international airport, more tourists will soon flood into the city. Before hopping on a ferry to Havelock or another popular island, take some time to enjoy Port Blair itself. Here are 10 places to visit in Port Blair for the perfect Port Blair itinerary....

You never know what is going to happen when you fly. Delays, lost luggage & cancellations could add hours or even days onto your travels. That is why you should keep these 12 things in your hand luggage: 🛂 Passport - I know, you would never be silly enough to put this in your checked bag BUT sometimes airlines offer (or demand) to gate check luggage. People have checked in their passports here. 💵 Wallet - You may have your phone but the battery might die & not everywhere accepts Apple Pay. Keep cards and cash with you. 💊 Medication - Do NOT pack your important medications anywhere other than your “personal item”. Keep it with you and bring plenty of extras! 🩲 Underwear - Time takes a toll on your undies so having a fresh pair in the case of disruption is a must. 🔑 House Keys - You need to open your door when you get home so never lose sight of these precious things. 🧥 Coat - Its annoying to carry, I know, but what if the air con on the plane is cranked up to max? What if the plane diverts to I eland on its way across the Atlantic? You never know so keep a jacket with you. 🪫A Power Bank - If you are delayed or diverted, you are going to need all the juice you can get for entertainment and/or contacting the airline etc etc 💦 A Water Bottle - Filling up on free water whenever you can is the best way to save money and stay hydrated. 🪥 Toothbrush & Paste - If you are disrupted or even just travelling on a long haul flight, the chance to brush your teeth and stay fresh can make a world of difference. 🎧 Wired Headphones - This allows you to connect to entertainment on the plane. I also carry a little converter so I can use regular wired headphones with my iPhone, allowing me to turn off the Bluetooth and save lots of battery. This is especially important on long, budget flights with no entertainment. 📱 Obviously, you would never put your phone anywhere else. 💎 💻 📷 Expensive Items - If you value it, keep it with you. Jewellery, fancy cameras, prized belongings, they should all be in your underseat bag. You can keep an eye on your things much more easily here than in the overhead, and definitely better than if you check these things in. #traveltips

Tropical vibes, great Indian food and stunning natural beauty, Havelock has it in spades. Ad The Andaman & Nicobar Islands in India are undergoing a rapid change. As tourism increases, once secret beaches are being discovered and more guesthouses pop up. If you want a slice of the real Andaman & Nicobar then visit Barefoot at Havelock. They are a truly sustainable property, that has developed organically from their backpacker roots amidst rewilded tropical forest and just minutes from Havelock Island’s most incredible beach, Radhanagar. Most visitors to the Andaman and Nicobar island will arrive in Port Blair. From here hop on a ferry and you’ll be on the island in no time. (Check out @go2andaman for easy and reliable ferry bookings). #indiatravel #havelock #havelockisland🌴 #havelockhoneymoon #andamanislands #andamanandnicobar