Travel Trade Crusade 2013 - Day Four, Sunday 14th July

Day four, officially the third and last of the crusade. Today is the fancy dress day – oh dear! We have brought with us Batman & Robin outfits, out of the Christmas episode of Only Fools & Horses one year. They only arrived the day before we left, so they are still in the bags without us having tried them on. Bad planning. Due to the sizing, I had to be Robin and Paul was Batman – even that kept popping open because it was a bit tight. No chance to get a bigger size now! We checked out of the hotel in full regalia without the receptionist even raising an eyebrow. Perhaps she had seen it all before – about ten minutes or so! We met a court jester and the grim reaper in reception – good job I didn’t meet him before I went on the Nurburgring! We loaded the car up and made our way to the car park we were meeting up in, just beside the river. Koblenz looked a beautiful town – such as shame we were in and out so quickly. Everyone was really pumping this morning – not one person was not in fancy dress. It looked amazing. The Disco Taxi had the PA playing at full blast – we had quite a crowd of onlookers. We also found out later that the Aston Martin had parked here overnight, and had got a lovely yellow parking ticket! We were 27 teams this morning, but only 26 cars. The Chavtastic’s Subaru was definitely being left to be scrapped. The guys from Avis had helped them out with a hire car, so at least they can still take part. After our instructions for the day, we all had to do a little crazy dancing (for the DVD I presume) led by a wallaby and a crocodile. After the frivolities, and the locals had taken umpteen pictures, we all started off. Three routes to get to Amsterdam – the boring motorway, the picturesque country route or the route by the river. We opted for the route by the river, as this was one of the challenges. Have your picture taken by some picturesque water. We found a place to pull up in, and had to find someone to take our photograph. After everyone had finished taken photographs of their own, we got one with our camera. It seems Batman & Robin are well known in Germany as well! We would our way towards firstly Bonn, then Cologne, Rees, Arnheim, Utrecht and then Amsterdam. The amount of people that slowly went past, waved, pipped and took photographs was amazing. Obviously Batman & Robin don’t often take that route. We had to fill up with petrol. Paul went in to pay, the attendant looked up, did a double take, and then asked if ours was the Batmobile. Ha! We went out of Germany and into Holland – and it seemed as if we had come into the back of a little village. We went from a main road, to a one lane track for a while. Couldn’t be a popular crossing point here then. We then picked up some bigger roads, and soon made our way to the outskirts of Amsterdam. Well on time! But we hadn’t arrived yet!! As soon as we hit Amsterdam the traffic started to build up. Nothing too bad, and really glad Mrs TomTom was telling us the way to the hotel. It looked a bit like a maze. We passed about a million people on bicycles, with another million bicycles locked up unattended. It really is a cycling city. We made our way, almost uneventfully, to the road where the hotel was situated. We amused most of the people waiting to cross the roads, and even waved quite regally when they pointed a camera at us. Felt a bit like the queen – but in a comedy sort of way. The hotel was on the opposite side of the road to where we were going, so Mrs TomTom told us to do a U turn. Not too bad, I managed to squeeze round without upsetting too many people – only to find that the road where the reception is situated is pedestrian only. “Can’t go up there” says a chap (how did he know we were English?) so we headed off to turn around and find another way in. Easier said than done. When we got to the top we had to turn right, and then there was no more right turns. A tram had broken down in the middle of the main road, and there was absolute bedlam. I just kept going, and ended up giving Paul a very scenic tour of Amsterdam – free of charge! We eventually found ourselves heading back in the correct direction – only to find we were now behind the broken down tram, and all the other trams were being redirected around us. All of the traffic after us had been turned around and sent I know not where – and the trams were missing our back wing by about half an inch. We sat there for about half an hour – and were the cabaret for all those on the buses that were going up beside us in the bus lane. Oh to be famous – even for half a day! Just have to wear red pants over your tights! We eventually came past the hotel again, and there was stationery traffic so we tried another road. Wrong again! Round we went again, and eventually bumped over the kerb in the middle of the road, went up the tram lane, and did a U turn into a car park that was not too far from the hotel. I expected Mrs TomTom to say “That’s the third time I have directed you to where you wanted to go, and you still haven’t got there!”. But she didn’t – we parked, and then even caped crusaders have to carry their own bags up the car park steps and the quarter of a mile walk to get to their room. We then amused all the people sitting outside having a beer in the afternoon. Just wave and smile nicely! The receptionist couldn’t find a reservation for Batman & Robin, so he gave us the Keevil’s room instead. The chap next to him asked us to remove our face masks if we went into the club room in case we frightened any of the guests. I think we had had enough of wearing them for one day, but what a cheek! A nice glass of wine was in order – minus the red knickers – before setting off for the DoubleTree Hilton for the end of rally festivities. Whilst all the points were being counted up, we enjoyed complimentary drinks. When the prize giving ceremonies started, the tension was mounting, Would it be the Green Ladies or the Kuoni Crusaders, or would someone else have nipped in? The prize for the best challenge of the day went to the Kuoni Crusaders for Day One, The Green Ladies for Day Two, and Team Rylan (yes, there was someone dressed as Rylan) for Day Three. The Best Car was awarded to Pussy Patrol for their lovely cat car. The Best Team was awarded to the Holy Rollers (Priests & Nuns) even though one of their cars didn’t make it to Amsterdam today. The disco taxi also didn't make it to Amsterdam, and was currently on a low loader making its way back to the UK. 27 teams started, 24 teams finished! The Green Ladies came out on top, deservedly so. ArtAV that had being doing the filming throughout had put together and edited a film that was shown at the end – what a lovely momento. I do hope we can get a link to it, so you can see for yourselves how much effort some teams went to. The Grand Total raised for charity as of this evening was just over £40,000 between us all. What an achievement for Sarah and Nick – who I think will now be pressured to put the event on all over again next year!

Travel Trade Crusade 2013 - Day Three, Saturday 13th July

Day three, but officially day two of the rally. Another early morning - but with a difference. We had to leave the car in a public car park, but when we left the hotel there seemed to have sprung a market somewhere between us and the car. It didn't take too long to find - we knew the general direction. We had to all meet this morning in the car park of Lidl - at some point on the outskirts of Metz. Good old Mrs TomTom took us almost straight there. The regular customers of Lidl on a Saturday morning didn't know what had hit them. We had little groups that were going round looking at each car as if they were at a car boot sale. There were some late comers - some couldn't find it, and some, I think, didn't get in until 5am this morning so were feeling a little worse for wear. The Green Ladies had come as Rambo this morning in green camouflage - with the only male deciding to wear a skirt, fishnet stockings and a blonde wig - all in green of course. We hit the road, heading for a town called Bitche, where we were promised that the British Boys Club had arranged for champagne and smoked salmon at the old fort there. Excellent news. We all headed the same way, but all seemed to peel off in different directions at some point. Must be how the satnavs are programmed. We found ourselves on a toll road, and at the end seemed to be in the queue to pay with about another four or five teams. One of the teams from Holiday Extras (The Chavs, with Ali G driving) had a loud PA system attached to their Subaru and amused all the people with their pre-recorded Chav chat. We got to the fort by passing through the most beautiful medieval village. It was so picturesque. We climbed up the hill, until we got to a huge car park that I must say, we took over. The champagne was coming in the camper van, and was a bit on the drag, so we went for a wander around the outside of the fort. Derek Jones, the MD of Kuoni, was doing an SAS jump and roll off a bridge - presumably for his challenge for the day. The champagne then turned up - nicely chilled - but I only partook in a very small glass. I was driving. Paul looked for his hat, and decided it had fell out of the car as it was missing again. He did ask me if I had thrown it away - as if I would! Never thought of that - should have done it years ago. He borrowed one from Dan Archer, the photographer. Always got a back up hat! We left there and set off for the Nurburgring - along the autobahns that have totally unrestricted speed limits. I bumped into Sarah Archer, one of the organisers, at a petrol station where she asked what speed I had got to on the autobahn. Never thought of giving it any welly, so when we set off again I thought I would. I got to 150 miles per hour before traffic held me up - how rude to be in the fast lane and only travel at 120! It was Sarah's birthday today, and our challenge was to get Sarah a present that cost the least money and was the most creative. Oh dear - creativity is not my strong point. We photographed Raquel on a few more modes of transport - tractor, lorry and fork lift truck on the way to the Nurburgring. As I said, creativity is not my strong point. We arrived at the Nurburgring and went straight to buy our ticket for the lap. I put the roof up - just in case we rolled over. Wanted to be safe not sorry. The track was absolutely buzzing. There were marshals lining people up just to get on to the ring, and we took our place. The card was read (to prove that we had paid) we went through a few cones and then we were on it. Wow. It was so exhilarating. To start with, nothing came past me. I think that was probably more to do with nobody coming on straight after me rather than me going too fast. Soon cars and bikes were whizzing past doing god knows how many miles per hour. I had my hazards on, and kept to the right hand side. I kept an eye in the rear view mirror, so if I saw two or three cars coming just as we were coming to a bend I let them pass. And pass they did - some even left as much as an inch or two between us! There were some really serious drivers with fireproof clothing and crash helmets. I had a t-shirt, cut offs and sandals. It was about 20km from start to finish, and took 18 minutes 8 seconds. Paul was taking pictures as we went, and also set the stopwatch. He didn't have too many kittens, or shout, or even get out so I couldn't have been too bad. When we came to the bit where all the spectators look over the ring, where there have some pretty bad accidents, we saw the film crew filming us. Not the fastest or the most elegant lap, but a lap nevertheless. We finished, and were shown off the track. We then met another couple of teams that were then going on - I challenged them to beat my time. Ha! No chance of me being anywhere near up the leaderboard with that time. We then saw the Green Ladies - completing another challenge. They had managed to get three lads (British) all with big motor bikes, to wear Travel Trade Crusade t-shirts over their leathers, and then put on a green mankini. They then all did a lap wearing them - the film crew shot it all. I bet there has never been anyone go round the ring looking like that before - and probably never will be again. We then (after a few turns up and down the road, as Paul had the map upsidedown) went to the viewing area to just watch from a distance. It was amazing to see how fast they actually travel. We saw the Holiday Extras Chav team going round - just before they broke down, and had to leave the car there to be scrapped. It was, apparently, the third lap that the car had gone round, with no chance to cool down inbetween laps. Something broke - not the PA system - that was still working perfectly! It was gone six o'clock, so we reluctantly left the ring and set off for the last leg of the journey to Koblenz. It was only just over half an hour, and a lovely early evening drive, still in the beautiful sunshine. Koblenz, what little we have seen of it, looks a beautiful little town. We all met and ate in the courtyard of a hotel by the river, where Sarah was presented with her presents. She took away with her a necklace of bratwurst sausage, an embroidered hat with her name and ttc13 on - and a pair of knickers with Travel Trade Crusade on. She was presented with a cake from the Green Ladies - together with a video of how they had got it - they "held up" a cake shop with their guns and "stole" the cake rambo style. So funny. I am sure most of this will be on the finished dvd. Time to retire ready for another action packed day tomorrow! Don't forget that we are doing this at our own expense for the EACH charity so please make a small donation at www.justgiving.com/travel-stop - every little helps!

Trave Trade Crusade 2013 - Day Two, Friday 11th July

Day Two - but officially Day One of the Rally At 8.30am the car park behind the Novotel Suites was buzzing. We had just left the hotel, where six boys and girls dressed in "Where's Wally" Red & White outfits were having breakfast. Every person in the breakfast room couldn't take their eyes off them - until the Green Ladies made an entrance in their pea outfits! They were green from head to toe! The cars and their teams were all preparing for the longest day of the rally today - some three hundred and fifty odd miles. There was an Aston Martin decked out as an American Policed Car, a Land Rover striped like a zebra with a rhino horn on the front and teams dressed up to match the car themes. After a photo shoot of everybody behind a huge Travel Trade Crusade banner, we all got to our cars to start. The film crew were filming everyone as they left the car park in convoy, led by Sarah. We all stayed in convoy until the film crew had not only filed everyone leaving (some needed a jump start, and one poor man on a Motoguzzi motor bike got an oil leak and had to head home) but then whizzed past us all on the motorway. Once that had all been done, Sarah had flashing lights on the top of her car, and we all then were on our own! The first part of the trip was easy but fairly monotonous. We headed off on the E40 to Dunkirk, and then on the E42 to Lille. We had been given our first task of the day - to find the Ariane 4 Rocket and have a picture taken with all your team. The other task was to make up your own challenge - the whackier the better! We also all had a booklet that had various "Brain Teasers" in, including pictures of tanks, buildings etc and we had to name where they were. Just to make sure no-one was cheating and staying on the motorway the whole time! We had googled the rocket, and found after some time I might add, that it was at the Euro Space Centre in Transinne, Belgium. We continued on the motorway to Mons, and then it was here that we came off the main roads. We first headed for a town called Beaumont, and then on to Philipeville. In the middle of a roundabout in Philipeville was an old aircraft - one of the pictures! Just then, a Eurofighter went overhead really low. Spooky. When we met up with Dev's Midnight Runners from Eurorail they reckoned they had arranged for a flypast. Ha!! We then arrived into a town called Dinant - what a beautiful town. We drove along the river there to the next town, Givet, and it was one of the most beautiful drives I think I have ever been on. And the sun is so hot! An excellent day to have a convertible. Except when Paul leant out of the car to take a picture and his hat blew off. Perfect - I never liked that hat. He grumbled a bit, and I did make a half hearted offer to go back, but we continued on....hatless! We then headed off to Wellin, and from here to the Eurospace Centre where we managed to get someone to take our photograph, as we both had to be in it. Well, all team members, and as we hadn't actually registered Raquel (the naked blow up doll - seems only right to give her a name!) we decided to leave her in the car. Might not be totally appropriate as there were lots of children about. Several more of the teams turned up when we were there, so it was probably me being thick rather than quite hard to find! We did find out that Raquel had made a diving save from the back seat and caught Paul's hat though - bugger! We briefly hit the motorway again, before going onto country roads to Bastogne - where we spotted a tank that was in the booklet. This gave Paul an idea for our challenge - let's see how many different modes of transport that we can photograph Raquel on. Too late for the tank, but eyes peeled for any others. We soon came across a JCB and a digger on the side of the road - unattended. We pulled over and the digger hadn't even been locked up, so Raquel sat in the drivers seat. The JCB was locked, so she just hung from the outside. After a few more miles we spotted a couple of Harley Davidsons in a layby. We pulled in and asked if we could take a picture of Raquel on their bike. Sounds a bit daft now - but they agreed. They pointed out the hot parts (could have been a very short rally for her if we had melted her bits!) and we took her picture. They seemed to think it was funny, because they then took some pictures of her and us! Mad dogs and Englishmen - they must have thought we were crazy. After a small detour - that might have thrown us - to get to Ettelbruck because of roadworks, we were then on the last leg to get to Metz. Should have been fairly straightforward, but it was nose to tail for around twenty miles. We finally arrived into Metz at 7pm - led straight there by Mrs TomTom, who had been spot on all day. What did we do before technology! What a fantastic old town Metz is - and how confusing the roads are. The road we wanted to go down had bollards, so we had to reverse and park in a big square. I walked to the hotel, and got directions to an underground car park where we could leave the car overnight. When we got to the hotel, I realised that we had both been in the full sun all day, with the roof down, and no sun cream on. Tomato faces! Never mind - I am sure they will have settled down a bit by tomorrow. Nothing else for it but a campari and beer - very well deserved after that long days drive.

Travel Trade Crusade 2013 - Day One, Thursday 10th July

The car had the magnetic signs fixed to the side, the blow up doll was blown up and safely in the back seat - Keevil's Independent Traders were ready to roll! The "Only Fools and Horses" Themed car, together with all three occupants, said goodbye to the daughter and the dog (both of whom seemed a bit embarrassed to be seen with a nude lady made of plastic)and set off for the first leg of the journey to Dover for the P&O ferry to Calais. A trouble free drive saw us in Dover spot on our checking in time - 11.35am for a 12.05pm ferry. The French Customs Officer gave us a sidewards look when we only produced two passports, but thought better of it than asking for a third. The French are quite open minded I think! The P&O check in lady told us we had a "sexy lady" in the back (perhaps she thought we hadn't noticed) and went into raptures of laughter. But then got quite serious and said the ferry was delayed for an hour and a half. Brightened her day though I think - she must have had some grumpy people blaming her for the delays that had been happening all morning. The time quickly went, and we were soon making our way onto the Pride Of Britain. We started the crossing in the Club Lounge with a lovely glass of champagne - thank you P&O for giving discounts on the crossing and giving a complimentary lounge pass for all of the Travel Trade Crusaders. The crossing was extremely calm, and we were off the other end in just over an hour. Must remember to drive on the right!! The short journey to the Novotel Suites in Calais was made simple with the help of the lovely lady from TomTom. No wrong turns, and Paul didn't shout at me once! Well perhaps once when my hand signal was just not good enough! We were one of the first teams to arrive - shortly after us came the Pussy Patrol, Barking Mad, Grand Priests, Formula Nuns and the Green Ladies (one of which is a man!). Pussy Patrol takes my vote as the best car so far! Can't wait to see all the other teams that are arriving during the evening - all ready for the off at 08.30am in the morning!

Athens by Annie Clougherty

In October 2012, I was taken by Cyplon Holidays to Athens and the Athenian Riviera.


On arrival in Athens we stayed in the heart of the city in the Hotel Grande Bretagne which is situated on Constitution Square. This hotel is the grandest hotel in Athens and has a very traditional atmosphere and is very well placed for seeing the Acropolis. The rooftop restaurant has magnificent views of the Acropolis and this is where breakfast is served and you can also dine here in the evening.

We then headed to what is known as the Athenian Riviera – The beautiful Vouliagmeni peninsular which is only approximately 35 km from Athens so this would make an ideal place to stay as it is so easy to go into Athens from here for the day. The peninsular has breathtaking cliffs with beautiful clear waters and if you continue along the coastline you will come to Poseidon’s temple in Sounion.

The two hotels we visited on this peninsular were the Astir Palace and the Arion, they both have their own private beaches. I would recommend staying at the Arion resort and Spa which I found to be a very elegant hotel with a good choice of restaurants and very spacious grounds.

If anyone was considering having a city break to Athens, I would recommend staying in one of these beach hotels, as this would be more relaxing than staying in the hussle and bussle of Athens itself.

Click on my photo to see more from my trip.

For access to our other blogs use the archive on the right.

Contact us via www.travel-stop.co.uk
or Tel:01473 832111 or 01359 242555
or email enquiries@travel-stop.co.uk

"TRAVEL STOP - The independent travel agent for all your holiday and travel needs - Big enough to offer the World, small enough to care, providing outstanding quality and service for over 20 years."

Saint Vincent by Cheryl Locke

In December 2012, I was very fortunate to have had the opportunity to visit the beautiful island of Saint Vincent, courtesy of British Airways and Harlequin Hotels and Resorts.

Buccament Bay Resort, is a brand new luxury, 5-star, all inclusive destination which I defy anyone to dislike!

St.Vincent itself is an unspoilt tropical island, with rainforests, mountains, secluded coves and with clear warm waters perfect for diving and snorkeling, what more could anyone want! And located on a lovely white sand beach you will find the Buccament Bay Resort.

With children myself, the resort itself is a perfect family destination, offering as many activities as you could wish for. The Harlequin Sports Academy offers high level tennis instruction with the on-site tennis pro (group and individual), football skills and training with the Liverpool FC Soccer School (the pitches being available to professional clubs for pre-season training) and the cricket nets being available for all guests.

With kayaks, and other non-motorised watersports available, along side the beach volleyball and two resort swimming pools, you really can be as busy or as relaxed as you wish.

The dining facilities are of a tremendous standard, with ample choice, all of high quality. With premium brand drinks and champagne as part of the all-inclusive arrangements, nothing is to be found to be of a lesser standard.

The accommodations are one, two or four-bedroomed villas, each with spacious living rooms and top quality furnishings, all opening out onto a deck with plunge pool.

Basil's Bar, located on the beautiful island of Mustique, perches on stilts over the Caribbean Sea, and hosts wonderful times for people from many countries. Some say it is the greatest bar in the world! Many of you will remember Mustique as the favourite holiday destination of Princess Margaret, some will know that Mick Jagger and Bryan Adams have homes here, as well as the infamous Guinness family. When visited, you can understand why. It really is a paradise island and the day spent snorkeling and swimming in the turquoise sea really was a day to remember.

All in all, my experience here at the Buccament Bay Resort was one I wouldn’t have wished to have missed for anything. Whether it was relaxing by the pool, enjoying the sunset catamaran cruise (included complimentary for all guests), the day spent on the island of Mustique or the sporting activities in which I participated, I would be hard pressed to find somewhere more enjoyable or idyllic than here.

Click on my photo to see more from my trip.
For access to our other blogs use the archive on the right.

Contact us via www.travel-stop.co.uk
or Tel:01473 832111 or 01359 242555
or email enquiries@travel-stop.co.uk

"TRAVEL STOP - The independent travel agent for all your holiday and travel needs - Big enough to offer the World, small enough to care, providing outstanding quality and service for over 20 years."

Washington - 27th October 2012

Today was our last day. There is so much we haven’t done, and so much on the list to do, that there is going to be lots that is going to have to wait until next time! After an early start, to try and get in as much as possible, we grabbed a coffee along the way and went to meet a walking tour guide that I had found on the internet.


The company is called Monumental Stouries, and is a free, tips only, tour. We met Tim, the guide, on Constitution Avenue just off the north grounds of the Washington Monument. It turns out that there is only one other couple on the tour – an American couple, the lady coming from New York and lives one block away from Madonna and the gentleman who went to law school with Mitt Romney. Made for a very interesting tour. The lady also was working on the 65th floor of the World Trade Centre when the plane hit, and gave a very graphic encounter of how she escaped.

Tim was so knowledgeable about the monuments and history – and whatever he didn’t know the American gentleman filled in. A real bonus! We started by walking over to the World War II monument, and then through the Constitution Gardens and by the Reflecting Pool towards the Vietnam Monument. As we were at the World War II Monument, Tim saw two secret service sniper guys on the top of one of the buildings, and said that usually meant that Marine One (helicopter) was on its way in. He explained that if there were three helicopters, one would be carrying the President, if there were two it would be the Vice President, or one it could be anyone! There are thirty Marine One’s altogether. There were only two, so looks like we didn’t get the top man today. The reflecting pool had just been drained and had 34 million dollars spent on having pipes connected to it to keep it clean. This apparently has done two things – allowed algae to grow on it so is not clean at all, and keeps the water moving so that it doesn’t reflect. We must have been really lucky the other day when we had a perfect reflection. It certainly wasn’t today.

We then went to the Vietnam War Memorial, a black granite wall with names of every American that lost their lives engraved in the wall. It sounds a bit morbid, but it actually is very poignant. It is cleverly designed to seem like a knife wound cut into the ground, deeper in the middle than at the ends. So many things are left every day at the wall be relatives and friends of the soldiers – all that are collected at midnight and stored. A Harley Davidson motor bike was left one year by a motor cycle group – so that the deceased could “take a ride” at any time they felt like it.

We then went to Lincoln’s Memorial again, and again had more and more information on this and the surrounding area. We walked around the back of the temple, and had a great view of the Arlington Memorial Bridge and Woman’s Monument in the cemetery. From here we walked to the Korea Memorial. A garden type monument with nineteen stainless steel soldiers that looked as if they were walking though hills and swamps. The expressions on their faces were so life like – just as if they were feeling fatigued and really wanted to come home. A wall went down one side of this with faces etched into it of actual soldiers that served in the war.

From here, we went to Martin Luther King’s Memorial – the newest addition. This was a huge stone sculpture, with many of his quotes engraved into the walls surrounding the sculpture. The entrance is made of a huge rock split into two, that you walk through the middle. His image has been hewn out of the block that came from the middle and moved forward. Very clever. One of the quotes on the side of his image has caused much controversy, so is going to be redone at some point with the whole quote instead of the cut down version which has apparently changed the meaning. From here, there is a view of the tidal basin over to the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial. It has been a beautiful day again, but our feet have just about given up. This walk took five hours – way over what it supposed to, but was so interesting with the conversation that nobody seemed to mind.

We grabbed a cab and went to one of the restaurants that was recommended by the guide book, one of the locals, and the tour guide – Old Emmitt Grill which is virtually next to the White House. It was well worth the visit.

Clam chowder and lobster – and the biggest lobster I have ever eaten. And it was so good! Well chosen for our last meal in Washington. It was then back to the hotel and pack for our flight at 11.20pm out of Dulles Airport and back to the UK. Just in time – Hurricane Sandy is due in the next couple of days, and is predicted to be the worst storm to hit the area in decades.  And our $55 hop-on hop-off bus ticket was used for one bus for two stops – not the best value for money purchase we have ever made!