Karen Moore - Travel Counsellors

26/01/2025

Offer - A week of relaxation in Crete

Nestled between a nature reserve and two sandy beaches on Crete’s northern coastline, Amirandes A Grecotel Resort to Live is an elegant resort centred around a palm-fringed lagoon and is the perfect place for a stylish beach escape. Chill in sea-facing suites, take a dip in the Olympic-sized seawa...

25/01/2025

Play, explore and relax in Cyprus. Find out more about Aphrodite Hills, an award-winning, 5-star resort only 20 minutes from Paphos.

A collection of self-catering luxury apartments and super-luxurious villas, Aphrodite Hills Holiday Rentals is part of an award-winning five-star resort in southwest Cyprus. Tucked away in the hills just 20 minutes from Paphos and half an hour from Limassol, the resort has the most glorious views an...

24/01/2025

Foodhallen, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Foodie Friday!

I like going a bit off the beaten track when I’m visiting a city. I’d read about Foodhallen, housed in a converted/refurbished tram depot in Amsterdam, so I ventured there (it’s about 30 minutes’ walk south of Amsterdam Central) one evening. There are an array of different stalls with all kinds of cuisine on offer – I chose Mexican. There’s lots of options for drinks too. You find a spot to sit and then chose what you’d like and order from each stall. It had a lively atmosphere and attracts quite a young, trendy crowd from what I could see. Plus it's a great use of an old industrial building.

23/01/2025

Magna Plaza, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

This impressive building was a few minutes’ walk from where I was staying. It’s the former Amsterdam Main Post Office and was built between 1895 and 1899 in a neo-Gothic and neo-Renaissance style. The imposing facade between the Palace on Dam Square and the Nieuwe Kerk has been a familiar sight for almost a century. Today it’s home to a shopping mall so you can go inside and take in all the details and get a sense of the scale of the building.

22/01/2025

Dam Square, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Amsterdam’s iconic square, with its grand historical buildings and cobblestones, is often considered the ‘centre’ of the city. During the thirteenth century, this spot is where the first dam on Amstel River was built, hence its name. There’s the massive Royal Palace, Nieuwe Kerk and National Monument here and all are architecturally impressive.

21/01/2025

Anne Frank House, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Tuesday Travels!

Week three and another fabulous ‘museum’ in Amsterdam. This week it's Anne Frank House, probably the most poignant of the city's museums. Having read The Diary of Anne Frank when I was growing up, and having studied Modern European history, it was on my ‘must visit’ list for Amsterdam. I booked tickets as soon as they were released as they sell out weeks in advance. It was an emotional experience – especially when you first go past the bookcase that hid the staircase to the Secret Annex where Anne and her family lived, in hiding from the N***s, for more than two years.

20/01/2025

Dreaming of Blue this Monday?

For me that means I'm dreaming of either the clear blue sea or the bright blue sky!

Ready to turn your Monday blues into a blue voyage? Get in touch with me today and let's book your next blue-inspired trip.

T 0161 268 8521
E [email protected]
W https://www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/karen.moore/

19/01/2025

Offer - create family memories in Crete

Whether you want to soak up the sun together, introduce your little ones to local flavours, or set off a Greek adventure, Domes Zeen Chania is the perfect resort for your next family getaway. Overlooking the shimmering Aegean Sea and set amidst stunning surroundings, this luxury boutique retreat off...

18/01/2025

Is Thailand on your travel wish list? Find out more about this fabulous country and embark on a family adventure

At Anantara Koh Yao Yai Resort & Villas, families are at the heart of the experience. This stunning destination offers everything you need for an unforgettable holiday – from wide-open lawns perfect for little ones to run free to serene swimming pools, a kilometre of unspoiled beach, and one of Th...

17/01/2025

La Trappe Trappist beer, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Foodie Friday!

I’m not the biggest beer drinker, however I do like to try local drinks when I’m visiting different countries. I enjoyed this La Trappe beer while I was staying in Amsterdam at the end of last year. Until recently, the La Trappe Trappist Monastery in The Netherlands was the only recognized Trappist Monastery outside of Belgium. It produces what they describe as a pure, honest, Dutch ale.

16/01/2025

Miffy, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Walking around Amsterdam you see a lot of rabbits, and specifically, Miffy, in the shop windows. Dutch artist Dick Bruna first drew Miffy in 1955. In the Netherlands, Miffy is known as ‘nijntje’, which derives from the Dutch word ‘konijntje, meaning ‘little bunny’. Miffy is Dick Bruna's best known and most popular character, featuring in more than 30 books, far more than any other character he created. The last new book was released in 2011. I used to enjoy reading Miffy books when I was young and still love and appreciate the simplicity of the drawings and the use of mainly primary colours.

15/01/2025

Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

As well as all the fabulous paintings, drawings and letters by Van Gogh, the building is impressive too. The main building, designed by Gerrit Rietveld, opened in 1973. The exhibition wing designed by architect Kisho Kurokawa was completed in 1999, giving a lot more space to show even more of the collection. I loved the digital displays of Van Gogh’s work that were shown around the building – it made it almost an immersive experience and most certainly reminded all visitors of the variety of styles that Van Gogh used.

14/01/2025

Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Tuesday Travels!

Another week, another fabulous museum in Amsterdam. This time it’s the Van Gogh Museum which houses the world's largest collection of works by Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh. The permanent collection includes some of Van Gogh's best-known works, such as The Potato Eaters (1885), Almond Blossom (1890), Sunflowers (1889) and Wheatfield with Crows (1890). I particularly enjoyed seeing other, less ‘famous’ works by the artist. There are more than 200 paintings, 500 drawings and 700 letters to look at and enjoy so you can easily send a morning or afternoon here. In my opinion this is a must-visit when in Amsterdam.

13/01/2025

Have you been to China? Here are 8 awesome things to do in China to help inspire you to visit this enormous and varied country!

We don’t know about you, but while Chinese New Year festivities are brilliant in the UK, they also make us dream about wanting to go to China itself. A vast and hugely varied country, it has some incredible sights, whether you're a first-time visitor or a returning explorer. Join us as we reveal o...

12/01/2025

Offer - All-inclusive luxury Greek escape

Escape to the enchanting shores of Crete's north coast, where Grecotel LUXME White invites you to discover its luxury surroundings and unmatched Greek hospitality. With its whitewashed design, light-filled spaces, and captivating views of the endless blue sea, this luxurious resort is the perfect al...

11/01/2025

Did anyone watch Susan Calman's Cruise of a Lifetime on Channel 5 last night? Part two focussed on Uniworld's Boutique River Cruise after a visit to Delhi and Agra in part one last week. Susan sailed aboard the luxurious Ganges Voyager II and explored the iconic Golden Triangle.

If India is on your travel wish list, please get in touch to find out how I can help.

10/01/2025

Dutch apple cake, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Foodie Friday!

When in Amsterdam (and the rest of the Netherlands), it’s always a good idea to order and enjoy a local speciality. This apple cake was delicious! The only difference between an apple pie and a Dutch apple pie (or cake) is the topping on the pie - you use a crumb or streusel topping.

09/01/2025

Bicycle bling, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Amsterdam is often known as the bicycle capital of the world. Today there are approximately 515 km (320 miles) of dedicated cycle lanes. I enjoyed walking (not cycling) around and being in a largely car-free city. This bicycle caught my eye on one of my walks.