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It is officially 2026, and technology is everywhere. We’ve got AI to write our emails, AI to vacuum our floors, and now, AI to plan our holidays. You’ve probably seen the apps: type in “5 days in Thailand with kids,” and in six seconds, you have a full itinerary. It looks shiny, it looks easy, and it looks like the future. But when it comes to your precious time off, the one or two weeks a year you get to truly switch off, is a computer algorithm really better than a real hum

If you’ve ever looked at a map of Greece and thought, “Oh, we’ll just zip across Crete in an afternoon,” let me stop you right there. Crete isn't just an island; it’s practically a small country. It’s the "Big Island" of the Mediterranean, and trying to see it all in one go is a bit like trying to eat an entire Moussaka in one bite: ambitious, but you’ll probably regret it. As a personal travel consultant with over 20 years in the game, I’ve seen it all. I’ve helped families

If you’ve been scrolling through your feed lately and noticed a sudden influx of turquoise bays, ancient Roman arches, and sweeping desert dunes that look like they belong on a different planet, you aren’t imagining it. Tunisia is officially having a "moment." In fact, it’s more than a moment: it’s a movement. By the end of 2026, Tunisia is expected to have surpassed a staggering 11 million annual visitors, and honestly? It’s about time. For years, this North African gem sat

If you’ve ever found yourself scrolling through Instagram at 11 PM, staring at pictures of overwater bungalows and turquoise water while sipping a lukewarm cup of tea, then this guide is for you. We’ve all been there, dreaming of that perfect Caribbean getaway where the only decision you have to make is whether to have another mango daiquiri before or after your afternoon nap. I’m Sarah Williams, and with over 20 years in the travel industry, I’ve seen resorts come and go. Bu

If you’re currently staring at a mountain of laundry while dreaming of a place where the sun actually shines and the kids aren't complaining about "being bored," then you’ve come to the right place. Welcome to Fuerteventura: specifically, the golden, breezy haven of Caleta de Fuste. As your personal travel consultant here at Sarah Williams at Hays Travel, I spend my days matching families with their perfect getaway. And let me tell you, if "relaxing," "safe," and "easy" are t

Can you believe we’re already looking ahead to 2027? It feels like only yesterday we were whispering about the "big changes" coming to Paris, and now, here we are. If you’ve been holding off on your next Disney fix, I have some fantastic news: 2027 is officially the year to go. Why? Because by the time 2027 rolls around, the initial "opening rush" for the brand-new lands will have settled, the park’s massive transformation is in full swing, and: most importantly: Disneyland P

Choosing between All-Inclusive and Half Board is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make when planning your family getaway. As we look ahead to 2026, many of you are already asking me: "Sarah, which one is actually going to save me money?" Honestly, there isn't a one-size-fits-all answer. What works for a family of four heading to a luxury resort in Morocco might be a total budget-buster for a couple of teenagers wanting to explore the local tapas scene in Majorca. It’s all

If you’re looking for a destination that perfectly balances "I want to lie on a sun lounger all day" with "I want to explore 2,000-year-old ruins," then let me introduce you to Side. Pronounced See-deh, this stunning harbour town on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast is one of my absolute favourite spots to recommend. As we look ahead to the 2026 season, Side is more popular than ever, and for good reason. It’s one of the few places in the world where you can walk through a Roman g

If you’re dreaming of golden sands, turquoise waters that look like they’ve been plucked straight from a postcard, and a sun that shines all year round, then Hurghada needs to be at the top of your travel list. I’ve been helping people find their perfect getaways for over 20 years now as part of the Hays Travel family, and I can honestly say that Hurghada is one of those rare destinations that truly has something for everyone. Whether you’re a family looking for a high-energy

Let’s be honest: we’ve all been there. It’s 7:00 AM on the second day of your holiday. Instead of sleeping in and enjoying the sound of the ocean, you’re tiptoeing out to the pool deck to snag four sunbeds together before the "towel brigade" beats you to it. Then comes the breakfast buffet rush, the noisy hallway chatter at midnight, and the struggle of trying to fit a family of five into two cramped, connecting hotel rooms. If that sounds a bit too much like hard work, let m

If you’ve ever tried to plan a family holiday with pre-teens, you’ll know it’s a bit of a balancing act. They’ve outgrown the toddler-friendly "splash zones" and kids' clubs, but they aren't quite ready for the high-octane nightlife of Mykonos or Ios. You’re looking for that "Goldilocks" zone: somewhere cool enough to impress a twelve-year-old, relaxing enough for the grown-ups, and: crucially: somewhere with actual sand under your feet. As a Personal Travel Consultant here a

If you’ve been dreaming of an island getaway that offers more than just a standard beach chair and a cocktail, let me introduce you to my absolute favourite Indian Ocean gem: Mauritius. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love a good cocktail on a sun lounger as much as the next person. But what makes Mauritius so special, and why I find myself recommending it to my clients time and time again, is that it’s a bit of a "chameleon" destination. It can be the height of sophisticated luxu

Hola! It’s Sarah Williams here, your Personal Travel Consultant. If you’re starting to dream about your next sunshine getaway and want a destination that genuinely has something for everyone, you need to put the Costa Dorada at the top of your list. Known as the "Golden Coast" thanks to its miles of shimmering, honey-hued sands, this stretch of the Spanish coastline is one of my absolute favourite places to recommend. Whether you’re a family looking for adrenaline-pumping the

Hi everyone! I’m Sarah Williams, your Personal Travel Consultant at Hays Travel. If you’re anything like me, your mind is probably already drifting toward your next big getaway. Whether you’re dreaming of waking up to a different Mediterranean port every morning or seeing the sun set over the Norwegian Fjords, there’s one cruise line that always feels like a home away from home: P&O Cruises. With 2026 itineraries now in full swing, there has never been a better time to plan y

If you’ve ever found yourself sitting at your desk, staring out at a grey UK sky, and wishing you could be in the Sahara Desert, a lush Mediterranean pine forest, and a chic European city all at once, well, I have some very good news for you. You don’t need a private jet or a TARDIS. You just need a boarding pass to Gran Canaria. Affectionately known as the "Miniature Continent," this island is the third-largest in the Canaries, and honestly, it’s a bit of a show-off. While i

When you close your eyes and think of Greece, I’d bet my bottom dollar that you’re picturing Santorini. Those iconic white-washed buildings clinging to the cliffs, the deep blue Aegean Sea, and, of course, those famous blue domes. It’s the ultimate "postcard-perfect" destination. But as a personal travel consultant, I’m here to tell you that if you only visit for the Instagram shots, you’re missing out on about 90% of what makes this volcanic island so incredible. From its an

When most people think of a holiday in Lanzarote, they picture golden beaches, a cold pint of beer, and the year-round sunshine that has made the Canary Islands a British favourite for decades. And don’t get me wrong: there is absolutely nothing wrong with that! I love a lazy afternoon by the pool as much as anyone. But if you stop there, you’re missing out on one of the most unique, otherworldly, and culturally rich islands in the world. As your personal travel consultant, I

Hey there, fellow travelers! Sarah Williams here, your Personal Travel Consultant at Hays Travel. If there is one city that truly lives up to the hype every single time, it’s New York City. Whether you call it the Big Apple, the City That Never Sleeps, or just "The City," New York has an energy that you just can’t find anywhere else on the planet. I often have clients ask me, "Sarah, is four nights enough to see New York?" My answer? Absolutely, if you have the right plan! Yo

If you’re anything like me, choosing between a relaxing beach holiday and an adventure-filled city break is nearly impossible. Do you want to wake up to a new horizon every day, or do you want to unpack your suitcase and truly get to know one beautiful corner of the world? Well, I have some good news for you: you don’t have to choose! One of my absolute favourite ways to travel is the "Cruise & Stay" combo. It gives you the high-energy excitement of a Mediterranean cruise fol

So, you’re headed to Walt Disney World in Orlando? How exciting! As a Personal Travel Consultant here at Hays Travel, I get to talk about holidays all day long, but there is something truly special about a Disney trip. It’s the one place where adults can act like kids and kids can see their wildest dreams come to life. Planning seven days at Disney can feel like a full-time job, though. With four main theme parks, two water parks, and a massive shopping district, where do you