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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

We’ve all been there. It’s 11:00 PM on a Tuesday, you’ve had a glass of wine (or two), and you’re scrolling through travel sites. Suddenly, you see it: a flight to Venice for the price of a fancy pizza. Your heart races. You open six more tabs: one for a hotel, one for a car rental, one for "top things to do": and before you know it, you’ve clicked "Book Now" on three different websites. You feel like a total genius. You’ve beaten the system. You’ve bypassed the "middleman."

We’ve all been there. It’s 11:00 PM on a Tuesday, you’ve got fourteen browser tabs open, three different price-comparison sites telling you different things, and a mounting headache. You started the evening looking for a simple family getaway, but now you’re spiralling down a rabbit hole of reviews, "hidden" fees, and confusing flight connections. In the digital age, we’ve been told that we have all the world's information at our fingertips. Google is amazing for many things:

We’ve all been there. It’s 11:00 PM on a Tuesday, you’ve had a glass of wine (or two), and you’re scrolling through travel sites. Suddenly, you see it: a flight to Venice for the price of a fancy pizza. Your heart races. You open six more tabs: one for a hotel, one for a car rental, one for "top things to do": and before you know it, you’ve clicked "Book Now" on three different websites. You feel like a total genius. You’ve beaten the system. You’ve bypassed the "middleman."

So, the "Yes!" has happened, the ring is sparkling, and you’re knee-deep in flower arrangements and guest lists. But then comes the best part: the honeymoon. I’ll be honest with you, planning a honeymoon can sometimes feel like a second full-time job. With so many "Instagram-perfect" spots popping up every day, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Should you do a beach? A city? A mountain? Or maybe a bit of everything? That’s where I come in. I’m Sarah Williams, your Personal Trave

So, you’ve decided on Thailand for your next big adventure. Excellent choice! Whether it’s your first time visiting the Land of Smiles or your tenth, there is always something new to discover. But now comes the million-dollar question that I get asked almost every single week as a personaltravelconsultant : "Sarah, should we go to Phuket or Koh Samui?" It’s a classic travel dilemma. Both islands offer stunning coastlines, world-class food, and that famous Thai hospitality. Ho

So, you’re thinking about taking the plunge and booking your first cruise? Honestly, I’m so excited for you! There is something truly magical about waking up in a brand-new country every morning without having to pack and unpack your suitcase five times. I’ve been a personal travel consultant for 20 years now, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that there is a perfect cruise out there for everyone. The problem is, with so many ships, lines, and destinations, it can f

So, you’ve finally decided to swap the treadmill of daily life for the gentle rock of the ocean! Whether you’ve already got a booking reference burning a hole in your pocket or you’re still in the "just looking" phase, welcome to the wonderful world of cruising. I’m Sarah Williams, your Personal Travel Consultant at Hays Travel, and if there’s one thing I love more than a holiday, it’s a holiday where the hotel moves with you. But I get it, your first cruise can feel a bit ov

So, you’re thinking about taking the plunge and booking your first cruise? Honestly, I couldn't be more excited for you! There is something truly magical about the moment you step onto a ship, cocktail in hand, knowing that you only have to unpack once while the world literally floats past your window. But I also know that looking at cruise brochures for the first time can feel a little like trying to read a map of the London Underground while wearing a blindfold. There are s

So, you’ve finally decided to swap your landlubber status for a life on the high seas! Welcome to the wonderful world of cruising. If you’re anything like the first-timers I chat with here at Sarah Williams at Hays Travel, you probably have a million questions. Which ship is right for me? Will I get seasick? And, perhaps most importantly: how do I get the best possible deal without sacrificing the luxury? Timing is everything in the travel world, but in the cruise industry, i

So, you’re thinking about taking the plunge and booking your very first cruise? Honestly, I couldn't be more excited for you! There is something truly magical about the moment you step onto a ship, cocktail in hand, watching the shore fade away as you head toward a new horizon. But I also know that for a first-timer, the world of cruising can feel a bit like learning a new language. Between "aft" and "forward," "inside cabins" and "royal suites," and the hundreds of ships out