Author: Rachel O
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Five days in Almaty: How to maximise your stay in this glittering city
Wanted to try a city in a country that none of your friends have visited and you only have a short time to do so? No worries, here is what I think you should do if you have only 5 days in Almaty! Before you get there Download the appropriate apps Yandex is Kazakhstan’s Uber…
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A Great Spa and Fabulous Service: My Club Med Bali Review
Following on from a very successful first stay at a Club Med resort early last year, we travelled to their Bali location in January 2026. Bali is a great favourite of Australians and we were excited to try another stay at this resort chain. We had a lovely time. Highlights included the resort spa, whose…
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A great fishing trip and fresh bread: A review of Clover Cottage Manjimup
Everyone had a great time, with the exception of the two trout we caught in the resort’s lake. The event which resulted in the demise of these fish was a highlight for those of us on land, particularly because it was the first such time for my daughter. She was ecstatic. A real hunter. Welcome…
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An Exciting Trip: My Portsmouth To Caen Ferry Review
Wanting to avoid the crazy airport crowds, we opted to take a ferry across the English Channel to France this past summer. Some alternative transport-loving friends of ours recommended Brittany Ferries, and that was enough for us to get tickets from Portsmouth to Caen! And yes, we now also recommend the ferry, especially if you…
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A Great Option For Families: My Review Of Lous Seurrots Resort
Just outside the small town of Contis on the French Atlantic coast, is a family-friendly resort known as Camping Lous Seurrots. We stayed here in the first week of July 2025. In this particular year the French school holidays, and high season, began on the 7th July. It’s officially known as “Camping Yelloh village Lous…
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Fabulous food and a great kids club: Why we loved Club Med Phuket
Let me begin by saying we’ve not historically been all-inclusive resort-type people. However, since having children, the idea of a kids club has become VERY interesting. We waited till our son was 4 years old (the minimum age of fee-free entry for many resort kids clubs) before venturing out to one of the famous Club…
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The best hotel for families at Shymbulak: Shymbulak Hotel Review
We have stayed at all the main Almaty ski resorts, most frequently at a hotel called Shymbulak Resort Hotel. The name might be a little confusing given it’s situated within Shymbulak Mountain Resort and I’m not sure if that was a mistake or just some great marketing! Regardless, the mountain resort also has some other…
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The Best View In Shymbulak: Le Mont Hotel Review
Le Mont Hotel (formerly Sneg) is a cozy lodge nestled halfway up the main slope of Shymbulak Mountain Resort. You’ll find it next to the exit from the Combi 1 chairlift. With a fantastic deck, it is brilliant for summertime eating, but during the winter, when its a bit too chilly to be outside for…
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An 80s Era Room & Excellent Lamb Cutlets: A Review Of Ak Bulak Hotel
This title may not have been how I thought I’d start this review, but there you have it. Ak Bulak Hotel is great for its location of being directly beneath a ski resort, but sometimes you have to focus on the unexpected highlights. If you’re planning to venture out to Ak Bulak Ski Resort then…
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Why visiting Abay Opera Theatre is a great idea
Add to the cultural value of your Almaty trip with a show at the iconic theatre! What is it? Abay Opera Theatre is a large and very grand theatre in the centre of Almaty. Built in the 1930s, with elements of Stalinist architectural style, it has evolved to be the centre of culture for the…