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We had a great holiday in The Dominican Republic-thanks to Carrick travel and Emma-Louise in particular. Parking at Birmingham airport was easy and checking in went smoothly after following your advice and booking seats for free on line. Our flights were on time and trouble free and airport transfer was on a brand new bus.
The hotel Rui Palace Macoa lived up to all our expectations and the staff were brilliant. We went on one organised trip which went off with out a hitch even taking nto a/c the tropical storm. All in all a good holiday and we will be using Carrick again for next years holiday

Regards

Dave

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Sue,

Well, you did it again! Found us a lovely hotel, in a wonderful setting.

The Pestana Hotel is a little out of the centre of Cascais in a residential area. There is a small but well stocked supermarket right opposite, with an ATM. The rooms are very comfortable, with two rings and some cooking utensils and a fridge. We didn't cook, but it was useful for making lunch and keeping drinks cold. I would recommend people to pay the extra for the sea view, and you would need to be on the 4th floor or higher (top 6th) to get this. The other rooms on that side of the hotel would view the pool and gardens, which are lovely as well.

The pool and surrounding area are very good and the gardens offer plenty of shade. The pool is indoors/outdoors. The outdoor pool runs into the inside, under perspex pool, which for obvious reasons is much warmer. The jacuzzi is there too. There is a snack bar for lunch. Plenty of sunbeds and pool towels are free from reception.

We only had one meal in the evening in the hotel on our first night. It was good, with plenty of choice, but rather expensive especially when you add on hotel drinks. The breakfast buffet is quite fine too.

When we were there, the hotel was pretty full - many people from Ireland and Holland. I think we were the only English there. Not that it is a problem, all the staff speak good English and are very helpful.

Cascais is still a lovely village/town. The small square in the centre is the main area of activity and where everyone congregates. If you head north off the square, up a small side street, we found a charming local patisserie/restaurant, where a daily changing menu offered excellent meals, with a main dish costing Euro 4.95! At the top of the town, by McDonalds, we also found another lovely local restaurant. We dined on quail a couple of times and couldn't send £20 on a meal for two with local wine. There are plenty of restaurants to choose from, however, whatever your price range and taste. Even a couple of Indians and a Thai.

The hotel runs a complimentary bus service into town during the day, from the hotel to the railway station at the top of the town, and does a couple of runs to a nearby beach during high season. In the evenings, till 10pm weekdays and midnight weekends, a local bus "Buscas" (pronounced "Bushcash") runs every 10 minutes. It costs Euro 0.65 per trip and you can jump on or off at any of the stops on the circular route. Its stops (different going to coming back) are a short walk (3 minutes) from the Pestana.

We took the train into Lisbon for the day. A very easy journey even for us oldies; an enjoyable ride along the coast and Lisbon itself is an interesting city to see. We also took a day trip to the summer palace at Sintra. Well worth doing.

Can't think of anything else important to share. All in all, a great place, only 2hrs 10mins flying from London.

Well done and thanks again for another lovely holiday,
Sally & Dave Rogers


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Hi Sue,

A very big thank you from Ian and me for a wonderful holiday in Northern Cyprus. Everything went to plan - extra leg room seats on plane, private transfer to and from resort and a wonderful hotel.

We would definitely recommend the Rocks Hotel. The staff are friendly and cannot do enough for you. You just have to ask.

Hotel
For some reason they gave us a twin room, but as soon as we said we wanted a double, they changed it immediately. The rooms are spacious and have everything you need (hairdryer, mini bar, safe, etc).

The staff speak some English and you can generally make yourself understood. We particularly liked the pool staff who were always up for some friendly banter. The pool area is perfect. Lots of sunbeds, towels provided and a bar as well as a lovely, clean swimming pool and access to the sea below (though there is no sand if people are looking for this).

The general manager keeps a close check on his staff and is somewhat ubiquitous. We used to count the number of times we saw him each day. It was always 3 or 4 times (as he comes round to check breakfast, the pool, etc).

Breakfast was a huge buffet with breads, pastries, meats, cheeses, salad, fruit, and hot food which included Haloumi, sausages, bacon, baked beans, and a very friendly egg-chef who would do omelettes, pancakes, etc.

We didn't eat in the hotel at night as there was so much choice down by the harbour.

Spa
Whilst we were there we both enjoyed massages in the spa part of the hotel and I also had a manicure, pedicure and hair cut. All were excellent and it didn't seem to cost very much when you compare it to the UK. Ian also used the gym and whilst there was plenty of equipment, it was a bit hot (more air conditioning needed here).

Kyrenia
Kyrenia harbour is just a few minutes walk from the hotel and on route you pass some stallholders and walk along the water front. There are lots of restaurants to choose between for dinner and plenty of bars offering brandy sours. We were also pleasantly surprised by the local dry white wine which we drank all holiday (gone are the days of dodgy Retsina and Aphrodite!)
We particularly enjoyed eating Meze and fresh fish - just bear in mind you need a big appetite. But there are plenty of restaurants offering more British food (burgers, etc) and Full English Breakfast if that's what you want.

Just bear in mind that the waitors will always try to draw you in as you walk past their places. At the start of the holiday we found this amusing, towards the end we were getting a little fed up - but I guess they are just doing their job.

Diving
We tried two different scuba diving schools. The one we would recommend is Amphora Dive Centre on Escape Beach which you need to take a taxi to. The dive instructor was very professional, the equipment good and the staff friendly and helpful. They also speak perfect English. Escape Beach is lovely so well worth a visit anyway.
We would not recommend the British Dive School (based on Turtle Beach).

Things to do
We took a taxi over to Bellapais monastery and also St Hilarion castle nearby (though you can go on coach tours). Both worth a visit with good descriptions on site. The walls of Kyrenia fort are also worth wandering round.

All in all a brilliant trip.

Thanks a million

Jo and Ian
Jo Cooper

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Dear Helen,

I have been meaning to write to you for some time to congratulate you and, of course, Stephanie on your achievement awards. I first came across the high level of service provided by Carrick last year, when Stephanie and I colluded to construct a surprise 30th birthday trip for my son. Her level of service was so outstanding at the time, that I later booked a similar trip for my daughter, again through Stephanie. My daughter was then one of those caught up in the 'ash' delays ( stuck in San Francisco in fact) and once again Carrick Travel shone through as an organisation that was prepared to go that extra mile to support and care for its customers. I shall be using Carrick for all my travel arrangements in future and have recommended your company to friends and family - in fact, anyone that I know who is looking to book their holidays, secure in the knowledge that they will be well cared for.

Chris Caswell

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‘Congratulations to Steph on her outstanding achievement and to Carrick Travel generally for reaching two final categories. Well done and keep up the good work.’
Graham and Susan Pountney

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Well done to Stephanie and all the team at Carrick in Cheylesmore.

Thanks for all your help over the years we wouldn't dream of going anywhere else to book our holidays.

Best wishes
Christina & John Gilbertson

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Carrick Travel’s Coventry-based travel consultant, Stephanie Russell, has won the prestigious Young Professional Travel Agent of the Year award.

“When I heard my directors had nominated me, I felt overwhelmed and honoured. Going on to win it is incredible; it is something I would never have dreamt of. I can only thank my manager, Helen Sanders, and colleagues at Cheylesmore, for the excellent training and support they have offered.”

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Helen

Many congratulations on the success of Carrick Travel and in particular the success of your branch in Cheylesmore. Also, please say well done from me and Marie to Stephanie on her award which, having seen how excellent her service is to customers when we have been in the branch, is obviously very much deserved.

Marie and I have been extremely impressed with the friendly and professional service we have received from you and all of your team during our visits to the branch in Cheylesmore and we had no hesitation giving you our business. We were delighted to be able to book our holiday with you at the Cheylesmore branch recently, especially after all the time spent with us as we travelled around the globe looking for somewhere to go!!!

Once again, well done to Carrick Travel and your team at Cheylesmore. We would like to wish you and your team further success in the future.

Kind regards

Paul + Marie Laythorpe

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Just a note to say we had a wonderful time in Hong Kong and Australia and everything went to plan. All the trips and hotels were excellent and we’re so sorry it’s all over.

Thanks again for all your help

Teresa McGinty

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Atten. Sue Hoyle

We had a fabulous 2 weeks at Club Hotel Riu Tequila. The hotel is in a lovely setting, built into the "jungle" (i.e. lots of trees and greenery)with two good sized pools and plenty of sunbeds and towels provided. The rooms are around the grounds mostly in 2-storey blocks, 16 to a block. Good sized rooms, with a dressing/bathroom area and separate shower and toilet. Stocked fridge in room, with optics above. Yes optics - gin, vodka, tequila and rum. Ice machines all around the grounds.

The food was excellent, either in the main buffet restaurant or in the a la carte restaurants that we tried: The Steak House and The Bamboo (Asian). There is a third a la carte restaurant, Mexican, but it is at the Rui Yucatan on the beach a bit of a walk away. Only problem with the a la cartes is that you have to get up early to book them - they are quite small and seating goes quickly in the morning. Booking starts at 07.00. The main restaurant gets very busy (the hotel holds 1500 guests) and sometimes there was a bit of a queue for things. But if you gave it 5 mins it usually calmed down again.

Breakfast was in the main buffet restaurant and lunch was by the pool (very good) or in the other hotels. You can use three other Rui hotels: the Rui Yucatan, Rui Playacar and Rui Lupita a bit further away. We only used the Yucatan because this is where you arrive on the beach. They have a pool bar right above the beach and you can eat in the Beach Club restaurant. We also found La Hacienda restaurant in the main part of the hotel and this was much calmer and excellent for lunch as well.

The staff in all the hotels were excellent - happy, smiling, couldn't serve you fast enough - we had to slow them down with the drinks!

Tequila is not on the beach, but a 5-8 minute walk away down a constructed walkway. There is also a trolley cart service that runs all day, except through the lunch break for those less able or unwilling to walk!

And the beach when you get there is terrific. Just re-built from the hurricane/s, it is now, I am told, four times the size it was before we arrived. Plenty of sunbeds and shade. You can walk for miles in either direction too - very safe. On the days when you could swim, the sea was also lovely and warm, warmer than the hotel pool.

Playa del Carmen is the nearest place for bars and restaurants (I can't imagine why you would want them though) and an abundance of over-priced tourist shops. Don't bother would be my comment.

As we have been to the area before, we didn't do any trips, but to others I would definitely recommend Xcel-Ha (the natural water inlet where you can see the most spectacular fish regardless of your swimming ability) and Tuluum for some Mayan culture.

The ONLY down side in our opinion was an 11 hour flight (but only 9 coming back). We know you can work miracles, so please can you move the Yucatan peninsula closer to the UK!

Also, despite Dawn's great recommendation, we did not get to Islas Mujures. It was well over an hour's drive back to Cancun and we were simply too lazy and too contented to move ourselves.
the entertainment! There were all sorts of sports and fitness events all day. Although the hotel is not on the beach, they have built a sand volley ball court by the pool and this is just one of the games on offer. Also Spanish and Salsa dancing lessons. If you want to do nothing, that's OK too, or you can join the beach games from the Rui Yucatan or book water sports activities there. Every evening there is a show which for its type is really quite good and this is preceded by a kiddies participation show, which is charming. There is of course also a children's club for the daytime. In addition, there is the opportunity to paint ceramics which they then fire overnight for you - quite a useful facility during one of the Caribbean downpours, which happen most days for about 30 mins.

Another thing I forgot to mention is the Sports Bar. This is open 24 hours a day for drinks AND has snacks available should one still be hungry.


That's for this one, unless I've forgotten anything....

Thanks again for finding this.
Sally & Dave Rogers

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Sue, we had a fabulous holiday! The place suited us just right and the weather was gorgeous, if a little hotter (up to 40 degress some days) than usual for early June.

Our expanded comments are as follows:

The hotel is gorgeous. Very luxurious, including the pool area, which we understand has been completely refurbished this year, with new furntiure, chase lounge and other exotic furnishings. Plenty of pool towels, readily dispensed by helpful staff too. The pool is lovely. If you want the sea, the steps from the decking take you straight in (you need to be a swimmer). And there is a pontoon to swim to as well. On some days, I guess depending on the winds etc, the sea can be a bit mucky, but to the credit of the hotel, they also look to clean it up when stuff is washed in.

Breakfast was really a brunch. Served till 11.30 and 12.30 on weekends. Everything from soup, to salads, to eggs, smoked salmon, wonderful breads and pastries, fresh orange juice, fresh fruit and other juices, and Turkish dishes too.

The first room we were given late on arrival Saturday night had no view, except for a huge satellite dish. We were told (a) the hotel was full that night and (b) all no smoking room are at the back! However, we were moved the next day, at our insistance, to a side room (West), with a view of a car park, mountains and a slight sea view if you bent forward! The best rooms without any doubt are the front, sea view. Worth paying the extra for if you spend any time in the room (which as a matter of fact we don't!).

The location is ideal for Kyrenia itself. Just a couple of minutes walk along the road. A most picturesque harbour and medieval town. The restaurants/bars around the harbour can be a bit of rip off, price not quality-wise. However, if you go up into the old town, through the small cobbled streets, there are a multitude of restaurants and bars, many in small courtyard gardens. Very pretty/romantic. And prices the same but for better food than at the harbour. Having said that, we did not have a bad meal in two weeks. For the evening buffet at the hotel they were charging T Lira 45 (£18). We were paying about £30 for two including wine.

All in all, a bit success.
Phew!!

Thanks again for all the arrangements.
Sally & Dave Rogers

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Carrick Travel Coventry.

For the past few years I have been booking my holidays through your company, previously to that I was always with Thomson’s but found that I had a couple of bad holiday experiences so I decided to change companies and that’s why I have been with Carrick Travel ever since.
Stephanie has been my travel agent from then we have booked Majorca, Barbados, Disneyland Paris and Cyprus for my family and me. Stephanie is one in a million and I wouldn’t shop anywhere else, she has always found me the deals to suit me to the best of her ability in a kind, polite and curious manner.
Yours Sincerely

Fiona Thompson

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"Many thanks to Sue Hoyle at the Bourton-on-the-Water branch for organising another super holiday for us - this time through Classic Collections. Sue always looks after us very well.

We have just returned from a week's holiday staying at the 5 Star Jardines de Nivaria Hotel on the Costa Adeje, Tenerife. What a great hotel! I would certainly recommend this to anyone wishing to have a quiet, relaxing holiday.

The hotel is run by the Adrien Family, who obviously care a lot about service. They also own two more hotels nearby.

The staff were professional, yet friendly and the hotel was very clean. The room we had on the fourth floor of the Taganana block was a good size with a pool/sea view.
The hotel has a modern take on the Art Noveau theme in the main building, so there are pretty stained glass windows and statues and all topped-off by a huge dome of stained glass depicting the constellations in the sky on the day the hotel opened in the late 1990s! Perhaps that gives a clue to the owner's attention to detail.

The pool-side area is well organised with a restaurant and plenty of space amongst the tropical plants.There is a heated pool, as well as a seawater pool and a jacuzzi. They have a policy of removing towels from any unused sun lounger after an hour, so no problem getting a place by the pool. Not that there was a problem with guests saving pool-side spaces in January.

If I was feeling a bit picky, the only comment I could make is that, although the buffet restaurant had a large and interesting selection of different foods, there was a slight canteen quality to some of the dishes - although that really is being picky!

To the rear of the hotel, is access straight onto the promenade and beach. Turn left (not to be particularly recommended!) to find shops, bars and restaurants with a more busy seaside/resort atmosphere (Cheap beer!). Turn right (definitely to be recommended!) and walk along a beautiful rocky shoreline and quieter beaches with a smattering of up-market shops and bars.

We also spent a couple of days exploring other parts of Tenerife, including the spectacular Mount Teide. There is also some dramatic scenery in the Mercedes Mountains (in the far North-East) and Masca in the Teno Mountains (in the North-West of the island). A memorable holiday. We have never felt we would wish to return to one particular hotel and resort before, but now we've changed our minds!"

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Hi,

I`m writing you a quick message as I wish to pass on a message of how impressed and hard working Donna Hill has been at the Coventry branch with planning/processing/booking our Honeymoon.

She has taken a lot of time and effort and spend many hours of the phone for us booking and recieving quotes. We would just like the highlight how much of a pleasure it has been booking through Donna and we would use Carrick travel everytime in the future.

Many Thanks
Chris & Sammy Surtees

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I am the Retail Manager of Carrick Travel Coventry and I have just returned from a trip to New Zealand. I travelled through the North and South islands. I had a fantastic time and experienced so much from a cruise around the Bay of Islands to jet boating in Queenstown and even sailing a yacht in Auckland. The most spectacular part of my trip, I thought though, was Mount Cook - breathtaking! So if you are thinking of taking a trip to New Zealand. Why not give me a call or email me. Helen Sanders on 02476 502650 or email helensanders@carricktravel.com

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Thailand makes a great long haul sun holiday destination. The Asian country has something for everyone, ranging from white, sandy beach resorts with beautiful hotels to vibrant and exciting cities.

Many holidaymakers travel to Thailand to stay in the beach resorts of Koh Samui, Pattaya and Phuket to enjoy their idyllic, quiet beaches, warm, clear waters and luxury resort hotels. The seaside resorts have plenty of things to do, including diving, snorkeling and sightseeing. Evenings can be as lively or as quiet as you like in the beach resorts, which have a variety of bars and restaurants.

As well as the beaches, many travellers who visit Thailand choose to discover the capital city of Bangkok. Bangkok is a vibrant city with a host of bars, restaurants, nightclubs and shops. There is so much to do in Bangkok that you will be spoilt for choice. In the day take a trip down a river market, visit the beautiful temples or just chill out by the hotel pool. At night, start the evening with some traditional Thai cuisine before heading off to the numerous lively bars and nightclubs.

Thailand really does something for everyone, from sun-worshippers to city slickers, so whatever you are looking for Carrick Travel will be able to find the perfect holiday for you.

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