Top Books to add to your kinlde whilst on holiday

There is nothing better than relaxing on the beach with the sun blazing - and why not add a good book on your kindle . . .

1) Revenge by Martina Cole

2 My Autobography by Alex Ferguson

3) My Life by David Jason

4) Demon Dentist by David Walliams

5) Bridget Jones: Mad about the Boy by Helen Fielding

6) Sycamore Row by John Grisham

7) The Black Box by Michael Connelly

8) The Broken Man by Joesphine Cox

9) Take A Look At Me Now by Miranda Dickinson

10) The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

There are loads of other titles, but the above gives a good range and there is bound to be something that tickles your fancy ...

Sharm Plaza - An Agents View

My Stay at the Sharm Plaza Hotel in September 2012

 I have just returned from a very enjoyable week at the Sharm Plaza Hotel in the premier Red Sea Resort of Sharm el Sheikh. We have sold this hotel to clients for a number of years and many of our customers return to the hotel year after year. I decided I needed to see what all the fuss was about and headed to it for myself.

On arrival to the hotel there is an impressive gateway and you pass into the main grounds which are shared with the sister hotel. The reception for both is at the Sharm Plaza Hotel, we were warmly greeted on arrival, our suitcases were taken from us and we headed into the reception where we were given our all inclusive bands and lead to the main restaurant for a late sitting due to our late evening arrival. The food was very good, piping hot and very tasty!

After our very welcome meal we headed back to the reception and received our room keys before being escorted to our rooms. The rooms were in block one, overlooking the diving pool and we had a lovely balcony that enjoys a sea view too. The rooms were spotless, quite large and very airy, the bathroom was also very large too. After our cases arrived we headed straight down to the pool bar area and had the rest of the evening there, meeting other guests who were keen to give us tips about the various pools, restaurants and bars.

For most of our stay we frequented the lagoon pool which overlooks the private beach and sea, the pool is family friendly being pretty shallow and has an inviting couple of steps that is a welcome place to sit submerged and cool down from the heat of the day. During the day the entertainment and animation team arrange activities and dancing for those that want to take part. The Sharm Plaza Hotel also has other pool areas which are a lot more quiet such as the impressive Roman Pool (built in the style of ancient Roman baths with big columns), the Zen Pool and the Diving Pool. There are also two swimming pools at the sister hotel the Sharm Resort Hotel, one of which has waterslides that will keep all kids (big or small) very happy.  

The private beach area is a relaxing place to enjoy the sunshine that Sharm el Sheikh has to offer, with lovely views over the Red Sea, it sits above a fabulous coral reef that is one of the best reefs in the resort and is perfect for snorkelling from the two pontoons the hotel offers.

The food was excellent, we only went to the main restaurant the first night as there are many other options available throughout the Sharm Plaza. We spent most time at the ala carte restaurants including two nights in the Italian restaurant (my fave!!), two nights at the Chinese buffet as well as a night at the Mexican and also went to the Pizzeria. The sea view restaurant was also getting excellent reports from other holidaymakers but we did not try there. During the day you can get snacks at the various restaurants ranging from cakes to paninis to full meals. 

There is a evening entertainment program that includes Egyptian and International shows as well as old faves such as bingo and karoke. If thats not your thing other bars within the Sharm Plaza have nothing going on for a peaceful evening. Later on after 11pm the hotel disco opens, it is situated away from the rooms and is also air conditioned. The all inclusive applies until midnight and from there onwards it is a case of purchasing any further drinks.

I highly recommend the Sharm Plaza Hotel, and please feel free to call me if you would like to speak to me personally about the hotel on 0800 091 2081.

Martyn Dean - JLM Travel

Martyn is a senior member of our sales team and would be happy to hear from you if you would like to find out more information about the Sharm Plaza or Sharm Resort.

Bulgaria and Croatia Sale

JLM Travel have today launched a sale on our website, www.jlmtravel.co.uk where you can save 10% on summer 2012 Bulgaria and Croatia Holidays. Big savings are also available on Bulgaria Ski Holidays too.

Bulgaria holidays have become a firm favourite with Brits, thanks in large to the fantastic value for money they offer compared to European rivals. As it is not in Euro, your money goes a lot further. Holidays in Bulgaria offer a fantastic choice for families with the beautiful beaches and lots of activities and the fact that you can fly from 20 UK airports. What you waiting for?

Holidays in Croatia offer beautiful scenery, historic sites and a fantastic coastline. Croatia holidays offer an upmarket feel with great accommodation and friendly locals. As part of the former Yugoslavia, Croatia has welcomed British holidaymakers for many years and in recent times has seen lots of improvements in the resorts. Flights are now available from many regional airports.

Visit our website today for 10% discounts on selected Bulgaria and Croatia holidays.

Sharm El Sheikh Holidays

Sharm el Sheikh is a perfect destination for a winter sun holiday and is one of the fastest growing holiday resorts. From humble beginnings the resort has quickly established itself as a top international destination for holidaymakers.

Many international hotel chains such as Hilton and Sheraton have hotels here and properties range from basic 2* to luxury 5* with loads of facilities. Most hotels now offer all inclusive, however there are hotels that give you the choice of Bed & Breakfast which will enable you to visit the mainy restaurants in the popular Naama Bay or Sharks Bay areas. There is something to suit all tastes and budgets and many hotels in Sharm have private beaches or their own areas of the beach. The beaches in Sharm el Sheikh offer golden sands and crystal clear waters enabling you to swim, snorkel or dive in the beautiful Red Sea.

In recent years many Sharm hotels have been looking to appeal a lot more to families and have added entertainment in the form of kids clubs, animation team as well as waterslides and aqua parks. They good year round temperature means that many of the aqua park hotels operate the slides year round so are a great choice for a family holiday in Sharm.

The popular area of Naama Bay has lots of lively bars and restaurants if you fancy a change of scene from your hotel. During the day there are plenty of shops and craft stalls to visit for a souvenir or gift.

When travelling to Sharm el Sheikh you need a ten year valid British Passport. It is recommended that you have your inoculations up to date however, nothing is compulsory. On arrival into Sharm you will have the chance to purchase a visa for Egypt, however you do not need one if you stay within the Sinai region.

Flights to Sharm operate year round from many UK airports and it is around a six hour flight. and before you know it you will be lapping up the Egyptian sun.

We have Sharm el Sheikh holidays starting from £399 - see our website for details!

Tunisia Holidays

If you fancy somewhere different to the mainstream Mediterranean resorts but still only a short flight from the UK, offering great beaches, an excellent range of hotels and friendly locals, look no further than a holiday in Tunisia.

Tunisia is a fantastic country of contrasts, from the fertile Med in the north to the Sahara desert in the south. Tunisia is a great place to enjoy the warm Mediterranean sunshine and have a relaxing holiday. Hotels range from basic to luxury 5* beachfront properties and there is something for all budgets. All the resorts have fantastic golden sandy beaches and are ideal for anyone who loves the beach. Most of the resorts have low key nightlife and evenings are spent in the hotel, many of which offer entertainment. However the popular resorts of Port El Kantaoui and Yasmine Hammamet have a selection of bars and restaurants as well as a disco or two!

Holidays in Tunisia do not need to be just confined to the beach, there is lots of history including the historical city of Carthage that was founded by the Phoenicians and later became a powerful city under the Roman Empire. There are many other impressive sites such as the ampitheatre of El Djem is worth a visit and the museum of Bardo. As well as the historic sites the famous film set of Star Wars or the English Paitent are popular days out. Whatever you feel like doing in Tunisia, it does offer more than just a beach holiday.

Eating and drinking out offer excellent value for money thanks to the good exchange rate for the pound against the Dinar. Tunisia produces it's own wine and alcohol is freely available in bars and restaurants. Most hotels serve western style food however local specialities are worth trying with the seafood dishes very tasty. Couscous is the national dishes and served with lamb, chicken, fish and lots of vegetables and widely available.

Tunisia holidays are available all year round from many UK airports and as it is only a three hour flight offers a great alternative to the hustle and bustle of larger resorts. For a great deal on a Tunisia holiday see our website today!

Holiday Sale - An Extra 10% Discount

Pack your case, get your sun glasses and sun cream and grab a bargain in our weekend sale and save up to an additional 10% on our already low cost holidays. We have fantastic late deals to hot destinations such as The Gambia, Goa, Egypt as well as popular hotels in the Canaries.

For summer we have great savings on holidays in Tunisia, Turkey and Bulgaria as well as the main Spainish destinations such as Benidorm, Majorca and the Costa Del Sol. Whatever you are looking for see our website today for the big sale weekend!

Visit the new website from JLM Travel - click here to book today!

Greek Islands - Great Holiday Choice

Greece has been in the press recently for all the wrong reasons, however it is still very much business as usual in all the popular tourist hotspots and holidays in the Greek Islands represent fantastic value for money!

If you are looking for stunning scenery, beautiful beaches, friendly people, great food and loads of history, you cannot go far wrong with the Greek Islands. Each one has it's own charm and history but one thing guaranteed is the warm welcome from the friendly locals who will treat you like an old friend. From large international resorts to more traditional villages there is something for everyone on a Greek holiday.

Many tourists still head for the long time favourites such as Corfu, Crete and Rhodes, however other previously lesser known islands such as Santorini, Skiathos, Samos and Lesvos have been making a big push in the last few years and have firmly established themselves as great destinations in their own right.

Accommodation on the Greek islands ranges from basic self catering to luxury 5* hotels and there is something to suit all budgets and tastes. Many people prefer to go self catering or bed and breakfast so they can try the local tavernas and restaurants that serve up fabulous local specialities and give them the opportunity to experience the warm hospitality of the Greek people quite often late into the night or early hours!.

For culture and history fans, head to Crete or Rhodes for lots of historic sites that take you back in time. The Greek god Zeus was said to have been born on Crete and the many archaeological sites will keep you as busy as you want to be. The acropolis at Lindos is an impressive site sitting high above the town and looking over the sea. Rhodes Town harbour was once the site of the Colossus of Rhodes, which is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

For bright lights and late nights the popular party resorts of Faliraki on Rhodes, Laganas on Zante, Kavos on Corfu, Kardemena on Kos and Malia on Crete are a perfect choice. They all have lots of bars, restaurants and night clubs that go on well into the early hours, during high season these resorts are jumping and have all the summer tunes. All the resorts have great sandy beaches too which is a great place to recover after the partying the night before!

What ever you look for on a holiday in Greece, there is an island to suit everyone, have a look at our website or give us a call to find your perfect holiday deal!