Penny's Getting Ready to Travel Again

Our Travel Ambassador, broadcaster and presenter Penny Smith has really missed her Travelsphere holidays and can’t wait to get travelling once again. Find out where Penny is wanting to go for her next adventures...

"It has been such a long time since I have gone on an Travelsphere adventure.

I have spent happy hours, poring over the latest Travelsphere brochure, circling the tours that I want to go on. I’m stuck for choice. For my short-haul trip, I have finally plumped for the wonderful A Week in Andalucía.

I love Spain and this tour sounds right up my street - exactly the right balance of exploration and chill out time. The hand-picked hotel is a leisurely stroll into the town of Antequera, right in the heart of Andalucía.

One of the highlights of the holiday is the excursion to Granada and a trip to the Alhambra Palace - not only its grand halls, the courtyards and fountains of the palace but also the gorgeous Generalife Gardens. I’ve got friends that have been to the Alhambra Palace who’ve told me of the beauty of the ornate column and arch design in the inner courtyard.

One of the great things about a Travelsphere holidays is the shared experience. There isn’t a sunset that isn’t immeasurably better when there’s someone else to admire it with you. When we were on the Croatian Island Hopping tour, we kayaked round the old walls of Dubrovnik, swam off secluded coves and discovered ancient methods of air-conditioning in the tiny alleyways of Hvar. And there was never a shortage of fun companions - value added travelling.

I’m also pining for an adventure a little further from home. Before the world shut down, I was planning a trip to Canada with Travelsphere. I really fancy the 17-day Grand Tour of Canada and the Rocky Mountaineer.

Banff National Park sounds amazing - staggering views at every turn from snowy-capped mountains to crystal-clear lakes. Almost all of my favourite holidays have involved wildlife - and there’s lots of it to be spotted: grizzly bears, wolves, elk, eagles and ospreys.

After a tour of Banff it is onto the famed Rocky Mountaineer, which has to be the train ride of a lifetime as it weaves its way through the Canadian Rockies. The second day, it takes us to Vancouver with views of the Thompson River and the dramatic canyons of the Fraser River.

I would also love to go back to the Big Apple, Travelsphere does a fabulous five-day New York City Break that fits in with a busy schedule. Whether you want to see the Empire State Building, Wall Street or Fifth Avenue for a spot of retail therapy, this tour has it all. Walking shoes, a guide to share prices and a shopping trolley. That should see me through."