I know I am of a certain age (les said the better) and it is a generation thing but I have to say it doesn’t cease to amaze me how reliant so many people are on their gadgets and mobile phones. 

Now I know when I am up and running with my mobile, it does become addictive to pick up all emails and texts  but last week I was in the States and my phone for some reason completely demobilised and would not  receive emails ,phone calls or anything .  I therefore noticed even more how much people use them – although granted they have music, internet search, cameras and people are using them for dual purposes. However, often when going to see some of the greatest sights as we all do on holiday it is staggering how many people are either tapping away or have their phone to their ear.  Even in restaurants you can observe couples and friends who seem more preoccupied with being on their mobile than talking to each other.   I saw one couple who literally throughout their meal were on their mobiles – perhaps to each other?  Is this me being old fashioned or have so many people lost the art of communicating face to face?   Whilst I think some people cannot cope with having this mobile permanently on side I actually found it quite liberating that I could not use my mobile.

Gosh, so much has happened but let me talk about last night where we hosted 18 Bales travellers at the World Tour Tennis Finals at the O2.  What a game – it was between Djokovic and Berdych, to watch two of the top players in the world was just so exciting.   You may recall we opened up a competition on email saying if you booked a holiday between specific dates we would enter you into a drawer to win places to this event.  To those that came I so enjoyed meeting you and would have liked to have spent more time talking to you, but of course it was about the tennis – perhaps next time!!

We definitely would like to host more events like this to have the opportunity to meet you face to face, to get to know you more and to be able to share travel stories and display first hand our passion for our customers and for travel.  We will do this in 2012 …. so watch this space. 

So Christmas is coming up and if you are anything like me – have not even started on Christmas presents.  A month to go – so much time to do this but as we know it creeps up on us all and before we know it, it’s Christmas Eve and still not all of the presents have been bought.  I know many of you are going to be enjoying the festivities on one of our holidays in a sunnier and warmer climate than we will have here. 

I know others prefer to have their Christmas at home but if you are struggling for present ideas why not buy your partner/spouse/parents /loved one either a holiday voucher towards a Bales holiday or even the total holiday.  It can of course be booked for any time in 2012 and we can send you some information about the country you choose with a card to wrap up as the present.   I have seen more and more people do this and I have actually witnessed it on both sides – when my husband has booked for us to go away or vice versa it is such a thrilling gift to receive. Also, there are still opportunities to take that December break or even travel over Christmas and New Year if you are thinking that you want to get away.  Just call us – we will be happy to help.

We have just come back from the States where we spent a delightful week with my step daughter Rachel   and her husband Cedric, exploring Arizona – Scottsdale, Lake Havasu, the Grand Canyon and ending up in Vegas.    The Grand Canyonis spectacular and awesome and worth seeing. I have a mixed love affair with Vegas – - top hotels, top shows, gourmet dining, the city so alive 24hours a day – what’s not to like – I guess I am tempted to have a flutter on the gambling but consider myself an investor in Vegas as I never seem to win … .perhaps that is why I have the love hate relationship with the city. 

So back to the day job and continually looking at ways to inspire you to travel with us (those that have not yet done so). How do we do this?   it is not just about exceptional service but about our first hand knowledge and experience being able to offer you the best tailor made holidays  and introducing new and innovative things you can do to make your holiday more unique.  It is worth calling us   – what have you got to lose?

Lastly – again for those that regularly subscribe to reading the blog and know my constant challenge with having a fitness regime… yes less said the better.  I will commence back with my trainer next week with energy and vigour!!

Speak soon,

Mandy