About Me

My name is Barbara Hopley (my real surname is now Neale) but most people call me ‘Babs’ – doesn’t sound as old as I’m not really that old. I am passionate about Cruise and have over 30 years of experience of travel knowledge. After working for various travel companies I…

Posted on Nov 25, 2018
Family time – happy & sad!

I love my family to bits and do miss them as I'm in Coventry and they are up North so can't just pop round for a brew and a catch-up.  I go as often as I can to see my mum who is in a home and stay with my sister…

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Posted on Nov 11, 2018
A little Gem!!

On arrival into Pingyao, China from the bullet train we were met by our guides John & Nikki and taken to our coach for the journey into the City Walls. Pingyao is a city located 715km southwest of Beijing and dates back to 800BC and was run by both the…

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Posted on Oct 28, 2018
Summer in October!

I have just returned from a little jaunt to Torquay with my husband Adam and some friends for a birthday celebration. There were 6 of us, our friends & my colleague Teresa & her husband Paul and Tom & Sue our friends.  It was Sue's birthday hence the reason for…

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Posted on Oct 14, 2018
Fast as a Bullet!

On my trip to China in August this year, we went on 3 bullet trains to get around China.  This was a great experience and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Our first one was from Beijing to Pingyao after our 3-night stay.  We had an early start as the train was…

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Posted on Sep 30, 2018
A Day with Holland America!

Last week on Tuesday I travelled to Southampton to do a little visit on the Holland America Koningsdam cruise ship.  There were 5 of us altogether, 3 in my car and we met the others at the port. Holland America ships don't come to the UK that often so were…

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Posted on Sep 15, 2018
More China Delights…

  On the afternoon after visiting The Great Wall of China & lunch at The Jade Museum we headed to Summer Palace. Summer Palace is the former retreat of the Qing Emporers and is a stunning example of Chinese garden style.  A favourite resort of the Empress Dowager Cixi.  It…

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Posted on Sep 1, 2018
My time in Beijing – The Great Wall!

I was lucky to be chosen to travel to China with some of my colleagues to do our 'Grand Tour of China' which is part of our Bucket List Trips to check out the tour and make sure all OK for our customers doing this trip next year!  All I…

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Posted on Aug 19, 2018
Fed & Entertained Superbly

Well what can I say about the food on Celebrity - one word says it all - FANTASTIC! We had 2nd dining and thought we had a table for 8 which is what we prefer but when we went down to dinner the 1st night we had a table for…

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Posted on Aug 5, 2018
Greek Islands Cruise – totally awesome!

I have just returned this week from my annual holiday onboard Celebrity Reflection.  Myself and my husband Adam did 10 nights around Italy & Greek Islands.  It was a fantastic itinerary and we had a wonderful time. Once we had got through Rome airport which was hectic and one of…

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Posted on Jul 21, 2018
I’m so Excited!!

As you are reading this I will be on board Celebrity Reflection for my annual Cruise Holiday.  Yes, it's my job to sell lovely cruises to all my customers but I also enjoy cruising myself so try to do at least 1 a year for my holidays. It's 3 years…

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