Some Food For Thought!

Hi all, I thought I would do a quick blog to address something that crops up regularly when I am with friends and family. As you can imagine working in this industry has its perks and what I mean by that is I have been extremely lucky with being able to travel to some of the wonderful destinations we offer. Now I can see that green eyed monster raising its eyebrows already! When I chat about my travels to family, friends, in fact anyone who will listen I usually get the same responses, “That’s not a real job” “Is there any room in your suitcase” etc… so hence I wanted to give you my insight on this. I do not dispute for one minute that I really enjoy getting to see some wonderful places as a perk of my job but this part of the job is imperative so that my customers can get a full and comprehensive service from myself. From the initial email or telephone conversation an instant pressure is placed on me to match the perfect holiday with my customer. Our customers may have saved for this dream holiday for over a year, it is all they think about day after day so making sure their expectations are met does not come lightly in my books! From selecting the right destination, hotel, or airline, all these factors must be right so that the customer can just count down the days until departure and then finally unwind without any worries during their dream trip. Visiting our destinations, meeting the people on the ground and building relationships within the industry means that we constantly have our finger on the pulse and if there are any issues at all we know the right people to speak to. I love working in travel but what I get a real buzz out of is the feedback from our customers after their amazing trips. Here is a little note I received from one of my customers recently ….. “As yours is the first golf travel company that we have used to source our holiday, we are holding you in high esteem. Others would have to pull out all the stops to match you guys on your service levels. Gerard, you’re a tremendous guy. You like people, that is obvious to anyone, and you also love golf and travel. We will be, absolutely, using you as a provider for all our golf excursions in the future. You listened closely to our requests, adhered to the costs involved, provided close proximity to courses, and the flight & transfer arrangements. Please dont give up your day job! “ As I said, it is always nice to get lovely feedback like this. Ok, I must get back to selling more dream holidays so thank you so much for taking the time to read this and if any of you are wanting that dream holiday arranged please get in touch (once a salesman always a salesman!)  Best regards Gerard

End of an Era

Hi all,

Well, on Friday 15th November Chaka Travel closed the doors to their University Street offices for the last time!

We are relocating to a beautiful new office space in the centre if Belfast and this is testament to Mark our MDs faith in the company and our team.

Chaka Travel has grown, adapted and flourished over what has been a difficult few years in the industry but one thing has always remained a constant with us, outstanding service and making our customers experiences 5 star!

I am very proud to be part of a dynamic, forward thinking and extremely positive team.

On Monday we start our new adventure at our new home and I for one cannot wait :)

I will post some pics up soon.

Thanks again for reading.

Best regards

Gerard 

Welcome

Just a quick note to welcome Nick De Waal in board to the Chaka Team!

Nick is our new Golf Development Officer and will be our point of contact on the Mainland.

He is based in Southern England so if any of customers wish to invite Nick along to their golf club where he can present our products then please get in touch.

Best regards

Gerard 

Yale Womens Basketball Team Pre Season Tour Ireland 2014

After last years successful tour hosting Saint Joseph’s University in Ireland I was contacted by Chris Gobrecht, Head Coach of Yale’s Women’s Basketball Team regarding bringing her team to Ireland on a pre-season tour. Over the space of 7 months I worked closely with Chris and together we created an eight day tour itinerary to suit her exact requirements. In August the team arrived and I thoroughly enjoyed hosting their tour and I’m delighted to report it was truly outstanding for all involved. Please read my day by day report below. Warmest regards Gerard 

  Day 1 I was delighted to meet Yale Women’s Basketball Team (WBB) on arrival at Shannon all set for an exciting eight days on our wonderful island. Chaka Travels Managing Director Mark Marais, myself (Gerard) and our excellent coach driver where all awaiting in the arrivals hall to greet the team off their flight. After some introductions we escorted the team onto their luxury coach for their journey to their first hotel in Galway. After settling into their luxury hotel for the next 2 nights the team where treated to an excellent lunch. The group had been travelling all night and also had to cope with an unexpected delay but this did not deter them at all. We had organized a coaching clinic for local children at a nearby school so straight after lunch Coach Gobrecht got all the girls changed and we made our way to the coaching clinic. Well, the faces of over 40 excited youngsters dispelled any jet lag from the group and they delivered an outstanding, informative and fun filled clinic to some very well deserving kids! That evening a few off the assistant coaches and alumni wanted to see some sights of Galway so I duly obliged and escorted them into the famous Latin Quarter where we listened to some fantastic live traditional Irish music. We may also have enjoyed a few pints of the black stuff!

  Day 2 After a very restful nights sleep everyone arrived down for breakfast and later that morning the team went for their first practice session before their first game that evening. After returning to the hotel to freshen up the team then boarded the coach and we all made our way to the wonderful Ashford Castle. At Ashford Castle we were hosted for a beautiful lunch in the main dining room and we were then given a private tour of the complex by our ever informative guide Robert. The group was blown away by the beauty, setting and history of this wonderful place, not to mention for most it was their first time seeing a real life castle! After the tour the mindset changed to this evening’s game so we returned to the hotel and the group gathered their kit and we all made our way to the venue for game 1 versus a Galway Select team. The game was played in Great Spirit and after a brave a battling performance from the home team, Yale WBB just proved too strong and eventually won 67-41. This was an excellent first test for Yale and I think they were pleasantly surprised at the level of the opposition they faced. That evening everyone was allowed to let their hair down so the Latin Quarter was again paid a visit and more black stuff consumed! Yale WBB team had well and truly embraced Ireland and everything it had to offer! 

  Day 3 After a bit of a lie in and a hearty breakfast we checked out of the hotel and visited the stunning world famous Cliffs of Moher. We arrived at the Cliffs and typically for Ireland we had rain, fog and wind but this did not deter the group as this beautiful place has a magical presence and the sight of the Cliffs was enough to convince the team they were somewhere very special! A few of the team were brave enough to venture to the edge of the Cliffs and everyone got some excellent photographs which they will cherish for years to come. After the Cliffs we all made our way to Cork where we were to spend the next two nights.

  Day 4 This was Game day 2 but before that I had organized a private guided tour to the Blarney Castle and all the group were looking forward to kissing the famous stone! Our private tour was conducted by Paul from the Blarney Castle and his Irish charisma, charm and constant jokes where a big hit with the group. I am pleased to say that everyone made it to the top of the castle and kissed the stone, just watch this space to see if any of their wishes come true! That evening the girls faced their second opponents on the tour, Glanmire who compete in the Super League in Ireland. This was to prove a far sterner opposition as Glanmire touted a couple of Irish Internationals in their squad. The game was played in superb spirit with Glanmire leading the game throughout until the last 2 minutes. Yale finally found their shooting range and after a few successive scores in the last couple of minutes they narrowly recorded their second win by 54-51 points. That evening the girls wanted to explore Cork and its nightlife so I utilized my contacts and managed to get the group VIP all access to Corks number one nightspot!

  Day 5 Today the group had an extra couple of hours in bed which was welcomed greatly by those who had a late, late night! After checking out of our hotel we then set upon our journey to Ireland’s capital city, Dublin! We arrived at lunchtime and after a smooth check in we sat down to an excellent lunch in the hotel. After freshening up we went off for a guided tour of the Guinness Factory at St James Gate. Most of the group had sampled and thoroughly enjoyed the ‘Black Stuff’ prior to this so seeing where it is actually brewed, and then shipped around the world was a superb bonus for them. Let’s just say the tour was a resounding hit with all, in fact some of the group even managed to pull a perfect pint of Guinness and have certificates to prove it! That evening the group got to explore Dublin and specifically the famous Temple Bar area where the craic, music and atmosphere are in abundance!

  Day 6 Today was the day Yale WBB played their 3rd and final game of the tour against Meteors. After breakfast the team had a light training session to prepare for this evenings game and then they returned to the hotel for some rest and relaxation. The group then made their way to the KUBS arena, the venue for this evening game. The team came up against a very young but eager Meteors team and eventually ran away winners by a very healthy margin 85-43 and this completed Yale’s 3-0 record for their competitive games on the tour. Half time entertainment was provided in the form of traditional Irish dancers who jigged, jumped and skipped to the delight of the cheering crowd. As it was Saturday evening Dublin was already buzzing with atmosphere so the entire Yale group joined in on the festivities and even Coach Gobrecht got involved to joy of the team! This ended 6 great days in southern Ireland and the following day the group was heading up to Northern Ireland and its vibrant capital city, Belfast.

  Day 7 The 2 hour coach journey from Dublin to Belfast was welcomed by everyone as it was an extra couple of hours to catch up on some sleep time! The group arrived into Belfast and after lunch at their hotel they again boarded the coach for a private tour of Belfast’s most famous sights including, Titanic Quarter, Harland & Wolff Shipyard and of course the areas which saw most of the troubles. The tour was superbly delivered by Davy our ever charismatic coach driver and the group listened and responded tentatively to all they heard. They all agreed that even though Belfast has had its troubles in the past it is now a flourishing, beautiful and friendly city! That evening we had an excellent meal in one of Belfast’s top restaurants and afterwards I again managed to call on a few contacts and got the group the VIP experience in one of Belfast’s top nightspots.

  Day 8 This was the group’s penultimate day and it began with a coaching clinic and was attended by a number of local children. Again the coaching clinic was a resounding success and this was down to the Yale WBB squad’s dedication and enthusiasm to teach and help the kids improve. After the coaching session Yale played a very informative scrimmage game against local side Belfast Rockets. The session was followed by a Q&A session where the kids had some excellent questions for the team to answer. This evening Yale where presented with their farewell surprise from ourselves and this was seats at the excellent Celtic Dreams show which was running in their hotel during their stay. Before the show we were all served traditional fish & chips in the hotel bar which went down a treat with everyone! After this we presented Coach Gobrecht and the team with a beautiful piece of engraved Belfast Crystal to mark their tour of Ireland and something they can proudly display in their trophy cabinet back at College. Yale also had a surprise for Mark (Marais), Davy (coach driver) and myself. We were each presented with a basketball which was signed by all the team, a wonderful memento! After all the formalities we took our seats for the Celtic Dream show which was a super end and a fitting way to cap a cracking tour! Final day After breakfast the group boarded their luxury coach for the last time and we set of for our journey to Dublin for their onward flight home. On arrival at the airport we all disembarked, there were many hugs, thank you’s but most of all some fantastic memories for all to take home. 

  My thoughts Well, from the initial correspondence between Coach Gobrecht and me several months prior to the trip, to seeing the tour unfold before my eyes was absolutely superb. A special mention to Coach Gobrecht, and her family, Bob, Maddy, Bill and Adrianne, you guys were absolutely superb and it easy to see why the girls have so much respect and love for the Coach as she is a truly wonderful woman. 

Coaches, Claire, Lauren and JB, I had some great times with you, brilliant laughs, memories and I am so pleased we have kept in contact. 

Jon and Melanie, a wonderful couple who I warmed to immediately and again I have kept in contact with, I wish you both and your 4 children all the best for the future and thank you for the endless laughs and craic!

 Lindsay, the excellent Physio who looked after the girls brilliantly, made them fit for the games and also had some time to let her hair down ;)....

Liz (Osborn) thank you for coming on the trip to support not only your daughter but the whole team, you were a joy to spend time with and I wish you all the Irish luck for the future.

 Last but not least, The Team! You guys were the reason this trip was so successful, your dedication, attitude was nothing short of brilliant and you are all a huge credit to your University. Jana, Zena, Emmy, Meredith, AB, Sarah, OJ, Nyasha, Amanda, Hayden & Whitney I wish you all the best for your futures and I have no doubt you will be successful in whatever you choose to do. Finally, at Link2Ireland we do not welcome our teams as customers, we welcome them as friends. 

On this trip I have met some wonderful people who I will certainly remain in contact with and who knows, I may even get a trip over to see the team play in their home arena! Thank you for taking the time to read my report. Warmest regards Gerard

Yale Women's Basketball Team

Hi all,

I am currently accompanying Yale Women's Basketball Team on their pre-season tour off Ireland.

I have been lucky enough to organise this trip from scratch and this started 10 months ago when Yale first contacted me.

To see the trip unfolding and being extremely successful is absolutely amazing.

I will give you all a full report on my return to the office in a couple of weeks.

Now must dash as we are off to Kiss the Blarney Stone :)

Best regards

Gerard

Family Holiday to Cancun

As promised here is the run down on my family holiday to Cancun, Mexico :)

I travelled with 17 of my family members for two weeks from the UK for various celebrations in our group and not one of us had a complaint about the hotel, its staff or our experience there.

Hotel:

The hotel is very modern/chic, high rise Miami style but once inside you will discover how well they have managed the space creating a very welcoming and warming feel.
Immaculately clean throughout and this is a massive compliment to the staff as their continuous attention to cleaning and maintaining the property is second to none.

Rooms:

The rooms are outstanding, from the lead in Deluxe Ocean View to the very top Presidential Suite, no matter what your budget is you could not be disappointed as all rooms boast a sea view and there is no better feeling than wakening up and seeing the white sand a blue waters of the ocean from your balcony!

Preferred club category rooms come with your own Butler and upgraded amenities, you will also have access to the Preferred Club lounge on the 21st floor and the quieter Preferred Club Pool on the 12th floor. Again if budget allows it, it is a nice option but to be honest there is so much going on in the rest of the hotel that I don't feel you would miss out greatly if not in the preferred club.

Pool Areas/Beach/Bars:

The pool and beach areas are immaculately maintained and have enough sunbeds for all guests to enjoy the facilities. The beach is beautiful and the sea is excellent be warmed it can be quite rough with the current and waves when they pick up. There is a Lifeguard on duty from opening to closing and they do an excellent job monitoring the waters.
There are 3 bars that service the pool and beach areas during the day so getting a drink in the pool, at the beach or lying on a sun lounger is never a problem, just ask my family :)

Restaurants:

One word - Outstanding! I am not going to go into each one but you have 7 different options to eat from a Steakhouse to Asian but all the choices can be found on The Vines excellent website. We were lucky enough to sample all of them and I had a favourite dish in all so I couldn't pick one that towers above the rest but what I will say is try the Tabbouleh in Olio, Sushi Platter in Dragons and the Osso Buco in Nebbiolos :)

The Staff:

I purposely have saved he best to last!

The staff at the Vine are what makes this hotel such a memorable stay. There are 750 in total but unfortunately I didn't get to meet them :)
My hat goes off to all the cleaners/chefs/concierge/butlers/security guards as they do an outstanding job and nothing is ever too much, an absolute credit to the hotel and the AMRESORTS brand!

Now for some special mentions - 

Pool Bar/ Service - Alejandro, Diego, Jorge, Filemon, Veronica and Blanca, you guys were outstanding, so pleasant and super fun with a big smile always on your face. Part of the reason we spent so much time at the pool in the same area :) Diego that tequila tasting is dangerous LOL :).......Thank you for everything.

Bar Staff - Cesar, Jesus, Israel & Diego all in the Piano Bar, superb service and some great laughs with all you guys, again thank you so much for everything and sorry for keeping you up late most nights :)

12th Floor Preferred Club Bar - Our Amigo, Pita, some superb tricks that kept all of us entertained and brought some big smiles to our faces, thank you for giving us some great laughs! A future recruit for the entertainment team possibly?? ;)

Entertainment Team - Last but not least, these guys work so hard from early morning to late nights keeping everyone in high spirits throughout the day and drinking high spirits with us at the clubs at nights :) Alan, Victor, Balam, Bethany, Winnie, Magnolia, Carlos, & Julien, I cannot thank you enough for making my family feel so welcome and giving us some lifetime memories from our stay, We were all genuinely sad to leave the Vine but even sadder to leave you guys.
I wish you all the best for the future and please keep in contact as no doubt we will all be returning to Mexico at some stage!

To finish off I would like to give some further special mentions, Zuleica and Humberto for dealing with all my requests prior to arriving and retweeting all of our updates during our stay, thank you so much for making our stay a special one.

Ana and Maru (The DreamTeam) I was so pleased to see you both before we left. You guys went above and beyond to make my family feel like they were at their home from home, so when we were greeted on our arrival with 'Welcome Home' it was certainly true!

I hope to return to the Vine in the near future and no doubt they will still maintain there excellent levels of service, of this I have no doubt!

Thanks again to everyone at the hotel.

Best regards

Gerard 

Cyprus and Cancun

Sorry about the short delay in my update on Cyprus.

I had an excellent time in Cyprus, the accommodation, people, golf and especially the food where all outstanding!

The weather was excellent throughout my stay which made the golf even more enjoyable.

We managed to play two courses, Elea and Aphrodite Hills, both courses were excellent.

Both courses offered different challenges but still remained very enjoyable.

We also got a tour of Minthis Hills course which will definitely be on my list to play the next time I return.

A new course is due to open in September called Secret Valley and we managed to get a sneak preview of it and it did not disappoint.

There are many great reasons to return to Cyprus and I could not recommend the destination highly enough!

My next trip is now upon me, this is my personal holiday when myself and 17 family member are going to Cancun, Mexico for two weeks!

I will definitely give an update on my return as I am sure there will be enough story's for an interesting blog :)

Take care and thank you for taking the time to read my ramblings.

Best regards

Gerard