Christmas Blog

December 2018

So, we begin in July.......My Beautiful Island of Mallorca.....!

An immediate trip up to ES GUIX and www.esguix.com/restaurant/Restaurant_Mallorca.html

To escape the heat there is no better place nestled in the cool Mountains of Escorcha.

Pepe our lovely host and Wine expert there to greet us as always... Fabulous dishes plus the joy of swimming in the natural Mountain Pool...Heaven!

Evenings spent at Sociadad in the Village of Andratx, excellent value for money...

SA Sociadad De Ca Na Fornera @sasociadaddecanafornera

NITO’S CHICKEN PLACE……. Situated in Terreno Palma…….No web Page

But believe me sooo good...that even the King of Spain comes here!

CALA CONILLS...My good friend Maria...This Restaurant is situated in San Telmo

GALICIA perfect fish restaurant in Puerto Andraix, wonderful Tony offers a great “plate of the Day” there is no comparison for value and quality.  .

A perfect quick short weekend spent in the Spa of the MELIA DEL MAR. ILLETAS.

One of my favourite places.....

Dr. JUAN GARCIAS BATLE….Specialist Orthopaedic Surgeon. (My Hero!) More on this later,

also an eminent sculptor.

 Back to London...

Fabulous Mexican Event (as always) hosted by AEROMEXICO.... www.aeromexico.com

WORLD TRAVEL MARKET....

So many old friends missing this year...but made some new ones!

AH...CHIHUAHUA! There was representation but not my good friends

Gaby and Mama Sandoval. comgabrielaquezada@hoteldivisadero.com.

So much to see and do. The train journey is a masterpiece ... I have so many wonderful stories of my experiences here, I think one day I may write a book...Talking about ALL the States of my adored Mexico! Chihuahua is the largest state in all Mexico.

Mi Amigo Fernando Barbachano... (Como Familia!)

Everyone knows that my Career began On the Island of Cozumel with this famous Dynasty

Owners of Mayaland.....The Lodge at Uxmal...The Mayaland and Lodge at Chichen Itza.

Fernando is the only person I know who delivers his guests to their destination by Rolls Royce.

 www.mayaland.com

Yucatan featured heavily at W.T.M. an excellent team headed up by Michelle Fridman Hirsch Minister for Yucatan.

Michelle Spoke at W.T.M. and gave some insight on the Secret of the Success of the Yucatan as a Travel and Tourism Destination.

The deputation also asked me for help with their Hotel accommodations. So guess where I put them?

MELIA WHITE HOUSE LONDON Simply the best!

www.melia.com

A fantastic YUCATAN dinner Offered by the Minister of the Yucatan

Enjoyed a meeting with Travis Burke I now know so much about Dolphin excursions

www.dolphindiscovery.com

LAS VELAS

 My good friend Lupita Ayala who does a fantastic job of representing and working with VELAS RESORTS in UK. A super reception hosted by Lupita (food fabulous) but then it always is if Lupita is around!

THE PALM AT PLAYA

 I have not worked with this Property before but intend to in the Future

 www.thepalmatplaya.com

EXPERIENCE HOTELS

My good friend Giuseppe handles a wonderful selection of Boutique (off the beaten track) Properties so suitable for my “Client profile”

LORETO

Another good friend   Marcellti Owns two exquisite hotels one in Loreto (a magical town) and one in La Paz (More to follow on these products)

ZACATECAS

PUERTO VALLARTA/NAYARIT

The Man himself! Javier Aranda Pedrero I don’t know anybody who knows as much about this Area as Javier.

www.visitpuertvallarta.com

Another person I must give a special mention to is Olaf Bock von Gersum. This Man created many years ago a Ground services operation called: NATIVE TRAILS the man is genius the Company fantastic. You can have an Itinerary planned and costed in fifteen minutes!

www.nativetrails.de

LONDON CALLING

Dinner with the wonderful Margie Gostyla of Reynolds and Associates at the R.A.C. In Pall Mall my fabulous Club....

A sensational Reception Given by Uniworld at the Chesterfield Hotel Mayfair

This was a whole new World for me! Also, a world of River Cruises I was totally enchanted

 I never knew that so much Luxury existed aboard a ship having spent my life on and off Aeroplanes I now see before me absolute paradise?????

THE IVY KENSINGTON

A fabulous luncheon at this one of my favourite restaurants, staff are amazing, service fantastic, food divine my special thanks to Vincente Salas for inviting me. Vincente has headed up the Mexico tourist of in London and throughout Europe. He has worked like a Trojan! My thanks also to the General Manager Artan Mesekrani of the Ivy Restaurant.

LONDON

Is now festooned for Christmas

FORTNUM AND MASON

Go there to Shop, go there for Tea. At Christmas it is a wonder land so many Mexicans arrive in London and head for Harrods, but they should include Fortnum and Mason

The Marvellous Ground Floor Manager Christophe de Laroussilhe

www.fortnumandmason.com

THE BRITISH INTERLINE GROUP

Held there Famous Christmas Luncheon, I have been a member for many Years.

THE FOREIGN AIRLINES ASSOCIATION

I was in the chairman of this association for two years in the name of my beloved MEXICANA AIRLINES, The current chairman PATRIZIA GALLO Manger Saudi Airlines

Also attended a Christmas Luncheon at my favourite India restaurant The Bay Leaf, Whetstone London

www.bayleaf.co.uk

So on this Festive note I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year

To all my Mexican Friends FELIZ NAVIDAD

BESOS, ABRAZOS

Cathy Matos X

July 2018

Believe it or not this Blog begins in December last year. I set off on what is probably the shortest visit I have ever made to Mexico City…A 48 hour journey which turned out to be a complete delight.

Delayed flight out of NYC due to snow.  Sitting in the lounge listening to Frank Sinatra and Christmas songs, sheer bliss. Took off in a snow storm.  Glorious service on United.

Arriving at The Four Seasons Mexico City https://www.fourseasons.com/mexico/

(One of my favourite Hotels) 2a.m in the morning

A beautifully decorated wedding reception in full swing.  What could be more wonderful than this glimpse of upmarket Mexico?

The New Year began and it seemed to be Mexico unlimited; from Rick Stein’s wonderful Cookery programme that visited every State in the Land; to the Movie “Coco”, who cried the most my grandson or me? The unceasing efforts of the Director of the Mexican Tourist Office, Vincente Salas, flooding the British Market continuously with news of Mexico. Even to my turning on the radio and suddenly hearing the voice of Carlos Frenk, CBE, a Mexican cosmoligist.  Fascinating.

Valentines day came and went with the great Porlock Oysters. http://www.porlockbayoysters.co.uk

Attended F.A.A. (Foreign Airlines Association), the oldest Airline Club of its kind in Europe, on behalf of MAYAIR. http://www.mayair.com.mx

The Business Travel Show. http://www.businesstravelshow.com

On the subject of Airline Clubs…I also attended the M.E.A. Interline Monthly meeting for the Interline Association and also the Alitalia meeting held at a fabulous restaurant in Soho, Enzo the Sicilian Chef. http://www.thesicilianchef.co.uk

TIANGUIS. THE MEXICAN TRAVEL MARKET. This year held in MAZATLAN.

I don’t think there is enough space to tell you all my own personal thoughts on Mazatlan.

I simply adored this destination. I was lucky enough to stay at the PUEBLO BONITO EMERALD BAY. https://www.pueblobonito.com/resorts/emerald-bay What a lovely property, so pretty, such a spectacular beach. The Historical district simply took my breath away, So authentic, so REAL MEXICO! I made new friends in Gilberto de Toro and his lovely wife. They have a restaurant called GAIA. Heriberto Frias No.1301, Col. Centro, 82000 Mazatlan. I am hoping to get a hosted Mexican Kitchen week here in London for Gilberto; or should I say a Mazatlan Kitchen. This destination has to be visited, so totally unspoilt. They have little cars called pulmonias!  spent my whole time flying around in these dear little things. I made so many taxi driver friends…..I flew from Mexico city on Interjet.  This Airline just gets better and better.

Mexico is made up of 31 separate states, so for example, a Mazatlan trip can be combined with a Copper Canyon trip (Sinaloa State), on to Zacatecas, the Capital of the State of Zacatecas.

I must add here that the organizing of the Tianguis event was Faultless! My own special thanks goes to a gentleman named Juan Soria plus my own thank you to Vincente Salas for inviting me... 

April saw Peter and I take off on our second TUI Cruise…We took one last year and loved it!

Read my separate Blog on this and see how it went. http://cathymexico.blogspot.com.

Then came the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan…What a beautiful event and a gorgeous day. London at its true best. In the evening we went to Maroush. http://www.maroush.com. This Restaurant never fails to impress, with belly dancing into the early hours!

Attended the AWTE Benevolent Fund lunch at one of my very special places; THE ROYAL GARDEN HOTEL.  The wonderful Mark Anderson in charge; many of my Mexican friends stay here. This was where the England team stayed in 1966 after the World Cup Win. https://www.royalgardenhotel.co.uk.

 Now we come therefore, to the subject of Football….I found myself mesmerised by the Mexico/Korea match! More tears when they won, they played with their very souls. I was so proud , y “fijate” I am not even Mexican! And so we come to this month July…A superb “Mexican Summer  Fiesta” was held  hosted by :-

                        MEXICO TOURISM BOARD

                        AERO MEXCO

                        CHEPE EXPRESS

                        PUERTO VALLARTA/RIVIERA NAYARITY

                        AM RESORTS

                        VELAS RESORTS

                        JOURNEYMEXICO

LOS CABOS TOURIST BOARD

IXTAPA/ZIHUATANEJO

Nieves Rodriguez is just amazing, what a job she does for Aero Mexico. .and of course, Vincente was there and we know what a great job he does!

Talking of working hard… I am very involved now in my new project… to be called

THE PRIVATE MEXICO OF CATHY MATOS

“Cathy is offering her 30 years plus of experience and Travel Industry knowledge, Cathy is about to launch her new portfolio to cover her favourite Hotels throughout Mexico.  She wants to provide a service to luxury destinations, resorts and most of all to cover the States of Mexico and perhaps to introduce the client to little known destinations. Cathy would like to help the UK Travel Industry to make the right decision for their clients.  For more information contact cathy@mextours.co.uk or message through LinkedIn.”

Please come to know to my Mexico!

The Cruise - April 2008

THE CRUISE

APRIL 2018

DISCOVERY  2

I am sure if I bring up my Little Blog from 2017 (discovery 1) I will find I have repeated myself a lot!!

Never could I have imagined I would enjoy the same wonderful experience.

Having returned from our annual Travel Fair in Mexico just two days before. Very tired and looking forward to a break. We arrived as foot passengers to Palma Port.  A little bit of hassle due to bad

signage but check in was smooth and professional…. We were unable to secure a cabin with balcony

I was therefore apprehensive about our “Outside Cabin”  You have to remember at this point that this was only the second cruise of my life! I found a crisp , clean and actually cosy room! We took lunch on board and then looked forward to Siesta!!!

Dinner, excellent a la carte cuisine,  beautifully  served  in the Italian Restaurant . We were delighted to find Antonio and Nicola (who we met last year) attending in the restaurant, both having transferred from Discovery 1

 At sea next day, sublime relaxation and what did we do?   Sleep and read in the quiet

Veranda  “adults only” section with waiter drinks service!!

CIVITAVECCHIA……. Little  Seaport Town.. I asked Peter if he wanted to travel the one and half hours by train to Rome. .I thought we could throw a coin in the Trevi  Fountain…..we  decided we wanted to  - guess what?  go back on board lunch and yet another siesta!

MESSINA:  An absolute blast….  I personally caught up with family…Gisela met us at the Town Hall

Messina is a joy in that you can just leave the ship and walk into town. Off we went for a typical Sicilian breakfast of Granita and Brioche ,loads of cream and  chocolate all fabulous from the local café –CIOCCOLATO PURA, Via Consolare Pompea, Villa St.Agata. (remember you can just catch the bus at the port to St.Agata.)

Off then to a gorgeous fish lunch up in the hills through “Corleone country”. The dishes went on and on …,  a whole octopus, mussels cooked in marsala , salmon, fresh tuna, crispy whitebait et al.

 I never wanted to leave,  the restaurant is called La Trattoria del Marinaio – Via Nazionale, 109 – Galati Marina - Messina  -  “The Sailor”

Very sadly returned to the ship..(I could have stayed for ever !!

However what a surprise awaited us… There are six restaurants on board , all good, simple fresh foods. One of the premium restaurants  SURF AND TURF  is always booked but suddenly a table had appeared!! Nothing was to prepare us for this amazing experience .  I swear I could have closed my eyes and I could have been in the Dorchester!! Perfect ambience, wines, lobster and Steak…desserts to die for.!!

Me the great “snob” of Travel was speechless for once!!

 NAPLES. We immediately caught the bus to the Station Plaza Garibaldi and caught the train to Sorrento, only 6 euros per person….We went last year so we had our favourite places!

Back into the City… on the inevitable search for the best Pizza! The delightful place recommended by James Martin was impossible since this was the 1^st of May a National holiday. With the queue across the street we decided not to stand in line and we found our own tiny place down a side street we would  go there  again and again in a heartbeat . Scrumptious pizza, ice cold beer and a real jolly guy.

Pizzeria Friggitoria Napoli Centro – Via Miroballo, 29/30 – Napoli – Tel: 081 - 18374528

Return to the ship and  yet another surprise;  an invitation to the  Captain's Table…..This charismatic man was a delight, Captain Jason Ikiadis… Thank you so much  for our invitation .We then danced the night away….…

I was over the moon to find a Barman who was from ACAPULCO, not only that but he remembered the weddings I used to arrange in Acapulco at fabulous Las Brisas…All those weddings were for Thomson  in their heyday.

 THE ELEMIS SPA!!! I spent a lot of time here with my fab masseuse Teresa.   For an incurable insomniac …….”Siestas and Spa’s” are paradise!!  .

So there you have it…a perfect 6 days…….at an incredible price……..PERFECT…

The whole point of me writing these words is to impress what a great product this is…..To get me on the first Tui (now called Marella) cruise was a miracle so imagine here I was again on the second one!!!

Well done Tui and well done everyone we encountered on this beautiful trip……..

I have recommended our experience to everyone including many of my data base clients, some dating back  many years….I have never made a “Package Tour”  !  but  would have absolutely no hesitation In recommending Tui Cruises to all these “Non Package Tour “ type client…

My biggest thanks have  to go to the girls in the my Tui High Street Shop…They did such an excellent job in putting this together…To say I am a “difficult” client would be an understatement.

 I am never in one place for very long and so hard to pin down on dates…..Known in the Travel Industry as “Only Mexico”!!!

I now have to add to my Bio…Mexico and TUI!

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