Summer Blog

It seems I only just arrived back from Mexico on glorious United Airlines into London, when the summer season was upon us.

JUNE

ASCOT:  4 wonderful days in the Royal Enclosure, lots of hats, dresses and of course the Queen.
Not to mention the masses of oysters and Caesar salad! Did you know this dish was invented by a Mexican?  
Followed by lots of champagne and Pimm's N0.1

My hat was made by Maxine of “Henry and Daughter” from

Camden.



June 25th

Ladies Day Event for F.A.A. (Foreign Airlines Association)  www.foreignairlines.co.uk  This was a very special event dedicated to Women in the Travel Industry. The brief, set out by the Chairwoman, was that “We should take a female guest whom we admire”. My choice was Lupita Ayala, ex-director of the Mexican Tourist office in London for many years. She now heads up European Sales for the glorious, luxury chain of hotels “Grand Velas” throughout Mexico. Most important of all she is a dear friend.



There were many Powerful and Dynamic women in attendance. For example, guest speakers Alessanda Alonso, founder of Women in Travel  www.womenintravelcic.com; Els Koister, co-founder of Webox www.weboxworkshops.com;   Julia Feuell managing director of Talk to the Travel World  www.onlinetraveltraining.com/uk


I met Christina Lawford founder and managing director of Diamond Air, this is an airline Concierge company, which I think is marvellous, more to follow on this in a later blog

www.diamondairinternational.com





Also, on 25th June

MEXICAN SUMMER EVENT: This was a delightful evening of Mexican destinations promotion. In attendance were:

AERO MEXICO www.aeromexico.com

GRAND VELAS www.grandvelas.com Contact Lupita on sales@velasresorts.com

YUCATAN Contact Vincente Salas at Hestegia

LOS CABOS rep.uk@visitloscabos.travel
Manuel does a fantastic job promoting this beautiful state of Mexico.

XCARET www.xcaret.com Rianne van Groenigan, European Sales Manager

Obviously there was much excitement about the new planned TUI  flight UK to LOS CABOS. I am very much hoping to be on this flight.
The  evening was organised and arranged by Polo Sanchez-Valle.





LONDON CALLING …

Peters health is for the moment safe. He is in the excellent hands of the great Dr Harpreet Wasan MBBS. FRCP consultant oncologist at Hammersmith Hospital.


I had two medical visits one to Lizzie my Fabulous Physio therapist.   harleystreetphysiotherapy.co.uk

The second to Dr Gidwani (Carpel tunnel) Guy’s and St Thomas NHS London.

All thanks to my wonderful GP Dr P Lai Chung Fong.



CHARLIE AND SWIMMING!

My seven year old grandson dives and swims like a fish thanks to his Teacher Kasia. Camden Town, London.

I actually threw him in to a pool at eleven months old! At seven years now we have created our own “Johnnie Weismuller!” who lived his life in Acapulco.

Received a lovely summer visit from John Monk known as “Icky”, an institution in Mexico City!

Finally, many visits to our favourite local Pub The Rising Sun, Mill Hill, N. London

Discovered a great new electrician for our area, email address s.e.e@virgin.net



MALLORCA

Great flights as always with FLYBE  www.flybe.com
Visit to my perfect dentist Juan Mas at Sanitas  www.sanitasexpat.com
Visit to my perfect Beauty Clinic  RAMIS-TAULER Tel no: 971540599 Dra. Marta Serna  www.medisans.com

A visit to Boutique Una in Puerto Andratx. This is my favourite place to shop for jewellery and stylish gifts. There is never a Christmas when there is not one of these exquisite package's hanging from the tree! I have known our friend Werner Jaeger for so many years. His shop can be found in Calle Cristobel Colon No: 7a, Puerto de Andratx, Isla Baleares.

Attended the AMAV Summer party along with  the best Tour Operators /Travel Agents of Mallorca and of course the best known of them all -
PEDRO IRIONDO   www.viajeskontiki.es
Pedro is a great expert on Mexico and all things Mexican, maybe this is because he came from Acapulco!
Pedro can “tailor-make” your Mallorcan itinerary in his own very inimitable style.
A launch party was held for the new SECRETS IN Paguera... Once the beautiful and iconic Hotel Villamil
Believe it or not I had my first ever lobster here at 16! (and that was many years ago)...



NOW ON TO MY FAVOURITE SUBJECT -RESTAURANTS



Up we went to LLUC MONASTRY where my dear friend Maria greeted us so warmly.... Staying there overnight, with as always, a fabulous dinner in SA FONDA.



(I truly love this place and cannot recommend it highly enough). www.lluc.net



Next spending a glorious day at ES GUIX  www.esguix.comThere are no words to describe this absolute paradise! I could live there forever!

The Food, the sheer calm and peace amongst the trees and flowers... Dearest Pepe, the owner and a great friend, and wine connoisseur always there to greet us. You only need pull up the reviews to endorse what I am saying
We will be back very soon to visit.

Another of our favourite restaurants is GALICIA, situated next to the  Church in Puerto Andratx. Always ask for the owner Tony..... also look out for my favourite Bar.  BAR CENTRAL Ask for Jose !! He is the best ever for friendly, cheerful and professional service. 
La Piazetta is also situated in Puerto Andratx, "Maitre D" Martin will guarantee you a pleasant, gourmet experience.
Finally on the subject of Food!  Spar supermarket located in the the village of Andratx. In my opinion Rafael there is the best butcher in Spain!


Back to London for



PROMS at the Albert Hall.  www.royalalberthall.com



DEVON



Then off to Devon for John’s Birthday. We celebrated at the WELCOME STRANGER PUB Please come to know this place you will not regret it. The food is to die for, portions are huge so don’t eat for a day beforehand!  www.thewelcome.co.uk



Well I am now working on my new project. To be called THE PRIVATE MEXICO OF CATHY MATOS.

I know I have been a long time getting this off the ground, but believe me I am finally up and running



Hoping to have our new website ready to go live by September, the building of which is being handled by Justine Perry cariadmarketing.com We are also working with the famous John Samson of Presslink
As I have already said. I have made a collection of all my favourite Hotels and States that I have worked with over the past 35 years...
A small selection has already been loaded onto the system.
The capital of Mexico, MEXICO CITY....under the expert and excellent direction of CARLOS MACKINLAY



HOTEL FOUR SEASONS - MEXICO CITY



HACIENDA SAN GABRIEL - CUERNAVACA



HOTEL DIVISIDERO - COPPER CANYON



HOTEL KIN SOL SOLEIL - RIVIERA MAYA



HOTEL CASA DE BALAM -  MERIDA



HOSTAL DE LA NORIA - OAXACA



ALL PROPERTIES IN THE GRAN VELAS PORTFOLIO



GROUND OPERATOR -  AMIGO YUCATAN



GROUND OPERATOR -  AMSTAR CANCUN



GROUND OPERATOR - FIRST CLASS MEXICO CITY.



This is just a small selection of the many I hope to work with. Especially looking forward to a connection with TASTE AND TRAVEL.



CUBA CUBA CUBA!!!

So great to hear from my old friend Toby Brocklehurst...I would so love to include THIS FAB COMPANY IN THE PORTFOIO.

Toby runs such an excellent operation in Cuba...





WISHING YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY HEALTHY SUMMER!