Author Archive for Victoria Brenner

Victoria Brenner is Director at the Couture Travel Company and has a wealth of travel knowledge and experience under her belt. Favourite destinations include Bermuda and Morocco and she enjoys nothing better than building tailor made holidays and honeymoons designed to exceed all expectations.

Florence the Magnificent

Florence the Magnificent

I was once told by an Italian friend, “the world is divided into two: The Tuscans and the Jealous.” Standing outside the Palazzo Vecchio I was forced to agree. There, beneath the imposing presence of Michelangelo’s David (a copy – the original was moved indoors away from the pigeons about 140 years ago ) I
Greek island hopping in style

Greek island hopping in style

My heart tells me that I WANT adventure but my head tells me I NEED clean bedding, comfy pillows and a good nights sleep. Where is that perfect balance between living life a little more fully and enjoying the comforts of life that make the experience enjoyable? Island hopping around the Greek Islands is for
What are the Maldives really like?

What are the Maldives really like?

We’ve all seen the photos and read the marketing copy in the glossy travel brochures, but a question I often get asked is “what are the Maldives really like”? We know they look amazing but surely they can’t be as good as all that?  So when I get asked “what are they really like? You know, REALLY?” I
London: a decidedly different honeymoon destination

London: a decidedly different honeymoon destination

Sounds odd doesn’t it? No sunshine, no beaches, no tropical rainforests? What can London offer a honeymooning couple looking for the most romantic two weeks of their lives? Well quite simply, London can offer everything. It is one of the world’s great cities and has more than enough charm, history, beauty and ‘wow factor’ for it
Holiday like royalty in Europe

Holiday like royalty in Europe

Location is everything. So if you want to enjoy the royal lifestyle why not start by choosing the right spot. We don’t think it gets any better than staying in a palace formerly owned by a prince.  Perched high on a rocky promontory overlooking the Cote d’Azur is the very regal Château Eza. Now transformed into a
The savvy shopper's guide to Morocco

The savvy shopper's guide to Morocco

The north of Morocco is barely 12km from the southern tip of Spain, so many Europeans make the crossing for a quick blast of north African retail therapy. Although everything can be bought in port cities such as Tangier, those in the know, prefer to tour the country making a bee-line for the regions that
4 truly romantic honeymoon destinations within 3 hours of London

4 truly romantic honeymoon destinations within 3 hours of London

For many newly-weds the romantic dream of a perfect honeymoon actually starts with quite a challenging experience; the flight. Actually getting to the destination can mean seemingly endless hours, stuck in a cramped aeroplane cabin as you fly off toward some exotic paradise beach on the other side of the world. So, if you and
Morocco has a flavour all of its own

Morocco has a flavour all of its own

You have never truly eaten Moroccan cuisine unless you have eaten it in Morocco. I have had plenty of great tasting tagines in London, but none can match the one I ate on a rooftop in Essaouria one warm December evening. The day had been a leisurely affair of slow wandering through the town to the
One night in Marrakech

One night in Marrakech

I was not in love with Morocco when we first arrived in Marrakesh an hour before sunset. The journey had been long, the roads bumpy and the bus driver clearly demented. The hotel manager who welcomed us took one look at my doleful expression and insisted we drop our bags and head straight back out
4 great reasons to visit Bermuda with your family

4 great reasons to visit Bermuda with your family

With a warm and welcoming environment, year round good weather and a fine selection of child-friendly hotels, Bermuda makes an excellent choice for a family holiday at any time of year.  If Bermuda is somewhere you’re considering this year. here are four excellent reasons to help convince you to visit with your family. Safe beaches
Ideas for exploring Crete

Ideas for exploring Crete

Steeped in legends and myths, boasting spectacular mountain ranges, mile upon mile of Mediterranean beaches and a plethora of ancient sites, it’s unsurprising that visitors flock to Crete. It can become a bit of a hot and crowded affair when the visitor numbers swell during the summer months, but if you choose to go outside
4 top tips for planning your perfect honeymoon

4 top tips for planning your perfect honeymoon

Planning your honeymoon is one of the most enjoyable parts of getting married. Deciding on where to go and what to do once you get there is just as exciting as arranging the wedding itself. Your honeymoon is the first holiday you’ll take together as newly-weds and needs to be full of wonderful experiences you’ll
Deluxe your detox in the Seychelles

Deluxe your detox in the Seychelles

With 2013 well under way, many of us are finding our resolve for keeping New Year resolutions coming under pressure. Post-Christmas detoxes are under threat from the recent cold weather, back-to-work blues and long dark evenings. So what could be better than escaping to warmer climes and giving your detox a boost with a taste
Discover the sights, sounds and smells of vibrant Vietnam

Discover the sights, sounds and smells of vibrant Vietnam

Having moved on from its recent turbulent and troubled past, Vietnam has emerged as a hot favourite with holidaymakers in search of dramatic scenery, a fascinating culture and some of the most exciting cuisine on the planet. From the rice paddies of the Mekong Delta to the colourful markets of the North via the bustling
5 things you need to know about playing golf in Bermuda

5 things you need to know about playing golf in Bermuda

Sweeping ocean views, verdant fairways, beautiful landscapes and recognised as some of the best in the world, Bermuda’s golf courses have long been enticing golfing enthusiasts. Each of Bermuda’s nine golf courses (a whopping amount for such a small island – only 21 miles square) have been designed by some of the top names in