A trip long dreamed of came to fruition for our family this summer.  To go on a Safari holiday, and to go as a family was truly a very special experience.  We never dreamed that we would get so close to some amazing animals in the wild.

When it came down to booking this trip, I felt totally overwhelmed.  There are so many different Countries, itineraries and scenarios to choose from, I knew I needed help.  As I was planning this trip from Singapore, I chose, on the recommendation of a friend, to work with Destinations Africa, who are Australian based, although John is a South African with amazing experience in booking Safari vacations.  Whilst I can share my rough itinerary with you in this post, I would encourage you to seek a reputable agent to guide you, as there are so many wonderful options.  As far as our family was concerned, we had some basic criteria for this trip.  We knew we needed to go in July, we wanted to see the so called "Big 5", (Elephant, Lion, Rhino, Leopard & Cape Buffalo), and we wanted smaller, more intimate lodges where our party of 5 could be together in one truck on the game drives..  With all this in mind, John put together a fantastic trip for us which encompassed two private reserves Thornybush and The Sabi Sand that bordered the Kruger National Park in South Africa.

My first tip if you want to experience Singapore's newest Greek eatery - make a reservation!!  We finally scored a Saturday night table, by booking ahead.  Yes, this place is popular.  Only open for around a month, they have clearly hit the spot.  We sat down to dine at 8pm and enjoyed a leisurely dinner - love not being rushed.  By the time we left around 11pm or so, the place was still bustling with lots of people and atmosphere. 

Western Australia and it's famed Margaret River wine region, sits a mere three and a half hour drive South West of it's capital Perth.  Of course the wineries are the main focus of the area, where you can find some major players, big names like Leeuwin, Voyager and Cape Mantelle to name a few.  There are also some lovely boutique wineries here as well.  The Peninsula from Busselton in the North to Augusta in the South can be driven in just over an hour if you stick to the main highway, or take your time and drive leisurely down Caves Road.  To add to the draw of this lovely neck of the woods is the coastline.  It is a surfers paradise, with lovely beaches and coves which are also ideal for the less energetic to laze on. The rocky coastlines are fun to explore, throw in some caves, a couple of lighthouses and gourmet food shops - you will have much to see and do.

If you love Antiques, and you love Christmas decor, a visit to The Old Lucketts Store in Lucketts, Virginia, during their Holiday Open House is a must.  There is so much to see in this sprawling compound of old houses and out buildings, which all year round has interesting stuff and interior design ideas to look at.  Add to that some great Christmas items from various vendors, and you have yourself a wonderful few hours of browsing. Although this years Design Holiday Open house may be over, they do have Open Houses and flea markets throughout the year, so check their website regularly for updates.  

​The main design house has every room on both floors decorated in holiday style.  Lots of ideas and decor for purchase.