2026 Adventures!
Well, here we are at the end of another year and I want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone for their support again. It is always so appreciated, and I am especially grateful for all the referrals you continue to send my way.
It has been another busy one for Gillian Stewart Holidays, so thank you very much. I have managed a few trips away and five new countries!
In April, I headed back to Iceland and this time it felt as though I truly experienced the country, rather than just Reykjavik, so I am classing it as a first. I began at The Retreat at the Blue Lagoon: set among black lava fields and that iconic milky‑blue water, it feels wonderfully otherworldly and is a perfect place to unwind, with serene interiors, incredible spa experiences and amazing views. After some time in Reykjavik, exploring its colourful streets, cafés and restaurants, I headed into the countryside for a couple of nights at the beautiful Hotel Ranga, our base for discovering the famous Golden Circle. From here we took in Thingvellir National Park, the steaming Geysir geothermal area and the dramatic Gullfoss waterfall: three very different but equally spectacular landscapes that really showcase Iceland’s wild beauty. A real highlight was snowmobiling on Langjökull glacier with our entourage of private jeeps, followed by an unforgettable visit to the Katla ice caves, where the walls of blue ice feel almost sculpted. Throughout the trip, the warm, understated Icelandic hospitality from our friends at Obeo Travel made the whole experience feel both luxurious and very personal. I will be back!
Closer to home, I finally made it to Jersey for a quick weekend away. With its beautiful beaches, excellent seafood and gentle, relaxed pace, it is a perfect short‑break escape that feels a world away yet is so easy to reach from the UK.
Albania was a revelation. We learnt about the history of the country from our guide in Tirana, its capital. We then headed out to the coast to Durrës, and the beaches and hotel, Meliá Durrës, were stunning. It still feels wonderfully undiscovered, which makes it ideal if you are looking for somewhere a little different. We did not make it to the mountains, but that is now on the list.
Next was Norway: such an incredible country to have right on our doorstep, with so much to see and experience. We started in Bergen, a picture‑postcard city of colourful wooden houses framed by mountains and fjords, and so easy to explore on foot. A ride on the Fløibanen funicular gave us sweeping views over the city and harbour, before we wandered through the historic alleys of Bryggen and stopped by the bustling Fish Market.
From Bergen we took a high‑speed catamaran through the vast Sognefjord, the “King of Fjords”, to the charming village of Flåm. We stayed at the historic Fretheim Hotel, perfectly placed for everything: the harbour, bakery, little shops and the famous Flåm Railway. After checking in, we headed out on an exhilarating FjordSafari by open RIB boat, racing between towering cliffs and waterfalls.
The legendary Flåm Railway up to Myrdal was a real highlight, climbing over 860 metres in under an hour past steep mountains and thundering waterfalls, including a stop at Kjosfossen. From Myrdal we continued by train to Oslo, soaking up more of Norway’s spectacular scenery along the way. In Oslo we visited the striking Opera House, explored Akershus Castle and Fortress, browsed the shops along Karl Johans gate and finished with a delicious lunch at the Mathallen food hall. A beautiful city, and people were so friendly and helpful all over the country.
And we saved the big one to the end... Argentina - not only a new country but a new continent. Info and Trip still to come!! Stay tuned :-)
