Ava Coffin

Designer Travel Expert

Since July 2021

Hi, I’m Ava Coffin.

Thank you for visiting my page - I’d like to tell you a bit about myself...I was first bitten by the travel bug 45 years ago, working as a holiday rep on the Costa Brava! It was at the beginning of the package tour industry...which has certainly grown and changed since then! Many holidays and adventures later, I returned to the travel business over 16 years ago, working for a leading tour operator, as a Travel Advisor and Cruise Consultant.

For the past 10 years I have worked from my home in Southampton, as a Personal Holiday Advisor, and am now an associate of Designer Travel, an exciting and innovative company, who really understand the importance of customer care, and share my passion to deliver a friendly, honest, unbiased and reliable travel service. We are fully ABTA bonded and ATOL protected, so your money is safe!

Working from home, this role gives me a unique opportunity to dedicate my time to you, during and outside office hours. Whether it‘s a family/friends holiday, wedding or honeymoon, ocean or river cruise, city break or a round-the-world itinerary, I know your holiday time is precious. Tell me what is important to you, your likes, dislikes and budget, and I will do my very best to match your requirements and attend to all those little 'extra details. 'Flight only? Accommodation only? Car Hire? Airport Hotels and Parking? Travel insurance? I can arrange all those too.I've been privileged to travel extensively, primarily in Europe, the Caribbean, the USA and Africa, and so can offer personal advice and input, on many destinations.

We enjoyed many wonderful family holidays over the years, mainly in the Mediterranean....but now our daughters are grown my husband Clive and I tend to travel further afield. We do love the Caribbean...each island is entirely unique, both in its culture and its people...there is so much to explore and learn. We also really enjoy cruising...there is now such a diversity of cruise lines to choose from, to suit everyone's taste...I would love to try them all!

So, where would you like to go? Please email or telephone me today, so we can start planning your next holiday together. I look forward to hearing from you!

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Articles

59
24th Apr 2025
A First For Sandals!...A First For the Caribbean!

It is rarely exciting when you find building and construction work going on at your holiday resort!....

30th Apr 2014
Daios Cove Resort - A delight!

Whilst in Crete on a Conference, we took the opportunity to visit Daios Cove, for a quick look aroun...

25th Apr 2014
Al Bustan Palace, Muscat

This lovely Ritz-Carlton Hotel is situated right by the sea, on its own private 1 kilometre beach, s...

25th Apr 2014
The Hilton Salalah

The Hilton Salalah is only about 15 minutes from the airport, and enjoys a good beachfront location....

25th Apr 2014
Chilling at the Chedi!

I had heard so much about the Chedi before I had the privilege of staying there, and if I am honest ...

25th Apr 2014
Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah, Muscat

Overlooking the Sea of Oman, and 15 minutes from Muscat, is the lovely 'resort of Shangri-La Barr Al...

14th Apr 2014
Marrakech's Riads Part 5 - Villa des Orangers

It was my pleasure last year to visit the fabulous city of Marrakech. It is a vibrant city, overflow...

11th Apr 2014
Marrakech's Riads! Part 1 - Riad Kniza

It was my pleasure last year to visit the fabulous city of Marrakech. It is a vibrant city, overflow...

11th Apr 2014
Marrakech's Riads! Part 2 - La Maison Arabe

It was my pleasure last year to visit the fabulous city of Marrakech. It is a vibrant city, overflow...

11th Apr 2014
‘Marrakech's Riads! Part 3 - Les Jardins de la Medina

It was my pleasure last year to visit the fabulous city of Marrakech. It is a vibrant city, overflow...

11th Apr 2014
Marrakech's Riads! Part 4 - Palais Sebban

It was my pleasure last year to visit the fabulous city of Marrakech. It is a vibrant city, overflow...

8th Apr 2014
Kasbah Tamadot

The brass plate at the entrance states 'Kasbah Tamadot Richard Branson's Moroccan Retreat' and a ret...

7th Apr 2014
The Crane, Barbados

The Crane, built in 1887 was the first resort hotel in the Caribbean, and although it has been fully...

4th Apr 2014
Sandy Lane

Consistent winners of a plethora of awards...their 2013 accolades include Barbados' Leading Resort (...

13th Mar 2014
Sandals Whitehouse

Situated within 500 acres of exceptionally beautiful, meticulously maintained gardens, and on a two ...

12th Feb 2014
Sandals La Source Resort and Spa, Grenada

At last the long awaited and eagerly anticipated new Sandals Resort is here! Sandals La Source Reso...

1st Sep 2013
Sandals Royal Caribbean Resort and Private Island

The brochure said...'Britain to Bali...in Old World Jamaica' ...and its true! Entering through the ...

19th Jan 2016
Take Me To The Church!

So it's Sunday...and if you were at home in the UK you'd be going to your usual church..but you're o...

18th Jan 2016
Before You Go!..You Should Know!...

For some, the idea of spending 3 hours at an airport prior to departure is thrilling!...the perfect ...

9th Jan 2016
Jamaica!...When You Go, You Know!

I have borrowed the title of this blog from Jamaica's Tourist Board, who used it as their slogan som...

25th Mar 2015
Mauritius
Heritage Awali Day 7 Part 2

When we came here the plan was to hire a car for a few days so I could show Clive this wonderful isl...

25th Mar 2015
Mauritius
Heritage Awali - Day 7 Part 1

Today, with the sun shining we are able to explore one of the Awali's 'jewels in the crown'...it's g...

25th Mar 2015
Mauritius
Heritage Awali - Day 6

Today is Independence Day here in Mauritius... Originally 'owned' by the Dutch, taken over by the F...

13th Mar 2015
Heritage Awali - Day 5 Part 2

This afternoon we went for our complimentary massages at the Seven Colours Spa....a relatively new e...

13th Mar 2015
Heritage Awali - Day 5 Part 1

Some sunshine and lots of showers appears to be the order of the day!...so as we while away a few ho...

11th Mar 2015
Heritage Awali - Day 4 Part 2

This evening we were invited to share an aperitif and hors d'oeuvres with Kathy at Le Telfair...whic...

11th Mar 2015
Abu Dhabi
Heritage Awali - Day 4 Part 1

The big news!...we have sunshine!... Today we have been able to spend a couple of precious hours ba...

10th Mar 2015
Abu Dhabi
Heritage Awali - Day 3 part 2

So, this afternoon we explored Le Telfair, another of Heritage's wonderful resorts. Colonial in desi...

10th Mar 2015
Abu Dhabi
Heritage Awali Day 3 Part 1

Well, there was no need to bag a sun bed...it is back to torrential rain again! Schools are closed, ...

9th Mar 2015
Abu Dhabi
Heritage Awali - Day 2 part 2

...And so after the epic lunch at the C Beach Club, and with the sun now fully out and hot, we came ...

8th Mar 2015
Abu Dhabi
The Heritage Awali - Day 2 Part 1

And so it continues to rain!....but not as heavily as before, thank goodness....we may be able to ve...

8th Mar 2015
Abu Dhabi
Heritage Awali Day 1 Part 2

I have written some bizarre blogs in my time, but this one, in praise of our rain shower has to 'tak...

8th Mar 2015
Abu Dhabi
Heritage Awali - Day 1 Part 1

First impressions: What a wow of a welcome!...the Jambe (drum) in honour of each arrival, a warm gre...

1st May 2014
Marrakech!

The third largest city in Morocco, Marrakech is a fascinating city situated at the foothills of the ...

1st May 2014
Tantalising Taormina!

Whilst on a recent holiday to Sicily, we took the cable car ride up to the delightful town of Taormi...

28th Apr 2014
Gibraltar

I must confess that I have never holidayed in Gibraltar, it has just been a port of call on various ...

28th Apr 2014
The Trevi Fountain

I first saw the Trevi Fountain many years ago, have seen it many times since, and every time I find ...

25th Apr 2014
Flam Railway - An Incredible Journey

In 1923 work began on the construction of the famous Flam Railway in Norway. It was created to conne...

22nd Apr 2014
Eilat - A Desert Resort

In stark contrast to the historic and religious sites which are synonymous with Israel, Eilat, on th...

22nd Apr 2014
Portofino - Is Seeing Really Believing?!

Portofino, on the Italian Riviera, is a must-see port of call for many cruise ships...and was indeed...

22nd Apr 2014
Pisa - Its Not Just About The Tower!

Of course Pisa is known throughout the world as the site of the Leaning Tower, and I have to say I w...

22nd Apr 2014
Civitavecchia - with a cheeky twist!

Arriving on a cruise ship, at the port of Civitavecchia, most travellers, not on an organised excurs...

22nd Apr 2014
Abu Dhabi
An 'Air Raising Aligator Airboat Adventure at Everglades!

I am generally not one for 'organised excursions' preferring to create my own itinerary (goes with m...

22nd Apr 2014
Abu Dhabi
A Surprising Side to Side!

We were staying in quiet Colakli, on the Turkish Mediterranean coast, and needed to do the inevitabl...

11th Apr 2014
Disney Magic in Dover!!

The wonderful Disney Magic Cruise Ship will be sailing out of Dover on three cruises in 2015!...and ...

11th Apr 2014
Abu Dhabi
Anthem!...A New Song for Southampton!

Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas is coming to the UK in 2015! She will be the largest ship ever...

24th Apr 2025
Mauritius
The Shandrani Resort and Spa - maybe the best all inclusive on the island....

Located on a protected and private peninsular in South East Mauritius, the wonderful 5* Shandrani Re...

7th Apr 2014
Bridgetown, Barbados

Bridgetown is often dismissed as an arrival or departure port for a Caribbean cruise...but as I disc...

4th Apr 2014
'This little piggy went to.....swim?!

You could be forgiven for thinking that this is some kind of April Fool...but it really isnt! On a ...

4th Apr 2014
Syracuse (Siracusa) Sicily

If you are holidaying in Sicily, the lovely city of Syracuse, situated on the south east coast of Si...

14th Mar 2014
Christ the Redeemer!

The World Cup will come and go but the phenomenal, iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer will surely ...

13th Mar 2014
St Lucia
St Lucia - its current tag-line is 'Lift Your Senses' - and it truly does!

It has been my absolute pleasure to visit this wonderful Caribbean island, and to experience the div...

21st Feb 2014
The Dead Sea

Not actually a sea, but a lake, the Dead Sea is a narrow 42 mile long stretch of water and the world...

21st Feb 2014
PortAventura!

PortAventura, is situated on the Costa Daurada, the heart of Catalonia. just one hour from Barcelona...

12th Feb 2014
Tunisia - 'The Jewel of the Mediterranean'

Just 2 1/2 hours flying time from London, and on the tip of Northern Africa, Tunisia is a surprising...

27th Jan 2014
Beaches!.... Beyond Brilliant!...Beyond Belief!

Consistently winning accolades, Beaches, part of the Sandals family, were voted the 2013 World's Lea...

23rd Jan 2014
Sandals...A Destination in Themselves!

Consistently voted the world's leading all inclusive company, 18 years in a row, at the World Travel...

30th Aug 2013
Malta...some say its like Marmite!!

It has been said that Malta, like Marmite, is a place you will either love or hate!...I love it, and...

29th Aug 2013
Barbados

I've recently returned from my first visit to the wonderful Caribbean island of Barbados, and cannot...

Accommodation Recommendations

28
Bahamas
All Inclusive Holidays
Honeymoon Destinations
Adult Only Holidays
Sandals Royal Bahamian

This five-star resort was once the renowned Balmoral Club back in the 1940’s and is set right on t...

Jamaica2
All Inclusive Holidays
Honeymoon Destinations
Adult Only Holidays
Sandals Ochi

Sandals Ochi is a vast resort set in Ocho Rios and has a fantastic variety of accommodation options ...

Antigua
All Inclusive Holidays
Honeymoon Destinations
Adult Only Holidays
Sandals Grande Antigua

...

Morocco
Family Holidays
Banyan Tree Tamouda Bay

You’re right on the beachfront here at Banyan Tree Tamouda Bay so it’s a lovely place to take it...

Jamaica2
Adult Only Holidays
Breathless Montego Bay Resort & Spa

Guests at this ultra-modern resort will enjoy access to the longest stretch of private white sand be...

Jamaica2
All Inclusive Holidays
Honeymoon Destinations
Boutique Holidays
Zoetry Montego Bay

The resort is located on a quiet, sandy beach so you’ve got the beautiful Caribbean Sea right on y...

Jamaica2
All Inclusive Holidays
Melia Braco Village, Montego Bay

Melia Braco Village is located right next to the beach so the sands and just a short stroll away. Yo...

Jamaica2
Family Holidays
All Inclusive Holidays
Hotels with Waterslides
Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa

Beach lovers will appreciate the beautiful white sands of Cinnamon Beach – the longest white sand...

Morocco
Sofitel Agadir Thalassa Sea & Spa

This is an ideal hotel for those seeking a spa break as the hotel has a Thalassotherapy centre offe...

Morocco
Family Holidays
Sofitel Essaouira Mogador Golf & Spa

This luxury hotel is beautifully designed and embraces the fusion of contemporary design and traditi...

Morocco
Family Holidays
City Breaks
Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort

Mazagan Beach Resort, Morocco Welcome to Mazagan Beach Resort, a coastal escape on Morocco’s Atlan...

Jamaica2
All Inclusive Holidays
Adult Only Holidays
Secrets Wild Orchid Montego Bay

There is so much to see and do at this fabulous resort. Of course, everyone likes to head to the bea...

St Lucia
All Inclusive Holidays
Honeymoon Destinations
Adult Only Holidays
Sandals Halcyon Beach Resort & Spa

Sandals Halcyon Beach offers so much for guests including 6 on-site fine dining options, a further 2...

St Lucia
All Inclusive Holidays
Honeymoon Destinations
Adult Only Holidays
Sandals Grande St. Lucian Spa & Beach Resort

Set on its own spectacular peninsula, Sandals Grande St. Lucian has a great range of accommodation i...

St Lucia
All Inclusive Holidays
Honeymoon Destinations
Adult Only Holidays
Sandals Regency La Toc Golf Resort & Spa

This fantastic resort offers you so much, with Oceanfront Suites available and top-tier suites that ...

Grenada
All Inclusive Holidays
Honeymoon Destinations
Adult Only Holidays
Sandals LaSource Grenada

This amazing resort has the Caribbean’s most innovative suites with Butler Service available in to...

Barbados
All Inclusive Holidays
Honeymoon Destinations
Adult Only Holidays
Sandals Barbados

Sandals offers an amazing all-inclusive concept covering, amongst other things, unlimited dining at ...

Bahamas
All Inclusive Holidays
Honeymoon Destinations
Adult Only Holidays
Sandals Emerald Bay Golf, Tennis & Spa Resort

Sandals Emerald Bay offers you so much including unlimited scuba diving, unlimited land and waterspo...

Jamaica2
All Inclusive Holidays
Honeymoon Destinations
Adult Only Holidays
Sandals Negril Beach Resort & Spa

Enjoy the benefits of all-inclusive stay at Sandals Negril. The resort offers 24 hour room service, ...

Jamaica2
All Inclusive Holidays
Honeymoon Destinations
Adult Only Holidays
Sandals Royal Caribbean Resort

Enjoy the benefits of all-inclusive luxury: private offshore island with a Thai restaurant, seven sw...

Jamaica2
All Inclusive Holidays
Honeymoon Destinations
Adult Only Holidays
Couples San Souci

This resort has everything you’d expect from a five star holiday destination and more! Choose from...

Jamaica2
Boutique Holidays
GoldenEye

Low Cay Beach is a 500 foot croissant shaped beach and is the main beach at GoldenEye. Wata Sport Be...

Paphos
Annabelle Hotel

Annabelle has a squash court plus a floodlit tennis court. Guests can also use the facilities of Al...

Mauritius
Family Holidays
All Inclusive Holidays
Heritage Awali Golf & Spa Resort

Facilities include a magnificent 18-hole championship golf course which keen golfers are sure to app...

Turks and Caicos Islands
Family Holidays
All Inclusive Holidays
Hotels with Waterslides
Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa

The resort is comprised of four villages all offering their own unique ambience and architecture. Th...

Jamaica2
Family Holidays
All Inclusive Holidays
Hotels with Waterslides
Beaches Negril

Given the resorts beachside location it’s not too surprising to discover that a number of waterspo...

Jamaica2
All Inclusive Holidays
Honeymoon Destinations
Adult Only Holidays
Boutique Holidays
Sandals Royal Plantation Resort

Benefit from all-inclusive luxury including gourmet meals, premium brand drinks, complimentary green...

Jamaica2
Half Moon

There are three glorious pools to choose from, ideal for a refreshing splash or relaxing on a sun lo...

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