The Leeds-based One Travel Club agent tells Ella Sagar why the ‘whole place is beautiful’
Q. Why did you enter the Cover Stars competition?
A. I had heard about it before and saw it on Facebook. I was going back and forth about entering, then I saw the dates had been extended and I thought I had to do it. It was the last day you could enter and I didn’t think anything would come of it until I got the call and I just couldn’t believe it. It had been a stressful couple of months before so it was really welcome.
Q. What was the Jet2 flight from Manchester like?
A. It was absolutely unbelievable. Arriving at the airport, we had our own check-in area and other people were staring at us getting the special treatment like we were celebrities. We were all sat together at the back of the plane and all the Jet2 staff kept calling us VIPs which I found hilarious. I met some of the nicest people I’ve ever come across in my life on the trip. All the Jet2holidays staff looked after us so well. It was unreal.
Q. What was your highlight of the trip?
A. I can’t just have one. My first highlight was going to the vineyard, which was such an amazing experience. We got to pick and crush the grapes and learn about local food and how they make things such as cheese. The other highlight was the yacht trip, which was amazing. We went on a little cruise in the evening so we could watch the beautiful sunset. At the end, we went back and had a lovely meal together. It was all gorgeous. There was so much thought and effort by Jet2holidays behind everything we did to make it special.
Q. What did you think of the Constantinou Bros Asimina Suites hotel?
A. My room was stunning and massive! It had the most comfortable king-sized bed and there was a separate living room. We also had gift bags waiting for us when we arrived. I had a sea view room, so my balcony had a beautiful view as well. I slept like a baby for the whole time I was there.
Q. How was the food and drink?
A. I have never eaten so much in my life. At the first breakfast there was a massive table full of food from one end to the other, with everything you could imagine. They also had hot stuff, so we could add eggs, omelettes, sausages, bacon – it was absolutely unbelievable. It was lovely how the staff came over and talked us through what was on the table and all the different typical Cypriot dishes. There was one sweet pastry with honey and nuts, which was insanely delicious. That was my favourite dish, I think.
Q. Was it your first time in Cyprus?
A. No, but it was my first time in Paphos and it was so nice to go back and see another side of the island. It was actually the first time I’d been back since I got married in Cape Greco in Larnaca after lockdown. All of Cyprus is stunning with some amazing landmarks, such as Aphrodite’s Rock. The whole place is beautiful.
Q. What was your photoshoot like?
A. I was a bit nervous, so I laughed throughout the entire experience. I just couldn’t stop! I felt a bit sorry for the photographer. It was on the rooftop of the Constantinou Bros Athena Royal Beach Hotel at sunset, with the sea in the background, so I’m glad the pictures turned out well as it was such a stunning setting.
Q. How was the Cover Stars trip to the Travel Weekly Globe Travel Awards in January?
A. It was unreal. Jet2holidays were our hosts for the night. Our table was right at the front. We could not get any closer to the stage if we tried, which was so unexpected. I’ve heard so much about these awards and it was such an amazing experience. Rudimental were incredible! If I’d gone up one more step, I would have been on the stage with them. I definitely want to go back to the Globes again next year.
Nichol’s career
I started in travel because I’m one of those people who is never here, I am always away. Every opportunity that I can get, we are away. I took 10 years off work to bring up my girls, which I’m very thankful for. Once they were both at school full time, I was sitting at home bored and thought I would try to get into travel. One Travel Club had just started and I saw a post saying they were taking on agents, so I thought I would give it a go and went for an interview. I’ve been there since it started at the end of 2023.
Working in travel can be difficult, especially with peaks being manic, but I’m so grateful for all the opportunities that I’ve been given. I did not expect to have done half of the things that I’ve done, and Cover Stars has to be up there with the best. It’s been an unbelievable experience that I did not expect.
