Honeymooning Down Under
Not content with being an experienced travel specialist, Jimmy has also tried his hand at match-making. Not only did George and Julia Clark get engaged on a trip to New Orleans booked by Jimmy, but he also arranged their honeymoon in Australia earlier this year!

En route to Oz, the couple spent 5 nights in Dubai - a sun and shopping paradise that's the prize in this edition's competition. And the couple plan to return there next year, after consulting Jimmy once again.

"He always gives you loads of information before you go, so you have a good idea of what you can do and where you can go. Jimmy travels a lot himself, so his knowledge is second to none. On top of that he does a lot of research on where you're going and his enthusiasm gets you really excited before you go."

The Jewel in Australia's Crown
Sunny, sophisticated Sydney basks in its role as the shining star of the Southern Hemisphere. the sparkling harbour, with the stunning Sydney Opera House, is flanked by golden beaches and bushland, and is bisected by one of the most famous bridges in the world.

Through Jimmy Martin Travel, Andrew and Angie Mackinlay spent 4 weeks in the city last December. And according to Angie, it was the time spent talking to the Jimmy Martin Travel team beforehand that made all the difference.

"Jimmy really listens to you and takes time out to find out what you want out of a holiday - and how much you want to spend. He knows it's your holiday and doesn't just try and sell you something that's not your ideal trip."

Taking a Hike
Jenny Hewson likes holidays with a difference. Having trekked in Morocco this June, she embarked on another walking holiday in September - this time to Province. Flying from Edinburgh to Nice, the group were driven into the mountains and walked through spectacular scenery on a demanding 5-day hike.

And according to Jenny, Jimmy Martin Travel is the perfect starting place for this kind of holiday.

"Jimmy and his team are always exceptionally helpful and easy to talk to. They help you plan everything and talk your trip through with you in great detail, so you know just what to expect. In the past their advice on everything from local temperature to fitness levels required has been invaluable to me."

An Island for the Whole Family
The Simpsons came into Jimmy Martin Travel with one thing on their mind ­ a family holiday that had something for everyone.

After the initial consultation to discuss exactly what it was they were looking for, something Jimmy and his team do with every customer, the family decided upon Playa d'en Bossa on the east coast of Ibiza. Not only could the family fly direct from Edinburgh but, much to their delight, JMT also found them a resort that could cater specifically for 10 to 12 year olds.

Floating in the Mediterranean between Spain and the North African coast, the Balearic Island is more often than not associated with its famous clubbing scene. But beyond the bars of San Antonio are superb beaches with water sports, relentless sunshine, good food, spectacular walks, quaint fishing villages, and endless orchards of oranges and olives. And what did the Simpsons make of their 2 weeks there? Well there really was something for all the family. Within a week of coming home they were back in the JMT office - booking again for the following year.

It's all downhill from here
Toby Hamilton and Alison James are experienced skiers, so they know what they want from their winter holiday. Thankfully Jimmy Martin has considerate experience of ski holidays, which is why the couple keep coming back to JMT (as do their respective families).

Toby and Alison wanted to get the best skiing possible at the time they went away. Because they were keen skiers, the quality of snow was more important to them than the price alone so, flying from Manchester, they headed for the stunning slopes of the French resort of Val d'lsere.

Finding out what the customer wants may appear to be an obvious starting point but one which a lot of travel companies seem to overlook. Jimmy explains "Not many places really take the time to work out what the best holiday could be. Within the first 2 or 3 minutes you get a feel of what the customer is really after, skiing quality or price based and then it's a question of tailoring the package so they get a holiday that's just right for them."

The Best of Both Worlds for the Whole Family
As Mr and Mrs Kane approached their Ruby wedding anniversary, their family wanted to give them a very special surprise present - a dream holiday. Their son came into JMT as the family had been loyal customers of Jimmy's for years and sat down with Jimmy to work out what would be the best possible trip on the budget he had in mind.

The idea of a cruise to the Caribbean came up, but Mr Kane was worried that it was so unlike anything his parents had experienced before. They had always gone to the Mediterranean or the Canaries for their holidays and a cruise might not be quite to their tastes. He needn't have worried. Having worked out what would really suit Mr & Mrs Kane, Jimmy came up with a fantastic package, well within budget. By booking almost 3 months in advance, Mr Kane was able to get them a 9 day cruise on the deluxe, 5 star Royal Caribbean line, one of the top cruise lines, with stops including Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and St. Martin. - followed by 2 weeks in their favourite hotel in Benidorm!

Full of Eastern Promise
In the summer of 2002, Stewart and Moira Robertson travelled with Jimmy Martin Travel into the heart of China. Determined to experience the great Yangtze River before the completion of the controversial Three Gorges Dam, they spent five days of their three-week holiday journeying by boat. Winding through gorges thousands of feet deep, the views from the boat were breathtaking and the scenery unlike any they had seen before.

Thousands of years of history
On dry land, they had the luxury of Chinese guides in every location, and explored historical Beijing, and Xian, home of the Terracotta Warriors. A stopover in Shanghai meant Stewart and Moira could enjoy the spectacular sights of the bustling city known as the 'Pearl of the Orient'. But they both agreed that the Great Wall, built nearly three thousand years ago and said to be visible from space, was the highlight of their unforgettable trip.