02 April 2024

It's always good to know where you can go to get that bit of winter sun, right? I have just been to Morocco during the (early) Easter holidays with my family for exactly that, and it didn't disappoint. We stayed in the coastal town of Agadir, at the Founty Beach Hotel. This 4 star Iberostar hotel overlooking the Atlantic Ocean was a great choice. With an All Inclusive offering, there's something for everyone. A main buffet restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and with a dedicated vegetarian stand, I felt happy that there would always be something for us veggies to eat! Food was varied, with different types of food served each night, as well as some fab staples available every day - some delicious Moroccan dishes, as well as salads, pasta, pizza and chips. As well as the main buffet restaurant, there is a pool snack bar, which is open for a late breakfast, lunch and late afternoon, as well as a bar serving drinks throughout the day. There's also an a la carte restaurant open 6 evenings a week. You need to book in advance to eat here (as well as choose your main course at the time of booking - make it clear if you have any dietary requirements at this time), but there is no additional cost. Here, you can experience a traditional Moroccan meal, we had a delicious soup, starter, lamb tagine or veggie cous cous, and a mix of Moroccan deserts. With 2 large pools, and one of them heated in winter (always a good find for families), there's no excuse for not getting in. But if lounging by the pool isn't your thing, there's ample opportunity to get involved in other things - there's football, volleyball, archery, petanque, table tennis, darts, as well as a spa and small gym. The entertainment team are also always on hand working hard running activities for both adults and kids. And if you do fancy something a bit different, you can book various excursions at the hotel. We went sandboarding on the dunes north of Agadir. It was an amazing experience, some of us were better at it than others (you don't fall quite as graciously the older you get!), and we also got to witness the sun setting over the ocean. Ask my daughters what the best part of the holiday was, and they don't hesitate to say sandboarding! Other excursions include jeep safaris, quad biking, local city tours, boat trips and surf lessons. Straight out of the hotel is the beach, a great expanse of golden sand and crashing waves. We had hoped to try our hand at surfing, but the waves looked a little too big when we were there (tip - head to the end of the promenade by the marina where it's more sheltered, this is where most of the surf lessons looked to be held). The prom is about 5km long, with exercise equipment to break up the walk/run (yes, there were plenty of runners making use of the long flat promenade to keep their fitness up whilst on holiday). Although it's mainly lined by large hotels, there's also the odd cafe and restaurant, and a few small souvenir shops. A street signposted just off the prom leads to a small souk, ideal to visit if you're apprehensive about visiting the larger ones in town. At the end of the prom there's a few more restaurants and shops, as well as a marina. There is also a new cable car ride, which takes you up to the Oufella and the kasbah (a prominent sight on the Agadir skyline). Giving great views of the surrounding area, along with information boards to tell you more about the kasbah,it's worth a visit, and would be especially beautiful at sunset. As ever, I love Iberostar's commitment to sustainability. And it was very much present here in Africa too. There's no single use plastic in the hotel, there's a big commitment to recycling, evident from the bins around the hotel, and filtered water is freely available from fountains, encouraging guests to refill the bottle provided in the room. Refillable toiletries in the bathrooms are standard (and smell great!). The hotel also supports local communities such as a women's argan oil cooperative, we were able to watch a demonstration of the argon oil making process and buy their products (my daughter was overjoyed to be able to buy a certified cosmetic argon oil whilst supporting the women who made it). There's even a nod to sustainability in the kids Star Camp activities. All in all, we had a great Easter break in the sun. If you're after a winter/spring (or even summer/autumn) 'chill by the pool holiday' with a few different activities to the norm, I would 100% recommend Founty Beach.

12 August 2023

For years, my Greek bucket list location has been Santorini (hasn't everyone's!?). Those insta perfect photos you see every day of the blue sky, white buildings and blue domes are nothing short of divine. I couldn't believe my luck when I arrived in Crete and found out I could do a day trip to the island, taking in the main tourist destinations of Oia and Fira (or Thera/Thira). After much deliberation we decided I should make the trip myself, leaving my husband and girls in Crete having a fun filled day to themselves. The (valid) reasons for this were: The cost of the trip The trip being a VERY long day trip, with many hours travelling The heat of the August sun The expected busyness of the resorts And as much as I love going on adventures as a family, this was very much the right decision. My day started bright and early, and the coach picked me up from my resort at 6.40am, in order to make the 8am ferry leaving from Rethymno. It was a large ferry with about 800 passengers, with everyone allocated a seat for the 2 and a half hour journey (but also some outside space if you prefer). There's a couple of takeaway cafes for snacks and drinks too. On arrival at the port we had to find our coach and began the 45 minute journey to Oia (built on the steep slopes of a water-filled caldera, offering views most can only dream of), following a long trail of tourists searching for the holy grail - that shot that screams 'I'm in Santorini!'. And boy did we find it, multiple times. The tour guide helpfully told us where we needed to go, and we were left to our own devices for about an hour and a half. Just long enough to find those spots, wait in the queues watching people get that photo for their socials, and make our way back through the small alleyways to the car park (with enough time to stop for an ice cream of course!). And Fira? The capital of Santorini is just as beautiful, still overlooking the caldera, still pedestrianised alleyways filled with shops, cafes and restaurants, and still with beautiful views at every corner. Here, we had a little longer to explore, and I found a taverna with a view called Fanari, to try some local fava, and my favourite saganaki cheese dish, washed down with a cool local beer. This taverna seemed to have more reasonable prices than those around it, but the food and service was great, it wasn't too busy at lunchtime, and it had the all-important view! One thing worth noting, prices in Santorini are higher than other Greek Islands - there's no freshwater source, limited crops grow on the island, pedestrianised villages mean imported goods have to carried the last part of their journey, and of course the amazing views, all mean things here come at a premium. Did it meet my expectations? I'd say yes, the views I found myself looking down on in both villages were just as I'd imagined, my photos not doing it justice. However, the crowds unfortunately did take away from some of the romanticism, but it's August, it's to be expected. If you do fancy a holiday on the island, this would give you ample opportunities to visit Oia and Fira when the day tourists have left for home, to witness the beautiful sunsets and to sink it all in at a slower pace. The island itself is small, with other resorts to choose from, thus allowing you the option to visit these villages at a time that suits you best. As for seeing Santorini on a day tour from Crete? Expect a long day (15 hours door to door for me), almost half of it travelling. Expect crowds - lots of them - if you travel in high season. But for the chance to see one of your bucket list destinations - for me, it was worth it!

21 July 2023

I’ve never considered a trip to the Alps in the summer. To me, it’s always been a winter ski destination. I was recently given the opportunity to explore a slice of Austria in July, as part of a trip with Inghams, where walking holidays include 2 free guided walks with a professional mountain guide, in 16 different resorts. After a short flight to Innsbruck we transferred to Mayrhofen, a beautiful Alpine resort in the Austrian state of Tyrol. I was blown away by how picture perfect it looked, even as we approached in the rain! Hotel We stayed in the Alpenhotel Kramerwirt, a charming hotel by the church, within easy reach of everything Mayrhofen has to offer. The suites have recently been renovated, and are perfect for a family of 4 – one large bedroom/living area with Austrian twins, and another small room with a sofa bed and bunk bed. Plenty of space, a great bathroom with amazing shower, and a balcony to enjoy the views. It was heaven! As a vegetarian, I was a bit concerned about what I would eat in Austria, but the food in the hotel was amazing! Buffet breakfast was plentiful, and in the evening there was a delicious 4 course meal, with a choice of main – 1 always being a vegetarian option, and it always being very tasty! There is also a children’s menu available. There is a roof spa at the hotel (adults only), where you can relax in the whirlpool and take in the views, as well as venture into the sauna or steam room, or just lounge in one of the many chill out areas on sofas, beds, and loungers. A great place to spend time after a walk! Resort Mayrhofen has it all. Plenty of restaurants, cafes and bars, something for everyone. And so many shops, ranging from small souvenir shops, supermarkets, and designer stores. It’s a hub for walking, cycling and skiing, as well as those more ‘out there’ sports such as paragliding, hand gliding, canyoning and rafting….I just stuck to the walking! Guided walk Included in our trip, we opted for a guided walk to the Zillergrund Reservoir, this was approximate 10km long, but an easy grading, with a professional guide to help us along and provide us with interesting facts about the valleys, flora and fauna (and we even saw some marmots!) Getting there involved an hours trip on a public bus (great views to take in the whole way, bus and toll an additional cost) and we were greeted with stunning views of the dam and mountains. At the end of the reservoir is ‘Little Tibet’ a small rustic hut serving meals, cakes and drinks – talk about lunch with a view! This was honestly one of the best walks I’ve done as far as scenery is concerned, and was suitable for all, young and old. City of Innsbruck A little over an hours drive from Mayrhofen is the city of Innsbruck. We spent an afternoon here strolling around the old city, as well as going to the ‘Top of Innsbruck’, 2300 metres above the city by funicular and 2 cable cars. There’s also an obligatory tower you can climb up (City Tower), a Golden Roof to admire, and an abundance of shops to peruse. Family friendly? This resort offers families a different holiday to the usual summer Med break. However, you could do as little or as much as you wanted. The sun still shines (and can actually be very hot) and there are many hotels offering outdoor swimming pools and lakes, for those still wanting to relax (the Neuhaus Zillertal resort was one such hotel). However in addition, you have the mountains at your fingertips, to walk, bike and explore, to ensure you never get bored. I will most definitely be returning with my family in tow, and I urge you to do the same – you won’t regret it!

13 June 2023

City breaks and children – a good mix? I’ve always loved a city break, but after becoming a mum, the idea of a navigating a city with young children, especially a city I wasn’t familiar with, was not something that appealed. As my girls got older, we starting tagging cities on to the start or end of our beach holidays, just to test the water. With these being a success, we recently went on our first city break, no beaches or pools in sight, just 3 fun filled days in Copenhagen. We chose Copenhagen due to the short flight time from the UK, the short train ride from airport to city (15 minutes), and the fact that you can walk around the city easily, without having to get on and off public transport. All important factors when travelling with children. Hotel We booked a hotel suitable for a family, close to the train station, and within walking distance of all the sights – Go Hotel Ansgar fit the bill perfectly. 2 minutes’ walk from the train station, a large family room for 4, a small fridge for drinks and snacks, free WiFi (very important for the tween) and a bathroom with underfloor heating! And reasonably priced for a Scandinavian capital city! City Cruise We had pre booked a sightseeing cruise for our first morning – I always find this is a great first thing to do, to get your bearings and get an overview of the city. The 1 hour cruise across the canals and harbour, passed many of the city’s main attractions – the Little Mermaid Statue, the Amalienborg Palace, the Opera House, the neighbourhood of Christianshavn and of course the picture perfect Nyhavyn. All of the family enjoyed seeing the sights, and even though it was cold on board, the guide was very knowledgeable, and kept us entertained throughout. Changing of the Guard Every day at 11.30am, the Danish Royal Guard march from Rosenborg Castle to Amalienborg Palace, for the ceremony, arriving at the Palace at midday. This lasted at least 20 minutes, and we enjoyed watching it so much we went back the next day (I think my daughters were hoping for a glimpse of the Queen). The guards march right through the crowds numerous times (aided by police officers paving the way), and you’re able to follow them around the square too. Spires I love a climb up a tower when we visit places, being able to see somewhere from high up puts a different perspective on things, and in Copenhagen, we climbed up 3! The best experience was the stairway to the top of Our Saviour’s Church in the Christianshavn district. It’s not one for the fainthearted as the last 150 steps are outside, spiralling around the tower until they become too narrow to go any higher! It’s a case of 1 person at a time, and only if you’re feeling brave. We also climbed the iconic Rundetaarn (Round Tower), and the Tarnet (The Christiansborg Tower), both very different experiences, and both with great views from the top. Shopping You cant go to Copenhagen without a visit (or 3 in our case!) to Flying Tiger. Bigger and better than their UK counterparts, my girls had lots of fun browsing the stores and buying a few gifts. There’s also the flagship Magasin Du Nord department store, a beautiful building in its own right, and of course with just as beautiful clothes insides! Food You won’t go hungry in Copenhagen. From fancy restaurants, global food chains, pavement cafes to street stalls, it has it all! Part of the experience of travelling is trying the local food. I’m fully aware this is sometimes tricky as a young family (between us we have 2 veggies, a meat eater and a picky eater) so I always do some research beforehand. If you want to do as the locals do, I’d recommend the organic hotdog stand, DØP, beneath the Round Tower. Here, we sampled both meat and veggie traditional hotdogs, that all the family tried. And of course no visit to Copenhagen is complete without finding a table on Nyhavn for some food and drink. As it was winter, we chose some warm churros, but the choice is plentiful along the front, and it makes for a good stop to watch the world go by. I think it’s fair to say we enjoyed our time in Copenhagen, and I haven’t even touched on the ice skating, the Light Festival, or of course our walk to see the Little Mermaid (small but worth it!). So if you’re looking for your next adventure with the children, please get in touch and I can make your city break dreams come true.