A travel loving family with lots of adventures to share
Day 1: Gothic Quarter & Montjuïc Starting in the Eixample district, transversing through Plaça Catalunya and the Gothic Quarter before reaching the waterfront at the Columbus Monument, La Rambla de Catalunya weaves through the heart of central Barcelona. Lined with cafes and shops and full of quirky street entertainers, it has a vibrant energy and attracts… Continue reading Visiting Barcelona with teens – a 3 night itinerary
With only a few days annual leave left to take, you can easily squeeze in a short break in Crete. With an early flight out and late flight back we had five days exploring the western part of the island and managed to cram in a fair bit. Although it’s not always as predictable at… Continue reading October half term in Crete – 5 day itinerary
A flying visit but ideal for experiencing the highlights of this charming coastal city. Day 1: Tapas lunch and a relaxing afternoon at La Perla Spa Arriving at lunchtime, we stopped for a lovely lunch at the lively and bustling Casa Valles Restaurant. Traditional tapas dishes with an array of mouth-watering pintxos perfect with a… Continue reading Two days in San Sebastian
After visiting years ago as a couple, it was great to go back to New York with our teenagers and spending 5 nights here meant we could take our time and experience the different corners of this fabulous metropolis. Getting from JFK airport to Manhattan Straight from the terminal, you can hop on the AirTrain… Continue reading 5 nights in New York with teens – Day 1: Times Square, Central Park and Roosevelt Island
A country of contrasts, this 10 night itinerary in Montenegro will take you from the shores of Lake Skadar and the breath-taking scenery of Durmitor National Park to the rapids of the Tara River and the beautiful Adriatic town of Perast where the mountains meet the sea. 3 nights in Virpazar, Lake Skadar 2 nights… Continue reading Montenegro 10-night itinerary – First Stop: 3 nights in Virpazar, Lake Skadar
We’ve just returned from a sunny stay in Seville for October half term. It was an excellent choice for a city break with teenagers with enough to keep them engaged in between visiting some of the stunning architecture Andalucía has to offer. After finding some bargain BA flights (with terrible departure times), we decided on… Continue reading Visiting Seville with teenagers – a 4 night itinerary
This city has a crazy energy and a true love of football (the streets were literally covered in blue after a premiership win). It has a raw, unpolished charm unlike anywhere else we’ve visited in Italy. Often overlooked with tourists heading straight for the more glamorous towns on the coast, it’s definitely worth a visit… Continue reading Top things to do in Naples
Enjoy the sweeping views of the bay from Villa Comunale Cool off at one of the lively beach clubs Tuck in to some delicious seafood in Marina Grande Do a spot of shopping on Corso Italia and the side streets leading off it Take the ferry to the island of Capri Brave the bus ride… Continue reading 3 nights in Sorrento with day trips to Capri and Positano
Leaving the family behind this time, I’ve just spent three fantastic nights in the cool kite surfing town of Tarifa. A weekend break in Tarifa is ideal with both friends, family and kids and we all fell in love with this soulful Spanish town on the most southerly tip of Europe. Day 1: Playa de… Continue reading A weekend break in Tarifa
Join a food tour Take a gondola ride Visit the islands of Murano and Burano Take in the iconic landmarks of San Marco Tuck into plenty of cicchetti, gelato and cannoli Enjoy a spot of shopping Arriving early evening due to a delayed flight, we got off the coach (ATVO timetable) at Piazzale Roma and… Continue reading Visiting Venice with teenagers – a 4 night itinerary
For an action-packed holiday, Slovenia is a fantastic choice for families with active kids and teenagers. This itinerary is ideal as you can combine city, lakes, mountains and coast all in one week. With crystal clear lakes, waterfalls, miles of caves and a rich marine life, Slovenia will blow you away with its natural beauty.… Continue reading Visiting Slovenia for a family holiday – A one week itinerary
With year-round sun, gorgeous beaches, fantastic family attractions and only a 2-hour flight from the UK, the Algarve is the perfect destination for a short break with kids. Making the most of the long weekend, we travelled over Easter and had four nights enjoying some much-needed sunshine. After two years of travelling within the UK… Continue reading A short break in the Algarve with kids in April
A brilliant start to the new year and just what we needed to blow the cobwebs away after a late night, a beautiful walk in the fresh forest air. Mallards Pike is a gorgeous spot for a picnic with plenty of benches around the lake and a little cafe serving snacks, cakes and hot drinks.… Continue reading Family walks in the Forest of Dean – Mallards Pike
As soon as Christmas is over, I can't wait to start planning my next trip and these cold, dark days definitely leave me longing for some warm sunshine. Europe in the spring can be tricky if you want to swim in the sea or lounge by the pool but visiting a city close to the… Continue reading Top family holidays for spring sun
We love a city break in October half term and usually head somewhere cold and cosy in Europe but with constant changes in travel restrictions, we decided to stay closer to home and visit the beautiful city of York. There are so many museums and attractions to choose from, we had no trouble entertaining a… Continue reading Vikings, dungeons and foodie heaven – Visiting York with kids
Soudley Ponds in the Forest of Dean is one of our favourite places for a walk and picnic. It’s so unspoilt and hidden away from tourists, I almost don’t want to share it. With a few last days of summer sun, it was the perfect place to be for some cool, fresh forest air. There… Continue reading Family walks in the Forest of Dean – Soudley Ponds
We’ve just returned from a fantastic week exploring the beautiful Cardigan Bay. After many trips to Pembrokeshire and the Gower we couldn’t wait to explore this part of Wales. Although our foreign holidays have been on hold for a while it has been a great opportunity to see more of the UK and luckily, we… Continue reading Our family holiday in Cardigan Bay
Another great place to go for a family walk when the weather is hot, Symonds Yat is a beautiful area to visit for the day. We decided to park down on the riverside at the Wyedean Canoe & Adventure Centre, Symonds Yat East and then follow the shady woodland trail along the river to Biblins… Continue reading Family walks in the Forest of Dean – Symonds Yat
We had a great morning walking around the grounds of the haunted Woodchester Park near Stroud this weekend. With temperatures at around 30˚c and miles away from water, a shady woodland family walk was just what we all needed – Coco included. This unique unfinished gothic property has beautiful grounds to explore with different trails… Continue reading Family walks in the Cotswolds – Woodchester Park
We've visited the Gower many times for a family break and it never disappoints. Even in Covid times, with most of the UK descending on the coasts of Britain for May half term, the beaches didn't feel crowded. Getting there early is a good idea to avoid traffic jams on the narrow country roads though.… Continue reading Family break in the Gower – finally some sunshine!
We had a great family holiday in South East Devon this Easter and were so lucky that the spring weather had finally come. Post lockdown, we couldn’t wait to be by the sea and it was Coco’s first trip to the beach. She loved racing around and helping the children dig in the sand. It… Continue reading An Easter family holiday in South East Devon
We love experiencing wildlife whilst travelling and it is such an important part of our holiday. Of course, the best thing is watching animals in their natural habitat, creating lasting memories for us all but taking time out from a bustling city to visit a zoo or aquarium, can be great too. Joining tours or… Continue reading Our top wildlife encounters throughout our travels so far
It may not be the first place to spring to mind when thinking about a family city break with kids, but this sprawling city with its modern architecture and trendy vibe sitting alongside the beautifully restored old town has so much to offer. The Copernicus Science Centre is a brilliant day out for all ages… Continue reading Head to Warsaw for a fascinating family city break
It’s still a bit uncertain but looking much more promising for summer holidays in Europe to be possible this year. The heel of Italy, Puglia is a wonderful region to explore and without the crowds and price tags of other more exclusive areas, it has everything for a family summer holiday. Even at the height… Continue reading The beauty of Italy without the crowds – a summer family holiday in Puglia
I've always wanted to make Pastéis de Nata but thought they looked quite difficult but I found this recipe which was really easy and they've come out really well. It's a bit of a cheat recipe as it uses ready to roll puff pastry but still tasted delicious. Give them a try! A long established… Continue reading A treat for the weekend – Pastéis de Nata (Portuguese Custard Tarts)
I think we all need a big holiday to make up for all the trips missed over the last year. How about a road trip for 2022? With the flexibility of our own set of wheels, our trip to California was a big hit with all the family. Our itinerary: Palm Springs – Disneyland –… Continue reading Experiencing California with an epic family road trip
I'm really enjoying Simon Reeve's new series 'Incredible Journeys with Simon Reeve'. Not only does it give you an insight into some really interesting countries and dramatic landscapes but you learn so much about their society and issues. I thought it was interesting when he said that the most memorable part of travelling to all… Continue reading Meaningful encounters on our travels
In the depths of winter, we all long for some warm sunshine. Although it's doubtful that we'll be able to go abroad before the summer, it has been so uplifting to spend the lockdown writing about the amazing trips we've had. A few years ago we had a wonderful week in Granada and Nerja during… Continue reading Our spring family break in Granada and Nerja
This was our first trip to South East Asia and with a 6 and 9-year-old in tow we found the following itinerary worked perfectly when travelling with a young family. Although sticking pretty much to the typical tourist trail, it gave us a great insight into the country and we can’t wait to explore more… Continue reading Our first family experience of South East Asia…Thailand
With a spectacular coastline, vibrant towns and a whole host of family attractions, Pembrokeshire is up there on our list of best UK staycations. We have spent time here in summer, autumn and even at Christmas and love it! With many more beaches and towns still to visit, here are some of our highlights so… Continue reading A family staycation in Pembrokeshire
With family living nearby, we have had many wonderful breaks in the Gower and have enjoyed it in all seasons. The coastline has a rugged, unspoilt beauty which wows us every time we visit. It’s pretty hard to beat! Here are our top sights in the Gower for a fun family holiday. Rhossili Rhossili has… Continue reading Fun family holidays in the Gower
Only a short flight from the UK and you are transported to a fascinating land of fire and ice unlike anywhere else in Europe. Travelling for the weekend, we got to experience the captivating city of Reykjavik alongside the wonders of the Golden Circle. This short trip to Iceland has left me longing to go… Continue reading This time last year…. our family holiday exploring Reykjavik and the extraordinary sights of Iceland.
For the October half term break we headed to North Devon for a cosy weekend full of blustery walks, autumn colours and of course lots of pasties, cream teas and fudge. We booked a chalet at the Manleigh Park site in Combe Martin which was an excellent base for exploring the coastal towns of Ilfracombe,… Continue reading Our autumn family break in North Devon
So my first blog will be about my up and coming trip to North Devon for October half term. We love our European autumn city breaks with cold, crisp sunny days and cosy cafes but this year we’re heading to the coast to explore some more of the UK. This year has certainly opened our… Continue reading Our next trip…North Devon
Sandy beaches, beautiful mountain villages, boat trips with snorkelling and breathtaking coastal drives, topped off with waterparks for the kids, Mallorca has everything for family summer holiday. We based ourselves in Soller on the northwestern coast and for me this has to be one of the most scenic parts of the island. With the Tramuntana… Continue reading How to spend 7 nights in Mallorca
Our last day was spent using up our subway ticket and whizzing around Manhattan to find the locations from some of our favourite TV shows and films. First up was a delicious breakfast at NYC Bagel and Coffee House, Chelsea serving plenty of breakfast options in addition to a wide range of bagels and fillings.… Continue reading 5 nights in New York with teens – Day 5: Tour of NYC TV and movie locations, a museum visit, shopping and the Empire State Building
Keep a day free to explore Brooklyn. We only touched the surface but it was great to get a feel for this trendy district of New York which was a total contrast to the high rises of Manhattan. Start your day with a walk across Brooklyn Bridge for the most incredible views of the Manhattan… Continue reading 5 nights in New York with teens – Day 4: Brooklyn Bridge, Dumbo, Williamsburg and The Bushwick Collective, Summit One Vanderbilt
With lovely sunny spring weather, we strolled from Midtown into Chelsea which has a slightly more residential feel to it. The Grey Dog is a trendy eatery popular with locals for brunch and it set us up for another day of sightseeing. Then on to the subway to make our way south for the Staten… Continue reading 5 nights in New York with teens – Day 3: Staten Island Ferry, Battery Park, Financial District, Chelsea Market, The High Line and Hudson Yards
I had mixed feelings about visiting the 9/11 Memorial & Museum as it felt somehow strange to have a tourist attraction out of something so deeply sad and harrowing but I guess like many places around the world, they are created to serve as a reminder and to ensure the tragic events are never forgotten. … Continue reading 5 nights in New York with teens – Day 2: 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Oculus Center and an ice hockey game
Day 8: Today we left Pluzine in the north and made our way to the coast. As you drive down towards the sea, you are met with the most incredible scenery of Kotor Bay. Azure waters and terracotta roof tops encompassed by mountains which glow with a pastel pink hue at sunset. We booked a… Continue reading Montenegro 10-night itinerary – Fourth and final stop: 3 nights in Perast, Kotor Bay
Fam Full of Wanderlust 