Author: Leslie Johnson

Categories
Greece

Mousses Villas, Lefkas

Private family villas nestled in the olive groves of the Greek island. A nirvana for parents.

Why go?

Run by the wonderfully maternal Eleni and her family, this complex of 10 small houses is beautifully situated in what was once the family’s olive grove. Each two-bedroom house has air-con and a private terrace. For something bigger, opt for Castor or Pollox; two brilliantly equipped neighbouring villas, which sleep six, each with its own garden and pool. Whichever you choose, all have direct access to Mousses’ large communal and toddler pools, bar and restaurant.

There’s an air-conditioned kids club (ages six months to 10 years) with UK-trained nannies. Strict child-to-staff ratios ensure safe supervision, babies and toddlers have their own crèche room and older kids enjoy everything from art classes to water-fights.

The lowdown

Price: Simply Travel offers seven-night holidays for a family of four; from £1,156 at Apollo, Mousses, or £1,738 at Villa Pollox. Price includes car hire and flights from London Gatwick to Preveza. 

Travel time: A flight from London to Preveza takes 3 hours and 15 minutes.  

 

Pictures by Abigail Flanagan.

Activites

The nearest beach, Gira, has a family-friendly shoreline where toddlers can paddle, and a taverna serving great calamari. Also nearby is the island’s capital, the colourful harbour town of Lefkada where caves, waterfalls and natural watertaps are waiting to be explored.

Lefkada is largely pedestrianised at night, but it’s ideal for young families and has numerous pavement cafés serving traditional Greek food such as souvlaki (skewered meats), gyros (meat-stuffed pitta) and crepes, as well as superb icecream parlours for that holiday essential, the way-past-bedtime sugar rush.  

Categories
Oman

Middle East Holiday: Oman

Sarah Siese and her daughters discover that Oman has something to delight travellers of every age.

Why go?

We just can’t help ourselves. We keep coming back. Over the past 10 years, my three daughters and I have sailed around Oman’s islands, sleeping on deck under the stars, followed ancient watering systems along valleys, found hidden villages, gone wadi-bashing and dune skiing, swum with turtles and shopped in colourful souks.

On our first trip, looking at their proximity on the map, I thought Oman must be the new Dubai. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Yes, they both share the same latitude and climate, both have golden desert lands and cerulean coastlines, but Oman has a conspicuous historic culture and sense of place that you don’t encounter in its sister state.

On all counts, Oman is a treasure trove of experiences for families. It’s sunny, clean, has next to no crime, is exceptionally friendly and more than half the population speaks English. Travelling with children means swimming comes before souks and henna before history, but with a bit of careful planning, we’ve always struck a good balance.

The charm of this quiet land – where camels mingle with limousines and ancient forts have satellite dishes – lies in its subtle and unassumingly gentle way of introducing tourists to its natural wonders and age-old Islamic-cum-Bedouin culture. 

DISCOVER THE TOP 10 HOTELS IN OMAN PERFECT FOR YOUR FAMILY HOLIDAY

What to see

HEAD TO THE CAPITAL

The capital, Muscat, is a singularly sanitary city where you’re fined more for a dirty car than for breaking the speed limit. The spotless roads are lined with whitewashed villas, manicured municipal gardens and gleaming vehicles that look like they’ve just driven off a forecourt. Locals are particularly proud of their new opera house and elegant mosque, which cost more than £177 million. Its cool, shiny marble exterior defies the intricate grandiosity that lies within. We all marveled at the largest carpet in the world, an Iranian masterpiece, which took 600 women three years to weave, not to mention the 7-tonne Swarovski crystal chandelier that radiates a golden light over the 6,000 all-male congregation. Children over 10 are allowed in the mosque, but need to cover their heads with the scarves that are provided at the entrance.

EXPLORE THE COASTLINE

Down on the coast, the colourful Sultan’s Palace is flanked by two forts that were built by the Portuguese in 1587, strategically placed to guard the entrance to the city. A little further along, there was an eye-opener for the children, packed to the brim with white-robed men touting a ‘stinky’ array of giant gambas, waisthigh tuna and trumpet fish. The nearby souk was great for souvenir shopping and local goods such as painted perfume bottles, precious frankincense, and traditional dishdashas worn by Omani men (irresistible at a mere £10). 

Hundreds of metres of private shoreline at the Al Bustan Palace’s scenic beach are a paradise for families. A red carpet is rolled out every morning from the hotel to the shore so you don’t scorch your feet on the sand. We snorkelled with the resident turtles and, just as we despaired of seeing dolphins in the bay, spotted three of them gracefully dipping and diving only metres from the shore, then rushed to the tennis lesson. The Discover Scuba course was a big hit, too.

What to do

SET SAIL FOR ADVENTURE

After a quick trip to the supermarket for supplies, we drove to the new marina at The Wave and boarded a catamaran. The children were anxious about the charter, but soon squealed with delight as they checked out their cabins and met Captain Abdullah (a master of card tricks and paddle board racing). They later declared this their favourite bit of the holiday. We headed due north to the Daymaniyats, a small cluster of about nine uninhabited islands about 12 miles off the Omani coast. Still uncharted and relatively remote, they’ve recently been declared a national park. They’re as unspoilt as anything you’ll find in the Indian Ocean and are top of the list for those looking for an adventure.

At night we relaxed on the deck under shooting stars to the sound of waves breaking on the reef and the gentle creak of the boom. Atdawn we swam to the shore, hovering over shoals of fusilier, parrot and angel fish. The water was a balmy 30C and the air was a hairdryer-hot 36C. We drifted over planets of corals, slowly taking in the galaxy of underwater worlds that were home to strands of long-haired purple and yellow corals as well as colourful angel and damson fish. We even found Nemo!

DESERT SAFARI

The southern slopes of the Hajar Mountains, which drop from heights of more than 3,000m straight into the warm Gulf, are famous for their oasis villages and date groves – in stark contrast to the sand dunes of the sparsely populated Wahiba desert. An off-road, roller-coaster ride across the waves of the ever-changing pattern of dunes towards the desert camp had us all screaming with excitement. Later, I sat in my tent listening to the children gleefully running down dunes in the dark. Hud Hud’s safari accommodation, in six canvas bell tents complete with solar showers and wooden pit loos, is designed for comfort. After a spot of stargazing and a full day’s exploring, hiking, swimming and eating, we fell onto comfortable mattresses dressed in crisp white linen to the sound of, well, nothing.

The next morning we woke to a breakfast fit for a sultan: fresh fruit, cereals, chilli omelette, local yogurt and honey from the Hajar Mountains. Just outside the enclosure were various tracks made in the night: antelope, birds of prey and snakes had all left their tell-tale prints. We met up with a Bedouin tribe exercising their camels and followed them some way, taking in the flora and fauna of the desert. You can choose to ride their camels, drive up and down the vertiginous dunes or just take in the vast space and pure peace of the dunes. 

We stopped in the ancient capital Nizwa to admire the elaborate filigree work on the silver daggers being sold in the recently renovated souk and enjoyed the banter and bartering of locals in the fruit and vegetable market. Early every Friday morning, market day, there are hectic scenes of cattle and goat trading. A stretch of winding road took us to the jewel of the Hajar Mountains. Our ears popped as we climbed more than 3,000m to the summit of Jebel Al Akhdar (Green Mountain).  Wild juniper, peach, orange, apricot and grapevines clung to the slopes against all odds.

Where to stay

After all our touring around, the Alila Jabal Akhdar hotel offered a blissful retreat. Perched on the edge of a plateau 2000m above sea levels, naturally the views are spectacular. The hotel is built in stone and blends beautifully with its surroundings. Decorative iron work abounds in the from of chandeliers, light fixtures and panelling and Omani artefacts and fabrics add to the appeal. 

The hotel was ‘so quiet it hurts my ears’, said one daughter. Unused as we are to absolute tranquillity, its abnormal stillness lulled is into an instant state of peace and relaxation. It was the perfect ending to our most recent foray into Arabia.

DISCOVER THE TOP 10 HOTELS IN OMAN PERFECT FOR YOUR FAMILY HOLIDAY

Where to eat

STREET EATS

With a multicultural population and a rich harvest from the sea, Oman has plenty of culinary variation, and something to entice visitors of all ages. For an authentic dining experience, there’s no shortage of typical Omani food to be found – look out for Schwarma (kebab-style meat in pitta with tomatoes and garnish), falafel and Turkish coffee. The street food is delicious and great if you need to eat on the hoof, and Mezze (tapas-style dishes) is a brilliant way to sample lots of local flavours.

LOCAL FAVOURITE: BIN ATEEQ 

You’ll find plenty of Indian and Turkish restaurants in Muscat, but if you want an authentically Omari meal, try Bin Ateeq on Sultan Qaboos Street, Muscat, next to Pizza Express. The surroundings aren’t the most glamorous, but you’ll definitely feel part of the local culture, sitting on an old carpet beside Omani traders, and tucking into authentic local dishes.

BEST BURGERS: SLIDER STATION  

While hamburgers may not be the most traditional Omani dish, Slider Station, in Muscat’s Oasis by the Sea mall, is popular with families. Picture a sushi conveyor belt containing mini burgers, and you’ve got the idea. Just make sure you leave room for their famously gooey chocolate dessert.

The lowdown

How to get there: Gulf Air, which has a Sky Nanny service, flies to Muscat from £324 return. Flights with Oman Air cost from £335 return.

Where to stay: The Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort in Muscat is great for families. Rooms cost from £115 per night (shangri-la.com). The Al Bustan Palace sits in an oasis between the beach and the mountains and rooms cost from £180 a night. The Alila Jabal Akhdar hotel costs from £190 per night. Tailormade packages can be arranged via Holiday: Heaven on Earth.

When to go: The most pleasant time to visit is between October and April when temperatures average between 25C and 35C during the day. It’s generally 10° cooler in the mountains. 

Discover more family-friendly hotels in Oman. 

Categories
Norway

Oslo, Norway

We spent a weekend in Norway’s leafy capital, Oslo, where we sampled nature, culture and some noteworthy landmarks. Ideal for a family weekend.

Why go?

Nestled between evergreen hills and a sweeping fjord, Oslo is a blend of Scandinavian nature and culture that’s unlike any other European capital. 

This city is noticeably well-oiled; with a zippy transport system and pedestrian-friendly centre that make it easy to pack a smorgasbord of art, architecture, fresh seafood and Viking heritage into just a few days.  

Activities

Central activities: Take the metro downtown to the National Theatre stop and you’ll see some noteworthy landmarks amid the fountains and flora. Look out for the Royal Palace, Norwegian Parliament, National Gallery of Norway and Museum of Cultural History. 

The star of Oslo’s ‘Sentrum’ district is the fjord front. Lined with boutiques, yachts and gelato shops (stop at BellaBua for a dollop of liquorice icecream) the ‘Stranden’ promenade offers a hearty buggy walk ending at the Museum of Modern Art. This cultural hub is complimentary for under 18s and also has its own pebble beach. 

More free fun can be found in Vigeland Park; a lush garden on Oslo’s west side that hosts the life’s work of it’s namesake, sculptor Gustav Vigeland. Focused on human variety (age, sex and emotion) the artist’s work will appeal to everyone. Look out for his grumpy toddler. 

Don’t miss: Go between June and October 2013 to catch the 150-year celebration of ‘Scream’ painter Edvard Munch. Also make time to visit Oslo’s Opera House, the city’s architectural jewel.

Historic activities: Founded by Viking King Harald Hardrada in 1048, Oslo has emerged from the mists of time as a chic metropolis. Thankfully, there are still plenty of ways to dip into Norwegian history, starting with 800-year-old Akershus Fortress. Built as a castle, used as a prison and occupied by the Germans in WW2, Akerhus’s cobbled vantage holds a well of stories and a great view.  

If, however, you want to fully embrace your inner-Viking it’s best to take a trip across the fjord. Oslo has many sea-faring options, including a swashbuckling pirate children’s cruise, but we made the economical choice and hopped on the Bygdoy ferry.

A gorgeous peninsula reminiscent of the Hamptons (think white wooden houses) Bygdoy is also home to the Folk Museum and Viking Ship Museum. Kids will particularly like the Folk Museum; its open-air park has reconstructed villages, period actors and livestock. Next door, the Viking Ship Museum is a must for history buffs; housing three excavated Viking ships. 

Top tip: As mostly all of Oslo’s attractions have outdoor tables it’s easy to save money by packing a picnic, particularly for pricey Bygdoy. Oslo has lots of supermarkets to rustle up your own sandwich or pick one up at a deli, our favourite is Deli de Luca. 

The lowdown

Travel time: A flight from London to Oslo takes 2 hours 10 minutes. 

How to get there: Fly with British Airways from £112 return. 

Best time to go: Visit in the summer months for pleasant temperatures and long hours of daylight.

Where to stay: We stayed at the centrally located Best Western Kampen Hotell. The rooms are clean, well-priced (starting at £180) and suites have full kitchen facilites. Children under six stay free. 

Categories
Cruise

Our Cruise with Barbie

Travel writer Tracey Davies recalls a memorable trip with Royal Caribbean International.

Why go?

My 11-year-old son Angus took some persuading when I first asked him to accompany me on Royal Caribbean International’s Barbie Premier Experience cruise out of Ford Lauderdale, Florida. Eventuallyhe relented. ‘You won’t tell my friends, though, will you?’ he asked.

The two of us had never been on a cruise before, and we had no idea what to expect – though I was sure the colour pink would feature heavily. It did. But though Angus bowed out of a Tiara and Teacups party because it was ‘too girlie’, he did enjoy a cupcake-decorating class.

The route: The ship called in at three ports during our seven days at sea. Labadee, a beach resort in Haiti, was where we took our first swim in the Caribbean. Then we had a full day ashore in Jamaica and another beach day in Cozumel, Mexico. Angus has never had so much fun. And me? Well, there was always the cocktail bar.

Activities

It’s not all about Barbie – despite the branding, doll-themed events only make up a small part of the voyage. And Angus and I really loved what he termed the ‘other stuff’. Facilities were great: four pools, a kids’ waterpark, two surf simulators, a mini-golf course and even a zip wire. And the Adventure Ocean is a fantastic kids’ zone with toys, games, and as many activities as even the most energetic pre-teen can handle.

The lowdown

Price: Seven-night cruises from £1,378 for adults; £1,152 for kids, including flights (based on four sharing an inside stateroom on a 1 December departure from Fort Lauderdale on Allure of the Seas). The Barbie Premier Experience, £224 per child (aged up to 11), is available on all Royal Caribbean International Cruises of five nights or more. To book, contact Royal Caribbean International on 0844 493 2061. 

Categories
London

Our Favorite Family-Friendly Hotels in London

The most stylish and family-friendly places to stay across London.

NOVOTEL IN BLACKFRIARS

At the Novotel in Blackfriars , children under 16 stay free or, for more independence, you can book them a second room at half the price of your own. The hotel will appeal to tech-savvy youngsters with its self-check-in desks, digital art, interactive virtual concierge system, iMac corner in the lobby, iPod docks and a video depicting underwater scenes on a wall alongside the hotel swimming pool.

Price: From £145 per night.

Info: 020 7660 0834, novotel.com

TOWER BRIDGE DOUBLETREE BY HILTON

At Tower Bridge DoubleTree by Hilton, families of four can book two interconnecting rooms from £193.50 per night, while its West End sister hotel in Bloomsbury, around the corner from the British Museum, has one- or two-bedroom apartments with kitchenettes (good for preparing the odd meal), from either £250 or £300 per night.

Price: From £193.50

Info: 0870 590 9090; doubletree.com

 

GRENVILLE HOTEL

A good value-for-money option within walking distance of many central attractions is the Grenville Hotel.

Price: Family rooms from £130 per night, including continental breakfast.

Info: grenvillehotel.co.uk

CHURCH STREET HOTEL

The Church Street Hotel in Camberwell Green is a unique, boutique B&B that could almost have been airlifted from Mexico. Older children will love its quirkiness, exotic decor and the Angels & Gypsies restaurant with its great tapas menu.

Price: From £125 per night.

Info: churchstreethotel.com

 

AIRBNB.CO.UK

Airbnb.co.uk has several privately owned properties all over London. Prices vary mainly according to location – for example, a two-bedroom apartment in Notting Hill costs around £200 per night; a two-bedroom, one-bathroom flat in an art deco block next to Grove Park station costs £92 per night.

Info: Airbnb.co.uk

 

CHISWICK MORAN HOTEL

You can save money by moving away from central London and still have access to central London and some of the city’s beautiful surroundings. At the Chiswick Moran Hotel, stay for two nights with breakfast and one family evening meal, plus entry to Kew Gardens (a 15-minute walk away).

Price: From £399 for a family of four.

Info: 020 8996 5200; chiswickmoranhotel.com

 

EDITION HOTEL

Treat the family to either a loft or a loft suite at the Edition Hotel in Fitzrovia (pictured) and enjoy a complimentary connecting room and ‘Big Kid, Little Kid’ treats, including a kid’s guide to London, movie night and a ‘London-inspired’ in-room tent (suitable for three- to eight-year-olds).

Price: From £515 per night.

Info: 020 7908 7900; edition-hotels.marriott.com

 

THE ATHENEUM

The Atheneum on Piccadilly, opposite Green Park, offers a range of options to suit families of all sizes and ages; adjoining bedrooms, suites and apartments with a kitchen, dining area and separate lounge. It also has a ‘kid’s concierge’ who can arrange tickets to shows or events and restaurant bookings, plus find out what your children love to read, watch and eat in order to stock up ready for your arrival.

Price: From £599 per night, including mini bar and the kids’ treats.

Info: atheneumhotel.com

 

THE GORING

If you fancy pushing the boat out, stay at The Goring, the hotel where Kate spent the night before the Royal wedding. Close to Buckingham Palace, Knightsbridge and London’s many museums, it has a ‘VI(little) Ps exclusive’ offer that includes a pack with crayons, an activity book and a Goring passport so children can collect stamps from each area of the hotel. Children are also very welcome to don chef’s aprons in the kitchen and decorate freshly-baked cakes and cookies. And don’t miss the fabulous family afternoon tea (pictured below).

Price: Two interconnecting queen-bedded rooms cost from £720 per night, room-only.

Info: 0808 163 9094; prideofbritainhotels.com

 

THE GEORGIAN HOUSE HOTEL

Any wannabee wizards in the family? The Georgian House Hotel has two Wizard Chambers. The hotel also provides baby monitors, sterilisers, baby bath, high chairs and plastic cutlery and crockery. You can book a sitter through the website, as well as ordering nappies to arrive before you so you don’t have to bring them with you. There are toys and Lego available and cots are made up with a cuddly toy and bedtime story. There is a specially created children’s breakfast menu with organic ingredients.

The Wizard Chambers is modelled on a Hogwarts-like dormitory, with four-poster beds, faux castle detail such as stained glass windows, stonewalls, gothic arches and trunks, and beds hung with red and yellow velvet curtains. Wood-burning stoves, cauldrons in fireplaces and tapestries complete the look.

Packages can also include the Warner Brothers Studio and the Muggle Tours, which depart from nearby Victoria station.

Price: For a family of four in the Wizard Chambers, from £249 per night with breakfast.

Info: georgianhousehotel.co.uk

Categories
Cruise

Get Away with P&O Cruises

Alice Weightman puts her scepticism to one side and discovers you don’t have to be a stereotype to enjoy a cruise.

Our cruise video

Why go?

I have to confess, in the past the idea of a cruise may have conjured images of silver surfers playing dominoes and 18-30’s making the most of the all-inclusive booze. Seeing as I fit into neither categories I wasn’t convinced a cruise was for me. But, while hunting for a holiday during half term that meant the kids and I could hang out together, while giving them a bit of space and freedom to play in a safe environment, I found a cruise ticked all the boxes. 

Despite that, I still wasn’t sure what to expect from the three-night trip on the Ventura from Southampton to Bruges and Guernsey that I booked with P&O. The kids, Zac, seven, and Aimirah, nine, on the other hand, were certain they were cruising people and spent the entire week before jittering with excitement at the thought of a holiday onboard a ship the size of the Titanic. 

Within an hour and a half of leaving London, we had arrived at Ocean Terminal in Southampton, our car parked by a valet, our bags delivered to our room and us on board. The holiday had just started and I was already shaking off any preconceptions I had – there wasn’t a beer bong or pair of denchers in sight. 

Activities

The ship had all you could need for a family weekend; four swimming pools, five restaurants, a kids’ club (with a separate play area for under twos), a spa, gym and plenty of evening entertainment.

Blessed with great weather, the majority of the ship flocked to the poolsand while some of them did get a little lively, we split our time between the quiet family areas and adult-only LA style infinity pool. 

With two stops during the weekend, if you need some time on land there is ample opportunity and as Bruges is known as the Venice of the north, you’d be hard pushed not to enjoy wandering around it’s museums and weekend markets. The kids loved the horse and carriage ride over the cobbled streets and boat ride along the canals, not to mention tucking into waffles dripping in Belgian chocolate. 

 

Kids’ Club: The kids’ clubs  is designed for children to pop in and out over the weekend, and there was enough to keep them occupied during that time, any longer and I felt they may have got bored. But the intention was for me to spend some time with the kids so they just ducked in and out as they pleased, which suited us all perfectly. 

 

Food: No matter how fussy an eater your child is, they’ll never go hungry on the ship, thanks to the (almost) 24-hour buffet loaded with healthy fresh food, as well as enough sweets and treats to keep Augustus Gloop satisfied.

For an extra £5 you can upgrade to one of the fine-dining restaurants, such as The White Room, an Italian created by Marco Pierre White, which is very good value for money. There’s also a Spanish tapas restaurant and East, which serves Oriental food. 

 

The verdict: By the end of the trip I was a cruise convert. I definitely saw the benefits. Everything was really easy and relaxing. We didn’t have to navigate airports or face long transfers. The children loved it – especially the evening family entertainmentand I found time to actually read a book. 

The lowdown

Accommodation: We had a deluxe suite, which was compact but functional, with a sofa bed for the children. Balloons, jelly beans and chocolates were waiting for the kids, while there were two bottles of fizz on ice for me. This certainly set the tone for the rest of the weekend. 

Cruise breaks, three nights, £309pp:

P&O Cruises is offering a three-night Cruise break on Azura (A407) from £309 per adult and £154 per child (children aged 16 and under) for a Vantage Fare. Departing April 4, 2014, the price includes an inside cabin with upper beds, all meals, and entertainment. Departing from and returning to Southampton, ports of call are Zeebrugge for Bruges. 

Fly-Med, seven nights, £1,049pp:

A seven-night fly-Med on Ventura costs from £1,049 per adult and £699 per child (children aged 16 and under) for a Vantage Fare. Departing 16 July 2014, the price includes flights from the UK, an inside cabin with upper beds, all meals, and entertainment. Departing from and returning to Southampton, ports of call are Kotor, Corfu, Rome and Ajaccio. 

 

To book: Visit pocruises.co.uk or call 0843 373 0111. 

Categories
California

Palm Springs

Beautifully reclaimed desert and awesome mountains surround this charmingly retro little town.

Why go?

Why go? Head inland from Los Angeles or San Diego to beautifully reclaimed desert around and beyond the charmingly retro little town of Palm Springs, all with awesome mountains as the backdrop.

Palm Springs is all about the great outdoors, so this is a spot for older children; eight and overs. 

Activities

Hit the Aerial Tramway, which brings visitors above 8,000 ft to 54 miles of hiking trails in Mount San Jacinto Wilderness Park – it’s one of the steepest and most thrilling climbs in the world.

See desert fauna and flora in The Living Desert park, then relieve the dry heat with a trip to Knott’s Soak City Water Park, packed with great water rides and slides and featuring a giant wave pool for body surfing.

The lowdown

Travel time: Fly from London to either Los Angeles or San Diego (11 hours); Palm Springs is 2 hours from both.

How to get there: British Airways flies from London Heathrow to San Diego; from £621 return and to LAX; from £564 return. Virgin Atlantic flies from London Heathrow to LAX; from £563 return. 

Best time to visit: Peak season is between January and May when the weather is warm and sunny during the day, and cool and crisp at night, this does mean bigger crowds. It’s less busy from September to November and still warm, while July and August are very hot. 

More information: www.visitpalmsprings.com

Categories
Florida

Panama City Beach, Florida

Twenty-seven miles of beautiful white sandy beaches, emerald waters, 320 days of sunshine annually and lots of child friendly activities.

Why go?

Panama City Beach is in North West Florida, and although it’s a long haul trip for your family, it’s also the ideal destination to unwind for a long break in the sunshine. It has 27 miles of beautiful white sandy beaches, emerald waters, 320 days of sunshine annually and lots of child friendly activities: from building sandcastles and shelling on the beach to water parks and nature trails, it offers endless amounts of family fun.

Activities

Panama City Beach is renowned for its aquatic adventures, so take to the water and enjoy snorkelling, canoeing, paddle boarding, skim boarding and fishing.

For an activity your kids won’t forget, go dolphin spotting: Shell Island has the highest population of bottle nosed dolphins in the world so get your camera at the ready. If you and the kids want to get up close and personal to these friendly water creatures, head to Gulf World Marine Park where you can be a trainer for the day and help care for the dolphins, sea lions, tropical birds and reptiles.

You can even spend a night snoozing with the sea life on an educational overnight stay where you can learn about the night time habits of marine life. For a retro amusement park, head to the fun filled Miracle Strip at Pier Park. 

Accommodation

The majority of accommodation at Panama City Beach is self-catering. Splash! is Panama City Beach’s newest beachfront resort that has a waterpark, including kids’ pool park with waterslides, interactive water toys, a lazy river ride and a dive-in movie theatre.

Edgewater Beach Resort will be launching the exciting new Adventure Zone in summer 2013 that will also feature a Splash Zone and Sky Trail.

And for views overlooking St. Andrews Bay, you’ll find a luxury retreat at Baypoint Wyndham Resort with a private beach and golf course.

The lowdown

Cost: Two bed, two bathroom accommodation at Splash!; from $159 per night.

How to get there: Delta flies from London Heathrow to Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (via Atlanta); from £642 return.

Travel time: A flight from London is around 10 hours, and transfer time to Panama City Beach is just 15 minutes. 

Categories
France

Paris City Break: Disneyland and Beyond

Suzanne Dent travelled to the French capital in search of rollercoasters – and discovered that Paris has much more to offer families than theme park thrills.

Why go?

The harness is pulled over my head and locked in place. I cling to it, wondering why such a robust restraint is needed. Then it hits me: they are going to hang me upside down. I doubt I’m the first parent to view a trip to Disneyland as a form of torture that must be endured if the little darlings are to have a full and happy childhood. 

That being said, having submersed myself in the world of Mickey and friends, I’m relieved to report that a Disney holiday isn’t just about stomach-churning rollercoasters and mouse ears. If you stay at a hotel outside the resort and take time out to explore the city and the pretty Parisan countryside, you’ll discover that a Disneyland break can be just as much fun for mums and dads.

Disney magic

NEW RIDES

Having been to Walt Disney World Florida, I assume I will find exactly the same collection of rides in the Paris park. Indeed, when I arrive at my old favorite, Big Thunder Mountain, the same ruggedly dressed cowboy directs me to my seat (except that this one speaks with an elegant French accent). However, to my surprise, I also find rides in Paris that are not offered at Disney’s American parks.

The recently opened Ratatouille ride takes us on a magical ride around Paris as only Disney could. Zipping through a Parisian restaurant, the ride becomes a fully immersive experience – we’re blasted with cold air as we pass through the giant freezer, and kids of all ages squeal with delight as the champagne corks fly overhead.

FANTASY PARADES

Wearing our obligatory Mickey Mouse ears, we squeeze into the crowd and peer anxiously down Main Street, waiting for the famous parade to begin. Never mind the rides, the evening shows are where the family bonding really happens. The Disney ballads we all know by heart are infectious and before long everyone is singing and waving at the breathtaking floats that roll by, carrying fairytale princesses and mythical creatures.

If your kids can cope with staying up past bedtime, the spectacular after-dark show is a fitting finale to a fantastic day. After a breathtaking firework display, families leave hand in hand, still humming the final tune.

Explore Paris

A NEW KIND OF CITY TOUR

We head to Paris, but unlike our previous visits, we opt out of putting in the legwork to explore the city on foot. Little legs demand another option and luckily for us, we discover a faster and more fun alternative to the typical bus tour. Innovative tour company 4 Roués Sous 1 Parapluie run open top 2CV cars for a customized trip round Paris – ideal for a family of four. With cushions and lap blankets provided in colder months, it’s like touring the city from the comfort of your own two-seater pastel sofa. Our charming guide Julie gives a jovial explanation of the sites tailored to our interests, and to our delight, she treats us to a hair-raising sharp turn down a narrow lane.

ESCAPE TO THE COUNTRY

Having arranged a rental car from the Sixt desk in the lobby, we are ready to head out into the beautiful French countryside that we have so far only peaked at from our hotel window at Magic Circus. We pull up to the Muse de la Grande Guerre, on the outskirts of the pretty town of Meaux, and what we find is not what I expect from a war museum. Although it sits on an First World War memorial site, the museum is a modern building, containing plenty of video clips and plaques encouraging the kids to explore and touch. If you haven’t had enough history for one day, then take a walk into Meaux to see beautiful architecture in the gothic Cathedral and Bishop’s Palace.

Where to stay

MAGIC CIRCUS AND DREAM CASTLE 

Four-star hotels Magic Circus and Dream Castle are minutes from the Disney gates and Eurostar station, thanks to frequent free shuttle buses. When you’ve had your fill of all things Disney, both hotels are well-placed to be the family’s base from which to explore the world outside the theme park gates. Paris is only 45 minutes to the east and you’ll find a scattering of charming chateaus within short driving distance.

JUST FOR KIDS

Magic Circus and Dream Castle may not be Disney hotels, but they make sure kids don’t miss out, by offering their own brand of fantasy. I’m often under-whelmed by hotel kids’ clubs, but looking around, I realise that the entire lobby in the Magic Circus hotel is one big kids’ club – with rides, games, and even a ball pit, right in the middle. This isn’t normally something I would welcome in a hotel, but here it seems to work. The red and yellow circus theme continues in the family-style hotel room. As if finding bunk beds aren’t enough to make the kids giddy with excitement, a circus tent-like curtain surrounds the bunks and – joy of joys – they even get their own telly.

The lowdown

Price: Adult tickets to Disneyland Paris start at £87; children’s tickets start at £63.

Book: Choose your hotel package, add your preferred mode of transport and you’re ready to book your Disneyland holiday. 

Getting there: Whether you choose to fly, drive or hop on a ferry, getting to the heart of the magic couldn’t be easier…

Plane: easyJet flies regularly from London Luton to Paris. Flight time is just over an hour.

Train: Hop on board at London St Pancras International, Ebbsfleet International or Ashford International and arrive in Paris in 2 hours, just a 2 minute walk away from the Disney Parks. 

Car: Travelling through the Eurotunnel by car takes 35 minutes from Folkestone to Calais with up to four shuttles per hour at peak times.

Ferry: With P&O ferries, the journey from Dover to Calais takes 90 minutes, with around 20 crossings a day. A 3 hour drive the other end takes you to the gates of Disneyland Paris.

Where to stay: Magic Circus hotel; Dream Castle hotel.   

More of what you love:

Think the French capital is a city for grown-ups? Our roundup of the best family-friendly acitivities in Paris will change your mind. To see another side of France, enroll your littles ones at the fabulous ski school in Tignes. 

Categories
France

Paris with a Baby

Julia Scirrotto braves the French capital with a seven-month-old and not only lives to tell the tale but discovers how much the country loves babies.

Why go?

As a first-time mum, I hit the internet for parenting advice approximately 423 times a day. So when I was considering a trip to the City of Lights with a seven-month-old, I turned to my good friend Google before booking. As usual, it spit back a healthy dose of paranoia. “A city that is terrible for ‘les enfants’”, warned the very first hit, an article packed with tales of buggy-unfriendly public transport, baby-hating museum staff and an apparent Paris-wide ban on high chairs and changing tables. 

Well, ignore Google. It turns out the French absolutely adore babies and will fall all over themselves to smile, coo and otherwise ensure little ones are well looked after. Their complete exuberance for les petites – along with the obligatory steady stream of café crème, croissants and crêpes– made the three-day trip a stunning success.

Activities

Day one: Our first afternoon was spent exploring the Left Bank on foot, from the full-bloom splendour of the Luxembourg Gardens to the saturation of chic boutiques in St-Germain-des-Prés. We lunched on buckwheat crêpes at an outdoor table in the shadow of the Pantheon.  Later, we refuelled with a pricey but atmospheric coffee at Café de Flore, the storied artist’s hangout beloved by everyone from Ernest Hemingway to Sofia Coppola. Rather than turn his nose up at le bebe, the white-aproned waiter kept Emma giggling with playful smiles and games. Our epic walk concluded with ice cream cones (delicious and decadent dark chocolate and bean-flecked vanilla) at Le Flore en l’Ile on Ile St Louis. 

Day two: Emma and I were travelling with my very best friend from school, a Paris first-timer ready to take in some of the key sites, so Day Two was devoted to art and architecture. We started the morning at the Eiffel Tower where, once again, we were invited by staff to jump the lengthy queue. One warning, though: Leave the buggy at the hotel. Pushchairs are allowed if they’re folded, but the crowded maze of mini-queues en route to the top is best navigated with a baby carrier. (We spotted another British mum who got sent to the back for attempting to wheel in three kids on bikes. Oops.) 

For lunch, we stocked up on fresh charcuterie, brie and baguettes from a row of specialty shops on Boulevard St Germain and picnicked on a bench in the Tuileries Garden. Then it was straight into Musée de l’Orangerie to immerse ourselves in Monet’s waterlilies. (I like to think the panoramic floor-to-ceiling panels had the same effect on Emma’s cognitive development as playing Mozart in the womb.) From there, it was onto the Impressionist Mecca Musée d’Orsay, which has late opening hours on Thursdays. We spent the evening with Van Gogh, Renoir and Seurat and took in the sweeping views from the 5th-floor terrace. (Inside tip: Time nappy changes with gallery visits; museums are the exception to Paris’s general lack of baby-changing facilities.)

Day three: London was calling on Day Three, but not without first having a morning stroll through Notre Dame (go early to dodge the crowds) and a lunchtime visit to foodie heaven on Rue Cler. Fruit and veg stalls, boulangeries, wine shops, bistros and, yes, more ice cream await on this cobblestone pedestrian side street. (There’s a Petit Bateau here, too, if you’re looking to stock up on stylish baby threads.) We grabbed two croissants for the train journey back home – plus a copy of Babar from a children’s bookshop for Emma – before bidding Paris au revoir.

The lowdown

Getting there: The Eurostar travels from London’s St Pancras to Gare du Nord from £69 return (from £49 for children four-11). Kids under four ride free on Eurostar if they sit on your lap. At the Gare du Nord taxi rank, we settled in for an epic wait when – mon dieu! – a cabbie ushered us to the front of the line. In Paris, we were told, babies don’t do queues.

Where to stay: I chose the quirky, cosy, ludicrously well-positioned Hotel Esmeralda (4 rue Saint Julien le Pauvre, double rooms €110 a night) for its postcard-perfect views of Notre Dame and fabulous Latin Quarter location. We loved the friendly vibe and on request staff provided a cot (“le berceau”) for Emma and stored the pushchair (“la poussette”) in the ground floor office to save us from lugging it up and down the spiral staircase. The steps are a bit of a workout, but the view of Notre Dame from our window was worth the effort.