Category: Beach

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Beach

Mnemba Island Tanzania

Just 1.5km in circumference, this Indian Ocean gem is framed by soft white sand and sparkling turquoise waters and welcomes children of all ages.

Why go?

It’s the place to spend a relaxing break after you’ve gone on a safari in Tanzania: it’s just a 15 minute boat ride from the Zanzibar coast to Mnemba Island. Better still, this private island hideaway isn’t the exclusive reserve of honeymooners, but welcomes families with children of all ages.

We left our shoes in our case for the duration of our stay: there is something so wonderfully decadent about barefoot living.

Activities

On the island: Activities include snorkelling, diving, kayaking and fishing, and the island offers a safe and secure environment for children to play, whether that’s swimming in the sea, taking part in the island treasure hunt, playing footie on the beach or collecting shells along the seafront.

In the sea: Snorkelling is a real highlight, and the island’s dive masters are also masters at teaching children how to get used to the mask and searching for tropical fish. Here, kids can find clownfish (of Finding Nemo fame), angelfish, snake eels, starfish and some stunningly beautiful coral – and that was just on out first venture into the house reef. If you have children that love underwater wildlife, snorkelling will feature highly in your stay. We could hardly drag our daughter Molly out of the water. 

Boat trip: We also took a boat out to the southwest of the island and spotted a pod of dolphins. My top tip here: take your snorkelling gear with you. We dived off the boat and joined the beautiful and playful mammals as they swam around us, which was really very special and Molly didn’t stop squeaking with joy for days.

Accommodation

The beach bandas were a real rustic-lux combo and had a colonial feel to them: dark wood furniture and cream/white fabrics. Waking up to the sound of the water lapping just metres away, drinking tea in bed – bought to you by a personal butler – while looking out over the sparkling blue ocean is idyllic, and the perfect way to unwind after a safari trip, before heading home.

There are just 10 beach bandas, meaning there are never more than 25 guests on the island at any time, and the aforementioned butler will look after your every whim, including filling your mini bar with your preferred tipples. Laundry even disappears each morning and miraculously returns washed and pressed later in the day.

The lowdown

Price: Rates are from £506 per person, per night including all meals, drinks, laundry and activities (excludingscuba tuition). 

Book: Flights and accommodation can be booked through African Odysey at africaodyssey.com or andbeyond.com

Travel time: A flight from London to Zanzibar takes 10 hours and 15 minutes. It then takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes to get to Mnemba Island.

How to get there: Emirates flies from London to Zanzibar International Airport; from £614 return. The lodge will collect you from the airport, where you will travel by boat to the island. Getting to the resort requires a little wading to shore, so be prepared if you have small children.

Categories
Beach

Beach Holiday Essentials

We list what you will need when heading on your family beach holiday.

Beach holiday essentials

UV beach suit.

Where to buy: Choose from brands such as Zoogs and Splash About at Amazon; from £11.25

 

Swimming costume or trunks.

Where to buy: Boden has a lovely collection of patterned costumes; from £11.20, or trusted brand Speedo; from £11.

 

Summer dresses, t-shirts and shorts. 

Where to buy: JoJo Maman Bébé’s Summer Collection is brimming with pretty prints, soft t-shirts and beach shorts; from £18.

 

Two sun hats (in case one gets lost).

Where to buy: Choose from a selection of colours and styles at Amazon; from £1.

 

Sunglasses. 

Where to buy: Zoobug has a super-cool selection for babies and children; from £28.

 

A long-sleeved t-shirt for cover-up.

Where to buy: Gap Kids’ are soft and affordable; from £5.99.

 

One pair of nice sandals.

Where to buy: John Lewis has nice styles, that won’t fall apart as soon as they get wet; from £8.

 

Crocs or jelly shoes for the beach and water.

Where to buy: Crocs is leading the way in the waterproof shoe industry; from £16.99.

 

Sarongs have a multitude of uses, from a make-do beach towel to a sun-shade.

Where to buy: Plenty of high street stores sell scarves and sarongs, try Accessorize, Heidi Klein or King’s Road Sporting Club.

 

One big beach towel per family member. 

Where to buy: Choose from a selection at Amazon; from £1.99.

 

Armbands, rubber ring or float.

Where to buy: Brands such as Zoggs and Speedo are available from Amazon; from £4.99.

 

A selection of small beach toys.

Where to buy: Early Learning Centre has packs of toys; from £6.

 

Canvas tote bags to chuck everything in.

Where to buy: As with the sarong, you’ll find totes in plenty of stores, try Not on the High Street for something a bit different; from £8.

 

Sunshade for the buggy. 

Where to buy: Choose one that will work with your buggy or a clip-on parasol at Amazon; from £4.80.

 

High factor sun cream.

Where to buy: Read our article on our favourite suncreams.

 

Plug adapter. 

Where to buy: Save money by getting a one-plug-fits-all at Amazon; from £8.99.

 

First aid kit. 

Where to buy: Check out our separate article on what to include in your first aid kit.

 

Top tip: Do not let your child pack their own clothes – it’s likely to end in disaster and will result in your little ones having zero pairs of pants, nine cuddly toys, a tub of playdough, a pyjama top and a Cinderella dress, all for a fortnight in Spain. So let them help, but take control.

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Beach Competitions Europe

Win a Luxury Turkey Holiday Worth Over £4,000

LUXURY AWAITS

Exclusive Escapes specialises in small, family-owned hotels and chic villas with pools throughout the Lycian Coast, operating in stylish locations, including the archetypal Mediterranean harbour towns on Kalkan and Kas, and villages along Bozburun Peninsula.

Its ethos is to go that extra mile to make sure families enjoy a hassle-free and indulgent holiday, and children always receive a warm welcome. There are a number of organised activities throughout the school holidays, from farm visits to picnics and barbecues.

A TRIP TAILORED JUST FOR YOU

Your hassle-free break starts with civilised Saturday flights from the private terminal at Stansted, or with BA from Heathrow, or from Manchester with Monarch, departing at a sensible hour while maximising the time spent in coastal Turkey before returning home. Exclusive Escapes’ experienced team can plan a holiday that suits both your family’s style and your budget

Further afield, there are city breaks to Istanbul, adventures in the stunning National Park of Cappadocia, tours of the classical site of Ephesus or the historic Gallipoli Peninsula on the Aegean.

WHERE YOU’LL STAY

The super-stylish Dionysos Estate is wrapped around a canyon with stunning sea views over the unspoilt bay of Kumlbuk. There is an impressive array of facilities, but the focal point is undoubtedly the enormous infinity pool. There is also a Decelor and Elemis spa with open-air hot tubs, a gym, mountain bikes, yoga classes, a tennis court, golf net and artificial putting green.

FUN FOR KIDS, HEAVEN FOR FOODIES

The estate opens its doors to families throughout the school holidays, and organises guided walks and fun children’s visits to the hotel’s organic farm where they can help tend to animals, watch the milking and pick fruit and vegetables. During October, families can help bring in the olive harvest, and see the hotel’s extra virgin olive oil being bottled.

A private sandy beach club with gentling shelving waters offers safe swimming, and a range of watersports, including canoes and sea bikes, water-skiing, windsurfing and kayaking, as well as petanque. The hotel has three restaurants, which all use organic fruit, vegetables and herbs grown on the estate; olive oil and wine are also produced.

To find out more about Exclusive Escapes family holidays to Turkey call 020 8605 3500 or visit exclusiveescapes.co.uk

THE PRIZE

One lucky family of four will win:

– A luxury week at the Dionysos Estate, on a B&B basis

– Return flights to Dalaman using Exclusive Escapes’ Saturday services from the private terminal at Stansted, or with BA from Heathrow, or from Manchester, transfers and a day’s sea cruise

Enjoy your prize at any time during the May-October season, subject to availability and make sure you redeem by 31 May 2016.

COMPETITION CLOSES AT 23:59 ON 1 JULY 2015

Categories
Adventure Africa Beach Competitions

Win a £6,500 Holiday to Mauritius

FAMILY TRAVELLER HAS TEAMED UP WITH MAURITIUS TOURISM TO OFFER ONE LUCKY FAMILY THE CHANCE TO WIN A HOLIDAY TO MAURITIUS WITH VIRGIN HOLIDAYS, PLUS A FABULOUS MONSOON KIDS’ WARDROBE

Like a sparkling jewel in the Indian Ocean, Mauritius is a truly exotic destination for a family holiday. It offers year-round sunshine, minimal jetlag, incredible hotels with innovative kids’ clubs, and a vast range of family activities both in and out of the water. Nautical activities on the island, which is surrounded by stunning lagoons and reefs, include dolphin watching, Blue Safari Submarine excursions, an undersea walk, sea karting, waterskiing, glass-bottomed boats and catamaran cruises, scuba diving and snorkelling, big-game fishing, kitesurfing and windsurfing. And on land, it’s not all about the coast. Venture inland to the magical nature parks.

The Frédérica Nature Reserve, for example, offers breathtaking views, waterfalls and vast plains, where deer roam freely. Here, families can trek or opt for quad biking, a 4×4 discovery tour, a dedicated kids’ tour or even a jaunt on a Segway. Adventure parks feature everything from walking with lions to zip lining. A must is a visit to the spectacular Botanical Gardens. And there are plenty of museums and aquariums to keep little ones entertained. For a thrilling day out, take a helicopter trip for a bird’s eye view of the island’s turquoise lagoons and lush mountains. Above all, Mauritius is a friendly, multicultural island which welcomes kids with open arms. If you’ve never visited this Indian Ocean paradise before, its beauty will blow you away.

STYLISH KIDS ON HOLIDAY

Monsoon has launched a new tween sub-brand called Storm by Monsoon, perfect for eight- to 14-year-old girls. The range includes playsuits ideal for the beach and stylish prom dresses in scuba fabric or print, while the denim daywear features a much-coveted jumpsuit.

THE PRIZE

This is your chance to win a holiday to Mauritius with Virgin Holidays, staying seven nights at Maritim Crystals Beach Hotel in a family room on an all-inclusive basis for up to two adults and two children, including return flights with Air Mauritius and return private airport transfers, and £200 worth of Monsoon kids’ clothing vouchers.

 

COMPETITION CLOSES: 31 AUGUST 2015

Categories
Beach Europe News Story

Velaa: A Luxury Hotel in the Maldives

What’s new? Opening at the beginning of next year is a new hotel that has its sights set on becoming the Maldives’ most luxurious resort. And in an archipelago filled with pods of five-star accommodation, this is a big shout.

Floating in the northern Noonu Anoll, Velaa takes its name from the bale of turtles that it shares its home with. Villas blend in with the natural surroundings, mixing local materials with sleek contemporary interiors. Underneath thatched roofs a whole world of luxury awaits. 

Each villa has between one and four bedrooms, a lounge area, in and outdoor bathrooms, and windows leading out to a private pool and sun deck, which in turn slip into impossibly blue waters. Obviously this is not ideal for toddlers just learning to explore – the pool doesn’t have a wall around it and neither does the decking – but older kids will love it. 

There’s watersports galore – diving, windsurfing, sailing and fishing among them – while you might be surprised to hear that golf is an option too, in the form of a seriously high-tech simulator. The Velaa Golf Academy by Olazabal is in an indoor studio, the programme has six different greens, seven bunkers and a 400m2 lake to dodge. Options range from serious games, to pitch and putt and personal tuition is available for adults and children. 

Less strenuous is the Clarins spa, providing a place for total horizontal relaxation (if you haven’t already mastered that just by arriving), while the Lhavelaa (little turtle) kids’ club is a space dedicated entirely to tots, with lovely nannies to look after them. 

This spoiling level of opulence extends to the food and drink – guests can eat wherever and whenever they like, be it on the beach at sunset or by your pool at dawn. Menus have been created under the watchful eye of Parisian Michelin-star chef Adeline Grattard, and the wine cellar is rumoured to be worth $1m. Better pick carefully then. 

 

THE LOWDOWN:

Getting there: British Airways flies from London Gatwick to Male; from £644 return.

Travel time: The flight takes 11 hours and 30 minutes, it is then 45 minutes by seaplane from Male to Velaa.

Price: A two-bedroom Beach Pool House starts from £2,064 a night. 

More information: velaaisland.com

Categories
Adventure Beach Europe News Story

Have Baby will Travel

What’s new? It’s made its name as the go-to for holidays with expert childcare but you might not know that Mark Warner’s nannies will look after babies as young as four months old.

All the clubs operate at a ratio of two babies to one nanny; with the same one looking after your child all week. They will adopt your routine, keeping a daily diary, which they’ll relay back to you. And you needn’t worry about lugging all the kit from home as there are travel cots in the sleeping areas and kitchens fully-furnished with bottles, sterilizers and nappies.

So, if like the Duchess of Cambridge you are the proud owner of a new bundle of joy and feeling in need of some R’n’R, check out our round up of Mark Warner’s late summer destinations with crèches that are second to none.

 

San Lucianu, Corsica

Price: £495pp

Depart Heathrow on 21 September for seven nights on half board. The cost includes return flights with British Airways, transfers, as well as watersports, tennis and mountain biking. The hotel has a health and beauty salon, as well as tennis courts, sailing boats and a feast of other activities.

 

Levante, Rhodes

Price: £768pp

Depart Heathrow on 14 September for seven nights on half board, including return British Airways flights, transfers, watersports, tennis and mountain biking. An added bonus to this new five-star resort is its lovely spa.

 

Perdepera, Sardinia

Price: £734pp

Depart Heathrow on 7 September for seven nights on full board. The price includes return flights with British Airways, as well as transfers, watersports, tennis and mountain biking. Set on a white sandy beach on the eastern coast of Sardinia, Perdepera Beach Resort’s Italian influence extends through the delicious food and laid-back atmosphere.

With all holidays under twos cost £150, plus six half days of childcare at £180.

More information: For bookings, contact Mark Warner on 0844 273 7397

Categories
Adventure Beach Europe News Story

Greek Getaway

Think Ionian

One of our favourite villa specialists, Think Sicily, has just launched Think Ionian – a beautiful portfolio of largely very family-friendly properties on the islands of Meganissi and Lefkada, in and around the gloriously rustic Ithaca archipelago. Most villas within the Think Ionian portfolio have swimming pools, direct sea access and atmospheric tavernas just a short stroll away – all the makings of the perfect family holiday. We love Avra on Lefkada and Akrothea on Meganissi.

Think Ionian (020 7377 8518; thinkionianislands.com). Villas from £1,599 per week.

 

Calling all Drama Queens

Is a weekend at your house a bit like an episode of cult TV series Glee? If so, you’ll be delighted to hear about the new summer dance school at the Porto Elounda Resort in Crete, which runs until the end of October. Overseen by internationally acclaimed choreographer Fokas Evaggelinos, the dance classes are sure to get little ones jiving – and as for the teenagers…

Tots Too (totstoo.com) offers a seven-night, half-board stay for a family of four at Porto Elounda Golf and Spa Resort, from £7,150, including flights and transfers. Dance classes from £18 per person.

Categories
Adventure Asia Beach News Story

Sunshine, Surf and Yoga in Kerala, India

SURF AND STRETCH 

Sun, sea, surf and yoga – what else could you possibly need for an idyllic Indian getaway?

At Soul & Surf you can surf, stretch and relax as a family. The surf and yoga combo is the brainchild of British couple Ed and Sofie Templeton, who love nothing more than welcoming families to the retreat.

Surf & Soul is located on the coast of south west India, just an hour’s drive from Trivandrum International airport and just outside of the town of Varkala. As well as a team of expert instructors, Soul & Surf boasts secluded beaches and tropical waters – perfect for beginners as well as seasoned surfers.

BREATHE DEEP

After a day in the waves, you’ll welcome a chance to experience full mind and body relaxation by joining in with the retreats’ yoga and wellness activities. 

Price: Seven nights cost from £840 for a family of four (two adults and two children aged 6-12) sharing two Quite Nice Rooms. The package includes breakfast, a daily guided group surf trip for adults and competent child surfers and yoga mats. One-to-one children’s surf lessons cost £124 for three 1.5-hour sessions, including board hire.

Find out more: soulandsurf.com

More of what you love…

A holiday should be about relaxing, but it’s not always easy to leave the stresses of daily life behind. Take a look at the 7 best ways to switch off on holiday. For a family surf adventure a little closer to home, check out these fabulous surf lessons in North Devon.

Categories
Africa Beach News Story

Go Local in Mauritius

Hotels that claim to offer guests a genuine sense of place are ten a penny. Those actually achieving it are few and far between. That’s why we’re excited about the new Zilwa Attitude in Mauritius (Zilwa means ‘islander’ in Creole), a rustic family-friendly retreat that really gives you a taste of island life, and offers everything from sunrise boat trips with a local fisherman and Mauritian cooking classes, to Creole language lessons on the beach.

Add a kid’s club, open from 9am to 9pm, three swimming pools and a dive centre into the mix and you’ve got an Indian Ocean holiday that will keep the whole family happy.

 

THE LOWDOWN

Hayes and Jarvis offers a week at Zilwa Attitude for a family of two adults and two children under 12 from £4,899, including flights, transfers and all-inclusive accommodation in a family room. 

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Beach News Story Rest of the World Uncategorized

Sri Lanka: All-Inclusive Luxury for Families

TREAT YOURSELVES 

Situated in Kogalla, on the south coast of Sri Lanka, South Point Villa is a fully serviced three-bedroom villa, offering babysitting and nannies, and a dreamy pool that overlooks the beach. Friendly local staff will cater to your every need and all food is bought and cooked for guests at cost price. There’s plenty to keep kids entertained, including quad bikes, which are available for hire on the surrounding estate. 

OCEAN VIEWS

Just steps away from a sandy beach, the villa offers you sweeping views of the ocean from your garden. The villa sleeps six adults and four children comfortably – perfect for a family holiday or even a joint-family getaway.

Price: Seven nights cost from £6,776 for a family of four, including flights and transfers with Experience Travel Group.

Find out more: southpointvilla.com

More of what you love…

Dreaming of a holiday villa? Check out the 10 best family villas or explore the beautiful Periyali Villas in Greece.