Category: Lifestyle

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Cars

Mazda 6 Tourer Review: Driving to the New Forest

Richard Yarrow test drives the Mazda6 Tourer on a family weekend in the New Forest.

MAZDA6 TOURER: THE LOWDOWN

Best known for its MX-5 two-seater, Mazda has had a quiet few years. While rival brands have been finding new customers by developing innovative and desirable smaller vehicles, the Japanese company has chosen to stick with a more traditional line-up. That’s no bad thing, but the models it does haveneed to deliver. The Mazda6 is its best to date, and with genuinely innovative engine technology, it’s also extremely fuel-efficient, so cost-effective to own.

The hotel had bikes, helmets and even wellies for guests’ use – another example of Lime Wood’s attention to detail – and as we had plans to explore the New Forest, we bundled everything into the Mazda’s large boot. It proved a versatile vehicle with plenty of room for two kids and their stuff in the back.

WHAT THE MOTORING PRESS SAYS…

‘The perfect large family car, with plenty of space and practicality in a package that’s affordable to run and great to drive.’ carbuyer.co.uk

‘Excellent cabin space and a generous boot, with masses of room in the front and rear.’ whatcar.com

‘An attractively styled estate car with a practical cabin of decent quality.’ autocar.co.uk

BUY

Model: 2.2-litre 175bhp diesel with six-speed manual gearbox.

Trim level: top-spec ‘Sport Nav’ grade.

Family-friendly features: fold-flat interior, Isofix child-seat fixings,

USB connectivity.

Euro NCAP safety rating: 5 stars.

Fuel economy: 61.4 mpg.

CO2 emissions: 121g/km.

Price: £21,315-£27,595.

More info: Visit mazda.co.uk/cars/mazda6-saloon

 

DRIVING TO THE NEW FOREST

With no castle walls to storm, no dramatic hills to climb, no spectacular views and no amusement parks, the New Forest is perhaps not top of your list of places to visit with the kids. Many families head west to the seaside attractions of Bournemouth and Weymouth, for Brighton or straight on to the Isle of Wight. But this beautiful and ancient forestland – it’s mentioned in the Domesday Book – has plenty to entertain adventurous families for a weekend or longer. We made the trip in the Mazda6 Tourer, a smartly styled estate car that’s new this year.

CHASING CARS

Appropriately, our first port of call was to see more four-wheelers, at the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu, in the south-east corner of the forest. It has more than 250 vehicles on show, motoring from the earliest 19th-century models right up to those launched this year. Racing cars, motorbikes and world land speed record machinery are all there. I’m not sure who was more excited to see the original Chitty Chitty Bang Bang – the kids or my wife. The family-oriented Wheels exhibition, where you sit in pods that glide past tableaux, is a great way to explore how cars have changed our lives. Alsoworth a look is World of Top Gear, an exhibition of the crazy creations from the TV show.

BUCKLER’S HARD

We also drove the few miles to Buckler’s Hard, an 18th-century river village where ships for Nelson’s navy and the Battle of Trafalgar were built. The museum is packed with artefacts and information, and the children did a quiz as we went round.

NATURE

One of the New Forest’s main attractions is the ponies, which have lived wild on the heathland for centuries. There are thousands of them, and if you’re in the area long enough you will see them. They’re calm enough for you to get up close.

There are plenty of other activities on offer locally. The flat landscape means it’s ideal for family cycling, and there are several bike-hire centres. Canoeing, archery, a steam railway, wildlife park and tree-top adventure centre are all within easy reach.

WATERSPORTS

Watersports such as sailing are available at Lymington and Milford. The good news is that because the whole New Forest is only 20 miles by 20 miles, nothing is ever too far away. It’s a great family destination.

 

WHERE TO EAT

We finished off with a tasty if expensive lunch at The Master Builder’s Hotel on the waterfront, then a 30-minute narrated cruise on the river.

 

WHERE TO STAY

With the weather closing in, we headed for our accommodation at Lime Wood. This luxury hotel is on the outskirts of Lyndhurst, a pretty village in the centre of the New Forest, and hidden away up a long drive. We were staying away from the main building, in one of two newly built Forest Cottages down by the front gate.

They have been beautifully and tastefully created from wood, and ours had every conceivable bread for an arrival snack. There was kids’ crockery and cutlery, comfy sofas to lounge on and – treat of all treats for my two – a wall-mounted TV in the children’s bedroom. Upstairs, my wife and I discovered the large and elegant bedroom and luxurious bathroom.

Staff were friendly and helpful, and we immediately felt right at home.

An hour-long massage at the on-site Herb House spa was also very welcome after our day out.

I had reservations about how family-friendly the restaurant would be. Joint head chef is Angela Hartnett, one of the UK’s most high-profile cooks, and walking in it felt a long way from regular haunts such as Pizza Express. My fears proved unfounded; the kids’ menu had plenty of choice and my daughter proclaimed her burger the best ever.

PRICE

A Forest Hideaway suite at Lime Wood costs from £555 per night for a family of four; cottages cost from £650 per night. For more information go to newforestnpa.gov.uk

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Cars

Modena, Italy: Home of Ferrari

A city-break for car-loving teens, Modena’s Motor Valley celebrates all the big Italian sports cars and has just opened its new Ferrari museum.

Activities

The city’s fast car heritage is now being celebrated in the new Museo Casa Enzo Ferrari, a museum celebrating the life, loves and cars of Ferrari boss, Enzo. This is a museum for the true Ferrari aficionado and set in his former family home, a 19th century red brick carriage workshop where Enzo was born and his father Alfred worked. The museum’s new exhibition space has been built to replicate the Modena-yellow Ferrari bonnet. Inside this vast hanger is a collection of rare vintage sports cars, which have influenced Enzo over the years.

To get your head under shiny Ferrari bonnets, travel a few kilometres outside of Modena to the Museo Farrari, Maranello. While your budding Lewis Hamilton’s are too young to get behind the wheel of a real sports car, check out the museum’s F1 Driving Experience (€25), a Formula 1 driving simulator which takes wannabes around the Grand Prix track at Monza.

Why go?

There’s only one place in Italy to take fledgling petrol heads and that’s Modena, the roaring capital of Motor Valley. This pretty little medieval town in the heart of the Po Valley, with its cobbled squares and ancient spires, is famous as the birthplace of the world’s fastest cars. All the big Italian sports cars, Ferrari, De Tomaso, Lamborghini, Pagani and Maserati, were made here. 

The lowdown

Best time to go: Spring and autumn are the nicest times to visit, during July and August it can be very hot.

Travel time: Flights from London to Bologna take just over 2 hours, it is then a 35 minute transfer to Modena.

How to get there: British Airways flies from London Heathrow to Bologna; from £153 return. easyJet flies from London Gatwick to Bologna; from £60.48 return.  

More information: Combined tickets to visit the Ferrari Museum and Casa Enzo Ferrari are €22 for adults and €18 for children. Get more information on the region.

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Health & Beauty

Pre and Post-Natal Spa Breaks

Whether you’re a brand new mother or expecting a baby, chances are you’re in need of a little relaxation. Look no further than our pick of spa breaks.

For expectant mothers

£££ PRINCIPE DI SAVOIA, MILAN

The Dorchester Collection’s Italian outpost has a special package for expectant mothers, costing from €1,675.00 for a two-night stay in an Ambassador Junior Suite. The price includes breakfast on both mornings, one dinner for two in the Acanto Restaurant, a test drive in a Ferrari for the father-to-be (last bit of adrenaline before he has to be sensible) and a Prémaman spa session, comprising a 55-minute Yoga lesson, as well as 30-minute soothing back and leg massage. 

To book: Contact the communications department on +39 02 6230 4007, email pr.hps@dorchestercollection.com or visit hotelprincipedisavoia.com/EN/hotel-milan. The offer is valid until 31 August. 

 

££ COWLEY MANOR, GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Country house hotel Cowley Manor has a new collection of treatments at its C-Side Spa. Collapse into total relaxation, surrounded by rolling Cotswold hills with the help of one of two full-body massages. Coming Soon and Relaxing Pregnancy Massage (£75 each) both sooth tired (read swollen) limbs and muscles. pagebreak

If you’re in need of a little brightening, opt for the Pregnancy Glow Facial, which features an oxygenating moisture mask to even out skin tone. Rooms start from £185 a night, including B&B, or there’s a £290 Repair & Restore Spa Stay package, which includes two 60-minute treatments. 

To book: Call 01242 870 900, email stay@cowleymanor.com or visit cowleymanor.com

 

£ BROMPTON LAKES, YORKSHIRE 

Misty hills dotted with tufts of purple heather, wooded valleys and picture-perfect views from all directions, you won’t need much help relaxing in the Yorkshire Dales. But if you do eco-resort Brompton Lakes will bundle together bespoke pampering treatments, professional photo shoots (à la Demi Moore, if you wish), fine-dining experiences, welcome hampers and activities such as fishing, pilates or personal training to help you totally switch off. Self-catering lodges sleep up to six people, so grab your girlfriends or NCT pals, and make a weekend of it. Prices for one lodge start from £362 for a two-night stay. 

To book: Call 01748 850333; email enquiries@bromptonlakes.co.uk or visit bromptonlakes.co.uk 

For new mothers

£££ LA RÉSERVE, GENEVA

Just over an hour’s flight from London, oozing crisp mountain air and on the shores of Lake Geneva, La Réserve will be just what the doctor orders. The chic five-star hotel set in 10 acres of private gardens has an award-winning La Prairie spa with 17 treatment rooms, a restaurant serving sushi, salads and juices, as well as a refreshing water bar flowing with lavender and camomile-infused drinks. It’s post-natal heaven. Book the sculpting treatment (£121), which combines a slimming and deep-tissue massage designed to unwind, restore and leave you with softer, firmer skin. While you’re enjoying all this, there’s a children’s club for your new arrival, nannies will look after babies from 6 months. Prices are from £351 for a double room. 

To book: Call +41 22 959 59 59, email reservationsgeneve@lareserve.ch or visit lareserve.ch

 

££ ALMYRA, CYPRUS

With year-round sunshine, short flights and superb childcare, a stay at the Almyra in Paphos needs almost no planning at all. Just book your flights and flee. The five-star hotels’ Baby Go Lightly offering makes it even easier to be spontaneous, it will provide anything you could need including car seats, high chairs, buggies, sterilisers, bottle warmers, nappies, toiletries, baby carriers… ad infinitum. And the nannies will look after babies from as young as four months. Spa treatments range from relax and restore packages to weight loss and detox, as well as couples massages. pagebreak

There’s also yoga, personal training and boot camp if the birth wasn’t painful enough for you. New fathers looking to spoil wives, take advantage of the Almyra’s Personalise Your Stay proposal, surprise them on arrival with candles, rose petals and fresh strawberries (€75). Inland garden view rooms cost from €1,428 for a week, B&B.

To book: Call + 357 26 888 700, email almyra@thanoshotels.com or visit almyra.com

 

£ MERMAID RETREAT, LONDON

Closer to home, Mermaid Maternity Retreat in Chelsea has joined forces with skincare pioneer QMS Medicosmetics to create a selection of treatments designed for post-natal revival. There’s the Recover Your Skin Facial (£65, 45 minutes), which boosts moisture lost during pregnancy, or the restorative Foot Treatment (£75, 45 minutes) and an upper body massage. The King’s Road club is specifically for new mums, providing a relaxing environment to bond with your baby, there’s around the clock support, maternity-friendly bedrooms and workshops on breastfeeding, nutrition, and sleep routines.

Membership at Mermaid Maternity Retreat costs £300 and covers the duration of the pregnancy and six months afterwards. If you do want to stay the night, rooms cost £595 a night and includes hospital transfer, full board, baby feeding and maternity support, physiotherapy, use of 24-hour supervised Baby Zone and daily visits from a community midwife.

To book: Call +44 20 7199 3220, email hello@mermaid.co.uk or visit mermaid.co.uk

Categories
Cars

Subaru Forester: Fun on the Farm

Richard Yarrow takes the Subaru Forester to the charming Dandelion Hideaway in Leicestershire.

Cottage hideaway

Some families are happy with the ‘take a site map, this is your pitch, that’s the toilet block’ style of camping. To be honest, my family and I have done it countless times. But when the opportunity to try something different comes along – staying on a working farm, getting the kids involved with the animals and ‘glamping’ in tents with en suite facilities – the Yarrows will be elbows out and barging to the front of the queue.

The Dandelion Hideaway is the collective name for six ‘canvas cottages’ located round the edge of a field on a 150-acre Leicestershire dairy farm. Driving round in the mud and ruts isn’t for every car, but the Subaru Forester is the ideal partner. With permanent four-wheel drive, rugged suspension, raised ride height and a cabin that’s focused on function rather than unnecessary features, this five-seater sports utility vehicle (SUV) is perfect for life in the countryside. 

DOWN ON THE FARM 

The farm is on the fringes of the new National Forest, a huge area spreading into Derbyshire and Staffordshire that has eight million more trees than it did 20 years ago. Bar one tent, which is designed as a romantic getaway for couples, the others all sleep six people – though would be more comfortable with four or five – and are targeted at families. They are tastefully decorated in vintage-chic style, comfortable, well-equipped and so perfect you’d think the whole thing came as a kit. In fact, the wooden bases and interior walls were built by a local carpenter and the canvas outer skins made to order.

All the decor and furnishings, from the butler sink and ageing leather sofa to the wooden dresser and trinkets on its shelves, were sourced by farmer’s wife Sharon. Rocking chairs on the porch, a traditional roll-top bath with shower head above and a Discovery Trunk packed with family activities – the only thing missing is electricity, and deliberately so.

Further afield

We headed for Market Bosworth, a charming town a 10-minute drive away. Lunch at the Black Horse Restaurant (theblackhorserestaurant.co.uk) was eaten outside under the covered patio: flatbreads filled with steak, caramelised onion and blue cheese for £9 each, supplemented by bowls of chips.

For all lovers of Horrible Histories, the next stop was Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre, very topical after the recent discovery of Richard III’s body under a Leicester car park. Featuring numerous rooms of interactive displays, it tells the story of the battle and how it changed the course of British history. At £21 for a family ticket, it’s reasonable value. The only slight disappointment for me was that it was all inside. To my mind, battlefield stories should be more expansive.

FOREST FUN

The 200 acres of the National Forest boast plenty of activities for families, including off-road cycling (forestry.gov.uk); boat trips (merciamarina.co.uk); train rides (battlefieldline.co.uk); and numerous castles and stately homes. The National Space Centre isn’t that far away. We went to Conkers, the award-winning visitor centre that’s on the site of an old coal mine. A family ticket (£29.95) grants access to 120 acres of pathways, lakes, indoor and outdoor interactive exhibits, adventure playgrounds and cafes. My kids loved the Barefoot Trail, which requires little explanation upfront, but a hose-down afterwards.

For us, the star turn was camping on the farm. The Dandelion Hideaway will convert even the most ardent doubter. You’re in a cottage, it just happens to have a canvas roof and walls. Staying there is about the simple pleasures in life: spending time with animals, playing card games, making up riddles and taking silly photos.

No electricity means no TV, radio or internet and even hardcore Marvel comic fan Connor said it was lovely to get away from the world for a while. Staying there is more than a holiday – it’s an invitation into John’s and Sharon’s lives for a short while – and we came away richer because of it. 

Price: An autumn long weekend (Friday-Monday) at The Dandelion Hideaway costs from £550 for up to six people. A week costs from £700 for up to six people.

What to do

The highlight for my nine-year-old daughter Brontë was what she dubbed the ‘cosy cabin’, essentially a bed in a cupboard and perfect for children with imagination. The highlight for the menfolk – 11-year-old Connor is in the Scouts and I was 30 years ago – was lighting the wood-burning stove, which doubles as heat source and cooker. My wife supplied us with a perfectly lovely carbonara, though it was a slow process. If you’re in a rush, the back-up camping ring is a better bet.

The first morning we signed up for a tour with farmer John. He’s the fifth generation to work the land, which is home to 1,400 goats and crops to feed them. Talking about the processes and pressures, it’s clear he and Sharon have a genuine love for what they do. For example, they delayed the harvest of certain fields so a family of barn owls nesting on their land – the first for 50 years – still had somewhere to hunt.

We saw how the goats were milked, every 12 hours year-round, and the children joined in attaching the pumps to the udders. Tasting the freshly chilled milk just minutes later was fabulous and a new experience for everyone. After a session grooming the farm’s Shetland ponies we headed to the shed where the young goat kids are kept, all just a few weeks old. Ten minutes in there and even this old cynic was plotting how to get one in the back of Subaru without John noticing.

Subaru Forester

Subarus don’t sell in huge numbers in the UK, but the brand inspires respect and loyalty from owners who want a reliable workhorse family SUV. They see the value in durability and fit-for-purpose credentials, rather than fancy design details such as contrasting-coloured seat stitching. The Forester, now in its fourth generation since 1997, has improved with every new version. It’s a ‘head not heart’ choice, popular with towers of caravans, horseboxes and boats.

HOW DID THE CAR DO?

Torrential rain turned much of the farm’s tracks into rivers and the Forester really came into its own. Many of today’s lifestyle off-roaders lack the traction required – they’re very much form over function – but the Forester has all the grip you will need for muddy escapes. Thankfully, the dark interior is easy to wipe clean.

Model: Subaru Forester 2.0-litre D XC

Family-friendly features: plastic boot protector, roof bars, ISOFIX child seat fittings, generous rear-door storage.

Fuel economy: 49.6mpg

CO2 emissions: 150g/km

Price: £24,995 – £30,995

Richard Yarrow is Family Traveller’s Motoring Editor. Find out more about his adventures behind the wheel. 

Categories
Lifestyle

To Suffolk: BMW 2 Series Active Tourer

Richard Yarrow loads up the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer to take the family on an adventurous holiday in Suffolk.

Why go?

I don’t know about your kids, but the moment mine saw the trailer for the summer movie Earth to Echo – about a stranded alien – all talk was of UFOs. So when the opportunity to visit the woodland where the UK’s most famous ‘sighting’ took place, there was no holding them back.

Usually referred to as the Rendlesham Forest Incident, the story goes that over several nights in December 1980, unexplained lights and flying objects were reported by multiple witnesses near the Suffolk coast. The area – just to the north-east of Ipswich – is now owned by the Forestry Commission and makes a great location for a family day out. And what better way to whip up the children’s excitement than by hiring bikes and following the UFO Trail?

GETTING THERE

The route starts and finishes at the Rendlesham Forest Centre, winds its way through the pretty woodland and takes in the clearing where the ‘ET, go home’ moment happened. It takes roughly 30 minutes and is flat enough for most children, but there are miles of track there for the more enthusiastic rider. Onsite hire of four bikes for up to three hours cost £28.

Activities

DRIVING IN THE BMW 2 SERIES ACTIVE TOURER

The Suffolk coast has plenty to entertain families and we made the most of it using the new BMW 2 Series Active Tourer. With its high roofline, good-sized boot and versatile interior, it’s the closest thing the German brand has ever come to a building a people carrier. Aimed squarely at families who don’t want/don’t like the idea of a 4×4-style sports utility vehicle (SUV), it’s very well thought out. For example, two of three rear seats shunt forwards or backwards independently, allowing parents to prioritise passenger space or boot capacity as required.

THINGS TO DO IN SUFFOLK

From Woodbridge, walks along the picturesque River Deben are an easy option, but the biggest attraction is Sutton Hoo. It’s the site of one of the UK’s most famous archaeological discoveries: a burial ship packed with Anglo-Saxon treasures, including a complete helmet, which is now one of the star attractions at the British Museum in London. At Sutton Hoo, kids can ‘meet’ the king, lying in state surrounded by his treasure, dress up as an Anglo-Saxon and be an archaeologist for a day in the Let’s Dig It! trench.

Furtherafield is Orford, an area of outstanding natural beauty with a wonderfully preserved medieval castle that’s an 800-year-old rabbit warren of passageways and secret chambers.

Where to stay

After some serious alien-hunting we spent the night at Partridge Lodge, a privately owned complex of four self-catering properties on a farm. We stayed in The Granary, a barn conversion equipped with everything you can think of, including locally made apple juice and chocolate brownies on arrival.

Facilities: Upstairs comprised a double bedroom plus a second with two singles for the children. The owners have made every effort to cater for toddlers, and we found everything from a potty and high chair to baby monitors, stairgates and even a carrying sling.

Partridge Lodge was homely, comfortable and would make an ideal base for a relaxing break exploring the Suffolk coastline. And there’s so much to see. A short drive away is the charming estuary town of Woodbridge, full of boutique shops, quaint streets and historic pubs. 

Price: Seven nights in The Granary at Partridge Lodge cost from £698 for a family of four. Book via Baby Friendly Boltholes. 

Where to eat

We lunched at The Kings Head Inn on the corner of Orford’s main square. The Sunday roast (adults £10.75, kids £7) did the job, but for a lighter bite try the award-winning Pump Street Bakery, which is famed for its artisan breads.

We were recommended the restaurant at Kesgrave Hall for dinner. It’s a four-star hotel on the outskirts of Ipswich, but with a reputation for being family-friendly and offering a kids’ menu more imaginative than the traditional chicken nuggets and chips. It didn’t disappoint. The service was excellent, the food (adult starters £5–£7, mains £15–£20) all very tasty and beautifully presented. Connor, 11, declared his cheeseburger the best he’d ever had, while Brontë, 9, finished every mouthful of her carbonara.

A short drive south of Ipswich brings you to TV’s Jimmy’s Farm, while to the north are the picturesque and popular seaside towns of Aldeburgh and Southwold. Similar in style to Woodbridge, they offer unspoilt beaches, boutique shops and fish and chips. They’re universally regarded as the best in the area. Maybe that’s what the little green men were after…

The lowdown

The 2 Series Active Tourer is BMW’s first compact people carrier. The interior has a striking, contemporary design, is very spacious and has a high seating position.

Cynics might suggest the exterior is perhaps not so appealing. As you would expect from BMW, it’s wonderfully refined to drive and very fuel-efficient.

A four-wheel drive version is due shortly, making it extra-useful for families in very rural areas.

Model: BMW 218d: 1.5-litre 150bhp diesel with automatic gearbox.

Trim level: ‘Luxury’ grade.

Family-friendly features: versatile rear seating that shunts forwards/backwards, good-sized boot and electric tailgate, plenty of useful in-cabin storage.

Fuel economy: 68.9mpg

CO2 emissions: 109g/km

Price: £22,125–£27,205  

For more of what you love…

Take the family on a road trip to Norfolk in the Kia Carens or holiday on a farm in Leicestershire with the Subaru Forester.

Categories
Lifestyle

Top 13 Summer Accessories for Kids

WHY WE LOVE IT

These iconic Ray-Ban Wayfarer frames make any kid an instant summer icon. Made especially for kids, the sturdy frames will last though many summers and never go out of style. Pick from three trendy colours, black, red or pink, to customise the perfect sunglasses for your little rockstar.

GREAT FOR…

These frames provide full coverage from the sun and protect kids against harmful UV rays. The Wayfarers can even be used for prescription lenses, which is perfect for active kids.

BUY IT HERE

 

WANT TO WIN A £500 SUNUVA VOUCHER? CLICK HERE TO ENTER!

Categories
Style

Top 13 Summer Accessories for Kids

From cool shades to fluffy towels, here are 15 summer accessories that every stylish kid will need this summer.

Sunuva girls towelling hoody

WHY WE LOVE IT

This gorgeous towel keeps the kids warm, whie giving them the freedom to build sancastles and run along the beach. The neon tassels and stiching compliment the hoody’s cosy and absorbent fabric. A must-have accessory for any family with little ones who love to swim and splash all summer.

GREAT FOR…

Whether you are headed to the beach, lake or the pool, the towelling hoody is great for drying off and warming up. The machine washable fabric makes this accessory easy to take anywhere.

Price: £42.00

BUY IT HERE

 

WANT TO WIN A £500 SUNUVA VOUCHER? CLICK HERE TO ENTER!

Categories
Health & Beauty

Our Favourite Childrens Sunscreens

We round up the best sunscreens for your family holiday, to keep your kids protected.

Childrens suncream roundup

Sunsense Ultra SPF 50 Roll-on

What is does: Provides excellent coverage. It’s also particularly great for pre-teens as it encourages them to apply sunscreen themselves.

Where to buy: John Lewis; £9 for 50ml.

 

Soltan Kids Hypoallergenic Suncare Spray SPF 30

What it does: It’s easy to apply and has been awarded a five-star rating for UVA and UVB protection. It even contains a hypo-allergenic insect repellent.

Where to buy: Boots, £12 for 200ml.

 

Ultrasun Family 30

What it does: It comes with a pump dispenser for easy application and gives a high level of protection. Devotees swear that one application really does last the whole day.

Where to buy: Amazon, £25 for 150ml.

 

The Sun Mousse for kids SPF 30

What it does: It’s water-resistant and lasts up to six hours, providing UVA and UVB filters. The mousse formula is gentle, easy to apply and quickly absorbed into skin.

Where to buy: Boots, £16 for 150ml.

Categories
Tech

Best Underwater Cameras

There’s a wealth of underwater cameras on the market, lucky for you we’ve sifted through them and pulled out the best of the bunch.

Canon Powershot D20

The lowdown: Canon’s second underwater camera isn’t all about the gimmicks, it produces great quality, sharp photos too. Its wide-angle lens has a 5X optical zoom, and while it can be used in water up to 10m deep, you can buy a case allowing you to go 40m.

We love: that it allows you to focus on subjects above and below water at the same time. The menu is easy to navigate and the screen clear even in bright light.

Where to buy: Amazon; from £255.50.

 

Fujifilm Finepix XP200

The lowdown: the latest underwater camera from the Fujifilm family can be used in depths of 15m, which makes it one of the best on the market, and has a 5X optical zoom. The quality of pictures is high and it has fun settings, such as pop colour filters and soft focus for a romantic look. It also comes with wireless transfer to upload straight to social networking sites.

We love: the motion panorama, which produces 360-degree images just by panning the camera.

Where to buy: Amazon; from £259.99.

 

Nikon Coolpix AW110

The lowdown: this camera is so hardcore it’s even camouflaged. It can withstand depths of up to 18m, temperatures for up to -10°C, and has a 5X optical zoom.

We love: its barometer, which measures atmospheric pressure and can also be used to forecast the weather, as well as the built-in GPS and world map – so the adventurers among you can not only record the location of your photos, but also track journey routes.

Where to buy: Amazon, from £200.

 

Olympus Stylus Tough TG-2

The lowdown: the Tough TG-2 claims to be virtually indestructible and has some great features that its rivals don’t offer. Among them, the addition of wide-angle or fisheye lenses to the 5X optical zoom, and 11 filters to get creative with.

We love: the Beauty Make-Up Mode, which allows you to choose from 18 different effects such as eyeliner, lipstick, eye brightening and cheek lift. Well who doesn’t love instant beautification?

Where to buy: Amazon; from £200.

Categories
Tech

Top 9 Travel Apps for Kids

The best downloads to keep kids busy – and quiet! – on your family travels.

TOCA TOWN

In this colourful app, kids can help 21 different residents explore six different areas of Toca Town. Children can act out things they might not be allowed to do in real life, such as having a giant pillow fight or flushing the toilet 20 times in a row.

Apple, £1.99

FIRSTCAMERA

If your kids’ pinch your smartphone to take photos, FirstCamera is for you. It saves all their shots onto the app (leaving room on the camera roll for your own pictures). Built-in filters let them decorate their photos with stickers, speech bubbles, moustaches, hats and glasses.

Apple, free

MY FIRST APP – VOL. 3 AIRPORT

This third app in the series (Circus and Vehicles being the first two) allows your kids to have fun around the airport, exploring different areas, watching luggage being loaded and seeing the cabin being cleaned. The app also features four engaging games that are perfect to stimulate spacial awareness and logical-thinking skills.

Apple, £1.49

CRAYOLA COLOUR, DRAW AND SING

This fun app combines art and music as each splash of colour unlocks a new instrument and a song begins to take shape. Features 10 familiar songs, including ‘Frère Jacques’ and ‘Do Your Ears Hang Low?’. There are also more than 50 Crayola colours and 40 images to colour in.

Apple, £2.96

SKIT!

Using your own holiday photos, which you can embellish with outfits and hairpieces, this fun app allows you to create videos to share with friends. You can also narrate your story and share with your online community via Facebook, Twitter, text or email.

Apple and Android, free

HOOPA CITY

With the help of Hoopa the hippo, kids get to construct their own city, using different materials to make houses, roads, schools and even theme parks. If you prefer something quieter, you can build forests, beach resorts and mountains.

Apple, £1.99; Android, free

ITRACK WILDLIFE LITE

A comprehensive digital field guide to animal tracks. Enjoyed by adults and children alike, this wildlife app is suitable for both novice and expert wildlife enthusiasts. Limited to eight species of mammal, the Lite version allows you to try many of the features of the iTrack Wildlife, without the cost.

Apple, free

MONSTERS ATE MY BIRTHDAY CAKE

It all begins on the magical island of Gogapoe, a place populated by humans and monsters. What starts out as a mission to get back Niko’s birthday cake becomes a quest for the fate of Gogapoe itself. Hordes of evil creatures cause mayhem, but there’s nothing you can’t fix with head butts, stink clouds and rainbow barf.

Apple, £2.99

ONE GLOBE KIDS

Put the world in your child’s hands with this safe, fun and interactive app. Children can meet new friends from around the world, sharing their language, games and food, and there are children’s stories from five different countries. Easy for non-readers to navigate using icons and audio to listen to the story.

Apple, free