Waldorf Hilton launches a summer Playmobil family room to celebrate the international toy brand’s big birthday.
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Category: News Story
What could be more fun than a day out with the family to a royal horse show? Fresh air, great shopping, and over 3,500 riders from around the world will surely keep your family happy and entertained this May.
The 71st annual Royal Windsor Horse Show will take place from 14-18 May, and this year’s event promises new competitions and (for the first time) free admission to everyone on “Windsor Wednesday,” 14 May, perfect if you have pre-school aged children or if they enjoy longer half-term holidays.
This prestigious five-day event is held in the beautiful grounds of Windsor Castle and celebrates all things equestrian. There will be international competitions in four equine disciplines: Show Jumping, Dressage, Driving, and Endurance.
In addition to the competitive events, there will also be showing classes featuring over 30 different breeds of horses, a display of ancient artefacts from Mongolia, an old fashioned funfair, and the beautiful castle grounds. In fact, this is the only time of the year that the grounds of Windsor Castle are open to the public, so it will be quite a treat for your little ones.
THE LOWDOWN
Location: Windsor Castle, Berkshire
Date: 14-18 May 2014
Price:
Wednesday 14 May: Free for all ages
Thursday 15 May: Free for children; £16 for adults
Friday 16 May: Free for children; £19 for adults
Saturday 17 May and Sunday 18 May: £10 for children; £25 for adults
*Special family deal: £60 for two adults and three children on Saturday or Sunday.
More information: rwhs.co.uk
ON YOUR VELO!
French company Vélib has launched the world’s first children’s bike-share scheme for 2-8 year-olds, in Paris. Having already established a succesful bike-sharing program for adults, Vélib’s latest programme, P’tit Vélib, promotes safe learning for young cyclists.
FOR LITTLE LEGS
Launched in the summer of 2014, P’tit Vélib offers four different types of bikes (all with helmets). There are no-pedal balance bikes for toddlers, and small bikes with and without stabilisers for older children. The 300 bikes are available to pick up at seven locations around the city, which have been carefully chosen to give kids the opportunity to cycle the streets of Paris without compromising their safety.
Prices: From £3 an hour, £5.50 per half day, and £8 per day.
Find out more: visit blog.velib.paris.fr
More of what you love…
Discover more great ways to enjoy Paris with children, or check out what Le Bristol Paris Hotel has to offer.
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Winter Holidays in Cornwall
FESTIVE FUN IN CORNWALL
Retallack Resort & Spa is a fabulous place to head this winter for a self-catering Cornish getaway. It’s a five-star resort that features exceptional lodging, including luxurious self-catering apartments and homes. It caters to relaxation and features a tranquil spa retreat centre as well as a health club, complete with a sauna, personal training, gym and activities for toddlers too. If a quiet weekend doesn’t sound enticing enough, add some adventure with their in-house surf facility, FlowRider.
This season, check out the winter holiday specials that the resort is hosting. Its Winter Wonderland, open until 6 January 2015, boasts a Father Christmas trail, festive grotto and ice rink. And don’t miss nearby Padstow’s Christmas festival from 4-7 December with its market, floating harbour lights and cooking demos from MasterChef winner, James Nathan. Seven-night winter family breaks start from £599 in a log-burner lodge with a Cornish hamper.
Find out more: retallackresort.co.uk
More of what you love…
Looking for more UK staycation ideas? Check out our roundup of the 10 best holiday cottages in the UK.
Kids jewellery brand Jacques & Sienna is giving Family Traveller twitter followers the chance to win a piece for their little one.
Jacques & Sienna jewellery is designed by New Zealand pair Meegan Rupe and Jayna Lala, who travel the world to get inspiration on the latest fashions from around the globe.
The jewellery is nickel free and non toxic, making sure it’s super safe for children to wear, too!
Visit jacquesandsienna.com and browse the collections, and then TWEET your favourite item, making sure you tag and follow @FamTraveller @CircusLondonPR
GOOD LUCK!
Competition ends on 25 June 2014
Animal inspiration is a strong theme in kidswear this season – from all-over leopard and tiger prints to safari-chic separates, it’s time to take a walk on the wild side.
The Family Traveller team shot at Buffelsfontein Game & Nature Reserve near Cape Town, South Africa.
SHOP THE SHOOT
Picture 1: Girl in tree
Summer wears sun top, £88, Bonpoint; printed leggings, £28, Scotch R’Belle at Selfridges
Picture 2: Girl in the grass
Summer wears gorilla sweat shirt, £52; print trousers, £48; both Soft Gallery at Hoboken Kids
Picture 3: Girls with animal masks
Gabrielle wears print playsuit, £150, Pale Cloud at Not So Big
Summer wears leopard-print dress, from £60, Finger In The Nose at Elias & Grace
Picture 4: Girl in tree
Gabrielle wears leopard-print playsuit, £52, Soft Gallery at Hoboken Kids
Picture 5: Girl in ostrich jumper
Sarah wears ostrich T-shirt and cardigan, Marni, price on request; print trousers, £62, Scotch R’Belle at Selfridges
Picture 6: Girl and boy in grass
Sarah wears jacket, £185; printed playsuit, £148; both Bonpoint; Hat bought locally
Luke wears khaki jacket, £189, Bonpoint; linen shirt, £19.99, Zara Kids; trousers, £100, Bonpoint
Picture 7: Girl in grass with elephant trunk
Sarah wears printed trousers, dress and sandals, Marni. Prices on request.
THE LOWDOWN
Children: Sarah at Model Co / Luke at Topco / Gabrielle at Firefly / Summer at Kids of Tomorrow /
Keisha at Candy’s
With thanks to France Production
Photographer: Thirza Shaap at Jackie Gibbs
Stylist/Art Director: Tracey Jacob at Era Management
Hair & Makeup: June Sawyer at Agence Aurelien Paris
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Wild Child Bushcraft in Cornwall
What’s new? Den building, camp fire making, marshmallow toasting, pumpkin carving and woodland treasure hunts are among the autumnal goings on at The Valley near Truro, this October.
A gated hamlet made up of holiday cottages, this country retreat is safe as houses, allowing children to run around and have an adventure without the usual parental worries. Meanwhile, you can make the most of the hotel-like facilities – a pool, gym and aromatherapy massages. There are five cottages to choose from, with between two and three bedrooms in each. All are kitted out in a neat fuss-free style and have their own kitchens.
If you don’t fancy cooking there’s Café Azure where a long list of modern European dishes won’t get boring – even after a week – and ingredients are sourced locally. Dining packages can be added to the price, this involves breakfast hampers, three-course dinners or takeaways from nearby restaurants being delivered to your door, and costs from £175 a week per person.
Price: Wild Child Bushcraft school runs from 9am to 3pm during half term and costs £19.50 per person. A four night break for a family of four costs from from £620, while a week is from £980.
More information: To book, visit the-valley.co.uk or call 01872 862194
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Whyte and Brown
What’s new? The concept at this new Soho restaurant is simple, taking the humble chicken (and its sidekick the egg) and giving it some serious oomph and zing.
The likes of the polenta crumb-chicken strips, pollo-porro pasta (spaghetti with chicken and leek balls, in a creamy sauce) and Bangkok-scotch eggs on the main menu will delight children as much as adults, but for something more frivolous there’s a kids’ menu with mini mac and cheese, chicken soldiers with a soft-boiled egg, and chicken burgers.
Leave room for dessert though, the chocolate brownie with artisan ice cream was a highlight.
Large tables, cool interiors and a relaxed atmosphere make this a great spot for a weekend family meal in town. Likewise it is stylish enough for lunch with the ladies, and in a prime shopping location.
Semi-unisex toilets make a visit to the bathroom en-famille stress-free. Dad can take daughter, mum can take son, no need to worry about which door to go through or embarrassed children. There is also a disabled toilet with baby-changing facilities, while colouring pencils and paper will keep the kids occupied while you catch up.
Cost: Sharing dishes start from £5.95, mains from £9.25 and children’s set menus are £5.95 for a main and dessert.
Whyte and Brown, Kingly Court, Carnaby, London, W1B 5PW, 020 3747 9820
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What’s on Your Holiday Bucket List
WISH LIST
Innovative tour operator Black Tomato has introduced a Bucket List Service to help you and your family plan and live out your wildest holiday dreams. So, whether you and the kids fancy dancing at the Rio Carnival, going on safari in Africa or herding cattle on a Colorado ranch, it’s time to start compiling your online bucket list. Black Tomato will store your ideas and help you plan your holiday each year, according to time and budget constraints, so you can start ticking things off your list.
GET STARTED
To create your holiday bucket list, sign up with an email address and then start browsing the fun ideas on Black Tomato’s website. You’ll find plenty of inspiration, from beach getaways to thrilling adventures – and everything in between. Once you’ve signed up, one of Black Tomato’s experts will get back to you with the perfect ingredients for your bucket list holiday.
More info: visit blacktomato.com
More of what you love…
For families with little ones, a holiday to Lapland to meet Father Christmas is sure to be at the top of the list. But if you’re looking for ideas for an adventure-fuelled holiday that even your teens will love, check out our hand-picked selection of the world’s best adventure holidays for teenagers.
Looking for a healthier drinks option for your kids while you’re away or heading out for a picnic? With the weather turning nicer, we’re all starting to think about heading off to weekend picnics.
Vita Coco has just launched a new line, especially for kids, of flavoured coconut water. It has around 20% less sugar and 20% fewer calories than other UK children’s drinks and smoothies, and your kids will love the two delicious flavours available – Apple & Blackcurrant and Mango & Pineapple. Perfectly refreshing while they’re running around in the warm weather, and tasty enough for them not to ask for fizzy drinks instead!
It’s also school compliant, so fab for lunchboxes too!
The ingredients: Vita Coco Kids contains naturally-occurring potassium to keep your little ones hydrated and energised. It comes from young green coconuts (never from concentrate!), it has no added colours or preservatives, and it is blended with natural fruit flavourings and water.
Buy: Pick some up for your next trip to the park, playground, or beach. You can find it in Waitrose and Ocado, Saninsbury’s, Amazon and Holland & Barrett.
Price: RRP £2.99 for a pack of four.
More information: vitacocokids.com