Tag: Kids CLub

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
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
Colorado

Rocky Mountains, Colorado

Rocky Mountains, Colorado

Venture into the wild west in America with a trip to Rocky Mountain National Park, with a heavenly landscape of peaks and glassy alpine lakes.

Why go?

Ever dreamed of ‘Wild West’ ranch-style living amid a heavenly landscape of peaks and glassy alpine lakes? Then take a trip to the Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.

Channel your inner cowboy (or girl) on a guided equestrian adventure. Children are especially encouraged to pony-trek as it’s a fun, non-strenuous way for them to hike. 

Activities

Real adventure-seeking families will love white-water rafting and the ‘backcountry’ camping tour; go on a llama into the untouched wilderness and sleep under the stars. Placid and naturally comfortable at altitude, llamas are the perfect furry partners for camping.

For less structured activities try a walking hike: pack a magnifying glass for close-up bug examinations, and binoculars to spot the elk and bighorn sheep that come down from the mountains during late spring and summer.

When children need time away from grown-ups let them escape to the Rocky Junior Rangers, an onsite kid’s club focused on animals and park preservation.

Don’t miss: See if you’d survive in the wild with a fishing trip, you may even catch a trout for supper. 

The lowdown

How to get there? British Airways flies from London Heathrow to Denver; from £695 return. 

Travel time: Flying London to Denver takes around 9 hours and 40 minutes, then it’s a 1 hour and 30 minute drive to the park.

Where to stay? Many Rocky Mountain visitors base themselves in Estes Park, an eastern gateway with lodging options to suit everyone (cabin, campsite or luxury hotel suite). There you can plan activites and it’s just an 8 minute shuttle to the park.  

Categories
Cruise

Sail to the Stars

Sail to the stars

New US fly-cruises mean you can mix time at sea with days in big US theme parks, says Phil Davies.

Why go?

Combining a cruise with a visit to either Walt Disney World, Universal or one of Orlando’s many jaw-dropping attractions continues to be one of my big ambitions. And the pester power currently being exercised by my son and daughter – aged eight and 11 – means a trip of this nature is almost inevitable. 

The cruise: The Davies family did go on a whistle-stop tour of Walt Disney World as part of a Disney Cruise Line sailing last summer, but I’d be taking the Mickey if I told you that we did any more than scratch the surface. Theme parks can now be tied in to seven-day cruises – either to the eastern or western Caribbean – from Port Canaveral on Florida’s Space Coast, which is only an hour’s drive from Orlando. 

Royal Caribbean International offers packages that combine the best of land and sea, and include hotel and shipboard accommodation, as well as multi-day passes to Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure.

Activities

What my kids love about this idea is that the theme-park experience doesn’t end when you get back on board ship. In fact, it’s more like attending a theme park that happens to stop off at beautiful destinations. DreamWorks characters such as Alex the Lion, Po the Dragon Warrior, and Shrek and Fiona sail with you on a series of new Royal Caribbean International cruises. And activities include character breakfasts, parades and themed shows. A newly installed oversized video screen overlooking the main pool deck shows the latest DreamWorks movies.

The ship: The theme-park vibe can also be felt on the line’s Freedom of the Seas – which comes with an onboard FlowRider surf simulator, cantilevered whirlpools, the H2O Zone kids aqua park, and a four-bedroom, four-bathroom Presidential Family Suite that can accommodate up to 14 people.

One of the most popular cruise-and-stay options is to take a three- or four-night break at the theme parks and then head off to sea for a seven-night taste of the Caribbean with all food, entertainment and childcare included in the price.

The lowdown

Packages: Several cruise lines, including Carnival Cruise Lines, Disney Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line, have made families their focus this season, and offer similar opportunities to mix and match fun ashore with fun at sea. Speaking as the father of two cruise-loving youngsters begging to be taken on a theme park-packed holiday, this option looks to be a no-brainer.

Price: Four night pre-cruise stay at the Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Studios and a seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise on Freedom of the Seas, from £1,516 for adults; from £1,319 for children, including flights (based on an inside cabin for two adults and two children for a sailing on 17 November, 2013). 

More information: Contact Royal Caribbean International (0844 493 4005).

Categories
France

Skiing in St Lary, Haute Pyrenees

One of the Pyrenees’ largest resorts, St Lary has 100km of pistes and is designed run with families in mind. It’s also a reasonably-priced alternative to the Alps!

Why go?

With 100km of pistes, the pretty town of St Lary is one the Pyrenees’ largest resorts designed and run very much with families in mind. It is a friendly and reasonably-priced alternative to the Alps without compromising on the quality of the ski terrain.

Who’s it good for? Just about anyone. It is made up of three sectors connected by lifts and easy blue runs so that all levels of skier can access all areas. There’s also a shuttle bus which runs between all three so if you won’t have the struggle of forcing over-tired little ones to ski “home”.

But that’s not to say there isn’t interesting skiing for experienced skiers, there are several challenging black and surprisingly steep red runs. The resort also boasts the 3.6km Mirabelle run, one of the longest in the Pyrenees, and a snowpark.

Activities

Obviously the main reason for visiting St Lary is to ski, but St Lary is a real, charming village linked to the ski area by a cable car and telepherique. As such, this is a nice place to wander and browse the shops or spend time in the Sensoria Spa Centre.

For non-skiers, there are several snowshoeing tracks accessible by the lift network on foot around the picturesque Lac Oule.

You can also dog-sled, ice-skate or paraglide.

KIDS’ CLUB

Children who don’t want to ski all day are very well catered for – the halte-garderie looks after children aged three months to four years.

There is also a Centre de Loisirs (leisure centre) for children up to the age of 12 and every week the resort holds a snowman-building competition.

The lowdown

How to get there: St Lary is about 1.5 hour’s drive from Toulouse Airport, flights from Gatwick to Toulouse with easyJet start at £29.74. Ryanair flies to Lourdes, which is around one hour away, where transfers are available from €15 per person as part of the Haute Pyrenees’ commitment to reducing CO2 emissions.

Accommodation: There is a wide range of self-catering accommodation and reasonably-priced hotels throughout the resort – there are no glitzy five-star hotels here!

You can choose to stay in St Lary Village where there is a greater range of accommodation, bars, shops and restaurants or in Pla D’Adet at the foot of the pistes.

We stayed in the three-star Hotel de Neste de Jade in St Lary which was brilliantly located right opposite the cable car and thermal baths, clean and comfortable and did a fabulous breakfast.

Price: Seven nights self-catering in St Lary costs from £96 per person including Eurotunnel travel with skicollection.co.uk

Hotel Neste de Jade rooms start at €59 per room per night for a double room. Family rooms sleeping four people start at €89 per night.

More info: Visit pyrenees-holiday.com

Categories
Maldives

Soneva Fushi, Maldives

The island eco resort of Soneva Fushi, Maldives: the epitome of barefoot luxury and the perfect place for toddlers to take their first steps across the beautiful sandy beaches .And when you want some time alone, there’s lots to keep the kids busy.

Why go?

If you want a relaxing holiday in paradise, there’s nowhere more perfect than Soneva Fushi in The Maldives.

One of the world’s original eco resorts it’s philosophy is SLOW LIFE (Sustainable, Local, Organic, Wellness, Learning, Inspiring, Fun, Experiences).  

The resort is designed to complement the natural landscape with tree-top walkways, thatched rooftops and outdoor showers – the epitome of barefoot luxury.

Over the years Soneva Fushi has made a concious effort to improve the resort experience for families. It now boasts the largest selection of multi-bedroom villas (many with private pools) anywhere in The Maldives, from two bedroom villas to unique tree houses. All have stunning views and direct access to the beach.

Activities

Soneva have loads of activites for you to enjoy as a family, from exploring the marine life, to watching movies together at the outdoor cinema, complete with pizza and popcorn.

Dolphin watching from a traditional dhoni is also a must, as well as checking in with one of the resident astronomers for a spot of star gazing. 

And when you want some time alone, there’s lots to keep the kids busy. They’ll love meeting friends at onsite picnics and outdoor sleepovers or at shorter activities like treasure hunts, coconut bowling, beach sports and crafts. 

You’ll even be given bikes to get around, but really this is about kicking off your shoes and enjoying your very own desert island experience.  

Food: To complement their eco ethos the resort has cultivated gardens where guests of all ages can choose organic ingredients and create dishes with one of the chefs.  Dining options include Japanese and Mediterranean, with separate children’s menus, half-portions and specialist foods on request to suit the fussiest of eaters. Whatever your age though, you won’t be able to resist sampling the resort’s homemade icecreams – there’s an amazing 60 flavours. 

There’s also The Den’s kids club, which opens in October 2013.

Don’t Miss: Spa-time is a big part of the Soneva Fushi experience. The Six Senses Spa provides specialist treatments from around the world, many using homemade products such as coconut rubs and papaya wraps. There’s also mini treatments for kids and family yoga sessions. 

The lowdown

Price: Stay from £4,500 for a family of four staying in a Villa Suite, with pool for seven nights. Kids under one year stay free. Early booking and longer-stay discounts are also available. 

How to get there: Fly British Airways; from £818 return.  On arrival, you will be greeted by a Soneva Fushi host and escorted on a 30 minute seaplane cruise to the resort.

Flight time:  A flight from London to Male takes 10 hours.

Best time to go?: The dry season from December-April is the best time to go. Though monsoon season (May-November) still offers a pleasant climate and is less busy. 

What to pack

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Categories
Mauritius

Sun Holidays: Veranda Pointe Aux Biches, Mauritius

If you fancy a sunshine holiday with the kids this winter (who doesn’t?), then we recommend this three star resort in Mauritius.

Why go?

Situated about a 15 minute drive from the tourism hub of Grand Baie, on the north-west coast of the island, Veranda Pointe aux Biches has done a sterling job of appealing to all age groups. 

While a secluded area of the hotel ‘Sandy Lane’ has been set up for honeymooning couples who want to eat, swim and drink away from the noise, the other section of the hotel is almost exclusively devoted to families – think cultural programmes, a kids club and 44 family rooms which feature a double bed for the parents and a connecting door for the kids (sleeps two adults and up to three children).

Tired mums and dads can also have their own taste of paradise with a massage on the beach followed by some ‘laughing yoga’ or traditional Sega dancing with the kids.

Activities

KIDS’ CLUB

The Timomo children’s club runs from 9am until 8pm each day and includes painting, sand castle competitions and natural henna classes. A visit to the nearby aquarium runs once a week (Rs 275) and the club organises an end of week theatre show for children to perform to parents.

 

CULTURAL PROGRAMMES

Families can also benefit from the resort’s cultural programme. Activities for all ages including ‘laughing yoga’ on the beach and Sega dance lessons – the traditional Mauritian dance which is taught using traditional instruments of goatskin drums and triangles. These activities are all resort-based and included in the price of the rooms – itinerary available on request.

 

OUTSIDE EXCURSIONS

For adults who fancy escaping the beach, the capital of Mauritius, Port Louis, is just 15 km away (25 minutes by car). Recommended excursions during the summer months include visiting the sixty-acre Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden (Rs200, open 8.30 – 5.30pm), the oldest botanical garden in the Southern Hemisphere. 

 

For something a little closer, ask the hotel for a guided walk or cycle ride to the nearby Hindu temple Maheswarnath. Simply after a change of scenery for the day? Veranda Resorts offers guests free access to its sister hotels during their stay. If the kids are in the kids’ club, head to adults-only resort Veranda Paul & Virginie for a peaceful lunch and stunning views.

 

For a family affair, head to Veranda Palmar Beach or Veranda Grand Baie (there is a free shuttle service to Grand Baie, the area with the only real option for night life, from the hotel). Both resorts also have a children’s club and cultural programme, with activities including a coconut workshop, glass-bottomed boat trip and traditional Creole cooking classes.

The lowdown

PRICE

High season (22 December-3 January): B&B from £92 per adult per night, with children (2-11) an extra £46 and teenagers (12-17) an extra £69. 

 

Low season (1 May-30 Sept): B&B from £60 per adult per night, with children (2-11) an extra £15 and teenagers £30. 

 

All-inclusive requires a supplement of £36 per adult and teenager per day, with children (to age 18) at £20. 

Price includes: Cultural itinerary , snorkelling, kayaking, table tennis, pedal boat, badminton, WIFI. There is also a shuttle service to Grand Baie which operates three times a week (check at time of booking).

 

Travel time: A flight from London to Mauritius is approximately 12 hours and it is approximately one hour’s drive from the airport to the resort.  

SPECIAL OFFERS

Save 10% on early booking bonus, booking code VPAB/WW/13-14/EBB

Save 30% on a seven night stay (excluding peak), booking code VPAB/PUB/13-14/SS

 

More information: Visit veranda-resorts.com/en/hotel-veranda-pointe-aux-biches

 

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Categories
Turkey

Susesi Luxury Resort, Turkey

Just a 45-minute transfer from Turkey’s Antalya airport, Susesi Luxury Resort is a premium haven situated on its own quiet section of Belek’s sand-and-shingle beachfront. And, it’s entirely designed for families.

Why go?

With seven pools, its very own water park, private beach, spa and selection of golf courses there is something for everyone at Susesi Luxury Resort.

We love this Mediterranean costal resort because it has something for every member of the family; kids will make a beeline for the pool, while Mum ponders on potential spa treatments and Dad books a round at one of the many local golf courses. 

Activities

While the kids are entertained, you can explore the resort’s other activities, including yoga, pilates, squash and dance lessons, while the local area also boasts several world-class golf courses, such as The Montgomerie and the National Golf Club (tee times and transport can be organised through the resort). 

For a spot of relaxation, head to La Calisse Spa, which features two indoor pools, a Turkish bath, sauna and steam room, as well as a wide selection of treatments and massages available at an additional cost.

With evening entertainment featuring dance performances, DJs and live music, the Susesi Luxury Resort offers round-the-clock fun, while still managing to provide a relaxing break for a more sedate experience.

Accommodation

You will immediately be impressed by Susesi’s architecture. The spacious ‘Terrace’ family rooms feature a double bed and two singles to ensure that everyone has their own space. Rooms on the second floor are particularly nice, offering quick and easy access to one of the resort’s many pools so the kids can be first in the water in the morning.

With seven pools for you to choose from – including 3,300m² waterways that surround the Terrace, Susesi certainly lives up to its name, which translates as ‘Sound of Water’. The resort also boasts a 400m stretch of private beach where toddlers can play and build sandcastles.

Young adventure-seekers will especially love exploring Susesi’s most impressive attribute, its aqua park, which features six water slides of varying intensity.

Food: The resort’s dining options are as varied as the activities on offer with the main restaurant, Turquoise, serving buffet breakfasts, lunch and dinner featuring different cuisines. 

There’s also a separate area offering pre-prepared baby foods.

A further six à la carte restaurants within the resort, offer steaks, seafood, Asian, Italian and Mexican menus, as well as a traditional Turkish barbecue. Six snack restaurants provide day-time treats including gözleme, pizzas, burgers, fruits and desserts, while there are 12 bars spread throughout the resort, serving beers, wine, cocktails and soft drinks.

Kids clubs: To give you a chance to relax, there are kids clubs (aged 4 and up) that offer a wide range of fun supervised activities such as banana boating, discos, magic shows, talent contests, horse-riding and face-painting.

There’s also a teenage club with a games area, DJ lessons and a variety of other cool things for kids aged 13 to 16 to do.

The lowdown

Price: Seven nights in an all-inclusive Terrace Family room for two adults and two children (aged 12 and under) costs from £2,462 with Thomas Cook, flying from London Gatwick to Antalya. Airport transfers from Antalya are included.

Travel time: A flight from London to Antalya takes 4 hours and 10 minutes.

Categories
France

Terre Blanche, Provence

Guaranteed luxury in the heart of France’s beautiful wine region, Terre Blanche is formerly Four Seasons and teeming with family-friendly facilities.

Why go?

Guaranteed luxury in the heart of France’s beautiful wine region, Terre Blanche is teeming with family-friendly facilities and activities for mum and dad. As a former Four Seasons hotel, the resort has kept the best parts of the hotel group. If it’s a holiday of idyllic family time and deep sleeps you need, head here.

Based in the village of Tourettes, and surrounded by the cobbled-street villages of Callian, Seillans and Fayence, Terre Blanche is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World and offers families a great base for exploring this beautiful region.

Terre Blanche’s Deluxe Suites are big enough for a family of three or four with small children, but if you need more space opt for a Super Suite, which has extra living space. For multiple or bigger families and ultimate luxury, go for the Prestige Villas – three properties that have their own private pool and are interconnected – but be warned they will set you back £10,000 a night.

Activities

IN THE HOTEL

For relaxing days head to the infinity pool, which overlooks the surrounding villages. As well as a separate kids’ pool, the area is lifeguarded all day, and waiters will supply towels and water on demand.

If you plan to spend the day by the pool (and you can easily wile away the hours here), hire a cabana as your base for the day: you can order lunch in itand smaller children have a shaded house where they can nap.

Winning extra cool points with the kids is the poolside crêpe station where children gather round while crispy thin chocolate pancakes are made to order. For mums and dads, there’s poolside massages to help you unwind. 

Golf: If you are a golf-lover, or fancy some father-and-son bonding while practicing your swing, then take to the resort’s prestigious courses. In the summer months there’s kids’ golf lessons for Rory McIlroy-wannabes, and the resort attracts world-class professionals who arrive to train before their next big tournaments – so you could do some great sportsman spotting here too.

Spa: Mums will love the spa and exercise facilities in the resort. Book a private Pilates class or take part in the daily sessions run by the fitness team: we tried the water aerobics (a surprisingly full-on workout!) followed by a plunge in the heated outdoor Jacuzzi to relax. With a packed timetable of classes and extensive spa treatments at your disposal, you can easily counteract all the delicious food you’ll be consuming here.

Food: The hotel has an impressive range for families, and any meal can be delivered to your suite. There’s an extensive buffet breakfast (with delicious homemade bread), as well as Caroubiers restaurant, right next to the golf courses, with beautiful views across the grounds; Faventia, a perfect place for a parents-only evening where the food is made to impress – think ten-course set menus and plenty of foie gras. All four restaurants on the resort have childrens’ menus, so even the fussiest of eaters will be catered for. 

Top tip: Try the region’s Whispering Angel rosé and the Terre Blanche honey, which is harvested by the resort.

 

ACTIVITIES IN PROVENCE

Wine tasting: Head to Château des Selves, just 8km from the hotel where four generations of the same family have built up this lucrative wine- and olive oil-making business: they make 90,000 bottles of wine alone per year.  

For €20 per person and a free shuttle from the hotel, you’ll spend two hours with the château’s experts tasting their wine and olive oil soaked up with bread and delicious cheese.

Local market: The nearby village of Fayence doesn’t disappoint with its market on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings where you can sample an impressive range of cheeses, olives and local delicacies. While you’re there, explore the quaint villages’ cobbled streets and its neighbour, Seillans, with its local shops, monuments, cafés and restaurants. 

Get active: For watersports, head to Saint Cassien Lake, just a 10-minute drive from Terre Blanche and very popular with local and visiting families: from the calm pedal boats to explore its nooks and crannies, to gliding at the flying centre, a day spent here will make you feel far removed from UK shores. 

Boat trips: If you’re a family of water-lovers and want to explore further afield, Terre Blanche offers boat excursions to nearby Cannes where you’ll sail around the harbour and stop for lunch in the trendy town.

Kids’ club

One thing that’s immediately obvious at Terre Blanche is how much they love families. If you’re after some parents-only time, the hotel will arrange for your kids to be picked up on the Kids’ Club Bus and taken care of by qualified nannies from 9am-5pm. 

Activities for the kids are split between age groups and include arts and crafts, swimming lessons, tennis tournaments, golf practice, pony trekking and picnics on the grounds nearby – there’s even a sleeping and cinema room for when the little ones are worn out. 

The kids’ club is free for two to 12 year olds, and babysitting can also be arranged in the evenings.

The lowdown

Travel time: A flight from London to Nice takes just 2 hours, and Terre Blanche will arrange a private transfer from the airport to the hotel, which takes approximately 40 minutes.

How to get there: British Airways flies from London Heathrow to Nice; from £174 return.

Price: €785 per night for a Deluxe Suite, or €675 per night for a Super Suite, including breakfast.

Note: Terre Blanche is closed from December to February.

Categories
Portugal

The Pine Cliffs, Portugal

With a stunning cliff-top setting, seculded beach, verdent gardens and high-end facilities, The Pine Cliffs Resort screams: ‘Wish you were here!’

Why go?

Spread across 72 acres overlooking the Atlantic, the resort comprises the Sheraton Algarve Hotel, the Pine Cliffs Residence Suites (perfect for families) and the Pine Cliff Villas. And though Pine Cliffs is big place, it’s far from a typical holiday complex.

Accommodation: With a nine-hole golf course and academy, tennis courts, 11 restaurants and bars, five swimming pools, a spa, and two health clubs, residents at Pine Cliffs are completely spoilt for choice.

To travel from activity to activity you can catch the minibus steam train or stroll leisurely through the lush pine groves.

Little ones will be captivated by Porto Pirata, the resort’s well-developed children’s village.

Catering from six months to eight years, the club is fully supervised and features two huge wooden pirate play ships, kid’s pool, bouncy castle, 18-hole mini golf and a programme of activities and fun games.

For older kids, up to 12 years, there’s basketball, football, archery, pottery and golf lessons. It’s no wonder the resort has been awarded Portugal’s Leading Family Resort in the World Travel Awards four years in a row.

Activities

Pine Cliffs secluded cove is the only gold flag beach on the Algarve and is worthy of its title.

Take the glass elevator through spectacular red sandstone cliffs to the sand. Though the Atlantic is a little cold, you’ll have great fun riding the waves together and building sandcastles.

As well as water sports, the Beach Club provides parasols, loungers, towels and changing facilities. Best of all is the beach bar – perfect for an icecream at sunset.

Food: The O Pescador seafood restaurant is considered one of the best on the Algarve. Located just a short walk from the main building and set in a pinewood forest, you actually feel like you’re going ‘out’ to eat.

There, fish and seafood are served market-style, so you can choose fresh fish from the counter to be cooked to your preference. They also serve steak and, of course, Portuguese Piri Piri chicken. Children’s menus are available and the evening buffets are great for families.

Don’t miss: The Mirador Champagne Bar. It’s perched on the edge of the Ochre Cliff and offers grown-up gourmet food with stunning views. This is a child-free zone, but definitely worth booking a babysitter.

The lowdown

Price: Accommodation in a two bedroom Pine Cliffs Residence costs from €570 per night. The Resort is part of the Starwood Preferred Guests loyalty scheme. For a fixed daily rate, children under 12 can enjoy all-inclusive access to a range of dining options.

Travel time: Flights from London to Faro airport take 3 hours. Then it’s just a 45-minute drive to the resort.

How to get there: Fly with easyJet from London Gatwick to Faro; from £55 return.

Best time to go: Visit between April and September for the sunniest weather and hottest temperatures.