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Thanks goodness we haven't needed to actually use them yet, but I bought two ID wrist bands for the kids to wear on holiday in Granada, in case they got lost in the city or at the Alhambra.
They're made of velcro so are easy to adjust to fit small wrists. You write your name and contact details on a waterproof piece of paper and slip it inside the little pocket on the inside of the wrist band.
I'm sure they would be good for the beach too.
A working farm between Tiverton and Barnstaple - really lovely family site for relaxing. If you're a walker, it's a good spot for walking the moors or equally for local walks.
West Middlewick Farm, Nomansland, Tiverton Devon Ex16 8NP, www.westmiddlewick.co.uk , 01884 861235
Great Italian restaurant, family-friendly, excellent quality pizza and pasta dishes.
Pepper Street, Chester
Handy location, bus stop right outside, very family-friendly.
Newton Lane, Chester
This house contains artifacts of daily life in Geneva from the Middle Ages through the late 1800s and gives a concise history of the city and its frosty relations with France and the rest of Switzerland (Geneva was an independant republic for many years). There is even the guillotine which Geneva was forced to install (by French Revolution law) in Place Neuve in March 1792. The attic contains a scale model of pre-1850s Geneva when walls still surrounded the city.
Skip the overpriced archeological remains under St Peter's Cathedral as this museum tells you more about Geneva's history and has free entry. Great for children.
Follow the signs to the museum from Cours St Pierre in the old city
The Promenade des Bastions runs from the old city down to Place Neuve (the main square of Geneva) and goes past the Mur des Reformateurs - check out the chess boards with giant-sized chess pieces for the public to use for Sunday afternoon games.
There are also numerous cheap cafés.
The Promenade des Bastions is a 30 min walk from Cornavin train station and 20 mins from St Peters Cathedral in the old city
The co-op on Rue du Commerce has sensibly-priced souvenirs for the tourist and of course the obligatory Swiss chocolate. It's also a great place to buy lunch.
Rue du Commerce - a 30 min walk from Cornavin train station
The Jet d'eau is the most famous landmark in Geneva and it's quite impressive as it shoots water to a height of 400ft.
It's better if you walk along the jetty which extends from the port to the fountain itself.
The Jet d'eau is on the Rive Gauche side of Lake Geneva - a 30 min walk from Cornavin train station
If you want to see the UN building then I recommend that you hop onto Tram 13/15 from outside Cornavin train station heading for Nations - aim to get there before 8am as there is practically nobody there at this time and the hordes of tourists don't descend upon Place des Nations until 9.00am.
Don't miss the massive wooden chair - a monument to landmine victims.
Place des Nations
Trams 13 and 15 depart from a stand directly outside Cornavin train station
Tram fare is 3 CHF for a one hour ticket (this is perectly adequate if you only want to see the outside of the UN building and not do the whole tour)
Les Paquis is one of the smartest parts of Geneva as it's right next to Lake Geneva and has some trendy (ie expensive) shops as well as some cheaper souvenir shops.
There are shady little squares and swish mansions and is a good part of the city to see on your way back to Cornavin train station.
Beware of pickpockets though!
Les Paquis is on the Rive Droite side of Lake Geneva and is west of Quai Wilson
For a comprehensive tour of Geneva I recommend this route:
From Cornavin train station, go down Rue du Mont Blanc and cross the river Rhône via the Pont Mont Blanc, stopping to admire superb views of Lake Geneva, St Peter's Cathedral, Ile Rousseau and Pont des Bergues.
Once across Pont Mont Blanc, walk alongside the Rhône river via the embankment to see Port St Gervais and enter the shopping district of Geneva.
Walk along Rue de la Conféderation, Rue de la Croix d'or and Rue du Rhône.
Turn off Rue de la Conféderation at Place Madelaine and walk up into the old city to Place Bourg Four (good cheap cafés here) and climb Rue de l'Hôtel de Ville to look at the murals depicting the history of Geneva and the cannons.
Enter Cours St Pierre and visit St Peter's Cathedral. Then descend back to the shopping district and head to the Jardin Anglais to see the famous Jet d'eau and flower clock.
Walk alongside Lake Geneva (Rive Gauche) - for children there is a beach on this side of the lake.
Go through the Jardin Anglais, go across Pont Mont Blanc and walk alongside lake Geneva (Rive Droite) stopping to admire views of Mont Blanc across the lake and see the Brunswick monument.
Return to Cornavin train station via Les Paquis district (to the west of Quai Wilson). Go up Rue de Lausanne and follow signs to Cornavin train station.
When heading north out of Kerikeri most people will turn off to visit or camp at Matauri Bay. This place is fantastic for swimming, fishing, walking and diving amongst other activities. But make sure you follow the road around to the next bay for a visit. Te Ngaere Bay is a quieter and more secluded area which has lots to offer. There's easy access for boats so it's a great place to go fishing, kids will enjoy the rock pools for exploring and the beach is perfect for swimming. Allow a full day to properly enjoy the surroundings.
The Kai Iwi Lakes in the Taharoa Domain reserve are an absolute gem. The area itself feels like you're off the beaten track but it's not too far north from Dargaville township. Perfect for a day- or week-long trip. The campsite has great basic facilities but can get busy in summer so book ahead. The freshwater lakes are perfect for any watersports and there are great walking tracks around the area too.
This sweet and chocolate shop on the main street of Chamonix is delightful with free chocolate samples and gorgeous-tasting white and black chocolate, fill your bag with as much as you want - it's all good, but be warned it's not cheap!
Avenue Michel Croz.
This large area of parkland and forest stretches from the eastern edge of Chamonix up to the Argentière valley. It's a peaceful haven for family picnics and strolls. It's a popular spot for hikers and cyclists as they continue towards Argentière and Vallorcine. You can also watch the paragliders take off and land on the parkland which surrounds Lac du Bouchet, there is also a fountain just beside the main road from which you can sample free and fresh-tasting mountain water.
From Chamonix train station go straight ahead down Avenue Michel Croz, then at the end of this road turn right onto Rue Whymper. Go straight across the roundabout. Pass the library on your right-hand side and keep going straight for about 500m and Lac du Bouchet is on your left-hand side.
You should book your airport transfer before you arrive in Palma Airport. My reason for suggesting this as a top tip is that upon arrival you are greeted by a welcome desk in the airport and directed to your vehicle. This ensures a hassle free arrival – something to not worry about. The guys we used are www.justtransfers.com/airports/palma.html. After booking you also receive local contact numbers should you need it. The price is really cheap and they cover all tourist resorts on Mallorca.
The most upmarket of the Hôme group in Valencia (not to be confused with the other Hôme Deluxe Hostel in the centre). Each of the rooms is created by an artist with a different theme. The place has a modern, stylish feel and the other guests were couples of all ages and families with older children. There are several restaurants, cafes and small shops in the neighbourhood, and a shopping mall 5 walk minutes away. The City of Arts and Sciences is on your doorstep, and you need to take a 15 min bus journey into the older heart of Valencia, but it’s an easy and cheap journey.
There was a bright red self-catering kitchen where breakfast was served and a sitting area with large TV and 2 free internet stations. There is 24-hour reception and internet facilities as well as underground parking which would be useful if you were driving through Spain. The multi-lingual staff were efficient and helpful. We paid €70 for a double and €100 for a triple room for a mid-week stay - it's slightly more at weekends.
You can see my review and photos on my blog
heatheronhertravels.blogspot.com/2008/04/hme-rooms-deluxe-hostel-in-valencia.html
Hôme Rooms Deluxe Hostel, Instituto Obrero, 20, (46013) Valencia
Spain
roomsdeluxe.com/
The St Laurent bridge connects the city centre of Grenoble to La Tronche - Grenoble's oldest district. This iron chain bridge is closed to cars and is a great place to take pictures of the famous "Bulles".
It's also the starting point for those who choose to take the arduous 45 minute walk up to La Bastille.
Follow the "Telepherique" signs, go past the cable car station, walk beside the Isere river for about 15 minutes and you'll see the bridge in front of you.
One thing that you must do is take the speedy "Bulles" from Grenoble city centre up to La Bastille, in just 20 minutes it whisks you high above the Isere river and the La Tronche district of Grenoble, it's the first city centre cable car to be constructed in the world.
Just follow the "Telepherique" signs from the train station - just look out for the cables above the Isere river - you can't miss them.
A return trip costs €5,75 and entry to La Bastille and the 1968 Olympics exhibition is free.
I chose the right moment to go to Grenoble as it was celebrating the 20th anniversary of the 1968 Winter Olympics which took place in Grenoble and in the ski resorts surrounding the city.
Inside the Bastille fortress there is a small but extremely informative exhibition on the big names of the Olympics and kids will love seeing the wooden skis and ski boots used by Rossignol - a famous French sportsman in 1968, there is also the original bobsleigh used by the Olympic French team.
To get to the 1968 Olympics exhibition take the cable car up to La Bastille and go down the stairs and follow the signs towards the exhibition (in the former dungeon).
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