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We went on a family holiday to the garden route in South Africa - we saw and did so many things but the one that holds firmly in all our minds is the trip to the elephant park in Knysna. We learnt about the orphan elephants and we were allowed to touch and feed the elephants Harry, Sally and Duma and took pictures - I highly recommend the day out!
Firstly I would recommend to any family with children over eight, a trip to the Norfolk broads. A five-day trip is the perfect opportunity to bond as a family, and being on your own boat gives you the opportunity to stop wherever you like.
While in the area trip to Ranworth's Nature Trail is definetly recommended. It is not only beautiful walk, but there is a very interesting information centre which is floating on the broad. Also an area for birdwatching with binoculars. The swallowtail butterfly is particularly beautiful and the children love them.
01603 270479
The best beach on the east coast. A nearby beach bar serves veg, beef, and chicken kebabs, has cans of frozen Mountain Dew under the counter (possibly the most dangerous substance sold on this coastline), and lets regulars use the parasols for free.
Other interesting attractions include the sight of a miniature forest on a dune, clean sand and cool water to play in and for the adults, a team of male and female diligent lifeguards who are as stunning as the view. Plus it's quiet every month of the year apart from July, so it's the ultimate half-term destination.
Guardamar lies about 15 kilometers north of Torrevieja. Following the national road N332 up in northern direction.
Once your kids can ride a bike there's no better way to see Paris than cycling about it. The high spot of our recent half-term break was a morning spent exploring the Marais, Bastille, Louvre, St. Germain de Pres, Les Halles and many back streets in between.
Our guide, Paul, founded Bike About Tours with a friend and gives a charming and personal view of a city he clearly loves. Some of his enthusiasm rubbed off on the kids who particularly relished spotting locations from Ratatouille, or finding out how many Parisians slip in dog poo each day. Paul takes only safe back streets and cycleways, stopping for lunch at a boulangerie on the way.
Every so often we would park the bikes and explore a secret garden or a hidden alleyway on foot, letting Paris work its magic on children and adults alike. By the end of four hours we felt like we belonged. Try it, you won't be disappointed.
www.bikeabouttours.com
www.pret-a-rouler.fr
+33(0)624580215
Meet 10am by Charlemagne's statue in front of Notre Dame Cathedral
York is a must-see. There's something for everyone.
All the family will love a trip on your very own time-capsule at the Jorvik Centre - a thousand years of sights, smells and sounds of English history. Don't forget to have your camera at the ready for that must-have souvenir pic.
For those who like a bit more blood and guts, thrills and spills, the York Dungeons is an absolute must-see. The team there will educate and, above all, thrill you with an altogether more personal view to two thousand years of York's gory past with all its gruesome hands-on detail. This tour is first class, although only suitable for horror loving teens and parents brought up on Boris Carloff or Peter Cushing! The York Dungeon is pretty expensive so my tip is get the York Pass, which allows entry to a huge number of attractions in York at a modest cost.
The pass is also valid for the York Riverboat Cruise, where the adults can enjoy the captain's commentary while the youngsters can check out the river wildlife and take in the many interesting things to see along the river bank.
To make the most of York it's best to go mid-week, unless you enjoy milling your way through large crowds with plenty of hustle and bustle. A four day trip is probably ideal. Buy a two day York Pass, check out the Minster and few other attractions of your choice, and still have plenty of time to visit the character shops in all the old streets in the city walls.
There are plenty of things to buy for all depths of pocket and interest. For those who like a bargain
(and help others too), the city is well endowed with every conceivable charity shop under the sun. Eating out can be budget or haute cuisine. A good place to feed a hungry family at a modest price is Jumbo in Hudson St. This is a buffet-style Chinese, eat as much as you like of the very wide selection of good quality oriental dishes for every palate, at difficult to beat prices.
Why not try a stay at a B&B? I have no hesitation in recommending The Apple House (74-76 Holgate Rd) where Pamela will make sure you have a very comfortable room with all mod cons and supply you with a full English breakfast (or continental), all at a very reasonable price.
Finally, don't take the car. You'll see more and feel all the better by walking everywhere in the city. Great access and views can be had by walking the ancient city wall. Be warned, many areas along the wall are open at one side. Children and elderly, not to mention those who value life and limb will find it a bit daunting - take care and keep an eye on the children at all times.
If traveling in the UK, then the best way to get to York is by rail. York Station is convenient for the whole city. A first search on the internet will throw up some frightening prices but don't give up. Try National Express East Coast. Book a little in advance and you’ll think there is a mistake in the price you are offered. With a family you can book a seat with a table and have a little more comfort for reading and eating. These trains also serve hot food and drinks at reasonable cost and even have power points at the seats where the kids can hook up their DVD players or game consoles. Don't forget to take earphones or you'll have a lot of angry passengers for your trip.
Take a camera, get the York Pass and don’t over-crowd your time with too many museum and attraction visits. Leave time to enjoy the city, have a carefree coffee and find those serendipitous places that make your trip so special.
www.nationalexpresseastcoast.com/
www.yorkpass.com/discountattractions.html
www.visityork.org/
Tucked away in Cornwall's forgotten corner, the Rame Peninsular, just beyond Plymouth - a mere 3.5 hours from London - Westcroft B&B is a gorgeous, stylish find in a magical place, Kingsand.
Seaviews from many rooms, baths that look up to the stars, four posters and organic breakfasts - all in a quirky, eclectic and stylish Georgian coaching house. Owners Sarah and Dylan are friendly, interesting and run a fab art gallery in the barn next door. It's a perfect, arty bolthole for a weekend - or if going to a wedding at nearby Porlhawn Fort. They also have lots of experience of children and can arrange an interesting, fun break for a family.
www.westcroftguesthouse.co.uk
info@westcroftguesthouse.co.uk
Westcroft, Market Street, Kingsand, PL10
Nearest station Plymouth or St Germans
An oasis of a cafe on Gloucester Road. Relaxing and very friendly. Serving organic vegetarian food, delicious homemade cakes and the best hot chocolate. Includes vegan and gluten free options.
Old Vicarage, Gloucester Road, Bishopston (same building as Amitabha Meditation Centre)
0117 9745160
It describes itself as a centre for 'holistic education'. It runs courses, including family weeks and weekends. Prices are very cheap; a long weekend, with full board, for a family of four can cost as little as £360. Courses include such diverse activities as drumming, composting and painting. There's lots to do at Monkton Wyld and in the surrounding area, with its proximity to the Jurassic coast with its abundance of fossils. Food is plentiful and organic.
Monkton Wyld Court,
Bridport, Dorset. DT6 6DQ.
Telephone: 01297 560342
www.monktonwyldcourt.org
info@monktonwyldcourt.org
Nearest station: Axminster
The brochs (drystone freestanding towers) up the valley in Glenelg are great to go and see. It's a nice walk and great for climbing on for children of all ages, and the settings in the glen is fantastic. There's also three of them.
Nearest village is Glenelg - take the road south and take the first left away from the coast just before the bridge. Follow for a couple of miles to find the first.
Ticks the boxes for adults and kids. Fantastic Art Noveau building with probably the most photographic indoor pool in the world for the adults to appreciate. Outside is another pool with sun loungers around it and every hour a wave machine is turned on. Shrieks and shouts from kids aged 4 months to 40 years (and some).
Paris is perfect for those with kids, and especially the park at La Villette. On the Canal de l'Ourq there is the awesome dragon slide (almost two stories high), playgrounds designed for specific age groups, a submarine my five-year-old nephew wants to return to with his big brother and cat (!) (3€ each). Just by the park bikes can be hired that take the whole family along the traffic-free canalside to the forest of Sevran, where coffee and ice cream can be had in the old poudrerie, where Nobel of the Nobel prize worked - well worth a visit. And if it rains, back at La Villette there is always the Cite des Sciences - again with exhibits tailored to tots and to slightly older kids. Further afield, there's Paris Plage for sunbathing, sandcastles, misters, boules, rock-climbing (5 years old and upwards), the fountains and concerts at Parc Andre Citroen, the fireworks on July 14, or the swimming pool on a barge by the Francois Mitterand Bibliotheque, or the fantastic mini Paris Plage at Canal St Martin where another five-year-old loved her tot-sized pedalo and the tea dances and water fountains. Paris is perfect for families, especially in the summer, and since almost everything referred to above is free or cheap, it won't break the bank. Plus - no hours spent travelling to, or queueing at, airports.
Just get on Eurostar and you are within 15-20 minutes walk of most of the above.
A lovely hotel set on an island in the Nile, around 10 minutes from the centre of Luxor. The views are stunning - especially at sunset, unobstructed (no huge Nile cruise ships anchor there) - sit on your terrace with a cocktail and enjoy.
A welcome escape from the hustle (and hassle) of Luxor!
Crocodile Island, Luxor
Best beach in the north-west. Make sure you check for a low tide or call the Wirral Ranger service.
Set out from the marina from West Kirkby towards Big Eye (a small island off the coast) - wellies or bare feet best, and then walk towards Little Eye. On arrival is a small beach that is almost always sheltered from the wind, with caves and beautiful sandstone rocks.
It is the ideal place for a picnic and little children can play here for hours - just remember to leave on time before the high tide arrives! Of course you can always saunter on to Hilbre and look at birds, seals and the lifeboat station. A great day out for the kids!
You can walk from West Kirkby Merseyrail station to the marina, where you will see the three islands out in the Dee estuary. Just make sure to walk to Big Eye first rather than towards Hilbre, thereby avoiding any deep water. The picnic can always be picked up at the supermarket next to the marina as well!
If you want a break that gives you peace and quiet, beautiful Scottish island scenery, a pristine beach, sparkling sea and masses of outdoor space to let the kids explore, this is perfect.
There is no formal camp ground. You pitch your tent on the grass next to the beach and put some money in a box in the local village. There are public toilets to use but other than that, this is pretty wild camping.
The area is really safe so the kids can go off and explore the beach and rock pools whilst you relax and get the camp fire going. Long summer days, lovely walking, swimming, fresh air and starry skies. This is a wonderful, memorable place to take the family.
Ardroil Beach
on the west coast of the Isle of Lewis
Scotland
The Lycian coast of Turkey has many jewels: choose from Kalkan, Kas, Gocek or Fethiye. Beautiful villas and apartments at very reasonable prices, frequent scheduled and charter flights, extremely friendly, hospitable and humorous people, roof terrace restaurants offering local delicacies or international cuisine, fabulous swimming and water sports at stunning locations and the longest and best sandy beach in Europe within easy reach. And there are inland excursions and activities and a 20 mile gorge to explore, for the more energetic. The combination is unbeatable and offers exceptional value for a family holiday - just do a little research on the internet!
A restaurant of character and intrigue. Food like your Dutch granny made for you and served promptly and effectively. The liver and onions had just run out on the specials board as we arrived, so we settled for braised beef, giant meatball, saute pots, cauli and green beans (you select your veg from the specials board). Apple puree, rhubarb and rice pudding custard, rounded off the meal. All in the company of locals (mostly over 70). All great value for £22 with 2 bottles of beer and an apple sap. Only open of an evening though.
1e Helmerstratt, near Leidseplein and parallel to Overtoom. Tram stops on line 5 and 1 nearby
Dherinia lies on a hill, north of Ayia Napa in south-east Cyprus, on the edge of the no man’s land, which marks the border between the divided north and south.
One sunny, windy Easter-week day, we drove there and paid a tiny fee to climb steps from the haphazard garden of what is not much more than a shack, to a viewing platform where, through telescopes, you can scan a desolate and abandoned townscape of Famagusta, deserted during the conflict of 1974.
Our five-year-old son loved the telescopes and running round the platform, pointing out windmills and the sea, whilst our three-year-old daughter played happily (and safely) in the garden below, full of fig trees, plants and flowering bushes, feeding leaves to the giant tortoises that slowly ambled around a wire enclosure. We were mesmerised by the site of the empty buildings and houses, imagining the scenes on the day they were left amidst the violence and uproar.
Afterwards we sat in the garden at the wooden tables painted cobalt blue, having fresh, warm banana cake and tea, provided by the elderly, handsome owner, speaking grammatically perfect English - somehow a human embodiment of the region’s past. He has also lovingly curated a mini-museum to his country's sad history, with yellowing newspaper cuttings, photographs, signs and testimonies displayed. You are gently urged to write a comment in the visitors’ book before leaving.
The kids came away talking about their adventure and the fantastic cake. We adults found it an intensely moving, eerie and evocative experience.
Signed once you reach Dherinia, north of Paralimni in south east Cyprus.
Want to drive to Padstow to sample the various Rick Stein fare on offer? Here's a tip. Don't. Get on your bike instead. Go to Wadebridge (a pleasant enough place in itself), park there and then cycle down the beautiful, flat, and car free Camel Valley Trail along the river. There are ample bike hire places right by the trail itself, all with baby trailers, child-seats, kids' bikes (we took a three-month-old and a very excited two-and-a-half year old) and decent grown up bikes. Even for the seriously unfit/uncoordinated, it takes all of 45 minutes to amble into 'Padstein'. Once there, you avoid the six mile traffic queue and can securely park your bike for 50p in the many 'bike parks' at the end of the trail. And now you've worked up an appetite, Padstow is your oyster...
Another tip, avoid the hordes and head for the back streets - the Rick Stein Cafe (his 'third' restaurant) has his trademark great food, is very child-friendly, and doesn't take bookings. On the day we were there (a gloriously sunny August day) we had to wait for 20 minutes, which was a shorter than the queue for his fish and chips takeaway!
Off-the-beaten-track but central (in Prenzlauer Berg)
little cute family-friendly cafe serving cornish pasties, PG tips tea, great ice cream and soups. With English-speaking owner.
zionskirchstr.75
senefelder platz U-Bahn
030 44038577
www.cafe-am-teutoburger-platz.com
Comillas in the region of Cantabria, northern Spain, is a gorgeous little cobble streeted seaside town, loads of lovely cheap family friendly places to eat, a fab fun family atmosphere in the square at night (sometimes there is even a free outdoor cinema) and the most perfect beach and sea.
The very basic campsite is within walking distance of both the town and the beach - so no worries about evening drinking. The huge beach is great for swimming, bodyboarding, rockpooling and sandcastle building. In Comillas, you can get up late, have late lunches and late dinners, just really chill out - and there's not too many British travellers! The climate is perfect for camping - you won't be boiled out of your tent in the morning!
Get the ferry to Bilbao or Santander and drive there - the ferry journey is great fun - kids love it and it's so relaxing! There is plenty to see and do in the area apart from just lazing on the beach. You can visit the fantastic nature park of Cabárceno, palaeolithic rock art caves, the Guggenheim in Bilbao, the oceanographic museum and aquariums of Santander, Gaudi's only building outside of Barcelona or the perfectly preserved medieval village of Santillana del mar - there really is something to please everyone in this area of Spain.
Just don't everyone rush there and spoil it!
www.campingcomillas.com/
www.comillas.es/
english.turismodecantabria.com/default.asp
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