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- (1932)
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Have a day trip to the beautiful, cosy fishermen’s village on the southeast coast of Amager island.
Have a glass or two of firewater (akvavit) chased with Danish beer accompanied by various herring (sild) specialities, and ponder about the long forgotten (in other words never forgotten) Danish domination over the southern tip of Sweden across the Sound. You will not regret it.
Old fashioned amusement park and zoo right in the city centre.
Great old wooden roller coaster and plenty of stalls serving Tuborg, Carlsberg and Pølsekorv (the best hotdogs this side of Manhattan).
A child friendly hostel - 10 minutes walk from Bella Center metro stop. My son and I stayed for four days last summer. There are places to play outside and a really good breakfast for 15 Krona.
It costs 95 Krona for IYHA/YHA members and 125 Krona for non members.
Bella Center metro - 15 minutes from the centre of Copenhagen.
I've used this website a few times when travelling around the country. It has loads of things to do and is pretty easy to use.
A location sent from heaven. If you only ever visit one place in Scotland, then make it this one - for there is nowhere else on earth which holds such beauty. And I have no doubt then, that you will return to show family, friends and strangers the jewel that you have found, as I have done for the last 35 years. And please, remember the camera.
Sutherland, Scotland
As a destination, Kirirom is a bit off the tourist track and can be difficult to navigate without a motorbike or chartered taxi, both of which are easy to arrange from Phnom Penh or Sihanoukville. There is an uncommercial and small 'resort' with some rooms and a restaurant near the top of the mountain, but it is often booked on weekends. The staff are not the most warm-hearted, but you can tolerate them for the view and easy access to surrounding forest.
At the bottom of the mountain, you can find somewhat upscale accommodations and a restaurant at the Kirirom Hillside Resort. It is a beautiful place, with well-tended gardens, tennis courts, very nice cottages with air con and cable TV, horseback riding, and a playground for children. It's very nice, but clashes terribly with the living standards of the people living outside the compound (but not as bad as the luxury hotels in Siem Reap!). That said, it's often the only place with available rooms anywhere near the park. There is a waterfall and community-based ecotourism project about 10-15km down the road. A visit here might assuage the guilt of spending $100 per night at a resort, but it shouldn't!
I should also add that a visit could easily be arranged as a day trip diversion while in transit between the capital and the coast. As someone who has lived and worked in this province for about a year and a half, I hope that smart, sustainable tourism to Kirirom will help convince the government that forests are more valuable when they are left standing. The potential for unbridled development of this area is a distant prospect, but a prospect nonetheless. I hope that an increase in visits to this very accessible park will help promote awareness on the part of the government, convincing them to protect other forested areas in more remote parts of the country. Enjoy your travels!
Lazy Gecko's Cafe makes great food, both Western and Cambodian, and is a good spot for meeting other travellers. On Saturday nights, they run a minibus to the nearby JCA Orphanage, an orphanage for kids who've lost their parents to HIV related illnesses. The kids are always absolutely delighted to get visitors, and they put on a traditional dance show for you and invite you to share a meal with them. The trip is free, but take along a donation (cash, or things like school equipment, clothes etc). A great night is guaranteed for both you and the kids.
Phnom Penh - Lazy Gecko's is on the main backpackers' drag by Boeng Kak lake.
Just opened in time for this year's cricket season (and series of Test matches) the new museum (needed as the old one disappeared when the stand was torn down) contains an amazing amount of cricket paraphernalia and artifacts ... tours of the museum depart regularly each (week) day, definitely worth a visit.
Gate 3 (tours leave from here)
Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
Brunton Ave
Melbourne VIC 3002
Phone 03 9653 1100
www.cricketvictoria.com.au
Cricket fan? Barmy Army member?
THE Ashes test match to attend is the one traditionally starting on Boxing Day at the 'G'. The MCG is the Australian home of Test cricket and the Boxing Day Test match has been there for more than 50 years.
However, this is more than just a cricket match, it's a sporting and cultural event Melbourne is proud to showcase to the world. There is something for everyone if cricket isn't your thing such as: Family Day, KidsZone, Merv's Walk to the G, Ladies Day...so go to the G on Boxing Day.
Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
Brunton Ave
Melbourne VIC 3002
Phone 9653 1100
(get off either at Richmond or Flinders St railway station)
www.cricketvictoria.com.au
This is a caravan park and recreation reserve where you can pitch a tent. For camping without the hassle and its close to the airport. Relatively inexpensive, within easy reach of the city and Glenelg the most popular tourist spot. They have cabins but who needs them when with your small tent and their fantastic kitchen, shower blocks, tv room, and the sun your set for a comfortable stay. It's right on the beach, surrounded by fencing and the restaurants and hotels of Glenelg, are a ten minute walk away. Great for families and backpackers.
www.adelaideshores.com.au
Google map: tinyurl.com/nxavpu
It's in Gezira - just up from Zamalek, and usually has a good range of shows on - while I was here for four months they had a couple of Operas, lots of Symphony stuff, a few Ballets and (in late November), a Harry Potter play.
It's horribly cheap (25-35LE (about £3) for a mainshow) - but if you're looking for grandeur, make sure you get tickets to the Main Hall show, the Small Hall is underwhelming.
Their website (and lots of other listings websites) lie about their program, so it's best to get down there to ask. Or call (they speak English)
Tell your taxi driver "Op-err-aa, Gezira" - costs about 5LE from Zamalek and Mohandiseen
Telephone number is 02 7398132
If you find yourself out in Tignes during the school holidays (which in France means the whole of Feb), structure your day so you eat lunch at 11am or 3pm and use the lunch hours to ski. While all the families are queuing to feed their little ones, you can make the most out of empty pistes.
Tignes, Savoie.
I learnt to ski in Bodmi just a couple of years ago. It is easily accesible, parents can leave their kids over there whilst enjoying the slopes and offers a great meeting point for the skiers. From time to time they also offers night skiing practise which is really cool!
Bodmi is located in the little village of Grindelwald, Switzerland. Getting anywhere in Switzerland is easy as their transport system is way better than what we know in the UK.
Fly to Zurich and then either hire a car or, as I chose, hop on a double decker train with panoramic windows for a 4 hour train journey to Grindelwald, you willl need to change trains at least once so bear that in mind when thinking whether to pack those extra pairs of shoes...
All the main hotels are very close by to the train station but if yours is a bit further there are nice reliable buses available and also taxis. Save up on hotel expenses staying at a youth hostel (they do individual rooms if you ask!) and shopping at the local supermarket. The endless fun you will have at the snowy slopes will pay off!
The Castle of Counts was founded in the 12th century and after an interesting history that saw it converted to a cotton mill in the 19th century, has been restored more or less to its former glory. The armoury displays some startling weaponry but is surpassed by the exhibition of 'Instruments of Correction', a highly euphemistic name for the tools of torture seen here. Fascinating.
Sint-Veerleplein
www.trabel.com/gent/gravensteen.htm
Welcoming three-star hotel in a delightful location on a canal and five minutes' walk from the centre of the town. Family-friendly with pleasant bedrooms and a sunny breakfast room. Reasonably priced too. Staying here was an altogether enjoyable experience.
Augustijnenrei 1
www.hoteleurop.com
Bonane Heritage Park is an opportunity to enjoy a 3 km walk on pathways while enjoying the monuments of the ancient past. The information signs guide you through the park while enjoying breathtaking scenery. The highlights were the magnificent ring fort and intriguing stone circle Ideal day for all the family. Must visit again.
On the N71, 10 KM from Kenmare on the Glengarriff Road.
We have an 8 and a 5 year old, and really enjoyed half-term in Amsterdam. Van Gogh and Rijksmuseum are reduced scale due to building work, but that means all the best "must-see" stuff is more easily accessible, and 90 mins in each was sufficient. The Artis Zoo and Nemo science place are both worth seeing. Canal boat trips ease tired feet. Great food, lovely people, very child friendly and family orientated.
Fly with KLM, only c.£30 + tax each, but no hassle, really nice people and none of that easyjet scrum. We stayed with City Mundo (recomended in the Guardian) in a private apartment on the outskirts by the Vondelpark and a beautiful canal - very affordable, easy by tram into town. Good local amenities.
The guidebooks I read before setting off to Nice failed to mention Cagnes. I wanted to go to Renoir's museum so that's why I went. I was very taken with the place. I imagine it's like Brighton was in the 1960s but with a lot more class and a lot more sun. Pay this place a visit. There are restaurants a plenty and they are much cheaper than in Nice yet to the same standard. There are so many children here having fun in the sun too. A very sweet family holiday place which I intend to recommend to my niece's ma and pa.
A small hotel/bed and breakfast near to Vaxjo. Fantastic hosts with great authentic Thai food (one of the owners is Thai and the other is a Swede!) Excellent English spoken. A home away from home!
Kantavägen 29
380 40 Orrefors
+46(0)48130035
La Chene is the gite we stayed in this summer - it's FAB! (and suprisingly affordable). Big and spacious even with two families in it. Lovely back terrace with views across the field and great sunsets. The kids loved the upstairs rooms and the 'wet room' almost as much as the heated pool and bike rides.
Although the area and the Deux Sèvres region isn't all that touristy there's no shortage of things to do. We enjoyed days out at the Trogldyte village (caves that were used as houses up to 40 years ago), in the pretty town of Montreuil Bellay, and at the amazing Futuroscope in Poitiers.
We're hoping to go back early next year with some friends on a 'grown-up' break as the owners offer a local 'degustation' wine tasting tour.
Driving there was easier than we expected - ferry to Caen then 4.5 hrs on the autoroutes ending up in peaceful french countryside. If we come for a long weekend we'll fly to Angers and hire a car as that's cheap and easy.
Top tip: If you do stay here, eat out at least once at the Logis de Pompois - AMAZING 4* gormet food (and not too painful on the chequebook).
La Chene is around an hour or so from Tours.
www.gites-en-france.info or call the owners: 00335 49 80 26 58
Nearest airports are Angers or Poitiers, or ferry to Le Harve or Caen and drive...
Le Logis de Pompois, BP86 Sainte Verge 79102 Thouars
Tel: (0)5 49 96 27 84
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