- family
- (1935)
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La Strada is many things...a coffee bar serving illy coffee, tea, hot chocolate, milkshakes, smoothies fresh croissants, filled baguettes and ciabattas, cakes and light meals; a shop which sells Italian designer kitchen ware including the Guzzini and Alessi brands, Belgian chocolates and other edible gifts; a gallery space which exhibits the work of local photographers and artists AND an artisan ice-cream shop!
All of the ice-cream is made by hand on-site using milk from a small local dairy. There are always the three basic flavours on offer, vanilla, chocolate and strawberry, but depending on the seasons, customers' suggestions and the imagination of the creators, anything is possible in terms of flavours. There are 16 flavours on offer, with a choice of non-dairy "fruit-ice" (sorbet) for those who can't have milk, and flavours range from strawberry and champagne to white chocolate with Maltesers, the famed gin and tonic (yes, made with real gin), mint choc chip, mango, lychee, blueberry, apple crumble, banana and caramel and many, many more. There is a selection of waffle cones, chocolate-dipped cones or tubs or you can have a sundae made up complete with sauces and cream and eat in the cafe. You can also have 1 or 2 litre tubs to take away and put in your freezer. It really is the best hand-made ice-cream for miles around.
La Strada
13 Cheap Street
Frome
Somerset
01373 474374
Offering a natural haven to red squirrels and deer - so no dogs allowed - Brownsea is 500 acres of woodland with trails in the middle of Poole Harbour. The walking is easy and there are great views of Studland and the Purbeck hills, and on a clear day you can just about see some of the world's most expensive houses at Sandbanks. Brownsea is where Baden Powell started the Scout movement (100 yrs ago this summer). Take the yellow ferry from Sandbanks quay (£4.50 or £12.50 for a family (2+3) and then the National Trust entrance fee is £4.70 for adults £2.30 for kids. www.nationaltrust.org.uk
It isn't always easy to find a room at this reasonably-priced gem, in the heart of Hemingway's Latin Quarter (near the rue Mouffetard).
Regulars come back again and again for its low-key charm, family atmosphere and (star attraction) the pretty, cobbled courtyard, with breakfast tables outside in summer.
75, rue du Cardinal Lemoine
75005 Paris
Tel: +33 01.43.26.79.23
Metro: Place Monge, Cardinal Lemoine
This is a suberb spot. In the winter, a visitor is able to walk around the lake in around 45 minutes and can then have coffee/cake/beer (delete as
appropriate) at the restaurant at the end of the lake.
In the summer, this same restaurant serves a schwimmbad situated on the grassy banks of the north side of the lake, with excellent children's facilities, pedalos, etc. A modest fee is charged for entrance.
Fishermen can also try their luck on the lake and row boats are available for rental. I once watched a local haul in one of the other locals, a pike.
About ten minutes' drive from Kufstein.
The perfect place for a family holiday. Unless you've been there, it's hard to understand why, but so many people return again and again.
Mossyard, Gatehouse of Fleet, Dumfries and Galloway; www.geograph.org.uk/photo/271874
www.geograph.org.uk/photo/270379
An agriturismo and working vineyard on the slopes of Mount Etna with comfortable, stylish rooms. Run by the noble family of the Baron Scammacca del Murgo - the hosts are full of character!
The estate produces very drinkable red and sparkling wines - tastings and tours available - and you can really taste the volcanic minerals in the red wine.
www.insicilia.it/sicily/farm_house_sicily_tenuta_san_michele.htm
This is where the cool kids stay! Sleek, sexy, modern. I only had a drink here, but fell in love with the place. Beautiful pools (one for adults, one for kids), a spectacular restaurant, etc., etc.
Full description and pictures at www.travelmusings.net
www.ghmhotels.com/hotels/hotel_home.asp?hotelid=13§ion=home
Marmaris Old Town is the true Turkish side of the resort with its twisting streets leading to traditional restaurants, bazaars and mosques.
There are great Ottoman buildings to the seen such as the Caravanserai inn and the castle of Suleyman which has a thorough collection of Ottoman archeological findings. This is the part of Marmaris which the tourists don't find, so thankfully it remains peaceful.
Just follow the streets leading up to the hills above Suleyman castle and loose yourself.
Sadly, Marmaris castle is overlooked by the tourists as they stick to the beach like glue. This is a great shame though, as it has been lovingly restored to a museum which has informative and interesting cultural and artistic displays.
Courtyards full of seasonal flowers provide some welcome respite from the heat. Go up to the castle walls for breathtaking views of Marmaris Bay and of Rhodes.
Marmaris castle museum lies on the eastern side of the bay and is a 10 min walk from the beach and is clearly signposted from the seafront.
Içmeler is a beautiful resort in its own right with a gently shelving sand and shingle beach which is ideal for families. Despite the European flavour of the seafront and the luxury yachts in the bay, Içmeler has managed to retain its own distinct Turkish character with its narrow streets and whitewashed houses concealing a traditional mosque.
From the beach or from the hills above it you can take in spectacular views of stunning islands rising out of the warm waters of the Med. Içmeler is a much quieter and more authentic alternative to Marmaris.
Içmeler sits on its own large bay just 8km south of Marmaris. Frequent buses and ferries link them together. A more romantic route is to follow the 10km pathway along Marmaris beach (not to be attempted at midday or late afternoon due to extreme heat) to Içmeler beach.
A 1772 town house in Asuncion city centre where patriots met and plotted the Paraguayan Independence in 1811.
Contemporary furniture, paints and objects.
Opening times:
Mondays and Fridays open at 7 AM. to 6:30PM and Saturdays at 8 AM. to 12 AM.
14 de Mayo and Presidente Franco
www.casadelaindependencia.org.py
Last year me, mum, dad and my brother Aidan went on holiday to Jura. We stayed in a cottage beside the sea. There is a beach and a little park just along the road. Sometimes it rained but mostly it was a sunny day. One day we went down to the beach and found a crab crawling around the rock pool. When we went back to the beach one day we saw a wild otter.
Jura
Heatheryknowe
Craighouse
Isle of Jura
If you travel to Minsk with a child, or if there is still a child in you, go to the circus! The circus in Minsk operates almost year round, it is a lot of fun and great entertainment even if you do not understand Russian. You can see highlights of a recent circus performance on video at the website below:
Nezavisimosti Ave
Minsk, Belarus
Near the Victory Square metro
www.travelswise.com/minskentertainment.htm
Wannado City in Fort Lauderdale Florida is a whole city created for kids where they can become adults for the day and get a job and earn money or 'wongas' as they call it. My daughter was a model whilst my son had a stint at being a fireman, doctor and a cook. They earn money at the city which they can spend on treats for themselves or pay into the bank. This is a great educational but enjoyable day for children and quite fun for adults to.
Sit back beside a log fire in a beautiful old fashioned stone room. Stories rush forth, to engulf you in imagination. From the evil Baba Yaga to flying ships. Have a break to raid the cafe. I recommend any parents to take their offspring.
Joe Webb (age 10).
Art room, Ruskin mill, Nailsworth, near Stroud.
Totally customized private tour of New York City. Very personal and personable guide. Before you arrive, they work out an itinerary with you by email. Then, their guide takes you all around. It is much cheaper than you might think. Depending on the number of people in your family or group, it may actually be the best tour bargin in New York.
For the tyke with a sensitive palate, now the £ looks down disdainfully on the Swiss Franc, it's worth a visit to Rolle, in the Canton of Vaud, about 25 kms from Geneva. Filets de perche, an amazingly delicate fish, from the Lake Leman (fifty yards away), where they have their own fisherman. Drink their own wine from the local vineyard. Perfect chips
For the Cafe du Port, take the Route du Lac for 25 kilometres, from Geneva Airport. At the entry to Rolle, follow the sign that says "Port". Booking essential
Tel: 00 41 21 825 15 20
The segway are electronic stand up scooters that travel at max speed of 6k/hr. Very fun. A great way to see the citadelle and the boulevards of Lille.
They also do tours from April to October.
Website in French but it gives you an idea.
If you're looking for a special place to stay in the Greek islands, look no further. The Magic Hotel is ideally located and is superb in every way possible. Their rooms are luxurious, service is first class, food is scrumptious and the views are breathtaking. It is the perfect place to stay for a relaxing holiday.
Agia Paraskevi, 370 02 Skiathos, Greece
++30 24270 49453
www.magic-hotel.com
Wolfsburg is a town built on the success of Volkswagen, and its highlight is the Autostadt - a vast complex which includes the original VW factory (which you can tour on production days), a fascinating museum of historic and modern cars of all makes, and pavilions housing innovative and fun exhibits based on the VW brands. There are great restaurants, and lots of exploratory and educational things for kids of all ages to play with and learn from, including driving courses for children, robots which plant seedlings for biofuel, and the car design labs. An excellent place to spend at least a day.
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