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Very friendly country where the people love children. We visited Nizwa and enjoyed the goats (through we didn’t let on what would happen to them), the Wahabi Sands and small villages and finally the Green Turtle place. We all enjoyed it immensely and it possibly is the most child-indulgent place we have been to in a while.
If you are visiting le Marche and fancy a real adrenaline rush and the most incredible views of the region, then head up to the Scoula di Volo (flying school) above Sarnano. They teach hangliding and parascending and launch from a wonderful meadow at about 1500metres. You can fly tandem with an instructor for €60. One of our crowd experienced a flight over a golden eagle exploiting the same thermal below them and didn't even have to pay extra! For stylish accommodation in the area try www.villasanraffaello.com
www.limanhouse.it
Near San Liberato Monastery 5km from Sarnano, Macerata, Marche
Monkton Wyld Court is an environmental education centre that does family activity holidays, B&B and retreats. It's a beautiful place and ideal for anyone wanting a break with a difference. Guests stay in the Victorian Gothic house which has wonderful original features and overlooks the terraced lawns and Dorset countryside. The gardens are abundant with wildlife, we saw a baby deer just yards from us and at dusk sat in the courtyard sipping wine and watching some rare bats fly in and out of the buildings. B&B is reasonable (£26) and it's great for walks to the coast and sight seeing. The place is very relaxed and family-friendly. Our kids loved playing in the gardens and finding all the tree houses and swings. Food is wholesome organic veggie served fresh from the garden. Couldn't recommend it more highly. Beats stuffy old guest houses!
www.monktonwyldcourt.org
Axminster is nearest staion
01297 560342 to book.
Stay at La Coralina. The owner is most hospitable, there's a baby monkey onsite, it's home to a fun deck, and the views can't be beat.
Book a catamaran tour with Catamaran Tours: the captain will take good care of you, the snorkeling is excellent, and you'll most likely spot dolphins.
Book Erwin for a personal tour: Erwin has the best stories in the world. Plus he knows the islands and their inhabitants inside and out.
La Coralina: www.lacoralina.com
Catamaran Tours: www.bocassailing.com
Erwin: www.heliconiidae.com
Full Panama report, with photos, at www.travelmusings.net
Please read this report on the illegal tiger trade conducted at this place...
www.careforthewild.com/news.asp?detail=true&I_ID=578§ion=Latest+News
The plane in from Queenstown is spectacular, but the drive from Te Anau is easily its equal. The books say allow two hours for the 120km drive but to be honest, give yourself three and enjoy the spectacular journey. Best place to view keas (alpine parrots) is at the entrance to the Homer Tunnel.
Boulogne is right on the edge of the 'true' Paris, bordering the 16th arrondissement. It's very easy to reach by the usual Paris buses and trains, and offers a welcome escape from the usual city noise and masses. It's in a nice trouble-free area, where you can relax on grass fields. There are sightings of kingfishers, and in one of the ponds live terrapins and coypu, which is fun for both adults and children.
www.paris-in-photos.com/edmond-de-rothschild/bologne-park-guide.htm
3, rue des Victoires
92100 Boulogne-Billancourt
Uncle Tans run a 'jungle camp' with basic facilities and huts on the Kinabatangan river in Sabah. The camp represents a fantastic base from which to see an incredible amount of wildlife. As part of a very reasonably priced 3D/2N tour you also get to visit the Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre in Sepilok.
Other 'tour' options are becoming available. The people working at Uncle Tans are super friendly, informative and great with children. Uncle Tans can be reached easily from Kota Kinabalu or Sandakan.
Sabah is in easy and inexpensive reach from Kuala Lumpur through Air Asia for example (airasia.com).
This has to be one of the highlights of many trips to southeast Asia, a real fantastic, family-friendly opportunity to see crocodiles, wild pigs, gibbons, lizards, proboscis monkeys and if you are lucky, elephants and orang utans.
If you've got some time to spare between excursions in this trendy tourist boom town, and don't fancy the huge new casino, a walk down to the nature reserve on the shore of the immense milky blue Lago Argentino is well worthwhile.
There are hawks skimming the reed tops, flamingos, all sorts of ducks and waders, geese and other water fowl. It's run by a small volunteer group and welcomes visitors as it holds out against the enveloping town. On the way back have a delicious local 'calafate' berry ice cream on the main street for a perfect afternoon.
North of Ave del Liberador on 9 Julio, and over the river to the lakeside
Brilliant safari with the big five. Excellent guides, fabulous lodges, plus your own personal chef at a very pleasing price. Stay in the heart of the reserve with the animals or outside. Had a truly fab three days here and wish I could have stayed longer.
Finkley is, well, a farm and a park! There are lots of animals that you can feed, like llamas, ducks, geese, goats and, if you dare, bulls. Then there are the large play areas: a pedal cart track, old tractors to climb all over, a bunch of trampolines, a very large slide, a climbing fort or two and an infants' play area.
At regular times through the day there are feedings and handling sessions, for example, to sit and hold bunnies, and to groom the horses. There is a large collection of gypsy wagons to see, too.
There is a cafe on site with both indoor and outdoor seating. Just watch out for the roaming peacocks who like to steal your chips! Admission is reasonably priced for such a lot of things to do.
Photos and a description of our trips there can be found on our website: www.reeves-hall.net/kids-outings/finkley-down-farm-park/
Chiang Mai, like the rest of Thailand, has a huge problem with stray dogs. How about visiting Care for Dogs, a dog rescue and adoption centre, a few miles outside Chiang Mai? You can see the amazing work they are doing and even take some dogs for a walk. We went yesterday and it is well worth a visit!
A fantastic luxury lodge at reasonable price, on a deserted private beach with white sand and blue sea. Food is amazing and the pool, bar and restaurant areas are great. Huts you stay in are beautifully furnished with breathtaking views of sea and sand. It's quite new I think, so not many people have been there yet - now's the time to go! Also went swimming with whale sharks (awe inspiring!) and picnicked on desert islands.
The male camels are decked out in colourful livery with tassels with names shown such as the heroic Thunderbolt, Destiny, Falcon and the more dubious Jackal. The prospective protagonists are introduced to the female to liberate their natural tendency to do battle. Fights last from a few minutes to 15 minutes.
The combatants initially strain against each other, neck to neck. Very occasionally one camel flees. A victory occurs when one camel forces the other to the ground. A well-dressed referee oversees the contests in the ring and officials occupy the one small stand while an announcer describes the detailed action. Can combine with a visit to Ephesus.
Selcuk, Western Turkey - third weekend in January
Tofino is on the Pacific coast of Vancouver Island. The area is formed of temperate rainforest and white sandy beaches which stretch for miles. Beyond its unbelievable natural beauty, it offers a rare thing in North America: harmony. The indigenous First Nations people, aided by eco-warriors, made a stand against the loggers in the 1980s and since then it has been given UN status as a natural wilderness.
The high-priced resorts dotted along the beaches are best avoided, especially in summer. To see the real Tofino go there in May (shoulder season) and stay in the town. The Tofino Motel offers great views at around $85 (£40) a night per room. If you like seafood Shelter and Schooner restaurants are a must, but for something more funky try Raincoast.
There are three impressive beaches nearby. Tonquin is but a short walk from the town and is good for a post-prandial stroll. Chesterman beach is a short drive away and is full of spirits and driftwood and as the site of First Nations resistance has great historical resonance. Long Beach is, well, just long. The caveats to all this are that because this is the raincoast it rains a lot. However, much natural beauty comes from this rain.
The First Nations people run several businesses in town offering whale watching, bear watching (you park near a beach and watch the bears forage for food) as well as trips to hot springs. The botanical garden are like nothing else, blending sculpture and nature. Getting to Tofino is easy. You can fly from downtown Vancouver from around $250 (£120) return by sea-plane, but the best way to travel is to take the Harbour Lynx from downtown Vancouver and then the Tofino bus across the island. Even though this journey takes around six hours, don't fall asleep. Remember you're going to paradise.
Newly opened zoo which tries hard to present itself as ecologically sound and involved in saving species. It's a taxi ride away in the west of Valencia. Children will love being really close to the animals - and it will be even better once the monkeys are there. Rather pricey at € 20/adult.
Take a taxi which will cost under €10.
If you are in a wheelchair, book your trip to the reef on a flat decked catamaran! The ride out is quite smooth and easy for the disabled and if you can't snorkel, the staff may be able to help you into a semi-submersible to view all the wonderful life on the reef. They helped me do it!
Also, the train to the Kuranda rainforest is completely wheelchair friendly, as is the cable car, if you want to try that on the way back!
Cairns travel info, hotels, hostels, or tourist info kiosks.
www.bluechairbook.com
North America's Disabled Adventurer.
Hidden behind two yellow doors is the Sheraton Beach Hotel. It takes you straight on to the Red Sea. Brilliant for diving, with all facilities available, ask for Marlon, the resident dive instructor to take you around the coral and visit the: turtles, sharks, conger eels, rays, clownfish, starfish, napoleons, dolphins, lionfish, puffers, pipefish, yellow angels, purple angels, and many more.
This place really is a paradise on earth for marine life, and you get a great restaurant too. There are also chalets for sleeping over as it is quite a way from Jeddah city centre on the north road, past the airport, then third exit at the famous camel roundabout. This road hugs the coastline with palaces on your left and desert on your right, although by now it is probably built-up. This place with Marlon and friends made life liveable for three years of my life. Say hello to Marlon.
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!
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!
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