Epic family adventures off the beaten track

The Doves approach to holidays is very much based on discovery, exploration and adventure with authenticity at the heart. Often our favourite destinations are largely unspoiled by tourism, offer breathtaking scenery in spades and provide the best outdoor playground for our seven-year-old daughter. The kind of properties we love are full of character, rustic and often unique with a story to tell. Of course, having a great time is a key ingredient for our family holidays too.

We enjoy heading off the beaten track, making wonderful discoveries which make holidays all that more memorable. As a couple, our most unforgettable trips have included walking behind waterfalls, sleeping in the jungle and trekking over volcanoes. Similarly, as a family of three, our extraordinary moments come about while we’re exploring. Our daughter loves going on adventures and she’s often asking where we’re going next. Whether we’re flying or taking a road trip, we try to make it interesting to her from the off.

We do get lost on occasions while we’re on holiday but that’s all part of the fun, isn’t it? Rather like venturing into a restaurant only frequented by locals where there’s no menu and you’re not entirely sure what you’ll be eating. We’ve not had a bad experience yet though, always really good authentic food. Our family travels are all about enjoying ourselves and capturing memories our daughter can look back on in years to come. We do enjoy the finer things in life too though like great food, decent wine and a beautiful home from home to relax in.

Simpson Travel covers France, Mallorca, Greece, Turkey, Italy, Corsica and Spain. They specialise in hotels, villas and luxury apartments for groups of 2 up to 20. With 40 years experience, they bring together the components of what we look for in a family holiday. Real local knowledge, idyllic locations and a rural retreat which may, or may not, be on the road less travelled. Casa Al Colle in Tuscany, for example, is situated in the mountains with plenty to explore locally with forest, gorges and medieval villages to discover. There are walks, canyoning and climbing adventures to be had with lakes, caves and abandoned villages ripe for exploring. And just look at the views from the pool, a photographer’s dream. We love the beach but we adore the mountains too.

The Rou Estate in Corfu, on the other hand, is a ruined hamlet in the foothills of Mount Pantokrator. Its been transformed into 14 stunning houses in an exclusive part of the island and offers some of the best views on the island. Greece is always a favourite for families and if its views you’re after, the Sapphire in Sivota above Mikri Ammos beach looks spectacular. Much as we love rustic properties, and the Simpson Secrets collection, this contemporary villa with its private pool, sun terrace and jacuzzi would certainly break the mould. Simpson Travel also has fully qualified nannies at Mousses Villas in Lefkada and Periyali Villas in Zakynthos. Catering for children aged from 6 months up to 10 years, it’s a great option if you need a little time to yourselves.

The 19th century Manoir de St Christophe, in the heart of the Dordogne countryside, has a private pool and breathtaking views of the Vézère valley. This beautiful manor house is perfect for indulging in a week or two of fine French living. With pale stone and boasting white shutters, it provides the ideal place to relax with Peyzac-Le-Moustier just a five-minute walk away.

Just a taste of what they have on offer although we could honestly spend all day writing about Simpson Travel. There are so many properties that appeal. We’d love to become a #SimpsonTravelFamily and capture the essence of their holidays.

If you’ve not come across us before, the Doves are a family of three. I’m Charly, an ex-agency Marketing Director with 20 years experience in the marketing industry. I recently went client side after five years being self-employed and now work for a swimming brand with a focus on content and PR. My husband Jonathan also works in marketing albeit as a Director of a mobile marketing agency in London.

We’re both well travelled. Extensively in the UK and Europe and to long-haul destinations like New Zealand and the Pacific Islands to the Caribbean, South America and Australia where I lived for two years. Our daughter Poppy (aka POD), arrived on Christmas Day 2010 and luckily loves to travel just as much as we do. I launched my first blog, parent & lifestyle blog PODcast, early 2012 and family travel blog POD Travels followed 3 years later.

Photography is my passion and I’ve been lucky enough to be a Blog Awards Finalist five times now over the past four years. Both blogs are heavily led by photography and we enjoy making videos of our travels too. Check out the short film below of our recent trip to Asturias in Northern Spain which includes canoeing, getting lost on a mountain and POD helping to pour cider the Asturias way! It goes without saying we’d relish the opportunity to be a #SimpsonTravelFamily.