Much as we love independent holidays and exploring off the beaten track, there are times we want someone else to do it all for us. Package holidays have been around for decades and while some might view them as a cheerful alternative to ‘real travel’, there really is no one size fits all. We’ve been on a jungle trek to Angel Falls, canoed down the Churún River and walked behind the waterfall in Last of the Mohicans in the past. Hardly a trip you’d categorise as a package holiday. But having flights, transfers, accommodation and meals organised is convenient, especially for time-poor parents. Mark Warner is well known for its activity holidays which are great for families especially as you can do as much (or as little) as you like. For our family, it’s all about grabbing the bull by the horns and doing things we might not normally do, creating very special moments along the way.
If you’ve not heard of Puy du Fou, it’s a historical ‘theme park’ situated in the Vendée region of France. There are no rides. Instead, the entertainment comes in the form of spectacular shows which take place during the day and in the evening. Four-period villages add to the authenticity of this truly remarkable park which 2.2 million visit every year. It’s no surprise Puy du Fou is voted the best theme park in the world. Rightly so, there’s nothing like it anywhere else.
If you fancy heading to Paris but the thought of taking the kids doesn’t appeal, check out what we got up while we were there as a family. We always find the key to success is in the planning so we have a good combination of activities that keep everyone occupied. We like to do things on the spur of the moment though too. We had such an amazing time in Paris as a family, we were kicking ourselves for not heading back to this wonderful city earlier.
Quintessentially Parisian, Le Jardin de Luxembourg is a must see when visiting the French capital. Originally created for Queen Marie de Medici, the widow of King Henry the IV, Le Jardin de Luxembourg is in the 6th arrondissement – a chic district situated on the border between Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Latin Quarter. The gardens span over 60 acres and are split into both French and English gardens with a large pond between the two.
We’ve always believed we can travel to most cities with six year old POD providing we’ve researched what we’re doing and there’s enough to keep the three of us occupied. When we booked a long weekend in Paris with Eurostar, we did consider spending part of it at Disneyland but opted to explore the historical city instead. Although we’ve visited Paris many times before as a couple, the city has a lot on offer for kids too. We had a feeling POD would love the French capital just as much as we did. These are just a few of our top tips when thinking about a city break and how you can make the most of your time away.
If you fancy a getaway close to home, the Opal Coast, or Côte d’Opale, in France is great stretch of coastline to explore. Located just 20 minutes away from Calais, there are fishing villages, seaside towns and sandy beaches to discover. The D940 is a quiet route with dramatic scenery in abundance and views across the English Channel. This coastal route from Calais to Bolougne-Sur-Mer is full of surprises with the hidden charms very much part of the appeal. It’s the kind of region you want to venture back to as there’s so much to see and it’s super easy to get to. Here are just a few of the places we’ve on our travels there.
It’s funny how being parent changes a perspective and how you view travel. In the past, we’d often book flights and never really consider how else we could reach a destination. While exploration continues to remain at the heart of all our holidays, the journey to a destination is very much a part of that. Our six year old daughter POD has a wonderful sense of adventure and our first trip via cruise ferry certainly surprised us all. For all the right reasons.
It happens to the best of us. One minute you’re happily taking in the views, the next feeling like you want to reach for a bag. My first experience of nausea was on a boat from Port Douglas to the Great Barrier Reef although self inflicted so I totally have myself fully to blame!
35 minutes by Eurotunnel and 60km down the French coast south of Calais lies Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, widely known as Le Touquet.
Our recent holiday to ‘Paris by the sea’ otherwise known as Le Touquet saw us take in much of the surrounding area. As well as learning to fly a kite for the first time on Le Touquet beach, we also visited the town of Berck which lies within the Parc du Marquenterre Nature Reserve.