Activity holidays, Europe, Family, Greece, Tennis

Tennis coaching on holiday

To date we’ve had four holidays with Mark Warner and have enjoyed the fabulous tennis set up each time. Before POD came along, we played several times a week and we’d be on court come rain or shine. We drew the line at ice although we did have a memorable and very slippery attempt!

As a couple we loved the academy course and classic tennis course Mark Warner offered at San Agostino and Lakitira in Greece. We also got to play each other and join the social tennis on offer at the back end of every day. The Mark Warner model works well for us as it means we can partake in a sport we love and combine it with exploring the local area or relaxing by the pool. Being active meant we were able to enjoy the food and drink excesses a holiday brings without all the guilt too. We also found ourselves meeting lots of people who share our love of tennis – and mojitos!

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Activity holidays, Europe, Family, France

What’s on the menu at San Lucianu?

As POD’s Great Grandparents would say we’re “good trencher-men” a phrase for hearty eaters that goes back to medieval times when the trencher was a wooden plate. Although we’ll eat pretty much anything that’s put in front of us we’ve also been known to frequent dining establishments owned by sweary and unclothed celebrity chefs so we know how good food can be.

Having upgraded to full board at the San Lucianu Beach Resort in Corsica we were ready to sample what was on offer for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We were also planning to use the early kids tea so we could take advantage of the evening childcare that had proved so successful on our trip to the Levante Beach Resort in Greece, where we were twice sent back to the bar by POD so she could finish watching that evening’s DVD!

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Days out, Family

Exploring Hatchlands Park

Managed by the National Trust since 1945, Hatchlands Park in Surrey was built in the 1750’s for a naval hero and his wife. It has since housed wealthy families, a school and a printing press. Today this classic country mansion is a family home containing  a collection of paintings and fine furniture. The Cobbe Collection also includes Europe’s largest collection of keyboard instruments associated with the likes of Bach, Chopin and Elgar. Work from architect Robert Adam can also be seen in the ceilings and fireplaces in the house.

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Activity holidays, Europe, Family, France

Tennis at San Lucianu Beach Resort

Our recent trip to Corsica, staying at the San Lucianu Beach Resort, was our fourth holiday with Mark Warner and the fourth time we’ve taken advantage of their tennis set-up. The POD Father and I signed up for the classic course, which gives 4 x 1 hour mornings of tennis tuition for £80, with in this case a single coach, Blake. Previously we’d played tennis at San Agostino, Lakitira and Levante where there are more courts and three coaches respectively.

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Days out, Europe, Family, Wildlife

Elephantastic at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

We recently got the opportunity to better understand nature’s gentle giants during the Elephantastic weekend at Whipsnade Zoo in Buckinghamshire. Supported by Mr Kipling, this remarkable weekend-long celebration of these majestic creatures marked World Elephant Appreciation Day which raises money for Asian elephant conservation and research projects.

Asian elephants are classified as endangered by the IUCN Red List of threatened species. They are also classified as one of the ZSL’s EDGE (Evolutionary Distinct and Globally Endangered) species. Their EDGE of Existence programme hightlights and protects some of the weirdest and most incredible species on the planet.

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Activity holidays, Europe, Family, France

A family holiday in Corsica with Mark Warner

Having holidayed in Greece with Mark Warner at the Levante Beach Resort, we were keen to see what the San Lucianu Beach Resort in Corsica had to offer. Situated on the east coast of the island, the San Lucianu Beach Resort is 3* and set among beautiful gardens with breathtaking mountains the backdrop.

Much as we did at Levante, we were keen to play tennis each morning while POD enjoyed various indoor and outdoor activities with Mini Club. Lunchtime and afternoons would be spent as a family although we were keen to try out more watersports and perhaps explore the local area a little too.

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Activity holidays, Europe, Family

What to expect from a Mark Warner Holiday

We holidayed in Greece with Mark Warner a couple of times before POD came along. The ethos was the same in both resorts and we had the best time playing tennis in the sunshine, eating like kings and drinking a few too many mojitos. Everyone says your priorities change when you become a parent and that’s very true. But ever since POD arrived on Christmas Day 2010, we’ve been itching to holiday with Mark Warner as a family.

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