In these difficult economic times, there is a growing trend for families to take their holidays all together: grandparents, parents and grandchildren. It makes perfect sense. Share the costs with people you know and trust, bring your family closer together and create happy long lasting memories – especially for young children. Ideal some would say, but be aware there can be pitfalls…
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Top 10 Tips for Holidaying with Friends
Secrets to a happy holiday with friends There are many benefits to holidaying with friends such as shared costs, larger properties, friends on tap for the kids, joint childcare opportunities and a guaranteed social life. But there are many potential pitfalls too which could affect your friendship and even your marriage…
Read MoreTop 10 Tips for Surviving Airports with Kids
Young children and airports – not always a happy combination. Of course, there’s nothing in the world quite like being met off a flight by your kids but travelling with them, well, that can be… stressful. Airports are just inherently exciting to kids of all ages, the plane landings, the take-offs, the general buzz and activity, the uniforms, all those nooks and crannies, the cool shops and the ride-on luggage trollies, screens to see, buttons to push. Then, all we ask them to do in this purpose-built adventure land is to stand…
Read MoreTop 10 Tips for Long Car Journeys with Kids.
Are we nearly there yet? In the last 5 years my family has undertaken three epic family road trips around Europe (from Scotland to Portugal, and from Scotland to Croatia twice). 1) Treat the car journey as the start of your holiday. The key to a successful long car journey with kids is to think of it as the start of your holiday and make sure you all enjoy it. This is a chance to spend family time together, to talk, to share each other’s time, ideas, music etc. (Our book, the Family…
Read MoreFamily Friendly Accommodation on the M6 & M5
Family-Friendly Accommodation on the M6 & M5 Ideal for travelling to and from Scotland. Here are some ideal family friendly stopovers within a range of budgets for those heading from Scotland or to Scotland. All hotels have been personally stayed in and come recommended by JW Patrick, with 2 young children. This hotel listing starts in the north and moves south. If you know of any more family friendly accommodation, within a short drive of the motorway – in particular independent hotels/inns that aren’t part of the big chains, then…
Read MoreWhich country would you most like to visit?
7. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go? My daughter Ava, aged 6, said, “the North Pole, so I could make reindeer out of snow.”
Read MoreCornish Pasties vs. Bridies
When my Scottish grandparents spent a weekend in Cornwall they naturally had to sample the local specialty. But when the waitress turned up with the Cornish Pasties my grandfather said, “Ooh, they look like Bridies.” “They are not!” snapped the angry waitress, “they were made fresh today!” [Bridies are a Scottish Meat-filled pastry!] and they look a bit like Pasties.
Read MoreA Weekend Break in Belfast
A favourite family weekend in Belfast Belfast may not be the first destination on your list of potential family breaks but it’s well worth consideration. Despite a cold wet January weekend, our family had a fantastic time and one of our favourite ever family weekends away.
Read MoreUninvited Lunch Guest
“There’s a snake up there Daddy!” No one even bothered looking up. Sam, 8, had been attention-seeking all day…
Read MoreA Canadian Guilt Trip
Travelling to Canada? Don’t forget to pack your hair shirt and handy travel whip. Because no matter how low-impact you intend your visit to be you’ll still be made to feel guilty. “Take nothing but photos and leave nothing but footprints” isn’t enough for Canadians who would prefer their signs to read: “Take nothing but photos, leave nothing but footprints and flail yourself in penance for the damage wrought by the footpath you are standing on and the road that brought you here.”
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