African skies… and trees
Nothing can prepare you for the size of Africa; if you consider that Tanzania alone is the same size as the Netherlands, it sort of puts it on context. And what I hadn’t expected was quite how big...
View ArticleMy top tips for taking kids on a family safari
Safari is, I think, one of those must-do/wish list/bucket list type trips that every parent dreams of doing with their kids; what could be better than seeing their total amazement as they spot lions,...
View ArticleSunday morning in Barcelona
So, I spent the past week on two different ships cruising along the Spanish coast (I know, I know). Both very different experiences, but both trips began in Barcelona, a city I feel I know fairly well...
View ArticleDay trip to Palma de Mallorca
One of the things I try to do as a traveller is keep a really open mind about destinations, and visit with as few pre-conceptions as possible. I know for example that many people have the wrong idea...
View ArticleAn easy way to plan holidays to France
Last Saturday I was in beautiful Marseille, with its market and delicious seafood (and that heavenly balmy climate), and just a short distance to the Cote d’Azur, which is without question one of my...
View ArticleDay trip to Seville
Just the word ‘Seville’ conjures up images of flamenco dancing, opera and oranges; I had wanted to visit the Spanish city forever, so couldn’t wait to explore it on our Spanish adventure last week. I...
View ArticleDay trip to Lisbon and my airport shame
The final port of call on our Spanish odyssey wasn’t actually in Spain at all – it was Lisbon, Portugal, again somewhere I’d wanted to visit for years; as soon as I saw the whitewashed houses with...
View Article2 days in St Petersburg Russia
So last week we were in the Baltic, which is one of my favourite places in the world – you get all that Scandinavian cool and fairytale capitals combined with dark, dramatic history, spectacular...
View ArticleCool design in Helsinki
Another of the highlights of our Baltic cruise last week was Helsinki, the capital city of Finland. The first time we visited Helsinki a few years ago it was scorching hot, which was a bit unexpected...
View ArticleThe most beautiful buildings in the world
One of the things I love about travelling is seeing different buildings; even though we have some astonishing architecture in London, and I grew up here and have seen so many fabulous changes to the...
View ArticleThe importance of gap year travel
No 1 Son and I are currently having a debate about what he should do during his gap year; I want him to travel, experience the world and life (after he’s worked to save up for it, of course), while he...
View ArticleThe One with the BIG family travel adventure
As my friends will tell you, I’m TERRIBLE at keeping secrets (unless it’s something very serious, of course) so for the past few weeks I’ve been sitting on my hands in case I jinx this. But now the...
View ArticleExploring Shanghai China
After our supremely comfortable Virgin Atlantic flights to Shanghai both No 1 Son and I were WIDE AWAKE and fuelled by nonstop food, drinks and movies; we hadn’t slept at all, and arriving in Shanghai...
View ArticleVisiting Nagasaki
The first port of call on our cruise on Quantum of the Seas from Shanghai was Nagasaki, Japan, and we were there on August 10 – the day after the 70th anniversary of the dropping of the atomic bomb on...
View ArticleHanging out in Fukuoka Japan
The second port of call on our Asia cruise was Fukuoka (which to No 1 Son’s annoyance I kept mispronouncing). After our trip to Nagasaki we were in the mood for experiencing as much Japanese culture as...
View ArticleOur Quantum of the Seas Asia cruise
Apologies for the short break – The Mum Blog has been having a little makeover to make it slightly more sophisticated *cough*. I hope you like it 😉 So, I’ve told you about our visits to Nagasaki and...
View ArticleMy 2016 travel wishlist
I know, I know it’s been a while since I blogged; but I spent late November/early December in Asia (more on that story later) and then what with work and Christmas, well, I just ran out of time. But...
View ArticleBe an ABTA earlybird to get a great holiday deal
I can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to flying to Orlando on Saturday – the thought of getting out of this dismal cold weather and soaking up that Florida sunshine is the only thing keeping me...
View ArticleOur Walt Disney World adventure
Travelling with teenagers is not like travelling with small children: they are much more independent, they are even more strong-willed, they are basically vampires (they sleep most of the day, then...
View ArticleTravelling to Barcelona
So, my love affair with the wonderful Spanish city of Barcelona continues. I’m going back there in a few weeks and I can’t wait – just the thought of exploring a bit more and eating all that delicious...
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