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Archive for the Category "family holidays"

Top 5 Places to Eat in Hurghada, Egypt Aug 27

Lately there has been an increase in the availability of cheap flights to Hurghada and tourists have been flocking to the resort to enjoy the beautiful weather. Many have been taking advantage of the package deals available where you can pick up an all inclusive holiday for a bargain price. Although all inclusive holidays are great value the choice of food can get boring so we’ve put together a list of top places to eat!

Little Buddha

No trip to Hurghada would be complete without trying the Little Buddha restaurant and bar. It’s beautifully designed with atmospheric lighting and music. The food available is an interesting mix of French, Asia, Japanese & Pacific dishes. In addition there is an amazing sushi bar.

Romantica

If you want to try some traditional Egyptian food then head to Romantica for delicious food and a romantic setting. After your meal explore the gardens or relax in one of the swing seats.

Hard Rock Cafe

If you’re missing home then take a trip to the Hard Rock Cafe to enjoy some American food. The buzz and liveliness of the place will make the night an experience rather than just a meal.

Papas Bar

If you want an entertaining night with live music then visit Papas Bar. A wide range of food is served, perfect for fussy eaters. You will also be able to catch up on your sports with the big screen available.

Fish House

You should definitely try to visit a seafood restaurant whilst in Hurghada. Try the fish house for a wide selection of fresh fish dishes. Located in the centre of Hurghada, by the main road.

With the above choices you don’t have to get bored of the food at your hotel and you can experience a little more of what Hurghada has to offer. With bargain flights to Egypt year round there’s nothing stopping you booking a trip!

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Things not to miss on your holiday to Larnaca, Cyprus Aug 25

Larnaca is a holiday destination favourite, perfect for families. As there is an abundance of cheap flights to Larnaca available there is no reason not to consider it for your next holiday. Larnaca is located by the sea with beautiful beaches and clear waters. As well as the seaside Larnaca is the oldest town in Cyprus so there are also historical sites to explore and get a sense of the destinations past.

Stavrovouni Monastery
Visiting the Stavrovouni Monastery is a must on your trip to Larnaca. There are daily arranged visits to the monastery so make sure you don’t miss out. It is said to have been founded by Saint Helena who was the mother of Constantine the Great in the 4th century.

Larnaca Salt Lake
If you’re visiting Larnaca between November & March then make sure that you visit the salt lake. During the winter months up to 12,000 flamingoes flock to enjoy the lake and it’s a beautiful site.

District Museum
The district museum is in walking distance from the town centre. The museum houses many interesting pieces such as antiquities and archeological finds. These date from the Neolithic to the Roman period. Pieces include engraved stone blocks, scarabs, bones, vases, tools and coins.

Agios Lazaros Church
On your trip to Larnaca make sure you visit the Church of St Lazarus. It is probably the best example of Byzantine architecture in Cyprus. The church is very beautiful and the tomb of Lazarus can be reached. St Lazarus is the patron saint of Larnaca.

With these exciting sites to see as well as the traditional seaside on offer make sure you try and pick up a cheap flight to Cyprus as soon as possible!

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Camping in France with a Baby Aug 25

Camping in France is an opportunity for plenty of shared time and fun for families. However, if there’s a baby in your family you may be concerned about meeting new challenges on your holiday. Don’t despair! The new addition to your family doesn’t mean you’ll have to hold off on camping trips for a few years. You can have an enjoyable experience camping in France with a pre-toddler in tow.

Successful planning provides the best results when camping with a baby. Cheap family holidays save your family money that could be used for the little one’s camping essentials. Pack extra wipes and diapers, as well as burping cloths and receiving blankets. The blankets will come in handy, as you’ll be able to use them for changing your baby, giving him a place to sit and play or have tummy time and also for sleeping. You can layer the blankets as needed based on the temperature. Be sure to pack enough clothing items to layer your little one this way too!

Feedings while camping in France don’t have to be a challenge either. If you are breastfeeding, no preparations or supplies are necessary. However, if you are formula feeding, purchase the premixed formula and store it in a cooler. If your baby is eating solid foods, pack the commercial jar baby foods and snacks so you have nothing that requires mixing and preparations.

Bring toys to keep your baby busy and a play yard or portable crib for him to play and nap in safely while camping. If you plan to hike or do much walking, a baby sling or back pack is a superb idea. These will allow you to have your hands free and your baby is likely to enjoy a comfortable nap as you go about your hike or stroll.

Ensure your baby has both a safe and good night’s sleep by bringing along a battery operated baby monitor, a small light for the tent, a battery operated stereo for soothing music, a sleeping sack and a baby travel bed, which features a self-inflating mattress to keep baby off the cold ground and protective netting to keep pesky insects away.

Don’t forget to pack emergency items. A first aid kit, baby medications and a baby safe sunscreen are three things you can’t afford to travel without when traveling with a baby. What else is good to have around for baby related emergencies? Helping hands! Having others around to watch the baby while you take a nap, wash or have some quiet time to yourself will make for a more enjoyable camping experience.

Though cheap family holidays are a lot of fun, try not to plan a lengthy trip. This will allow your baby to get a feel for camping in France and will help with budgeting. Keep in mind that camping in France doesn’t have to be a venture into the great outdoors with your first time camper. In France, there are many family friendly camping sites that provide baby travel necessities like cots, high chairs and baths. There are plenty of leisurely activities available that will make you, your family and baby happy while on holiday!

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There’s so much to see and do when travelling around Asia Aug 16

 There’s so much to see and do when travelling around Asia

Asia is a continent of great beauty - a place where tradition, religion and modernity are closely interlinked with the people’s day to day lives. The sheer size of the human population on the Asian continent makes this a place of many cultures and practices. This along with the beautiful natural landscape as well as legendary man-made architectural edifices makes Asia a must stop for any tourist.

With more and more operators providing cheap flights to Thailand as well as flights to other beautiful countries in the Asian continent, taking a holiday to Asia is fast changing from a ‘if’ to a ‘when’ for tourists from across the globe. One is spilt for choice if opting to go to the tourist spots in the South East Asian nations of Malaysia, Singapore, Burma, Thailand and Cambodia.

Before deciding to travel however, there are a few things you should note. Chief among them is that the development levels in these countries vary. For instance, do not expect Cambodia to be on the same level of development with Singapore.

As a tourist, even as you look cheap flights to Cambodia for example, there are four things you should always aim to do before travelling anywhere: get sufficient information on the region you are visiting, go for the necessary vaccinations before travelling, take out necessary travel insurance (as you never know what can happen) and plan your itinerary for your entire stay in order to make the most of your time.

While South East Asia nations are relatively peaceful and stable countries, there are areas that you must be careful before visiting. But this is not something to be worried about as all it takes is contacting your travel agent for information on where you can go and places that you must avoid.

It also helps to know the location of your country’s embassy in the nation you are visiting. This is probably the best place to get information on which parts of the country are unsafe to visit and what to do in case of an emergency. As long as you are reasonably aware of your surroundings, you need not fret about it.

You should also familiarize yourself with the currency the country trades in and whether you can use your home currency to make payments. For instance in Thailand purchases can only be made using the national currency - the Thai Bhat (THB). But in Cambodia, you can pay for products and services you buy using US Dollars.

Getting all the necessary vaccination shots is something you must do concurrently when looking for your bargain holiday. That said, even though it may be expensive, the health care system in Thailand is ranked one of the best in the region. The same cannot be said of Cambodia though - any serious medical issue will most likely have to be referred to hospitals outside the country.

You can always avoid the headache of medical bills in the event that you fall ill when overseas by purchasing the travel insurance.

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Things to take with you on a camping holiday Jul 26

Now that you have decided to take a family holiday camping in France, there are a few things to consider. There are many campsites suitable for family holidays in France to choose from; each one as beautiful as the next. However, there are a few things to check you have with you before you get underway. These vary slightly depending on if you are using a mobile holiday home, or a camping resort.

You will want to be sure you have your passport, driving licence and car insurance details for any road trip on the Continent. It is likely you won’t need them of course, but better safe than sorry.

It is highly advisable to have travel insurance and the E111 to provide basic medical cover. French law also requires that you have a warning triangle in your car (in case of breakdown), and you should also have a basic first-aid kit and fire extinguisher.

The majority of campsites are fully equipped with everything, including barbeques. If you wish to tent, you must verify that you can use your own. Some will only allow touring guests to bring a personal tent, and offer pitch areas at reasonable cost.

If you are camping in a mobile home you can carry your favourite perishables with you, as they are equipped with fridge/freezer combos, but in gastronomic France, this may not be necessary of course! There is a variety of bedroom choices available, depending on how many you take on your camping holidays.

Most importantly, you will want to bring bedding, towels, basic toiletries like toothbrushes and paste, and you should check to see if cooking supplies are provided. Often they are; however you may need to provide bottle and can openers. Waste bags, a torch and matches are must haves, regardless of how you camp. There are stores near all major campsites for you to purchase perishables or other needs.

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Make your camping trip to France a successful one Jun 30

Camping in France is so incredibly popular, and not just with the British. Regardless of where you choose to stay you will find that there are Dutch, German, French and lots of people from the Eastern European countries on campsites in France. You may not speak the same languages but it is amazing how quickly all the kids start to play together; football seems to be universally understood.

Making a success of your family holidays is simple because it is largely a state of mind. The pace is whatever you want it to be. You can eat when you like, get up when you choose and sit outside until the small hours just having a glass or two and talking. Of course booking a mobile home on a good site is pretty essential if you know that you would hate being in a tent. Mobile homes come with everything including the kitchen sink and even the most basic come with a good bathroom, a cooker and a fridge. Most camping holiday companies offer various levels of home and some of them are downright luxurious.

There will be holiday reps on the site to help you if you need any advice or have any problems and if a holiday company has invested in putting mobiles on to a campsite it is because they know that it has something special to offer. Whether it is a fantastic pool complex or direct access to a stunning beach you will find that they are perfect for family holidays. In fact once the children have left home you will probably find that you are still going to a French campsite because you will love just being able to relax and go with the flow.

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Top 10 Things to do in Rhodes: Jun 25

With so many cheap flights to Rhodes available you would be silly not to visit. There are so many things to see and do in Rhodes, Greece it’s the perfect holiday destination. We hope you enjoy our top 10 things to do in Rhodes to give you a taste of what you can enjoy!

Pefkos Beach

This stunning beach is a prime example of mother nature’s beauty. The colour of the water shifts through every shade of blue throughout the day, simply begging the visitor to strip off and dive in for a refreshing dip. There are 35 miles of golden sand, and the beach is certified blue flag which is only awarded for high standards of excellence. There is also the opportunity to partake in a variety of water sports.

Palace of Grand Masters

The delightful Palace was constructed in the 14th century by the Knights of the Rhodes who occupied the area between 1309 and 1522. The current structure is a restored version of the original Palace which suffered a great deal of damage in 1856 because of a ammunition explosion. However the building remains a must see as it is enormously impressive.

The Aquarium of Rhodes

Praise has to be granted to all of the people at this aquarium which do such a great preserving species of the Mediterranean Sea. There are 28 tanks in total, which all manner of species such as turtles, dolphins and seals are housed.

The Church of Panagi

The church is a remarkable sight to behold. From the outside the building has a white washed appearance, with a domed shape with red tiles. The floor inside is a beautiful black and white mosaic which is common feature of the Lindos area.

Faliraki Water Park

This exciting water park is one of the largest in Europe. The selection of slides, lazy river rides, rafting, wave pool, aqua-gym and many other thrills and spills which can cater for the entire family.

The Acropolis of Rhodes

Many years ago when constructing a settlement, they were often constructed on a hill for defense purposes. This original area is referred to as an Acropolis. Overtime more buildings would spring up stemming from the acropolis turning the original settlement into a town or a city. This extraordinary site consist of a temple, stadium and a small theatre.

The Medieval City of Rhodes

6000 inhabitants live in this mysterious world of shops, cafes, restraints and museums. The giant walls surrounding the city serve as a constant reminder to the intriguing history of this fascinating place. 500 years ago a group of Christians lived here trying to avoid the Muslim Ottoman empire which controlled all of the surrounding area.

Archaeological Museum of Rhodes

This museum was constructed by the crusaders as a hospital in the 15th century. This grand structure took 50 years to build. The museum contains 13 collections of different artifacts, some of them are over 2000 years old.

Ostrich Farm Rhodes

The ostrich farm makes a fantastic day out for the family. Children will certainly love the wild and exotic animals on display in this safe and friendly attraction. There are Camels, Goats, Donkeys and over 120 Ostriches.

Valley of the Butterflies

During the summer months butterflies seek out areas of high humidity in order to reproduce. This is why this beautiful valley situated on situated on the river Pelekanos attracts so many wonderful butterflies every year.

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Tips for keeping kids amused on holidays Jun 04

When considering children’s holidays in France, Italy and Spain, what comes immediately to mind are camping holidays in the countryside or a beach location that will give all the family as much freedom as possible without overly denting the holiday budget. Camping resorts these days also provide much in the way of sophisticated mobile home holiday living which is far removed from the uncompromising family tent.

Facilities on camping sites are well set up for family holidays and parents will probably not see their older children for most of the holiday. Campsites are often placed near to the beach which gives an added dimension to the holiday fun. Both parents and children have the freedom to enjoy the thrills and spills of the beach, water sports and the open sea, but the campsite with its endless facilities is also on tap. So when a long hot day of swimming and beach fun is over, the nightly discos provide entertainment for parents and children alike. Campsites also provide for younger children too where there are designated play areas, plus swimming pools for more contained family enjoyment.

Camping sites will always provide the ultimate in kids’ holidays purely by fact that they cater so beautifully for all the family. It is the informality of the camping site where both children and adults are free to do exactly what they want. Adults can relax round the pool, enjoy the beach, and the local bars at night firm in the knowledge that their children are safe, also having fun and making new friends.

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How to amuse your children on family holidays May 06

When travelling with a family, two of the most popular destinations for Brits are France and Spain. Both family holidays have enduring appeal for their great climate and close proximity to the UK.

Family holidays in Spain offer never ending stretches of sandy beaches and warm temperatures no matter where you stay. Andalucia in south Spain is a long standing favourite of the British holiday maker offering fabulous weather and some great cities to visit such as Seville, Granada and Cordoba. Here you can take the kids to Grenada’s Science Park or visit the butterfly house. In the south east, visit Costa Blanca - an excellent location for families with warm waters, soft sandy beaches, great temperatures and some beautiful towns and cities to visit. The great thing about staying in mobile holiday homes is they make a great base for enjoying days on the park where the children can play with others their own age as well as day trips out to see the sights and visit the beach.

For family holidays in France, there are plenty of very child-friendly mobile homes and holiday resorts. Depending where you stay, the big draw for children is often a day out at Disneyland Paris.

For the outdoor types, visit the stunning forests of Fontainebleau where you can enjoy some lovely family walks through the woods. A favourite with many children is sharing a bike ride with mum and dad down many of the country lanes, stopping off for the obligatory ice cream along the way.

These are just a taste of the many attractions available for children when it comes to family holidays in France and Spain.

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