Polly Hayes

Cala d'Or

Planning a Teen-Friendly Holiday in Cala d’Or

14 July, 2017

Summer family holidays are an annual event that the whole family can look forward to. The great thing about your kids getting older is that you can actually start doing things together which you all enjoy (a reward for the hours you spent in playgrounds with them when they were little). While at home you might be more used to looking at the top of your teen’s heads as they stare endlessly at their phones, a summer holiday on Spain’s beautiful island of Mallorca is a great chance to get out and do things together as a family. From trying

Dénia: the Ultimate Beach Guide

13 July, 2017

For me, Dénia – nestled along Spain’s Costa Blanca – has always held a unique charm thanks to its historic old town and crumbling castle, its mixture of local character and tourist appeal and, of course, its beautiful beaches. The resort boasts a jaw-dropping 15 kilometres of golden sand with beaches to suit almost every kind of holidaymaker. As a rule, families with young children flock to the gentle slopes and shallow waters of La Marina close to town; surfers and windsurfers head north and divers; while snorkelers explore the rocky bays and coves of Les Rotas to the south.

Zell am See

Walking Holiday Routes in Zell am See

8 July, 2017

As summer temperatures begin to rise and pollution levels in major urban areas make city breaks feel less than appealing, you might want to plan a holiday that takes you far away from the crowds. Zell am See, situated at the foot of Austria’s Kitzbühel Alps and on the banks of Lake Zell, is the perfect getaway destination. Famous for its high-octane winter sports and adventurous summer activities, Zell am See has plenty on offer for visitors in search of fresh air and a bit of gentle exercise. With its vast array of walking trails, you’ll be drawn right into

Lac de Garde

R&R in Lake Garda

7 July, 2017

There are so many reasons to visit Lake Garda, nestled in northern Italy between the beautiful cities of Milan and Verona. Whether you’re drawn there by the stunning mountainous landscape of the northern section of the lake or by the undulating hills and Mediterranean climate of the south, it is a wonderful holiday destination. But it wasn’t until recently that I discovered that there is so much more to Italy’s largest lake than historic towns, beautiful beaches, excellent restaurants and luxurious hotels that overlook the crystal waters. Here are a few of my favourite locations for enjoying some much-needed pampering

Magaluf

What Happens in Magaluf Stays in Magaluf: What to Expect

17 June, 2017

Once you’ve holidayed and partied in Magaluf, like thousands of others each year, you will just want to keep on coming back. If, however, you’re due to make your first trip to Spain’s party capital, then you might want a few pointers on how to make sure that you wring every last bit of fun out of your holiday. So, just for you, I’ve put together a ‘What to Expect…’ guide for a resort where dancing till dawn, recovering in the sun, watersports on the beach and drinking your fill are just part of the everyday experience. Making the Most

Kavos

Kavos: A Guide to Corfu’s Party Capital

16 June, 2017

So you’re going on holiday to Kavos on Greece’s island of Corfu: you’ve packed your towel and suntan lotion, your best party shirt and dancing trainers and you’re ready to go. But have you thought about what you’re actually going to do when you get there? The party holiday of a lifetime is going to take a little bit of planning if you want to be sure of hitting the best clubs on the best nights, soaking up the sun on the best beaches and getting your grub at the best (and cheapest) places to eat. Don’t worry – just

Nerja

Nerja on Wheels: Alternative Ways to Explore the Town with Teens

9 June, 2017

Most teens will happily spend the whole of the family holiday moving as little as possible (for mine it’s: bed, beach, dinner and bed most days). But I have discovered a way to sneak a little sightseeing and family time into the mix that even the most sluggish young adults will enjoy. The trick is to sell sightseeing, and exploring the area beyond the beach, as an adrenaline-fuelled activity rather than a cultural one, and for this the range of high-octane tours I discovered on offer in Nerja are ideal. Nerja, a pretty beach resort on the Andalucían Costa del

Mojácar

Instagrammable Family Holiday Destinations: Mojácar

8 June, 2017

You know what it’s like, you take your teenage kids out for a day of culture and beautiful scenery only to find their eyes glued to their phones, missing all the sights. Well, on a recent holiday to Spain, on a visit to the stunningly beautiful Andalucían town of Mojácar with teens, I found an ingenious way to use their dependence on social media as a way to encourage them to connect with the local area. The trick was to hint at the ‘Instagrammable’ potential of the beautiful sights in and around the place. From selfies in the pretty Moorish

Maspalomas

A Fun-Packed Family Holiday in Maspalomas

7 June, 2017

The Canary Islands have always been my go-to destination for holidays with young kids. And that’s not just because my two love nothing more than playing in the sand and splashing in the sea, but because I know that if (okay, more like when) they get bored, there will be loads of other things to do to keep them entertained. That being said, and even with such high expectations, I was very pleasantly surprised by just how much there was on offer for the under-10s in the Gran Canaria resort of Maspalomas. From waterparks (with toddler-friendly zones) to wildlife zoos,

Bohinj

Breathtaking Lake Bohinj, Slovenia: Paradise for Nature-Lovers

4 June, 2017

If you’ve visited Britain’s Lake District and have explored the Italian lakes and you’re dreaming of finding an area of equal natural beauty that is unscarred by the pressures of tourism, then Bohinj in Slovenia may be just what you’re looking for.

Nestled in the Julian Alps and set in the stunning Triglav National Park, Lake Bohinj is the country of Slovenia’s largest permanent lake. Fed by the glacial melt waters of the surrounding mountains, the water is as clear as glass, and in summer it is warm enough to entice bathers, kayakers and sailors to its pristine beaches.

But, despite the natural beauty of the lake, I found one of the most appealing aspects of a holiday here was the sensation that I’d stepped off the tourist trail and into an authentic Alpine way of life that has been consistent here for hundreds of years.

From the unspoilt natural beauty (with some of the most beautiful displays of Alpine flowers I’ve ever seen) to the traditional food, this was a holiday in which I felt enriched by discovering a country I’d hardly known anything about before I arrived.

Aix-les-Bains: A Spa Town Worthy of Royalty

3 June, 2017

ix-les-Bains, nestled on the shores of France’s biggest freshwater lake in the foothills of the Alps, offers an entirely unique, elegant lakeside retreat.

Bursting with grand Belle Epoch architecture, reflecting its heyday during the late 19th and early 20th century, it is one of the grande dames of French spa towns. Amongst its famous historic visitors, it can lay claim to having been Queen Victoria’s favourite holiday destination and, still today, seems to carry its Victorian-era fame with something of a refined pride.

Like its neighbour Annecy, Aix-les-Bains combines a rich cultural history, dating back to the Roman times, with a quiet, tranquil Alpine charm which makes it a wonderful place to visit for a relaxing spa break or a captivating, cultural lakeside holiday.

Levico

Must-Dos in Lake Levico

2 June, 2017

While the summer crowds and the families flock to Italy’s famous Lake Garda, those looking for a more tranquil lakeside holiday should head north to the stunning mountains of the Vigolana range and the beautiful Lake Levico.

With its dramatic mountain scenery and steep banks, many locals describe Levico as a ‘fresh-water fjord’, and it does indeed have some of the majesty and appeal of the Norwegian shoreline. But what makes this area so special is the combination of its warm climate and peaceful environment.

Set on the shores of the lake is Levico Terme, a nineteenth-century spa town which has offered therapeutic aquatic treatments to those coming to experience the unique thermal waters for more than 150 years.

Achensee: A Family Reunion Holiday Destination

1 June, 2017

Sometimes it feels as though our modern lives are so busy that there just isn’t enough time for all the family to get together. Whether it’s trying to fit in with the busy schedules of your children – or worse, the hectic social calendar of your grandchildren! – finding time to really connect with each other can be a challenge.

That’s why a cross-generational holiday can be such a special experience, a space in which you all have time to relax, have some fun, and maybe even try a few new things together as a family. Of course, if your idea of a good time is wandering leisurely around museums, while your daughter-in-law just wants to relax on a beach, and the kids want a range of activities, working out where to take your extended family on holiday can be a bit of a headache.

But believe me, it’s worth the effort. There are places out there that make the perfect destination for a family reunion, places like the idyllic Achensee region in Austria.

Just a short drive from Innsbruck, Achensee boasts a sparkling, clear water lake set against the beautiful backdrop of the Alps of the Tyrol. With lakeside beaches, watersports, hiking, golf and, if that all gets too much, luxurious world-class spas to relax in, Achensee can actually delivers on the much-made promise ‘something for everyone’, no matter what their age.

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