Polly Hayes

A Practical Guide to Taking Teenagers to Vilamoura

17 April, 2017

If you’re looking for old-world charm, historic sights and pretty fishing villages then the exclusive modern, purpose-built resort of Vilamoura in Portugal is probably not going to be for you. But, let’s be honest, how many teenagers do you know who are likely to complain that a resort doesn’t have enough culture and character for them?

What Vilamoura has instead is a huge range of tourist-based services and activities all designed to keep even the most demanding teen happy.

From water parks and jet skiing to marine parks and paintballing, there are so many things to do here for your young adults that they might not even find the time to post it all on social media. (But what are the chances?)

Tenerife

Top Family Days Out on Tenerife

8 April, 2017

Let’s face it, even though they love the beach, there’s only so much time young children will be kept happy with sandcastles, paddling and beach balls before they get tired of watching mum and dad relaxing on the sun loungers. When this happens, it might be time for an excursion – and luckily, Tenerife has a fantastic amount for families to do.

Recommended read: The Why, Where and When to Go in Tenerife

With its beautiful sandy beaches, warm sunshine, outdoor swimming pools and playgrounds, Tenerife is the perfect location for a holiday with small children, made even better by the great range of day trips your little ones can enjoy.

Here’s my selection of the best day trips to take with young children while you’re holidaying anywhere on Spain’s beautiful Canary Island.

Torremolinos

Teens, Tans and Torremolinos!

7 April, 2017

If the first thing you think of when you imagine a family summer holiday to Torremolinos is lying on a beautiful sandy beach soaking up the rays… then you’re not going to be disappointed.

One of Spain’s most famous resorts, Torremolinos has a total of six beaches along its 7km of sandy shoreline, which means that you and your family could pretty much visit a different one every day of your stay. And the best part is that they are all easily accessible, linked by a single promenade which runs from one end of the resort to the other.

From the close to town beaches, perfect for letting your teens discover on their own, to ones offering a dazzling selection of high octane watersports excitement, days beside the sea here can be as relaxed or action-packed as your family wants them to be.

Side

Taking the Teens to Side – Beach Break Bonanza!

6 April, 2017

While your teenagers are more likely to be impressed with Side’s glittering modern harbour with its bustling restaurants and vibrant bars than with the ancient Roman ruins, there is plenty in this pretty fishing-village-turned-resort to keep the whole family happy. Set on Turkey’s beautiful south coast, Side was a popular holiday spot for Antony and Cleopatra, who loved the stunning coastline. Admittedly, your children are unlikely to be impressed by this slice of history, so instead try telling them about the two gorgeous beaches, the waterpark and all the cool watersports on offer in the area! A family holiday to

Torrevieja

Fab Family Friendly Restaurants in Torrevieja

5 April, 2017

Whether your kids are fussy eaters or will try anything once, finding places to eat while on holiday can be a bit of a headache. If you want to avoid snooty staff and paying for adult-sized portions your little ones won’t eat, you should try the Spanish resort of Torrevieja.

From fast food and snack bars to traditional Spanish restaurants, the by word here is ‘family-friendly’ – not just because they want your euros but because there is a genuine love of children in the resort that would put Disneyland to shame.

As a result, expect to find children’s menus in many of the eateries, and where there isn’t a kids’ option, a chat with the English-speaking staff will usually ensure smaller portions at smaller prices.

Before writing this I thought I’d check with my children about which their favourite places to eat were on our holiday in Torrevieja – this selection is what they came back with.

Puerto de la Cruz

Taste Tenerife in Puerto de la Cruz’s Fishing District

20 March, 2017

If you’re looking for traditional fishing village charm and authentic Canarian cuisine then the Ranilla District of Puerto de la Cruz on the Spanish island of Tenerife is the ideal place to head to. While much of Tenerife has bowed under the pressure of modern tourism demands, Puerto de la Cruz has held its head high and retained much of its traditional appeal.

One of the first tourist hot spots in Tenerife, Puerto de la Cruz became fashionable internationally in the nineteenth century as a spa town. It may just be this longevity as a centre for tourism which has led it to understand, and hold on to, the charm and authenticity which made it so popular in the first place.

The Ranilla District is very much at the heart of this act of conservation, having been declared a Centre of Historic and Cultural Interest back in 1985.

Formerly the town’s fishing district and home to many of its fishermen, it has, in recent years, become the town’s culinary heart with over 300 restaurants with their terraces spilling out on to its pedestrianised streets. The district has never forgotten its connection with the island’s fishing heritage though and today celebrates it with a fantastic range of seafood served nightly in its bustling restaurants.

Courmayeur

Let the Cable Car Take the Strain: Courmayeur & the Skyway Monte Bianco

19 March, 2017

Nestled at the foot of Mount Blanc, thousands of elegant Italians visit the picturesque Alpine resort of Courmayeur in Italy every year. Their intention is not to ski but to enjoy the fresh air, luxury boutiques, excellent eateries and vibrant mountain atmosphere. For some reason, however, the British seem reluctant to visit ‘ski’ resorts, unless they intend to ski.

The truth is, at a resort like Courmayeur, we’re missing out. You need only spend an afternoon sitting on the terrace of one of the resort’s pretty restaurants or cafés to see a parade of smartly-dressed Italians enjoying all the shopping and culture that Courmayeur has to offer, without the slightest intention of ever putting on skis.

From taking the Skyway to the highest point reachable on Mont Blanc and enjoying the views (not to mention the engineering!), to eating at one of its three Michelin-starred restaurants, or just exploring the pretty Alpine town – there is plenty to do here for those not wishing to ski.

Cannes

From Bargain Bistros to Budget Busters: Eating out in Cannes

18 March, 2017

Think of the glitz and glamour of the French Riviera and you’ll probably imagine the world famous Croissette in Cannes. The long stretch of five star hotels, beautiful beaches and swaying palm trees which make up one of France’s most iconic promenades belies the fact that there is actually plenty on offer in this town for those with a slightly more modest budget.

The truth about Cannes is that while it exudes a millionaire lifestyle with its luxury shops and elegant eateries, it also caters very well for the average holidaymaker. For those of us who like to blow the budget on a Michelin-starred treat one night but will be happy with well-cooked, rustic Mediterranean fare the next, there are a range of great restaurants here. For this reason, eating out in Cannes never means compromising on quality, even when you want to give your credit card a much-needed rest.

Here is my selection of the best dining options, from the best local bistros to the ultimate gourmet experiences.

Málaga

24 Hours in Málaga: A Stopover on the Way to the Beach

17 March, 2017

More and more UK travellers are making time in their holidays to Spain’s busy beaches to schedule a stopover in Málaga. There’s a good reason for this – the ancient port has become something of a hip city hangout in recent years. After years as the rather grotty city you passed through on your pilgrimage to sand, sea and sun, the mayor Francisco de la Torre has put the city through a programme of rejuvenation. Cleaning up the city centre so that visitors could actually see the beautiful buildings, investing in new art projects and architecture and encouraging a burgeoning

Châtel

Go Cross-Country for the First Time in Châtel

8 March, 2017

Set in the beautiful Alpine landscape of France’s Vallée d’Abondance, a valley which follows the river Dranse through stunning mountainous scenery, Châtel is a resort which could have been designed for cross country skiing.

The long valley creates the perfect flat terrain for exploration on Nordic skis and the resort certainly makes the most of its natural advantages with a network of 40km of tracks spreading out from the resort.

Part of the Portes du Soleil ski area, the Nordic tracks at Châtel link with those of neighbouring resorts Abondance and La Chapelle Abondance. The result is an extensive network of tracks suitable for a range of different levels, making it the perfect place to try cross country for the first time.

Those who are new to the sport will enjoy the range of easy tracks including 2.8km of green routes, 9.6km of blue, and 11.4km of reds. And for those who really want to push themselves, there’s the notorious Noire du Moulaz, a 1.9km black level route.

Largely undiscovered by the Brits, this remains a reassuringly French resort in which many of the hotels and restaurants are family owned and many of the buildings along the valley are still being used as farms and to house cattle. Exploring the area on Nordic skis gives a unique insight into the traditional Alpine culture of this beautiful area.

Courchevel 1850

Michelin Star-Struck in Courchevel 1850

7 March, 2017

When you think of glitz and glamour in France’s Alpine region, Courchevel 1850 is probably the resort which springs to mind with its exclusive visitors including the likes of the Beckhams, William and Kate and Roman Abramovich.

Its charming snowy streets are lined with luxury boutiques selling Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci and Dior and its mountainsides are littered with ultra luxe chalets so it’s not surprising that the resort has no shortage of elegant, high-end eateries. In fact it boasts no fewer than seven Michelin starred restaurants, one of which holds three of the prestigious culinary awards.

With fantastic high-altitude skiing giving you the perfect opportunity to work up a good appetite – or work off those extra calories – Courchevel really is the perfect place for an indulgent, gourmet break.

If the idea of combining excellent winter sports with refined fine dining has got your mouth watering, here is my selection of the very best Michelin-starred dining in the resort.

Breuil Cervinia

Discover Your Ski Legs in Breuil Cervinia

6 March, 2017

You don’t have to have skied before to feel the lure of fresh air, snow-covered mountains, blue skies and long lunches enjoyed on the sunny terraces of beautiful mountainsides restaurants. The truth is that, even as a beginner, you can experience all that if you pick the right destination.

While many resorts restrict their beginner slopes to the lower, less scenic parts of the mountains, Breuil Cervinia in Italy is famous for wide, gentle slopes which cover most of its skiing area. In fact in Breuil Cervinia even the red runs are more like the blues you would find elsewhere.

And, of course, this is Italy so expect great home-cooked food served at the many mountainside restaurants which line the resort’s pistes. The gentle runs here mean that even beginners can clock up some decent mileage during a morning’s ski so you’ll really feel you deserve that steaming bowl of fresh pasta come lunchtime.

Avoriaz

Conquering the Slopes of Avoriaz on Your Next Family Ski Holiday

5 March, 2017

Back in 2013 Avoriaz was awarded Best Family Resort by the World Snow Awards and it’s easy to see why. With no motor traffic at all through the centre of the village, great ski schools teaching from 3-years upwards and an excellent selection of pistes from nursery to black, it really has been designed with families in mind.

Set in France’s Alpine region and part of the Portes du Soliel area, this is a charming purpose-built resort whose quiet streets are only disturbed by the sound of horse-drawn sleighs and skiers returning after a day on the slopes.

Designed so that all the accommodation is either on or very close to the pistes, parents will love the ease of getting the kids out on to the slopes in the morning and the quickness of getting tired children back to your accommodation at night.

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