Every summer we go for a ‘big family day out’ – a day trip to somewhere that we wouldn’t ordinarily be able to afford because as a family of five (sometimes six if we have the teenager staying with us) entry fees for attractions can be rather steep. We save up for it throughout the…
During the first week of the summer holidays we travelled as a family to Lake Maggiore in northern Italy, using a beautiful villa as a base for our Italian adventure amidst vast lakes, imposing mountains and spectacular views. This post is the third and final part of our travel diary, covering the last few days…
During the first week of the summer holidays we travelled as a family to Lake Maggiore for an Italian adventure amidst vast lakes, imposing mountains and spectacular views. This post is Part Two of our travel diary, covering the middle section of our Italian adventure to this beautiful area of the country that I first…
I first visited Italy with my cousin way back in 2004. During our Italian adventure we explored Rome and all it’s history; soaked up the holiness and reverence of the Vatican; just about defied death-by-moped in Naples; walked through the ashes of Pompeii in sombre silence; and wandered wide-eyed around the breathtakingly beautiful island of…
In May half term we embarked on our first ever mini family road trip through Somerset, Dorset and Hampshire, visiting family and friends and staying for a couple of days in each place. You can read all about our time at a beautiful, wisteria-covered farmhouse in Somerset in Part One; our first ever experience of…
In May half term we embarked on our first ever mini family road trip through Somerset, Dorset and Hampshire, visiting family and friends and staying for a couple of days in each place. You can read all about our time at a beautiful, wisteria-covered farmhouse in Somerset in Part One and this post – Part…
I remember the summers of my childhood with unwavering joy and fondness – they were a swirling, intoxicating blend of school days and playing in the garden and visiting grandparents & cousins and summer holiday activity weeks. There were seemingly endless days of sunshine, full to the brim with handstands on the field at school;…
Last year, Lola went on a school trip to Warwick Castle with her classmates as they were learning all about ‘Kings & Queens’ as their topic for the term. She came home that afternoon super excited, talking non-stop about her day and all the things she’d seen and learnt, her eyes wide with wonder and…
As a family, our trips and adventures usually focus on us staying for a week or so in a specific location and using it as a base to explore other places nearby. It works well for us: we like being able to feel like we have a bit of a home away from home that…
What a beautiful month May was! The weather throughout has been absolutely fantastic, even over both Bank Holiday weekends, which is pretty much unheard of here in the UK. We’ve had almost constant clear blue skies, the most glorious sunshine AND it’s mostly been really warm – I can’t even begin to describe how good…