Map & Family

A Family Travel Resource

3 Weeks in Vietnam Itinerary – Part 1 Hanoi to Phong Nha

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Packed with colour, culture and wonderful scenery, Vietnam is an intriguing and affordable destination that appeals to all ages.  Ed and his friends spent 3 weeks in Vietnam in July. This post covers the first leg of their journey, with must-sees from a Halong bay day trip and 3 days in Hanoi to Phong Nha with its caves and treks. Read on for their Vietnam itinerary.  Read more

10 Things to see and do in London by a local

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Planning a trip to London and looking for some fun and authentic things to do? Here are 10 quintessential London experiences from riding a bus past world famous sights to chinking afternoon tea cups or popping into a pub. Make a note so that you can enjoy your next visit to the UK’s capital city just like a Londoner.  Read more

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  • We loved the drive from Kefalonia’s airport up the coast to Fiscardo in the north of the island. It was a quiet sunny afternoon in early October and we probably saw more goats than cars on the road. And then there were those gorgeous Greek island views which we had almost to ourselves! This is Myrtos beach, made famous by the film of Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, a silvery cove beneath two mountains, shimmering in the late afternoon sun🌊. Read more about our trip to the Ionian island of Kefalonia, with lots of insider tips on what to do and where to stay, on the blog, link in profile ⬆️. We were hosted by @ionianvillas. #familytravel #myrtosbeach #visitgreece #kefalonia . . . . .
  • Wishing you all a very merry festive season and a happy new decade. How did it come round so fast? If you’re visiting London this holiday for sightseeing or sale shopping check out our blog post - link in profile ⬆️. It’s a round up of 101 of the best London-themed souvenirs and gifts from some of our favourite stores and museum shops. You’ll also find posts on London itineraries and things to do in winter too. Whether you take a walk by the river to see the lights and sights, tackle the Sales, go ice-skating or cosy up in the theatre, London has lots to offer to keep you busy. Thanks for all your support and hoping to see you again in 2020! 😀 #familytravel #christmasinlondon . . . . .
  • As an antidote to short days, grey mornings and Christmas panic here’s an inspiring splash of blue from Kefalonia, Greece. It’s the biggest of the Ionian islands, and Kefalonia’s film star looks made it famous in the movie of Captain Corelli’s Mandolin. The sea that surrounds it really does glimmer through every shade of blue from palest turquoise to inky indigo. Couple this with pretty villages and mountain landscapes and you can see why Hollywood was smitten. A friend and I visited in October, the end of the season, to explore the island from north to south. I’ve written about the golden beaches, warm sea, epic views and quiet picturesque villages in a new post on the blog. We tried out three very different villas around the island, hosted by @ionianvillas. Click the link in the profile ⬆️ to find out more about where we stayed and some insider tips from Kefalonia experts. There’s more to come too 😀🌊. #familytravel #kefalonia #visitgreece . . . . . .
  • This is is the pretty and hardworking fishing harbour of lovely Monopoli. It’s an ancient coastal town in Puglia, set in the high heel of the ‘boot’ of southern Italy. Just a quick walk away from the harbour, through the paved and flower-hung alleyways of Monopoli’s old town is a beach beneath the castle walls. We stayed there in September to sunbathe on the rocks and swim in the warm, clear waters. Actually we ate a lot too! Monopoli’s speciality is fish, not surprisingly, and the restaurants are good. Choose from a chic, modern establishment or a trad trattoria - we had great meals everywhere. I love how Italy respects its old towns and protects the historic centres from modern intrusions whilst the cities can expand around them. I’ll be writing about our trip soon but I want to go back to explore some more! #monopoli #ilikeitaly #familytravel . . . . .
  • Just planning a little trip back to Greece this autumn and remembering the pretty bay of Lakka on Paxos. The Ionian sea 🌊 is so incredibly blue that in case you think I’m spending too much time in Photoshop I’ve just googled to find out why! A lack of sea algae is one explanation - or maybe it’s just that the sun shines a lot. Either way the range of blues from palest turquoise to inky indigo and violet is mesmerising. I could gaze at views like this for hours. Especially with an ice-cream. And a sunbed. Read more about our stay on Paxos, hosted by @ionianvillas, on the blog, link in profile. #familytravel #paxos #visitgreece . . . . .
  • I love these colourful buildings against a jungly mountainside, seen from the main street of Phong Nha in Vietnam. My son Ed is just back from a three week trip from north to south Vietnam. It’s a fabulous mix of colour, diverse culture - and a little bit of chaos - plus awe-inspiring scenery and wonderful food. And it’s affordable too. Southeast Asia is a magnet for students like Ed and his friends and I can see why. And Vietnam would be a great holiday destination for families with teens too - check out Ed’s new blog post. It includes vibrant Hanoi, a day trip by boat in Halong Bay, zipwiring into a cave in Phong Nha and jungle trekking on part of the Ho Chi Minh trail. And that was just the first part of their trip! Link in profile if you’re looking for some Vietnam travel tips. #phongnha #VietnamNOW @vietnamtourismboard
  • I’ve a soft spot for lighthouses - and stripes. So the Santa Marta lighthouse in Cascais is a pretty perfect view for me! Cascais is a little seaside town, full of character, just 30 minutes along the coast from Lisbon, Portugal. It was the summer holiday retreat for the royal family in the 19th century and has retained its glamorous villas and elegant vibe along with its seagoing heritage. The beautiful blue and white tiled lighthouse still signals along the coastline, though it’s fully automated these days and the lighthouse keeper’s quarters have become a fascinating contemporary museum. For 21 things to do in Cascais, including two different ways to view the lighthouse, see the latest post on the blog, link in profile ⬆️. @visit_cascais #visitcascais #lighthouse @visitportugal @shortcutstourismportugal . . . . .

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