Map & Family

A Family Travel Resource

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

21 things to do in Cascais Portugal

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Beautiful Cascais on the Portuguese coast is just 40 minutes from Lisbon. Kings and aristocrats have holidayed here and it’s easy to see why. Read on for our guide to things to do in Cascais from beach-hopping to boat trips, cultural visits to kite-surfing. It’s a charming base for families or friends, for day trips to Sintra and Lisbon, for a golf break or a weekend away; check out our round up of hotels in Cascais too.  Read more

2 Days in London – your essential itinerary

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London is packed with culture and colour. This 2 day London itinerary will show you the most iconic landmarks with time to fit in shopping and relaxing too. It’s a local’s guide to the must-see sights and sounds of the UK’s capital city from marching bands at Buckingham Palace to world famous views. Read on for our essential 2 days in London guide.  Read more

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  • 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 . . . . .
  • A happy birthday to Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, who is 98 today. The King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, unfazed by the rain, galloped across Hyde Park at noon to deliver a 41 gun salute in honour of the occasion. The bells of Westminster Abbey rang and a 61 gun salute followed at the Tower of London an hour later. The @KingsTroopRHA have been busy this week what with Beating Retreat, Trooping the Colour and several gun salutes. Today’s was one more wonderful display of tradition, skill and London pageantry 🇬🇧. #royalfamily #visitlondon #horsegunners
  • Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster may be partly under wraps at the moment for restoration work (swipe for a recent pic) but turn around on Westminster Bridge and you have a lovely view of the London Eye and County Hall instead. New on the blog is a post to help you plan a two day sightseeing itinerary in London. It’s a local’s guide - I’ve lived in London for years and my boys grew up here. It includes lots of tips: from how to tackle the super-popular Changing the Guard, to where to stop en route for lunch, shopping, or afternoon tea. The link’s in the profile ⬆️ if you’d like to have a look and please let me know if I’ve missed out any of your favourite London landmarks. #familytravel #visitLondon #visitEngland #loveGreatBritain . . . . .
  • This is Corricella, a fishing village on the island of Procida. It seems to be a hidden gem in the Bay of Naples because it was quiet and serene on a sunny weekday in September. Perhaps all the other visitors were on nearby Capri. Film crews know about it (see The Talented Mr Ripley and Il Postino). And so do the people of Naples who bring their boats or hop on the ferry for the short crossing. We hope it stays this way. Check our blog post ⬆️ link in profile, for where to go for a swim and lunch 🌊⛱ #familytravel #procida #visititaly #naplesitaly . . . . .
  • Westminster Abbey looking glorious in the London sunshine this week. The Abbey is on my must-see London sights list in our mega-post on 105 Things to do in London with Teens (not just teens of course, lots of the tips are relevant for anyone visiting London). Link in profile ⬆️. A big thank you to all the travel exhibitors I chatted to at the @travmedia_uk event at the @QEIICentre where I got the chance to snap this photo. We talked about cultural exploring, travel with teens, travel with grown-up children and multi-generations, that unsatisfactory term ‘empty nesters’ and lots more about destinations all over the globe. Very inspiring and lovely to have the opportunity to talk to these experts and travel bloggers together. #familytravel #westminsterabbey @lovegreatbritain #mycityloves . . . .
  • El Drac, a large mosaic lizard fountain, presides over Park Guell in Barcelona as well as featuring on a thousand postcards. It’s just one of the many colourful creations of visionary architect Antoni Gaudi that won’t fail to stop you in your tracks when you visit Barcelona. Whether you admire them from the pavement or explore the fantastical interiors, Gaudi’s buildings make Barcelona a very special place. As you stroll between the shops look out for curvy Casa Mila and the gorgeously ornate Casa Batllo - which seems to have a dragon sitting on the roof. And a visit to the still unfinished but glorious Basilica of the Sagrada Familia is a must-do. Check our post to see the surprise that awaits you inside and our round up of 5 unmissable Gaudi sites in Barcelona. The link’s in my profile ⬆️. #familytravel #travelwithteens #visitbarcelona #parkguell . . . . .
  • Dramatic Predjama castle in Slovenia, built in the mouth of a cave, is the former home of a legendary Robin Hood-style robber knight of the 15th century called Erazem. Beneath the castle lies the huge natural cave system of Postojna. A little train carries visitors 2km underground to see chambers big enough for a symphony orchestra to perform and amazing stalactites. The caves are also home to amphibians called olm which can live up to 100 years. Back in the day locals believed they were the young of a dragon who lived under the castle. It adds up to a great family day out that should keep teens amused too. Click the link in my profile ⬆️ to find more ideas for a summer family trip to Slovenia that includes hiking and biking in the glorious Julian Alps. 📸Thanks to Sarah-Jane and family for the photo and for telling us about their trip. #familytravel #travelwithteens #predjamacastle #ifeelsLOVEnia . . . . .

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