self catering Archives - Journeys Are My Diary

Jersey Diary – Day 1

October 21, 2017 by Bel Leave a Comment

I don’t often have time to blog daily but this week we’re away in Jersey and it’s definitely a “down-time” holiday. Because of that we’ll be in most evenings and I’ll have plenty of time to update. Today is Saturday and the day we officially went away, though technically we left the house yesterday and stayed in a Travelodge near Liverpool.

We got up this morning and grabbed a Subway lunch before packing the car up and heading to John Lennon’s Airport in Liverpool. We parked the car, walked to the airport and headed on through check-in and security. Once through we had plenty of time to waste so we looked around and then chilled out.

Eventually we were called to Gate 9 where we pretty much headed straight out and onto the plane. The journey was fairly uneventful (except for a bit of turbulence) and we arrived after only an hour. Once off the plane, we picked up the rental car from Hertz and then headed the very short distance to Boscobel Farm where we would be staying for the week. We rent a car in Dubai so we knew where to go.

We are staying in Apartment 1. It has a twin room (with extra pull-out bed), a double room and a sofa bed in the lounge. The kitchen and lounge are together in one room and then there’s a bathroom too. We’re on the ground floor.

We all unpacked and then headed out to a local shop for food. We found an Iceland as the first place and stocked up on food for breakfast and also sandwiches (plus several bottles of wine). We bought pizzas for dinner and then came home to cook them. We spent the evening watching TV and relaxing, before heading off to bed.

Fun Holiday Activities for the Whole Family

April 5, 2016 by Bel 1 Comment

Spring is here. In a few months it will be time for the family vacation. Now is a good time to book, if you haven’t done so already. It’s also a good time to plan ahead and look at the kind of activities the whole family can enjoy.

Plan Ahead

When planning your family summer adventures, think about each member. What are their interests? Do they have similar hobbies or are they very different? Try to include something for everyone.

Organising pursuits ahead of time is a good idea, especially if you need to hire equipment. Some holidays may include this part of the package. If you’re going self-catering and are planning everything yourself, it’s a good idea to do a little advance research.

Walking

Walking is something that can be enjoyed at most destinations. If you’re intending on embarking on more than a gentle stroll, there are a few things to take into consideration. Make sure you pack walking boots and rucksacks. Try to wear walking shoes before you go away. This will avoid painful blisters during the holiday. Rucksacks or light bags that can be slung over the shoulder won’t get in the way when you’re walking.

Check some routes ahead of time and make sure you pack enough food and water for the day. Make sure you’re fully aware of any safety issues such as tide times and terrain etc.

Cycling

Cycling is a fun activity the whole family can enjoy. If you’re travelling abroad, then it’s likely that you will need to hire bikes and equipment. Book this in advance to avoid disappointment. Check with the provider as to exactly what is provided. Make sure it includes helmets and other safety equipment.

You will also need to become familiar with routes before setting off. Make sure they are suitable for the whole family, especially if you have young children.

When packing, remember to include clothing suitable for this activity. Click here for detailed information on cycling with your family.

Water Sports

There are lots of different water sports to enjoy with the family. For example, swimming, snorkeling, surfing, and canoeing. Choose sports that are suitable for everyone. Safety will be key and so check with providers regarding provisions. Find out about booking procedures and if necessary, book in advance.

Leisurely Pursuits

It isn’t all about being active during your holiday. Remember to factor in some relaxation. Enjoy time by the pool or at the beach. Take a pile of books or load up your e-reader and just enjoy your surroundings. This can be interspersed with gentler activities such as beach football or volleyball.

Some hotels provide childcare provisions and activities for kids. There may be some days when you enjoy a spa day or time to relax. And you can rest assured that your children are also enjoying themselves.

Planning holiday activities is all about being organised and proactive. Advance preparations will save time and will help when it comes to packing and budgeting. Set up a range of different activities that everyone can enjoy. And remember to factor in some free time. Avoid being too rigid. Spontaneity is also good and those days are often the most memorable.

Self Catering Holiday Ideas

March 28, 2016 by Bel 1 Comment

Every year I love to get away somewhere, even if it’s just in the UK. Last year we were lucky enough to visit Florida for two weeks but we definitely won’t be doing that again this year. When we go away for just a few days, we often stay in a Travelodge or Premier Inn. However when we’re going for any length of time, I prefer to go self-catering. As a family of four, with two (occasionally) fussy girls, I believe it works out better and cheaper for us too.

So I though I would put together three picks for places I would like to visit, in self-catering accommodation.

United Kingdom

As kids, we had several holidays on the Norfolk Broads and it was some of my favourite trips. While it might not be the most obvious choice for a self-catering holiday, I love the idea of taking the kids and Chris on a boating holiday, catering for ourselves or occasionally mooring up at a pub and eating out. The girls’ grandparents own a boat and they often travel on it but never actually sleep aboard. I think a week away on the broads would be a fantastic way to travel and holiday – plus the girls are old enough to be sensible around the water these days.

Europe

There are loads of places I would love to visit in Europe, including the Portugal, Spain, France, Turkey, Italy etc. The reason for this would partly be to enjoy sun and nice weather, but also for the kids to learn about different cultures and food. As I mentioned before, the girls can be a bit fussy at times and while there are many choices for accommodation in these places, a villa would definitely be my top choice. Finding a perfect place to settle down for the week doesn’t have to involve months of research, sites like Villa Plus have loads of options to choose from, and all of them have photos which helps a lot if you’re wanting a particular vibe. For me, I love the idea of self-catering, so I look for nice kitchens, and perks like a pool to swim in each day. The pool was a great hit when we stayed in the villa in Florida, so I know it would be high on the list for the girls.

USA

Although I love a city break, villas and self catering is often hard to come by, unless you want an apartment. However my perfect USA holiday would be a road trip, ideally in a RV. When I was in my teens, I always dreamt of owning a VW camper and traveling around. Then, a bit older, I wanted a caravan or a motor home. While none of these are realistic expectations for us right now, a holiday in one would be possible. RV’s are notoriously huge in the USA and I would love to hire one for a few weeks, jump on board and see as much of America as we could manage!

What would your perfect idea of a family holiday be?