High Rylands House, Arncliffe (Yorkshire Dales) [Sleeps15]
Family Self-Catering Accommodation in the Yorkshire Dales
High Rylands House, a traditional 5 bedroom farmhouse sleeping up to 15, sits in the middle of Arncliffe, an unspoilt village in the heart of Yorkshire Dales. Solid, robust and plain, both inside and out, this house is absolutely ideal for large groups and shared holidays. Our three families of old friends combined to make a party of 13. Continue reading
Stonehenge
My children are well used to being dragged to various historic monuments. In the UK, I only need to see one of those little brown road signs pointing off to something ancient just a few miles off our planned route and we veer off ‘to explore’. The older the monument, the better…
This is not our dog.
During the middle of a violent lightning storm, this cute little guy snuck into our holiday villa in Croatia for shelter. He never moved an inch, and remained rooted to the spot cowering at every clap of thunder and flinching every time we stood up. (He gratefully accepted a slice of ham though). As soon as the storm abated he tootled off home.
What are Pousadas?Pousadas de Portugal are hotels created out of monuments and other historic buildings. They were originally set up by the state to be rustic, genuinely Portuguese and to help preserve these wonderful buildings. Although they are luxurious and historic, their prices seem more than reasonable when compared to the prices paid in Britain for corporate chains such as the Holiday Inn, They are well worth considering… Continue reading
Aviemore has a long-held family-friendly reputation destination. My own family visited regularly but it has been nearly thirty years since I last stayed at Coylumbridge Hotel, now part of the Hilton group. Returning with our own young kids brought back a flood of happy memories. (Though I was a little disappointed to discover that they no longer had one of those original table-top space invader games in the bar). There’s just something special about Aviemore surrounded by snow-capped mountains that combines a wonderful feeling of getting away from it all while also providing ample facilities to keep the kids amused. http://www.hiltonaviemore.com/see-inside/gallery/overview Continue reading
Salamanca Old Quarter
Paradors or Paradores are a chain of state-run Spanish luxury hotels created in the 1920s to promote tourism and preserve ancient buildings. They are usually castles, convents, forts and other historical buildings or more modern buildings in areas of special natural or historic beauty.
Although luxurious, many can be found at similar prices we Brits pay for identikit corporate hotel chains so they are well worth checking out as you may well be pleasantly surprised.
Click here to fill in your own family’s answers
Actual Answers by Ava (age 6) and Sam (age 10) for a Family Weekend Break: DFDS Mini-Cruise to Amsterdam
What countries are you visiting on this trip? Holland
Will you be staying in a B&B , house, tent or with friends? On the ship!
What can you see from you bedroom
window? A lifeboat!
What do you think this area is most famous for? Amsterdam is famous for canals, museums and dancing houses. “7 bridges and load beams,” said Sam. (We’d just completed a very informative canal boat trip).
What foods do the locals seem to enjoy the most? People who live in Amsterdam like cheese and waffles. Continue reading
Essential Items to pack for Long Car JourneysAfter four long family road trips, each totaling between 2500 and 3300 miles, we put together this list of essential items that we now never leave home without… Continue reading
Escape to a luxury cabin, hot tub and forest in PerthshireSitting in a hot tub in a forest on the shore of Loch Lubnaig sipping a glass of Prosecco, savouring an oh so still evening drawing down, all I could think was, “oh yeah!”. Though I also remember the children banging on the patio glass doors mouthing, “We’re hungry,” or somesuch but patio glass is sound proof for a good reason. OK, I jest. Well, kind of. Continue reading