Cruise Control

Every thought of a cruise for your next family holiday? Chances are you probably haven't. It's not really the first thing that comes to mind for most of us when we're planning that precious week or two in the sun.

For one there's the expense, and then there's all the old people, not to mention being stuck on a boat with no escape. And lets not even get into the thoughts of one of the kids going overboard...

But just hang on a moment, because it seems that cruises have changed significantly in recent years.

Ships are now catering to whole families with multiple pools, kids clubs, spas, a choice of restaurants and basically anything you'd expect from a great hotel abroad - but with the added benefit of seeing the world and exploring different ports while you're at it.

Having had tour and lunch onboard the Caribbean Princess which was recently docked in Dublin I have to admit it's a tempting option.

The scale of the operation is truly awe inspiring. Not even close to being one of the biggest cruise ships out there the Caribbean Princess caters to over 3000 guests with over 1000 staff. That's a jaw dropping 1 :3 ratio of staff to guest.

But the size doesn't mean the quality is compromised. The food on offer is varied, great quality and caters to every need and whim.

Case in point - these hand made chocolates. And yes - they do taste as good as they look.

The staff are incredibly knowledgeable, happy and fun to be around. But sure why wouldn't they be - they get to sail the high seas and travel the world for a living. 

So what's on offer? 

Even though this isn't one of the largest ships there is so much to see and do. Multiple restaurants and bars, theatres, spas, gyms, kids clubs, pools, casinos and relaxation areas. The cabins are cosy and cleaned twice a day. There's 24 hour room service too. Oh, and did I mention that all your food is included in the price?

I visited the ship on a rainy, wet day in Dublin and was still impressed. The thoughts of lying by the pool with blue skies, sunshine and the ocean spreading our all around me has me reaching for my captain's hat. Let's just hope for your sake I'm not piloting your one...

The Carribean Princess is part of Princess Cruises and was visiting Duiblin as part of their British Isles tour. There is loads of great information on their website and you can get lost in their itineraries of cruises to everywhere from Alaska to New Zealand. Prices begin in the region of £450 pp.

5 Star Family Fun in Portugal with Martinhal

I'm lying by the pristine pool in the sunshine considering whether to order a coffee or a cocktail. It's a big decision.

There's a father with a young child bobbing around in the water singing Hakuna Mattata while another balances a bucket on his head. There are mothers cuddling babies and mothers sleeping on sun loungers. There are families playing together and couples bonding. There are toddlers learning to swim and children safely discovering their independence.

As I look around me surveying the scene I realise - Martinhal is all things to all families. Whatever it is you are looking for from your holiday - you'll find it here.

Martinhal Family Resort in Sagres prides itself in being one of Portugal's leading family resorts, and it's not hard to see why. From the moment we were picked up by Roi our driver - who introduced himself to each of us, and on hearing we were from Ireland addressed us in Irish!, we knew we were going somewhere special. The journey from Faro is about 80 minutes, just enough time for an in-car movie for the kids - which of course they got to choose themselves.

And that's the other thing about Martinhal - they get kids. From the playgrounds located right beside the restaurants to the box of toys they will deliver to your house. Everything is thought of and provided for - almost before you even know yourself that you need it.

Arriving at reception for check in we were handed refreshments from a silver tray and the excited kids got to mess about on a conveniently located elephant while we were given all the information.

Our accommodation was a large two floor home, beautifully designed and so restful it was hard to prise myself away from it each day.

The two balconies allowed you to watch the sun rise on one side and set on the other. Each morning I got up early to take my coffee out and watch the day dawn over the endlessly peaceful national park. A truly special time.

Visiting the 5* resort at the beginning of October meant that there were a large number of families with younger children there - making the most of the out of term time offers and availability. But there really is something for every one at every age.

The kids clubs run all year round and give parents those few hours of peace each day that mean everyone gets what they need from the holiday. The facilities and what's on offer are extensive - all of which will need their own post.

We spent a large part of our four night stay by the main pool area. Located right beside the beach it had everything we needed and more. The kids spent most of their time jumping in and out of the pool, running down the steps to play volleyball or table tennis on the sand, or popping over the the playground complete with trampoline - returning only when they were hungry.







Lunch meant a short stroll down the beach to a little cafe, or an even lazier order from the pool bar. Another tough decision.

As it was October the weather was mixed so I made the most of the cloudy periods by booking in for some guilt free treatments at the Finestra Spa. Divine! After a steam room, cold shower and full body massage I wasn't sure I would ever be able to get up again to leave. But I just about did, and even managed to book a mother and daughter facial for the next day.

Kaya was beside herself with excitement and it was such a lovely thing to be able to share with her. We both came out glowing and she declared it her favourite moment of the whole holiday. Win.

I also managed to squeeze in some Yoga which was perfectly suited to the stillness of the beautiful surroundings. Namaste.

On our last day I took the boys off exploring on bikes. As someone with possibly the worst sense of direction on the planet this may have been foolish - but with a handy map to guide me \ get lost on - we somehow made it over to Tonal Beach to watch the surfers and have an ice cream before heading back for our last afternoon by the pool.

My evenings were spent devouring delicious local seafood, tasting fantastic regional wines and sipping on cocktails. Two of the three restaurants onsite exceeded expectations, with only the O Terraco fine dining experience letting the side down a little.

We also ventured into Sagres town one evening - a short walk along the beach away, and happened upon an amazing restaurant - Villa Velha, where I feasted on the freshest John Dory laced with garlic and anchovy butter - a meal I won't forget in a hurry.

I asked other couples at the resort what their honest opinion of the place was. One mother with a five month old baby boy answered in a heartbeat - 'I'm coming here every year until he moves out'. And I don't even think she was joking. She told me that she had been suffering with such sleep deprivation over her teething baby that she was worried they wouldn't be able to enjoy the break at all. When they mentioned this to Martinhal they were given an upgrade - from one room to two - meaning that they could take it in turns to get some rest. I met her at yoga and then again at the Spa - looking very relaxed and happy - so I'd say the plan worked!

Another mother told me that Martinhal had delivered a box of toys to the house to keep her two little ones occupied - making it less 'holiday home' and more 'home away from home'. Everyone I spoke to was delighted with the resort, the staff and the holiday they had paid their hard earned money on.
When pushed for any negative the only thing any of the people I spoke to could come up with was that the paths were a bit bumpy for the prams....So a pretty good record all round I'd say!

Memories of Martinhal will include sunshine and sea food, yoga and beautiful sunrises, bonding and bikes, games and relaxation, frozen margaritas and striped hammocks,

Now, when can we go back?

Disclosure: We stayed at Martinhal Family Resort in Sagres as guests of the resort for 4 nights in one of their Pinewood homes. I retain all editorial control of this review and all images and opinions are my own.

11 Fabulous Family Sun Holiday Destinations

Ok so I know we are heading toward winter, but I for one am already thinking about next years sun holiday (you have to dream right?). 

Choosing a family holiday can be confusing - especially given that every family has different likes, dislikes and expectations. So I've gathered some great posts by some great bloggers who have tried and tested some fabulous destinations to help you make that decision a little easier (or possibly harder - so much to choose from!)

The only reason I didn't collapse with jealousy and longing while writing this post is because I'm heading of to Martinhal Resort in Portugal next week for some last minute sunshine. I have a very strong feeling I'll have a new favourite destination to share by the time I come back - so don't go booking anything just yet!

The Middle Ground
All inclusive in Corsica - Older Single Mum 

Along with the provision of qualified childcare and tuition for any age and level for water sports and tennis or skiing - all of which are included in the price - there is also the friendly and professional nature of the management and staff, which, in the intimate environment of the San Lucianu Hotel in Corsica, noticeably came to the fore.

Spanish villa in Costa Blanca - The Crazy Kitchen 

The views from the villa were stunning, especially at night, during a full moon, however, within a few minutes drive inland there were even more stunning views of the coast, mountains, vineyards and the rock of Calp in the distance. Whilst we did visit quite a few places during our stay, we spent the majority of days lazing around the pool, and evenings having a bbq, relaxing, listening to music and playing cards. That's what I love about villa holidays.

(*Note - I used to live hear and can second all of the above!)

A villa holiday in Lanzarote - Mummy Daddy Me

Growing up, I visited Lanzarote a fair few times and knew it was a great place for a week of easy going family fun in the sun, so we decided on there and found the perfect villa for us - Villa Ventura. Ventura was situated in the main resort of Puerto Del Carmen, but in a quieter location, just a stones throw from the beach with sea views and it’s own private pool. It also stated on the website that due to the location you didn’t need to hire a car and being that we just wanted a week in the sun without particuarly having a thirst to explore, that sold it to us and we booked it up, counting down the days until it was time for our holiday.

Adventuring to Egypt - Mummy Central

We assumed we’d have to wait until the boys were a bit older. We were wrong. Many hotels in Egypt have their own waterparks. Being such a dry and arid country, it’s how the tourism industry attracts the younger families.

4 Star Fun

A family cruise - Space in your case

There are lots of benefits to enjoying a family cruise over a beach holiday, but for us the most important are:

• You get to visit lots of exciting destinations in a single trip

• It’s so easy if your kids fussy eaters: cruise ships have so many restaurants, there’s always plenty of choice for everyone.

• Family-friendly cruise ships offer a resort’s worth of activities and entertainment in one easily navigable space.

Long haul to Arizona - Domestic Goddesque

I try not to think about the last time we travelled to America. With a baby and a two-year-old. By the end of the flight I wanted to gouge my eyes out, especially when someone, as she was disembarking, looked at me with shining eyes and told me that she had been ‘praying for me’.

(Worth it though!)

Everything you could ask for family resort in Rhodes - Mummy Mummy Mum

I never thought I’d be the type of person to return to the exact same holiday destination year on year, but I can honestly say I hope with all my heart that we have many more family holidays at Levante Beach Resort. The resort itself is spotlessly clean and beautifully laid out with  great restaurants, wonderful staff and all the facilities you could hope for.

Disney World Florida - Kate Takes 5 

Typhoon Lagoon is great for all but just perfect if you have little kids. There is a dedicated area for the smallies with special rides just for them - no big guys allowed! Something the four year old greatly appreciated.

5 Star Lux

Europe finest family resort - Martinhal, Algarve, Portugal. 
Choose between designer villas, 5 star hotel or a selection of beautiful houses. We're off to test out the facilities and accommodation next week and will be back with a full report!

You-won't-believe-it luxury villa (with staff) - Space in your case

You’ll be sitting by the pool, with your legs dangling in the cool water and you’ll turn around to find a cushion has been placed behind you, in case you fancy a lie down. Mid-morning, you’ll be thinking that you’re feeling a little peckish and your host will appear with a snack and homemade fruit cooler. As soon as you wake up, you’re asked if you’d like a tea or a coffee. 

Relaxed 5 star fun - Katy Hill

We had 2 breathtaking rooms with inter-connecting door, which worked perfectly since, in the evenings,  the kids could go to bed and Trey and I could sit out on the terrace, listening to the waves.  We even had roof terraces over each suite so we could watch the sun set.  TOTAL bliss!   It was seriously the closest thing to family Nirvana I've ever experienced! 

So, which would you choose?

The best family holiday in the Peak District: Darwin Forest Country Park

Darwin Forest Country Park is an absolute gem in the UK's Peak District. Having spent the past 4 days there I am genuinely excited about sharing this little known corner of the world with you. The Peak District itself is a fantastic place for a family holiday - and Darwin Forest is the perfect base in which to stay.

The Location:
Sitting on the east side of the Peak District National Park, Darwin Forest Country Park is close to everywhere you might want to visit. It takes no more than half an hour to get to any number of wonderful places - that is, if you want to leave the site at all.

The Peak District is in Derbyshire, close to Sheffield, Nottingham and Manchester. The closest airport is East Midlands, which Ryanair flies in to with some bargain busting flights.


The Accommodation:

The lodges at Darwin Forest are really special. Rather than a sprawl of identikit cabins, they are spread out throughout the park with lots of individual designs. Sizes and prices vary, so there really is something for every one. From Classic, Elite and Spa lodges to family cottages and exclusive ranges - the lodges go from 2 sleepers to 8 sleepers.

We were lucky enough to stay in The Meadow 'an exclusive small development of three sumptuous luxury lodges'.

Darwin Forest and it's sister site Sandybrook Country Park are family owned resorts, and the lodges on both sites are actually developed and built by the same family's other business. What this means for us is that the lodges are all built to a particularly high spec, with everything seamlessly produced.

You can also specify on booking if you want a hot tub. (Note: you want a hot tub).

We spent a large part of our time in here. Shooting the breeze and playing alphabet games. It's a fantastic family bonding time as it's a confined space with no other distractions. The warm water and bubbles just melt the stresses away and the kids adore it.

The bedrooms were cozy, comfy and had lots of light and space

The bathrooms were more 5 star hotel than log cabin in a forest, with the all important heated towel rail that kept the towels turning over as we used and re-used the hot tub. (Did I mention there is a hot tub...?)

Communal areas:

The lodge we stayed in was absolutely immaculate. So much so that I had a moral debate in my head about whether I could actually bring myself to use the grill in the kitchen. I felt like I was walking up to an oven in Harvey Norman and slapping a few rashers on to the shining metal rack. Luckily I got over myself and yes thank you - the bacon butties were delicious.

The kitchen had all the mod cons you'd expect and a few nice touches like plastic cups for the kids and a cafetiere for the grown ups.

The lounge was flooded with light all day and also had a lovely stove for those non-summer nights.

The decking area got the sun all day long and you can even borrow a barbecue from the reception area.

The Park:
The facilities in the park are fantastic. Everything you would expect and more. The outdoor areas are just wonderful. From the moment you open your cabin doors the trees, birds and wildlife are all around you.

The kids delighted in all the rabbits they found jumping around the park, and little bird boxes were dotted around the trees. Woodland walks, secret ponds, flower strewn meadows and surprise obstacle courses were all around.

A lovely playground kept them amused for hours, as did the football pitch. All perfectly located so that the grown ups could sit in the sun with a cold drink and marvel at how easy looking after kids is when you have the right facilities to hand.

And we didn't even get to the mini golf!

I took an early morning run through the forest trail on one of the days and can't describe how lovely it was. Nothing but me, the birds and the fresh clean air. Glorious.

What to do if it rains:
Yes, yes I hear you. What if you take the plunge and the rain stops play? Well thankfully Darwin Forest caters for those times too.

There is a really lovely swimming pool, complete with gym and beauty salon should you be so lucky.

There is also Little Monkey's indoor play centre and cafe. We sat outdoors in the sunshine and had lunch here on one of the days - which was surprisingly lovely. From my experience indoor play centres don't tend to serve the greatest food but this really was good.

The pub is perfect - indoors and out. We tested both extensively for the sake or research purposes. There is a restaurant attached and they are currently developing and extending this area.

There's an arcades room and snooker hall for the older kids too. We paid a visit to both and I may have had a quick game of Pacman just for old time's sake..

The damage:
No we didn't break anything. We even cleaned the grill in fact.

As I said rates vary a good deal depending on what and when you are looking. A seven night stay in an Elite lodge with hot tub for 4 people in August (peak season) is currently £1,419. A three night stay for 2 over the same dates is currently £459. For those with pre-school children, a week’s stay in October for 4 people in an Elite lodge with a hot tub is £699. The best thing to have a good look through what the options are and how much each costs.


Recommended?
Without a doubt. We absolutely loved our stay. Darwin Forest Country park is perfect for kids of all ages - whether you have toddlers, teenagers or anything in between. In fact it's a lovely getaway for extended families too - a couple of lodges taken together would be perfect for a big family meet up. Or why not bring the grandparents and get a larger sized lodge? (And maybe even a bit of free babysitting...).

One couple we met actually lived just 20 minutes away but still came to Darwin Forest to get away from it all - which says a lot really.

The park and surrounding area has so much to offer that you can really make the holiday what you want it to be. Whether that's climbing mountains and cycling tow paths, strolling around the woodland walks, visiting the local tourist attractions, touring country pubs or simply lazing round the lodge and dipping in and out of the hot tub.

I did mention there was a hot tub didn't I?

Disclosure: We were invited to stay at Darwin Forest Country Park as guests for the purposes of this review. All words and opinions are honest and my own. If you are thinking of booking and have any questions about our stay, I am more than happy to answer them.