The world is too big to stay in one place...
Destination recommendations
I’ve worked in the USA and Lapland. I have travelled across the USA, Caribbean, Thailand and Europe. I’ve picked a few of my favourite places I’ve visited and provided a few tips for where best to stay and visit.
New York
One of my favourite cities, which I’ve been to 4 times and learnt a bit more about each time.
Top tips:
* Get the ‘New York Pass’. There are lots of passes out there. I feel this one gets you best value for money if you are there for more than 2 days, as has so many attractions. Each attraction normally costs $30-$40pp so you soon get your money’s worth. When I travelled with myself and two kids we saved over £1500 by getting a 4 day pass each. These can be purchased on my website or by contacting me direct.
*Transfers- so a taxi from the airport is going to set you back around $100-$150 plus tip and tolls. I can arrange private pre-booked transfers but they will be a similar price. Personally I just took the subway. I had myself, 2 kids and luggage and we managed just fine. From JFK you take the ‘Air Train’ to Jamaica Station. Then you need to go to the machines and buy a ‘Metro’ card. Next you get on the subway into Manhatten. You can take the ‘E’ train to ’42 St Port Authority’ which is central to a lot of the hotels in Times Square area. In total this costs around $7pp as opposed to paying a lot more for a taxi. I’m happy to help plan exact subway routes. There is a good website called ‘Rome to Rio’ that is great for planning foreign train/subway routes.
* Hotel- I’d recommend staying central to Times Square area. There are so many good hotels. In New York not many hotels offer a breakfast option, or if they do it can be $35-$50pp. I found finding a hotel with breakfast sets you up for the day and massively reduces on food expenditure as NY is expensive for food. Hotels such as the Riu Times Square offer a breakfast and the Distrikt. These are both great 4* hotels in great location. For a 3* option there is the Hampton Inn Manhatten Times Square or Double Tree Hilton Times Square that both do B&B rates. If you are travelling as a family a lot of rooms will be 2 double beds. If your kids are at an age they don’t want to be sharing then I can again help narrow the search. Places like Best Western Hospitality Plus, The Gallivant, The Gardens Sonesta ES, Hotel Beacon and The Moxy Times Square all have rooms better designed for families.
Below is an example itinerary that we did on our last trip to NY. All the locations are planned to do the ones closest together at one time, to avoid trekking back and forth across the city. All activities were on the NY pass (based on 2022 admissions) so you won’t be paying extra admissions:
Day 1:
Arrive and have a mooch around Times Square
Day 2:
Activity 1: 0900- Top of the Rock.
You need to wait in line (no pre-booking). Go to Rockerfella Plaza entrance on 50th St (between 5th and 6th Ave) and go down the staircase to the ‘City Pass’ line (includes NY Pass holders). If you get there at 0900 you’ll be at the front of the queue.
Activity 2: Cycling around Central Park
From Rockerfella it is a 9 minute walk to ‘Unlimited Biking’ cycle rental, on West 56th St, off of 6th Ave.
Rent your cycles and then go on a cycle ride around nearby Central Park. It is just under 2.5km cycle to the American Museum of Natural History (where Night at the Museum was set).
Activity 3: American Museum of Natural History.
Lock up bikes and go to the museum. For this you need to prebook a time slot. I found around 12noon works well timing wise. After this cycle back to rental shop and drop back the bikes.
Activity 4: Big Bus Tour
Head back downtown to Times Square. Go to the ‘Big Bus’ agent infront of the M&M store and book a time slot for the ‘Hop on/off bus’. There are several routes. I’d recommend taking the ‘Downtown’ route which will go towards Statue of Liberty, past the USS Intrepid etc. Buses depart from 0930-1630 every 20 minutes.
Activity 5:
Madame Tussauds
Get back off the bus when it returns to Times Square. Go to Madame Tussauds and go in the ‘VIP Access Line’ where you can present your NY pass. You can use your pass to get a discount and pay an additional $3 for ‘Carnival Carnage’, which is worth doing. Opposite Madame Tussauds there is a ‘Lids’ shop for anyone interested in sports shirts/ caps etc; basketball vests, baseball shirts etc.
Day 2:
Activity 1: The Edge.
Arrive for 10am. The entrance is located on the top floor of a shopping centre (not overly obvious). Personally I think this is a better viewing platform than Top of the Rock or Empire State. Well worth seeing.
Activity 2: The USS Intrepid
Walk approx 15 mins from The Edge to the Intrepid. Stop at Pier 83/84 and get tickets for the Circle Line Cruise (which departs at 12:30 and 15:00). Then walk on and go onto the USS Intrepid (or do the Cruise first and then Intrepid depending on how your timings are going). You get to walk around the ship, see a real space shuttle and go onto a sub marine. There are loads of fighter jets on the deck of the aircraft carrier, which my Top Gun mad son absolutely loved.
Activity 3: Circle Line Cruise
Activity 4: The Ride
Return to Times Square. This is a really fun interactive bus tour. Completely different experience to the ‘Hop on/off bus’ and was actually one of our favourite activities. It is a glass sided bus and you sit facing outwards. I’m not one that is into theatrics but the guides on this tour are so funny. As you do the tour there are actors set up at various stages on the route who do various raps/ dances etc, and it is really good to watch. Take The Ride from 259 W 42nd St (Nr 8th Ave infront of Patrick’s and 5 Guys). 1800 or 1815 departure (I think if I remember correctly you may need to pre book your seats on this one). I’m not sure this is still on the NY pass, but if it isn’t I would recommend paying the extra for this activity.
Day 3:
Go to Coney Island! It’s about 45 min subway ride from Manhatten. I know people don’t think of visiting the beach whilst in NY city but it is a nice break from the hustle and bustle for a day, especially if you are going with kids. If you are only doing a 3 or 4 night trip this might be the day of the itinerary to miss out. We did 5 nights and was the perfect midweek ‘pause’. There is a fairground called ‘Luna Park’ which is on the NY pass which opens at 11am.
Nice sandy beach, boardwalk area with shops and small theme park area, which the kids loved (more like Black Gang Chine/ Paulton’s than Thorpe Park, but still good fun).
If you didn’t get a chance to do Madame Tussaud’s on Day 2 then you can always do that on return from Luna Park.
Day 4:
Activity 1: State of Liberty.
You’ll need to pre-book tickets for this before you go. Go to Battery Park to lake the Liberty Island Ferry. I’d suggest taking one of the earliest sailings of the day (departures 0900, 0925, 0950, 1015, 1040…). I personally wouldn’t bother paying the extra for the ‘crown’ entrance. I don’t think the view is any better from the top back to Manhatten and it’s a really cramped, tight, claustrophobic staircase; prob not worth the extra money or queue times. Liberty Island itself is worth seeing though, and you can get off at Ellis Island too if you want.
Activity 2: 9/11 Memorial and One World Observatory
Go to 180 Greenwich St, 10007.
There is a shorter queue for NY pass holders so ask the staff which queue to go in.
Do the 9/11 Memorial and then you can go to the One World Observatory next door. This is another viewing platform, but this one is inside. A bit of a different experience from the others. Very cool electronic displays as you go up. There is also a cafe here if you want to grab some lunch in a more chilled area than battling the street food.
Activity 3: Escape Vituality
130 W29th St, 10001
This is a VR experience. Not normally my bag but thought my gamer children may enjoy this. It was actually really run. With the NY pass you get 3 activities within the room. The kids opted for the driving simulators but I did a ‘walk the plank’ across the NY buildings, and a paragliding type simulator which were really good. Think you need to book time slots for this one.
Activity 4: Empire State
9 minute walk from Escape Virtuality to the Empire State. Pre-book your time slots for this. I think you pay extra for the ‘sunset’ slots. I think this is a nice way to end your time in the city. I’ve done this at night time and dusk. It makes a nice change from the other viewing platforms in the daytime and you get to see all the city lights coming on.
Day 5: Free time and souvenir shopping before departure home!
Thailand
Thailand is not just red light district and stag dos! I went by myself with my children who were 8 and 10 at the time, and met another female friend and her daughter out there. The Thai people are some of the nicest I have met and so welcoming towards children.
We went to Phuket (we did a Thai Air flight 12 hours to Bangkok, and then short 1 hour connecting flight to Phuket). I’d recommend a pre-booked transfer to the hotel.
We stayed in Kata which was about 30-45 mins south of the main Phuket area. This was a quieter town. We stayed in the Ibis Kata, which was a 3* but had a nice pool and good family sized room, and had a breakfast. I’d recommend B&B so you can set up for the day, but eating out is so cheap that I don’t think you need HB or All Incl.
If I went back I may stay in Karon area, as this had a lovely beach and was more set up for tourists, without being in the hecticness and ‘adult’ culture of nearby Patong.
We were there for 16 nights and split our time between excursion days (which tend to be long days) and beach/pool days.
Some of the excursions I’d recommend:
James Bond Island Day: This is a speed boat departure day and you do several different islands, one of which is ‘James Bond’ Island where they did the famous scene in ‘Man With Golden Gun’. This is a bit of ‘Instagram vs reality’ with tourists swamping trying to get the photo infront of the famous rock formation, but still well worth doing. You do several different island stops and lunch is included. You also do a kayaking expereince which was fantastic. I found the lunches on the ‘speed boat’ days very good- not a packed lunch bag with stale sandwich and an apple, they are normally all you can eat buffets with a good selection to keep everyone happy.
Phi Phi Island Tour: Another ‘speed boat’ day trip. This one takes you snorkelling and past the beach where they from ‘The Beach’ before landing on the Phi Phi Islands. Several different islands visited and some great scenery along the route.
Green Elephant Sanctuary- This is a ‘must’ for any trip. You will find numerous excursions that have elephant riding and photo opportunities. Some of the treatment of the animals is awful. At the Green Elephant Sanctuary it is a totally different experience. It was founded by a Scandinavian who took pity on the elephants on his travels. All elephants here are normally rescue cases and live a life free of chains. They get brought out (if they want to come out) and you can feed them. You then take them to the pool for a swim and get to go in with them and throw buckets of water over them. Then they clean off in the huge outside ‘Elephant Shower’ where you use brooms to give them a good scrub under the water jets which they love. This was a once in a life time day out.
Water Park: There are a few to choose from around Phuket. We did ‘Splash Jungle’. Similar to most water parks in hot counties but fun day out for the kids.
‘Big Buddha Tour’: This was a good tour. You get to go and see the famous ‘Big Buddha’ statue, but also stop off at great viewing spots and temples along the way. There was a stop off at a ‘baby elephant’ but I’d recommend not paying here for the photo opportunity as it only funds the cruelty. Just stay near the bus on this stop and take in the great things on the rest of the tour. There is a stop at a monkey point where you can see all the monkeys. I’d recommend not feeding them as they can get bitey!
Patong town: Worth seeing for a night. You can travel by one of the taxi open sided shared shuttles. They have great street entertainers and a good night-time food market. This is a hectic place! My kids found it a bit much and bit too chaotic. There are lots of people on the street with signs advertising the sex shows etc. They were very respectful and lowered the signs as we walked past with children, but I think just the amount of noise, lights and people was just a bit overwhelming. I’d say still worth seeing, to get the ‘other side’ of the culture but maybe just for a few hours one evening if travelling with kids. I still felt very safe here though. Thailand was actually one of the countries I have felt safest whilst travelling in.
San Francisco
San Francisco… my favourite city in the world!
I’ve been here twice, once in January when it rained constantly (and was not my favourite city in the whole world) and once in April when it was beautiful.
Transfers: I took the train into the main town and then a taxi for the last stretch. You can take the ‘BART’. From the Airport take the line to Montgomery Street. From there we got off and got a taxi for the last stretch to the hotel, however we arrived late at night. If you arrive earlier in the day you may be able to take the cable car from Montgomery down to Fisherman’s wharf, but with luggage may still be a bit of a walk to the hotel.
Hotel: I would recommend staying in the Fisherman’s Wharf area. It is near the water and piers and just a lovely area to stay for the main attractions. I’d recommend the Holiday Inn Express. It is a 3* but you get a buffet breakfast which sets you up well for the day, and good location, walking distance from the main promenade.
Day 1:
Walk to the main promenade and there are lots of signs for the ‘Big Bus’ tours. I always like a bus tour on day 1 in any city to get your bearings and sus out any where you want to go back and see.
The ‘Big Bus’ will go over the Golden Gate Bridge. It goes into a coach park the other side. You can get off here for a photo opportunity. Instead of getting back on the same bus (which goes straight back over the bridge), you can take another bus as part of your ticket, which goes down to a small town called Sausalito. This is such a lovely stop. There are some nice shops and few nice cafes and bars that overlook the water. You get a great view of the city and can watch the fog rolling in. You can see pelicans and watch the seals chasing the fish. Really glad we did this stop.
Day 2:
With the ‘Big Bus’ ticket you get freebe tickets to some other tours. Don’t just dismiss these. On day 2 we went back and did the walking tour of China Town, which was really interesting. We took the cable car from Fisherman’s Wharf up Van Ness and met the tour at Union Square (the main shopping area with Macy’s and all the big stores). It was a good tour but I’d say more aimed at adults, children may get bored.
Day 3: Alcatraz.
Pre-book tickets for the Alcatraz Day. One not to be missed. Surreal experience with audio tour around the old prison buildings. Stunning views back over the city. Once back on the mainland there are lots of great shops to visit on the boardwalk area and you can see the sealions on pier 39.
Day 4: Cycle the Golden Gate Bridge
There are several bike rental shops. I used one called ‘Blazing Saddles’ on Jefferson St (as they also have a drop off on Beach St and you can go into Ghiradelli chocolate shop after dropping the bikes back which is a much needed sugar pick-me-up after the cycle, and such amazing chocolate).
Cycle along good cycle paths across Crissy Field looking out over the bay. There is a good ‘half way’ coffee stop at ‘West Bluff Picnic Area’.
Then cycle the Golden Gate bridge! Once the other side bear left and take the downhill road to a viewing point at the bottom (this is where the photo of me next to the Golden Gate Bridge was taken). You can cycle on to Sausalito or head back at this stage, depending on how your legs are feeling! There is a ferry back if needed!
Courcheval, France
This was my first time taking the boys skiing. There are probably better ski resorts however for me as a novice this worked well as a first ski trip, due to other amenities in the location.
We stayed at Le Ecrin Blanc hotel, which is probably the best hotel I have stayed in. It had stunning views over the Alps. We had a great apartment room with kitchenette area and breakfast at the hotel included, which was an amazing selection. There is also free access to the Aquamotion swimming complex. You walk through a tunnel to the pool. There are several good flumes, a heated outside pool area, where you can swim amongst the snowy banks. There is also a salt water floating pool and spa area for adults. This was a great amenity to have access to after being out in the snow. There was also ski hire at the hotel with good size locker rental.
Everyday at the hotel they did hot choclate and crepes for about 8 euros each afternoon, when heading back in from the slopes.
We used the ‘ESF’ ski school. My kids were 10 and 11 at the time and not skiied before. I put them into the ski school but all the other children were about 4 years old and spoke French so my boys felt a bit out of place and didn’t want to go back. Instead we hired a private instructor who took the 3 of us up the mountain. This is great for first timers as she taught us how to use the ski lifts and took us to a practice slope before going on a gentle run back down. There is a free shuttle that runs from the Ecrin Blanc Hotel to ESF, in the town centre.
You can buy a pass for the gondola which takes you up to the main bar and shops area. Up here there is also a toboggan run. This was amazing! Probably one of the best activities I’ve done with my kids. Not for the faint hearted and I’d say kids should probably be atleast 8 or 9 before using their own toboggan, but this was such a great thing to do.
Tranport: It takes several hours to get from the Airport to the resort. We flew into Geneva (but believe you can also fly to Nice). You can then take the train to Moutiers, and get a taxi from there for the last leg of your journey. I would suggest getting an early flight. We arrived around 7pm and had just missed the last train. We managed to get 2 buses and then a taxi but it was a bit of a nightmare.
Monte Carlo
This is a great for short 3 day break to get some sun. Fly into Nice and then take the train for about half an hour down to Cannes. I’d recommend getting a beach front hotel.
This is a stunning stretch of beach with great bars and restaurants, ideal for a few day escape that is easy on travel.
I went for a weekend with the girls and we stayed in the Hotel Martinez (Hyatt) which had a private beach area.
You can then spend one day going to Monte Carlo. There is a boat that goes most days. We took the train and wandered around the Marina and up to see the famous Casino. We went in May and timed it during the set up for the Grand Prix so got to have a walk round the track. You can sit in Cafe De Paris with a drink and people watch. If you go in the summer and stay into the evening in Monte Carlo then book a table at ‘Coya’ for dinner and get a view of the fireworks. Near to ‘Coya’ is ‘Jimmy’s Nightclub’.
You can take a water taxi to La Reserve de la Mala which is a nice little island with a beach club and nice food.
In Cannes itself I’d recommend a lovely Italian restaurant on the front called ‘Cheer Mumma’, and then some lovely little bars up the nearby side street.
Chicago
The Windy City… apparently not actually windy but got it’s name through views on politicians at the time. Although it may not have been ‘windy’ it was certainly cold! Make sure you check the temperatures and pack accordingly!
I’d recommend staying around half way between the Navy Pier and Michigan Avenue, so you have easiest access to the main sights.
I stayed in the ‘Homewood Suites by Hilton’ which had great sized rooms and a good breakfast buffet included. There is also a generous happy hour every evening where you get free drinks tokens.
Main attractions to see:
*Navy Pier- take a ride on the big wheel to get awesome views over Lake Michigan and the city.
* The John Hancock Tower- you can go on the leaning windows that lower you over the edge of the building. Great city views.
* Cycle hire- you can rent them by card from the stands on the street and then just dock them back when you are done. If you cycle along the edge of the Lake and visit Millenium Park you can see some of the famous sculptures and exhibits
* Sports game at Soldier Field Stadium
Las Vegas
Viva Las Vegas! Where to start! I’ve been here twice and loved every minute. There are so many types of break you can enjoy, ranging from the more hardcore gambling and pool party trips, to taking in the natural side of the Colorado River, and everything in between.
My experience is based on going away as a couple. We stayed at the gorgeous Mandalay Bay, which is located on the far end of the strip, near to the famous Las Vegas sign. I personally wouldn’t want to stay anywhere else. The rooms were amazing and casino floor is spacious and uncluttered (others are very smokey and more crowded feeling). There is an amazing pool and artificial beach area with sunloungers, which was the perfect way to chill for a few hours, amongst the hectic pace of the strip. You can take the free monorail up as far at the Excalibur. That way you can enjoy the Strip but can base yourself slightly away from the hectic main area. If you wanted to be more central I’d recommend the Planet Hollywood as this gets great views over the fountain shows at the Bellagio, but not as expensive as the other central hotels. Personally I’d avoid the Luxor. It’s dark, smokey and a bit dated. This always seems to be the one that comes up cheapest on Vegas package deals, but I believe there are better deals to be had.
In terms of activities there is a Las Vegas Pass which does have lots of attractions included. It may be worth checking the attraction list to see if it’s right for you. For us we didn’t feel it was quite the activities we wanted to just booked a few activities separately. Some of the excursions I would recommend:
* Emerald Cove Kayaking Trip- you get a shuttle pick up and return to the Mandalay Bay Hotel. You are driven about an hour to the visitor centre for the Colorado River and then the tour guide takes your kayak group up the Colorado River to Emerald Cove. The Cove itself isn’t all that. I mean I’m sure it has a lot of history but it was kind of like just a bit of a cave recess off the river. But the kayaking up the river was amazing. Stunning rocky scenery and so nice to be able to dip your arms in the water amidst the heat! There was a little beach stop and we got to see mountain goats. I really enjoyed this trip.
*The High Roller; wheel at the Linq. You can normally find discounted tickets on Groupon. Great views across the Strip. We did this during the day, but I think the views at night with all the lights would be well worth seeing.
*Helicopter Trip over the Grand Canyon. Quite expensive but worth doing if you are going to Vegas.
Eating out is expensive. If you are looking for a cheap meal then worth trying the Happy Panda. Other reasonable places to eat are Ellis Island, Planet Hollywood do a lunch and cocktail deal and Casino Royale.
Rome
When in Rome….
I’d recommend staying in the area near to the Colosseum and Trevi Fountain. This is the main area and it is actually a long walk if you are staying elsewhere in the city.
From the airport it is about half hour by taxi into the city centre. Plenty of taxis waiting so I’d suggest no need for a pre-booked transfer. Just be mindful not to use the unlicensed taxi drivers that will approach you in the main taxi queue. You will end up with a higher bill and left stranded at some cash point if you don’t take out the extra money. Stick with the official ones!
Attractions:
The Colosseum- prebook VIP entry tickets to avoid the line on the day. You will also get free entry to several nearby attractions.
Le Domus Romane di Palazzo Valentini- this is a small group tour and you go over glass floors to look down on the ruins, which are lit up. Quite a good, reasonably priced tour to break up the main sites.
Vatican City- make sure you pre book the ‘skip the line’ tickets as the queues can be very long.
Restaurants with views:
‘Aroma’ near the Colosseum, The Mirabelle (the Hotel Splendide Royal), La Pergola (looks over all of Rome) and Roof Garden Hotel Forum.
Krakow
I loved Krakow. Such a lovely historic city ideal for a few days break.
I’d recommend pre-booking the Auschwitz tour day. Book one with hotel transfers to make life easier. There is a joint tour day to also do the Salt Mines, which we didn’t do, but this is meant to be a really good trip. Personally I think this would be a very long day so may be worth doing the Salt Mines trip on a different day. The Auschwitz Day is quite intense and I feel probably enough for one day.
Schindler’s Factory- check the opening times before you go. We went and they were randomly shut at a time you wouldn’t expect.
Krakow Square.
Vilamoura, Portugal
Vilamoura is a great easy break with the kids. There are flights from Bournemouth as well as London, into Faro. Short flight and half hour transfer the other side to Vilamoura.
We stayed in the Four Seasons, which is a great base. Lovely pool area for the kids, with three pools. They have a games room with air hockey and the rooms are spacious apartments with kitchen area and washing facilities. We got a ground floor room with a great garden terrace. Other good hotels are the Conrad, which is probably the best positioned an.d The Anantara.
You can do a day out to the Aquashow Waterpark, which has great little extras such as mini massages and the fish tanks you put your feet into which the kids loved.
From the hotel it is about a 20 minute ride to the marina and beach. You can do a day at ‘The Shack’ which has a great restaurant with shallow paddling pool for the kids and lake with inflatables. There is also a great place called ‘Coco’s’ for breakfast.
Good restaurants are Monica’s Steak House, Bambino, Casa do Largo and Cheeky Pup.
