Photo Credit: Panoramas via Compfight cc

When I was 18 I went on a short break to Paris with my mum, dad and sister. It was amazing. We went to art galleries, ate in lovely cafes and I discovered the best bookshop in the world – Shakespeare and Company.

Since that short trip I’ve been dreaming of going back. I’ve never been to the French capital with my husband, but I know that if we were to go, we would have the best time. Living in the countryside means we love the odd break to a city (we honeymooned in Havana) and Paris is a city and a half. We also love a nice hotel, and a quick look on Hotel Direct shows there’s no shortage of those in Paris.

Last year the NLM’s cousin moved to Paris for work. Ever since then a mini break there has been even more real, as it might finally give us the kick up the backside to organise ourselves.

There are a few things that make Paris the ideal place for a short break for frazzled parents. Read on for some insider tips to Paris from other parent bloggers too…

It’s easy to get to:

You can get to Paris in a matter of hours via the Channel Tunnel, meaning lengthy plane journeys don’t cut into your short time away.

It’s cheaper than going to New York:

The lack of flight means a mini break to Paris is kinder on the pocket than a mini break to, say, New York. It also means you don’t have the additional cost of airport parking or overnight stays in hotels the night before your flight. I call that a win.

There’s SO much to do:

From art galleries (the Picasso gallery was my favourite) to tourist hotspots like the Eiffel Tower and the Cathedral in Notre Dame, to parks and tiny bookshops, posh restaurants and cosy cafes, there is so much to do in Paris a short break won’t feel like enough. When you’re used to being busy it’s nice to just sit back and relax on a short break, but the thing I love about Paris is that the option’s there to do other things should you feel more energetic.

TIP: “Try not to plan too much, as half the joy of Paris is wandering around, stopping for a coffee when you feel like it and soaking it all in.” – Cat from Yellow Days.

TIP: “If the weather is good avoid being cooped up in galleries and spend time taking in sculpture outdoors. Rodin’s garden is incredible, see The Thinker amongst beautiful roses.” – Penny from A Residence.

There’s SO much to eat:

It’s no secret that Paris is a bit of a foodie paradise. As a huge lover of bread (even though it doesn’t love me back) I don’t think you can go far wrong with a big hunk of baguette accompanied with some delicious camembert or brie. Then again, I’m also partial to the works of art you can buy in the specialist patisseries – the caramelised fruit on top of a buttery, crumbly pastry filled with custard… Mmmmm. And then there’s Moule Mariniere, crème brule, crepes, not to mention the incredible chocolate. Just remember to pack a pair of trousers with an elasticated waistband.

TIP: “Go to Procope Café. Nobody has heard of it but the history of the place is astonishing.” – Tanya from Mummy Barrow.

Have you been to Paris? What would your number one tip be? 

***

This is a commissioned post. For more information please see my disclosure page. 

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It may be that I have spent the last two years working and rushing around non-stop, so it’s only now that we’re more settled I can fully appreciate the need to savour all the little moments. This time last year I spent so many of my days exhausted and powering on until bedtime that I’m not convinced I made the most of every second.

It’s a bit of a paradox, this time thing though. When you become a parent you’re constantly told, “Make the most of it, they grow up so fast”. And you can see it yourself, when you blink and your newborn is suddenly a chubby toddler. But at the same time as wanting to savour those moments and feeling them slip away all too quickly, you’re trying to stop ketchup being smeared up the wall and fighting an exhaustion that will only be quelled by sleep. Your days both zoom past in the blink of an eye and drip along in a slow trickle, like a smear of thick treacle. 

I always find looking at photographs reminds me how lucky I am. Whether it’s scrolling through my Instagram account or looking back on photos on my laptop, I am instantly taken back to a day or a moment that seemed important enough to capture at the time.

With the weather so cold and dismal recently I’ve been hankering after some summer sun. I’ve been drawn to photographs I took last August, when the sun was hot and we ate ice cream, drank fizz and explored the beaches near our new home. We went on a camping trip to Cornwall, near the Devon border. We ate sausages for breakfast and flew kites on the sand.

These were a series of tiny moments. But they were moments that mattered.

***

Thank you to Lloyds Bank who encouraged me to relive these moments with their Moments That Mattered campaign. This post is written in association with them. For more information please see my disclosure page. 

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I have been blessed with a husband who hails from Greater Manchester. While his Lancastrian tones and dry sense of humour are really rather lovely, the distance we have to travel to see his equally lovely family is less appealing.

On a good day, it can take as little as five hours to get up to the (self-proclaimed) Northern Love Machine’s home town from our house in Devon. On a bad day, however, we are talking eight hours plus. Eight hours. In a car. With a three year old who “GOT WEE! GOT WEE! MUMMY!” every hour or so. It’s not pretty. 

I remember the first time we went up to see the NLM’s family, back when Frog was a mere 6 weeks old. I was nervous about the trip, worrying about getting caught in traffic and not being able to placate my screaming newborn with a milky boob. Luckily for us she slept most of the journey (back then it was a shorter trip, from Berkshire). Since then we have had many, many more journeys up and down the M5 and M6.

A few things have made the travelling easier. I always stock up on snacks and pack sandwiches, fruit and plenty of drinks for the journey. At Christmas I chuck in a mince pie and some chocolate too. It saves on being charged fifty million pounds for a packet of chocolate buttons at the services.

We take a supply of books for the journey, which Frog will happily “read” before dropping off to sleep. We were recently sent a stash of books to make the long journey easier – including Frog’s current favourite The Tiger Who Came to Tea. (Thanks to Airport Parking and Hotels  – a good place to find cheap airport parking – for the tips.) There’s also a really handy travel desk she has for the car, which means she can doodle with crayons when she wakes up too.

Regular stop-offs are an absolute requirement when travelling with a young child – not to mention a mother with a weakened post-child pelvic floor. We tend to stop at a couple of service stations en-route to have a bit of a walk about, go to the loo and get some (straight off the motorway) fresh air.

Frog is at the age where she loves the idea of games. She can’t quite grasp the concept of “I Spy” yet, but she had a good bash at it on our most recent trip up north at Christmas. It basically ended up with everything beginning with “I spy with my little eye sumfink beginning with M Mummy.” We quickly learned that “M” was not for “Mummy”, but “ME! (ha ha ha ha)”. The joke got old after the tenth time, but still, at least she wasn’t crying.

Music is another companion for us on long car journeys. We tend to flick between various radio stations and CDs, to appease ALL members of the family. Frog loves music and has done ever since she was a baby. Back then, if she started getting fidgety then we could guarantee at least 15 minutes grace period if we put some music on.

How about you? How do you survive long car journeys with kids?

***

This post is written in collaboration with APH. I was sent a selection of books for the purpose of this piece. 

The post How to entertain a 3 year old on the longest journey ever appeared first on Mother's Always Right.

You know when you go away with the family and you have about ten suitcases and a few extra carrier bags stuffed in every gap in the car boot, just for good measure? Yeah, last weekend was NOTHING like that.

I jumped in my car, solo. I had a handbag and a small overnight bag. Nothing else. No baby wipes, toys, emergency snacks or husband paraphernalia (my man really needs to invest in a man bag). I simply took my phone, wallet, a dress, pair of high heels, some PJs and a bag of make-up. I felt like I was in a state of heightened luxury before I even reached the end of the road.

I was heading to the Francis Hotel in Bath, to meet my oldest friend for a belated joint 30th birthday celebration.

When I arrived, I managed to bag the last space in the car park, which was a huge stroke of luck. It was at that moment I felt blessed to have a tiny car that squeezed into the miniature space in between two enormous Landrovers. Sometimes bigger isn’t always better.

Check-in was in the swish hotel lobby – all comfy armchairs, regency furniture and modern prints. Every surface gleamed with fresh polish. Huge vases of lillies perfumed the air. My grin spread wider.

We stayed in a Superior Room. The carpet was plush, the sheets were Egyptian cotton, there was an espresso machine for my coffee-loving friend and matching fluffy bathrobes. I fear our hysterical “Oohs” of excitement may have been heard four rooms down.

For a room of this rate (£284 a night) I would have hoped to find a bath to luxuriate in, so I was a bit disappointed not to discover one. The shower was incredible though, like standing underneath a huge waterfall of soft, warm water.

There was the obligatory comfy chair, swanky desk and spacious wardrobe. All in all, we were feeling pretty pleased with how our Saturday was panning out.

For me, regardless of the plush surroundings inside the hotel, its main boast is the location. Slap bang in the centre of lovely Bath, it’s the perfect spot to do a bit of exploring of the city. It’s moments away from the Jane Austen centre, Pump Rooms and Thermae Bath Spa. On the doorstep you’ll find lanes with independent shops selling everything from cheese to scarves, plus restaurants, pubs and bars galore.

Our afternoon consisted of wandering unhindered around the shops, peeking in pretty windows and browsing the food section of M&S (you’ve got to take your child-free pleasures when you can get them). We talked, incessently, only coming up for air in between sentences to gasp at some twinkly festive lights or take a photo. We may be 20 years older but our passion for gossip conversation has not changed one bit.

Back in our decadent hotel room, we took it in turns to take way longer than usual in the shower. It was an impressive shower, made even more so without the constant attentions of a three year old needing assistance on the toilet. Donning those fluffy bathrobes, we painted nails, buffered newly-shaven legs and blow-dried hair. We also talked some more, nibbled on carrots and hummus and sipped fizz. 

And more fizz…

The evening was spent eating delicious Thai food in the Thai Balcony restaurant nearby, followed by cocktails and dancing in a couple of bars up the road. A bottle of fizz and a couple of cocktails down, we got in with some selfie action. Don’t judge us.

The following morning we padded down to the breakfast area where we scoffed eggs benedict with pots of tea and bowls of fresh fruit, all included in the cost of the hotel room.

If I was to go to Bath for a pamper weekend away again, I wouldn’t hesitate to stay in the Francis Hotel a second time around. But perhaps next time I might pay by cash rather than card. When you check into the hotel you swipe your card, but you don’t pay the balance until you check out. Something went wrong with my first card swipe though, so I ended up paying for the room twice, leaving me out of pocket for a few days afterwards. The hotel were quick to sort it out for me though, and I’m told that’s never happened before.

There’s a restaurant and bar inside the hotel, which we didn’t try out, but they both looked pretty impressive. Staff were friendly, welcoming and efficient. And the bed, well… let’s just say I returned home incredibly well rested despite the late night and the cocktails. Apparently Egyptian cotton sheets really are all that.

**

Disclosure: We were guests of The Francis Hotel in Bath, for the purpose of this review. 

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I’m inviting a rare guest to the blog today – my dad!

As a former English teacher and gifted writer (he’ll cringe when he reads that), I told him the only way he and my mum could join my three year old and I on a review trip to Spain would be if he wrote something about it.

So here it is.

*****

“Just go!” she orders from the babyseat as the wait to drive into the Big Boat snaps her three year old patience. She’s not concerned about the cars in front of us, bringing back memories of her mother and her sister at about her age, at the start of our annual trek to France. The excitement is an urgent, physical tingling as the adventure is about to begin and I’m pleased by its rippling through the generations from Frog to Molly, to Ghislaine (Molly’s mum) and to me, her dad.

And then on the ramp, into the jaws of the Pont-Aven, I say, “I only hope they remember to close the doors” and Molly groans, “Not again, Dad – you always used to say that!” She even texts her sister Lizzy who can’t believe that Dad would say that yet again. Their loving scorn is cement between the generations.

When our girls were young we always went to France. We did consider the crossing to Santander in order to widen our horizons but the reputation of the Bay of Biscay put us off. I am a little worried, therefore, at the captain’s tannoyed announcement that crossing the bay today and tonight might be a little rough, owing to high winds from the south-west. (In fact, I was amazed at how smooth it was – a slight rise and fall, the occasional small shiver but nothing uncomfortable or alarming. The size and technology of the boat must have a flattening effect, I suppose.)

On our previous family trips we never dared use the restaurant with our young children, worrying about its formality and cost in relation to the self-service cafeteria. This evening, though, the waiter is cheerful and relaxed as we ask for a small spoon and a tub of ice cream for Frog, as her very first experience afloat lessens her appetite. He doesn’t mind that her pasta hasn’t been touched and nobody need feel self-conscious. The rest of us thoroughly enjoy excellent food, though Mols takes Frog back to the cabin before her cheese and dessert. I’m impressed that the waiter offers to bag these up for her, should we want him to.

All in all the crossing is a very pleasant experience, particularly after Frog perks up the following morning and we see a pod of dolphins swimming and leaping beside the boat as we near the Spanish coast. And Spain, so close, so soon!

We appreciate having our own car and clutter as we drive along the coast from Santander to Noja, a short and easy journey. The scenery is dramatic, craggy but much greener than the Spain I’ve seen before. Plumes of pampas grass sprout from rock faces and then there’s a valley as green as Wales. This is where many Spanish come to holiday, I’m told, and the atmosphere certainly seems mellow, compared to the Mediterranean coast or the heat of the interior at this time of year.  The roads are calm and well-signed and there are very few other foreign cars on them as we drive to our resort. Frog and Ghislaine are happy in the back and Mols navigates easily.

We arrive in Noja in the rain and the tourist development is very quiet now but we stare at the sea, the sand, the rocks and the surf before finding a cheap and friendly bar for lunch. We have precious little Spanish language between us but a smile and sign language gets us through. It seems that the Spanish in Cantabria have less need to speak English than elsewhere in Spain, but we feel very welcome and nothing is too daunting.

Our stay of a few days passes in a blur. The apartment is very comfortable and easy to manage, though I worry about the marble staircase and floors with a toddler, but no harm comes. The basement parking is very convenient and we discover more life, what feels like ordinary, genuine Spanish life, in the older part of town. The weather picks up and we are amazed by the Safari park about 45 minutes’ drive back towards Santander. The views are breath-taking, as is the range of animals, roaming in their cleverly designed open enclosures. Frog wants to touch the elephants and she loves the bells on the goats and their pooh on the track. She loves being roared at by her human mummy lion, but is a little more wary of the real thing. A brilliant day out, except that now Froga is nagging for the beach and a new bucket and spade.

Back on the beach in Noja we experience a miracle: We are unable to find a bucket and spade shop open during siesta, and most of the holiday shops by the beach have closed for the season. Oh dear – are there going to be tantrums? The Brittany Ferries beach ball goes down well in the breeze (“chase me, chase me!”) but how is Frog going to dig? This is when the Beach of Bounty offers up her spoils. Beachcombing hero grandad finds not just one, but THREE plastic spades, one rake, two buckets and even a couple of plastic balls for her to play with. The beach is very clean but the tide (and litter bins) are generous today. Thank you, Neptune or your Spanish relation.

And suddenly it’s time to leave.

How lovely to have been so foreign and with one’s own car and things after such a short drive. How lovely to have seen such spectacular scenery. Most of all, though, how lovely to have spent a few days with my daughter, my granddaughter and my wife mooching about in Spain in September.  (Oh, and lovely, too that the prices in Spain were so cheap!) I’d love to go back.

***

Thank you to Brittany Ferries who provided us with travel and accommodation for the purpose of this series of posts. All opinions remain those of my dad – who is always honest!

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A trip to Northern Spain in September is never going to mean unadulterated guaranteed sunshine. This is what we learned when we travelled to Noja in Cantabria last week with Brittany Ferries. Despite the mixed weather though, we still managed to relish every second of the break.

It’s the first time I’ve been away with just my parents and daughter, so it was a bit of a test to see a) how well we all got on (very well, as it turns out) and b) if there were enough things to do to keep all ages happy (there were).

We stayed in a beautifully light and airy town house  in Noja, an expanding seaside resort about 45 minutes west of Santander. You can find out more about the place itself in this post from earlier in the week.

Noja is a relaxed kind of place, popular with Spanish holidaymakers wanting to escape the fierce heat and hordes of foreign tourists further south during the summer. For that reason, it’s a brilliant spot to submerse yourself in “real” Spanish life. We loved spending time browsing the market (in the square on a Wednesday morning) and soaking up the atmosphere of a local restaurant overlooking one of the beaches.

To be honest, just mooching around Noja and enjoying each other’s company kept us happily entertained for a full morning. That afternoon, we headed to our nearest beach a ten minute walk away, to run off some steam and build some sandcastles. You don’t need blazing sunshine to enjoy the huge expanse of golden sand that Noja offers. In fact, at this time of year you get most of the beach to yourself, which is rather lovely really.

Noja is perfectly situated to explore other parts of Cantabria. A region of lush green, dramatic mountains and stunning beaches, there’s lots to see. Driving in this area is easy too, because signs are clear and directions straight-forward. We travelled back towards Santander along the A8 motorway which connects all the regions on the northern coast of Spain.

A scenic hour’s drive east of Noja we found the Parque de la Naturaleza de Cabarceno – a huge wildlife park nestled amongst the orange rocks and green valleys of an old open-cut mine.

It boasts elephants and lions, giraffes and camels, zebras – and many other exotic and exciting species. The sheer size of the park means the animals can wander about without being confined to small cages or “goldfish” type spectator bowls. Our first glimpse of the elephants had Frog whooping for joy. It was almost surreal seeing them gracefully loping about far below us, deep in the valley.

Entry to the park costs €21.00 for an adult in high season (or €18.00 for a group and €13.00 for children aged 6-12) between 1st April to 30th September. During the rest of the year admission is priced at €15.00. I think that’s a pretty reasonable amount to pay for a memorable day out and is certainly competitive compared with similar types of places Britain.

There are plenty of picnic areas around the park, along with a pretty fancy restaurant, a bar for more relaxed eating (burgers, pizzas, chips etc) and a self-service cafe. We plumped for pizza and chips in the bar area, washed down with a cold Spanish beer. When you’re on holiday it’s rude not to, after all.

If you’re after a more adrenaline-fuelled day out, then around 3 hours drive from Noja you’ll find the famous Fuente De Cable Car. Described as the “jewel in Cantabria’s crown” the cable car crosses a section of the Picos mountains, the mountain range that joins Cantabria on the east and Asturias on the west.  We didn’t get this far as it’s quite a long trek to make just for the day when you have a three year old in tow, but if we go back to the region I’d love to schedule in a night stop near the cable car site, so we can go up in it. It looks like one of those activities you don’t forget in a hurry.

If we had stayed longer we would also have taken day trips over to Santander to explore the city. As it happens, we caught glimpses of it on the drive off the ferry. As it’s such an easy, direct drive from Noja, it’s definitely worth a visit if you can fit it in. Further east, around an hour from Noja, there’s another city I’d like to visit. Bilbao is in the Basque Country and is home to the famous Guggenheim art gallery – it’s worth a look for the impressive space age design of the building alone!

Finally, a huge part of any trip abroad for us is always sampling the local food. We tried local cheeses, paella, fresh fish and countless huge, vibrant vegetables. I have a separate post planned about this element of the trip, mainly because I want to relive it all over again. Sorry about that.

Have you been to this part of Spain? What did you do when you were there?

***

Thank you to Brittany Ferries for providing us with our travel and accommodation for the purpose of this review. And thank you to the Cantabria Tourist Board who provided us with a family ticket to visit the Parque de la Naturaleza de Cabarceno for the day. All opinions remain my own, as ever. 

The post Spain in September: Things to do appeared first on Mother's Always Right.

With a husband who works as a teacher, I’m not familiar with holidaying in September, despite the fact my child is yet to start school. I’ve always thought of September breaks as being the sloppy-seconds of summer, imagining empty resorts and depressingly deserted beaches. But last week, on our break in Northern Spain, I found out that a trip taken out of season doesn’t have to be second best. In fact, there are many reasons that make it far more appealing.

We travelled by ferry to Santander and drove 45 minutes west to a little seaside town called Noja. This is an expanding resort popular with Spanish holidaymakers at the height of the season.

With dramatic mountains set against huge swathes of golden sand, Noja is certainly a scenic place – but there is also a sense of normality that removes it from your typical tourist resort. There are no pseudo Irish pubs, for example, nor cafes proclaiming “The Best Fry-Up in Spain”. It’s low-key, especially in September when many of the restaurants and bars have closed and the heat of the peak season has waned. 

We were staying in an apartment rented through Brittany Ferries, a fifteen minute stroll from the centre of town. The Apartamentos Quinto Sueño Torre Cristina is spacious, light and airy. Covering three floors, it boasts three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a living and dining room, kitchen and shared pool. There’s also a terrace with sun loungers and outside table and chairs. The decor is traditional, with marble floors and bright colours on the walls.

It’s part of an L-shaped complex consisting of ten apartments, which all share a pool. Plus, it has parking for two cars, which is a huge bonus in a resort like Noja – I imagine this comes in especially handy during high season.

The two flights of stairs and sharp marble corners don’t make this apartment ideal for a family with babies or toddlers, but for us – a group made up of mum, three year old and grandparents – it was perfect. There was room for Frog and I to have our own space, while my parents had a whole floor to themselves with their huge double bedroom (and en-suite bathroom complete with jacuzzi bath) on the top floor.

Cantabria as a region is ripe with lush green vegetation, golden beaches and towering mountains. I never associated Spain with so much green until I visited the Northern coast. It’s much cooler, with temperatures not peaking above 21 degrees while we were there. It’s hotter in the summer, but still more temperate than resorts further south.

If you’re a sun worshipper, then I wouldn’t advise going to Cantabria in September, as you won’t be guaranteed unbroken sunshine. That said, we had spells of beautiful blue skies and warmth – although these were mixed with showers and gusty winds on other days. As a verified heat lover, I was a bit grumpy on our first morning when I saw grey skies, but that bad mood instantly vanished once we got out into the area and I took in the breathtaking views. Rain or shine, these are impressive – and you don’t need hot hot heat to enjoy time playing at the beach anyway.

There’s something incredibly calming about wandering along a quiet beach, as the waves crash against the shore and the sun peaks through the clouds. I lost myself in the mountains and the water and the sense of space this place has – with no sun loungers to pick a path through, or games of volleyball to dodge. I imagine this isn’t the case mid-August, although the more relaxed pace of this part of Spain means it’s never over-run with British tourists. I quite like that.

Our nearest beach was a fifteen minute walk from our apartment – ten if you walked quickly. Even in low season there was a lifeguard there at one point, keeping a close eye on the few surfers in the water.

Ten minutes in the opposite direction we came to the town centre and another beach, with the few cafes and restaurants that were open all year round, whatever the season. That’s where we stumbled across a thriving local market one morning (in the town square) and the best supermarket I’ve ever been to. More on that in another post.

I’d love to go back to this part of Spain and explore it a bit further. Noja makes an ideal base to get to know the area, plus it really worked for us as a group made up of different ages all wanting varying things from the break. While it didn’t get hot enough to sunbathe, we still managed to spend a good chunk of time at the beach playing, running, building impressive sandcastles and just watching the sea. And, of course, we managed to fit in a delicious meal at a nearby restaurant and a couple of lovely evenings eating local food we cooked back at the apartment.

If you’re the kind of person who hates the crowds and loves stunning natural scenery, you’d love this place – especially in September. If you crave the heat and enjoy the hubbub, though, you’d be better going a month earlier and enjoying Noja during peak season. At that time you’ll find it lively with Spanish tourists, but still low-key enough to avoid the reams of British themed pubs and 18-30s types. The prices reflect that too, meaning your euros will stretch further than in other parts of Spain.

You can read my other post in the series so far: Spain in September – Getting There to find out how we made our way to Noja. And come back later in the week to find out what we did while we were there and how we enjoyed the local food.

***

Prices start from £1169 for a week’s stay at Apartamentos Quinto Sueño Torre Cristina – this price includes property rental and return ferry crossings on selected sailings to Spain, for a standard car, 2 people and a cabin each way. 

Our accommodation and ferry crossings were provided for the purpose of this review. All opinions remain my own, as always. 

The post Spain in September: Where to stay appeared first on Mother's Always Right.

I was last on a ferry circa 1998. Back then, I was a 15 year old, en-route to a holiday in France with my parents and sister. It was the last of our traditional run of long summer breaks in France, where we would always catch a ferry over, our car heavy under the weight of multiple tents, bikes and far too many clothes (teenagers don’t travel light).

My memories of the numerous crossings over the years are rosy; the excitement of seeing the ferry looming before us, running down the long corridor to find our cabin, eating breakfast looking at the sea – it was all part of the holiday experience. It was like our break didn’t properly start until we arrived at the port. 

When I was asked if I’d be interested in going on a review trip to Spain, using the Brittany Ferries Plymouth to Santander crossing, I didn’t need to think twice. I was interested to see if my rose-tinted memories of the ferry were correct. Was it really a less stressful way to travel with kids? Would it be a successful marker to the beginning of a holiday with grandparents? Would I choose the ferry over a plane, when it came down to it?

My answer is yes. And yes again. And yes after that, too.

We arrived at the port in Plymouth in driving rain. As huge drops of water hit the windscreen, my dad warned me to expect a rough crossing. But as soon as I saw the huge white ship bobbing ahead of us, I didn’t care. The Pont-Aven is the biggest ferry I’ve ever been on. At ten decks high (complete with a pool, soft-play area and three restaurants) it’s not to be sniffed at. I couldn’t help it – those familiar childhood butterflies of excitement had me again.

“We go on that boat Mummy?” My three year old clearly shared my excitement – craning her neck to catch her first ever glimpse of a ferry. “I want to get on NOW!”

We were booked into a four berth outside club cabin. This meant we had sea views and the comfort of an en-suite bathroom with a shower, basin and toilet. We also had a TV (although we didn’t watch it) and tea and coffee making facilities. It was plush, but not huge, providing the perfect base from which to explore the boat.

It was only a matter of time before a wander round the ferry took us to the soft-play area. Frog is like a homing pigeon when it comes to anything soft-play related.

Set in a corner of the cafe at the front of the Pont-Aven, the area is ideal for families with young kids. It’s by no means a huge all-singing, all-dancing feat of soft-play engineering, but it was just the right size to keep my three year old entertained for a good half an hour, in between popping out to watch The Smurfs on the TV in the room, or peeking out of the port holes nearby. There were some tables set up in the corner too, so parents could sit and have a cuppa while watching their kids, if they wanted to.

A little more exploring took us to the deck, then over to a bar, then a boutique shop and, finally the swimming pool. The pool is only open May to September, so don’t expect to take a dip outside of these months. Luckily for me, my three year old wasn’t too bothered, preferring to return to the soft-play area for more jumping, sliding and bouncing.

The thing about travelling on a ferry, is that you don’t need to worry about the amount of luggage you take on holiday. When we went to Turkey a couple of years ago, I remember getting terribly stressed about how many nappies I could realistically fit in the suitcase, and if the big baby board books I packed for the flight would take me over the baggage allowance. There’s none of that when you go on a ferry. You simply pack up the car with all your stuff, and take a separate overnight bag for the crossing. My stress levels were operating at pretty much zero before I even got onboard.

Our evening meal was in the restaurant with table service. You need to book a table for this one well in advance, but it was still pretty busy when we arrived for our 6.30pm seating. After we’d queued in line we were shown to a quiet spot in the corner of the restaurant, by a window.

We sipped wine (Frog was on water) while overlooking the sea. A piano tinkled away in the background and the whole thing was very civilised. The restaurant is equipped for young kids, with high chairs and a separate menu, although the portions are pretty generous for even the hungriest three year old. As fortune would have it, Frog was feeling a bit sea-sick at supper time, so she only lasted for a couple of the courses. My parents tell me the cheese board and pudding courses were delicious though – as was the rest of the wine!

The night passed uneventfully. Snuggled in our cabin we didn’t hear any of the music from the bar (there was a live band and magic show on) and Frog fell to sleep almost instantly – as did I. Again, this is where travelling by ferry top trumps a plane ride. There’s no uncomfortable shifting of seats or cramped legs, you simply go to bed and wake up even closer to your destination.

I remember being overcome with amazement when I first saw the sea from the deck of a ferry. In the middle of the ocean, you can only see the horizon and it feels like you’re on a little floating world all of its own. I had that same feeling when I took Frog on deck the following morning. She pointed to the sea, asking where the fish were and trying to spy a mermaid. Again, it felt like part of the holiday itself, rather than a journey to get through before the holiday actually began.

That moment was kind of blown out of the water by what happened next though. We were invited up to “The Bridge”, which is a pretty big deal. I almost said no at first, thinking I was being offered the chance to take part in a game of cards that my nan would enjoy. My hesitation disappeared, though, when I realised it was an offer to meet the captain and see behind-the-scenes on the ferry.

From the front of the ferry, next to the flashing control panels and amongst the buzz of the walkie-talkies, we had the most incredible view of the sea. It was there that we spotted a pod of dolphins swimming alongside the boat – something we’ll never forget. Frog was beside herself with excitement, as were my mum and dad. I was scrambling for my camera, but I was too late as usual. This is the best I could do…

We eventually arrived at the Spanish port of Santander around 20 hours after we set sail from Plymouth. With full bellies of food (minus my slightly sea-sick child) and a night of unbroken sleep, it didn’t feel like we’d been travelling really. Apparently it was a rough crossing, but the ferry was obviously designed to stabilise itself on the waves, so I barely noticed the swell.

The journey provided us all with a chance to eat good food, relax, play and generally get started on enjoying our holiday. With a cinema and two other restaurants that we didn’t get a chance to try, my only complaint would be that the crossing wasn’t long enough!

***

I was provided with tickets covering accommodation, travel and food for three adults and one child, for the purpose of this review. As ever, all opinions remain my own. 

The post Spain in September: Getting there appeared first on Mother's Always Right.

The purpose of our trip? To discover a part of Spain totally new to us and to see if travelling there on a ferry is a less stressful way to journey than by plane.

We’re taking the Plymouth to Santander route, on Brittany Ferries’ flagship ferry, the Pont-Aven. They call it a “cruise ferry” and, to be honest, I’m just as excited about this element of the trip as the rest. I’m looking forward to sampling the food and wine, while my daughter is counting down the minutes until she jumps in the on-board swimming pool. 

When we arrive in Spain, we’ll be heading to the little seaside town of Noja, in the Cantabria region. I’ve never been to this part of Spain before but my research tells me it’s popular with Spanish holidaymakers and is still relatively unspoilt. This pleases me.

The guidebook talks about “cottage crafts” in a “rural region” where “ancient towns and churches” sit alongside “pretty fishing ports”. It sounds like the perfect kind of place for a multi-generational family holiday, with plenty to keep everyone happy. I’m looking forward to finding out if this is, indeed, the case.

We’re in Spain for three nights and then have two nights on the ferry – one getting there and one coming back. In total, it’s a five night break, just long enough to feel refreshed and decide if it’s somewhere we might return to.

Five nights on holiday with my daughter and parents… what could go wrong?!

***

Disclosure: We will be guests of Brittany Ferries, for the purpose of the review. This includes our travel and accommodation costs.

The post Spain with kids… and grandparents appeared first on Mother's Always Right.

The purpose of our trip? To discover a part of Spain totally new to us and to see if travelling there on a ferry is a less stressful way to journey than by plane.

We’re taking the Plymouth to Santander route, on Brittany Ferries’ flagship ferry, the Pont-Aven. They call it a “cruise ferry” and, to be honest, I’m just as excited about this element of the trip as the rest. I’m looking forward to sampling the food and wine, while my daughter is counting down the minutes until she jumps in the on-board swimming pool. 

When we arrive in Spain, we’ll be heading to the little seaside town of Noja, in the Cantabria region. I’ve never been to this part of Spain before but my research tells me it’s popular with Spanish holidaymakers and is still relatively unspoilt. This pleases me.

The guidebook talks about “cottage crafts” in a “rural region” where “ancient towns and churches” sit alongside “pretty fishing ports”. It sounds like the perfect kind of place for a multi-generational family holiday, with plenty to keep everyone happy. I’m looking forward to finding out if this is, indeed, the case.

We’re in Spain for three nights and then have two nights on the ferry – one getting there and one coming back. In total, it’s a five night break, just long enough to feel refreshed and decide if it’s somewhere we might return to.

Five nights on holiday with my daughter and parents… what could go wrong?!

***

Disclosure: We will be guests of Brittany Ferries, for the purpose of the review. This includes our travel and accommodation costs.

The post Spain with kids… and grandparents appeared first on Mother's Always Right.