17 minute read
Breaks of a lifetime
Plan the family trip of a lifetime
With international travel opening up in 2021, we’ve got some amazing family holidays to tempt you with!
WALT DISNEY WORLD
With six Disney Parks, two exciting nighttime entertainment districts, more than 20 Disney Resort Hotels, a state-of-the-art sports complex and countless opportunities for dining, shopping, recreation and relaxation, it’s easy to see why Walt Disney World Resort is the holiday of your dreams. And these dreams can come true – just like magic.
Disney’s All-Star resort will bring out the kid in everyone. With ‘fun’ as the order of the day, the entire family will enjoy the decidedly whimsical atmosphere that prevails. Featuring three hotels, Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort boasts a giant Herbie; the Love Bug car, and lots of enormous playful puppies from 101 Dalmatians. Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort has five themed areas – American football, baseball, basketball, tennis and surfing; and at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort, the buildings are decked out with huge saxophones, guitars and drums. Food is casual and relaxed, just how families like it, and regular complimentary buses to all four theme parks, both water parks and Disney Springs make getting around as easy as American pie!
7 NIGHTS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD FROM £2,459 FOR A FAMILY OF FOUR
Seven nights in Orlando with Virgin Atlantic Holidays, including scheduled Virgin Atlantic flights from London Heathrow to Orlando, room only accommodation at the Disney’s All-Star Resort with basic car hire included. Price is per person based on 2 adults and 2 children travelling and sharing a standard room and includes all applicable taxes and fuel surcharges, which are subject to change. Price is based on a departure of 22 February 2021. Virgin Atlantic
Holidays is a member of ABTA and is ATOL protected. To book: www. virginholidays.co.uk/disney-wish-
you-were-here or call 0344 557 3859.
Customers can also purchase their Disney parks tickets through Virgin Atlantic Holidays with adult prices from £459 and child prices from £439 for 7 days in the parks.
CARIBBEAN
Welcome to the home of endless sun, reggae, jerk cuisine and some truly gorgeous beaches. Ocho Rios has the very best of them, along with plenty of adventure to keep you busy. Ocho Rios holidays bring you right into the mix, with Dunn’s River Falls practically on your doorstep and plenty of excursions to tempt you away from the blissful coastline.
For active families who like to be out and about with a huge range of sports facilities all to hand, plus a good choice of dining options, Beaches Ocho Rios - A Spa, Golf & Waterpark Resort incorporates all that Beaches is renowned for in a value-for-money package. The resort features an array of facilities; from Kids’ Camps with Sesame Street® games for kids, Liquid at Beaches nightclub for teenagers; 6 dining options and a Red Lane® Spa for adults; as well as an extended Pirates Island Waterpark with 11 water slides that will enthuse everyone.
7 nights in Ocho Rios with Virgin Atlantic Holidays, including scheduled Virgin Atlantic flights from London Heathrow to Jamaica, All Inclusive accommodation at the Beaches Ocho Rios - A Spa, Golf & Waterpark Resort with transfers included. Price is per person based on 2 adults and 2 children travelling and sharing a Caribbean Luxury Family Sized Suite Double and includes all applicable taxes and fuel surcharges, which are subject to change. Price is based on a departure of 24 April 2021. Virgin Atlantic Holidays is a member of ABTA and is ATOL protected. To book: www.
virginholidays.co.uk/disney-wish-
you-were-here or call 0344 557 3859.
ANTIGUA
Lively or laid back, sandcastles or safaris, Antigua holidays have it all - in buckets (and spades). Whatever your vibe, you’ll find it in this authentic corner of the Caribbean: 365 beaches, friendly faces and an abundance of history make for a time out that’s good for the soul. In an idyllic location, overlooking one of Antigua’s best beaches, with fine white sand and turquoise waters. Surrounded by 40 acres of tropical gardens, the Jolly Beach Resort & Spa offers simple and good value accommodation for families and groups alike. Lively in atmosphere, there’s always plenty to do, including water sports, pool volleyball and beach games, perhaps even an impromptu game of cricket on the sand late afternoon. Kids have their very own club, promising a funpacked itinerary of activities whilst parents can head to the quiet pool or spa for some much-deserved relaxation and pampering. There are five restaurants in total, serving everything from International favourites to Caribbean delights and an Italian selection at the Bocciolo Restaurant and Bar.
Seven nights in Antigua with Virgin Atlantic Holidays, including scheduled Virgin Atlantic flights from London Heathrow to Antigua, All Inclusive accommodation at the Jolly Beach Resort & Spa with transfers included. Price is per person based on 2 adults and 2 children travelling and sharing a Queen Superior room and includes all applicable taxes and fuel surcharges, which are subject to change. Price is based on a departure of 21 August 2021. Virgin Atlantic
Holidays is a member of ABTA and is ATOL protected. To book: www. virginholidays.co.uk/disney-wishyou-were-here or call 0344 557 3859.
Watch out world, we are coming for you!
Discovering new countries, cultures and experiences is a great way to teach your children about the world. Maja, who is just 12 years old, shares some of her favourite memories of travelling with her family.
Iwas born in Singapore and lived with my parents, brother and sister in Asia the first nine years of my life. My parents took the opportunity to explore that part of the globe and took us on many extraordinary trips around the continent. When we moved back to Europe, we felt that there is a lot to explore here as well, and we are still excited to discover our home country and the surroundings.
My 1st birthday I spent in
Australia. I blew out the birthday candle on my supermarket muffins with a view on Ayers Rock/Uluru.
I don‘t remember much of this trip, but I love looking at the photos: the red sand, the crocodiles in a river, the clouds of mosquitos at sunset, swimming on my dad’s shoulders in a gorge.
When I was a toddler we travelled to China. I only have bits of memories: having a dance with my brother and a Chinese boy on a street in Beijing‘s art district, a noodle-soup-slurp-contest with my dad and my brother in a park.
We also climbed up to the Great
Wall of China and even though it was typical foggy weather, we still got an overwhelming impression of its size.
CULTURE & CUSHIONS
A few years later, my parents took us on camper van trips through Australia and New Zealand. My siblings and I always moan about visiting landscapes or going sightseeing, but almost every time these trips were full of adventures and exciting experiences. On each campsite, we met new friends on the playground or ran around the site and played tag. (FUN FACT: on many Australian campsites there are huge jumping cushions – great fun!) Every time we left a place I was sad, but there were always new friends to be found at our next stop.
I was 6 years old when we moved to Bangkok. My mum insisted that we get to know a bit of Thailand and its culture and took us to temples and different parts of the country. We went on trips to Thai natural parks, enjoyed snorkelling with colourful fish in crystal blue water and cold coconut water somewhere in the sun.
One of the many things I love about travelling is that you get to know different people, cultures and food. On my 8th birthday, I was in a small hotel in Hanoi, Vietnam. That morning (as usual, excited because it was my birthday), I got up early and went to the dining room for breakfast. Our table was decorated with rose petals and the friendly hotel staff had put a birthday cake in the middle. This is a great example of how interesting it is to meet new people and shows that there are many kind and caring human beings.
TAKING THE BAD WITH THE GOOD
I also love exploring the world because of the opportunities it offers. To have experiences that I would probably never have made without travelling, for example celebrating all kinds of festivals: the beautiful decorations in Singapore’s main streets changed from Deepavali to Christmas to Chinese New Year, and I was part of it. In Thailand, we released little lotus-shaped rafts with candles onto the water at Loy Kratong and splashed around at Songkran, the Thai New Year festival of water. Not to be missed, of course, is hunting melting chocolate eggs on Easter morning and getting scared at Halloween.
Even though I was not always in the mood to go on a trip, there are only very few moments I didn’t enjoy. But getting to know places, cultures or people you aren’t entirely happy with is also something positive. One day I didn’t like was in Myanmar. I was about 10 years old and we were on a viewing platform. Suddenly a stranger pulled me away from my parents, who were walking in front of me. The man then put my arm around a small child and started taking pictures of me. More and more people came and took pictures as well. What I didn’t realise was that in Myanmar people with blonde hair are deemed special, as most people there have dark hair, so the situation scared me. Fortunately, my mum looked for me, pulled me away and told me that those people didn’t mean to frighten me.
Back in Europe, my parents wanted to show us our home country and more about Europe, and we continued travelling. We went on weekend trips to explore the surroundings and spent summer holidays in Spain and Italy. Last year, we drove a motorhome to the northern part of the UK. We hiked in the Lake District, went to a pub, tried to figure out Cumbrian and Scottish languages, and visited old castles (my favourite: Alnwick Castle). The people we met were lovely and the food was too.
Having lived in a small country like Singapore, where you cross a border to another country after travelling for 40 minutes by car, train or boat, travelling became a part of me. I miss it at the moment and can’t wait to start again. I have already made plans for my own trips when I am grown up.
MY IMPRESSIONS FROM TRAVELLING SO FAR
I got used to the feeling of looking different and I am curious about different cultures and getting to know different people.
I am happy to learn and understand a new language, the sounds of different languages and dialects are interesting.
A map of my home country looks as strange to me as the map of Indonesia.
I hate packing – and unpacking – suitcases, but love being on the road.
FAMILY PERSPECTIVES
Maja’s dad, Bernd, says: “For me curiosity is the main reason for travelling: Seeing places, meeting people and being in unusual situations make great memories. Even getting stuck in remote places or needing help from locals turn into great stories to tell and re-tell. Travelling as a family, and especially with my children, intensifies this further: I can see the world through their eyes in addition to my adult perspective. Each trip together grows the treasure trove of shared family memories and travelling always makes for intense time shared. “
Maja’s brother, Mattis, says: “What do I like about travelling? The food and making new friends. I don’t always enjoy the company of my sisters all the time, but I love playing football everywhere we go.”
Maja’s sister, Lila, says: “You can experience a lot of adventures when you travel.”
Maja’s mum, Katleen, says: “My kids claim to have a temple trauma because I wanted them to learn about the place, the people and the culture where we are living. That can be a temple, a church, a walk in nature, playing at a playground or just having an ice cream somewhere. And in retrospect, they mostly enjoyed their experiences.”
Our guide to enjoying a happy & healthy pregnancy
Being healthy in pregnancy means more than just eating well and moving more. We have spoken to experts in nutrition, fitness, mental health and wellbeing and more to find out how you and your baby can thrive during pregnancy.
Eating healthily is important at any stage of life, and that’s no different during pregnancy. Nutritionist Abigail Sleven, (www. abigailsnutrition.com) explains that while there isn’t a pregnancy-specific eating plan to follow, there are a few things that will help support you and baby to grow and develop.
Eating a variety of foods is a great way to get a balance of vitamins and minerals that you and baby need.
Different foods provide different nutrients, so try to mix it up a little where possible. You may be hungrier than usual, so it might help to include extra snacks during the day in addition to regular meals, but there’s no need to ‘eat for two’. Aim for snacks low in fat and sugar, such as yoghurt, pitta and hummus, fruit, cereal and malt loaf. Including plenty of fruit and vegetables provides nutrients, as well as fibre, which help with constipation. Fresh, dried, tinned and frozen all count, but make sure to wash fresh fruit and veg thoroughly.
Supplements – current UK recommendations:
Folic Acid. 400 micrograms (sometimes written as 400mcg or 400ug) per day up to 12 weeks, as well as eating folate-rich foods like leafy greens.
Vitamin D is also recommended, 10 micrograms per day.
Supplements containing vitamin A (retinol) and cod liver oil are not recommended during pregnancy as they can harm your baby, so double-check any multivitamins.
What foods should I avoid?
Mould-ripened cheese and blue cheese e.g. brie or stilton, unless cooked until steaming.
Any unpasteurised or raw dairy (cow, goat or sheep).
Raw or undercooked meat.
Liver or liver products.
Raw shellfish, marlin, swordfish and shark.
Things to be careful with:
Eggs stamped with the red British Lion are safe to eat raw or partially cooked. All other eggs must be cooked thoroughly until solid.
Eat no more than 2 portions of oily fish per week (salmon, mackerel, sardines).
No more than 2 tuna steaks, or 4 cans of tuna, per week.
INVOLVING OLDER KIDS IN EXERCISE
Whether it is your first pregnancy or your fourth, finding the enthusiasm to exercise can be tricky – especially if you are suffering from morning sickness in the early stages or when your bump gets heavier in the later trimesters. While for parents with older children at school, it can be difficult to make time for yourself to exercise. Sharon Porter (www.sharonporter.org.uk), who is a pre and postnatal fitness instructor, has suggested some great ways to incorporate exercise on the school run and include the kids for fun exercise on the move:
Timed walk to school: goal to keep it under 15 minutes, for example.
(Buggy) Walking squats to lamp post while the child runs there and back.
(Buggy) Walking lunges to lamp post while the child hops there and back.
Squats and clap hands with each other.
Press-ups together against a wall or frame.
Walking with commands: lefthand touch floor, right-hand touch floor, both hands touch floor, jump in the air. (For mum, just as low as she can go with bump).
Sharon adds: “During pregnancy, the aim of any programme should be to simply maintain your current level of fitness and work within your comfort zone. This means you should be able to hold a conversation while exercising.
MAKING INFORMED DECISIONS
For new parents, it is important to educate yourself and your birth partner on the choices available to you during your pregnancy and after birth to ensure you have enough information to make informed decisions, explains Dr Ellie Rayner, obstetrician and founder of The Maternity Collective. (www.
thematernitycollective.online)
“Pregnancy and parenthood can be overwhelming with the volume of information and resources available to you, and knowing which sources to trust can be tricky. Where possible, you should use a recognised resource for antenatal and birth preparation information that is up-to-date, easy to understand, provides a balanced perspective and, most importantly, is based on scientific reliable evidence. By understanding the choices you may be asked to make, you can feel confident in making decisions right for you and your baby,” she adds.
THE IMPORTANCE OF ‘ME TIME’
Mental health and wellbeing are even more important when you are pregnant and your hormones and body are changing. “What you need the most right now is being relaxed, so eliminate anything that has a negative impact on your inner peace,” says Dr Ivana Poku, a mum of twins, founder of Mumsjourney (www. mumsjourney.com), and author of Motherhood - The Unspoken. Her advice is to talk about your feelings.
“The majority of pregnant women experience all sorts of feelings and thoughts they had not expected and, therefore, feel guilty about it. I promise that your feelings are not abnormal, and if you bottle them up, they can come back to you later in the form of mental health issues,” she says. Another important thing is to ask for help. “If you want someone to cook dinner for you, or do the shopping... ask! Remember that people naturally love to help, so it is a win-win. And finally, make sure to take care of yourself. Go for a walk, meditate, hug a tree, get a facial... Whatever makes you feel good. You and your baby need and deserve it!”
