Your complete guide to creating a magical, stress-free Lapland trip with kids. If Lapland is on your family travel wish list, I can confirm it’s every bit as magical as you imagine. Frozen forests, reindeer trotting through the snow, cosy cabins lit by twinkling lights, and the real-life Santa waiting to greet wide-eyed little ones. … Read more
Meeting Santa in Lapland is one of those childhood dreams that feels almost mythic, and it’s one that tops many family bucket lists. But once you start planning that dream Lapland trip, it quickly becomes clear that there isn’t just one way to meet Santa there. From free walk-in encounters to carefully choreographed forest journeys … Read more
Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, Finland is known as the official home of Santa Claus – and it’s one of the most talked-about stops on a Lapland itinerary. But what exactly is it, and is it worth visiting? My pre-research painted it as a Marmite experience: a place some people love and others are keen … Read more
The Northern Lights Village Searching for Santa experience has become known as the gold standard for visiting Santa in Lapland. But is it as good as it looks? And is it worth the hefty price tag? I deliberated heavily over whether or not to do it on our trip to Lapland, doing plenty of research, … Read more
The first time I had to pack for an extreme cold weather trip, I felt like I was learning a different language. While there are lots of Lapland packing tips online, it still felt like there was a lot to get my head around in terms of exactly what to bring and how much. I … Read more
The stretch of coast just north of Newquay has given rise to a collection of some of Cornwall’s – if not the UK’s – most stylish family hotels. But which one is the best? We’ve stayed at all three, so here’s my guide to how to choose the one that’s best for you. Here’s my … Read more
St.Ives has been on my bucket list for years – the idea of a charming artsy surf town is one that obviously beckoned. But it took until my fourth decade to finally get there. Thankfully, the long wait was worth it. Parking issues aside, it’s a dream of a holiday destination for adults and kids … Read more
At Bridges and Balloons, I’m always searching for places to stay that feel as magical as the trip itself. And over the years, I’ve found some brilliant family-friendly stays in France – places where design and comfort meet treehouses, farm animals, water slides and chateaux. As always, this isn’t about soulless resorts or places designed … Read more
To my shame, before I went to the Dordogne, I’d somehow labelled it as “boring”. It’s popular with British retirees, so I think that had somehow muddled my perception. Regardless of where I got it from, I was wrong. With golden-stone villages, turreted castles, gorgeous rivers and fields of sunflowers, the Dordogne feels like stepping … Read more
Puy du Fou is one of the most impressive and bonkers places I’ve ever been. Voted the best theme park in the world several times, it’s one of France’s most popular attractions, drawing over 2 million visitors a year. It’s an immersive world of spectacular live shows where history, myth and theatre collide on a … Read more