Paris with children: Zipwire at Parc de la Villette

By Kath Ginn

I had been itching to take the children to Paris. I know the city well; I used to live there and we’d visited loads of times as a couple. But children and Paris?  My husband thought my half term plan was madness, but actually we had a fabulous time. Here are my 5 top tips for Paris with children:

Stay in an apartment

Compared to hotels, the advantages of a self catering apartment for a family are numerous. No separate hotel rooms to contend with, we had loads of space, we could get up, shower, breakfast and play (all at the same time!) and we had a place to eat in when the kids were too exhausted for a restaurant meal.

Don’t try to do too much

We identified one key thing to do for each half day (or day) as well as a few rest points and then went with the flow. Going with the flow is pretty easy inParis; there’s always an open cafe nearby, bistrot food is mostly good and of course, there’s a plentiful supply of croque monsieur and chips!

Make an adventure of getting around

We made the daily travel part of the adventure. Sometimes we walked a little to avoid being underground too long. That enabled us to use neighbourhood playparks that we would have otherwise missed.  When we walked about a mile underground at Chatelet-Les-Halles we made a game out of how many ticket barriers we went through before getting to the platform.  Taking the bus meant we saw the Louvre, Place de la Concorde and got a ride along the river. (Tip: Avoid queues by buying ‘un carnet’  forParispublic transport – one for the grown ups and one for the kids. Un carnet is a pile of 10 tickets.  The saving isn’t huge, but the convenience is).

Research child-friendly attractions

We did our research on child-friendly destinations, without giving in to the temptation of the waterpark or the aquarium (although they did look fantastic!). One highlight was taking the kids to a magic show at Metamorphosis. It was mainly in French, but levitating looks the same in any language!

Avoid queues with some pre-holiday planning

The queues for the Eiffel Tower can dampen anyone’s spirits, especially with kids in tow, so we booked on-line in advance. We also reserved seats for the magic show. As it turned out, there was no need, but it meant we could turn up just minutes before the show started, safe in the knowledge that the children would not be disappointed.

Kath Ginn is a mother of two and owner of nanny agency, Independence Childcare. You can read her full post on Paris with children on the Indiechildcare blog.

Celebrations began with a New Year’s Parade from the West End to Trafalgar Square. After the speeches and official opening ceremony, firecrackers resounded around Trafalgar Square, before an utterly amazing display of acrobatic skill as the lion performed a high pole dance.

The dragon dance is traditionally performed to bring an auspicious start to the New Year and this was beautifully done by a skilful team of 10 dancers.

There were more lion dance displays, stalls and food in Chinatown. Roads including Shaftesbury Avenue and Charing Cross Road were closed off to traffic; despite the crowds (and the cold!), it was wonderful to wander and soak up the atmosphere.

“Kung Hei Fat Choi” and a very happy, healthy and prosperous Year of the Dragon.

2012, Year of the Dragon: The dragon is the only mythical creature among the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac

Chinese New Year is the biggest festival of the year for Chinese communities around the world and there’s a special air of anticipation for 2012: Year of the Dragon.

The dragon is the only mythical creature among the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac and often thought of as the most important sign. In Chinese tradition, those born in Dragon years are brave, innovative and highly driven. Famous ‘Dragon’ people include Bill Clinton, Bruce Lee and Salvador Dali.

Cities and towns across the UK will be welcoming in the Year of the Dragon. Chinese New Year starts falls on 23 January 2012 but celebrations take place over 15 days, so there’s plenty of opportunity to join in:

Birmingham

Sunday 29 Jan, 11.30 – 5.30pm, Arcadian Centre, FREE

Dragon dances, acrobatic performances and Kung Fu demonstrations are just some of the cultural entertainment on offer. Plus traditional firecrackers, market stalls, food and children’s rides.

London

Sunday 29 Jan, 10 – 6pm, Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square and Chinatown, FREE

300,000 people joined in the celebrations last year. Celebrations this year kick off with a New Year’s Parade at 10am, around the West End, arriving at Trafalgar Square at 12pm, for the official opening ceremony.

Traditional and contemporary Chinese entertainment in Trafalgar Square including firecrackers, Dragon dancing, music and performances. Plus lion dance displays, cultural stalls and food in Chinatown and Shaftesbury Avenue will host performances from a range of local community groups and schools.

Manchester

Sunday, 29 Jan, 11am – 7pm, Chinatown and Albert Square, FREE

A whole day’s celebrations with a high pole lion dance performance, kung fu demonstrations, stalls and spectacular fireworks.

A Variety Show by the Chinese Art Troupe is also being held on Friday, 27 Jan for at the Manchester Central Exchange Auditorium.

Nottingham

Various, building up to Sunday, 29 Jan, Highfields Park, Lakeside Arts Centre, FREE

A build of events across the city – lion dances, dragon boat training, processions, cultural performances – culminating in a spectacular celebration on 29 Jan at Highfields Park, with dragon dancing and the fireworks finale.

Wherever you’re celebrating, Your Holiday Planner wishes you “Kung Hei Fat Choi”, a very happy and prosperous Year of the Dragon.

The 11^th Outdoors Show has just taken place at Excel London. With have a go activities, active holiday ideas, clothing and equipment, guest speakers and more, it’s a fantastic, ‘beat the winter blues’ day out for families with active children and anyone who loves getting active!

The entrance ticket to The Outdoors Show (£16 online adult price and free for children) gave us access to three other shows – Active Travel Show, London Bike Show and London Boat Show. Here are 5 highlights for families, all of which were FREE:

Climbing Village

There were plenty of ways to have a go at the Avis Climbing Village. The children loved the climbing walls and the new Crazy Climb from Beacon Walls, that offers a wacky and imaginative vertical climbing challenge.

Slacklining

We got our first glimpse of the ultimate balance sport! Slacklining is the art of balancing on a bouncy tightrope and experts from Maverick Slacklines gave the audience jaw-dropping demonstrations of their freestyle tricks and…you could have a go yourself.

16 Jan – Maverick Slacklines sent Your Holiday Planner a link to their highlights at the show. Enjoy!  http://vimeo.com/35138084

Bike Polo

Another first glimpse was of Bike Polo, a growing sport based on traditional polo, where bicycles are used instead of horses and this version is played on a hard court. This year’s London Bike Show hosted The London International Invitational 2012, an indoor tournament that showcased the best teams in Europe.

Watersports Action Pool

The massive watersports action pool is almost the width of a hall in the Excel and it was a great place to sit (yes, it’s a good excuse!) and watch the watersports shows, demos and championship events. We loved the stand-up paddleboarding event and the thrilling wakeboarding demos. And again, you could have a go yourself. As well as paddleboarding and wakeboarding, you could also try windsurfing, dinghy sailing, canoeing and  kayaking.

500ft Zipwire

Go Ape brought a taste of their tree top adventure to The Outdoors Show, in the shape of a 500ft long zip wire. Naturally, this was very popular and unfortunately for us, we didn’t get to ride the UK’s longest  indoor zipwire. We’re looking forward to making use of our 25% discount though!

Want a reminder for next year’s show and what’s on in UK and around the world? Sign up to Travel Gems and Your Holiday Planner will keep you updated. 

“The International Olympic Committee has the honour of announcing that the Games of the 30th Olympiad in 2012 are awarded to the city of…LONDON.”

 Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee

View from Westminster Bridge, New Year's Eve, London

Hearing these words as the New Year’s Eve fireworks to see in 2012 were launched was as exhilarating as when Londoners first heard them in July 2005. There was no denying that Olympic year had arrived when we saw the shape and colours of the Olympic rings light up the sky above the London Eye.

Moments before, fireworks had shot out of Big Ben for the first time as the bell chimed at midnight to usher in the New Year. Not since Guy Fawkes had anyone attempted to fire something from Parliament. It was completely unexpected and everyone on Westminster Bridge, screamed with delight and approval.

It wasn’t the only surprise of this year’s firework display. Above the noise of the explosions, we could hear music – for some reason Vangelis’s Chariots of Fire sticks in my mind – then the display was paused for a moment (intentionally), before finishing on a deafening crescendo of sound and colour.

Expectations had been high for a firework display that would do the capital justice in this special year, a year that would see London host the Olympic Games and celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. The estimated 250,000 people who watched the 11 minute display from Embankment along the Thames, were not disappointed.

Family friendly accommodation at London Marriott Hotel, County Hall

London Marriott County Hall with view of Big Ben

Once again, Your Holiday Planner chose the London Marriott Hotel, County Hall, as the base for the New Year celebrations. It’s perfect for families and couples looking for an easy, but extra special way to enjoy the fireworks and all that the hotel and its prime location has to offer, especially if joining the crowds on Victoria Embankment or Westminster Bridge for hours on end may not be your idea of fun.

Prime spot to see the London fireworks

The hotel has 200 rooms over 6 floors so there’s plenty of opportunity for a river view room. However, you need to be outside to savour and truly appreciate the atmosphere. This year, hotel residents were not able to access the private viewing terrace on the South Bank, but the guaranteed spot on Westminster Bridge worked just as well. The bridge is closed off to the public once the stipulated capacity is reached so there’s plenty of room… and being able to walk on to the bridge just before midnight was a real bonus.

Excellent Service

New Year’s Eve is always going to be a busy time for hotel staff. Despite the pressures that this must bring, the service at the Marriott was again outstanding, with staff friendly, attentive and helpful in equal measure. (See the full review from January 2011 at REVIEW: Best family friendly accommodation for London’s New Year’s Eve fireworks: London Marriott Hotel, County Hall).

It’s never too early to start planning next New Year’s Eve. If you would like help and advice, please contact Ching at Your Holiday Planner. Or share your New Year’s Eve experiences with us!

Travelling to Europe by train can be a wonderfully relaxing way to get to your holiday destination. As a general rule, the best time to plan and book train fares is when they are released, normally 4 months in advance for Eurostar trains and 3 months in advance for trains within Europe.

HOWEVER, if you’re planning to explore Provence and surrounding regions this summer, and want to travel direct from London, then you need to book early…and that means anytime from NOW.

Normally available for sale in January, Eurostar’s popular direct summer services to Avignon opened for sale earlier than usual (on 20 Dec 2011). With direct journey times of less than six hours from St Pancras International in London and Ashford International in Kent, the summer service is a perennial favourite with travellers. It’s a convenient service, boarding in the UK, then travelling non-stop, direct to Avignon in the heart of Provence.

How often does the direct service run?

The service is a weekly Saturday service, running from Saturday 7 July to Saturday 1 September 2012. You leave St Pancras International at 07h17 (the recommended check-in time is 60 mins before departure), arriving at Avignon Centre at 13h47. On the return, trains leave from Avignon Centre at 16h27 and arrive back at St Pancras International at 21h11.

How much does it cost?

Direct Eurostar tickets are available from only £109 return in Standard class and £249 return in Standard Premier. Today, a quick search shows that the cheapest fare is from around £140 return, depending on your travel dates. So my advice is to book early if you really prefer this direct service.

What if the direct service is full?

If direct services are full, Eurostar offers connecting services all year round that arrive into Avignon TGV station, which is located just outside the town centre. Tickets for the connecting services are available from £119 return in Standard class and £239 return in Standard Premier.

What’s the difference between Avignon Centre Station and Avignon TGV station?

Avignon Centre Station is the city centre station and is distinct from Avignon TGV station, which is on the TGV Med high-speed line. A shuttle bus operates between the two stations, which runs about every 20 minutes and takes approximately 10 minutes. Cost is approximately 3 euros for a single journey.

If you need to pick up a car, there are a lot more choices (and therefore rates) of car rental companies at Avignon TGV station.

Need an idea for a holiday in this region? How about a glamping in the Ardeche? See REVIEW: Yurt Glamping in the Ardèche Nature Reserve: Canvaschic at Mille Etoiles

As I mentioned in 5 top tips in planning a Northern Lights holiday, we are in the period known as Solar Maximum. Good news, because that means the next two winters will be one of the best times to have a chance of seeing the Northern Lights.

Enjoy!

Aurora Borealis in Finnish Lapland 2011 from Flatlight Films on Vimeo.

Northern Lights over the Ersfjord in Tromsø. Photo: Bjørn Jørgensen/www.visitnorway.com

Aurora Borealis. Speak to anyone and the Northern Lights is definitely on the list of top things to experience.

This spellbinding, natural light display appears when high speed solar particles collide with atoms and molecules in the earth’s atmosphere, resulting in vivid bursts of light. Of course, being a natural phenomenon means that anyone planning a Northern Lights trip should be aware that there is no guarantee of seeing the lights. Weather, cloud cover, time are just some of the factors to consider.

So here are 5 top tips for planning a Northern Lights holiday:

Plan your Northern Lights trip NOW

On 10 Jan 2008, NASA reported on their website “Hang on to your cell phone, a new solar cycle has just begun”, marking the beginning of Solar Cycle 24. Solar activity waxes and wanes in 11-year cycles and we are now in a period known as Solar Maximum, which means that the next two winters should be the best chance to see the Northern Lights.

Plan your holiday around other activities

Even if all the conditions are looking promising, there are no guarantees with the Northern Lights. So the best approach is to plan your holiday around other activities and, if you happen to see the aurora borealis at the same time, then that’s a magical bonus!

All the Arctic adventures on offer will prove to be memorable, including reindeer and dog sledding, snow shoe excursions or snow mobile rides, and all will give you a chance to see the Northern Lights at the same time.

Use an experienced guide

Even for the most independent-minded, this is one trip where going with an experienced guide is recommended. Going with a local guide who has built up their experience over many years and can detect the best conditions on the day of your excursion will help you get the best of your once-in-a-lifetime trip.

Be prepared for late nights

Northern Lights trips for great for couples and families alike, but, as obvious as it may sound, make sure your children are at an age where late nights will not be a problem.

Although Arctic winters mean that there is no or little sun during the day, the Northern Lights are seen on  dark, cloudless nights (normally between October and March in the Polar Regions) and the most likely time is generally between 10pm and 1am.

Consider the temperature

The temperature is another consideration in planning a Northern Lights trip, especially if you have children. As an example, Tromsø in northern Norway is a good base for Northern Lights excursions. Winters there are not considered especially cold, with -18°C the lowest recorded, and average January temperatures being -4°C. However, planning your trip around the equinox time at end of September and March is good for Northern Lights activity and temperatures may be more favourable (though less snow).

I’m thrilled to welcome Sylvie Morton, founder of In One Clothing, as guest blogger this week. In One Clothing is a fabulous range of multiway clothing that’s perfect for travelling light.

Sylvie shares with us her 5 top tips when shopping for the perfect travel wardrobe:

Synthetic Fabrics

Stick to synthetic fabrics such as polyester. Man made fibres generally weigh less, are easier to wash and tend to draw moisture out better than natural fibres. Linen and cotton can be impossible to iron if you don’t have access to a good iron at your accommodation!

Complementary Colours

Choose two colours that go together. That way, you can mix and match all the items and create limitless combinations! For shoes and underwear, you’ll pack less if you can stick to one colour that goes with all your outfits. Try and avoid white if possible; it’s hard to keep clean and can go yellow in the sun. For a light colour, opt for creams or pastels.

Multipurpose

Think multi purpose. For example, if you want to pack exercise clothes, leggings and plain tops work just as well.

Accessorise!

Change the look of any outfit with your accessories. Scarves, necklaces, belts and brooches take little space in your bag.

Multiway Clothing

Multiway and reversible clothing is ideal for packing light. Dresses that can be worn as skirts are great ways to multiply your wardrobe. Also look for trousers that turn into shorts and scarves that can be used as tops.

The key to a successful travel wardrobe is flexibility. Pack less and get more wear out of what you have.

Sign up to Your Holiday Planner’s Travel Gems for a chance to win one of In One Clothing’s gorgeous apron wraps. See http://www.yourholidayplanner.com/travel-gems/ for further details.

The emblem is the winning design following a national competition for children aged between 6 and 14. It was designed by 10-year-old Katherine Dewar, from Chester.

It may seem a long way off, but it would be wise to start planning NOW for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Bank Holiday week.

As well as holding the London 2012 Olympic Games, the UK will be marking the Queen’s 60 years on the throne with Diamond Jubilee celebrations, taking place over an extended weekend in 2012 on 2, 3, 4 and 5 June.

The Queen will be 86 then and will become only the second British monarch to celebrate a Diamond Jubilee. The first was Queen Victoria, who celebrated hers in 1897.

Whether you plan to join in the celebrations or will be just grateful for the extra time off, here are 5 holiday planning tips from Your Holiday Planner:

Plan ahead

Start planning your holiday for the Diamond Jubilee NOW. It really isn’t too early.

Take advantage of the TWO Bank Holidays

Both Monday 4 and Tuesday 5 June are bank holidays, so Brits will only have to take 3 days leave to take advantage of a full weeks vacation.

If you are a family or large group, consider private rentals

Accommodation is in huge demand, not only in London but in other parts of the UK. Naturally, prices are reflecting this and it can be more cost-effective for families or large groups to consider a private house or apartment rental rather then hotels.

The traditional May school half term will actually take place in the first week of June in 2012. For large groups and families, my advice is to book your accommodation as soon as possible and look at private rentals, even if you’re staying in London. The same goes if you’re considering a holiday in other parts of the UK.  I’ve just completed a search for a large family group in Devon and availability was a real problem. (Happily, I found somewhere AMAZING though and the price was perfect).   ;-)

Book your flights early

Whether you’re looking to visit the UK during this time, or you’re from the UK looking to take a holiday abroad, my advice is to book your flights early to have a better chance of keener prices.

Have a street party!

The fourth annual Big Lunch will fall on the same weekend as the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. So if you’re staying at home in the UK, why not have a street party by holding a Big Jubilee Lunch?

Some 10 million people celebrated the Silver Jubilee in 1977 and having a street party in 2012 would be a wonderful way to commemorate the Queen’s 60 year reign. Of course, it doesn’t have to be a party in the street, the venue can be wherever you want it to be; it’s just a perfect excuse for community and friends to get together.

For more about the events and celebrations for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee visit: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_197517