Getting around with an Octopus Card

Using an Octopus card is the easiest way to get around Hong Kong. Not only can you pay for all Hong Kong’s transport options with one easy swipe, you can use it in lots of shops and cafes during your stay. The outlay is HK$150 for an adult and children over 12 ($100 credit plus $50 ‘deposit’ which is refundable when you hand the card back). The initial outlay for a child’s card (under 12) is HK$70, though this only gives you $20 credit plus the $50 ‘deposit. Buy at any MTR or Rail station.

A tour for HK$10 (less than £1!) per person

Hong Kong is blessed with a super efficient MTR (underground/subway), but the best way to see the sights of any city is above ground.

Tsim Sha Tsui (Kowloon) to Central (Hong Kong)

• Start at the Star Ferry Pier in Tsim Sha Tsui (Kowloon)
• Pick up a map from the tourist office and use it to identify the places for further exploration on the tour
• Take the Star Ferry to Central (cost HK$2.50; HK$1.50 for children upper deck) and enjoy this iconic Victoria Harbour crossing – a short ride, but an absolute must-do

Central Pier to Des Voeux Road

• Once on Hong Kong island, enjoy the views across the harbour to Kowloon. Look UP and marvel at Hong Kong’s second tallest building, Tower 2 of the International Finance Centre

Views walking from Central Pier to IFC Mall

• Take the escalators/steps up to the overhead walkway leading to the IFC Mall (opposite Central Piers 3 and 4) – no crossing of dual carriageways to worry about plus the bonus of great views

Snack or lunch at the IFC Mall (or shopping opportunity) – try frozen yogurt at Yo Mama or a traditional lunch at Tasty Congee & Noodle Wantun Shop

• Exit at Exchange Square and follow the walkway to the right and the signs to the Mid-level escalators, crossing over Connaught Road Central
• Continue until you get to the Hang Seng Bank Headquarters and take the escalators back down to street level at Des Voeux Road

Des Voeux Road (Central) to Wanchai or Causeway Bay

Central to Wanchai and Causeway Bay by tram

• Take a tram heading west to Causeway Bay or Wanchai, good for outlet shops (cost HK$2.30; HK$1.20 for children).  Tip: trams can get very busy, but mid-week later in the afternoon is a good time. If the first tram is busy, just wait for an emptier one. Sit upstairs if you can at the front or the back and remember: board at the back and disembark at the front

Refreshment – try some freshly squeezed fruit or vegetable juice from the street (typically HK$10 or HK$15) or even some fish balls on a skewer!

Freshly squeezed juice!

• Hop back onto a tram if needed to get to theTonnochy Road tramstop in Wan Chai (cost HK$2.30; HK$1.20 for children) and head north to the Wanchai Ferry Pier (further refreshment opportunities)

Wanchai to Tsim Sha Tsui (Kowloon)

• Take the Star Ferry to Tsim Sha Tsui (cost HK$2.50; HK$1.50 for children upper deck) – another chance to enjoy the harbour crossing, and a slightly longer ride!
• Walk to the Avenue of Stars to enjoy the spectacular laser and light show in the harbour at 8pm

Dinner at Ocean Terminal – try Café de Coral for a quick, low-cost, no booking required dinner, or pre-book a table by the window at Nha Trang Vietnamese Restaurant

This easy self guided day out in Hong Kong costs around HK$10 per person (that’s less than £1) in transport costs, which means more budget for shopping and eating!

Your Holiday Planner recently helped my husband and I to find a country spa retreat to celebrate a special anniversary. It was the prefect treat to take some time out, from work and our hectic family life.

We wanted a relaxing, retreat in the country, within 1.5 hours drive from London, with good food and a fantastic spa. Carey’s Manor & SenSpa fitted the bill completely.

Location

Careys Manor is in Brockenhurst, in the heart of the beautiful New Forest, about 1.5 hours drive from London and very easy to find.

Accommodation

There are 79 rooms in the hotel and our room was on the first floor overlooking the gardens. The room was tastefully decorated and the bed (and even the pillows!) were extremely comfortable. The bathroom was a bit small, but absolutely fine.

Food

Our rate included dinner and breakfast and the food was excellent. There are three restaurants to choose from: the Manor Restaurant, which has been awarded two AA Rosettes, and two additional restaurants, serving French and Thai cuisine.

Leisure Facilities

Our rate included use of Careys Manor leisure facilities (swimming Pool, sauna, jaccuzzi, steam room and gym), but as this was our anniversary, we decided to upgrade to use the SenSpa and book some treatments. I’m so glad we did; the staff in the spa were very discreet and professional and the treatments were wonderful.

SenSpa has fantastic hydrotherapy facilities, to ‘deeply relax and ease tired muscles’. There are so many ways to experience water and it was fun trying everything – from the jets and bubbles of the hydrotherapy pool, the Herbal Sauna and the steam room, to the different shower experiences (tropical rainforest was my favourite) and yes, even the Ice Room.

Service

The service at Careys Manor was excellent. Staff were very friendly and helpful. We had forgotten to pack our swimming costumes (!) and the staff at the SenSpa opened up the shop especially so that we could buy some. Thoughtful touches like a welcoming ‘anniversary’ balloon in our room were very much appreciated too.

Overall Verdict

A special and wonderfully, relaxing break and I can thoroughly recommend it.

About the Reviewer: Mother of three, Bronwyn Murray is a chartered accountant and provides bookkeeping services to businesses in the Elmbridge, Surrey area. http://www.rosemarybookkeeping.com/elmbridge

I had initially given the couple three hotel choices that matched what they were looking for and they chose the Hotel Arès Tour Eiffel, a 40 room, 4-star boutique hotel in the heart of Paris. They came back with glowing reports and I’m delighted to share their review with Your Holiday Planner readers:

What did you think about Hotel Arès Tour Eiffel’s location?

The Hotel Arès Tour Eiffel is in a brilliant location, in a very quiet street in the busy La Motte Picquet district. There are coffee shops in the street and it’s perfect for walking everywhere, with easy access to transport too. There are three metro lines in the area to choose from and the bus tours from the Eiffel Tower are just a few minutes walk from the hotel.

Tell us about the rooms at Hotel Arès Tour Eiffel

The hotel is a boutique hotel and our room was very luxurious, decorated in a mix of modern and Baroque style. The bed was extremely comfortable and the bathroom was gorgeous, with a massive shower and Hermès toiletries. The room was air-conditioned and we had free Wi-Fi, which was a bonus.

How did you find the service?

The service was excellent with friendly staff who spoke very good English. We arrived very late (straight from our wedding!) and there was actually a leak in the ceiling near the door of our room. The room was changed for us straight away without any fuss. The hotel organised a taxi back to the airport for us and looked after our luggage until our departure.

Would you recommend this hotel to others?

Absolutely! We would go back again and definitely recommend it to others. It’s in such a good location and it really is a special stay for couples.

What ‘things-to-do’ would you recommend?

We only had a few days in Paris and the hop-on, hop-off bus tour was a great way for us to see the city and get ourselves orientated quickly. A highlight was the lovely dinner cruise on the Seine, which took you passed the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, etc. and we would really recommend going up the Eiffel Tower in the evening, when it’s not so busy…the city lights are beautiful!

Visiting Paris with children? You may also be interested in: 5 Top Tips for Paris with young children.

Imagine waking up each morning in peaceful tranquillity, and watching the sun emerge from a bright line on the horizon to light up the sky as day breaks. Well, that’s exactly what we did from the balcony of our cottage at The Green, Cornwall in February.

The Green, House & Cottages, Cornwall. Photo by Elaine Swift www.elaineswift.co.uk.

The Green is a former cheese farm standing in 14-acres of beautiful grounds on the edge of Bodmin Moor. It’s been stylishly converted into six cottages and there’s also a lovely house that sleeps 12 which stands in its own small garden.

Everything about The Green has been well thought through, from the car park that stands away from the properties, to the cottages themselves.

What you’ll find inside

We loved the modern, stylish interior with its attention to detail and good quality furnishings. The high, vaulted ceiling in the main living room creates a lovely spacious feeling. There are wooden floorboards throughout which not only look good, they’re easy to keep clean, so you don’t have too worry too much about your muddy wellies.

Our cottage had a kitchenette in the main living space equipped with good quality, matching appliances – a nice change from the mishmash of oddments you find in many self-catering cottages!

We had two bedrooms – a double and a twin – both tastefully and minimally decorated. And I have to mention the mattress and duvet which were quite possibly the most comfortable I’ve ever experienced!

The underfloor heating was lovely and warm all the time, especially considering the height of the ceiling in the living room and the temperature outside.

There are some nice teccie features too: the wi-fi couldn’t be easier to access, and you can connect your iPod to the audio system – there are even speakers in the bathroom with a control switch outside.

Explore the grounds

I can well imagine it would be a great place to stay as a family or with a group of friends. Exploring the extensive grounds is a must – there’s even a small lake in the woods. There’s a children’s playground away from the cottages and house next to an orchard, and a large area of green in front of the properties where you can relax.

The Green, Cornwall, View from the Balcony. Photo by Elaine Swift www.elaineswift.co.uk.

Not just for holiday-makers

It’s the ideal venue for a wedding too and the owners have built a fabulous glass fronted space, which is flooded with natural light, in which ceremonies can take place. There’s also a romantic wooden arbour overlooking the valley for couples who want to tie the knot outside.

It’s so secluded and peaceful that I can also imagine it being perfect for a retreat or for corporate events such as off-site meetings when a bit concentrated thinking time is needed.

Things to do in the area

There’s lots to do in the area. Minnions, from where you can walk to the mysterious Cheesewring rock formation on Bodmin Moor, is about 10 minutes by car. It’s walkable from The Green if you’re feeling energetic.

The coast is within easy reach too with Looe only 11 miles away. Nearest town is Liskeard which is OK and Lostwithiel is worth a visit for its antique shops.

The tiny village of Upton Cross is just a stroll away. There is a pub in the village but I can’t recommend the food as we didn’t eat there.

Green credentials

We were pleased to discover that The Green isn’t just green by name. It has its own water sources and the cottages use renewable, ground source heat. All accommodation is fitted with efficient, low-consumption appliances, and the owners use eco cleaning products and encourage as much recycling as possible.

Outside, the well-managed grounds encourage biodiversity.

The Green is so secluded you really do feel you’re in the middle of nowhere – a very beautiful, tranquil nowhere where you can relax and forget about the world outside for a few days.

Thank you to copywriter and Your Holiday Planner contributor, Elaine Swift for providing this detailed review of The Green (www.thegreencornwall.co.uk)  in Cornwall. 

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.

Looking for a special place to stay in Paris? You might be interested in: REVIEW: Quiet, but centrally located boutique hotel in the heart of Paris: Hotel Arès Tour Eiffel, Paris.

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