08.08.2017

Visiting Melbourne with the kids? Be sure to visit Sealife Melbourne

If the kids love the ocean and sea animals then a visit to Sea Life Melbourne is just what you need. Sea Life allows the whole family to get up close and personal with the animals in a way that would not be possible, unless you were actually scuba diving in the ocean!

SEA LIFE Aquarium offers an interactive, hands-on experiences, displays and shows for all ages.

A day out at SEA LIFE will leave you with fantastic memories and feeling empowered to make a difference to the underwater world.

Our favourite was the ocean tunnel with massive stingrays, sharks and tropical fish, the whole family can wander through the tunnel and marvel at the different species of sharks, fish and turtles as they swim over head.

Another huge highlight for us was the tidal touch pool where we got up close with starfish, sea urchins and sea cucumbers, the kids just loved putting there hands in the water and getting to touch and feel what was below. They were totally fascinated by the sharks eggs and had heaps of questions which were answered by the Sealife staff who manned the touch pool, all of the staff we meet during our visit were well informed, very interesting and friendly and we learnt a lot and found heaps to keep us entertained for hours.

Penguin Playground completes the unforgettable experience where visitors can marvel as the majestic King and cheeky Gentoo Penguins slip and slide across the snow-covered ice. Piper found the penguins are very entertaining and she didn’t want to leave, she was just having too much fun watching them as they slipped and waddled around the ice.

Moving through the exhibits there are lots of interactive experiences to keep little to big kids informed and entertained.

If you find yourself in Melbourne I highly recommend you take a few hours and check it out for yourself.

Click Here for some Great savings on Tickets and Experiences

If you have any questions just let us know we love a chat,

Love Kerry and Miss Piper xoxo

07.31.2017

We Road Test Holiday Inn Melbourne – Kids Glamp-In Package

Our favourite Melbourne hotel just keeps getting better and better!

Last week the kids slept rough or as rough as it gets for my jetsetters, road testing the Kids Glamp-In Package at Holiday Inn Melbourne and let’s just say it was a HUGE hit!

What you get:

Kids Glamp-In Package

A stay in one of the beautifuly newly refurbished rooms.
Accommodation in a room with 2 double size beds which can accommodate 2 adults and 2 children comfortably, with cots ‘free’ upon request.
Your very own glamp-in setup. Complete with a tee-pee, games for the whole family, pillows and blankets to make sure everyone is comfortable.
Buffet breakfast for 2 adults plus don’t forget that it’s the Holiday Inn brand promise that kids under 12 stay and eat free!

For more information see Holiday Inn Glam In

If you need more reasons to visit check out the new deal just released below.

Getaway and enjoy Melbourne

Book direct and save a guaranteed 25% for stays until 31st March 2018.

Save 15% or more on accommodation at Holiday Inn Melbourne on Flinders
IHG Rewards Club members save an EXTRA 10% with YOUR RATE. Not a member? Join now
Complimentary WiFi Internet for IHG Rewards Club Members. Free to Join!
Best Price Guarantee when you book direct. No booking fee, ever.
At Holiday Inn Kids under 12 Stay & Eat Free!
Sale ends 14 August 2017. Valid for stays from 1 August 2017 to 31 March 2018

For more information just click Here

Again we can never recommend Holiday Inn Melbourne highly enough, if you have any questions please feel free to ask away.

Love Kerry and Miss Piper xoxo

06.06.2017

If you’re a family travelling in New Zealand – here’s why you should stay at Holiday Inn

Recently we spent 5 fun filled days in beautiful Auckland. As part of our trip we spent a few nights staying in Rotorua, a place known for bubbling mud pools, shooting geysers and natural hot springs, as well as showcasing the fascinating Maori culture.

We stayed with Holiday Inn, as they never disappoint me, I can always relax and let them take care of everything plus with Kids Stay & Eat Free* and the VIK (Very Important Kids) program, the hotel is a great base for both families and adventurers to explore.

Here’s why we think…

Holiday Inn Rotorua is the perfect destination to warm up this winter. Location Location Location….

Relax in geothermal hot springs or explore the Redwoods forest mountain bike trails. The mild weather in New Zealand means that you can stay active all year round with plenty of activities to entertain everyone.

Holiday Inn Rotorua is situated on the edge of the beautiful Whakarewarewa Forest. It’s the closest hotel to the famous Rotorua mountain bike trails and after a day exploring, reward your body with a swim in the geothermally heated pool or enjoy the garden spa, it was such good fun for all of us, the excitement of swimming outdoors in the middle of winter was a major highlight for the kids.

Then head back to your spacious and modern room or relax in the bar before enjoying buffet or a la carte options in the Chapman’s Restaurant, the restaurant serves fantastic meals the kids really enjoyed the buffet dinner and breakfast, we enjoyed that they ate Free*

If your heading into town for the afternoon or a thrill-seeking day out, jump on the complimentary shuttle service for guests to and from the Rotorua Tourism Centre on Fenton Street and you will be in the middle of everything you need.

During your stay at the hotel, you can explore Rotorua’s wide range of experiences and attractions. With its well-known Maori cultural shows, geothermal activity and adrenalin pumping activities there is something for everyone.

There are three different room types; Standard, Superior and Deluxe. So you’ve got a few options to choose from depending on what you need size-wise, comfort-wise and in keeping with budget. The rooms have a modern but classic, comfortable feel to them, with everything feeling new and fresh.

Our room had an insanely good view with a private balcony that overlooked the sulphur springs and the Whakarewarewa thermal park – picture lots of trees with steam rising through them. It made leaving the room difficult, all I wanted to do was stay inside rugged up but adventured called. (See additional blogs for all the attractions and sites we visited)

Holiday Inn Rotorua was a great choice for us as it ticks all the boxes when travelling with kids – conveniently located: around the corner from Whakarewarewa and within walking distance (or a short drive) to all of the local attractions, well maintained/clean rooms, breakfast that offers more options than your average hotel breakfast, laundry open 24/7 and cheap to use, which is awesome when you are travelling a lot, air-conditioning, ensuite bathroom, Sky TV channels (including free to guest movies), broadband internet access, complimentary tea/coffee making facilities, iron & ironing board, bathrobes, complimentary selection of fresh fruits, heated outdoor pool, inhouse restarant (Big tick from us)

Our 2nd and last stop was in Auckland at the Holiday Inn Auckland Airport it’s located only 4km from the Auckland international and domestic airport terminals so it made for a great place to base ourselves for the last couple of days adventures before we needed to board the hotel shuttle bus for the quick 5 min trip to the airport to start our homeward journey, again we received a warm welcome and the down to earth consistent service we have come to expect from Holiday Inn. Right from check in the staff were first rate friendly and professional, we ate in both the restaurant and on the 2nd night we ordered room service after a particularly long day, both were great with lots 0f choices and very tasty. But nothing beats a Holiday Inn buffet breakfast this is something they just seem to do really well! good choices, good service and plenty of room to sit and relax and not feel rushed. Plus of course kids stay and eat for free*

It’s expansive grounds made a welcome change to other airport hotels we have stayed in, perfect for the kids to get outdoors and enjoy some sunshine and have a run around if you have been cooped up on a flight for a while.

Our whole trip to New Zealand was made so much more enjoyable by staying in comfortable and family friendly Holiday Inn hotels, the wonderful staff who work here, they’re attentive and kind and make you feel really welcome. They’re able to help you out with ideas for places to eat, things to do, how to get around and where to go.

You can Check out the current Packages and Special Deals by clicking here.

“Escape with a guaranteed 25% off to Auckland or Rotorua. Plus up to 5% more with YOUR RATE for IHG® Rewards Club members.”

– Book before June 21, 2017, for dates until January 31, 2018.

To Find out more click here

More information and special rates on accommodation can be found a Holiday Inn

We just loved New Zealand, so if you have any questions? Just let us know and we will be happy to chat.

Kerry and Miss Piper xoxo

Follow Them on

Instagram @hiaucklandairport and @holidayinnrotorua

FaceBook /HolidayInnAKLAirport and /HolidayInnRotorua

*Terms and conditions apply.

* Kids Stay Free – Up to two (2) children under 12 years of age, stay free when sharing a room with up to two (2) adults at any of the Participating Hotels, subject to maximum room occupancy restrictions and subject to availability. Baby crib/cot is complimentary while rollaway beds may be chargeable. Rules for maximum room occupancy will supersede this offer.

Kids Eat Free – For registered guests only. This is available for children under 12 yrs of age:

a) when ordering for breakfast, lunch & dinner;
b) when ordering in the hotel’s dine-in restaurant;
c) when ordering from the Kids’ Menu (which must consist of at least 1 main course and 1 dessert) and;
d) when accompanied by at least one (1) adult who is registered as a hotel guest at the Participating Hotel and must order at least one main course from the full priced menu.

The Kids Eat Free offer is limited to up to four (4) children per dining family, per meal OR up to two (2) children per parent, per meal.

The Kids Eat Free offer is not available for room service or with room rates negotiated for groups of 10 or more rooms, travel industry rates, corporate rates or employee rates.

**This post was written in collaboration with Holiday Inn (IHG Group) but, as always, opinions are honest and my own.

06.06.2017

Melbourne’s LEGOLAND Discovery Centre

We recently had the opportunity to attend the Legoland Discovery Centre Melbourne we are BIG Lego fans having just been to Legoland in Malaysia so we were keen to test it out.

The Legoland Discovery Centre is the ultimate indoor Lego playground located in Chadstone Shopping centre which was a huge plus for me as I figured if I tired out the kids with lego, mumma would have a couple of hours to get her shop on in peace.

Plus our hot tip!

If you’re planning a trip to the Legoland Discovery Centre or even the shop, you will notice that a lot of the workers there have nametags with minifigures attached to them. Just like Legoland Theme Parks, you’re allowed to initiate a minifigure trade with them! If you see a minifigure that you’d like, all you have to do is ask them to trade it with your own minifigure! This is a great fun activity that kids can do, especially if you have a lot of surplus or loose minifigures lying about at home, so be sure to bring a small bag of minifigures with you when you visit!

The opening hours are the same as the shopping centre, and you’ll need a ticket or an annual pass to enter the Discovery Centre.

Single tickets are $37.50 for adults and kids, although there are Concession Tickets priced at $27.50.

If you live in Melbourne and plan on visiting the Discovery Centre regularly, it might be more economical to buy an annual pass ($81 for individuals & $77 each for families which have a maximum cap of 2 adults) which grants you unlimited access to the centre all-year round.

Legoland Discovery Centre features two Lego rides, five themed Lego build and play zones, build classes from the Centre’s Master Model Builder, a 4D cinema, special party rooms for birthdays and other celebrations, Melbourne’s top landmarks recreated in LEGO® bricks in MINILAND, plus more.

It’s ideal for families with children aged 3-10 and took us about 3 hours to really see everything, this is the perfect place for the kids to let there imaginations run wild in a world of colour and creativity!

The centre is first discovery centre in southern hemisphere for Lego, joining a global network of Lego Discovery Centres, including nine in North America, four in Europe and two in Japan.

Not to be confused with traditional Legoland Theme Parks, Leogland Discovery Centres are essentially mini versions of LEGOLAND, usually containing a mix of indoor, outdoor and interactive attractions.

The multi-million dollar attraction is filled with more than 2 million Lego bricks and 13 family friendly attractions, making it the ultimate indoor LEGO playground.

Adults MUST be accompanied by a child (up to 17 years old) to visit the LEGOLAND Discovery Centre.

● Trading hours vary from 9.30am – 7pm

1341 Dandenong Road, Chadstone Shopping Centre Chadstone Victoria Australia | View Map

*This post was written in collaboration with above mentioned attractions but, as always, opinions are honest and my own.

06.05.2017

Our Top FIVE Favourite Attractions While Visiting Auckland, New Zealand

Auckland has a fantastic history and a world of exciting experiences waiting to be discovered. So, if the kids are up for discovering the Maori culture and heritage and uncovering a city bursting with fresh and quirky experiences, Auckland is just the spot for you.

Here are our top FIVE favourites, just to get you started….

Agrodome – The Unique New Zealand Farm Experience

Agrodome is a fun event for the whole family, informative & very entertaining, cos lets be honest who doesn’t like farm animals.

Spend the day and make sure you catch all the demonstrations with sheep, dogs and other animals, including audience participation. Make sure you do the farm and sheep shearing tours, The kids will love it!

Heaps of animals are on display and the open areas for kids to explore are a good place to take the whole family.

Set in the heart of 350-acres of lush farmland, yet only 10 minutes from Rotorua city centre, you’ll find this little gem.

For over 40 years, visitors from all over the globe have come to the Agrodome to see the world-famous Farm Show starring a cast of talented animals. After the show you can visit the Farmyard Nursery, which is home to the cutest baby animals who are available for cuddles and photos all year round!

Plus, if you really want to explore the Agrodome 350-acre working farm then join our Farm Tour. During this guided tour, you’ll get to hand-feed loads of friendly animals and sample delicious kiwifruit juice and honey from the land.

Before you leave, don’t forget to pop into the Woollen Mill and Shearing Museum. Here you’ll learn the remarkable story of NZ pioneers the Bowen brothers and discover the full process of wool from the Sheep’s back to yours.

Such a great experience for the kids, its easy to see why it’s one of New Zealand’s must-see attractions, open in any weather, 365 days a year!

Whakarewarewa Village

This is a MUST visit whilst in Rotoura, it was educational as well as fun, my kids have been poi dancing and doing the haka ever since we visited (or their version may I add!!)

This is a uniquely down home New Zealand experience that you wont want to miss, steeped in a rich history and filled with unique Māori culture and heritage. Whether you want to be mesmerised by the boiling mud or learn more about the geological forces created in the area that lies within Rotorua, The Māori people have lived here for centuries, co-existing in harmony with the geothermal forces that lay beneath their feet.

Join an hourly guided tour through the Whakarewarewa Village and experience a living Māori village. See how they use the geothermal energy for everyday use and experience traditional dances and songs (including the legendary “Haka”) from the resident kapa haka group – Te Pakira.

Village entry includes entry to the Cultural Performances (11:15 and 2:00 PM daily) and access to explore the Geothermal Features and Self-Guided Nature Trails over steaming lakes and past bubbling mud. Watch the talented Kapa Haka group perform traditional Māori song and dance – there is so much to explore you will need at least half a day.

The Māori Village is owned and operated by the local residents, providing an intimate look into day-to-day life in a Living Māori Village. Visit and hear stories from the tour guides who have lived here for more than five generations.

Stay for lunch and enjoy a traditional geothermal hangi meal, cooked in the bubbling geothermal waters and steam of Whakarewarewa valley which produces a unique flavour which is simply delicious. Hangi experiences can be booked alongside the Whakarewarewa Village Tours, where you can choose from a full Hang meal, or be tempted by the sweet corn on the cob as a taster.

OPEN EVERY DAY (except Christmas day)

Rainbow Springs Nature Park

Set amongst the native trees and beautiful forests of Rotorua, Rainbow Springs Nature Park offers a fun-packed and educational experience for the whole family. Learn about New Zealand’s fascinating natural history and meet the creatures who call this great land home.

Animal and bird lovers flock to Rainbow Springs Nature Park, a 9 hectare (22 acre) nature park and wildlife conservation center featuring many rare endemic species, a water ride, and a beautiful natural setting of native plants and streams.

Top of our list was to see the Kiwi encounter, Kiwi are shy fuzzy little flightless birds and are the park’s most famous inhabitants but as the ground dwelling creatures they only come out under the cover of darkness, but don’t worry about missing them during your daytime visit as they keep the kiwi in a nocturnal kiwi enclosure and your day pass includes repeat entry for the day of purchase until closing at 10pm, this means you can come back to the park once it’s dark to meet the kiwi in an outdoor, no glass enclosure. They often come out to play under the stars between 7pm-9pm – it’s a magical experience not to be missed!

We found heaps to do including a ride on the big splash, then spent some time with birds in one of the park’s free flight aviaries plus loved the exciting bird show.

Your ticket allows you unlimited admission for the day, so if you’re close by it makes for a great stop, letting you return at night to observe the nocturnal creatures.

Plus each day the team of experts run special encounters which allow you to get closer than ever to some of the park residents including trout, reptiles and native birds.

Rainbows End

A great day out for the family no matter what age and level of ‘fear factor’

If you’re in New Zealand, searching for a family-friendly thrill activity, definitely go to Rainbows End with over 20 rides and attractions there’s something for everyone, every day of the year expect Christmas day.

The staff are incredibly helpful and kind, and go to all lengths to satisfy your visit.

We enjoyed a fantastic fun day at Rainbows End and the kids just loved it!! Grab a day pass and go on whatever you want!

We loved the Roller Coaster and some of the rides will have you screaming, but in a good way! The Log Flume ride is always good fun without the fear factor.

Piper really enjoyed Kids Kingdom it’s a great sheltered entertainment centre just for the younger kids, children 8 year and under to run around and they have a blast.

Rainbow’s End is open from 10am to 5pm each day and is worth adding to your must do list while in Auckland.

OGO Rotorua

According to our 10 year old son, this was his best experience throughout the whole trip!

New Zealand is the iconic Rotorua adventure activity in the world’s largest downhill park in the world, overlooking the spectacular views of Lake Rotorua & Mokoia Island.

The Original OGO New Zealand has been operating for over 19 years and is the iconic Rotorua adventure activity offering the unique experience OGO Globe Riding, basically just rolling down a hill in a large inflatable ball.

Because it’s great fun, you want to go again and again.

We chose the Zigzag track… and it was awesome, such a thrill! sitting in some warm water (winter time), being rolled down left and right down the track, it was so much fun.

Courtesy Clothing is available if your forget (Top, Shorts and Towel), Free Wifi, Hotpool and courtesy transport to and from Rotorua on request!

Open 7 days, 364 days a year, rain, hail or shine. Anyone from 6 years old can roll and we highly recommend it! Go on, we dare you.

We had such an amazing time in Auckland, its the perfect haven for kids. If you’re heading to NZ be sure to get in touch with any questions you have as we would love to chat.

Love Kerry and Miss Piper xoxo

*This post was written in collaboration with above mentioned attractions but, as always, opinions are honest and my own.

05.01.2017

Two great spots to stay when visiting Melbourne with the family.

Melbourne is packed with things to do for visitors of all ages. Children will love the tram ride down to St Kilda pier, the children’s museum at Melbourne Museum and the Aquarium.

plus parents will no doubt be just as thrilled by Melbourne’s fantastic shopping, dining and nightlife, as well as the National Gallery of Victoria and the leisurely cruises down the Yarra River.

Not far from Melbourne there are many options, including a visit to the fantastic Open Range Zoo at Werribee, or head to the Dandenong Ranges for a ride on the Puffing Billy steam train. Children also love to visit Phillip Island to watch the penguin parade at Summerland Beach, see the fur seals near Nobbies or go surfing at some of the best surf and swimming beaches in Victoria.

This trip we were only in Melbourne for a couple of days and had lots to do, so we needed somewhere to base ourselves that was convenient, comfortable and as always somewhere where the kids are made as welcome as the adults.

So our first stop was – The Holiday Inn Melbourne on Flinders, it has a casual and relaxed vibe helping families feel right at home plus all the family friendly extra’s to make travelling with children easier.

Holiday Inn Melbourne on Flinders is the ideal choice for guests and is a favourite Melbourne hotel amongst business and leisure guests. Ideal quality accommodation in Melbourne’s central business district, conveniently located at the entertainment end of Melbourne CBD, just a short walk to Crown Casino, Melbourne Exhibition & Convention Centres, Aquarium, Southbank restaurants, Observation Deck and Telstra Dome, allowing guests time to indulge in renowned restaurants, fashion boutiques and Melbourne’s finest attractions, guests can relax in the hotels surroundings whilst immersing themselves in the city’s vibrant culture.

We chose to stay in a spacious newly renovated suite with separate bedroom & bathroom, it features 2 double beds, desk and sofa which meant the room felt spacious for our family of four and offered a little more privacy. Rooms feature broadband internet access, pillow menu plus tea & coffee making facilities, Cots are also available should you require one. It was perfect for our family of four to be able to spread out and relax, enjoying the flat screen TV and multi-device free WIFI.

With so many facilities and attractions within walking distance to the hotel it also makes it easy to drop back to the room for nap time or a rest before heading back out for dinner and night time fun, which is a must to keep our sanity – The hotel also has its own casual restaurant for those nights you would rather get a quick bite to eat and have an early night or often our favourite option room service!

The first thing my kids ask when we are heading to a new hotel is does it have a buffet breakfast? and yes it did! We were spoilt for choice with buffet breakfast choices galore we wanted for nothing at during our stay. The kids could take their pick from a variety of cereals, freshly made crepes and pancakes, fluffy bread rolls, warm croissants, , smoked meats and cheese, an assortment of tropical fruits and of course everyone’s favourite bacon and eggs made to order. A good breakfast like this always sets us up for a good day and keeps everyones hungry at bay.

After a crazy couple of days of exploring this increadable city it was time to think about heading home so for our next stop we opted to be close to the airport on our last night and made our way to the Holiday Inn Melbourne Airport. We were made to feel so welcome and they offer all the facilities, space and service that makes travelling with children of all ages a pleasure.

An overnight stay at the hotel is perfect when busy families need a relaxing getaway to reconnect and have fun. As part of the World’s most family friendly hotel chain, the team happily engages with all hotel guests big and small; starting with a special kids welcome pack at the kids check in counter, then it was time to explore the kids zone stocked with fun board games, books and toys, which opens up to a large outdoor garden where you can play soccer, totem tennis or cricket or just run around and wear them out before bedtime.

I loved that Vargas Restaurant it’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and offers a kids menu which contains more than the usual nuggets and fries and cheese burger and fries that most restaurants think is suitable for the kids, Holiday Inn’s menu has been designed by nutritionists to satisfy any kids’ appetite for flavour and fun, and parents’ desire for healthy, nutritious food. With a great selection of healthy kid friendly meal options, there’s something for every little traveller to enjoy at Vargas Restaurant and Bar. Best of all, kids eat free* when dining with an adult.

Plus the next morning we could forget the stress and hassle of getting the family to the plane on time. With onsite airport parking and complimentary 24/7 airport shuttle, we finished the holiday feeling relaxed and rested with no last minute dash so we didn’t miss our plane.

Plus to make our stay even more affordable they offer Kids 12 years and under eat and stay free when sharing their parents’ room this make a huge difference to the budget when travelling with kids and is always the first thing I look out for when booking a hotel.

If you have a larger family or group, they also offer interconnecting rooms, plus free rollaway beds* and portacots.

Whether you choose to stay at Melbourne airport hotel to make it easier for an early flight the next day or on a lay-over between international destinations, you can be sure that the whole family will enjoy the friendly atmosphere and attitude at a family friendly rate. Spacious soundproof guests rooms with double-glazed windows and modern room amenities, including pillow menu and premium bedding for the ultimate sleep experience. The hotel is the ultimate in Melbourne airport accommodation, located within walking distance to Melbourne Airport terminals meaning its very hard to miss that return flight home.

Check out the current Packages and Special Deals

Book between 1st – 21st May and you can get a whopping 25% off or more on the best flexible rate, Valid for stays from May 8th to 31st December 2017.

*Terms and conditions apply.

To Find out more click here

More information and special rates on accommodation can be found at www.holidayinn.com

We love Melbourne, so any questions you have just let us know and we will be happy to chat.

Kerry and Miss Piper xoxo

*This post was written in collaboration with Holiday Inn Melbourne on Flinders but, as always, opinions are honest and my own.

02.26.2017

10 Days in Singapore – The perfect holiday for families, not just a stop over destination anymore.

Ok, so when we told everyone that we were going to Singapore for 10 days the first thing everyone we spoke to said was “What are you going to do for 10 days in Singapore?” and the typical “Its very clean!” Singapore over the years has become known as a place for a quick stop over, not as a holiday destination for families with children, but we found so much more to do and see that we were wishing we had a couple more days to stay and see some more.

We had so much fun exploring this pretty city, yes it is clean (very clean!) and friendly, the warm welcomes we receive everywhere you go and how welcome the kids were made was a highlight. So don’t let anyone tell you, you wont find enough to do! Because that definitely wasn’t the Singapore we discovered.

Getting There

We took a 2.30am flight (this sounded like a good idea when I booked it but then I started to panic as the time got closer that it was a massive mistake) but all was good and it ended up being one of my better ideas!

We flew with Emirates departing the international airport Brisbane, Queensland and arrived at approx. 8.00am Singapore time, this worked out great as the kids slept most of the flight and we didn’t lose any of our first day of sightseeing. We had time when we arrived to explore the incredible Changi international airport, it’s modern and hi-tech and it’s not hard to see why it has been voted the best airport in the world several times. Make sure you leave yourself a couple of hours before your transfers just to look around, so much to see before you even leave the arrivals lounge from a sunflower garden and butterfly enclosure to some great themed cafés. So after our short explore of the airport then we were off and headed straight to our first hotel and checked in beating the afternoon rush, they stored our bags and allowed us to start using the hotel facitilies and exploring the island of Sentosa.

Where We Stayed

Our first stop for two nights was on Sentosa Island at The Hard Rock Hotel, it’s a brilliant location right in the middle of Singapore’s entertainment precinct, so it was only minutes away from some of the region’s top attractions. Admittedly we chose the hotel for its amazing pool which didn’t disappoint, but the five-star service with a rock and roll edge was pure magic, we were lucky enough to be given the ‘Presidential Suite’ (only three of these suites are available in the world) and it comes complete with Keith Richards from the Rolling Stones costume right in the middle of our dinning room plus two large bedrooms, three bathrooms, kitchen and rock star lounge room.

After two amazing days exploring Sentosa, we headed into the city to explore for 3 days and based ourselves at a luxury boutique hotel ideally located in the middle of the city the So Sofitel Singapore it’s set in a restored heritage building in Singapore’s Central Business District the luxurious So Sofitel Singapore offers modern rooms designed by Karl Lagerfeld, with a French-style and free WiFi. A big plus was the mini bar because everything was free! Coke, sparkling water and other canned drinks (non alcoholic). This was the first time I have stayed in a hotel where the mini bar was free of charge and we have stayed in more expensive hotels, but the mini bar was never free!

When we travel overseas our holidays are always so busy, out and about all day exploring and trying to fit in as much as we can. This time we decided that for the last few days we wanted somewhere we could relax and unwind before we returned home and you couldn’t get anywhere better than the 5 star luxury and tranquillity that is Sofitel Sentosa Resort and Spa situated atop a cliff above Tanjong Beach Sentosa. It was exactly what we were seeking, the surrounding so serene, like you’re in paradise, the pool was great and 5 minutes walk down the stairs to street level there is a most heavenly beach, the kids loved the pool, the roaming peacocks and the foot spa fish pond. The perfect place for families to enjoy each other’s company in this children friendly resort. If you are seeking luxury, tranquility, stunning views and generous size rooms, then seek no further. The Sofitel Sentosa Resort and spa is where you take your break. It’s worth it!

Getting around

Singapore’s public transport system is fast and efficient and will whizz you to most places without fuss. Singapore’s MRT (mass rapid transit) system is probably the fastest way to zip around the city. The extensive rail network means that most of Singapore’s key attractions are within walking distance from an MRT station.

Singapore’s bus system has an extensive network of routes covering most places in Singapore and is the most economical way to get around, as well as being one of the most scenic.

All of Singapore’s trains and stations are accessible to wheel chair users and the visually impaired, as well as families with strollers.

You can buy tickets for single trips, but if you intend to use the MRT and basic bus services frequently during your visit, you can buy a Singapore Tourist Pass, a special EZ-Link stored-value card which will allow you unlimited travel for one day (S$10), two days (S$16) or three days (S$20). (prices correct at time of writing) The cards can be bought at the TransitLink Ticket Office at MRT stations.

Taxis are comfortable and especially handy if you want to go to places not accessible by the bus or MRT, we had a great taxi service pick us up from the airport and I have his email address if anyone wants it, just send me a message.

Eat and Drink

Singapore’s incredibly diverse range of dining options will cater to food lovers from all walks of life. If you appreciate a good meal, there’s a cuisine for every taste and budget. The local street fare is a delicious melting pot of Singapore’s diverse cultures, while the country’s vibrant fine dining scene has emerged as one of the world’s most exciting, featuring many celebrity chef restaurants.

Raffles Afternoon tea

It’s not a trip to Singapore without a trip to Raffles for afternoon tea, Raffles High Tea and Singapore go together perfectly. Just visiting Raffles is like stepping back in time the food was absolutely delicious with a wide variety of sandwiches, savouries, cakes, scones and desserts, I do recommend you leave room for Raffles speciality “ Their own recipe Bread Pudding” and I highly recommend you book prior to going to Singapore as this experience is on a lot of bucket lists.

We also took some time to visit the Long Bar, where the tradition is to sip a Singapore Sling and toss all your peanut shells on the floor. The kids can also enjoy a non-alcoholic version of the famous cocktail.

Things We Did – Below is a list and some photos of just a few of our favourite spots.

Gardens by the Bay

Amazing experience that you won’t regret! This is a free venue so perfect to save a few $$. We spent about 3-4 hours here and went in the afternoon/evening so we got to experience it both day and night, as there is a great light, sound and colour show each night, which is going to leave you speechless. It was quite busy but the crowd wasn’t really much of a bother.

Universal Studio Singapore

At the top of many ‘to do’ lists is Universal Studios Singapore, based on Sentosa Island Universal Studios is definitely a must visit on any length of trip.

Top Tip Parent Swap:
If you have a baby or infant in your party who can’t go on a ride (height restrictions apply), then consider using the parent swap system. To do this, approach the ride staff and tell them that you want to take turns going on the ride. In some cases, they’ll simply let one adult head straight onto the single rider queue, and then when they return the other adult in the party then takes there turn. For some rides, they’ll issue the adult with a parent swap pass and you get to fast track up the queue and then once you’ve finished the other parent then gets their turn. This saves so much queuing time.

PLUS

Parent Room – Guest Services
There is a really well equipped parent room, right near the entrance within guest services. In this room there is a couch, perfect for feeding a baby on it, in addition to filtered water, a microwave for heating up foods, and changing stations. There are also a few toys if you’ve got toddlers in addition to babies with you. The room is beautifully air conditioned, so this is a great place to stop by for infant feeding time.

Kidzania – Located on Sentosa island KidZania is an indoor themepark where children aged 4 – 17 learn through hands on role play while exploring a kids sized city complete with building, paved streets, vechicles and functioning economy, just like the real world. Spend the day learning about different carers and the inner workings of a city all the while having fun.

Little India

We loved walking around the quaint streets and exploring all that little India had to offer. We ate at some of the local spots and found the food inexpensive. The spice shops and Bollywood dvd shops add to the feeling. If you love colour then this is the place for you. Two or Three hours including meal time is more than enough to see everything.

Chinatown

A colorful and delightful section of the city. This is a great place to go shopping for souvenirs which are very expensive elsewhere. Lots of bargains and knick knacks to be had very cheaply it’s the best place to visit for shops and food it’s vibrant busy and just makes you feel happy. It’s worth a visit just for some chili crab!

Our Top Tips for Traveling in Singapore

Singapore is hot and humid, so light, loose-fitting clothing should be worn and be sure to have hats and sunscreen on hand to protect your family from the hot, tropical sun.

Singapore has year round tropical weather you will most likely have some rain during your holiday in Singapore, so prepare for both sunshine and rain on your visit and you might want to consider disposable ponchos for the family too.

Tap water in the large cities and towns is safe but I always carry bottled water anywhere I go.

I could write for days about this amazing trip so if you do decide to take a trip feel free to contact me as I would love to chat.

Send us your questions, Love Kerry and Miss Piper xoxo

03.10.2016

Carnival Cruise Lines for family Holidays

My family and I spent 9 days cruising onboard the Carnival Spirit – a ship very much designed with families in mind.
I’ve travelled on Carnival Cruise Lines before now. But this is something else again.
The ship boasts amazing facilities, extensive kids clubs and has the Dr Suess characters onboard.

But is it just a floating entertainment palace?

Many people are concerned about all that noise and all those kids and the crowds?

These are all questions we asked ourselves, so I know other families will be asking them too.

We’re not really into big crowds. We kind of like our own space. Don’t get me wrong, we like to go to shows and attractions etc. But we also like to retreat to our own little corner too. Can you even do that on a cruise ship of this size?

My family are hard to please on holidays. They want to be doing, doing, doing all the time. They want to see things and experience things and at 18, 9 and 2 they all need different experiences.
So that is a difficult holiday to find!

But find it we did.

As a mother I know exactly what it’s like when you’re looking to spend your money on something for the whole family. And let’s face it, holidays are expensive. Especially if you have school-aged children and have to take your holidays during the most expensive times so value for money is what we all want.

We travelled on the Spirit for 9 nights to New Caledonia in Febuary and barely touched the sides of what is on offer to do.
And we did a LOT of stuff.
Trust me when I tell you, there is no way you will ever be bored on this ship.

Here’s a quick overview why:

Food and Dining

You will find plenty of choices with delicious dining options for the whole family, most of which is included in the price of your cruise. (Some venues charge additional make sure to check before you cruise)

If you’re not sure about any of the restaurants you can just pop in and ask a member of staff to see the menu, if they have any additional charges and what sort of food they serve. We found them supremely helpful – especially when asking about the suitability for children.
If you don’t want to dress up and like to eat quite informally, be sure to check out the varity on offer at the self service buffet with a HUGE selection for even the fussiest of eaters.
It does however get very busy, but there are staff helping with seating so you’re never waiting for too long.
It’s a great place to eat lunch or breakfast.
If you like formal dining, or something a bit special, the dining room is a gorgeous spectacle of a dining room that’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner most days.
My kids highlight was seeing the wait staff everynight who danced and sang with them, and treated them like their own children, Mr 8 even cried one the last night as he was so sad to leave them.
There are lots of other places to eat if you want something quick and easy – such as 24 hour pizza, burgers, Mexican, sushi, and a café with amazing coffee, cakes and donuts.

Or, if you’re feeling really decadent, order in room service and sit on your balcony watching the sea slip by!

THE POOLS
There are 2 different pools for families on board, plus a H2O Zone for children with squirting water cannons, slides and two huge multi-coloured waterslides looming overhead and lots of places to play.

Plus an adults-only pool, that looked very tranquil and private and very much feels like a private spa, unfortuanlly we never made it for a swim on our own.

The main pools, are for every day use and consequently it is rather noisy around here!
The pools aren’t huge so during busy times it can feel quite crowded, the perfect time for a quite visit is early morning or during a port days when you find them almost empty.

That said the children absolutely loved the pool.

But please note: Babies/ All Children must be toilet trained to use the ship pools and swim nappies are NOT allowed due to health regulation, luckily I had already heard this and trained Piper two months prior to our trip otherwise it would have been a nightmare going anywhere near the pools and trying to explain she couldn’t go in! So if your thinking of booking and know your child will want to swim then make sure you have already or leave enough time to get that training done before you depart. Also toilets are not located close to the pool area so make sure they have learnt to hold on and take them for regular toilet stops just in case.

THE DAY SPA
Yes I just had to try it out! Its quite large in size with a full gym with spa for Adults in the rear. I had the most wonderful facial and massage and felt a million dollars. If it’s something that interests you, make sure you book in quickly when you board as the spots do tend to fill up quite quickly plus book for a treatment early in the cruise as its well worth it to relax early and get the full holiday experience.

YOUTH ZONE
Or the kids clubs. Personally I’ve never really cared if my kids go to kids clubs or not and are happy to spend the holiday enjoying time with them, so I leave it up to them but I can honestly say Joshua Mr 8 was begging to return after his first session he loved it. It’s Suitable for children aged 3 and 17, they are SO well thought out, the facilities are amazing, all activities are Age-appropriate like treasure hunts, obstacle courses, arts and craft, sports competitions, movies and playground outings at sea.

Piper was too young to leave alone as stating age is three but we were able to take her in at certain times and let her have a play with the toys and stay and play with her her which she really enjoyed.

If you want an Adults night out they also provide “Night Owls”club which for a nominal fee, kids aged 2-11 can stay up with others their age until as late as 1 a.m. They’ll enjoy music, activities, games and giveaways at supervised parties while you enjoy some time out maybe wining and dining.

On top of ALL of this there is a casino, a gym, loads of very different bars, a library, nightclub, – even a chapel if you fancy tying the knot onboard.

So did we find that much desired corner to ourselves? Did we find it crowded, overbearing, busy?
Well yes, we travelled on the ship at peak holiday time so it was busy. But there was always somewhere to find peace.

Would I recommend cruising to a family with little ones.
Yes I would.

Just be prepared that you might not get to do and see everything that you want too, as often little ones have other ideas, traveling with family or friends as a group is always a good way to go as you can always swap around the baby sitting duties.

As a family when we travel we want quality, to be treated well – very well – and we want to go home with amazing memories.

And that’s exactly what we got.

Thanks Carnival Cruise Lines for the amazing memories.

Love Kerry and Miss Piper

*This really just touches on our cruise experience so if you have any questions feel free to ask a question here or Pop on over to Instagram and send me a Direct Message.

Also be sure to check out our last Blog post on the green eggs and ham breakfast onboard.

07.16.2015

My Five Top Tips When Traveling With Kids

Traveling with kids certainly requires a lot of planning and even more patience but with a bit of know-how, travelling with small children needn’t be a hassle.

Here’s my top Five Trips to try when traveling.A new bag of toys for the car or plane, you can’t underestimate the value of new loot for the car or plane ride. We bring a small bag filled with new toys for each trip and I pull them out one by one, no need for them to be expensive just bits and pieces that have never been seen before is the key.

Bring a Medicine Kit, No matter how well everyone looks before the trip, things can change very quickly and try finding a chemist open at 11pm when your desperate is no fun. We have a pre-packed kit and pop it in the carryon bag just in case. Ours includes cough medicine, something to reduce fever, something for vomiting and diarrhoea, band aids, tweezers, cream for itchy bites, cough lollies. I learnt this trick the hard way with when my 3 year old started vomiting every hour on the hour, 8 hours in to a 16 hour plane trip and I had all this with us but didn’t put it in our carryon and it was packed in our luggage in the baggage compartment and the staff are unable to give you anything.

Down time Admit it, how many times have you had the temptation to fit in everything you can in one trip? This strategy may seem like a lot of fun at the time, but then everyone gets home exhausted. Plan for some down time every day of your trip. This could mean a leisurely bike ride, read a book, an afternoon at the park or a swim in the hotel pool. Even an afternoon nap. When booking a hotel look for one that includes Breakfast in the price, often it’s not that more expensive but it makes for a good start to the day as it gets everyone up out of bed, will include some healthy options and makes it just makes for a smoother day if everyone’s tummy is full before setting off on your days adventure.

And last but not least, definitely don’t forget the baby wipes. Even if the family is out of nappies, baby wipes are a must have when traveling, you can clean hands, faces, toilet seats, mop up almost anything with them just pop a couple of packs in different bags just in case.

Drop us a line we love to chat Love

Kerry and Miss Piper xxx