Showing all posts tagged cruise

In Family Time, Self-Care

Mini Break : Much Needed!

Author Nicki CawoodPosted on
Mini Break : Much Needed!

Have you seen that meme that has been floating around social media? “I’m not an early bird or a night owl, I’m a sort of permanently exhausted pigeon”? That’s me. I am that pigeon. I have been a freelance copywriter for over twelve years so you’d think by now that I’d be used to the crazy November/December workload. I’m not. This year has been busier than ever and I’m seriously considering taking a short family mini break in the new year.

Adulting leaves many of us feeling a little frazzled at this time of the year and seeing as I am such a keen advocate for self care, it’s probably about time that I start practising what I preach.

We already have a holiday away booked for the summertime, we’re heading up to the Highlands which are my favourite place, Moray especially, along the coastline. If not a January mini break break, an Easter getaway would be a great idea and give us all something to look forward to.

We’ve talked about a short break, Roy and I and a few different options have been on the table. Wales, a cosy cabin, walks, mountains, lakes and a roaring fire for one. Somewhere more action-packed for the boys would definitely go down well.

To be honest though, in my current shall we say slightly tired state, I’m dreaming of something more upmarket. Something a little exclusive, something like a break on a Scenic River Cruises vessel. Seriously, if you haven’t looked up river cruises before, now is the time. It’s like being in the world’s most exclusive hotel, only it is floating and you are able to take in the sights and sounds of some of the most beautiful European cities as you go. This sounds perfect for me. I’m not sure that this would be something I’d class as a family holiday but would be perfect for Roy and I to recharge our batteries.

I’m not sure a mini break that involves a tent or a waterpark is quite what I’m craving right now. What about you? If you could go anywhere and do anything during a minibreak, where would you go and what would you choose?

While you think that over, I’ll be over here, browsing European destinations and wondering how much I’d need to bribe my sister to babysit for a long weekend….. 

In Family Time, Women's Interest

Looking For Solo (No Kids) Travel Adventures

Author Nicki CawoodPosted on

I’m all about confessions at the moment and so here is another one. I’ve never been abroad. Not once!

I don’t even have a passport at the moment. I never felt the urge to travel abroad before the kids. We were too busy working, getting married and enjoying ourselves and once the boys arrived any ideas regarding foreign travel went right out the window. Right now we are staycationers, with the boys getting as much out of Whitby beach and our fabulous UK as they would a similar (if not warmer!) beach abroad.

I’m not saying that we won’t travel as a family as we do plan to, when they are both a little older and able to fully appreciate where we go and what we do (we are walkers and history buffs so with the youngest being only four we’d like him to be a little older before we show him the world). We’ve considered a driving holiday (through the Euro Tunnel) and beyond, camping as we go as well as single destination hols where we can plan in advance everything we want the boys to see and enjoy with us.

Right now though we browse the internet and enjoy planning our own adventures, the ones that Roy and I plan to take (on our own) when the boys are older / otherwise occupied! I’ve posted before about the idea of a cruise and I have to say that the idea really does appeal. I’ve seen other bloggers review cruise holidays and was astounded to see the inside of some of the cabins and the range of activities and what not on board. I have to say that this option really does look perfect.

Even better the cruises look easy to customise if that makes sense. I love the fact that there are so many activities and options for a cruise holiday however when Roy and I plan to start solo holidays the boys will be older and have left home so we’ll be likely to be looking at Saga cruise around Europe and therefore will likely be looking at some of the more relaxing (and luxurious!) options available.

Cruise holidays to me look like they tick all of the boxes as you are enjoying your holiday while someone else is doing all of the travel-related work for you, depositing you in fabulous cities around the world. This allows you to take in the sights, enjoy local foods, shows and more before going back aboard to your now familiar and comfortable cabin and setting off in a leisurely fashion to your next destination.

I love the idea of European exploration especially, as does Roy as there are so many fabulous cities to see and we are both architecture and history buffs so will be able to plan in advance what we want to see and do (looking for more authentic experiences rather than touristy ones) before moving on.

Until then our family travel plans are fairly open however we do have definite plans to really enjoy exploring just the two of us later on, no doubt causing mischief wherever we go and loving every minute of it.  What about you? Do you have plans to travel the world later or are you already enjoying exploring? Perhaps we shouldn’t hold off so long and bite the expensive bullet that comes with organising passports for us all. What do you think?

 

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