Family Friendly Travel Blog

Filming with the Piggies

2012-05-22T12:17:57+01:00

Do you care where your meat comes from? I ask, not because it has much to do with child friendly holidays but because I’m currently filming with the ITV Tonight Programme to ask some of the tricky questions about where our meat comes from.

Like most busy mums my approach to our food is at best inconsistent depending on among other things, how busy I am, where I’m shopping, money and how much capacity I have left. And then I’m in a bit of a muddle over labelling.

So overall, I do my best for my family and for the animals. The question is, is this good enough? I like to think of pigs and chickens happily doing what pigs and chickens to best – foraging and snuffling their days away, ideally in a lovely dappled woodland setting with birds cheeping in the background.

However the reality is that whilst I buy free range chickens I do not generally look at the labelling for my bacon or mince. I try to buy food that has the red tractor mark on it but if I’m truthful I’m not really sure what that means. And then there is the Freedom Food mark which is backed by the RSPCA, is that good enough? I’m not sure, I’m all of a muddle!

Then yesterday I went off to film at a pig farm. I was a little concerned about what I was going to see – I expected to see a sea of pigs in conditions that I would find unacceptable.

The reality however was that I was actually pleasantly surprised by what I saw. Each ‘shed’ had stalls for the pigs and there were about four or five pigs per stall. They were able to move around reasonably well and snooze comfortably. To my eye (and I am no vet) the animals looked bright eyed, healthy and seemed to demonstrate curiosity and playful behaviours. What’s more they are kept in family groupings which I am told is how they are happiest.

If this is intensive pig farming in the UK then I think that I am OK with this. The challenge however is that intensive farming on the continent is a whole different ballgame which has implications for your family holiday. Think small stalls, 1 animal per stall, no hay and altogether different, not to mention upsetting set up.

So for the Tonight Programme the Shand family is into an experimental week of only eating meat that is traceable. So that is curry off the agenda, supermarket bought sandwiches and pretty much anything from the market...ummm, I’ll let you know how we get on!

Family holiday idea for less than £1k

2012-05-18T11:15:11+01:00

Special offer on July weeks at Casa Alice...

Casa Alice in Italy's Le Marche is an incredibly popular holiday property with families, so much so that there are only two weeks still available in the whole of the 2012 calendar.

Discounts on July weeks

The two weeks that are still available are corkers.....8th July and 15th July and we are offering each week at a simply fabulous discounted rate of just £2,000. That's a saving of nearly £400 each week.

Great flight prices and flexible dates

Plus there are currently some great prices on flights from Stansted to Ancona with Ryanair (we found some tax free ones at the time of writing). The owner of family friendly Casa Alice is flexible on arrival dates too so you can really shop around for the best flight prices and times to suit you.

Ideal for three families

And this is a big property - three families holidaying together would be very comfortable in this fabulous Casa. And splitting the cost between three families would come to £666 per family for one week, add in some of those Ryanair flights and it's possible you could get a holiday for a family of four for under £1000. In an amazing property in July! This is a great opportunity for a group of friends looking to get away to somewhere really special without breaking the bank.

Book for 8th or 15th July and the price is just £2,000 per week. For full property details, availability and pricing at Casa Alice, click here

We've found the perfect portable potty for toddlers

2012-05-17T11:04:10+01:00

Brilliant solution for potty training on the go...

This week My Carry Potty is going to come into its own as the family Shand embarks on filming for ITV’s Tonight programme...and a journey into deepest Derbyshire to visit 2 pig farms. Nothing to do with baby friendly holidays I know so more of the filming in another blog…

My most pressing concern however is less to do with pig slurry and more to do with the toddler equivalent. Monty, (2.5) years old is mid-potty training and like everything 3rd time around (with a substantial gap between child 2 and 3), I had quite forgotten about this bit. (I write as the sofa covers are rotating around the washing machine, freshly doused with little boy pee.)

This time around however, there are a myriad of new piddle-related products. Among them a potty with a pouring bit (inspired, why’s it taken so long to add this vital addition?) and a seemingly endless supply of new nappies (are they all really necessary?). My favourite however is ‘My Carry Potty’ designed by award winning mum of 3 Amanda Jenner and Monty is now the proud owner of this clever little ‘slurry suitcase’ which will definitely be with us on our journey to see the little piggies. It’s well designed, sturdy (no worries about leakages here) and most importantly seems to go down a storm with the little chap in question. Thumbs up all round!

To buy My Carry Potty visit the Family Travel Shop (link) from Tots to Travel.

Escape the rain and head to Spain!

2012-05-04T12:50:47+01:00

Ok, we know that we really need this rain but the thought of it carrying on like this makes us want to up-sticks and head to somewhere warm and gorgeous....like Casa Diana. Where's my sunglasses?

Contemporary style at Casa Diana on the Andalucian Coast

Walk to the beach
This stylish modern home simply oozes good taste, with its ceiling to floor windows opening on to a eucalyptus-shaded garden. A huge shared pool, tennis court and beach within walking distance make Casa Diana a really fabulous holiday home for active families.

Spanish style
Owned by a local photographer, this airy family-friendly home has a contemporary yet comfortable feel and is equipped with free WiFi and UK satellite TV. The open-plan ground floor has a spacious modern kitchen and a conservatory with table and bar, ideal for relaxed dining. This opens on to a fully-enclosed garden with sun loungers and a huge Weber barbecue: so Dad can cook while Mum chills with a cocktail!

Fun at bedtime
The set-up here is ideal for families. The trio of large bedrooms have plenty of space for cots and one is a fun kids' room with bunk beds sleeping four. So no arguing over who gets the bunks! The other two bedrooms have sunny roof terraces and a further double room is available for rent in a separate annexe if needed.

Active families
There's plenty here to keep children and adults amused. A huge shared pool with adjoining kids play area means little ones will make lots of new friends, while the tennis and paddle courts are free for guests to use. Atalaya beach is just 1800m away across a footbridge and offers watersports such as kayaking and scuba diving. Even kids can have a go at underwater adventures with Bubblemaker sessions in the pool.

See the sights
With a supermarket, bakery, restaurants, bars and two indoor play centres within walking distance of, there's no need to stray far from home. If you do fancy a day out, the wildlife parks, sandy beaches and aqua parks of the Costa del Sol are just a short drive away, while gems such as Ronda and Gibraltar lie within an hour's travel. A visit to St Michael's Cave, World War tunnels and getting up close with Barbary Apes is an unforgettable experience!

To book this wonderful family friendly holiday villa, call us now on 0845 26 941 26.

To view full property details, prices and up-to-date availability at Casa Diana, click here

warm regards

Wendy Shand
Tots to Travel Founder and mum of three

Great Deals and Free Meals at Family Friendly Holiday Apartments

2012-05-02T12:05:35+01:00

Up to £100 off and fabulous food offers at Da Mossa in Italy

Visit in May or October to get:

1. Discount of £100 on Girasole and £50 on the other three apartments
2. Free evening meal on your arrival day
3. Free pizza delivered to your door on the first Sunday evening
4. Basic food essentials to last the weekend at Girosal

Set in a tranquil rural location within walking distance of the medieval town of Mogliano, this 19th-century country house has been converted into four fabulous family friendly, self-contained apartments with a superb enclosed swimming pool.
With dinner sorted, you can simply dip straight into the pool and relax. What a great way to start your holiday!

Apartments ideal for families of 3, 4 and 5
Perfect for families of four or five is two-bedroomed Girasole.
Tulipano and Lavanda have one double room and a sofa bed plus room for a cot so could easily accommodate 2 adults and up to two children plus a baby.
Papavero would be the ideal choice for a new mum and dad with a baby as there's one double room with space for a cot.

Family-friendly, indoors and out
Each spacious and stylish apartment is fully kitted out for family needs, with stair gates, baby monitors and highchairs as well as air-conditioning, WiFi, TVs and DVD players. Outside, the immaculate shared garden has a tree-shaded lawn with outdoor toys. The wonderful 6 x 12m fully-fenced pool has a shallow end for toddlers and plenty of inflatables to keep all ages amused.

La dolce vita
The house has several terraced areas, each with canopied table and chairs, for al fresco dining amid glorious sweeping views of the Le Marche countryside. If you fancy trying your hand at the local cuisine, Italian cookery courses are available with chef Guida Stacchietti, or take advantage of the babysitting service to explore the many restaurants and bars within strolling distance.

From coast to culture
There's plenty to see and do in this corner of Le Marche. Just a 40-minute drive from Da Mossa is the beautiful Adriatic coast with its blue flag beaches and spectacular Monte Conero National Park. Or for stunning mountain landscapes, head inland to the Sibillini National Park. For a spot of culture, the historic city of Macerata lies nearby or you could spend a thrilling day visiting the palaces, museums and elegant squares of ancient Ascoli Piceno, an hour away.

To book one of these lovely family-friendly apartments, call us now on 0845 26 941 26.

To view full property details, prices and up-to-date availability at Da Mossa, click here

Warm regards

Wendy Shand
Tots to Travel Founder and mum of three

Zulily arrives in the UK

2012-04-26T10:40:25+01:00

Daily deals for Mums, babies and kids

I’m particularly enjoying the new trend for daily deals websites such as Achica or GroupOn at the moment. They appeal to the side of me that likes a spontaneous bargain whilst sitting in the comfort of my home, just as well really as I don’t get out much! As a mum of 3 therefore, the arrival of Zulily, the leading daily deals site for mums, babies and kids is every exciting.

..and last week I was invited to join the team for a cup of tea and a scone in a private members club just behind Selfridges in London so I went along to check it out! What I discovered was an exciting brand that is truly passionate about providing outstanding value on beautiful clothes, toys, gifts and home goods.

I saw just a fraction of the gorgeous clothes and sturdy, worthwhile toys that they feature and got an insight into the thinking behind the brand. In fact I spent some time talking to Darryl Cavens, the devoted dad of 2 and mega visionary that has brought Zulily to the UK.

The story of how Zulily has come to be where it is now is fast paced, involves plenty of VC funding, oodles of grit and determination but, like totstotravel, is fundamentally devoted to bringing British families stylish products at significant discounts (up to 90% discounts). Every morning, from 6 am onwards limited-time-only deals will be offered to members, and you’ll need to be quick to get them!

So to check the Zulily phenomenon, click here and sign up for a free membership and keep an eye on your inbox for the daily stream of delicious deals. Happy shopping! www.zulily.co.uk

Warm regards

Wendy Shand

Mum of 3 and Tots To Travel founder

Channel 4 wants to hear from you!

2012-04-25T12:54:30+01:00

Channel 4 wants to hear from your family!

We've been asked by Channel 4 programme-makers to help find families for an exciting new documentary series. They're looking for interesting, lively and dynamic families; in short, just the kind of people who travel with us.

Family life in 2012
TwoFour, is an award-winning producion company which is developing a documentary series for Channel 4 about the lives of families living in Britain over the summer of 2012. If you have big or exciting events happening this summer - perhaps a fabulous family holiday with us, for example - the makers would love to have an informal chat with you as part of their research.

TwoFour would like to know what life is like for you in 2012. Is your family changing because of a new baby, (or babies!) marriage, moving house, unemployment, new job?

If you'd like to share your family experiences or want more information here's how to get in touch with Twofour,

email: 2012@twofour.co.uk
Tel: 0207 438 1804
text: 07553 816385
web: www.twofour.co.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/2012Families

Warm regards

Wendy Shand
Tot to Travel founder and mum of three

Make your summer special...

If you haven't made any plans for the summer yet, why not take a look at the fantastic family friendly holiday homes on our website www.totstotravel.co.uk.
We've visited every one to ensure they are perfectly kitted out for a safe and stress-free family holiday.
Or simply call us on 0845 26 941 26 or email enquiries@totstotravel.co.uk and we'll happily draw up a list of properties to suit your family.

Win a mum-friendly designer handbag!

2012-04-23T13:34:36+01:00

We love the new PacaPod bags so much we want you to have one!

So we've teamed up with PacaPod to give you the chance to win one of three different style bags.

We've got one Mirano (worth £95) in either Navy or Chalk, one Pica backpack (worth £80) and one Animal Toddler backpack (worth £24.95) to giveaway.

Seriously functional with their unique 'baby organisation system' yet smart and stylish, we think the award winning PacaPod system makes travelling with tots significantly easier.

We especially love the Mirano (worth £95) which is available in Chalk and Navy. Yes it's properly practical but it looks gorgeous....and that's what really counts after all!

How to enter....

For your chance to win one of these three must have PacaPod bags, simply answer the question below and email us with your answer.

The PacaPod Mirano bag takes it's design inspiration from Riviera chic.
Which resort would you find on the French Riviera?
a) Nice
b) Marbella
c) Sorrento

email your answer to: competitions@totstotravel.co.uk
Remember to include your name and telephone number!

Entries will be accepted up until 30 April 2012 and then we'll pick three names from all the correct entries.
The three lucky winners will be contacted on 1 May 2012 and we'll send you your prize.

Check out our Travel Shop....
Take a look at our Travel Shop for more information about these and other PacaPod bags.
And if you simply must have one right away they are also available to buy in our shop.

Click on the link below to take you straight there.

http://thefamilytravelshop.com

Good Luck!

Day 3: £200 off flights to Spanish family friendly holiday home

2012-04-18T05:00:00+01:00

It's Day Three of our Great Flight Giveaway!

Book Finca la Luci today and get £200 towards your flights
Call 0845 269 4409
Lines open 8am- 8pm today only

Family friendly fun at Finca la Luci

Newly refurbished, rural Spanish holiday property with five bedrooms
Enclosed chlorine free swimming pool
Completely enclosed garden
Extensive patios and terraces including huge barbecue area
Panoramic views across olive groves
Ideal for a relaxing family holiday
Superbly equipped for babies, toddlers and young children
Suitable for families with twins or more
English speaking babysitting available

Click here for full property details, availability and pricing at Finca la Luci

Don't miss out on this money saving offer....

If you like the look of Finca la Luci then don't delay. Book today and qualify for your £200 off.

Don't forget to check out property availability and prices as well as flights to and from Finca la Luci (Malaga is the nearest airport) before you phone.

Remember: £200 saving with this property is on offer TODAY ONLY

Here's what else is on offer this week:

Thursday 19th April - Casa Castagna, Italy - £200 off
Friday 20th April - Le Manoir De Villeneuve, France - £500 off

Call the booking hotline on 0845 269 4409 early to avoid any disappointment....

Warm regards

Wendy Shand
Mum of 3, Founder and Director www.totstotravel.co.uk.

Terms and conditions

1) Offer is available on confirmed bookings made on the date and within the hours specified as part of the offer.
2) Bookings will be taken on a first come, first serve basis and are subject to availability at each property at the time of booking.
3) On confirmation of booking, Totstotravel will reduce the price of the selected property by the amount specified in relation to that property - £200 discount will be applied to bookings made on Casa das Flores, Maison Jaune, Finca la Luci and Casa Castagna. A £500 discount will be applied to Manoir de Villeneuve.
4) The saving made from the discounted property price will form the equivalent of the advertised contribution towards flights and will be realised in full once the total amount for the booking has been paid.
5) It is the responsibility of the person booking to book and pay for flights in full with their chosen flight provider.
6) Tots To Travel are not responsible in any way for the booking, payment or fulfilment of flights and have no liability for flights or other elements of your holiday arrangements.
7) Standard Tots To Travel terms and conditions apply

Day 2: £200 off flights when you book La Maison Jaune

2012-04-17T02:38:00+01:00

It's Day Two of our Great Flight Giveaway!

Book La Maison Jaune today to get £200 towards your flights
Call 0845 269 4409
Lines open 8am- 8pm today only

Family friendly living in boutique style at La Maison Jaune

Beautiful character property with glorious views over countryside
Enclosed, heated pool and safe enclosed garden
2 double bedrooms, 1 twin and 1 single bedroom
Cinema-style TV area and childrens play area
Fully equipped for babies, toddlers and young children
Suitable for families with twins
Stylish, quality furniture and fittings
Village location with Boulangerie, Tabac and restaurants within 2 min walk
Moments from a swimming lake with play area
On the edge of the world famous St Emilion wine region
Close to the fairytale chateaux of the Dordogne

Click here for full property details, availability and prices for La Maison Jaune

How to take part...

If you like the look of La Maison Jaune then don't delay. Book today and qualify for your £200 off.

Don't forget to check out property availability and prices as well as flights to and from La Maison Jaune (Bordeaux is the nearest airport) before you phone.

Remember: £200 saving with this property is on offer TODAY ONLY

Here's what else is on offer this week:

Wednesday 18th April - Finca La Luci, Spain - £200 off
Thursday 19th April - Casa Castagna, Italy - £200 off
Friday 20th April - Le Manoir De Villeneuve, France - £500 off

Call the booking hotline on 0845 269 4409 early to avoid any disappointment....

Warm regards

Wendy Shand
Mum of 3, Founder and Director www.totstotravel.co.uk.

Terms and conditions