6.14.2015
Plus holidays in Wales and Sweden
Take me there: the Matterhorn
Why go?
On 14 July 1865, British climber Edward Whymper made the first successful ascent of the Matterhorn. At the foot of the mountain, the village of Zermatt will be celebrating the 150th anniversary with a summer-long programme of events, from fireworks displays to theatrical mountain-top re-enactments of the climb(zermatt.ch). But the highlight of the celebrations will undoubtedly be the reopening of the Hörnlihütte, the iconic mountain refuge beloved of climbers, after a two-year renovation.
On 14 July 1865, British climber Edward Whymper made the first successful ascent of the Matterhorn. At the foot of the mountain, the village of Zermatt will be celebrating the 150th anniversary with a summer-long programme of events, from fireworks displays to theatrical mountain-top re-enactments of the climb(zermatt.ch). But the highlight of the celebrations will undoubtedly be the reopening of the Hörnlihütte, the iconic mountain refuge beloved of climbers, after a two-year renovation.
Want to get the best value for money when you go on holiday? Of course you do! Live like a king for less and check out these cheapest holiday destinations on the planet.
From steamy salsa lessons in South America, to booze and baked goods in the Balkans; whether you're looking for a quick sun fix, or you want to explore somewhere a tad more exotic than your usual beach hut in Brighton (a perfectly respectable alternative) have a look at these cheap holiday choices.
6.13.2015
Q: I’m going to Boston this summer for a week on business, but I also want to slip in some time to enjoy the city. I don’t know where to start! (Not a sports fan.) Can you point me in the right direction?
A: You won’t get bored in Boston. Hit the Freedom Trail, which takes visitors to 16 historical sites in the course of a two- or three-hour walk. Eat Italian in the North End — some favorite spots include Artu for eggplant and Modern Pastry for cannolis.
With the summer holidays just around the corner I thought I'd share some great ideas for travelling with tots- whether that be somewhere in the UK or abroad, for a day trip or a couple of weeks.
My first and probably most important tip would be to make a list. It sounds ridiculous but if you try and pack for a day trip, or longer, the morning you are travelling, you are bound to forget things - usually the most obvious things and you end up feel stressed before you've even started. If you know you are going on a trip somewhere, start making a list a week or a few days before you go and take the stress of travelling with children away.
For day trips, think about all the things that you use on a daily basis; keep a note pad or your phone handy and jot things down as you go. It's no good sitting down at the end of a long day to write it as you will have forgotten things by then. Don't forget to consider drinks and snacks or food for the day as they can be really expensive to buy when you're out and about. A cool bag and some of your child's favourite items could make a great picnic and save you a small fortune. Once you've sorted your everyday items (and added in a spare change of clothes for any accidental spills!) think about the weather; do you need sun cream and hats or a rain jacket? Don't forget your camera and make sure it's charged the night before. Importantly, add some lightweight items that you can use to entertain your little ones on the journey not forgetting to hold one or two of them back for the return journey. See below for some ideas.
For holidays or longer trips, again, think of your every day items including night time and then think worse case scenario in terms of clothes needed. I would actually use two separate lists for holidays; one for hand luggage and one for suitcase. Your hand luggage bag is probably the most important as with small people around, you will probably need to access these items a lot and usually very quickly. Think specifically about the items you need and then add things you could use to entertain your little ones.
If you want to see what we packed for our holiday, check out my other post here
For a fun family day out pack right
Be realistic about how you can entertain your little one on long journies; depending on your child's age and their usual interests, they aren't necessarily going to be happy with one activity to entertain them for the duration. I have found the best way to keep my daughter entertained is to use activities that she hasn't done over the past few days. Things I've used that don't take up a lot of space are:
• Printable colouring sheets from Snapfish (they also have cards and origami) and pens or pencils
• Little toys (cars/figures) that can be used on a tray or on their lap - I have found that if you wrap up little toys (they don't have to be new, just toys they haven't seen in a while) it adds to the excitement and therefore keeps her entertained for longer
• For cars, why not try a car seat tray?
• Books she can 'read' on her own or favourites she will never tire of
• I made a quiet book which always goes down a real treat as you can change the pages so mix things up and I only use this for travelling
• Stickers - I can't express how much I would recommend stickers; I don't know any child who won't be entertained for a while with a pack of new stickers.
• Electronic devices - never underestimate the allure of an iPad or Kindle. I have downloaded some of Isabella's favourite films and TV programs onto my Kindle and when all else fails, this comes out and is a real treat.
• Little toys (cars/figures) that can be used on a tray or on their lap - I have found that if you wrap up little toys (they don't have to be new, just toys they haven't seen in a while) it adds to the excitement and therefore keeps her entertained for longer
• For cars, why not try a car seat tray?
• Books she can 'read' on her own or favourites she will never tire of
• I made a quiet book which always goes down a real treat as you can change the pages so mix things up and I only use this for travelling
• Stickers - I can't express how much I would recommend stickers; I don't know any child who won't be entertained for a while with a pack of new stickers.
• Electronic devices - never underestimate the allure of an iPad or Kindle. I have downloaded some of Isabella's favourite films and TV programs onto my Kindle and when all else fails, this comes out and is a real treat.
I think my next tip would be to take PLENTY of snacks. If you know you will be travelling for a long time I would take the snacks you know they like and will eat rather than trying to be healthy. Although it's really important to give a balanced and healthy diet, one day isn't going to be the end of the world. For flights etc I would take things that won't get too messy and won't spill; for days out, you can be a little more adventurous - I freeze tube yogurts and wait until they melt which a) keeps them cool but b) helps keep other snacks cool too.
Hopefully this will help keep summer trips a little happier and less stressful.
Michelle Haslett
Read more: http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/parenting/travelling-kids-packing-tips-834099.html#ixzz3cwzYQdPV
Heston Blumenthal: "If you want Zen, purist food, the best cities for it are Tokyo and Kyoto" Photo: Rex Features
Heston Blumenthal, the celebrity chef, reveals his favourite London restaurant and explains his tendency to irritate flight attendants
11:13AM BST 02 Jun 2015
How often do you travel?
A lot at the moment for work, but I’ve had a few holidays in between. Earlier this year we moved The Fat Duck restaurant to Melbourne, which will be there through mid-August while the restaurant in Bray is being rebuilt. So last year I travelled to Australia five times planning for the opening of the restaurant. The Fat Duck in Bray reopens this September, but in October I’ll go back to Melbourne to open Dinner with Heston Blumenthal. I also might go to South Africa later this year.
What do you need for a perfect holiday?
I like to eat good food, drink nice wine and exercise a lot. As long as I have my wallet, passport, credit card, telephone and computer with me, I’m fine being anywhere. It’s also really important that I have my prescription sunglasses – shades over spectacles is not a good look.
Your earliest memory of travelling abroad?
A trip to South Africa when I was 11. I was on a safari break at Kruger National Park and stayed in a straw hut – everything was very basic back then.
A skier on Mont Blanc, Italy (Alamy)
Your best holiday ever?
I love skiing and my favourite resort is Courmayeur in Italy. It’s a pretty town, the people are friendly and they serve the sort of hearty food you’d want to eat on a mountain. I was there earlier this year for the Mountain Gourmet Ski Experience with Sat Bains and Marcus Wareing. We stayed at the Auberge de la Maison and the Grand Hotel Royale Golf. I was there mostly for work but it was one of the best ski breaks I’d ever had and I laughed so much that I lost my voice.
Most relaxing holiday?
In March, Suzanne [Pirret, his partner] and I spent six days in the Philippines. We stayed at the Amanpulo resort. The weather was just right and I went running around the island every day. I can tell I’ve relaxed when my mind starts opening up and the creative juices start to flow.
Favourite hotel?
At the moment it’s Crown Towers in Melbourne. It’s unbelievably well run and although there are casinos it’s nothing like Las Vegas; you won’t walk out of the restaurant and be led straight into the casino area. The Mandarin Oriental in Paris is great too.
Favourite city?
If you want Zen, purist food the best cities for it are Tokyo and Kyoto. Paris is best for three-Michelin-starred French fare. For quality casual dining, New York, London, Melbourne and Sydney are the best cities. There are so many great little restaurants in Melbourne that you could eat out for a month and not visit the same place twice. Melbourne is such a vibrant city, with beautiful beaches, keen food lovers and amazing ingredients. Whenever I land there, I feel I can breathe.
Favourite restaurant?
I keep going back to Riva, set down the road from where I live in Barnes. Andrea [ the owner] is brilliant and whenever I go in there it’s like being wrapped up in a warm blanket.
Melbourne, Australia (Alamy)
Favourite airport food?
I don’t have pre-flight meals because I always eat on the plane. But if I did, I’d have pizza at the Perfectionists Café at Heathrow Terminal 2. It has a wood oven, hoping to serves Naples-style quality pizza. The fish and chips there are also great and they do a fantastic breakfast. It’s set in a really cool space with a liquid nitrogen ice cream machine.
Favourite airline?
I love long-haul flights. I’m like a big kid – I don’t want to sleep because there are too many things I could do. I work, eat, drink and watch films. Sometimes, if I get on with the cabin crew, I’ll be a real pain and go into the kitchen to see how my steak is being cooked. Pound for pound, Singapore Airlines is one of the best – their first class suites have doors and beds. The food served in first class with Qantas Airlines is really good. Chef Neil Perry has created a brilliant menu. The Qantas lounge in Sydney has a proper kitchen that is manned by his personal staff.
Worst travel experience?
I went skiing in Slovenia with my son when Heathrow Terminal 5 just opened and it was having a lot baggage issues. My son’s case arrived, but mine didn’t, so I ended up having to buy a purple one-piece ski suit from one of the airport shops. That was pretty memorable.
What do you hate about travelling?
The small annoyances, such as when the heating is turned up on night flights or when your overhead locker is full of someone else’s stuff. I enjoy long-haul flights more, as I’m usually lucky enough to get good seats, but short-haul flights can be awful. Bad service also really gets to me.
A temple in Kyoto, Japan (Alamy)
Best piece of travel advice?
Always put your watch and your mind on the time of the country you are flying to. Try to get a night flight and when you arrive, do some exercise. If you’re not into exercising, then walk for an hour; just make sure you get some air and see the light of day.
Where next?
KUALA LUMPUR: Travelling the world over on the kindness of strangers sounds like a script of a feel-good movie, but a young Dutchman is living out the dream.
Michael Ruppert, who is on a month's visit to Malaysia, has been travelling the world on a shoestring budget over the past three years, living in the homes of strangers.
“Many people think that to travel the world for so long, you must be really rich.
“I didn’t have the money - that was why when I quit everything and started travelling, I booked the cheapest flight I could find,” Ruppert told The Star Online.
The app - launched as South Africa's new child visa regulations came into play - removes the fear and uncertainty faced by parents trying to work out exactly which documents they need when travelling with their youngsters.
Complex, vague and with glaring errors
In an effort to help the tourism trade understand the new regulations, and share these new requirements with travellers, the Department of Home Affairs issued a standard operating procedure summary document.
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