If you are looking for a relaxing weekend away in one of the most beautiful and interesting cities in the world, look no further than Edinburgh, Scotland.

The Royal Mile

The Royal Mile, named thus, since the 16th-century is a long stretch of streets which form the main strip of the Old Town of Edinburgh. A stunning walk, this row leads from Edinburgh Castle right down to the Palace of Hollyrood House, the residence of The Queen when she is in town. There are many shops to indulge any shoppers tastes and a variety of cafes and restaurants to stop for lunch. There is no need to mention the pubs, Scotland is famous for them and Edinburgh is full of them.

Night Tours

An interesting way to see the Old Town is by night. An experienced guide will lead you through the old cobbled streets of the city sharing the many stories, both true and legend, of the famously haunted region. Ghost tours will take you to the Calton Cemetary and Calton Hill where you will be able to see Edinburgh’s own take on the Parthenon and enjoy an aerial view of the old and new areas of the city. Jacob’s Seat looms in the distance.

Day Trips

Edinburgh is centrally located and one of the easiest places to jump off from on a Scottish Highland day tour. Wind your way through the Old Town out to the Highlands. Take a boat ride on Loch Ness and hunt for the infamous monster. Learn the tales of the Campbell clan and follow the steps of William Wallace and the battle of Glen Coe.

Stirling Castle is only an hour from Edinburgh and is well worth the trip.

Edinburgh Festival

Every August, the streets of Edinburgh are flooded with Fringe visitors. Having visited the Fringe Festival, I would highly recommend visiting during this time. The old stone streets are filled with colour and there are so many acts to choose from, it is easy to fill every night of your stay with entertainment.

If a relaxing pace is more your speed, avoid this season. Usually running from around the 2nd-22nd, Edinburgh is packed solid. The weather is best at this time, and as it rains for most of the rest of the year, people usually take advantage of the summer months. This includes proprietors, hiking up accommodation prices for the eager tourists. Aim for Spring if possible as the weather is still mild-ish, and the prices are far more reasonable.

Check websites like lastminute.com for cheap rates and make the most of any mid-week deals if possible. Edinburgh is an easy weekend destination for local Brits, so aim for Tuesday to Friday.

Prepare for rain, all year round. Keep a light rain sheath in your packpack to avoid getting caught out and a jumper nearby in case the temperature drops. Even in the cold, this city is a stunning way to spend a couple of days away. For more information see visitscotland.com.

Family holidays in France combine culture and adventure in a unique way. Let your kids experience a different culture altogether while giving them room to enjoy activities such as skiing, caving, canoeing and many more.

On the top of the list of family activities that can be enjoyed in France is Canoeing. A cruise on the Dordogne River takes you through the beautiful river allow you to pass many of the favourite sites like La Rogue, Gagaec and Castlenaud. Another benefit especially with the kids is that packages usually have a stopover at one of the towns where you can enjoy the local ambiance and friendly locals. Another river to canoe on is the Vézère, though this is considered a more stressful option.

The Haribo Museum was especially designed for your kids. The museum is located between Uzès and the Pont du Gard, the museum shows the fun history of confectionary, it is a delight for both kids and grownups. This is a great alternative when the weather is rainy and you need some fun indoors. Built on a water mill, this museum really is all about sweets. Bags of sweets are handed out in exchange for your entrance fee-now how cool is that? Both interactive and passive displays surround the museum making it a fun and unique destination.

Kids love trains-that’s a fact. A trip to the Le Train à Vapeur des Cévennes will enchant kids of all ages. The trip takes you along the lovely Gardons Valley to St Jean-du-Gard. Along the way are great places to stop and have a picnic like La Bambouseraie de Prafrance which is an amazing bamboo forest. The train also has carriages that are half open and have the wind blow through your hair as you submerge yourself in the scenery.

Take your kids to a more historic site and visit La Pont du Gard. Originally built by the Romans, this is one of the most popular attractions in France receiving up to one million visitors a year. There is no entrance fee and you can take your kids on leisurely walks along the banks or slopes which have magnificent views of the bridge and Gardon Valley. Both banks are complete with shops, restaurants, and children centres making it ideal for family adventures.

Other destinations for family holidays in France include the Le Bournat Open Air Museum, The Aquarium at La Rochelle and the Le Musée des Blindes (tank museum).

 

 

 

The island paradise on the Canary Islands is a very fun-packed destination that has something to offer to everyone. Beaches, water sports, leisure and culture-everything in a neatly packed package that can be the perfect family holiday for you. The island has a stunning 150km of sandy beaches that vary from black to white sands. Family activities in Fuerteventura vary depending on the ages of your kids and the stuff you like to do.

If you have small kids, you’ll love the Baku Water Park situated in Corralejo in the North. This park is really huge- about 160,000 square meters and can fill up an entire day of your vacation. Even young kids have special play areas and the park has water slides for different ages. How about for parents? Well, they’ll surely enjoy Jacuzzis, mini golf courses and restaurants.

Have some animal lovers in your family? Then try out the La Lajita Zoo in the East of the Island. The zoo is a diverse “Oasis Park” that has a zoo, camel safaris, botanical garden and much more. Stretching for 780,000 square meters, it has divided into these three features and harbours about 250 animals. Animal shows are also a perfect and much loved tourist spot for those with kids. The area is totally family friendly with playgrounds for kids, restaurants, toilets with baby changing units and everything else to make you feel safe on vacation.

Family activities in Fuerteventura will not be complete without a visit to one or more of the beaches that surround the coasts. There are about twenty to choose from that are scattered over the 125 miles of coast. The beaches vary from light to dark sanded ones. One of the popular beaches for family adventures is the Corralejo beach that has several small bays making it a safe environment for young children.

Another unique experience that comes with your visit to the island is a chance to spot dolphins. Dolphin safaris are also available that take you to the crystal clear waters of the Atlantic while you watch these creatures play alongside the boat.

Submarine Safaris is another extremely once in a lifetime experience that the island offers. Explore marine creatures that you won’t get a chance to explore without a submarine. Visiting these hidden Ocean secrets will be a moment to capture.

Family holidays spend in the superb Fuerteventura Island are one of most fascinating experiences that one could have!