08 April 2024

For an Easter family trip, we flew to New York with Delta Airlines into JFK airport and took a yellow cab to The Sheraton Hotel, Times Square. If Times Square is the area, you wish to stay then The Sheraton Hotel is a great option, with a subway station right outside. We began our week with a trip to Times Square. You can enjoy taking everything in from the bright lights and street performers to the red steps and hot dog stands. A hot dog should cost on average $3. Throughout our stay we tried The Hard Rock Café, Raising Canes, which is a must with kids, O 'Donoghue's off Times Square. When visiting New York, it is advisable to purchase a New York Pass, the value you get is incredible. We went for the City New York pass with over 105 attractions to choose from. For a family of 4, a 3 day pass came to €735. The pass activates on the first attraction. For some context we covered 8 attractions in 3 days which would have cost €1400 but our pass was €735. We did the top of the Rock at Rockefeller Centre where you can get a picture on the beam which rises up. We ate at Ellen's diner Times Square; this is a very famous diner that has broad way star servers that sing and serve all the customers at the same time. You cannot book this (unless with a large group/tour) and there is always a queue buts worth it. On Easter Sunday, we got to experience the Easter Bonnet Parade outside St Patricks Cathedral on 5th Avenue. It is an explosion of colour with hundreds of people displaying Easter bonnets and costumes. A walk over the Brooklyn Bridge is also a must do to experience as the views of Manhattan on the walk back is amazing. We booked the ferry to Liberty Island and Ellis Island which brings you right by the Statue of Liberty. You can get off here but if you wish to walk up to the to the top of the statue this requires booking ahead at least 6 months in advance. We got off at Ellis Island and visited the Immigration Museum. Here you can discover what it was like for immigrants from all over the world arriving to New York and what they endured to gain entry. You can also search the wall of names outside for any of your ancestors that may have made the journey. After this tour we headed to the 9/11 memorials and saw the Twin Tower sight where there are now two huge water fountains with the names of the people that sadly died on 9/11 , there is a museum too (this is closed on Tuesdays) We then visited The One World Observatory which is now the tallest building in New York City now the twin towers are gone. If you have the pass you go in scan it and get you timed tickets. Ours was a one hour wait so we visited the Oculus shopping centre next door. This attraction is definitely worth doing. One of the biggest questions in New York is where can you get the best pizza? We tried Joe’s pizza at 1435 Broadway, there was a large queue, but it moved quickly, and we grabbed our slices which were delicious. We also tried Rays Pizza beside our hotel which was also delicious. The next day we had amazing breakfast at the Brooklyn Diner, near Central Park, 57th Street it’s a typical American Diner with endless pours of coffee (Joe had 5!) fluffy pancakes and waffles and amazing milkshakes, we loved it so much we did it 2 mornings. We then headed up to Radio City which is part of The Rockefeller Plaza and did the tour which was fascinating. We got to stand on the stage which is the size of New York City block and where many singers including Ed Sheeran have performed. We even got to meet a real Rockette who told us all about the life of a Rockette. The famous Magnolia Bakery from Sex and The City is beside here too. We then did the New York Rise just off Times Square which is New York's Immersive Adventure. This is where you soar over the New York City skyline on a 4D ride. Next stop was the Museum of Ice Cream on 558 Broadway and the subway drops you off right across the road. This is a great activity for a rainy afternoon (this is not covered on the pass. It is $50 entry per person). You have endless ice cream, it’s a colour explosion and great fun for kids up to age 11. That evening we ventured down to Little Italy for dinner on Mulberry Street, we ate in Gelso & Grand. We were there on a weeknight, but I believe it’s better to go at the weekend when it’s livelier so keep that in mind if you are planning a trip to Little Italy. It’s well worth a visit and right beside China town so wander through there while down that end of town. The next morning, we headed for the Edge, it’s situated at 34 St Penn Station when you exit the subway. You will see the Vessel, which is an extraordinary centrepiece of Hudson Yards, and its spiral staircase is a soaring landmark. It is currently closed so make sure you check the opening times beforehand if you wish to visit it. I highly recommend the Edge, which is also covered on the pass. It has a section of glass floor which you can see right down to the ground and it’s amazing. You enter through a shopping centre so a nice area to chill out in and grab a coffee or lunch. Next stop was Intrepid Sea Air and Space Museum, 20 min walk from The Edge. The WW2 Intrepid Aircraft carrier retired to Manhattan's West side and has been transformed to a museum. The complex hosts the Intrepid aircraft carrier, the USS Growler missile submarine, a Concorde jet, and a NASA space shuttle as well as a collection of jets and helicopters. From there we jumped in an Uber (make sure to have the app downloaded before you visit New York) as there are no subway stations near Intrepid. We went to the beautiful Chelsea Markets and had a ramble around the quirky shops and had a gorgeous lunch in Friedman’s restaurant. As you exit Chelsea Markets you can hop onto the Highline Walkway which is an old subway line that went through New York. It takes about 30 minutes to walk and has incredible views and artwork as you walk through. It leads you back to the subway station near The Edge. We had a booking then, also covered on the pass for The Empire State Building. The exhibition is very well done with lots to see mainly featuring King Kong. New York really has something for everyone. If you want to talk everything New York get in touch to plan your New York adventure.

28 February 2024

Why Lanzarote is my favourite Canary Island for family fun When you land in Arrecife airport the first thing you notice is the landscape. There’s not a high rise in sight just beautiful white buildings. The weather is also a big draw for families especially during the peak summer months as in recent years mainland Europe has been quite hot. There’s a beautiful breeze and we never felt restricted by the temperatures. There are many small and large resorts to choose from across the island with a range of accommodation suiting all budgets. In July 23, my husband and I along with our two children Jessica (9) and Oisin (7) decided to stay at the 5-star Rubicon Palace H10 Hotel in Playa Blanca. We initially went half board but quickly upgraded to full board when we saw how many ice creams the kids were consuming!!! The hotel provides a range of cuisines from buffet style dining to Italian, Steakhouse and Thai restaurants to choose from. There is a full schedule of entertainment for all ages with plenty of pools to choose from. Theres a daily schedule for children’s activities and they will never be short of thigs to do and friends to make. There’s a small beach if you turn right as you leave the resort on the beachfront which unfortunately, we only realised on our second last day, with a lovely few beach bars too. There are bigger beaches as you walk closer to the centre of Playa Blanca. Not being a family to stay in the one spot, we did venture out almost every day. The centre of Playa Blanca is over half hour walk along the beautiful coastline but if walking that distance isn’t your thing there are regular taxis for about 5/7 euro that reception happily arrange for you. If you are looking for extra activities to do you can take a ferry to the island of Fuerteventura which you can see form the port. It’s about 30 minutes, I would advise a bigger ferry especially if anyone is prone to sea sickness…we didn’t take the chance… There are a range of beautiful restaurants and bars along the coast and old and town to the Marina which would suit everyone’s’ taste. There is also a market down by the Marina if you fancy haggling for a few bargains. If you are a day tripper, then a range of trips can be arranged, whether it’s a trip to Rancho Texas which is a waterpark and zoo experience, Camel rides or a Volcano trip, again there’s something to keep everyone happy. We’ve had several holidays over the years to Lanzarote and it never disappoints. I would be delighted to arrange your next trip to the island of Lanzarote!

29 February 2024

In June 2023 I headed off with 4 of my friends for a long weekend to the beautiful Cote D’Azur, known for its stunning coastline, beautiful beaches, and vibrant culture. We flew to Nice from Dublin and stayed in a city hotel called The Best Western Plus. On the first morning we walked the Promenade des Anglais, Nice’s’ iconic seafront promenade overlooking the beach and its exclusive beach clubs and of course got our picture taken at the iconic I Love NICE sign which has the most stunning views. We then spent the afternoon visiting the old town (Vieux Nice) with its narrow streets, colourful buildings, and local markets, don’t miss the Cours Saleya market. In the evening then there is a large selection of local restaurants to choose from which won’t disappoint. On day 2 we took a taxi up to the medieval village of Eze, the cost of the taxi was €90 I would highly recommend doing this. We spent the day wandering through the charming little streets with dinky little shops, boutiques, art galleries, and for a small entry fee you can visit the Jardin Exotique for the best views of the French Riviera. That evening, we had drinks and small plates at Chateaux Eza on the terrace, it was a bit costly, but the stunning views of the French Riviera made it absolutely and worth it and it was truly spectacular. The trains along the coast are fantastic and very user friendly, so on day 3 we took the train down to Antibes, about a 30-minute journey where we explored the historic old town. There is the Picasso Museum which was closed the day we were there so if that is something you want to see check ahead for opening times. That evening we enjoyed a beautiful meal in the town square which had a great atmosphere. Make sure to check for any local events that might interest you before travelling as there is always something going on. A great memorable girl’s trip, I would highly recommend! If you think Nice is your next holiday or you have somewhere else in mind, please keep me in mind as I would be delighted to help you plan your next adventure with your friends or family.

27 February 2024

Disneyland Paris / Paris city In November 22, we surprised our daughter Jessica for her 9th birthday with a trip to Disneyland Paris. We had lost my dad suddenly earlier in the year so this trip could not have come at a better time to lift our spirits. After the big surprise was revealed, off we headed to Dublin airport with our Mickey Mouse ears and flew to Charles De Gaulle airport where we were met by private transfer and brought to The Newport Bay Disney hotel. This is an onsite Disney hotel that is a 5 - 10 minute walk (depending on little legs) into the parks so no shuttle bus required. This hotel has had a full refurb since we were there so I’m looking forward to return as I believe it is even more amazing. We arrived late so the next day we were up at the crack of dawn to hit the parks. On day 1 we did the Walt Disney Park, which is a sensorial overload including Toy Story, Avengers, Ratatouille, (my personal favourite ride) Cars, and many other rides to keep you busy. One point I wish I knew before going was that the themed restaurants book out months in advance so as soon as you book your stay and if this is something you want to include make sure you get it booked in as there is no way you can just walk in as we found out at the Bistrot Chez Remy. On Day 2, we hit the main Park and when you first catch a glimpse of the castle it really does take your breath away. It was Jessicas birthday that day and Joe queued for quite some time at the town hall for a birthday badge, but it meant she got extra attention from the characters which she really loved. Be prepared to walk the legs off yourself but the excitement of it all keeps you going. There are parades and character appearances throughout the day so make sure you do your research, so you don’t miss anything. That night then we experienced the fireworks at the castle which is an unforgettable evening for any age. The next morning, we reluctantly checked out and caught the train which is so handy straight into the centre of Paris. We booked our bags into a hotel hold as we were not flying until later that evening. That day we explored Paris, starting with the L’Arc de Triomphe and then onto the Eiffel Tower where we climbed to the 2nd level, my legs have never been so wobbly, I swore then that my next trip up the Eiffel Tower would be via the lift. The kids loved Paris more than we expected so I would advise adding on a night or two if you can to take in more of the city. We then took a taxi to the airport and off we went home. A trip we will never forget.