Maman Voyage - Page 5 of 6 - All our travels with kids and a world tour

Our Autumn break in Malta

During the Autumn break, we spent a week in Malta. I was longing for warmth, sea baths, and the Mediterranean where I come from. Most of all, I needed to recharge my batteries after our first weeks in England. A change of life, especially as a family, is not so easy! Also, for Ticoeur and Titpuce, who started English school, the holidays were a very appreciated break to relax and enjoy our family cocoon…

The reason why we chose Malta is because there are not many destinations from our part of Southern England. But this option suited us perfectly. We had already travelled there twice – so it was the perfect occasion to discover some new things, but also to go back to the places that we loved. I don’t know how you feel about it, but, as for me, I enjoy to visit again a place that I loved. I am delighted to travel and discover new countries as much as I am enchanted to go back to places where I feel good. In Malta, I love the cultural aspect, the beautiful architecture of the old cities, the Mediterranean landscape, the stone walls that border the roads, the prickly pear trees, the Italian influenced cooking, the small ladders almost everywhere, that invite you to go down for a bath, and above all, I love it when Summer lasts until Autumn… That’s it: I needed Summer, bathing and culture !

What did we visit during our week in Malta?

The island of Gozo: our biggest crush of this Maltese trip… I already told you all about it in my blog post three days on Gozo.
Ghain Tuffieha beach: for us, it’s the most beautiful beach on Malta. The sand has a beautiful orange shade, the setting is quite wild, the water is not too deep but there are waves: my Ticoeur loved it! We spent an afternoon there, until sunset. It’s a perfect spot for sunset because it’s on the western part. (NB: there were little harmless pink jellyfishes – I don’t know, maybe it’s a matter of season?)

I take this opportunity to warn you that there are not so many beaches on Malta. There are many opportunities to bathe, yes, but not necessarily big beaches. Maltese inhabitants set up ladders along the rocky coasts, or they created natural pools like on this picture:

The towers of Maltese knights: everywhere on the Island of Malta, you will find remains of the towers that enabled to control and protect the island. Our favourite one is the Saint-Agatha Tower, the only red one…

Mdina: it’s the ancient city, it’s a journey into the past, it’s getting lost in the maze formed by the alleys of the citadel…

In Rabat, alongside, we visited the catacombs. I don’t really know why but I am fascinated by the catacombs – I never miss an opportunity to visit some whenever it’s possible (you have to visit those of Palermo in Sicily!). Let’s say it gives another perspective of the culture of a nation. I thought that Rabat catacombs were interesting because of their structure and their number. The visit is a little bit repetitive because the galleries look alike, but you should see it, and the kids were intrigued.

Hagar Qim and Mnajdra Temples: I hesitated to go there because you have to know that those temples are located under sheds, so that they are protected from the wind and the sea… And, visually, it takes off a lot of the character of the place… But we overlooked this fact, I reframed the pictures (😉…) and we experienced this. The remains are from the IVth century BC! I was seduced by those sometimes enigmatic buidlings: the children as well, so no regret. Moreover, it’s not an expensive visit so you should go!

Valleta and the Three Cities: it’s the third time we are going there and we still love it, especially Birgu, the prettiest of the Three Cities, with its fort, and the Collachio area in which we can stroll far from any bustle. In Valletta, we didn’t visit the famous St John’s Co-Cathedral because we already did it the last time (and the entrance fee is expensive), but you should see it if you’re coming for the first time. This time, we focused on the gardens and the café terraces and it was perfect 😊 Between Valletta and Birgu we travelled by boat.

We also dropped by Sliema (by boat) to admire Valletta from the other side and to see again some salt works. But you have to remember to watch the sea, and ignore the concrete buildings of this seaside resort.

Marsaxlokk: our first time in this fishermen town with photogenic boats (the luzzus). Look: they have eyes! And one of them even had soft toys! This little town is ideal for a terraced lunch on the waterfront.

St Peter’s Pool: a spot you mustn’t miss right next to Marsaxlokk. I love this kind of coves with turquoise water. It’s not adapted for young children, nor for people who don’t know how to swim. It’s a place where people go to jump or dive into the big blue sea. With Ticoeur, we had fun, but we had to reassure Titpuce who was afraid to see us disappear in the gap, even though it was not so high…

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Practical information to visit Malta:

Which season? The first thing I want to insist on is that, for me, it’s a destination you should avoid in Summer (I forewarned you). Not only is it too hot, but also it’s overcrowded and there are traffic jams. That’s what the local people told us but I believe them because the island is not adapted to an important road traffic, and there are not so many beaches. That’s why, for me, it’s not an option. I went there once in January and twice in October and it was very good. Spring must be perfect as well. Concerning the temperature, this time we had 25° outside and 24° in the water. So we could bathe (although, there’s no guarantee of course…)
Where to stay? We had chosen 3 places to stay: 3 nights on Gozo, 2 nights in Mellieha (in this simple yet clean and spacious apartment) to visit the North of Malta and 2 nights in Birgu (in the very neat Casa Cara, an old and typical mansion – Be careful : you cannot climb on the terrace with the children) to visit the Capital and the South of the Island.
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Melliha Bay

On the picture below, Melliha downtown seems so peaceful in the first light of the morning, doesn’t it? Yet, on that night, our sleep was interrupted by… an earthquake! The epicenter was off the Greece coast. It’s the first time that it happens to us and we are glad we only experienced a small version! The children didn’t feel a thing. Happy little carefree angels…

The English side: The British past of Malta makes it easy to communicate in English with everyone (English is the official language). On the other hand, it also means that you have to drive on the left part of the road… Stay focused in the roundabouts, but otherwise, it’s easy, you’ll see! Obviously, for us, after two months in England, we are already trained 😊

Our good addresses in Malta

We ate well in Malta. The cooking is influenced by the Italian cooking, and it’s for the best! Moreover, the kids like it! Seafood and pasta are in the spotlight!

Cafés and Restaurants in Malta:

Crystal Palace: an institution in Rabat for quick eating the famous pastizzis (some sort of turnovers stuffed with green peas, or cheese, or chicken); it’s a Maltese specialty that allow you to eat cheap for lunch. You’ll find pastizzis everywhere on the island, but it’s true that the ones we ate there were particularly good, and warm, just out of the oven.
Fior di Latte, ice cream maker in Mdina: yummy! You’d think you were in Italy!
Café Society: for very good cocktails to taste in a very typical street in Valletta.
Osteria.VE: a little trattoria held by Italians. Pasta dishes are delicious. We ate there on our two evenings in Birgu.
La Reggia: very enjoyable terrace facing the fishermen’s boats in Marsaxlokk – the seafood cooking was very fine but less generous and a little more expensive than other restaurants of our list.
Bouquet Garni: Excellent choice of fishes – a little expensive but the quality is there.
Our good addresses on Gozo are in my Gozo blog post 🙂

So? Are you tempted by holidays in Malta?

Three days on the island of Gozo

Since I already knew Valetta and the northern part of the main island, during this third trip to Malta, I really wanted to spend time on Gozo, this island North of the Maltese archipelago. We devoted half of our holidays there and we were delighted we made that choice! We spent three nights there, in other words a little more than three days and it was the most beautiful part of our trip!

What did we love about Gozo? It’s the Malta of the past, it’s a quieter version of Malta, it’s following the rhythm of the local life. It’s lovely landscapes that offer many possibilities to bathe and to stroll in amazing natural settings… Also, maybe Gozo reminded me of the atmosphere of the Sicily of my childhood, with its inhabitants who get out in the evening, sitting on a chair in front of their house or in front of the sea, just to talk with their family, their friends, their neighbours. The gastronomy also reminded me of Sicily but that was everywhere on Malta!

Gozo was very peaceful. We met very few people during our long walks on the seaside… You might tell me it’s normal because of the season, October is calm… Yes, probably much calmer than during the Summer but on the island of Malta, there were many people! When we took the ferry between Gozo and Malta, it was like coming back to civilization!

In a little more than three days, here is our program on Gozo:

Sunday, October 21^st: With the ferry, we get on Gozo around 3pm. Direction Marsalforn where we settled. Walk by the sea, right nearby, in Xwejni Bay, at the bottom of a very impressive clayey mound. The children have fun between the big rocks, and then, from here we went along the salt works for about 2 kilometres. Back to Marsalforn.

Monday, October 22^nd: We start with Ramla Bay, the red beach that Titpuce renamed “orange beach” and she was so right! Very beautiful beach, anyway! After the bathing, direction Tal Mixta cave from where we can enjoy a wonderful view on the beach. We also climbed to Calypso cave but we liked it a little less because we actually don’t see the cave!!! And the view is less beautiful than from the other one. Lunch in Xaghra then direction Victoria, the capital of the island: stroll in the citadel and around to appreciate the architecture of the buildings. Back to Marsalforn.

Tuesday, October 23^rd: Direction the South of Gozo with a first step in the beautiful Mgarr-ix-Xini creek then long walk on the cliffs of Ta’Cenc. Lunch break in Xlendi. Then we explore the Western part of Gozo: picture break in Dwejra to enjoy the very wild seafront with its huge rock formations. There was even an arch until last year (the Azure Window) but it collapsed because of erosion. Although, even without the arch, the place is so worth it! We walk by Ta’Pinu church in Gharb. We end by two stops in the North-West: in Wield-il-Mielah to see the other arch (which hasn’t fallen yet…) but be careful because to see it, you have to come close to a cliff so you have to keep the kids away from it. Nearby, we wanted to bathe in Wied-il-Ghasri creek but since it has been raining a couple of hours earlier, and the wind blew strongly, the creek didn’t have its emerald shade anymore and the sea was too dangerous so we came back to Marsalforn.

Wednesday, October 24^th: Ticoeur and Titpuce wanted to go back to Mgarr-ix-Xini to bathe. I enjoyed it very much as well! Yes, because, I forgot to mention that during all of our holidays, the sea water was 23-24°C! The same temperature than in the air… Then, direction Victoria again to attend a concert in St George Basilica (the inside is worth the visit, and unlike many other churches in Malta, this one has a free access). Late lunch in Victoria and direction the ferry to Malta!

Practical information for a stay on the island of Gozo

How do you go to the island of Gozo? We arrived in the morning in Valletta airport where we rented a car. It takes about 40 minutes to go to the harbour in the North of the island. A ferry to Gozo leaves every 30 to 45 minutes and the crossing lasts about 25 minutes. Don’t be surprised: you don’t pay on your way there, but only on your way back (about 25 euros for a car and 4 persons).

Gozo for the kids? Ticoeur and Titpuce like little hikes, especially when the path is steep, when there is some relief and natural curiosities to observe, so they loved our walks on Gozo, especially those along the salt works and the climbing to the cave above the red beach. Concerning the bathing: be careful, some creeks or beaches are not always adapted to swim safely. There might be some tide, or a rough sea, and it’s not always at the same place, so you have to see directly there. We’ve had a lot of wind during our stay there so for us, Mgarr-Ix-Xini creek was the most adapted for a quiet bathing time as a family.

What about our next time on Gozo? The next time, we’ll do the excursion to the Island of Comino to see a beautiful lagoon with turquoise water. Of course, you have to avoid summer because this place is probably the most visited around here!

Our good addresses on Gozo:

Il-Kartell Restaurant in Marsalfon: amazing sea food and very generous plates! Roasted squid, spaghetti alle vongole and a waterfront terrace. Our favourite address!
Latini Wine & Dine Restaurant in Xaghra: also a specialist of sea food, nice terrace in the heart of the village with a beautiful view on the church.
The Cup Cake café in Victoria: perfect for a cheap lunch (good pasta plates… yes, I know, it has nothing to do with cupcakes!)
Jubilee Café in Victoria: to take a coffee on the counter or admire the vintage decoration inside before you continue your walk through Victoria.
The Black Cat Café in Victoria: for a gourmet break (muffins, carrot cakes, etc) … Too bad it’s such a little place…

Where to sleep? It doesn’t matter where you will find your accommodation. The island is very small so you can do everything, no matter where you start from. The four corners of the island are interesting so I don’t have any advice as to which geographic choice you should make. The most important thing is to choose a place that you like! We were in Marsalforn where we particularly liked the restaurant choice for the evening. I won’t give you the address of our apartment (Airbnb) because it was nice, but nothing more. In fact, I did the bookings last minute and the most beautiful accommodations were taken.

I had to wait a third trip to Malta to choose to settle in Gozo, but don’t do the same mistake! I recommend Gozo even for a first trip to Malta! It’s a staple and a real crush !

So? Are you tempted by Gozo?

Visit Paris as a family: 20 ideas to discover the Capital with children.

Since I am a Parisian and I am telling here all about our trips with the children, in the end I hardly ever tell you about Paris as a destination for “family tourism”. Which museums, which neighbourhoods, which monuments in Paris should you visit with children? So here is a first selection of 20 ideas for discovering Paris as a family… Apart from the Eiffel Tower, of course 😉

20 ideas for discovering Paris as a family:

The Louvre Museum in a short version:

A long visit to the Louvre Museum through the most touristy galleries devoted to Italian painting or French painting would be a bit of a workout with children! At the Louvre, I recommend choosing a very small section and spending only an hour there. Our children liked the Egypt section, Primitive Art, Islamic Art and then Bonaparte’s apartments (my favourite part and often not very busy!). In any case, to avoid the long queues at the museum entrance, I recommend going in via the Porte des Lions. And in the Louvre buildings, you’ll also find the Art Deco Museum with, currently, until April 2026, an exhibition on A Hundred Years of Art Deco: you’ll be able to see the interiors of the Orient Express, a mythical train!

The Palais Garnier (Paris Opera):

My Titpuce is a fan of Ballerina and classical dance, so the Paris Opera is a must for her! The visit inside is a real favourite! You absolutely need to buy your tickets on the Opéra Garnier website. And why not book to see a ballet!

The Buren Columns, a Japanese restaurant and why not the Musée en Herbe:

So, the Buren Columns are on a small square behind the Comédie-Française. It’s not a huge space, but Ticoeur and Titpuce never got tired of climbing on the smaller columns, and it makes for lovely photos! Very close by, you can have lunch in the Japanese quarter (a big bowl of noodles!), and if the programme is worth it, then don’t miss the Musée en Herbe, dedicated to art exhibitions for children.

The Palais de la Découverte, the Petit Palais or the Grand Palais:

The Palais de la Découverte is perfect for introducing children to science. Right next door, the Petit Palais (free) displays lovely collections of varied art in a magnificent setting. What’s more, you can sit down for lunch on the terrace of its pretty garden. Finally, the Grand Palais is sublime, so if the current exhibitions might appeal to your children, go for it! The interior is monumental!

The Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature in Le Marais and/or the Picasso Museum:

Ticoeur and Titpuce loved the Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature, located in the heart of Le Marais, a neighbourhood you shouldn’t miss when you’re visiting Paris for the first time. In the museum, you enjoy the setting of a magnificent private mansion and discover paintings, taxidermy animals, weapons and decorative objects. Allow a good hour for the visit. Not far away is the Picasso Museum, absolutely superb! Doing two museums back-to-back isn’t suitable for all children, so I’ll let you choose according to your preference. At the Picasso Museum, parents will love the visit, and children should also be interested in the visual originality of the artist’s works. For a tasty break, I recommend the courtyard of the Swedish Institute, where you’ll find the Fika café.

The Picasso Museum – Paris

The Fika café at the Swedish Institute

The Centre Georges Pompidou, the Stravinsky Fountain and a delicious pistachio ice cream!

The Centre Pompidou is closed for renovation until 2030, but just a stone’s throw away, the Stravinsky Fountain, created by Jean Tinguely and Niki de Saint Phalle, catches children’s attention. And then, after just a few more steps, you’ll arrive at Bachir (58 Rue Rambuteau, Paris 3rd), a Lebanese (and organic!) ice cream parlour where the ice creams are delicious, especially the pistachio and ashta flavours.

Stravinsky Fountain

The Musée des Arts & Métiers and brunch at the Gaîté Lyrique:

We really like the Musée des Arts et Métiers, located right in the heart of Paris and bringing together inventions and trades through the ages. Don’t miss the section in the former church with Foucault’s pendulum and the first aeroplanes. The collection of old bicycles is also interesting. Then, I suggest heading to the Gaîté Lyrique (a 5-minute walk away), where you can have lunch or brunch in the café of this lovely cultural space. Also, do take a look at the Gaîté Lyrique programme, as there are often exhibitions suited to young audiences. This venue is dedicated to digital arts and contemporary music.

The Musée des Arts et Métiers

The Balloon at Parc André Citroën:

Of course, there’s no shortage of famous viewpoints over Paris! The top of the Eiffel Tower, the roof of the Arc de Triomphe or the Sacré-Cœur terrace are probably the most famous! But I suggest you take off in a balloon at Parc André Citroën for the children’s delight and for beautiful views over the capital, 150 metres up. There are rarely crowds, but the balloon doesn’t always take off because the weather conditions need to be very favourable. With Titpuce, we tested and approved! But it’s impressive!

The Jardin des Plantes and its museums:

When the weather is nice, and especially in spring or summer, the Jardin des Plantes is a very pleasant place for a family walk. The garden is free, but you can buy tickets to visit the Grandes Serres or The Great Gallery of Evolution. Recently, it’s the Gallery of Mineralogy and Geology that we rediscovered and really loved!

From the Paris Mosque to the Arènes de Lutèce:

Leaving the Jardin des Plantes, you can have a mint tea in the Oriental setting of the Paris Mosque before reaching the Arènes de Lutèce, little visited and yet very pretty, where children can run around and you can sit down for a picnic. If you don’t have a picnic, I recommend the crêperie Le Pot au Lait, located a 10-minute walk away (41 Rue Censier, Paris 5th).

The Arènes de Lutèce

A trip on a barge or river bus:

This is a great classic that lets you see Paris from the Seine. As a family, the advantage is that children don’t get tired. If you don’t want to board for a whole cruise, you can simply take the river bus using your Tube tickets. On the way, you can wave to Notre-Dame de Paris. In fact, once you disembark, I recommend going to visit the renovated interior of Notre-Dame de Paris. It’s superb!

The Fondation Louis Vuitton and the Jardin d’Acclimatation:

Are your children asking for rides and playgrounds? Then head to the Jardin d’Acclimatation on the edge of the Bois de Boulogne. For parents, the interest is to start with the Fondation Louis Vuitton, whose architecture by Gehry I love. The exhibitions there are often interesting. Until March 2026, don’t miss the exhibition on the painter Gerhard Richter. Museum admission gives access to the Jardin d’Acclimatation.

The Nissim de Camondo Museum and Parc Monceau:

Here’s an off-the-beaten-track museum and yet so interesting! You discover the interior of a beautiful private mansion that’s still furnished (wow, the kitchen!). The visit isn’t very long, and then you can carry on to Parc Monceau to let the children run and play, or to have a picnic in summer! 63 Rue de Monceau, Paris 8th.

The Army Museum:

Located at Les Invalides, the guided tour of this museum delighted my Ticoeur! It’s one of the most important military history museums in the world. You’ll find, chronologically, the early department with beautiful armour, an imperial section linked to Napoleon, and then a modern section devoted to the 20th century. Ticoeur’s favourite parts: the armour and the Napoleon section.

The Tuileries, Place de la Concorde

The Tuileries Garden is very pleasant to cross after a visit to the Louvre. During the festive season, there’s a big Ferris wheel that offers lovely views of the surrounding area.

Montmartre and the Sacré-Cœur:

If your children are like mine, they don’t like walking around the city when it’s all flat… So in Montmartre, they’ll be delighted: it’s uphill! At the top, in front of the Sacré-Cœur, the effort is rewarded with a very beautiful view over Paris. And on the way down there’s a carousel if needed ;-). For budding young artists, it’s always fun to watch the artists drawing portraits on Place du Tertre.

Parc des Buttes-Chaumont:

A park with lots of charm… Very hilly… Ideal for a picnic or a break at Rosa Bonheur, where the guinguette spirit reigns…

From Canal Saint-Martin to Canal de l’Ourcq, and why not as far as La Villette

So, adults will appreciate the charm of Canal Saint-Martin, which will remind you of certain scenes from the film Amélie Poulain. All along the canal, there’s no shortage of places for brunch or lunch. Continuing to follow the water, you reach Canal de l’Ourcq, where in summer you can take a little ride in an electric boat and enjoy the terraces along the quay. Finally, still following the water northwards, you’ll arrive at La Villette, where there are many spaces dedicated to children: the Cité des Sciences, the Géode and our favourite: the Music Museum.

The Musée du Quai Branly:

This museum is little visited, and yet it’s full of treasures from all over the world. I love the Oceania and Africa sections! The children liked it too! Very close by, you can stroll along the Seine or head to the Eiffel Tower!

The aquarium at Porte Dorée and the Parc Floral:

Here, you’re right in the east of Paris. The Porte Dorée aquarium is worth a visit for its architecture, its very reasonable price and of course its fish! Not far away, if the weather allows, head to the Parc Floral. Ideally, go when there are jazz concerts in summer. I find it much better than the Aquarium de Paris at Trocadéro (and cheaper!).

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I hope you enjoyed this first big stroll across all of Paris! For getting around, the metro and buses are very practical with children. You just need to make sure you avoid rush hour! And about Metro line 14, the driverless one: get into the first carriage, because children will love seeing the tracks and tunnels through the front window!

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Paris as a family: accommodation

Many of you ask me for accommodation tips in Paris for a family stay. Since we’ve been living in England, we’ve had the chance to come back to the capital and therefore to sleep in hotels or rentals, as our families don’t have enough space and our flat is often rented out. So here are a few tested-and-approved addresses.

Our recommended accommodation addresses in Paris for families:

Le Yooma urban lodge: a family-friendly, comfortable hotel, in a quiet area (15th arrondissement)
Hotel B55 in the south of Paris (12th arrondissement): family room with two double beds.
La Belle Ville: I slept there with Papa Voyage, but they also have Junior Suites for 4 with a double bed and a sofa. The downside is the location in an area that isn’t ideal for families, right in the east of Paris, but the hotel is lovely and the rooms are very good: great value for money. Very beautiful plant-covered façade. Also, despite its out-of-the-way location, the metro is just a stone’s throw away, so it’s easy to head towards central Paris.

Rent a flat: We’ve spotted, but not yet tested, this lovely loft in Montmartre.
Do you need help finding family accommodation in Paris? Because I know my city extremely well, I can try to help you! Contact me, telling me the number of adults/children, your dates and your maximum budget. I’ll send you, free of charge, a few ideas of available accommodation!

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There you go! That was my first selection of family visits in the capital! I’m preparing more ideas for very soon! In the meantime, tell me: what were your favourites, and your children’s, in Paris?

Our family holidays in Mallorca

It is time I tell you about our week in Mallorca at the end of August. Every year, we try to plan a family week with the grandparents and this summer we chose Mallorca, the largest island in the Balearics. Why? Because we like Spain and the Mediterranean very much and the budget is very reasonable. I had heard a lot about Mallorca before leaving: so yes it is a very touristy island (and that’s a euphemism!) but most of the tourists are concentrated in the south, near Palma. So, inevitably we went the opposite way, in the northeast :-). Up there, no nightclubs but a beautiful mountain landscape with traditional fincas and quite a few sheep! It was precisely in one of these beautiful old country houses, near Pollença, that we stayed and I must say that our accommodation was undoubtedly the best part of our week’s holiday in Mallorca! It took me a long time to find our finca but I really found the perfect villa, with a dream pool! We spent a lot of time in the garden, on the terraces and in the water! The children have made good progress in swimming!

As for excursions, we visited some villages and crossed the mountain landscapes while staying in the northern part of the island. We also spent a day in Palma, the capital: it is a pretty city that reminded me of a mini Barcelona. We saw many pretty places as you can see on the pictures. Perfect holidays? Yes but… the problem was the crowd on the beaches. I know, in the Mediterranean in August you don’t expect to be alone but you see, it was not our first summer trip in the area and I must say I had never seen so many people, especially for the last week of August. Even on “my” island, Sicily, there are fewer tourists after August 20. Anyway, the crowded beaches weren’t ideal. In addition, compared to the incredible beaches we saw last year in Sardinia, the ones we discovered in Mallorca were beautiful but less “wow!”…. That said, we have seen very few, so I have no doubt that there are heavenly coves on the island.

Here, to give you some ideas for visits, is the program of our week in Mallorca. We rented two cars (budget: 10£/day per car), one for the grandparents and one for us. (Ticoeur and Titpuce always wanted to go in Omi and Opa’s car!).

Our program for a week in Mallorca:

(There is a little heart next to our favorite places).

Day 1: Arrival at Palma airport (~2 hour flight from Paris)
Day 2: visit of Alcudia and Playa de Muro

Day 3: Pollença market ❤ and beach

Day 4: Cala San Vinçen

Day 5: Visit of Soller (very nice mountain road to go there). In Soller: little train, old town and port.

Day 6: Palma with its city centre, the Pilar and Joan Miró Foundation, and then the majestic Cathedral of course. In the late afternoon, return to the north. Playa Formentor ❤ with a wonderful sunset at Cap Formentor ❤

Day 7: Cala San Vinçen

Day 8: departure

In the end, we had a great week with the family. Three generations under the same roof, especially in such a beautiful house! (Many of you ask me for the references of this finca so here is the link).

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As for Mallorca: yes, I advise this island as a destination, especially for the pretty villages in the north, but I totally advise against visiting in August! Next time we will choose the Easter holidays. And in the middle of summer, we will test Minorca, the neighbouring island, still in the Balearics, much less visited it seems!

EDIT 2023: we went back to Mallorca during the autumn half-term holidays and it was fantastic! Read the article about our 7 family hikes in Mallorca!

And you, do you know Mallorca?

Also worth reading if you’re a fan of the Balearic Islands: our week in Menorca with the kids.

Family trip in Barcelona: all of our hints!

During Winter break, we spent five days in Barcelona with the children and their grand-parents. I wanted to share with you our program and our visit advices for a family trip. We chose quite a quiet rhythm: every early afternoon the children rested, with their grand-parents in the apartment that we booked. Thus, we were together strolling around until around 2pm, and we went out again in the end of the afternoon just to go to the square. During the rest time at the apartment (between 2 pm and 4 pm) and sometimes in the evening as well, my husband and I could enjoy the occasional couple getaway: the advantage to travel on three generations!

Age of the children: Ticoeur 7 years old, Titpuce 5 years old.

I will begin with the visits we made with the children…

The Sagrada Familia: don’t miss it, even with young children!

As I already told you, during my five previous stays in Barcelona, I had never visited the Sagrada Familia, which is a pure madness created by Gaudi, who dedicated most of his life to this masterpiece. This cathedral with original architecture is really appropriate with children. The outside has changed a lot since the first time I saw the Sagrada 15 years ago. I think the work is progressing pretty quickly, even if it will take many years before all the towers and the entrance are finished. The inside is rather complete and you can only be struck by the volumes, the lights, the forms. Overall, counting the museum located underneath the church, we spent 1h30 in the Sagrada; the children loved the church; on the other hand, we shortened the museum part, very rich (all in all, without children, I think you can spend at least 2h in the Sagrada).

We had booked our tickets online for the first time slot of the day and we got in after a wait of only 5 minutes – it was perfect. We took the simple entrance tickets (without a guided visit, without audio guide, without an access to the tower) and I think that it was enough because we were already busy as it was and we were amazed of what we saw.

Adult fare: 15€ / Children (- 10 years): free. To be noted: there is a little playground very practical facing the Sagrada (on the side of the Passion door).

Montjuic and Miró Foundation:

A visit that was really successful with the children: the Foundation Joan Miró. Titpuce declared “All the same, his drawings are quite weird!” This museum is situated on the Montjuic Hill, very nice, with all its vegetation and its views on Barcelona. It is normally possible to climb there with the cable car but it was closed for maintenance. Since the cable car is quite expensive, it was a good option to take the bus. For the museum, we bought the tickets on the spot (12€ for adults and free for children).

The Park de la Ciutadella to let the children run…

I had often walked by this park but this time, with the children, we really spent a long time there, to see the fountain, the fake mammoth and to simply let the children run around. On the other hand, we thought the playgrounds were not so great.

Barceloneta Beach :

Even when it is too cold to bathe, the beach is a safe option with children. To get there, we crossed the neighbourhood of Barceloneta, which was quite nice (we had lunch there – see addresses below).

Strolls in the Gothic Quarter:

Since we were staying near the Sagrada, for all of our visits and strolls of the day, we walked by the center and so by the Gothic Quarter that we visited again and again, little piece at a time. We particularly went back to places that we liked a lot like: the Cathedral cloister (free access in the morning), Plaça Reial, the place in front of Santa Maria del Pi, the Plaça Sant Felip and Santa Anna church. We also had a quick walk in La Boqueria Market and in Santa Catarina Market (less touristic).

If you have never been to Barcelona, you have to remember to put the following places on your list:

Park Güell (adapted for all the family but it’s not in the center), the two famous houses: Casa Batlo, Casa Mila (by the underground Passeig de Gracia), the Palau de la Musica (at least see it from the outside – for the inside it’s only on guided tour and it may be better without children). This time, we didn’t go back to those places but they are staples in Barcelona, to see on a first stay here.

During our next stay in Barcelona, we will take the children to:

Tibidabo: it’s a vintage attraction park with a view on Barcelona. We couldn’t go there this time because it’s closed in the Winter.

Cosmo Caixa: a sort of “City of Science” (the one in Paris) with, among other things, a big greenhouse that makes you believe you’re in the Amazonian forest (it’s pretty far from the center so you should put it on the program if the weather is bad, or simply to please the children).

The children loved to eat tapas!

The children loved the small portions. Ours particularly loved the ham croquetas and the squids. Also playful for the kids: the pintxos, those tapas presented on long sticks. To be noted: as a family, we ate in restaurants for lunch but for dinner, we ate at the apartment with takeaway tapas we bought in little canteens of the neighbourhood: it’s cheaper, it avoided us to cook for six persons, and most importantly, it allowed us to eat on French time and not on Spanish time!

Move around Barcelona with the children:

We simply used the underground tickets (also valid in the buses) loaded for 10 journeys. The fee is the same for adults and children over 5 years old (free for children under 5 years old). It’s possible to only use one card for the whole family so it’s practical. With this same card, we travelled to the airport (you have to take the train in Sants station). To visit the city, we mixed bus/underground and our own little feet. I have to say that my Titpuce amazed me because she walked so much, whereas she usually isn’t a fan of citytrips (she prefers walking in nature.)

And without the children, then?

While the grand-parents, Ticoeur and Titpuce rested in the apartment, we had a little childfree program. We visited the Modern Art Museum (MACBA), we spent an afternoon in a Spa for my birthday, we wandered in El Born neighbourhood that I like very much and we had dinner at a head chef’s house, who received us in his own house (see good addresses below).

Off-road: La Colonia Guëll

Since we already knew Barcelona, to change a little, we went to the suburbs, direction la Colonia Güell. I only advise it to people who already know Barcelona very well and who are fans of Gaudi. Otherwise, for a first stay as a family I wouldn’t put it on the to-do list. I will write a blog post on this topic on occasion.

Our good addresses in Barcelona:

Can Mano: restaurant in Barceloneta, a kind of little canteen, very simple, very local, very fresh and cheap fish Calle del Baluard, 12 Barcelona.
Santa Rita: it’s original because it’s not really a restaurant. The chef cooks at his own place and a few tables are settled in his dining room. Great degustation menu (it was for my birthday). Unique menu that changes every season. This option is better without children because it’s a gastronomic experience that takes time (from 9 pm to midnight). To book a table it’s on their website (and you have to book in advance!): Santa Rita.
The Spa Aire which was my birthday present (close to the Park de la Ciutadella).
Accommodation: we had booked an apartment on Airbnb, right in front of the Sagrada (great for the view!). It was perfect (the landlady was really nice, the apartment very pretty) but I only advise it if, like us, you share it between two families, otherwise it’s too big and you could find cheaper options. To be noted: the Sagrada neighbourhood is residential, it’s not the city centre but it’s really well connected via the underground and the buses. If you’re looking for an accommodation closer to the center, I advise you to look in El Born neighbourhood, very animated, and very practical to visit. And if you know any family friendly hotels, don’t hesitate to give me your good addresses in the comment section because we will probably go back to Barcelona, again and again!

Admiring la Sagrada from our appartment…

What about you? Have you already visited Barcelona as a family?

Which is the best country in Southeast Asia to travel as a family

We have always been big fans of Asia, and when we became parents, Asia was a continent that seemed particularly suitable for our first big family trips, especially to Southeast Asia. Why ? Southeast Asia offers a great change of scenery, rather safe countries, and life there is often very economical. So, for our first trip to Asia with a child, Ticoeur was 18 months old and we went to Malaysia. Since then, we have visited many other Asian countries, which I have spoken to you about on the blog and today I wanted to take stock of all our stays in South-East Asia because a question you asked me often asked by email is: which Asian country do you recommend for a family trip? Here is the fruit of our experience, after having visited almost all the countries of South-East Asia, a large part of which with children:

Vietnam: from north to south, beautiful landscapes to discover…

The +:

Easy to organize your trip in advance or on site.
Cultural change of scenery, colonial architecture, beaches.
Often rooms with 2 large double beds, therefore ideal for 4 people.
Large choice of accommodation for all budgets.
One of my favorite cuisines in Asia (well, it’s very personal…).

THE – :

Cities with very chaotic traffic. Be careful as a pedestrian.
I didn’t like Ho Chi Minh City and I didn’t find Sapa exceptional.

Practical information :

My favorites: Hoi An, Mekong Delta, Hanoi and then there is the Danang region which I would really like to discover / Halong Bay is more suitable for lovers than for families.
The season: from November to April.
Flight times: 11 hours outward / 13 hours return.

My final opinion: An easy trip to manage as a family. Don’t spend too much time in big cities. Travel by plane.

Thailand: a great classic, very popular with families…

The +:

Ease of organizing your trip as a country accustomed to tourism.
We come across many families traveling with children in Thailand.
A change of scenery and pretty islands.
Possibility of traveling by plane at low cost.
Large choice of accommodation for all budgets.

THE – :

Too many tourists on some islands in February.
I recommend avoiding the far north because of malaria.
Personally I didn’t like Chiang Mai.
Of course you have to see Bangkok but don’t stay there long because the city is a bit oppressive with children.

Practical information :

Visits that I recommend: Bangkok, Koh Phi Phi (off season), Koh Lipe, Koh Samui, Koh Tao…
The season: from November to April but possible in summer in the eastern islands.
Flight times: 11:15 hours outward / 12 hours return.

My final opinion: An easy family trip. I would favor the islands, with air travel.

Bali (Indonesia): an island on a human scale with beautiful traditions…

The +:

Cultural change of scenery, rice fields, lush vegetation.
Beauty of the temples, snorkeling, beautiful traditional atmosphere.
An island on a human scale.
Possibility of combining with the Gilis Islands (Lombok).
Very pretty villas or hotels with swimming pools at low budgets.

THE – :

Far too many tourists in the south of the island (Kuta area).
Beautiful beaches but not heavenly.
Be careful if you rent a car. It’s not easy to drive in Bali!

Practical information :

My favorites: Amed, the rice fields in the Munduk region.
The season: from May to September.
Flight hours: No direct flight. Go through Singapore or Kuala Lumpur so allow 16 hours at best.

My final opinion: An easy and very pleasant trip with small distances to cover.

Burma (or Myanmar): a more adventurous trip, for informed travelers…

The +:

The smile of the inhabitants!
The cultural heritage, the rice fields, the traditions more preserved than elsewhere.
The natural beauty of the country.
Not too many tourists.

THE – :

Family tourism not developed (so we found few accommodations with 4 beds).
Very long bus journeys. Difficulty moving around in general.
The beautiful beach area is not easily accessible (road in poor condition or plane rather expensive).

Practical information :

My favorites: Bagan! And then Inle Lake and the small towns around Mandalay.
Season: November to March.
Flight hours: no direct flight. Go through China or Kuala Lumpur, so a 15-hour flight at best, approximately.

My final opinion: I found that it was the least simple country for families in terms of logistics (because of journeys and accommodation). If you go anyway, taking a driver is probably a good idea.

Malaysia: more comfort than elsewhere in Southeast Asia and beautiful islands…

The +:

Multicultural country (Chinese, Indian, Malay, etc.)
Beautiful islands and towns with colonial architecture.
Country richer than the others therefore more modern infrastructure (cars, highways, modern buses, etc.).
Domestic journeys possible by plane at very low prices.
For more adventure, also explore the Borneo part (for the fauna and flora).
Possibility of combining it with a visit to Singapore.
Mmmm the kitchen!

THE – :

We haven’t always found nice accommodations.

Practical information :

My favorites: The Perenhtian Islands and Tioman Island.
The season: from November to March, but depending on the islands, also possible in summer.
Flight hours: approximately 12:30 hours.

My final opinion: A country which offers more comfort than the others, with fewer tourists.

Philippines: so many paradise islands!

We went there without children.

We loved the kindness of the locals, the many paradise islands and the volcanoes.
Easy because English is the official language.
Incredibly beautiful nature. Favorite in the Philippines: Camiguin island.
I would hesitate to go there with young children because of the many Jeepney journeys (not very comfortable and often long). And then, overall it’s very far away unfortunately. Let’s say it’s better to go there as part of a longer trip to this part of the globe…
Flight hours: minimum 16 hours with stopover.

Cambodia: an endearing country but not the most suitable for families…

With Ticoeur, we went to Phnom Penh.
Possible without worries to go to Angkor (and it’s magnificent!).
Really cheap.
For the rest, take a good look at malaria and the state of the roads…
No direct flight. Go through Kuala Lumpur for example.

Laos: nature and serenity but long journeys…

We went there without children.

We loved the kindness of the Laotians and the zenitude of the country.
Less touristy and calmer than other Asian countries. Laos is relaxing!
With children I would hesitate because of the length of bus journeys, on winding roads.
Very economical.
Also pay attention to malaria.
No direct flight. Go through Bangkok for example.

***

I especially wanted to focus on Southeast Asia rather than Asia in general but I would still like to make an exception and talk to you about Sri Lanka which, in the same order of magnitude on the budget side, was a big blow of heart for us in Asia and a must in terms of an exotic country to discover with the family!

Sri Lanka: perfect for a first trip to Asia with children…

The +:

Scenic beauty in the tea region, beaches and cultural heritage.
Many animals especially elephants.
Distances not too great (to be done by car with driver and by train).
Nice accommodations a little more expensive than in Southeast Asia.

THE – :

Many beaches in the south-eastern part but not heavenly (unless you have any to recommend to us?). We would like to discover the west coast where it seems that the sea is more beautiful with nice depths.

Practical information :

My favorites: The Ella region, the atmosphere on the beach in Mirissa, Kandy.
The season: from November to March but possible in summer also in the tea region and on the east coast.
Flight hours: approximately 13 hours with stopover.

My final opinion: We loved our trip with children to Sri Lanka for the diversity of landscapes and the ease of logistics. We are thinking of going back. We preferred to manage our journeys at each stage by asking our accommodation to recommend someone to us rather than taking a dedicated driver for the entire trip (for the sake of freedom).

***

Finally, without children, we traveled to China, Japan and India. We will happily return to the first two with our darlings. On the other hand, for India I am a little hesitant in terms of health conditions. Maybe in Kerala one day…

***

I hope that our experiences traveling in Asia with young children will inspire you and if you already know Asia, I would be curious to know which were your favorite Asian countries for a family trip?

5 ideas for long weekends in Italy

Today I’m sharing with you all my ideas for long weekends in Italy, because it’s truly a country that’s a joy to visit all year round. Especially if, like me, you suffer from the dolce vita syndrome! Whether it’s for the beauty of the cities, the history, the architecture or the gastronomy, there’s no shortage of reasons to head to Italy for a long weekend as a couple or with the family!

Here’s my selection of the Italian cities we preferred:

1 – A long weekend in Venice as a couple or with the family:

It was to celebrate our engagement that we went to Venice for the first time, a few years ago now. I was pleasantly surprised to discover a city even more beautiful than expected! In fact, I’d always told myself that Venice was such a myth that I’d inevitably be disappointed because I’d expect too much. Well, no! Venice turned out to be magical, magnificent, unforgettable: yes, nothing less than that!

In August 2021, we went back to Venice with the family and the city of canals continued to charm us!

A few ingredients for a successful weekend in Venice:

When to visit Venice? Avoid peak periods such as Carnival or Easter. We went to Venice in June. We had bright sunshine; there were people about but not too many, even though we were there during the Biennale. We were also there in August and, surprisingly, it was calm (international tourism hadn’t fully bounced back). Also, in the height of summer, holidaymakers may be looking more for beaches than cities.
Get off the beaten track: if you stick to St Mark’s Square and the surrounding area, you’ll only find tourists and outrageously priced cafés. As soon as you get lost in the maze of little streets, you quickly find yourself away from the crowds. You then discover great little places, intimate wine bars, family-run and affordable trattorias. So you need to walk, walk, walk, without limiting yourself to the usual route that all visitors take. In fact, the first time in Venice, we even chose not to visit the “big monuments”, where entry prices are quite high. There are enough wonders to discover just by strolling, as the city is a living, romantic museum.
Venice in 3–4 days: you can take two or three days to wander around the city. And add a day for a boat trip to Burano, the little island I liked best (Murano impressed me far less). In fact, to make the most of Burano, and if you have the time, you can plan to spend a night in one of the lovely colourful houses. You’ll then get a calmer Burano once the tourists leave at the end of the day.
La Dolce Vita in Venice: have a Spritz at the end of the day by the water or on Campo Santa Margherita, a large square we particularly loved for its very local atmosphere.
Also read: Our 10 must-sees in Venice.

Burano

2 – A long weekend in Rome, for travelling through time:

I love Rome, where I went dozens of times as a child. Then we tried Rome with a baby (when Ticoeur was 4 months old) and finally with the whole little family. Find the article about our latest getaway to Rome: 4 days in Rome with the family.

Crossing Rome on foot is a wonderful trip through time. In no other city, as far as I know, do you come so close to the ruins of the past. The remains of the Roman Empire are right there before our eyes, along the street. I also love the city’s many squares, the incredible museums and the Tastevere district.

When to go to Rome? I’ve tried Rome at every time of year. I only advise against late July to late August because it can be far too hot to walk around.
Rome in 3–4 days: you’ll already get a great feel for the city, but you’ll want to come back again and again ;-). Don’t miss the Trevi Fountain, the Roman Forum, Piazza Navona, Piazza Mattei, the Colosseum and a few museums. To optimise your visits, choose the “Roma Pass”, which gives access to transport and several museums at a reduced price (sold at the airport, the station, etc.).
Accommodation: here is a lovely very Italian-style flat, located near the Vatican. You can easily walk to the Tiber and cross over to visit the historic centre or take the metro. Finally, the first time, we stayed in the Monti district, between the Colosseum and the station: see this nicely decorated flat. A practical area for visiting the city.
La Dolce Vita in Rome: to sample the dolce vita, nothing beats lunch on a terrace in Tastevere, a district full of charm.

3 – A long weekend in Ferrara to travel back to the Middle Ages:

Ferrara is a very pretty medieval town located 40 minutes from Bologna airport. The architecture is superb. It’s very pleasant to explore on foot or by bike, discovering the city’s historic buildings. It’s a trip back in time, straight to the 14th century. I could also have suggested a weekend in Bologna, Ferrara’s bigger neighbouring city. I’ll tell you more about Bologna when I get back next week… Ferrara has the advantage of a more intimate setting.

When to go to Ferrara? In spring or early autumn. The region is famous for its thick fog, which you’ll probably see in the evening.
Ferrara in 2 or 3 days: stroll around the old town on foot discovering its historic heritage, and keep one day for a bike ride along the river Po.
La Dolce Vita in Ferrara: dinner in one of the city’s very old restaurants, where you won’t fail to try the pasta specialities with pumpkin and sage.

4 – A long weekend in Florence for art lovers:

Our 2 weeks in northern Sardinia: beach paradise

Oh, how beautiful the beaches of Sardinia are! And there are so many of them! Sardinia was still unknown to us: as half of my family lives in Sicily, we have often opted for the Sicilian option. Over the past few years, we have also got into the habit of going to Corsica regularly, and the Island of Beauty has always delighted us; this year, for once, we tried Sardinia and it turned out to be yet another, very different experience. I will actually write a post comparing Sicily, Sardinia and Corsica for those hesitating between these three Mediterranean destinations. No suspense here: what impressed us most in Sardinia were the beaches, hence this post to share with you the ones we tested and approved last month.

I should point out that I haven’t retouched the photos below. Yes, the colours really are that beautiful, the water that clear, and at times it genuinely looks like the Maldives!

Cala Brandichi

To put things back into context in our round-the-world itinerary: we returned from Rio at the beginning of July on a flight to Frankfurt, then took a train to Stuttgart where we picked up my in-laws, before flying the next day to Olbia in Sardinia, the first stop of our little European tour that would round off our Round-the-World trip.

During our 2 weeks in Sardinia, we chose 3 bases from which we explored the area:

Costa Paradiso (in the north) -> I actually recommend our villa, as it was the best accommodation of our Sardinian stay. Edit 2021: unfortunately, this villa is no longer available to rent. Here is a similar one for 8 people.
Bosa (on the west coast) -> our accommodation is no longer available to rent. As an alternative, I suggest this charming address in Bosa: La Locanda di Corte or, as a more budget-friendly option, this house with a swimming pool, 4 km from the town (a car is required).
Posada (on the east coast) -> we stayed at Hotel Sale.

Our 3 bases in Sardinia

Discovering the beaches of northern Sardinia:

Beaches near Costa Paradiso:

The cove of Costa Paradiso, accessible via a pleasant path (10 minutes). The walk down is enjoyable as long as you avoid the hottest hours of the day. The children loved swimming in the river arm that flows into this beach.

Costa Paradiso beach

Cala Sarraina (very easy access, just a short walk from the car park). A lovely little beach bar.

Cala Sarraina

Lu Litarroni/Naracu Nieddu: several access points are possible. We recommend the one that brings you out near the restaurants/bars, with a small shaded path to reach the beach (10 minutes). Paid parking (2€/hour). A very large white-sand beach. Pleasant bar with a view over the beach. When we were there, there were a bit too many waves for the children.

Lu Litarroni

Best access path for Lu Litarroni

Beaches near Bosa:

Compoltitu beach: in fact, we tried three beaches near Bosa, but this one was our absolute favourite, so we went there every day and it’s the one we recommend! Note: getting down to it is a bit of a workout, but perfectly doable (allow about 10 minutes). It was Ticoeur and Titpuce’s favourite beach because the sea was very calm and the water deepens very gradually.

Compoltitu (Bosa)

Beaches near Posada:

Posada beach

Cala Brandichi

Isuledda (San Teodoro)

Porto Taverna

We also visited the following lovely beaches, but liked them less, mainly because they were too crowded: La Cinta and Porto Istana.

Practical information for enjoying the beaches with children:

Bring a parasol, as there is rarely any shade.
We favoured the beach in the morning before 11am and in the afternoon after 4–5pm to avoid the intense heat. What’s more, there are very few people in the morning (note: we were there in mid-July – I imagine there are many more tourists in August).
We made good use of the small kiosks and beach bars, which are cheaper than in France. Ideal for having a coffee and treating the children to ice creams.
As usual, don’t forget hats, water and sun cream.
I don’t know if it was just the beaches we went to, but none of them were supervised :-(. In any case, we never take our eyes off the children.

Cala Brandichi

I hope you enjoyed this little overview of the beautiful beaches of northern Sardinia! Don’t hesitate to also check out our itinerary in southern Sardinia.

Perhaps you already know northern Sardinia and its beaches? Any other spots to recommend?

Our week on Lake Lugano

The lakes region had been on my list for a long time: Lago di Lugano, Lago di Como, Lago Maggiore, Lago di Garda and the others… An area I didn’t yet know. At the end of August, we spent a week on the shores of Lake Lugano with the children and the grandparents. Lake Lugano lies on the border between Switzerland and Italy. Our house was on the Swiss side, 6 km from the Italian border, right on the lake. Staying on the border is quite fun because you cross it several times a day depending on the visits you have planned. In the end, we must have spent 50% of the time in Switzerland and 50% in Italy: an Italo-Swiss holiday!

Ticoeur’s age: almost 6
Titpuce’s age: 3 and a half

During this week on Lake Lugano, we organised a day trip to Milan to visit the World Expo, and we spent another day on the shores of Lake Como. Today, I’m presenting the shores of Lake Lugano, as it’s the area we explored the most.

Things to see/do on the shores of Lake Lugano:

the village of Porto Ceresio (Italy): romantic, full of charm, small but very lively. A lovely family atmosphere and a playground that’s ideal for children.

the village of Gandria (Switzerland): a picturesque village with its little lanes and old stone buildings

Monte San Giorgio (Switzerland): a UNESCO-listed site and it really is superb! We first parked by the Brusino Arsizio cable car. A return cable-car ticket costs CHF 20 per adult and CHF 12 for children (prices updated in 2025). Once at the top, we did an easy 1 hr 40 min hike to the Serpiano viewpoint. The children walked well. As usual, they prefer hiking to a stroll around town. The panorama on arrival is breathtaking!

a walk in the Breggia Gorge (Italy): a surprising place, I must say: you come across strange geological formations but also an old disused cement works.

the town of Lugano: a very airy, very clean, very orderly and very wealthy town. I especially liked the lakeside and the park.

the church and the baptistery in Riva San Vitale. The latter is the oldest building in Switzerland!

The Santa Croce church

the train museum in Mendrisio (Switzerland): it’s crazy how many model trains there are in this museum! A huge collection! On the other hand, the rooms are a bit boring… They should make this museum more lively because it has real potential. Ticoeur liked it and, as it was raining, it was handy to take shelter there.

the market in Ponte Tresa (Italy): very lively; it takes place every Thursday. You’ll find very good local products but also lots of uninteresting clothing stalls.
swimming in the lake: nice for adults but not suitable for young children. When you know that Lake Lugano is very deep (almost 300 metres in some places!), it’s intimidating – you think about it… Even with floats or armbands, we weren’t very reassured, so we filled a small inflatable paddling pool by the lake for Ticoeur and Titpuce. For adults, swimming is pleasant because the lake is huge and the view is superb. For my darling, the water is too cold (22°C when we were there). In the villages, there are small beaches, but the water remains deep.

Our jetty

Beach in Porto Ceresio

Apart from our walks around Lake Lugano, we never tired of our terrace, whose view was magical from morning to night…

One week in Lanzarote with children

If you are following us on Instagram, you know that we spent a wonderful week of family holiday in the volcanic setting of Lanzarote in the Canary Islands. Like every summer, we organized a trip with the grandparents. This time, we chose this land of fire that delighted us with its landscapes, its great spaces, its climate, its beaches, its little white villages with cubic houses, with blue or green shutters, not to mention the artistic heritage created by César Manrique. We were based in the centre of the island, in Nazaret, with a dozen of volcanoes in sight. Memorable lunar-like landscapes that will be etched in my memory. During a week, we had time to explore the island deeply. I don’t know the rest of the Canary Islands, so I can’t compare to Tenerife (* not true anymore – update below), Fuerteventura, La Palma, La Gomera, Gran Canaria or even El Hierro, but there is no doubt that Lanzarote is a big crush that I recommend for a trip with the kids, or just as a couples gateway! Finally, I have been delighted to practice my Spanish, especially since we are going back to Spain in a couple of days for the 40h birthday of our friends in Valencia.

Age of Ticoeur: almost 6 years old

Age of Titpuce: 3 years and a half

Winning duo: cactus and volcano!

Playa Grande in Puerto del Carmen

View from our house

Program of the week:

D1: Arrival in Arrecife around 3pm. We get our car then go direction our villa in Nazaret. We enjoy the swimming pool with the view on the volcanoes
D2: Visit of la Cueva de los Verdes, a cave formed by lava. Beach near Orzola. Lunch in Arrieta. Back to the villa: nap and swimming pool.
D3: Craft market of Haria. Visit of la Casa César Manrique. Nap and swimming pool then visit of the César Manrique Trust. End of the day on the beach (Jablillo).