All your travel essentials

If you are still planning a last-minute getaway with your little ones, a new one stop holiday shop for children is set to give parents a much-needed boost as they prepare for their family break.

Bon voyage kids stocks a year-round range of holiday essentials for children – all available at the click of a mouse. From swimwear and accessories to sun protection and insect repellent, the easy-to-use online store offers parents everything their kids might need for a warm weather getaway at home or abroad.

Bon voyage kids Founder, Victoria Jones, says:

“As a mum myself, I know how stressful getting ready for a family holiday can be for parents, especially when it comes to juggling their own preparations with trying to find time to buy stuff for the children too. Bon voyage kids aims to take away some of that pre-holiday hassle, by providing everything children might need in one, easy-to-use place.”

Each product in the Bon voyage kids collection has been hand-picked for its quality, including swimwear from LucaBynn, which can’t be found anywhere else in the UK. That means customers not only benefit from being able to buy everything without leaving the house but also have exclusive access to a host of stylish children’s brands. And as everything is available all year round, they can be sure of getting hold of whatever they require, no matter what time of year they decide to travel.

Victoria adds:

“Nowadays, many families choose to take their main holiday between October and May, whilst others might decide to take a number of sunshine breaks throughout the year. That means they are often faced with limited out-of-season stock on the High Street or, worse, have to wait until they are actually on holiday to pick up those last minute essentials.

“As we offer a full range of products all year round, Bon voyage kids customers will always have access to stylish children’s holiday wear and accessories, regardless of when they decide to go away.”

Customers visiting the Bon voyage kids online shop are not required to register or sign in, so making a purchase could not be easier. Visitors simply select the items they want, pay for them using the site’s secure PayPal system and then wait for their order to arrive. They can also choose from a range of delivery options, from standard first and second class postage to a Special Next Day service to satisfy even the most last minute needs. A further, international delivery option is also available to customers outside the UK.

Currently, Bon voyage kids offers a collection items for warm weather holidays but, in future, the shop will expand to offer children’s wear and travel accessories for all types of family break, including skiing, safaris and sailing trips.

For a full, up-to-date product list or to start shopping, visitwww.bonvoyagekids.co.uk.

* This is a sponsored post, but I only select products/services that I use or would like to use. 

* Photograph is my own 

Bon Voyage




Nothing revitalises me more than travelling. Even if it is just a short trip abroad. If you haven't been away during Easter and feel immense urge to get away for a couple of days then I might know just the right place. Massage followed by the most gorgeous wine from the local vineyards and delicious French cuisine? Sounds like my kind of gateway.



Is it wine o'clock yet?

I first came across La Source Des Fees a few years ago when Hubby and I were travelling to South of France. We were driving and I booked this place as a stopover for the night. It is situated in Southern Burgundy so around half-way to Cote d'Azur. After spending a day and a night there, I forgot all about the delights of Cannes and St Tropez, and just wanted to stay there forever. This is such an idyllic place and, more importantly, surrounded by vineyards!

The owners, Thierry and Philippe painstakingly renovated their 16th century guest house. It is everything you would expect from the rural French interior. And more! Simple, rustic, charming. Basically, French.

Owners are very welcoming. After unpacking, you are invited to choose a bottle (or two) from their wine cellar, which you then sip in a pretty courtyard overlooking ... the vineyards of course! This is where I discovered Pouilly-Fuisse and it has been my favourite tipple ever since. Afterwards they can book you a table at one of many local restaurants, depending on your gourmet preferences. I wanted to go to all of them, but as this is pretty much the epicentre of gastronomy, the choice is just too big. And that's just one of the many reasons why we will be coming back again!



Breakfast time!



View from our bedroom

 

One of many many many restaurants

What is more, this place is child friendly and dog friendly. You never know, Escargots a la Bourguignonne might become your toddler's new favourite dish!

How to travel with a baby whilst keeping your lip gloss on

Anyone who has a baby/ toddler knows too well that travelling might become a somewhat, how shall I put it...a challenging experience. Around this time last year we booked our first holiday with Little Miss S and I remember feeling quite panicky. We were flying to Portugal and all I did after booking a holiday ... No, not shop for bikinis!:) I 'googled' pretty much every available article about what it's like to get on a plane with a baby. Is it safe? Will she scream or sleep? What do I pack? How do I pack everything. Am I being completely selfish by 'dragging' my 6 month bundle of joy to another country (after all it's only us adults who need a holiday whilst she is happy at home). What's wrong with holidaying in UK (erm, weather to start with!!!!!). The list could go on forever. I must have sent about ten emails to the airline just double checking all the allowances for the little one and contacted the owners of the villa where we were staying asking about baby products in their local super-markets. I even 'googled' the content of sodium in Portuguese bottled water(!!) because I have been told that the local tap water is not safe to drink and that some bottled water might contain high levels of sodium which is not good for babies (it's like dreaded Chemistry lesson all over again). Apparently, Evian is your 'safest' choice so I had to triple check that whatever was to become our 'local' super-market for ten days, did have a sufficient supply of Evian!

Anyway, here is my list of advice:

1. Yep, it is absolutely safe for small children to fly. Same as adults, some babies might get an earache, so it's basically 'pot luck'. My Little Miss S luckily avoided earache (touch wood) but I always make sure that she is drinking water/milk during take-off and landing or chewing on some fruit/biscuits (just in case). When she was smaller I found Nuby Nibbler to be a great 'travel companion'. Just fill it in with fruit and let your little one nibble away!
2. Pack wisely. Majority of 'decent' airlines give small children their separate baggage allowance (mostly 10kg) but it's amazing how quickly you fill your suitcases up. Obviously, all depends on your child's age. If they are small and you are breastfeeding then all you really need are nappies, wipes and clothes. When we first travelled, Little Miss S was 6 months and we just started weaning, but I wasn't too keen on taking a blender on holiday!! I did some research and found a villa where they had all the necessary baby equipment, and if they didn't, then the owners were more than happy to get you whatever you need! Check Toca do Mocho. I did pack quite a few Ella's Kitchen pouches just in case:). So my advice is try and go somewhere where it is really baby friendly if it's your first time (Safari in Kenya might not be such a good idea... although I'm sure some people do!). Once you 'made through' your first holiday with your little one, second time is much easier (live and learn).
3. In my pre-baby days I never used to notice small children at the airports/planes unless they were sitting within a close proximity to me and crying uncontrollably (luckily not that often at all). To be honest, I find that it is older children that tend to make a lot of noise rather than small babies. Most of the time, babies tend to fall asleep (great, just be prepared for a 'dead arm' at some stage) whereas toddlers just, well, toddle around. Last time we went on a plane (few months ago) Little Miss S has just entered 'toddlerhood' so she played a little, had some food and fell asleep. Well, we see what happens next time!
4. Anyway, if your little one does decide to have cry - Don't Worry! Just ignore everyone and concentrate on your child. Majority of people are understanding and if they are not ...well, that's their problem and not yours. I, luckily (or luckily for them) never encountered any 'child haters' when flying.
5. I know it sounds pretty obvious but leave your house for the airport in plenty of time. In our pre-baby days Hubby and I would most certainly leave at a very last minute, but trust me you don't want to be running around with a pram and three suitcases. Once at the airport, take your time. You do not want to be hyperventilating. Most of the airports do have Family or Priority lanes for security checks so use them and take your time (you do not want to loose your passport whilst rushing or worst - your child). Also, note that you will be asked to taste all the liquids that you are taking for your baby into a cabin, which can take time at a busy periods.
6. If financially possible, try to book extra leg-room seats or special seats (or a private jet if you are extremely fortunate!). Check that they are not emergency exit seats as under 16's are not allowed to sit there. I normally go for the ones at the front of the plane (get served first!) and obviously all the extra space is 'heaven' when you have a baby sitting on you.
6. Don't be afraid to ask! Babies do not understand "wait just a few minutes, darling". If you need your bottle or food heated up (or anything else) just ask a member of a crew. I know that certain (won't mention names this time) airlines are inclined to sell you food, drink and duty free, and this comes above everything else, but even then don't be afraid to 'pester' because at the end of the day it's your child that needs something (and your sanity together with a sanity of all the passengers). Also, don't be scarred to ask other people for help. For example, my Hubby was carrying 'ten thousand cases' and a pram, and I was carrying Little Miss S and attempting to carry our hand luggage. Quite difficult, but a nice man helped us. If there are no 'nice men about' (most of the time, trust me, there are) then just ask anyone. You would be surprised how helpful other people could be and actually want to be (not all is lost in humanity).
7. Our second holiday with Little Miss S was to Greece when she was abound 9 months. It was in July. Peak season and extremely hot! I was worrying yet again. Heat and babies apparently don't go (although babies do live in Greece, and Africa, and Australia...basically everywhere). She was absolutely fine, but obviously, as a parent, you do need to be very careful in a hot weather. We brought with us a UV tent and it was great. Little Miss S had her naps in there whilst on the beach (although do avoid going there between 11-3 when it is extremely hot). Pack factor 50+, dehydration tablets, UV swimsuit and make sure your little one drinks plenty of fluids. Ah, and mosquito net for the evenings if your child is still at the stage where he/she can sleep in the pram whilst you are having your dinner.

Enjoy yourself! As long as you are being sensible, these first family holidays make some fantastic memories! It will be different from when it was just the two of you, but seeing your little one going into the sea for the first time is absolutely worth it. First few days might not feel like a holiday at all if you are in a unfamiliar place, but once you got your routine established, it should be absolutely amazing!

Little Miss S has now acquired plenty of air-miles and we got some precious memories and hopefully many more to come.




And trust me there is always time for a glass of wine;)