Top 5 Little-Known Destinations

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We all know some of the best destinations are off the beaten path, and the journey there is often more entertaining as well. Sometimes the best things are the ones we’ve been able to keep secret - the destinations that are not crowded with tourists and show an authentic, untouched piece of history or culture. Here are a few of the best destinations around the world that you may not hear a lot about, but hold so much beauty that they need to be on your travel bucket list.

Psychedelic Salt Mines in Yekaterinburg, Russia

There are some wonders of the world that are just too beautiful to believe they occurred naturally. That’s the case for the gorgeous patterns of the Psychedelic Salt Mines. This abandoned area is only available to the public by a special Russian government permit, which may be why this destination is little-traveled. If you’re unable to score a pass to see this stunning piece of nature, there’s still so much to do in Yekaterinburg. Stop by the Beatles Monument to get a taste of the impact this band had on the culture of Russia, or check out one of the most interesting art installations you’ll ever see at the Keyboard Monument. This concrete recreation of a computer keyboard is a piece of work you’ll never forget.

Family Fun at Greenwood Forest Park

Named the best family attraction in North Wales for the past 4 years, GreenWood Forest Park caught our eye while travelling around Snowdonia during April. Entry for the four of us would have been just under £40 so for a day of entertainment that's really good value. The setting is very natural and relaxing and dogs are welcome on site too which is certainly a bonus when on holiday with pets.

Aimed more so at younger children, the attraction has a combination of indoor and outdoor play areas plus some furry and feathered friends to see too. It really is a place of adventure, fun and confidence building with the challenges to get involved with. We began our day by going on the Green Dragon Coaster which is a people powered ride, the only world's only, where you can email the snap shot to yourself to print at home for just £1.50 at the end. I thought this was such a great idea!

10 Great House Warming Gifts

It’s important to mark the occasion of a friend moving into a new home with an extra special gift. A new house is a place where they will start a new life, create memories, and enjoy their very own space. A house warming gift should be a celebration of this new phase. The present that you give should help them make the most of their new nest and heighten the excitement that comes with moving into a new home. Here are some gift ideas to give you inspiration.

Tool Box

Sooner or later every new homeowner is presented with the need for a good set of tools. Don’t let them come up short when the moment comes.

Personalised Products

From coasters to clocks, there is almost no product which you can’t personalise with a photo or text online. Have fun with the name of their new address, use a picture you know they like and get them something unique.

Top 5 Family Destinations for the Summer Holidays 2015

Travelling abroad is one of life’s greatest experiences, but what’s even better is sharing it as a family. Holidaying together allows you to make life-long memories, see the world together, and create bonds that will last a lifetime. In order to ensure all of these things, you need to find a place that will be suited to everyone, from the babies to the grandparents. Due to this, a lot of people are now opting for boutique family holidays which guarantees an ideal adventure catering for all your needs and desires whilst abroad.

With summer is fast looming, you may not be sure where to go. Here is a quick guide to the top 5 summer holiday destinations 2015.

The Mini Mes in Kefalonia

Turkey

This is a European destination where families with children are very welcome with the locals being extremely friendly and helpful. Famous for its mud baths and delicious cuisine, Turkey also has a lot more to offer. If you are keen on history and architecture, the capital city Istanbul has an array of castles, palaces, and markets to visit, as well as trips on ferryboats to experience as a different mode of transport to the everyday walking and catching the bus. 

Family Friendly Holidays with Sykes Cottages (PLUS Your Chance to Win)

Sykes Cottages are the UK’s leading provider of self-catering holiday homes with over 5,000 handpicked cottages to choose from. With a range of cottages stretching from the glittering Cornish coast to the magnificent Scottish Highlands, their selection provides something for everyone.

If you come from an active family then why not visit one of their isolated cottages which are ideal for walking? With many of these cottages set in the heat of a National Park, you can spend a day trekking the hills before returning to rest your tired feet by the open fire. Or if you’d rather spend an afternoon playing amongst the surf, then don’t worry as they cater for this too with hundreds of sea-front cottages- perfect for that all important summer BBQ!

Family Fun at The Welsh Mountain Zoo

Voted one of the top ten attractions in North Wales, the Welsh Mountain Zoo is a lovely place for a day trip, especially as it reasonably low cost too. For just £38.10 a family of four like ours can spend the day interacting with animals, watching creatures big and small being fed and having lots of outdoor play at the Jungle Adventureland. We have just returned from a holiday at Conwy over Easter and this attraction really appealed to the Mini Mes.

After paying from your vehicle at the entrance you drive around to the car park which is in the centre of the zoo. It's a really picturesque location with some stunning views across the Snowdonia Mountain range, Isle of Anglesey and the coastline. If you don't want to take your car you can always pop on the free mini bus between May and September from the railway station nearby instead however.

Silent Sunday

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A Family Weekend Away With Forest Holidays

If you're picturing a getaway that's a real escape from the hustle and bustle of every day life, somewhere that is set in beautiful and peaceful surroundings with a touch of luxury thrown in too, Forest Holidays is a great choice. Their cabins are situated in picturesque woodland spread across 9 locations within the UK where you can really unwind.

We have just returned from a weekend at the Gloucestershire site and we had a wonderful experience as a family that really brought us together and enabled us to reconnect with nature. 

After signing in and collecting our key from the reception area which also doubles up as a large shop with restaurant, we drove down the road a short distance to our retreat; cabin 73. It was at the end of a row and it felt nice and secluded with a relaxed ambience, although all of the cabins are spread out well to offer a little privacy.

I could almost feel the stress and tension melt away while unpacking and then exploring the stylish and spacious accommodation of our two bedded Silver Birch in the Forest of Dean.

The ceilings are high and the light pours in through the windows allowing you to feel at one with the natural world. With leaf prints on the walls and heated wooden flooring, it brings the outside inside too.

The Mini Mes loved watching the squirrels and birds from the decking and they looked eagerly for the wild boars that roam the environment here. 

You Have The #PowerToSwitch

Fancy getting your mitts on an extra £200 or maybe more? For 2015 I've set myself a few challenges; I'm trying to lose some weight (bikini body here I come) and I'm trying to gain some extra pennies as cash always comes in handy, especially when it comes to holidays. We love to travel and we already have 5 breaks booked this year with the Mr having a lads week at the TT on the Isle of Man too in June, which I treated him to. 

By making a few tiny changes it's surprising what money you can free up to put to better use than bills!

The #PowerToSwitch campaign run by the Department of Energy and Climate Change encourages people to switch energy suppliers and save money and I've had a little look at doing so myself.

Chillipeeps - Convenience for Kids (Plus Your Chance To WIN)

If you have ever been out and about and a little unprepared for feeding, you will understand how upsetting and frustrating it can be while you wait to get home to sort a bottle or queue in a store to purchase a sterilised disposable one. Founded by Claire, following a real Eureka moment when driving to a party with her hungry baby, the Chillipeeps adapter attaches to bottles or cartons to feed your child with ease while on the go.

It's a very useful product to have for days out and travel in particular.

The case keeps the teat/spout secure and clean to use and I'd suggest having one in your changing bag or the car so it's ready and waiting for you as and when required. You never know when you will get held up in traffic or your little one gets hungry long before they are due!

Chillipeeps Adapter

The multi-award winning NEW Chillipeeps 3in1 adapter comes in a pod and is the ultimate convenience when out and about with baby.

Attaches directly to:

Mother's Day Goodies from Guylian (and your chance to WIN)

Mother's Day (15th March) is the perfect time to make mum feel special and show a little appreciation for everything she does. Whether you will be providing breakfast in bed, a day out, a few homemade gifts or something a little more extravagant, chocolates are always bound to please. 

I don't know many women (or men for that matter) that don't have a sweet tooth!

These products from Guylian are a great way to say thank you.

NEW! Guylian Caramel Sea Horses 

Guylian’s new Caramel Sea Horses are filled with a soft and delicate caramel filling with a Belgian milk chocolate shell.  Created in-house using artisanal techniques and open kettles, Guylian’s caramel filled Sea Horses are a sensationally smooth addition to the Sea Horse family. 

NEW! Guylian Milk Truffle Sea Horses

Guylian’s new milk chocolate Sea Horses are filled with a smooth milk truffle filling. The creamy texture melts in your mouth and contrasts perfectly with the crisp Belgian milk chocolate shell. 

You can find out more about Guylian or purchase your treats on the website:

 www.guylianshop.co.uk

Perfect Pancakes (Plus Your Chance To WIN)

Shrove Tuesday is less than a week away and that means it's time for pancakes! Whether you are whisking up your own or planning to purchase some, it's a great opportunity to have the whole family sat at the table to enjoy a breakfast feast. You can even have some savoury ones in lunch boxes, ham and cheese are my favourite, or save them as a dessert for after dinner too.

Pancakes are great any day of the year however, and Abra-Ca-Debora provide three delicious types of pancakes to save you time in the kitchen. Each variety can be heated in the oven or a microwave for your convenience and they taste freshly cooked every time. They are moist and packed with flavour as if they had just come straight from the pan - to be honest, they are actually far better than any I've made myself!

Abra-Ca-Debora have kindly provided some goodies so you can enjoy pancakes at home this Spring.

The Funny Things Kids Say and Do - Holiday Havoc

Every now and then our little ones wake up feeling unwell so we keep them off school until they are better and ready to return to their classmates. Jamster had a day off recently. He came into my room as soon as he woke and looked incredibly pale, complained of a headache and was a bit emotional; a sure sign he isn't great. I told him to head back to bed and that I would make sure his teacher was aware that he wouldn't be in.

The following day he was back to his cheerful self so I was happy for him to go in which was exactly what he did. I assumed that would be the end of the matter but apparently it wasn't! The day after returning to school when I dropped him off at the cloakroom the teaching assistant was there...

Valentine's Day Gift Guide - For Him and Her

It's that time of year again; when the shops fill with confectionery and flowers, cupid seems to be firing arrows at everyone and love is in the air. That's right, Valentine's Day is upon us.

We have some great gift ideas to suit most budgets here for the him or her in your heart... 

I just hope my Mr is taking note too!

Low Calorie, Vitamin-Enriched Drinks (Plus Your Chance To WIN)

These fresh new drinks not only contain the core essential vitamins to promote overall health and well-being, but they are also made with spring water - perfect for those thirst-quenching moments. Each drink is naturally flavoured (orange, citrus, mango & passion fruit or apple & raspberry) to ensure that taste is not compromised.

The ‘A Little More’ range can be enjoyed by children over 3 years of age and is one of the first drinks of its kind; making it an essential item for mum’s shopping trolley. The small, easy to carry bottles, complete with a convenient sports cap, make it a perfect addition to any packed lunch, picnic or a simple daily nutritious treat. The Mini Mes have taken a bottle to school each day recently and it has really encouraged them to drink more! We have taken them on a few day trips too for convenience.

7 Things Parents Do, Because They Love You

Until I became a mum myself I would always look back at my own childhood and think my parents were seriously harsh when I was growing up. I remember hiding in my room, with music playing believing they had ruined my life and things were so unfair (think Kevin and Perry), but it's now, as an adult, I realise they had my best interests at heart.

They were in fact doing their best for me regardless of what I thought at the time.
Just as I try to do for my little peeps now.

5 Places to Visit When in Luxembourg (With Kids)

A few months ago we had a wonderful opportunity where we travelled by land and sea for a family break in Luxembourg. We had possibly the most relaxing holiday I've ever experienced, despite being miles from sand and sunshine, and I would certainly recommend it as a location to visit if you are looking for peaceful and beautiful surroundings. 

We had some great days out and these are our recommendations:

1 Mullerthal Trail and Schiessentumpel Waterfall

Good physical condition and footwear is required for this walk but it's certainly worth it as it's such great fun and the scenery is stunning! Everything is just so green. The walk takes you up and down some rather unstable steps (no hand rails) for around 10 minutes, with the flowing water below. There is of course the option to skip the walk and take a stroll along the roadside path to the waterfall itself, if you don't want to miss out on it's beauty, where you can stand on the bridge to see the waterfall from a birdseye view. It's a great place for photographs and to sit with a book or picnic.

The UK’s Only Flavoured Pistachios (plus your chance to WIN)

With the cold, winter months upon us and duvet days being very tempting, it's a great time to snuggle up on the sofa to watch the snow fall outside with some delicious treats. The Mr in particular is a big fan of nuts (especially when it involves cake too) so he was very pleased to hear about these great varieties from Wonderful Brands.

The pistachios come in 4 flavours; Sweet Chili, Roasted Salted, Salt & Pepper and Roasted Unsalted. They are crunchy in texture and at only 3 calories each they are lighter than you would imagine. 

5 Fun Apps The Mini Mes Love

Although time on the tablets is limited, the Mini Mes certainly have their favourite games to play. I must admit there are quite a few that are probably more suited to children that I really enjoy too! 

Here are some of our their most loved apps.

Crossy Road

If you were a fan of Flappy Bird this is likely to prove popular in your home. With cars coming across the roads to avoid, trains on tracks to dodge and logs on rivers to cross you need to react quickly and move fast. You can take your pick from a variety of characters to be and by tapping the screen you can travel in different directions. It's great for developing hand eye coordination and it should get the kids to be more aware of traffic in the real world too.

Beauty Bags From Victoria Green (and your chance to WIN)

Victoria Green is a British textile and home product designer with 20 years experience. Born and raised in Cumbria, Victoria studied at Winchester School of Art, before going on to work for some of the high streets biggest names, including Laura Ashley, Heal’s, The White Company, M&S and Debenhams.

Victoria had always dreamed of launching her own product range and last year took the brave step of setting up on her own under the 'Victoria Green' name. Her first collection of eight beauty bags launched last February.

Victoria Green Love Hearts Print Traveller Bag

This bag is perfectly proportioned to keep all of your holiday essentials inside safely. It has two spacious compartments, both of which are waterproof, and a zip closure. The coated cotton canvas is easy to clean due to the surface material and it has a lovely heart and polka dot print.