New Zealand never needed to sell itself to me. It just got on with being New Zealand, and somehow that was enough. Quietly spectacular, grounded, and endlessly generous, it’s a place that gets under your skin without making a fuss about it. I lived there for seven years. Long enough for it to stop being a destination and start feeling like home. I wasn’t passing through highlights on a checklist, I was living real life, building routines, working hard, and raising my sense of

Ski holidays are even better when shared with friends or extended family, but organising a group trip can quickly become complicated. Different budgets, travel dates, accommodation needs and ski abilities all need to line up — and that’s before you factor in childcare, lessons and transfers. Booking a group ski holiday through a travel agent takes the pressure off and allows everyone to enjoy the trip without one person being left to organise everything. Why Book a Group Ski

Taking young children on a ski holiday can be incredibly rewarding – but choosing the right resort makes all the difference. Families need gentle slopes, reliable ski schools, short walks to lifts, and plenty to do when the skis come off. Thankfully, Europe has some excellent resorts that truly understand what families with young children need. Below are some of the best family-friendly ski resorts in Europe, all well suited to first-timers and younger skiers, while still off

Cambodia was a journey that stayed with me long after we left — not just for what we saw, but for what we felt and slowly came to understand. Breaking Up the Journey: Hong Kong Stopover I travelled there with my sister, breaking up the long journey with a few nights in Hong Kong. It was the perfect pause: a chance to experience another culture, reset, and ease ourselves into Southeast Asia before continuing on. Looking back, it’s something I’d always recommend — long-haul tra

Safari has never been a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me. It has been a thread running quietly, and sometimes wildly, through my life. Growing Up in Namibia: Childhood Safaris in Etosha National Park I was lucky enough to live in Namibia when I was about thirteen. During the school holidays, weekends were often spent in Etosha National Park, and over time we began to understand it in a way that only comes from repetition. We learnt which waterholes attracted elephants at

South Korea is one of the most exciting and surprising destinations for families looking for something different. It blends deep history with cutting‑edge modern culture, incredible food, and experiences that genuinely engage children and teenagers alike. From palaces and temples to neon‑lit streets and the global phenomenon of K‑pop, South Korea offers a family holiday that feels educational, fun, and unforgettable. Why South Korea Works So Well for Families South Korea is s

Iceland is one of those places that feels almost unreal — a country that looks as though it belongs on another planet. I visited a few years ago with a friend, and from the moment we arrived, we were struck by just how different it was to anywhere we’d been before. Vast lava fields, dramatic landscapes… and the lingering question we kept asking ourselves: are there really no trees? First Impressions of Iceland We stayed just outside the capital, Reykjavik, in a small nearby t

Travelling with pre-school children is very different to travelling with older kids — and that’s not a bad thing. At this age, holidays are less about ticking off sights and more about ease, routine, safety and simple fun . For many families, the priorities are clear: Short, straightforward travel A relaxed, child-friendly atmosphere Places where children are genuinely welcome Mild, comfortable temperatures Easy access to parks, playgrounds and simple activities Europe offers

Encountering wild gorillas in their natural habitat is a rare adventure that leaves a lasting impression. In 2014, I had the chance to trek through the lush forests of Uganda and come within just three metres of a family of gorillas. This experience remains one of the most memorable moments of my life. The thrill of being so close to these magnificent creatures, combined with the expert guidance and care from the local guides, made this journey truly special. Dense forest tra

Family holidays don’t have to be long to be meaningful. But when you do  have three weeks or more, it opens the door to a different style of travel — one that feels calmer, more settled and less rushed. Extended family holidays allow space to slow down, travel at a comfortable pace, and build experiences naturally around your children rather than a tight itinerary. With fewer hotel changes and time to properly settle in, families often find longer trips surprisingly restful.

Christmas is one of the most special times of year to travel as a family. With schools closed for two to three weeks , it offers something rare: the chance to slow down, travel further, and create experiences that are memorable rather than rushed . Whether you’re escaping winter entirely, blending festive celebration with culture, or immersing yourselves in nature and adventure, a longer Christmas holiday allows for fewer hotel changes, time to settle in, and space for memori

October half term is one of the most underrated times of year for family travel . With up to ten days available, families can enjoy a slower pace, longer journeys, and richer experiences  — without feeling rushed. Temperatures in many destinations are more comfortable than in summer, crowds have eased, and places that feel overwhelming in peak season suddenly become far more manageable with children. It’s an ideal window for active adventures, cultural discovery, and gentle e

The summer school holidays offer families something no other time of year can: time without compromise . With six to eight weeks available, this is when long-haul family travel truly comes into its own — allowing journeys to be unrushed, culturally immersive and genuinely rewarding for both adults and children. As a specialist in long-haul family travel, with a focus on safaris and immersive cultural experiences , summer is when families can experience the world at its best —

February half term offers families a welcome break from winter, but with just one week available , it’s important to be realistic about what will genuinely feel enjoyable rather than exhausting. As a specialist in long-haul family travel, with a focus on safaris and immersive cultural experiences , I’m often asked what truly works during this short school holiday — and just as importantly, what doesn’t. Below is honest guidance to help families make the most of February half

The Easter school holidays offer families something rare: time . With two to three weeks available, this is one of the best opportunities of the year for families to experience long-haul travel properly — without rushing, cutting corners or overwhelming children with constant movement. As a specialist in long-haul family travel, with a focus on safaris and immersive cultural experiences , Easter is often the point in the year when truly memorable journeys become possible. Bel

May half term is a popular time for family travel, thanks to lighter evenings and a welcome break in the school calendar. However, with just one week available , not every destination — particularly long-haul journeys — is a good fit. As a specialist in long-haul family travel, with a focus on safaris and immersive cultural experiences , I always start with one question: Will this trip feel rewarding — or rushed? Below are the destinations and travel styles that genuinely wo