When searching for child friendly accommodation you so often come across hotels that will tolerate children and who believe they are family friendly as they offer travel cots and highchairs however as any parent knows when staying in such hotels it can be clear that far from ‘family friendly’ these places expect children to be seen and not heard (preferably not seen either!)

So is there such thing as child friendly and if so where can you find these places? Thankfully there are dedicated website that help you search for this sort of accommodation with real reviews from familes who have stayed there.

On searching these sites I came across Mas de Jouas, garden view suite that seems just incredible! Not only is the villa run by two ex-pat parents with young children but it seems as if they have thought of everything!

Guests with children can relax of an evening knowing that the host (an experienced cook and mother) will prepare a nutritious supper for the children at 5.30pm and will supervise mealtime in the main house whilst the parents are encouraged to take some time out and sit on the terrace with a nice cold beer or glass of wine, BLISS!

I only had one question when looking at this place, how soon can we book!!!

You really can never guarantee the weather, particularly when holidaying in the UK. However a rainy day does not have to be a wasted day when you have little ones that are desperate for entertainment. Here are some fun filled things to do to fight the UK weather blues:-

• Put on the water-proofs and get down to the beach – as long as children are warm and fairly dry they won’t care about bad weather and on a rainy day the beach is a great place to be looking for sea life in rock pools.
• Go jumping in puddles – especially for those Peppa Pig fans, getting your wellies on and jumping in puddles is a fun way of brightening up a walk, getting exercise and lifting spirits on a rainy day.
• Have an indoor picnic – Pack all the usual things for your picnic, sandwiches, cakes, drinks and set the rug out on the floor and allow the children to set out all the food and eat on the rug. So simple but children love it!

Flying with young children can be the most stressful part of most parent’s holidays. However the fear of how your children will behave on the flight does not need to rule your journey. For young children the best trick is usually distraction, so make sure you take plenty of activities with you to do or think up games you can play during the flight.

Most children on a long flight may want to have a sleep, so make sure you pack into your hand luggage a blanket and any toys or comforters they usually take to bed.

Also make sure that you have snacks available in case they get hungry but be aware to avoid sugary snacks that could make them hyper and unsettled.

Talk to your children before the flight about the importance of good behaviour on the plane and set up a reward for once you land if their behaviour is good, this can be something as simple as a sticker or small toy that you can remind them of if their behaviour starts to slip during the journey.

But above all stay calm as children will pick up on your mood and calm parents equal more relaxed children.

When planning a trip with the family it’s important to be prepared for all eventualities and with young children this is even more important. One of the ways you can do this is packing a first aid kit full of the items you’ll be most likely to need while away.

As with all first aid kits you are likely to need plasters, scissors, antiseptic wipes and mild pain killers such as Paracetamol however when travelling abroad there are a few other things that are always handy to have.

Aloe Vera after sun cream will always be welcome, if despite your best efforts, your children catch the sun, which is especially soothing if kept in the fridge.

Antihistamines are also essential to treat any allergies, skin rashes or insect bites and should be used according to the directions on the medication.

Diarrhoea relief tablets or sachets are extremely useful if you have diarrhoea whilst travelling as they keep you hydrated which is vital if you are in a hot climate where children can very quickly become dehydrated and as a result get constipation. A mild herbal laxative should also be packed as hot weather and unusual foods can easily cause constipation.

With these few essentials in your kit you should be ready for a safe fun family holiday.

If you have never experienced a hiking holiday in France, then now is the time. Hiking holidays can be as challenging as you want them to be, which is part of the beauty of them. If you are not an experience hiker, you can plan a shorter route where the ground is more even, but on the other hand if you want something that is really going to push you then France has some of the best hiking trails in the world.

You need to ensure that you have the correct equipment for any hike, the correct footwear is of upmost important. Do not attempt to do any hike without having special footwear, as often the terrain can be quite harsh and the risk of slipping or damaging your ankle is quite high.

Hiking can be fun for all the family, but be aware that small children will tire quickly and you need to ensure that you have planned adequate stops.