Well, 2019 was pretty action-packed with lots of adventures near and far. We always try and make the most of what is on our doorstep and hope to inspire other families to do the same, no matter what your budget (we are always on a tight budget). So I thought I would share 10 of my most popular travel posts of 2019 and hope that you one grabs your eye and inspires you to get out and explore.
1. A Winter weekend guide to Tenby
Every year we do an annual overnight trip to Tenby in West Wales which is one of our favourite spots, especially during off-peak as it's lovely and quiet. The pastel-coloured houses that face the coastline, victorian houses and quaint coffee shops make this is a popular destination so if your ever thinking of heading down that way do check out my guide.
Last year I had a brilliant partnership with the fantastic Hotel Indigo and spent two days at their fantastic Manchester hotel taking in all that Northern culture. It was a great child-free weekend away and the hotel has one of the best locations in town being only a short walk from the cool and creative Northern Quarter. If you're looking for a chic and stylish stay in Manchester then do have a read of my review.
Another great partnership we had in 2019 was with the YHA which was perfect for us as we have used the YHA many times in the past as it offers fantastic budget-friendly accommodation in central locations. This trip we spent a weekend in the heritage town of Ironbridge in Shropshire and the birthplace of the industrial revolution. We enjoyed many of the museums in the area, local walking trails and are keen to go back and explore more of this beautiful place.
No I have to be honest I am not a good flyer as it is and with kids it can be a stressful affair which is why I wrote this post and it seems to have been a popular read. Sharing a few simple hacks to make your next flight less stressful and more enjoyable.
Who hasn't dreamt of spending a night in a castle? Well, it's possible even on a small budget as St Briavels is also run by the YHA and is a unique place to stay with kids. My boys loved it and you are free to explore most of the castle which has a nice lounge to relax and banqueting hall, along with a dressing up box which was popular with my boys who love to dress as knights. Its also a lovely location right in the heart of the Wye Valley.
As I mentioned above I spent some time in Manchester last year and put together a child-free weekend guide to the city. There is so much to see and do there from museums and historical sites to cool and hip bars, eateries, galleries and plenty of places to shop from thrift stores to independent boutiques. I hope to revisit the city soon and recommend it as a great place for a weekend city break.
As with every year, we attend as many festivals as we can and we hadn't been to the Big Retreat in West Wales before so didn't know what to expect but we loved it. It's focused on wellbeing, mindfulness, good food, music and spending time relaxing and making connections. It's in a beautiful location and is nice and small so no long waits for the toilet or long walks to the campsite, it's all within easy reach. It's quickly become a favourite so have a read to see why.
Over summer last year we decided on a last-minute glamping break in a traditional yurt near the famous book town of Hay-on-Wye. We have done a lot of glamping, from bell tents to pods and converted horse boxes but this was our first yurt stay and we loved every second, especially being able to spend the evening next to an open campfire outside our yurt.
One of the highlights of 2019 was ticking off a visit to the Channel Island of Guernsey, off the bucket list. We spent four days on Guernsey and loved every second, it was right up our street with plenty of outdoor walks and places to explore. It felt like the perfect mixture of French and British cultures and we loved the food, scenery and coastal living you get on Guernsey. We are now planning a trip to its sister island of Jersey and can't wait.
Last year I went on a fun press trip to the South Wales Valleys, which are not very far from where I live but it was fantastic to discover even more about the area and try new things such as rock climbing at the summit centre and a hike up Blaengarw and taking in views right across to the Severn bridge. Also some amazing places to eat that embrace the local produce and tasting a variety of beers brewed right in the Welsh Valleys.
At the moment we don't have any firm plans for 2020 but are looking forward to what the year brings. We have already taken a short road trip up through Mid Wales to Chester to explore some Roman Ruins and I am hoping to take the boys to both France and Italy this year although I like to keep things flexible and we couldn't end up somewhere altogether different. I hope you continue to keep reading about our adventures and have many of your own this year.
I haven't been to Tenby in years, I really must take the children. It's such a beautiful place to visit.
ReplyDeleteGreat posts! I love looking at everyone\s top 10 posts, I am so excited for our own travel plans this year. Starting with New York!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE Tenby ... I’ve not been for a few years, since we moved from Wales to Hertfordshire. My favourite chip shop is in Tenby!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a very fun packed 2019, looking forward to see what this year's adventures bring, we are also huge fans of Tenby, so that's definitely on our list this year, as well as YHA as they have some great dog friendly accommodation we'd love to give a try.
ReplyDeleteYou have had some amazing travels this year. We loved Tenby when we visited and I would love to go to Guernsey
ReplyDeleteThere's lots of posts here I want to come back to. You've had a great year of adventures.
ReplyDeleteYou had a busy year. I love reading your hotel review posts.
ReplyDeleteOoh you’ve done loads :) and I remember you going on most of them from following along with you on social all year! 😁 deffo inspired me to go to Gurnsey sometime. Here’s to 2020!
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