The Modern Family: 12 months, 12 trips!

We started the year with a trip to Brighton, staying at the Holiday Inn Brighton Seafront as part of the Holiday Inn You’re Welcome campaign. I wasn’t entirely sure how the girls were going to react to going away (it was a busy term time weekend – tennis, 11+ exams, and lots and lots of homework) but with a search for Zoella and a trip to Choccywoccydoodah – all went well!

Next up was a luxury stay in the Cotswolds (with kids) at the 5-star Old Swan and Minster Mill. From the honey-coloured buildings to country walks and cream teas, the 15th century hotel is quintessentially English! My 13-year-old used to opportunity to practice walking for her DofE expedition.

In February, we also had a family fun weekend in Hampshire. We visited, courtesy of Hampshire’s Top Attractions, a collective of places to visit in the area including the Marwell Zoo and Paulson’s Park. Lot of fun!

We headed to California in April and fit in a family hike on San Francisco’s Devil’s Slide Trail and also a visit to one of my most favourite wineries in the Silicon Valley, Ridge Monte Bello.

For our May Bank Holiday we opted for an old-fashioned British Seaside Holiday as guests of Potter’s Resort. Potters Resort has all the ingredients of a traditional British beach break: Gorgeous Norfolk seaside, comfortable accommodation, meals, organised sporting and leisure activities topped by an evening of entertainment.

The May half-term is tricky for us, with 2 girls on strict study schedules. Staying in the UK suits us well and where better to go than Cornwall! We absolutely fell in love with our Sykes Cottage in Crackington Haven. Then we went a bit further west to stay at the Residence at Gewl an Mor. Both were review trips.

In July – we were guests of the Henley Festival – and were pleased to find it’s not just for grownups! 

 

Hmmm, where should I sit? @lakeaustinspa

A photo posted by Susanna Scott ~ travel (@amodernmother) on Jul 23, 2016 at 9:19pm PDT

In August I managed to fit in a quick trip to Austin, TX to see one of my besties. It’s always fun to visit her because we visit a spa and go out for every meal.

Then back to San Francisco where we checked out the newly transformed and extended San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA). It turned out to be a big hit for The Extended Modern Family, read The new SFMoMA: Something for every generation!

Also in August – Growing up in Silicon Valley I have all kinds of insider knowledge, but I was surprised at what I learned on my Silicon Valley Tech Tour – top 13 sites to visit.

Then back to the UK in September and on a BritMums press trip to Costa Barcelona, where a group of five travel bloggers were introduced to the region and learned the reasons why families should visit Costa Barcelona.

October half term found us back at my favourite Caribbean Island, Antigua! Check out what we thought of Elite Island Resort’s The Verandah Resort and Spa.

2017 is shaping up to be a good year travel wise – so keep checking out the blog to see where we are going next (hint: somewhere warm because it is currently -3C outside!)