Get two holidays for the price of one! #Travel Tuesday on TV3's Midday Show!

Jackson Family at the Burj Khalifa in Dubai on way home from Australia

Tuesday 24th May 2016
How do you squeeze an extra holiday into your main holiday and delay the going home process? Taking a long-stopover or breaking your journey is a wonderful opportunity to ease jet lag and get to see somewhere else for a small outlay and sometimes make savings too!
With so many people visiting family in Australia the most popular route is now through the middle east and both Emirates and Etihad offer daily flights from Dublin. The hub airports of Dubai and Abu Dhabi are only an hour apart by taxi and if you break your journey with an overnight it is possible to see both cities.

Family Day at the Viceroy Hotel in Abu Dhabi

Shopping is a must in both and this is an opportunity to see middle-eastern culture and decide if you like it that you might come back for a longer time. If your stay is over 24 hours long you can book a hotel and bring light carry on bags for your overnight stay.



But be wary that flight schedules can change very quickly so if you really want to make a stop over book a multi-city trip and sometimes this will work out the same price.

Abu Dhabi racetrack Viceroy hotel

Abu Dhabi Do!
I took my daughter to Thailand in February and we had a 14 hour stopover. After a very early morning flight we arrived at 12pm and set about spending 12 magical hours getting to know the place. Yas Island is one of Abu Dhabi's five regions and specialises in things to do with kids.

abu dhabi nights

We checked in at the Viceroy Hotel, which straddles the Formulae One raceway.The Viceoy hotel often has rooms for as little as €128 if you book through booking.com or trivago. and it is perfectly located close to every attraction with free bus transfers. Here we swam in the pool enjoyed the food and took in the top attractions - Ferrari World and Yas Shopping Mall, the second biggest in the UAE.

Ferrari World boasts the biggest rollercoaster in the world and if you want to see the scale of it take a look at it next to the grand prix circuit.

copyright Eamonn Blaney Ferrari World from the air

The Sheik Zayed Grand Mosque is a wonder of the modern world and the largest. It is closed to non-muslims on Fridays and Holy Days but admission is free otherwise and it is an enthralling marvel of architecture - Free of Charge!

copyright Eamonn Blaney The Sheik Zayed Grand Mosque

Stop off in the neighbours!
London is much closer to us and can be overlooked as a great destination to spend a day. With so many airlines and flights passing through Heathrow and Gatwick Irish Travellers often have to transfer to a flight through the London hubs and because of our familiarity with the city I'd forgotten how many new attractions and sights there are to see in London. My daughter had never been so travelling with her helped me to see the city with new eyes and of course there were lots of attractions like the London Eye and The shard that I had never been to either. We made a list of our top things to do in London but if you only have one day then the top new sights are on the South Bank opposite Westminster. Even if you only have a day to spend you can fit a lot in.

Buckingham Palace

We suggest a London Duck Tour and take in the Sea Life Aquarium and London Dungeon, all south of the river. This is overlooked by the London Eye and if you book your tickets beforehand online, you can easily go from one attraction to the other.

Shopping on Oxford Street is great fun and try take a black cab!

Brunch on the roof of the ME Hotel

Afternoon Tea is a quintessentially English thing to do and if you have time try and do Brunch on the roof of the ME hotel.

London Duck Tours are great fun and include a cruise up the River Thames

Going West!
If you are travelling west there are lots of great options for taking in a second city. Wow Air fly to Boston and Washington via Iceland and encourage passengers to stop off and see this remarkable island. Air Canada take many of their passengers through Toronto which is the hub not only to all of Canada but to the USA and the Caribbean also. Many of the US airlines offer connections through the hubs of Chicago and New York especially.

Talk to your tour operator and see what they advise about extending your next longhaul trip!
Or just go on skyscanner and you will be amazed by the flight options that will pop up. If you book your flight with an online website check with your airline or airport the day of travel that your flight is on time - sometimes flight schedules can change and your flight can actually leave earlier!

If you missed my appearance on today's Midday Show on TV3 catch it here on player www.tv3.ie/3player/

Win B&B and Dinner in the wonderful King Sitric restaurant in my hometown Howth by going on the Midday Show page facebook.com/TV3midday

Happy Travels
Michelle x

Girls Love London!

 Everyone has a London story. Mine includes a summer spent working in Harrod's food hall when I was a student the same year as Live Aid, followed by frequent visits during my Halcyon Days as a sock designer. So with my friend and our two eleven-year-old daughters in tow, I am all set to see the city with new eyes.

Adam Handling masterchef at the Caxton Grill

Patrick, the porter, greets us at the door of The St Ermins Hotel - close to St James park - part of the Marriot Autograph collection. This hotel has a special history, laced with intrigue. The story goes that Churchill held top secret meetings here during the Second World War when MI6 took over a floor of the building. In keeping with the theme of espionage, my daughter and her pal are presented with top secret files to be filled out at check-in and part of the added learning value of staying in such a unique hotel. On the rooftop, hives are kept and honey is made from the local flowers, which of course includes the gardens at Buckingham Palace.

Our first evening is spent in our hotel at Caxton Grill, home to Masterchef Adam Handling. Little details like homemade candy floss for the kids made this a special dining experience. The wagyu burger and salad celeriac with truffle went down a treat with the mums, and the kids devoured the macaroni and parmesan. Leaving room for dessert is a must and the popcorn, caramel, nougat and burnt orange ice-cream will remain in my memory for a very long time.

We wake next morning from a wonderful slumber ready to take on a massive day's sightseeing. A fifteen minute walk past Big Ben brings us south of the river Thames with oodles for families to do. We start at the London Eye which is a half hour trip in a pod with spectacular views. Late afternoon and early evening is the best time to visit, when queues are shorter and views have the addition of a sunset backdrop. Next door is Sea Life and the London Dungeon. Queues are long for these popular attractions but huge savings in time and money can be made by booking beforehand on line.

We finish with a London Duck Tour - an amphibious vehicle - which proves to be great fun, taking in Buckingham palace, Marble Arch and Whitehall. The Duck splashes into the Thames at the MI5 building and the cruise gives a unique perspective of the Houses of Parliament. Places are limited so it is essential to reserve tickets.

We are truly exhausted by evening but can't resist a peek at the filming of a Bollywood movie in our hotel's dining hall. Although not familiar with Bollywood actors we are still able to spot the star in the crowd. Next morning to our surprise we see her again, in Madame Tussaud's where her wax model is on display. London is the sort of place where anything can happen and it really does. Madame Tussaud's is a massive hit with the girls and they love having their pictures snapped with their idols. A short trip through time in The Spirit of London ride proves educational and fun for the kids. We don't feel two hours slip by, making the online family ticket at £75 good value for money.

Afternoon Tea is a quintessentially English activity and another must do on our list. We catch a traditional cab to The Arch Hotel, near Marble Arch, to try something a little different. The Arch has introduced a new and funky kind of tea which includes mini burgers and mini fish and chips. Three portions is more than enough for the four of us and as adults we are presented with a blackberry cocktail which kicks off the afternoon nicely. This cosy boutique hotel is extremely popular with a perfect location next to Oxford Street. After Tea we walk off the delicious treats with a shopping expedition.

On our last night in London our daughters are determined to drag us to Leicester Square because it is next to M&M's World. Massive tubes of multi-coloured M&M's send the girls into a frenzy and is a great prelude to our night at the Theatre. We dance in our seats at 'Let It Be' the musical, and sing along to all the familiar Beatles songs. London has a great choice of shows suitable for kids such as 'Mathilda' and 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory'.

We wake sad on our last day to leave our lovely hotel room. The family room at the St Ermins boasts two en suits which is a luxury with the girls preening themselves for hours in the bathroom. Brunch beckons at one of London's best kept secrets on Radio Rooftop which is perched high with panoramic views on top of the ME hotel on The Strand. The Shard (currently the tallest building in the EU at 73 floors), The new Tate, Big Ben and the London Eye, form a perfect panorama as we sit in sophisticated opulence.

As the sun beats down ordering a bottle of Prosecco feels like the decent thing to do. Our daughter's enjoy wifi on tap and devour their crisp pancakes with summer berries, while we dine on crab omelette and Eggs Benedict. This is the sort of experience that makes you feel like a millionaire and prices ranging from £6-15 per dish are reasonable.

Afterwards we enjoy a Sunday afternoon stroll around Covent Garden which is only ten minutes away. We squeeze in a quick trip to the top of the Shard which has a champagne bar in the viewing gallery. This part of London is home to Borough Market and requires another trip to be explored properly and perhaps without the kids.

We're reluctant to go home but with hourly flights from Aer Lingus, that whisk you there in fifty minutes, Heathrow is not far away. And with the Rugby World cup coming up there has never been a better time for the girls to go to London!

Michelle Jackson is the author of 'Six Postcards Home' featuring London in the 1980's. It is available in all good book stores and on www.amazon.com, see www.michellejackson.ie

Fact box

Aer Lingus, the smart airline, operates multiple daily flights to London Heathrow from Dublin with fares starting from €34.99 one-way including taxes and charges. For more information visit aerlingus.com

St Ermins Hotel 2015 lead prices, room only inc vat: Double room £209. Family room £289. Best prices will be achieved booking up to three months in advance.

www.sterminshotel.co.uk

For Lunch or dinner visit www.adamhandlingatcaxton.co.uk for a special treat.

To book in advance for attractions go to www2.VisitSeaLife.com , www.TheDungeons.com and www.MadameTussauds.com and get a multi-attraction pass.

Try some fun dining with brunch at www.radiorooftop.com/london/ or afternoon tea starting at £29 pp at www.thearchlondon.com

London Duck Tours can be reserved on the website www.londonducktours.co.uk and family tickets for four are from £70.

Featured in The Irish Mail on Sunday 7th September 2015

Yummy London!

When I was a sock designer in the eighties I used to travel to London every couple of weeks, but since the new millennium I have only been a handful of times for fleeting visits. That's why I was very keen to seek out the changes in cuisine on a recent visit. I found a huge variety of epicurean delights that will suit all budgets and as my friend and I were travelling with our kids it made the experience more challenging.

Afternoon Tea is a quintessentially English experience and The Arch Hotel on Great Cumberland Place is a real find for a very different treat.

The contemporary Afternoon Tea offers fresh warm cinnamon and sugar doughnuts filled with apple jam in the place of scones.

The Arch Hotel

Savoury delights include Mini Beef Burgers with Onion Marmalade in Brioche Buns; Smoked Chicken, Chilli, Avocado and Mango Tortillas, Mini handmade Scotch Eggs with Piccalilli; and Chicken Satay served with a Peanut dipping Sauce and Sesame Seeds.

This fruity cocktail was an exotic start to the Afternoon Tea

Sweet treats include homemade Macarons; exquisite Mini Coffee Éclairs; and a Lemon and Mango Rice Pudding with Toasted Coconut. Strawberry and Pistachio Tarts and Mini Raspberry Victoria Sponges will provide a nod to the traditional British Afternoon Tea.

Priced at £29 and £38 with Champagne, the Afternoon Tea can be enjoyed in the hotel’s stunning Martini Library, stylish restaurant, or chic Salon de Champagne lounge.
This was afternoon Tea with a difference. The kids adored the mini fish and chips and mini burgers while the adults demolished the chicken on a stick. This charming hotel is somewhere we all would like to return to.

Check out this chic boutique hotel on this link The Arch

My daughter couldn't wait to explore Borough Market

Since the development of the South bank of the river Thames there is always somewhere yummy to eat. Southwark is home to the Tate Modern and the new Globe Theatre and although I had not been I had heard about the development. But I didn't realise that Southwark is home to an exciting food Market. The aromas from the stalls are filled with so much choice and variety that there is something for everyone's taste. From the hog on the spit, Pad Thai in a box or Oysters for £5 my eyes and senses were reeling. Under the gaze of the Shard (the tallest building in the EU) this area is also home to The Leaky Cauldron and a must for Harry Potter fans! Start your Muggle Tour here!

Borough Market

Check out the website here to whet your appetite. Borough Market 

Radio Rooftop at ME London

Brunch is a great way to spend a lazy Saturday or Sunday and I think I found the perfect spot in London. The Radio Rooftop restaurant has probably the best view of all of London's major sights in the perfect location on the Strand. At the top of the uber trendy ME hotel it is a hive of activity with a menu that will satisfy all tastes - including picky kids! 
Check out the views on the website if you don't believe me. Radio Rooftop

Kids on Top

Happy Mums for Saturday Brunch at Radio Rooftop

With super fast Wifi the kids were so busy that my friend and I could mull over a bottle of Prosecco for three hours under the London sunshine. French toast with berries satisfied the kids while I enjoyed crab omelette, sweet corn fritters and my friend, Wendy went for the Eggs Benedict. Yet again we found a true delight and if I return without the kids I will be paying this bar a visit in the evening too!

The delicious Caxton Grille at the St Ermins Hotel

If you are looking for a truly special meal in London, then a few steps across the road from New Scotland Yard is the beautiful St Ermins Hotel and home to The Caxton Grille. Masterchef Adam Handling made this dining experience one of the best meals I have ever had the pleasure to enjoy. I did wonder how the kids were going to like such exotic cuisine but I needn't have worried...after their delicious mains our waiter produced a bowl of homemade candy floss to impress the girls and it most certainly did!

The Kids choclate Brownie with Candyfloss in Background

My main course Wagyu Burger

My mouth still waters every time I think of my Wagyu Burger and I didn't think that the meal could get any better...until desert came out that is! A feast for the eyes and senses is the only way to describe my popcorn, nougat, caramel and burnt orange ice-cream pudding. 

Followed by home made lollipops and petit fours I cannot remember a better meal. 

Adam Handling is a genius. Check out the website for the Caxton Grille here.

If you are travelling on a tight budget then you can still find plenty of good places to eat. I was pleasantly surprised to find dinner for two adults and two kids for £50 including a half carafe of Wine on Victoria Street. The Colosseo is a warm friendly place with freshly made pizzas and pasta dishes - well worth checking out for a lovely family experience. Click here colosseo restaurant to see more information.Overall our dining experience in London was mouthwatering with wonderful choice to please all the family, young and old.

See www.visitlondon.com for more London dining ideas.

I write about 1980's London in my novel Six Postcards Home and if you would like to read a copy you can get it here on amazon