What to do for a break this autumn in Ireland

With so many lovely places to stay in Ireland it's difficult to choose - these are three of my favourites and some places that you can visit while you stay there.

Cork and Fota Island Resort

I escaped to Fota Island Resort with my friend Cheryl and our daughters Nicole and Sarah a short while back. Our accommodation was a family room with large king size and single bed but with plenty of room for another pull out bed where my daughter had a very cosy sleep. There was plenty of room in the en suite with a large walk in shower and generous sized bath − a priority for the kids. While our daughters swam in the hotel pool, under the supervision of a lifeguard, it was time for Cheryl and I to explore the spa. The spa is well presented with good variety in the thermal and hydrotherapy suites. I was whisked into a treatment room by Kasa my therapist for a soothing Indian Head Massage. The bed was heated by an electric blanket and as Kasa worked her magic, the back-to-school-blues became a distant memory. After the hour long treatment I was brought to the relaxation room and served a passion fruit yogurt with fresh melon. Looking out of the relaxation room at a colourful garden of trees and grasses I almost forget that the kids were with us.

hydrotherapy pool at Fota Resort

Our little mermaids were so enamoured with the selection of shampoos and conditioners at the pool that they were showered and ready for the night before leaving the spa. The hotel offers kids clubs and it wasn't so long ago that our daughters would have needed that kind of attention to give their mother's a break. But at 11 years of age they wanted to dress up and with appetites whetted they could not wait to see the menu in the dining room. The sun came out and we had the option of sitting outside too.

The dining room welcomed with a piano in the corner. The steak was too mouth-watering to ignore so we ordered two while the kids opted for delicious homemade burgers from the children's menu. It isn't often that I refuse dessert but the main course was so satisfying and delicious I hadn't the room or inclination for pudding. Babysitting facilities are also provided so parents can get a real break. Cheryl and I settle into the bar safe in the knowledge that our mermaids were happy upstairs in the room. A passing waiter asks if we would like cocktails and we didn't want to appear rude so we agreed. As we sat back in our leather armchairs we sipped away any thoughts of making school lunches the following week.

My daughter Nicole loved the baby cheetahs

Next morning, after a long and colourful breakfast that includes, waffles, pancakes and plenty of fruit, the girls insist on another swim before check out. The skies clouded over in typical Irish fashion and it starts to pour as we drive our short trip to the wildlife park. Fota Island Resort offers free entry into the park with special packages, so this is worth checking out on booking. Surprisingly the sky clears and we see the tigers and rhino in the Asian sanctuary at leisure. This is a lovely sized park where the animals are happy and have the choice to hide away or come see the spectators if they choose. A little train runs around the rim of the park taking passengers to the reasonably priced cafe. The highlight for our daughters is the two new baby cheetahs, they send the girls into a frenzy as they frantically post pictures on their Instagram accounts. We realise on our return that we have taken so many photos of the animals we have almost none of the girls.

Taking a right out of the park brings us to the historic town of Cobh, only five minutes away. This town is a huge treat for kids who are fascinated by the Titanic story and the museum is a must see. The great thing about Fota Island is the variety of family friendly activities so close together. There are three golf courses on the resort and a stately house with one of the finest art galleries outside the National Gallery in Dublin. As we set off home on the long road back to Dublin we all agree that one night on Fota Island just isn't enough!

Fota Island Resort is an oasis with lovely facilities and a zoo close by. Terrific for couples or families.
There is a FOTA Wildlife Park Package - Prices for midweek for 2 adults and 1 child start from €235.

Current prices for Two Nights B&B with Dinner on one evening start from €685.

Prices for a self-catering lodge for 2 adults and 2 children start from €485.

Cobh is close by so why not bring the kids to the Titanic Experience - they will love it!
find out more here http://www.titanicexperiencecobh.ie/

Belfast and The Culloden Hotel

The Culloden is the jewel of Hastings Hotels in northern Ireland and being only ten minutes from Belfast city centre you can really enjoy all that the city has to offer. Listed are prices for a stay and some fun things to see or do this autumn including the CS Lewis tour which I took with my daughter last year.

·         Fans of Game of Thrones are also in for a treat when they visit the Causeway Coast, and they will find several locations used in the filming of the series, such as The Dark Hedges, Ballintoy Harbour, Dunluce Castle and Cushenden Caves to name but a few.

The Culloden Estate and Spa is located in a prime position for anybody who wants to get out and about during their stay to see all that County Down has to offer. Here are five of the main picks:

·         Mount Stewart is a stunning country house next to Strangford Lough, with beautiful gardens and rooms to explore. In particular, if you’re around for Jazz in the Garden which takes place in the grounds one Sunday a month, this is a great day out. You can bring a picnic and enjoy the great music in the picturesque settings.

·         The Ulster Folk and Transport Museum in Cultra is a fun and educational day out for all the family. Both museums in the complex offer a real feel of stepping back in time, with the Folk Museum bringing you back to past ways of life in the early 20^th century, and the Transport Museum hosts impressive displays of transport from over the years.

·         Pickie Family Fun Park in Bangor has been a summer favourite for many generations, and is just as much so now. Kids can enjoy the train, the swings or the swans and their accompanying parents can have the added nostalgic value of days spent there when they were younger.

·         Those of an active inclination can visit the Mourne Mountains for a day. All the peaks, including Slieve Donard, Northern Ireland’s tallest mountain, are reachable in a few hours, so it’s a great way to spend an afternoon. Those who take on the climb are rewarded with absolutely breathtaking views at the top.

·         Finally, the long-awaited reopening of Exploris Aquarium in Portaferry arrives in August. Exploris is a great interactive opportunity to get up close and personal with the array of marine life in Strangford Lough, and a fun and educational family day out. Exploris will re-open on August 15.

A Voyage of Discovery in Belfast with CS Lewis

Nicole with the searcher statue dedicated to CS Lewis, do you spot a certain wardrobe?

Every city has its literary giants and Belfast is no exception. Authentic Ulster promotes a tailormade CS Lewis tour which takes a fascinating three hours.  While my 11 year old daughter, her friend and I enjoy the wisdom of our entertaining guide Sandy Smith, we discover that the mountains at Cavehill provided the inspiration for one of the most famous giants in literature. 

Cavehill is visible from several parts of the city and resembles the profile of a giant lying on his back. Sandy informs us that while Jonathan Swift was visiting Belfast and looking at the same mountain he found inspiration to create the character Gulliver. It's the perfect start to the tour, as we stand at the site where the young Clive Staples Lewis spent his early childhood. My daughter is already enthralled without the need of a flashing screen or interactive exhibit. The Chronicles of Narnia is undoubtedly the series that CS Lewis is best known for and Sandy is quick to question the children in our group about The Lion the Witch and The Wardrobe. He then takes us to Lewis's Grandfather's house which was the rectory attached to St Marks Church. 

We stand at the front door and see that the young Lewis would have been at eye level to the beautifully moulded door knob − the head of a lion. The wardrobe story is next and we are taken to Belmont Tower which is only around the corner. A permanent exhibition holds all the information needed to become proficient in the CS Lewis story. Here we learn it was Lewis's other grandfather, who worked at the Harland and Wolfe shipyards, that crafted the famous wardrobe where he used to play hide-and-seek as a child.
To experience the CS Lewis Tour visit www.authenticulster.co.uk ,

Dublin and the Marker Hotel

The Marker in Dublin has some exciting packages if you are looking for a weekend in our capital city

Room only €219 per room per night

Breakfast inclusive €249 per room per night

Other packages we would do –

·         Bord Gais Energy Theatre package (tickets not included) – overnight stay with pre-theatre menu & complimentary glass of bubbles and breakfast the following morning – from €319 per night

·         Luxury Lie in & Le Drunch – stay on a Saturday night, complimentary late check out the following morning and then Le Drunch (which is our late lunch / early dinner offering on a Sunday) in our Brasserie – from €279 per night

·         Food Fetish – dinner, bed and breakfast – from €319 per night

·         Urban Escape – dinner, bed and breakfast and two one hour spa treatments – from €519 per night

·         Sumptuous Stayover – overnight stay with breakfast and two 30 minute spa treatments – from €399 per night

One of the great new attractions in Dublin which opened this summer is Epic.

Epic Visitor Museum at CHQ Building Custom House Quay

Open 7 days per week 9am-6pm

There's an Epic new attraction in the CHQ described as Dublin's newest immersive visitor museum. I brought along two pre-teens, to see how Ireland's Diaspora changed the world, and was surprised and impressed at how the interactive displays kept them busy.

Getting passports at emigration

On entering the fully accessible building, we were handed our passports, which instantly gave the girls something to do. The adults seemed just as amused with the task of stamping their passports as they completed each section of the exhibition.

Stamping passports as we passed through the museum

The ambience and initial imagery is unmistakably celtic, and I did wonder if this was going to be fun for the kids, Our island's tragic history makes gloomy reading and the story of emigration even more downbeat and ever cyclical. However, the constant stamping got the kids through the initial horrors of famine, destitution and poverty without determent, and the girls had their phones out from the initial display. Using their cameras and social media is as much a part of an experience for this generation as the exhibits, and because the displays became more fun and interactive as we passed through each section the girls stayed longer to find out more.

The layout of the exhibition is cavernous which neatly blocks the themes of music, arts, sport and literature into tidy separate sections that are easy to navigate.

I was especially impressed by the books in the literature rooms which recounted tales from various classic novels when pulled from the shelf. The guides were especially helpful in this part of the museum and eager to show off the novelties.

Those Diaspora who had achieved acclaim on the silver and small screens were recorded especially well and I was so engrossed that I lost the girls at that stage. They were more amused by the sports room and found a place to make better use of snapchat and instagram.

The images taking me through Italia 90 made me quite reminiscent of our innocence as a nation and I was even emotional watching the pope in the Pheonix Park in 1979. Although, I'd imagine the JFK speech will impact largely with the American Visitors to the museum.

The girls were getting into the swing of the museum by the time we reached the sport room

I was genuinely astonished to see the Irish Diaspora's contribution to science and astronomy and this particular display was the most innovative with fluorescent light effects.

The room of notorious Irish was possibly the most fun for the girls and they were educated about historical facts while they partook in the interactive quiz. I have to admit that I danced around from option A to B a couple of times myself. Every bit of space is used with the displays in all the rooms making the floors, walls and free standing surfaces equally interesting and informative.

We did spend over an hour at the museum which made the entry fee of €16 for adults and €8 for kids good value.

With plenty of opportunities to see their names in lights the girls got involved with the personalised postcards and twitter feeds. If you do visit this summer be sure to use the hastag #epicireland to see your tweet in lights. Some heavyweight social media experts like @tedrubin have been to visit here already! It's good to see a top quality attraction like this in Dublin. With the range of healthy eating options upstairs at the CHQ I really hope that visitors are directed to this attraction this summer and it will put in an interesting afternoon for those living in Dublin or visiting from the rest of Ireland too.

Another new attraction to open this summer in Dublin is The Witness History Exhibition at the GPO

Struggling to keep the kids entertained this summer? Come explore the GPO Witness History Visitor Centre

If you’re looking for a fun and exciting day out the whole family can enjoy, why not stop in and check out the GPO Witness History visitor centre this August. Located in the historic GPO building on O’Connell Street in Dublin, the centre is a great place for the whole family to learn more about the seismic events that shaped Ireland’s modern history.

The centre uses timelines and artefacts to show visitors the circumstances that led to the Rising, including the cultural revival and struggle for Home Rule. There is something for everyone to see and enjoy no matter if you are a tourist or a local. The extensive list of things to do and see is sure to captivate people of any age. View an original copy of the Proclamation, and learn the interesting story of how it was printed. See one of the Mauser guns used by the rebels during the Rising, and learn about Ireland’s complicated relationship with Germany at the time.

GPO Witness History is interactive and engaging, with the centrepiece being an immersive 15 minute audio-visual experience which puts you in the midst of the action at various battles between rebels and British forces around Dublin, including inside the GPO itself. Feel the tension inside the GPO as the roof starts shaking under British bombardment, and watch as the rebel leaders make decisions that have impacted this country to this day.

A character in period costume roams the centre, happy to tell you all about his or her life in 1916 Dublin.

Children and adults alike may enjoy the various touchscreen games. Can you avoid British soldiers as you seek to deliver a message to rebel strongholds? Can you sort letters to New York, London and Galway faster than the rest of your family? There’s nothing wrong with a bit of healthy competition!

See the conflict from both sides and through the eyes of the bystanders, with many eyewitness accounts available to enable visitors to draw their own conclusions on the events of Easter week. Video booths showing short interviews with some of Ireland’s most preeminent historians give balance to key themes from the Rising. Compare life for a wealthy child in Dublin at the time with the life of a child of the tenements, with mock-ups of both children’s living arrangements side by side.

After passing through the commemoration gallery, detailing how the rising has been remembered in the 100 years since, take some time to sit down and discuss your GPO Witness History visit over refreshments in the café, and don’t forget to find a memento from the shop, stocking a variety of beautiful Irish-made goods.

If you are interested in learning more about this unique exhibit of Irish history, visit the GPO Witness History website at www.gpowitnesshistory.ie to book tickets and to find out more about the GPO Witness History Visitor Centre. 

Classic Collection Holidays have some lovely villas with great value in Europe this summer!

  Luxury Villas and Larger Apartments

To compliment the large selection of 4 and 5 star hotels on offer from Classic Collection Holidays the luxury tailor made specialist now has a range of specially selected villas and larger apartments available throughout the summer and winter seasons in a range of different destinations.  

The villas and apartments featured by Classic provide exclusivity for small groups of friends or family looking to holiday together whilst still having their own privacy. With a range of properties on offer that covers everything from 1 bedroom villas right up to stand alone 5 bedroom villas with private pool, you will definitely find something to suit your taste with Classic. A villa holiday allows you the flexibility to do your own thing on holiday or, if having the facilities of a hotel close by are more to your liking, select one of the villas within a hotel complex.

Algarve Portugal

The range of destinations on offer from Classic includes Spain, Portugal, Italy, Croatia, Greece and Cyprus. In Spain, as well as offering the ever popular Costa del Sol, both Majorca and Tenerife are featured. Portugal’s Algarve coast is always popular, and here Classic has a wide range of villas to choose from. The island of Madeira is becoming more popular with Irish holidaymakers and is also available this summer.

Crete

Crete and Rhodes from the Classic Greek programme have an extensive range of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom villas to suit all tastes and budgets. Because Classic tailor make each and every holiday you can choose any departure date from any Irish airport and decide on the length of stay that suits you. 

All Classic Collection Holidays prices include flights, accommodation, private transfers and complimentary access to the Executive Lounge at Dublin Airport. Holidays are available from any Airport on any day for any duration.

For more details on these and many more offers contact your local travel agent or contact Classic Collection Holidays on 01 5413000 or visit www.classic-collection.ie  

Getting married next year? Check out The InterContinental in Dublin

‘SAY I DO’ AT THE INTERCONTINENTAL DUBLIN WEDDING OPEN DAY

SUNDAY 26 JUNE, 2016 FROM 1.00PM – 5.00PM

InterContinental Dublin, Ireland's finest Five Star Hotel (formerly Four Seasons Hotel), renowned for its timeless elegance and contemporary style, located in Ballsbridge, an unrivalled location for a city resort wedding, is delighted to announce its first Wedding Open Day on Sunday 26 June, 2016; from 1.00pm - 5.00pm,  since completing refurbishments of its luxurious Ballrooms.

The InterContinental Dublin Wedding Open Day is the event to attend for the most fashionable wedding couples looking to plan a celebration that is truly unforgettable with expert assistance from InterContinental Dublin’s own expert team of Wedding Specialists.

Prospective couples will get a glimpse into the top-tier services the Hotel has to offer and will be among the first to see its newly refurbished Ballrooms and event spaces. InterContinental Dublin is the only Five Star Hotel in the city to offer a choice of two Ballrooms - all luxuriously decorated with gold and muted elegant tones flowing onto beautifully landscaped Terrace and Inner Courtyard Garden.

Enjoy champagne and delicious canapés on arrival where couples will be invited to a private consultation of its stylish spaces featuring sets from formal, to informal, showcasing the huge flexibility that its wedding spaces can offer for a bespoke wedding whether you are looking for formal or informal celebrations.

Couples are invited to register for a personal invitation to confirm a private consultation on the day with one of its expert wedding specialists.

To request an invitation, please email weddings@icdublin.com 

On Reflection, Celebrity Cruises are the perfect family holiday - especially for teens!

On Board Reflection Miami

I'm standing under a cloudless sky on the top deck of Celebrity Cruises Reflection, as the towers on Miami Beach recede into a balmy haze. Granddad, Granny, my teen and tween are in their cabins unpacking their bags so they can make the most of every second on the ship and we've been through the first world dilemma of whether to go for the drinks package or not.

Perfect seclusion on the balcony

One of the great treats about cruising is travelling to different destinations without having to pack or unpack to do it. It's my father's first cruise and I'm confident we've the perfect balance for all three generations on board. Celebrity ships offer a five-star-experience, best described as modern refined luxury. The carpets have a deeper pile than normal and features like extra large showers and curved corners on the beds show that every little detail has been thought through with care.

Tiered balconies provide great privacy at stern of ship

Being cruise veterans my kids know the importance of the first day meet-up in the teen zone. Kitted out with table tennis, video games and a mini stage the teens huge social area is open all day and supervised until late at night and the best part is there are no tacky cartoon characters reminding the teens that they are kids. They move between the grass lawn on the upper deck and the hideaway on deck seven, yet seem to go practically unnoticed by the majority of the guests. There's great comfort as a parent to know there are only so many places they can be.

Beautiful St Thomas

Our first day is at sea giving everyone time to get their bearings and giving me time to try out the spa. The Persian Gardens are a luxury with hot beds looking out to sea and an array of spa rooms. It's well worth joining for the week and complimentary for Aqua Class passengers. I go for a manicure at Canyon Ranch SpaClub and enjoy the unspoilt ocean view as my feet are transformed with a French polish. As well as the usual entertainment of theatre, comedy and casino, the art on celebrity is a big draw and Granny and I decide to view the exhibition at a wine event. There's no pressure to purchase but it is tempting, instead we decide to try our luck at the casino.

Volleyball match between guests and officers

The fine dining option offers delicious options and just the right size portion. I manage to enjoy my food without putting on too many extra pounds. But it's Granddad's birthday and the waiters make a fuss of him when they bring out a beautiful chocolate cake inscribed with his name. As they sing happy birthday to him, I know we will all remember this moment with joy for years to come.

Our first port of call is San Juan in Puerto Rico. Immediately the relaxed rhythm of the Caribbean fills our souls as we step into the colonial past and charm of this island paradise. The city has all the modern trappings, including a CVS store and KFCs but my daughter heads straight for the stalls selling traditional sweets made from plantains and nuts. Our guide takes us through a brief history of the old town and past statues of the colonial past and Spanish architecture. Next stop is the bar where the Pina Colado was invented and they make Virgin cocktails for the kids. We have a salsa class before leaving this beautiful island and I know that I'll be back.

St Maarten

Our itinerary takes us to the neighbouring island of St Thomas the following day. This beautiful island has all the ambience of 'Pirates of the Caribbean' including the famous Blackbeard's castle. We take a taxi from the ship and are left at the town centre among dozens of jewellery stores, even Tiffany & Co have a branch on this island. Not to be distracted we walk the 99 steps up hill to Blackbeard's Castle and enjoy the spectacular view on the way. The Caribbean is full of interesting characters and one young man in his 80s stands by a viewpoint and offers to take a photo for a dollar tip − we couldn't resist an offer like that! The local market is great for the kids, as they find trinkets and souvenirs for their friends at home.

Shopping St Thomas

St Thomas is stunning, but the kids want to get back to the ship early to meet their pals. It's not a bad call as I find myself enjoying the half-empty ship, especially in such a beautiful setting. Granddad can't wait to get his cabin with all day sunshine on his tiered balcony he gets to sunbathe in peace. Our Tour America agent advised us when booking about the large balcony and suitability for sunbathing which she got spot on. Granny and I are invited up to the heli-pad deck to have a glass of champagne with the senior officers and to our delight a giant sea turtle puts on a display in the water below as we pull away from the shore.

Qsine restaurant

That evening we eat at Qsine, in one of the speciality restaurants which incur a small supplement. The kids have fun showing Granddad how to use the iPad menu. Some of the dishes are accompanied by a video cartoon, with 'Disco Shrimp' possibly the most entertaining as well as delicious. Incredibly my son passes on dessert because he's too full but my daughter orders the cupcakes which are prepared with tiny icing bags for her to decorate herself, much to her delight.

Pool at night

Later I go with Granny and Granddad to the theatre to see the illusionists show. Entertainment on board is thrilling, something that's missing from other luxury brand cruises with less guests on board. The Beatles Show is on par with Let It Be, showing in the West End. Equally enjoyable is sitting on my balcony, reading my book and sipping a glass of wine. Carlos our room attendant refreshes the ice bucket daily and brings canapés each afternoon. I've grown so fond of him and little niceties like a chocolate on my pillow every evening!

ST Maarten

Day four and we wake in St Maarten. The skies are cloudy but in typical Caribbean fashion the sun breaks through after an hour. We take a bus tour that passes famous Orient Beach, but are too early to see the naturists. This unique island is divided in two and shared by the Dutch and the French. Three currencies are accepted but the dollar is the best to use. We loved the bustling French capital with yummy aromas from the patisseries and cafes. But the highlight is our stop at Maho Beach, noisiest in the Caribbean, where aircraft almost clip the holidaymakers as they come in to land at Queen Julianne Airport. The YouTube clips I've seen don't exaggerate.

Maho Beach waiting for the airplanes

We still have two more days at sea to enjoy and I feel panicked at the thought of returning to real life. My kids have made new best friends, and Granny and Granddad are talking about where they would like to cruise to next. Teens adore Celebrity because unlike other cruise ships they aren't reminded that they are children at every turn. In fact it was easy to forget that the kids were with us. 

Granny, Grandad and Mark and Nicole

We disembarked reluctantly and returned to the beautiful Biltmore Hotel in Miami where we stayed the night before our cruise and last stop before our flight back to Dublin. The Three Generations agreed on 'Reflection' our Celebrity Cruise was the best holiday ever.

Tour America package details

Miami & Western Caribbean Fly/Cruise fr €1469 per person

Return flights to Miami, All taxes and charges

2 Nights Miami

7 Night on board Celebrity Reflection - Inside stateroom

Based on 2 adults sharing

Date of departure: 17 Nov 2016

Our Ref: 512587

CTA:

www.touramerica.ie

Phone: 01 8173558

Join Celebrity Cruises’ (www.celebritycruises.ie); 1800 932 611*) Celebrity Summit on an eight-night Eastern Caribbean fly/cruise from €1,849 per person (based on two people an interior stateroom).

 Price includes return flights from Dublin, transfers and a six-night cruise departing from Cape Liberty (NJ) and calling at Philipsburg (St Maarten), Charlotte Amalie (St. Thomas) before arriving in San Juan (Puerto Rico) for the flight home; meals and entertainment on board the ship and all relevant cruise taxes/fees.

 Price based on 16 October departure.

 For more information or to book call 1800 932 611* or visit www.celebritycruises.ie

* Calls cost 7 pence per minute plus your network access charge 

www.biltmorehotel.com

Abu Dhabi's in Pole Position

Nobody wants to come home from their holiday, especially not if a long haul flight is involved. But there are ways to soften the return trip. I booked our flights online through Abu Dhabi on Etihad Airlines, and made substantial savings by taking connections with a long delay in between. It's understandable why people are put off the idea, especially if travelling with kids. But there are benefits. A rest between two long haul flights helps adjust to the time at home and ultimately eases jet lag. The bonus is the chance for a mini holiday en route.

I was travelling with my friend and our two young daughters, with sixteen hours in Abu Dhabi we got a taste of middle-eastern hospitality. Abu Dhabi is a newly built city, shiny and well laid out without the constraints of old infrastructures. The city is divided into seven distinct islands and because we were travelling with an 11 and 13 year old, we headed straight to Yas Island. Yas is an oasis for little kids and big ones who are fans of fast boats and Formula One motorcars.

We checked-in at midday to the Viceroy Hotel which peered above the motorway like a modern sculpture. This marvel of architecture straddles across the Formula One Grand Prix Racetrack and nestles cosily next to the luxurious yachts in Yas Marina. The observant kids were quick to recognise the patterns of the race circuit in the building's design and decoration.

After depositing our bags in a generously spacious suite with two bathrooms, we took the girls and ourselves up to the ninth floor for a refreshing swim, a treat after our six hour flight. The Viceroy caters for all with a family friendly pool and an adult only pool on the other side of the hotel. We imagined what it must be like on race days with the roar of the engines zipping around the track. It was a Saturday and the hotel hosts family events and entertainment in the grounds attracting locals to the hotel.

The Viceroy has a beautiful spa which carries the ESPA range − a calm and tranquil spot in the middle of so much other activity. There are six restaurants to choose from and all lined up with great views of the race track. But we had a full day in this sunny capital and we couldn't leave without visiting The Grand Mosque which is also the biggest in the world. Only a twenty minute taxi ride from Yas Hotel, it is one of those pieces of architecture that leaves the kids in awe and the parents glad that they slipped some culture into the trip.

After our return we gave the girls the option of beach or shopping the later won out. The Yas Mall is the second largest in the UAE and located beside the theme part, Ferrari World. A free shuttle bus leaves the hotel every 38 minutes, bringing guests from the Viceroy to the Mall, Beach and Waterworld theme park so it is possible to spend a day on Yas without changing money into the local currency as all the amenities, shops and restaurants take credit cards.

Ferrari World is a dream for little boys and girls who love cars but it is more than that, it boasts the world's largest indoor roller coaster and fastest roller coaster. It's located only a short stroll across a bridge from shopping heaven at Yas Mall so we popped in for some thrills before shopping. To get the best value for this park spend a full day.

My daughter approved of the choice of stores and we hurried along to one of her favourites, Bath and Body Works, for those couple of presents that she had forgotten to buy. Every imaginable taste is catered for in the variety of restaurants from Italian, American diner food, Japanese but we opted to hop back on the bus and dine at our hotel.

The Noodle Box at The Viceroy Hotel has a wonderful menu for children. Our kids love Chinese food and with prawn crackers and mocktails to start the kids wanted everything on the menu. Our waiter Tung from Vietnam took great care to provide dishes that weren't even on the menu. The mums opted for noodles and seafood while the kids had their favourite savoury rice with beef. Three of the hotel restaurants have recently won international awards and everything about this hotel exudes excellence and great attention to detail. I had popped into the Japanese restaurant earlier and the buffet presentation was a work of art. Delicious sorbets in real fruit skins rested in frozen bowls of ice with edible flowers frozen into the design.

So was it worth stopping off? When booking our flights there was a saving of over €100pp by taking the long stopover. The cost of a hotel room at the Viceroy was half that and the luxuriously large ESPA toiletries in the bathroom would cost this in a Dublin Spa. The stopover was especially exciting for the kids so yes, we hope to return to Abu Dhabi someday soon.

Factbox

For more information see www.visitabudhabi.ae

The Yas Viceroy Hotel

Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi is the only hotel in the world suspended over a Formula 1 racetrack

Rooms start from €185 EUR (AED749) per night (incl. tax). To book visit http://www.viceroyhotelsandresorts.com/en/abudhabi

We booked flights with Etravel www.e-travel.ie

Tel: 01 4081999

100% Irish owned & bonded Travel Agency.

New record-breaking rollercoaster at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi

The world’s largest indoor theme park, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, which is already home to the world’s fastest rollercoaster, Formula Rossa, and now the record-breaking ‘Flying Aces’ ride www.ferrariworldabudhabi.com  

Prices: Adult full day ticket €84 Child €74

Published in Irish Mail on Sunday 29th May 2016

Evergreen in the Everglades! The Wild side of Florida!

When I tell the kids that we are going on a 3G (Three Generations) holiday, they eye me suspiciously. My tween asks if this means she'll have extra credit to Snapchat her friends while we are away. But my teenage son cops that Granny and Granddad will be coming along. As if this isn't a big enough challenge I decide to make our 3G holiday a road trip. A fine balancing act begins on my part to choose a family friendly destination and itinerary, so it has to be Florida.

With great excitement and a little trepidation we take our Virgin Atlantic flight via Heathrow to Miami.  I booked our carhire online before leaving home, with Hertz, so a Jeep SUV awaits us, equipped with GPS and plenty of room for luggage. Service at the desk is prompt and efficient and we make it to the Biltmore Hotel in beautiful Coral Grove in about forty-five minutes.

The Biltmore Hotel is an icon of early twentieth-century-style and architecture, tucked away in a salubrious residential neighbourhood. The hotel was used as a hospital during the Second World War but on arrival it has the hallmarks of the decadent twenties, with colourful little birds in giant cages and fine artwork on the elaborate architraves. The Biltmore hotel boasts one of the biggest swimming pools in the state of Florida − surrounded by roman statues it has the ambience of an Italian Palazzo.

That night we dine at the hotel's Fontana restaurant with a full moon and the stars above our heads. The elders devour the lobster ravioli and sea bass and I've to stop the kids from licking the last morsel of lasagne from their plates. We sit around the fountain until the jet lag hits the kids and we go to our luxurious rooms, leaving granny and granddad some time to get romantic. As my head hits the pillow I cannot wait to explore Miami the next day.

Miami is blocked into several neighbourhoods with little Havana being one of the most famous, here the Cafe Versailles is similar to the many Paladeras found in the Cuban capital. Men drink coffee and play dominoes on the side of the street and it's worth a drive by.

Our next stop is South Beach and the kids love the view, with rollerbladers and fitness gurus lining the promenade. I hire bikes with the kids and Granddad, while Granny goes for coffee at one of the classic art deco hotels. It's easy to see why this strip has been called the American Riviera.

With an afternoon to fill we drive for an hour and wind up in Key Largo, the largest of the Florida Keys. I know the family won't make the long drive to Key West so we stop off at the highly recommended John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. This is America's first underwater state part and it boasts wonderful snorkelling on the coral reef and a one-hundred-mile long shipwreck trail. The kids get to see tropical fish in the crystal blue waters while granny and granddad watch from the quayside. The annual Humphrey Bogart festival is a draw for romantic movie buffs and the actual African Queen boat rests at a nearby hotel.

Next morning after devouring the breakfast buffet at the Biltmore we take Highway One up to Fort Lauderdale. The scenery is peppered with hotels, tall palms and turquoise blue sea making it a scenic drive. It takes just over three hours and a few ice-creams and toilet breaks to get to our next stop, Vero Beach. Also known as 'The Hamptons of Florida' we check-in at the Kimpton Vero Beach Hotel and Spa. This boutique hotel is modern and clean with extra-friendly hotel staff. As we sit down to enjoy lunch with the cobalt blue Atlantic in the background, the kids have already taken to the pool. Vero Beach offers Golf close by for Granddad and Kayaking for the kids. Granny loves the quaint shops and galleries and I realise that one night won't be enough in this lovely town.

We leave Vero Beach reluctantly but stop off en-route to Orlando at a unique eco-tourism attraction, Forever Florida. This picturesque centre is host to a cattle ranch, a wildlife conservation area and a beautiful location perfect for outdoor adventures perfect for all the family, especially teens. The horse-riding is well supervised and organised and there is no better way to see wildlife in its natural habitat. Check out www.foreverflorida.com for more information and prices are roughly €100 for a two hour ride through the wilderness.

Our hotel in Kissimme is the Omni Resort at Championsgate and close to all the Disney attractions, but my crew opt for something a little wilder at Boggy Creek airboat rides on Lake Toho. We find ourselves in the middle of the Everglades, spotting storks, bald eagles and herons on the swamp. This experience is gentle enough for granny and fun enough for the kids, but it's noisy so we put on ear muffs. Our guide, Captain Wayne, has a knack for spotting alligators, and he points at one in the rushes to everyone's delight. An airboat ride is a must do when in Florida so check out www.bcairboats.com.

We return invigorated from our excursion and the kids are keen to enjoy the hotel. The pool is great for all kids big and small but the best fun is the lazy river. Attended by pool staff until 10pm it's ideal for an after-dinner-swim. The kids go up and down the slide too many times to count and the basketball ring seems to be getting as much use from the parents as the kids. I hear plenty of Irish accents too.

Next day our plan is to shop and the Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets are only a tempting 20 minutes away. Part of the Simon Group, the outlets offer big brand saving from 25%-65% on high street prices. We leave granddad by the pool while I find amazing value and my daughter finds that the superstar runners she has been longing for are only $80 − that's over 100% saving on the Irish price for the same runners. The Premium Outlets are a great way to spend the afternoon and my fashion-conscious-son gets T-shirts while I settle for some designer accessories which would be a lot more expensive at home.

Granny wants to go somewhere relaxing for dinner after all that shopping, so we set off for the town of Celebration (yes that's its real name) and sample the tasty Cuban cuisine at Columbia Restaurant. This picture-perfect town has been likened to the movie set of The Stepford Wives and apparently was modelled on Main Street Disney World. 

It's almost too perfect for me but it gets a massive thumbs up from the other generations. With Universal and all the major theme parks beside us I'm pleased that we have taken the time to taste the wilder side of Florida and keeping on the move was great for the kids. If you are thinking of a 3G family holiday make sure Granny and Granddad get some time on their own and most importantly ensure that the hotels offer free WIFI, when travelling with the younger generation there are times when this will be a saviour for all.

www.experiencekissimmee.com

www.visitflorida.com

Hertz car hire mid-size SUV, pick up Miami Airport, drop off Orlando Airport

For five nights from €280 at www.hertz.co.uk

For retail therapy in Orlando see http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlet/orlando-vineland

www.biltmorehotel.com

www.verobeachhotelandspa.com Kimpton hotel at Vero Beach

www.omnihotels.com/hotels/orlando-championsgate

Tour America

Florida Fly/Drive Package holiday €989 per person

Return flights into Miami and returning from Orlando, All taxes and charges

2 Nights accommodation Aloft South Beach

2 Nights accommodation Vero Beach and Spa Hotel

3 Nights Rosen Shingle Creek Orlando

Car Hire 

Based on 2 adults & 2 kids sharing

Date of departure: November 2016

Our Ref: 512647

www.touramerica.ie

email: sales@touramerica.ie

Tel: Dublin 01-8173535 Cork 021-2429222