Find Your Epic - three adventures across the Irish Sea in Wales.

Feeling adventurous this summer?

Then I suggest you hop on the ferry and Find Your Epic in Wales.

I've three suggestions for activities that will push your boundaries to the max.

I started off with a trip To Blenau Ffestineog in beautiful Snowdonia National Park and took a ride on the world's longest Zip Zone.

Titan is made up of three parts, A which is the longest part of the course but most gentle with spectacular views. B is more dramatic and moves at break neck speed. By the time we reached Zip line C we were adrenalin junkies and on reaching the bottom wanted to do it all over again. I was with three of my pals and one of them had bungee and parachute jumped in the past and she thought this was just as good.

Titan costs £50 pp to find out more see. www.zipworld.co.uk

Ride Snowdonia’s rapids – the National White Water Centre, Bala

This one isn’t strictly ‘sea’, but it’s no less exciting. The UK’s National White Water Centre is located on the River Tryweryn, which races across the Snowdonia National Park www.canoewales.com . The grade 3-4*, fast-flowing Upper Tryweryn is the foremost rafting challenge, with waves crashing around near-constant boulders. Water levels are dam-controlled so the rapids provide plenty of action during the summer.

Prices start from £40 including equipment hire for a one hour triphttp://www.canoewales.com/rafting-taster-session but our most popular is a the Full Session http://www.canoewales.com/full-rafting-session which is a two hour trip that you can either book as a group trip or if there aren’t enough in your party for a group trip you can join others in a shared raft.  The minimum age for these two is 12 years old but we have another trip http://www.canoewales.com/tryweryn-raft-safari which is suitable for 10 year olds and over.

About Anglesey Adventures

Anglesey Adventures is an adventure activity company that provides adventure days and breaks on Anglesey and throughout North Wales. If you are looking for an outdoor experience with a difference then our adventure breaks will not disappoint you. adventure coasteering £120 per day

The Isle of Anglesey is an absolute playground for the adventure enthusiast with a huge range of activities to choose from. Our location on Holy Island provides a stunning coastline, towering sea cliffs and numerous award winning beaches. Amongst this we provide world-class outdoor experiences for individuals, family groups, schools and colleges, youth groups, stag and hen parties and corporate teams looking for bespoke development courses.

Some of the activities that we offer from our base include coasteering, rock climbing, abseiling, kayaking, mountain walking, sea level traversing, gorge scrambling, canoeing, canyoning, tyrolean traverse, orienteering, raft building, mountain biking, bush craft, initiative games .

We also offer a range of tailor made skill based courses for complete beginners all the way through to seasoned adrenaline junkies, covering half day trips to multiple day courses in rock climbing, mountaineering, sea kayaking and canoeing.

Let us organise that perfect stag or hen weekend, company away day or general family fun activities for you on your holiday in Anglesey. Come join us for one the best adventures in North Wales!!!

Cliff camping with Gaia Adventures is wild camping at its wildest. Campers sleep high above the sea, suspended in mid-air on a vertical cliff face near Beaumaris, Anglesey. The experience starts with guests journeying down the cliff in time to catch the sunset and enjoying a hearty, locally sourced meal. As the evening proceeds it will be time for hot chocolate – or something stronger! In the morning, campers wake to the sunrise, fresh coffee, bacon baps and croissants. Depending upon the location, Gaia Adventures offers the opportunity to either rock climb out, or simply climb the rope using ascenders. From £190. www.gaiaadventures.co.uk

For more information see www.visitwales.co.uk

Heading Stateside with the kids this summer? Get On Yer Bike!

Venice Beach

Walking and sightseeing can be a chore for teens and tweens but put them on a bike and it becomes an adventure. All of these five US cities have really great bike tours. You won't be disappointed and the kids will LOVE IT!

Mark and Nicole on Venice Beach

LA

Take a walk past Santa Monica Pier to Perry's, an icon of the beach scene for nearly forty years. Perry's have twelve cafes dotted along the coast from Santa Monica to Venice Beach. A cycle is a great way to take in the views. I recommend rental by the hour rather than a tour because once we got to Venice Beach the kids wanted to stop at the stalls and soak up the atmosphere. The kids loved this windy cycle path even though we had to dodge the roller-skaters along the way. The last of the hippies and hells angels gather here and there are funky cafes to stop by for a break. Two hours is long enough to take in the cacophony of music and it's five dollars to visit the freak show or get a henna tattoo.

Bike and Roll Washington DC

Washington DC

The Bike and Roll Tour (39$ for adults 29$ for kids) is the very best way to visit the presidential monuments. Fully guided, the tour took us past The White House, Washington Monument and down National Mall from Lincoln to Jefferson down by the Potomac River. The Einstein statue outside the Science Museum was a great stop and I made sure my son rubbed the statues nose to ensure wisdom to help him with his studies.

Jefferson Memorial Washington DC

Boston

Urbanadventours is the best way to see the city of Boston from Fenway Park through the Emerald necklace and back to The Freedom Trail. The City Tour is good for kids over ten-years as it does involve going on cycle lanes in the city centre and can be busy. It takes three hours and costs $55. www.urbanadventours.com

 

Urbanadventours Boston

New York

Take a bike or quadcycle around Central Park. A quadcycle is $35 per hour and the perfect amount of time to leisurely see the lake and the sights. Kids love to be on the move so this is a great way to get to see the Alice in Wonderland statue, Strawberry fields and the chess and checker house. www.bikenewyorkcity.com

Times Square New York

San Francisco

The very best way to see the bridge and absorb the breathtaking view of San Francisco Bay is by bike. It is a long cycle but the kids won't be board. A guided tour takes up to three hours and ends at the pretty town of Sausalito where we stopped for lunch and took a ferry ride back to the city. www.baycitybike.com. Tours are $55 dollars per person but you can do this without a guide and rent by the hour.

Golden Gate to Sausalito

We are heading to Cuba this #TravelTuesday on TV3's Midday

Cuba is probably my favourite place on earth. It has a vibe that is different to the other Caribbean Islands, and left such an impression on me after my first visit ten years ago that I set my third novel there. One Kiss in Havana was such fun to write because as I took my characters back to the places that I had visited, I relived my own holiday all over again.

The town of Holguin

Here's the link to my feature from the Irish Mail on Sunday about my return trip to Cuba last year Cuba article - Irish Mail on Sunday May 2015

I never thought I'd sit on a Cow!

One of the quaintest towns that we passed through was Cojimar and This is the place where Hemingway used to go to fish and found inspiration for The Old Man and the Sea. The bar where he used to drink, La Terraza, is still going strong. From Havana in the north-west to Santiago de Cuba in the south-east, this country has some of the warmest kindest people that I've had the pleasure to meet.
Of course there are also the white sandy beaches, salsa rhythms and Havana Club Rum - once you've had your first Havana Club mojito you won't want it made with any other rum. Tourism is crucial for the Cuban economy and the government are very aware of this since the American embargo was imposed.

Nao paladeras in Old Havana

However, since Raul Castro introduced free enterprise, I noticed a huge change on my return visit to Havana last year. Locals have set up their own cab companies and they are the most amicable, happy taxi drivers you will find in the world. Do chug along in one of the vintage 1950's cars that take visitors to the old town. The locals have opened their homes to even more paladeras, restaurants and B&Bs with the best food to be found and wonderful hospitality.

So yes, be sure to see the Hotel Nacional and the Bodegita Del Medio where Hemingway went to drink his mojitos. But the real Havana is found all around in the streets and bars. The transition is coming but like everything else in Cuba, it won't happen quickly

I've put together some Special Offers  to Cuba from various operators to entice you!

Tour America have a great deal for a family holiday

10 nights in Cuba from only €1359pp! Price Includes: Return Flights to Havana with Virgin Atlantic - all taxes and charges includedPrivate Return Airport Transfers10 nights Hotel Accommodation in the 4* Iberostar Taino Based on two adults and two children sharingTravel 10th October 2016Reference 515968Call 01-8173562www.touramerica.ie 

Sunway Travel
For reservations contact Sunway on 01-2311800 or book online on www.Sunway.ie

G Adventure Cuba Tours:

In the Ambua Mundos hotel where Hemingway lived. His room is as he left it

Cuba Libre

8 days from €1779pp

Walking through the pincushion hills, wandering amongst orchids and lush mountain coffee plantations—see another side of the island on this week-long tour through the ‘Garden Province’ of Cuba. Tour a tobacco plantation, snorkel crystal-clear waters full of colourful coral and search for the pirates of lore along the Guanahacabibes Peninsula. Soak up local culture in a homestay for an immersive experience that travellers rarely get to know. Let our experienced CEO lead you off the beaten path and discover the cultural treasures of Cuba.

Outside La Terraza in Cojimar

Visit: Havana, Viñales, María la Gorda, Las Terrazas,

Highlights:

·         Cigar factory tour (Pinar del Rio)

·         Cabo San Antonio excursion including Roncalí Lighthouse

·         Beach time (María La Gorda)

·         Las Terrazas visit

·         Havana orientation walk

·         All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Whats included:

Flights from Ireland to Havana

Accommodations: Hotels (4 nts), casa particulars (homestay) (3 nts).

Meals: 7 breakfasts. Allow USD285-370 for meals not included.

Transportation: Private van.

Staff & experts: Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout, local guides.

Including Cuban Visa

 

Cuban Music

Cuba Colonial

15 days from €2329pp

The melody of horns floating through the air, classic cars parked in colonial squares, revolutionary statues—get over the resort wall and discover the real Cuba! Travel east to Santiago de Cuba and Baracoa and encounter the birthplace of Cuban rhythms and revolutionary fervour. Soak in Spanish heritage while exploring churches, forts and cobblestoned streets. Overnight in homestays for an immersive Cuban experience few travellers get to enjoy. Don't just walk down the road less travelled—dance down it. Viva la Revolución!

On the balcony in Santiago de Cuba where the revolution was declared in 1961

Visit: Havana, Santiago de Cuba, Baracoa, Camagüey, Trinidad, Santa Clara

Highlights:

·         Castillo del Morro entrance and visit

·         Santiago de Cuba orientation walk

·         Trinidad orientation walk

·         Salsa lesson

·         Che Guevara mausoleum and museum visit

·         Old Havana walking tour

·         Internal flight

·         All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

What’s included:

Flights from Ireland to Havana

Accommodations: Hotels (2 nts), casa particulars (homestay) (12 nts).

Meals: 12 breakfasts, 1 dinner. Allow USD410-535 for meals not included.

Transportation: Private van, plane, walking.

Staff & experts: Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout, local guides.

Including Cuban Visa

Cuba – 5* Honeymoon

Flights from Dublin, Taxes

Transfers from Havana by Road to Varadero

7 Night Accommodation at the 5* Paradisus Princesa del Mar

All Inclusive is €1659pp

Including Cuban Visa

Departs: 13^th September

I had such a great time at the Princessa del Mar that I sent my characters there
in my novel One Kiss in Havana - lovely honeymoon hotel too!

From September this year American Airlines will have flights operating into Varadero so depending on the time of year, we’ll be able to fly passengers Ex Dublin or Shannon say into Charlotte and onto Varadero, knocking out Havana and that road transfer. However, part of the charm of Cuba is really seeing Havana so doing a twin centre is easily done, say 2/3 nights in Havana and then 5/6 nights down in Varadero

Trailfinders have cycling tours for the more adventurous.

For more information call

Dublin Travel Centre: 01  677 7888

Cork Travel Centre: 021 464 8800

Limerick Travel Centre: 061 292 700

 Cuban Highlights Ride, 7 nights, February 2017, from €2499 pp

Don your Lycra and pump up the tyre with a Trailfinders cycling holiday! This ride through Cuba will allow you to get off the beaten track, access areas where vehicles dare not venture and immerse yourself in the stunning scenery and friendly culture. On this adventure experience Central Cuba’s most cultural and historically rich cities, including Havana, Cienfuegos, Trinidad, and the Bay of Pigs.

Cycle along the spectacular Bay of Pigs, through fascinating cities and beautiful countryside as you enjoy the breathtaking scenery, the colourful people and get to know the history of this remarkable country. With a variety of terrains and tracks, the Cuban countryside is a cycle-lover’s paradise. This trip will allow you to travel back in time and experience the authentic daily life of Cuba’s rural inhabitants. 

This vibrant Caribbean island is full of contrasts, from beautiful beaches and tropical sun to crumbling but opulent architecture, cigar-smoking Cubans who groove to salsa beats in the streets, and a revolutionary history of both triumph and oppression.  This active cycling adventure will allow you to explore a side of this island few get to know.

Price includes: return flights to Havana with Virgin Atlantic, 7 nights hotels, experienced tour leader throughout & support vehicle, all breakfasts, 4 lunches & 3 dinners, bike hire and Cuban Tourist Card.

Quirky places to go in Ireland #TravelTuesday on the Midday Show

Now that the lovely weather is here The Novel Traveller has picked out some unique places to visit in Ireland. I'll be chatting about these quirky locations on the Midday show on TV3 Tuesday 31st May.

My favourite is the beautifully renovated Ice House in Ballina county Mayo which has one of the smallest yet loveliest spas in the country. You can read my review on this blog or click the link here Ice House Ballina

If the force has awakened in you then why not treat you or a loved one to a Star Wars package at the Moorings in Kerry. Get a Tshirt and pull a pint where Mark Hamill did too. Take a trip to Skellig Michael and climb the 600 steps that will work up an appetite for dinner in the Moorings award wining restaurant. For more information click here The Moorings

Finally it is the year of food and drink in Northern Ireland this year and I've found a wonderful destination for those seeking the wild outdoors. Finn Lough is set in Fermanagh close to the Donegal Border and these Bubble pods really caught my eye. Wouldn't it be great to spend a night under the stars in your very own bubble. They book out quickly so plenty of advance notice is needed.
http://www.finnlough.com/en/accommodation/bubblehouse

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

Ponant L'Austral sails up the Liffey

The Five Star luxury cruising ship L'Austral boarded guests from Dublin Port on May 9th to take a tour of Ireland and the UK for the next few days. Five Star cruising is very much like staying in a small boutique hotel with refined luxury, yet being a smaller ship means that the possibility of exotic destination are endless.

I spoke with Stephen Winter, the International Sales director, who flew in from Paris to tell me more about the company. Ponant is a French company and French styling and cuisine is at the core of this brand. Relaxed elegance is insured on these ships and with a fleet of five and in operation for twenty years it is growing steadily and offering something different for the much-travelled cruise passenger. Catering for the active retired, average client age is 60, but with destinations such as the Antarctic, River Amazon and transatlantic to South Africa this brand offers experiences for the young at heart.

I had a peek at the cabins and the four treatment rooms in the spa and was convinced that I would be more than entertained on this cruise ship. Many clients take back to back cruises as the ship itinerary changes often without repeating its course.

Fine dining room with Haute Cuisine

Treatment Room

Owner's suite on board L'Austral

These cruises are not cheap but then again the experience is something uniquely special and perhaps worth saving for. Booking early means making huge savings and as there are only 130 cabins, cruises book up often years is advance, so it's a good idea to plan ahead.
The ship has a small swimming pool and plenty of areas to lounge and sunbathe
If like me you have a dream to reach the Antarctic someday then this is one way of doing it in style. With 26 Zodiac dinghies on board there's plenty of room for all the guests to get up close and personal with the wildlife on one of earth's last remaining wilderness, I wonder what Shackleton would have thought!

For more information see http://en.ponant.com/

Thailand Travelling with the Kids!

Why isn't Thailand a popular destination for Irish families? Much maligned in the press, this beautiful country has been tarnished by the barrage of western men who descend upon the country seeking seedy sex. So, I set off to investigate with my lifelong friend Catherine, her daughter Alice and my daughter Nicole, to see what Thailand can offer us girls. The first thing we find is that if you don't go looking for the unsavoury side of Thai life, you won't find it.

Our holiday starts on Phuket, Thailand's largest island. Serviced by an international airport, it can be reached from Dublin with just one stopover. A transfer by taxi takes one hour to The Cape Panwa Hotel and Spa, where the lobby has no doors or walls but instead wonderful woven fish hanging from the ceiling. A blanket of warm air envelops us as the receptionist distributes cold hand towels and a refreshing juice to drink. Thailand has two seasons, hot and hotter, an almost perfect climate.

Overlooking the private beach and tropical palm trees, our huge rooms are a hit with our daughters who can't wait to try the Jacuzzi bath on the veranda. First port of call when travelling with the girls is to the infinity pool down by the hotel's private beach. The hotel's other pool boasts cabanas and comfortable padded loungers for sunbathers. That night we eat in one of the hotel restaurants and although it is five star service the prices certainly are not. The bill comes to €30 for four people. Thai food is spectacular and you can eat very well for less than €5 per day if you chose to dine at one of the many street stalls, a bonus when feeding a hungry teen and tween.

The next day we are met at 11.30am by a bus that takes us to the north of the island and the John Gray Sea Kayak Excursion. The Hong by Starlight Tour starts in the afternoon and we bring a change of clothes on instruction. We are taken by traditional Thai boat to explore the caves of the Ko Hongs. Brought to the world by James Bond, on the big screen, these tiny islands sprout out of the crystal blue waters of Phang nga Bay and hold a host of treasures within. But first we get into the sea kayaks with our guide, Upsy, who is appointed to us for the duration of the day. Upsy paddles our canoe through caves covered in stalagmites and home to hundreds of fruit bats. This adventure is not for the claustrophobic because it is a tight squeeze through the caves to get to the centre of the Hong. But the journey takes us out the other side to an oasis of calm and tranquillity among the mangroves. This fragile eco system has been in existence for thousands of years and the girls excitedly lookout for monkeys while they wade through the waters inspecting the fish and wildlife.

It's dinner time and the colourful food on offer in the buffet is as delicious as it looks − the girls especially love the healthy rice dishes. After a swim Upsy shows us how to make a kratong (a floral offering made from banana leaves and Singapore orchids). As darkness descends we take our final excursion through the hongs, we light the incense and candles of our kratong and make a wish as we send the Buddhist offering out to sea. Thousands of tiny lights from bioluminescent plankton light up the caves, like tiny fireflies in the water. When we reach the centre of the Hong, the monkeys appear, swinging through the mangrove trees. It's a transcendental experience from start to finish and one that we will never forget sharing with our daughters.

We spend next day exploring the massage and beauty salons that line the steep road to our hotel and choose one with comfortable air-conditioning and WIFI. Girly heaven costs a little over twelve Euros for a coconut oil massage that lasts well over an hour. I'm careful to ask for a gentle massage because these ladies have extra strong fingers. A pedicure is only €10 and a manicure even less and as there aren't the usual stipulations for the girls to be over 16 our daughters get the full benefit of our spa day. Catherine is completely hooked and sneaks off for another quick massage after dinner.

Cape Panwa is the perfect resort for families with great choice of restaurants and stalls selling trinkets along the beach front but Thailand is a big country and we have another island to explore. So, next day we take a speedboat to Koh Yao Noi in Phang nga Bay. We share our speedboat transfer with a Danish family who tell us this is their second time going to the same resort. Scandinavian, French and Germans families seem to have earmarked the most desirable unspoilt islands to visit and it makes me wonder why the Irish haven't also done so.

As we step off the speed boat we are greeted by a sign welcoming us to 'Paradise'. "I wonder how much is a massage?" Catherine asks. A massage on the beach is €12 so that will do her nicely. Built into the mountainside, the rooms are best described as luxurious eco dwellings, a plunge pool Jacuzzi beckons from the deck against the backdrop of turquoise waters and palm trees. We get to eat our dinner that night with sand tickling our toes at the beachfront restaurant. Batik painting is our first call after breakfast and for only €2.50 each our patient teacher helps us to make a silk masterpiece that we can bring home as a memento.

Only 8km long, Koh Yao Noi is easily explored in half a day and we hire a taxi for less than €40. To get to the other side of the mountain we first have to cross dense forest and the girls are agog at the tiny pots of white goo hanging from the rubber trees. Our driver stops and lets us see the process and touch the latex in its natural state. The main village is surrounded by rice fields and cows while the fishermen's houses are built on stilts at the water's edge to accommodate the rising tide. Our daughters, being part of the selfie generation, are snap-happy with so many photo opportunities in this exotic and different land.

When we return to our hotel we decide to make use of our complimentary Yoga class, on offer to all hotel guests, and we ask instructor Kaylin if the girls can come too. We are told providing they can concentrate they will be fine. Catherine and I struggle with some positions, while our daughters stretch across their mats like a couple of elastic bands. As I fumble with the belts and blocks, Catherine and I get a fit of the giggles − our daughters aren't the ones to disturb the class after all. But in this perfect setting with the waves lapping in the background Kaylin is very cool and relaxed and helps me focus on my poses. At night we are entertained on the beach by some traditional dancers and a Thai Boxing routine and we really don't want to leave this paradise.

Next morning, we take a short one hour flight from Phuket to Bangkok and check-in at the Cape House, a sister of our hotel in Cape Panwa. The two-bed apartment is perfect for families and the rooftop pool sets us far from the madness of Bangkok's busy streets. We have a reservation for a very special dinner on the Loy Nava Cruiser on the Chao Phraya River. The Loy Nava was tastefully converted from an antique rice boat into a river cruiser in 1970 and we are greeted on boarding with garlands of flowers for good luck. Traditional musicians and dancers entertain while dishes of exquisite seafood are brought out at regular intervals. Cocktails for the mums and mocktails for the girls, with the lights of Bangkok and the warm breeze providing natural air-con, we are brought to a different dimension. The same shuttle bus that collected us takes us back to our hotel and a good night's sleep because we have a busy day ahead.

Bangkok like any other capital city has its must see sites and The Grand Palace, home to the Royal Family, is one of them. Unlike its south-east neighbours, Thailand was never colonised by the British or French hence the name Free Land, Thai meaning free. We get to see the Emerald Buddha and partake in the Buddhist ceremony of offering candles, incense and flowers. The kids love the adorned temples and unusual architecture quite unlike anything they have seen before.

The Wat Pho Temple, home to the largest reclining Buddha in Thailand, is close by so we pay a visit before heading off on an adventure through the cities Khlongs (canals) on a long tail boat. As we speed up the Chao Phraya we get to feel like James Bond Girls. Our guide pulls over to the side of the river where an old woman sells bread, he gets the girls to throw it into the water as hundreds of huge carp jump up to eat it, much to the girls squeals of delight. We don't have time to see the floating markets but we have to leave something for next time.

We finish the day shopping in Chinatown but the department store MBK is the must do for shopaholics, we pick up bargains, especially in shoes and dread the thought of going home. Thailand shouldn't just be a bucket list destination, for a higher outlay on flights a family can make up the difference with top class hotels and food and make massive savings on pedicures and massages!

Factbox

For more information see http://uk.tourismthailand.org/

Pricing from Irish tour operator, Tropical Sky is as follows:

3 nights at Paradise@ Ko Yao and 7 nights at Cape Panwa including flights from Dublin departing May & September 2016, per person based on two people sharing a room, subject to availability at €1,499

John Gray’s sea canoe excursion bookable at €115pp

Call Tropical Sky 01 664 9999 or visit www.tropicalsky.ie

Dinner on Loy Nava river cruise including hotel pick up and drop off starts circa €40

book on www.loynava.com

Published in the Irish Mail on Sunday 13th March 2016