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Mamma Fairy

Fairy Travels

The gastronomy of the Canary Islands: where Europe, Africa and America meet

To know the gastronomy of the Canary Islands is to savour their essence. Are you ready for a culinary journey?

Having spent many a happy summer as a child in the Canary Island and happily continuing the trend with my own kids one of the lesser mentioned highlights I find is the food which hand on heart I can tell us exceptional. Part of a holiday for me is trying new foods, new wines, new flavours. Its about experiencing a destination and its offerings. When the below food guide popped into my inbox I couldn’t wait to share it with kind permission from Travel Media.    It’s often said that the Canary Islands are a continent in miniature. This is not only because of the sheer variety of landscapes you find here – from pristine beaches to majestic volcanoes – but also the rich cuisine that each of the islands has to offer. From the north, with its freshly caught seafood, to the south, where the best modern fusion restaurants are located, the Canary Islands offers a sensorial gastronomic journey.

A world of flavours

Tradition and modernity collide in Canarian gastronomy. It even boasts some outstanding emerging young chefs, like Juan Santiago, World’s Best Young Chef 2015 Finalist. He is known for his experimentation based on tradition, the fruit of which are the liquid croquette or the croquette foam among others. As Santiago puts it, with 15 million tourists visiting the Canary Islands every year, it’s inevitable that new tastes and concepts keep emerging. Flavours of Spain, Latin America and Africa cross paths in this archipelago, shaping a very unique identity.

Tenerife for example, the largest of the Canary Islands, is home of the famous papas negras (‘black’ potatoes) and known for guachinches; humble, family-run restaurants where you experience local dishes at affordable prices. Haute cuisine and destination dining also has its place on the island. Five of the six Michelin star restaurants of the Canary Islands are situated on Tenerife. In modern Canarian cuisine, foams and other methods associated with molecular cookery coexist with traditional fish dishes, the ubiquitous mojo sauces, award -winning cheeses and bananas and pineapples famed throughout Europe.

From the net to table

The Atlantic Ocean wraps the Canary Islands, and traditional fishing, regulated by legislation that preserves stocks and marine ecosystems, is a way of life. The waters around the islands are home to an astonishing variety of fish, such as cherne, Atlantic croaker, salema, and sea bream. Whether grilled, baked, marinated or fried, they give a true taste of the Atlantic. Sancocho is a popular, dish of South American origins that consists of salted fish served with potatoes, sweet potatoes, and mojo – the famous sauce of the islands made with olive oil, peppers and assorted spices.

On the island of Gran Canaria, make your way over to the neighbourhood of San Cristóbal and Bar Zurita, a local institution where you can enjoy fresh-off-the-boat octopus and calamari overlooking the sea. Also recommended is La Bahía del Pajar at Arguineguín, or any of the eateries at El Medáno, without doubt the most beautiful beach on Tenerife. If you find yourself on Lanzarote or La Graciosa – the smallest of the Canary Islands – tuck into a plate of tiny, tasty ‘La Santa’ prawns accompanied with nothing but a slice of lemon and a cold beer.

 

 KM Cuisine

Santiago is a strong advocate of the principles of 0 KM; that is to say, “Buying and eating what is local, shortening distances between land or sea and the kitchen and importing as little as possible.” This philosophy has yielded formidable results; for the environment, for producers and most of all our taste buds.

The philosophy of 0 KM has always influenced eating habits on the Canary Islands. The most popular meat is not beef, but pork, rabbit and goat. Goat meat has a strong flavour, and is eaten with your hands. Accompanied with papas arrugadas (small potatoes with a salty crust), it’s perfection.

 

No meal on the Canary Islands is complete without local bread (essential for mopping up any mojo sauce left on the plate); a good wine, such as dry white from La Gomera, one of the world’s most unique wine regions and above all, cheese.

Canarian cheeses, especially those of the islands of Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura, are among the best in the world. In the 2018 edition of the World Cheese Awards, no less than 35 cheeses made on the Canary Islands received awards. Standout farmhouse cheeses include Maxorata; a semi cured goat’s cheese spice with smoky paprika, and Majorero, a firm goat’s milk cheese similar to Manchego. Perhaps the most original cheese is Flor de Guía; a creamy, slightly salty cheese made with an exact combination of cow’s and goat’s milk and liquid extracted from thistle flowers (flors de guía) for the curdling process.

 

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Home & Interiors

Bathroom cleaning essentials

I’m still a little bemused by this cleaning frenzy that seems to be taking hold of social media. I clean the house out of necessity, I will never be an influencer in that respect! For me its a matter of getting the job done as efficiently as possible.  I have two little men and a husband and the bathroom is the bane of my life!! So what do I use to make that dreaded task that little bit easier:

  • Baking soda – this is fantastic when added to water or other cleaning solutions to add an abrasive element., very useful for cleaning the bathroom especially as it helps to eliminate odours
  • Apple cider /white vinegar – this has become a bit of a holy grail product with people using it for multiple different uses. In terms of cleaning it is great for the bathroom. Some of the ways I use it include: using a spray bottle with 50:50 vinegar and water to clean the mirror and shower doors; if you live in a hard water area like us, simply fill a ziplock bag and place under the tap and shower head to help dissolve the build up of limescale; similarly for blocked drains, add your vinegar with baking soda and boiling water and it really unclogs the drains.
  • Epsom Salts – living in a hard water area means the sink, bath/ bath tray can get very stained necessitating using a mix of Epsom salts and liquid detergent and it really works wonders. Speaking of living in a hard water area, if you do have the space or the means to spend, I can highly recommend a water softener system. However, if like me you are a little overwhelmed with the sheer volume of options out there, what we did was spend some time researching Best Water Softener System Reviews. If you are planning on spending that kind of money it is so important to do your research.
  • Air – I know this sounds a bit mad but open windows frequently and use bathroom fan when showering if you have one. Circulating air really helps  discourage mildew
  • Grout cleaner – an absolute pet hate of mine is grubby grout or sealant, because the are usually porous they absorbs oils etc from the bath products causing mould. There are some useful products on the market like Rainbow Chalk Markers which literally operate like pen to trace the grout lines to refresh the look right away. They are really easy to use and very effective. Rainbow Chalk have produced a great infographic on how they work which I have reproduced with permission.

If anybody has any more tips/ tricks or wonder products id love to hear more – leave them in the comments below. Bonus points if they are eco friendly too.

Note: This is a collaborative post
Home & Interiors

How we used glass as a feature

Our renovation project is well documented on the blog however one of the surprising features that attracts a lot of attention when people come to visit, is our glass feature panes above the doors in the bedrooms. When we first bought the house, I couldn’t wait to get rid of them. They were above each door upstairs apart from the bathroom. At the time I did some research on their purpose and I was intrigued!

They are actually known as “borrowed lights” and are used to let light in particularly for children’s rooms. However going back even further the thinking on them was that they are Georgian features used to let daylight into internal domestic spaces thereby saving on expensive candles for candlelight. Really fascinating.  Having debated at length about whether we keep or cover them up, my husband (who did most of the work!) was an ardent supporter of keeping them and turning them into a feature in the house. I caved in and they were kept.

Glass as a feature

Glass was one of those things that I hadn’t thought of using as a feature internally. However I was shocked by the various offering of places like Express Toughening.  There is everything from decorative glass to toughened glass to fire rated glass. I just love the look of both stained glass and what is known as satin glass. It is lovely to look at yet practical, durable and low maintenance. We also used in our newly constructed en-suite. Keeping with a clean minimalist look, I loved the look of a frosted stain glass shower door going  from floor to ceiling. It was just perfect for making the most of the space we had to work with.

Other ideas where glass makes a great feature include:

  • Splash backs
  • Stair balustrades ( I love love love this look)

    glass wall

    Pic Credit: Pixabay

  • Light features
  • Shower doors/ enclosures
  • Outdoor garden features
  • Table top – crackled glass look, also makes a nice splash back or counter top
  • Cladding on internal wall – creating cool clean looks
  • Press doors either kitchen or bathroom or easy wipe down for playrooms

My advice having been through this process is to buy from reputable sources and use qualified, insured trades/companies as given the material you want to make sure it is firstly the correct material for the particular project and secondly its fitted and secured as intended.

I recently came across Emma’s blog post where she suggests using glass to create an art deco vibe which just shows it versatility for use in the home for both functionality and design.

Note: This is a collaborative post

 

Features

3 Things You Need to Consider When Opting for Additional Help

older couple holding hands

Pic Credit: Pixabay

Getting older doesn’t have to mean losing control of how you wish to live your life. The prospect of nearing an age where you need assistance in your daily living routine is a scary concept, but it doesn’t have to be. Your body is your temple, and you are still in control of it, able to make your own decisions and still maintain the freedom you want (and deserve).

Choosing to move into a residential care home or get some additional help through an outside caregiver or family member can sometimes be an emotional time and a huge transition, but it could be for the best. Here are a few starting points to consider when making this decision.

Make a Checklist of The Things you Require 

Understanding where and in what capacity you need help is a vitally important step when considering your situation. You might need assistance in doing your weekly shop, or preparing meals; it could even be just to keep up with the general cleaning around the house. There are solutions to all these problems from asking friends and family to help you out, or hiring professional services if you don’t want to feel like a burden.

If you conclude that you will require a lot more help than initially thought, then it’s time to consider having long term support.

Prepare Your Home for Change

If you choose to stay in your home and accept outside care, it might be a difficult adjustment in the beginning. Your home is a safe haven, a place where all the things you love are collected, and a place where you have spent many good years and happy times. Accepting that you need help might involve someone coming into your home, and this won’t always be friends and family. It is really important to do your own research and enquiries regarding this. After all, you want to be able to trust the people coming into your home to make this change easier. Should you need more information on this, you might want to get it from here.  Having someone new come into that area in a capacity where they may need to move and clean your belongings, or spend a great deal of time in your personal space, is a huge transition that you may need to prepare yourself for.

If there are certain boundaries you wish to set – requesting the caregiver not to go into a particular room, for example, if they don’t need to – then, by all means, set them. As long as it does not interfere with the level of care you deserve, there is no reason you cannot still maintain some privacy in your home.

Do Your Research and Choose A Company You Can Trust 

Choosing between moving into a residential and staying in your home can be a much easier decision when you have the option of in-home care. The idea of being in your home, and having an outside caregiver come into your space can be a very comforting thought. Especially when compared to having to be moved to a residential care home and away from the household and life you have known.

It’s your right to feel safe, cared for and loved by the people you nominate to be your in-home care assistants; and companies like www.inhomecare.com know that which is why they make it their priority to offer dependable and quality caregiving.

Take the time to look into different companies, and focus on ones who have glowing reviews from everyday people who have used their services. Make contact and inquiries and ensure that the company offers everything you need before you commit to anything.

Note: This is a collaborative post
Features

Sprinkle Some Romance In Your Daily Life Using These Tips

The definition of romance is different for everyone. Some people like to express their love out loud with grand public proposals, planning surprises, or showering their lover with gifts now and then. While others like to keep their romance to themselves with eye contact, holding hands, or acts of service. In fact, as long as both partners make equal efforts to understand each other, every act they do for each other is “Romance.”

But if you are looking for some specific lovey-dovey gestures or things to make your relationship passionate, you have come to the right place. Read on to know tips to infuse romance in your daily life. 

  • Remember It’s About Minimalism 

Many people confuse romance with big gestures and grandness. However, it is more about the little things you do daily for your partner that’ll help grow your bond. It may include cooking together, saying good morning or good night every day, or remembering small details about their life such as important office meetings or family members’ birthdays. In addition to this, being with them during their celebrations as well as on bad days is another simple way to show your affection. 

  • Hug And Kiss Them Often

Unexpected hugs and sweet kisses are common ways of showing affection and appreciation. It is especially important if your partner’s love language is physical touch. It will make them feel loved and supported without needing to speak. And the best part is you can do this anywhere. For instance, kissing your partner when going to the office, giving a back hug when working in the kitchen, or simply cuddling while watching your favorite show. 

  • Try New Things Together 

As stated above, every couple has their own way of loving. If you and your partner like public display of affection (PDA), trying out new things would be a great idea. Some things you can try are- Playing footsie under the table, wearing a butt plug in public, or making out in ricks and cabs. If you like some subtle PDA ideas, you can feed each other, lock your arms, or whisper sweet things to each other. Likewise, you can spice up your cozy moments with foreplay, blindfolding, and toys. 

  • Call Them By Their Pet Name

Giving your partner a pet name and more is surely an affordable idea. It helps create a different bond, offer reassurance, and build understanding simultaneously. And, if you believe it cringes, you should try it yourself. It might turn out to be one of your things. Some of the cute names you can try are babe, honey bunny, nugget, boo, bubs and sugar. Or, you can come up with a unique pet name of your own. 

  • Share Details Of Your Day Every Night 

Finally, communicate with each other as much as you can. Share the details of your day during dinner, be it good or bad. It will help you both learn more about each other and how you react to different scenarios. Plus, it will lower the chances of feeling bored of each other. 

Wrapping It All Up

If you think about it, adding romance to your daily life is actually quite simple. It’s about small gestures, understanding each other, and showing affection to them. So, try out the tips mentioned above to ignite love in your everyday life. 

Note: This is a collaborative post

Features

THE ULTIMATE REAL ESTATE BUYER’S GUIDE FOR DUBAI

Buying property in Dubai is everybody’s dream, whether it be an investor who wants good returns on his/her investments or a purchaser who wants a high life in Dubai. At the outset it is really important to do your own research, as noted by experts in this field “Financing a property overseas can be complex, especially when it comes to obtaining the international mortgage you need to make your dreams a reality”  source: Simon Conn.

Like any other part of the world, to buy a property in Dubai, you need to address certain issues and fulfill some requirement. Following is the step by step guidance on those requirements:   

Eligibility Criteria

Any person can purchase a property in Dubai’s freehold areas. These include residents of Dubai and overseas nationality holders.

Documentation

Individual:

  • Passports 
  • Form B is required. Form B is a signed agreement from the buyer.

 A company incorporated in UAE:

  • Incorporation certificate (COA)
  • Articles of Association (AOA)
  • Memorandum of Association (MOA)
  • Resolution of Board of Directors
  • Power of Attorney
  • Form B is required. Form B is a signed agreement from the buyer 

A company incorporated Overseas:

  • Documentation is same as in case of a company incorporated in UAE, but the company incorporate overseas is required to get all these documents attested by the Embassy of UAE  
  • Form B is required. Form B is a signed agreement from the buyer  

Residency:

If the property purchased exceed 1M AED by any buyer, residency visa is issued to such person by the Dubai government. All such residents are bound by immigration rules and regulations are needed to renew their visa every 6 months.

Mortgages:

The mortgage market is booming in Dubai, as many Financial Institutions offer mortgage plans to non-resident owners. There are many types of mortgages that are available with these financial institutions, and each type has their own limits.

Taxation and Fees:

No taxes either income or otherwise are levied by the Dubai government. Only 1.5% in terms of registration fees is to be paid by the buyer. Transfer fees are required to be paid to the Developer (property Under Construction) and to Dubai Land Department (Fully Completed projects). If you are buying the property with Mortgage money, an additional 0.25% is levied on the value of loan or mortgage. If the property is fully complete, maintenance fee for services is to be paid to the seller

Need for a bank account:

To make things simple, no requirement to open a bank account by the overseas buyer has been laid by the Government. You can hire a lawyer that can make all the arrangements for money to be transferred to an account dedicated for this purpose and sail you through, smoothly. Even your presence is not required at the time the property is transferred in your name if you empower your lawyer through a power of attorney. 

Note: This is a collaborative post
Home & Interiors

DIY techniques to modernise your home

green chair

Pic Credit: Pixabay

As the season begins to change and we begin to plan our summer parties, we often think of how we can upgrade each room a little bit, without having to completely splash out and spend a ton on painting and decorating. Are you looking for some affordable and accessible ways to spruce up your space and get it looking a bit fresher? Why not take a look at this list of DIY techniques to modernise your home. The mistake people often make is that to do any DIY work you need a lot of tools, that really isn’t the case some critical tools like bandsaw blades and basic drills should be enough to commence the work. 

Clear your clutter and improve your storage

Modern minimalist designs are popular in modern homes, particularly among those who are working with restricted space. To achieve a home that is a little more simple and easier to maintain, why not start by decluttering things you don’t need? Recycling and donating old clothes, toys and furniture, rather than just throwing them in that dreaded cupboard we all have, can be a therapeutic process. A clean home has been proven to be good for concentration and relaxation after a long day.

In their luxury city-centre studio apartments, property investment company RW Invest entice young professionals and entrepreneurs with their state-of-the-art minimalist designs and smart-fitted technology. For inspiration, looking at designs like these might help you to visualise a home that can compete with desired modern trends, and inspire you as to how you might integrate what you have to make it feel more compatible with modern sensibilities.

Upgrade to a smart home 

laptop

Pic Credit: Pixabay

The idea of the ‘connected home’ is becoming more widely accepted by consumers every day, and is beginning to permeate the mainstream. With a vast number of different electronic devices in varying shapes and sizes available, smart devices such as speakers, lights and security can really help around the house, as they become more intuitive and easier to understand by the day.

Did-you-know? As of 2019, Amazon has sold over 100 million units fitted with their smart assistant ‘Alexa’, and they are quickly capturing the zeitgeist among consumers young and old with their ease-of-use and accessible functions. You might think it’s a little expensive to get involved in this ‘voice-activated’ trend, but with a variety of different models available, it’s easy to find the most cost-efficient piece for what you’re looking for

Scrub up on the outside

Moving out of the home, maintaining the garden can be a fun and rewarding way to get outdoors in the coming summer months. If you’re someone who wants to put as little effort into making sure your greenery doesn’t die, or just don’t have the time very often, there are plenty of low maintenance flowers and bushes you can plant that will be resilient when winter is coming.

Doing some simple tasks on your front path such as weeding or cleaning the windows can make your home look that little bit better to the average onlooker, giving you a home to feel proud about. If your path or patio needs a bit of a clean, why not invest in a pressure washer or something similar to give them a good hose down? It’s a lot cheaper than repaving your entire house and can be the perfect facelift your outdoor furniture needs pre-summer barbeque or party.

 

Note: This is a collaborative post
Fairy Travels

Santa Claus Village -a view from the inside

santa claus village cabins

Pic Credit: The Mamma Fairy Blog

Ever since our visit to Lapland in November/ December 2018 we have quite literally been obsessed about returning. We have been fortunate to have travelled to many countries all over the world but none capturing our hearts in the way Lapland did. If you asked me exactly what it is about Lapland, honestly id struggle to put it into words. There is a magic about it, being in the home town of Santa Claus. Perhaps its seeing the magic of Christmas through my kids eyes.  Last year we stayed at Santa Claus Village and despite my intention of it being a “once in a lifetime” trip we have booked to go back this year later in December.

Since our return, I have shared my trip report and some tips and advice on dressing for lapland  and I have got tonnes of emails and DM’s with questions. I am always happy to chat about my favourite place and happy to answer any questions or queries people planning to visit this wonderful destination have.  The concluding comment of one email I received via my trip report really resonated with me. The query itself was about Santa Claus Village and the email concluded with “can you just imagine working there? How amazing would that be?”.

Santa Claus Holiday Village is run by Marko and Inga and they very kindly took the time to answer some of the questions that I (and many other!) have about running and working in what is probably one of the best known, most magical places in the world.

Our Q & A

Tell us about a typical day at Santa Claus Village

santa claus village at at night

Pic Credit: Marko @ Santa Claus Holiday Village

Well, typical day at Santa Claus Village. I guess we must concentrate on the winter season because that`s our high season. Weather might be little bit chilly, very unusually too cold but plenty of snow. Everything is covered pure white snow, trees are like frosted piece of art statues.  Guests wake up in cosy n warm cottages and go hurried for breakfast, to Christmas House restaurant or Three Elves restaurant, depends on accommodation type which they have booked.  After they have enjoyed typical Scandinavian buffet breakfast, many of them will be waiting booked safaris in the lobby. Some goes for Reindeer Sleigh ride safari and some for Husky Sleigh ride safari or Snowmobiling or some other from our famous excursions.   During the day time we used to have quite a lot day visitors in the Village from other accommodations of Rovaniemi and from around Lapland. They come to meet Mr. Santa Claus and send Christmas greeting cards from Santa Claus Main Post Office and for sure making shopping of very special gifts and souvenirs which we have great selections in the shops of village.

In the afternoon, our guests start to return from safaris and excursions. Many of them go to enjoy in the private sauna in the own cottage and that`s really pleasure after spend chilly day in the winter activities.   In the evening we have delicious dinners available in our restaurants. For coming winter season we will have third restaurant. Restaurant Santa Claus Village, it has 140 seats and shape of teepee.

If the weather looks to be clear for coming night, lot of our guests will be going for different kind of Northern Lights search programs, like Aurora Reindeer safari, Northern Light search in private wilderness or Northern Light search and dinner.

Can you tell us a little about the history of Santa Claus Village

We can think about that story begins from 1950 when city of Rovaniemi built a cottage for Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt when she came to visit in the Arctic Circle.

All the way until 80th  century, tourism was here more or less only summer tourism. Guests from Europe come to visit in the Arctic Circle and was going to North cape, northern most point of Europe. At 80th century Mr. Santa Claus decided that he need a place to greet guests from all over the world and he chose Arctic Circle.

Does Santa ever get a holiday or does he meet guests all year round?

He meet guests here every day for the whole year. In the Christmas Eve he starts he`s journey around world to delivery gifts but he have his magic things in his office, he can stop time for a night and that`s how he have time to make a trip around whole world and Christmas Day morning he will be back in the village greeting his guests.

Where do most of your visitors come from? Europe? or further afield?

Our guests are definitely really from all over the world, I would say that there is not any continental in the earth that we wouldn’t have had guests. It happened some years ago the that we had in the same time in house, without knowing each other, 3 families from New Caledonia. Further than that you can`t come if someone does’t live in the moon. But a lot comes from Europe because it`s not so far away.

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Fairy Travels

Stena Line – Ferry travel with kids

Dublin port

Departing Dublin Port Pic Credit: The MammaFairy Blog

Long before kids arrived into the Mamma Fairy house we used to travel quite a bit to Holyhead from Dublin. My sister attended University in Bangor in North Wales so we loved popping over for the weekend.  We hadn’t taken the kids on a ferry so there was mega excitement when I told them Stena Line were very kindly taking us and our car to Wales. One of the things that stresses me most about holidays is the airport, the volume of people, the queues, getting myself and the kids through security! The stress levels until we are sitting at the gate are usually pretty high!! Having taken our car on the ferry many times I knew what to expect! Much less stress – literally drive on drive off!

Our Ferry journey with kids

driving onto a ferry

Boarding time!! Pic Credit: The MammaFairy Blog

We were on the 8.10 Stena Adventurer heading over from Dublin to Holyhead on a lovely bright Friday morning in June. Being a Dublin resident I knew how bad Dublin traffic could be so we allowed ourselves extra time just to be sure and I am very glad we did. An incident at Port Tunnel saw the tunnel temporarily closed so thankfully we had time to go the alternative route. Check in closed 30 mins before departure but my advice is to get there early especially if you are travelling in peak work day traffic.

Check in was smooth, we had our boarding passes printed off, we were told which number queue to join and there we were in line to board the Stena Line Adventurer. The absolute squeals out of the kids as we drove onto the boat!!! Once we boarded we were guided into position,  we parked up and took the hyper gang up to the passenger decks. Another tip is to make sure you take everything you need with you as you can’t return to your vehicle when the ferry departs until the ferry docks again.

On board

Good bye Dublin Pic Credit: The MammaFairy Blog

I think one of the first thing you will notice is just how big the ferry is! We had taken the Superfast ferry in the past and the Adventurer is noticeably bigger.  On board the Adventurer there are:

  • En-suite cabins available from €30, might be handy if you have very young kids, for us with older (hyper with excitement) kids it really wasn’t necessary for the short 3 hour crossing. I believe the cabins go up to 4 berth which could be very handy for families.
  • A Hygge Lounge which is a relaxing, peaceful environment if you want a total chill in a large comfy reclining chair as you gaze over the Irish Sea. The cost is €9 per person but you must be over 16 years. If we didn’t have the kids id be in there in a heartbeat. Right up my street!!!
  • There was a restaurant, bar and coffee dock on each passenger deck serving hot and cold snacks and the usual beers and spirits. It was really busy initially on both legs of our trip but the staff were very efficient and the waiting time was short and a lot less busy once the initial rush was finished.
  • There is also the Stena Plus Lounge where for €20 you can avail of complimentary drinks, snacks, newspapers & magazines as well as free wifi, waiter service and comfy seating. We didn’t do it this trip but in the pre kids days we always frequented the lounge, it is really good value and nice and relaxing, a good option for the 3 hours ferry. The was a ‘Family Meal Deal’ on board 2 adults and 2 kids for £23 really good value and you can pay in either € or £.
  • For kids there really is plenty to do; located on each passenger deck is a small play space, for older kids there is “Teen Town” with some arcade games. Much to the kids excitement there is a cinema with free entry. This is a really good option to pass an hour or so especially with younger kids.

Our crossing

Our ship departed on time, boarding was smooth, the sail itself was smooth and the disembarkation was efficient.  What more could you ask for?! To keep the kids entertained I took sketch pads and their trusty twistables! While there is plenty on board to keep them entertained the play centres can get busy so worth having a few of their favourites to keep them occupied.  We took some of their own snacks with us while we ordered coffees, toast and scrambled egg to go with them. Thumbs up for Stena’s scrambled egg.

Our plans

As our trip was so short I had done lots of research before hand to maximise the time we had in North Wales. Full blog post on our activities but for now a very sneak peak…..

Day 1 -We drove to the picturesque town of Llanberis were we stayed on night after our journey on the Snowdon Mountain Railway. We reached the top of Snowdown Mountain literally surrounded by clouds which they kids thought was “epic” the last bit  is a little steep but oh so worth it. Be warned even in summer it can get cold up there so our trusty Reima winter gear came in useful again.

Day 2 – We drove further into Snowdonia to Llechwedd near Blaenau Ffestiniog. Llechwedd is an old slate mine where you can go 50o metres below ground into a deep mine.  I’ll keep you in suspense a little longer for my full review but suffice to say this place left a lasting impression on both us and the kids. Rich our guide a 7th generation miner himself was what made this tour for us. His unique insights, his respect for the heritage of the area and the contribution to mining brought a tear to my eye more than once.

Day 3 – Before heading back to Holyhead we spent a day and night in Llandudno, an old school sea side holiday resort.  While here we also took a quick visit to the Copper mines for a unique self guided tour of 4000 year old mines!!!  We loved our chilled out day here, kids will forever remember playing football at the beach at 10pm then running back to the b&b soaked, tired but happy.

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Fairy Travels

Itinerary ideas for Iceland

Since our trip last September to Iceland lots of people have asked for tips and advice on what to do to Iceland, sample itineraries, “must see” attractions.   I knew a few of my fellow blog buddies had been to Iceland I thought i’d reach out and get a variety of ideas on their top picks.

waterfall

Pic Credit: The Mamma Fairy Blog

For many people and particularly given just how expensive Iceland is, their preference would be to book via website who can help you book the entire trip in one place.  With WowAir now defunct, there are less flight options for getting to this wonderful destination therefore I can really see how using the services of a site to assist you to book the entire package would be very appealing.  One option im aware of is the Voyage Prive website where they describe themselves as  “a members only luxury travel club, offering unforgettable getaways, at unbelievable prices“.  I love a deal and I know a lot of people like the security of having a packages as opposed to DIY, so well worth checking out and not just for Iceland, there cover worldwide holidays from ski trip to luxury resorts to city breaks.

Iceland “things to do”

The over riding thing I will say about Iceland is that it totally lives up to its reputation as being magical – the scenery is breathtaking, the people friendly and the thermal spas well……you just have to try them. And before you ask……yes it is expensive but to me, and my husband will agree it is totally worth it. It was a bucket list trip for us – a once in a lifetime – but I left a bit of my heart there and I have to go back. We loved it so much

Geysirs in Iceland

Pic Credit: The Mamma Fairy Blog

Our visit was short and we had young kids (6 and 3 at the time of travel) so we carefully planned out itinerary, for a sneak peak of what we did see our Golden Circle trip here my  kids are still asking to go back to that wonderful Ice cream place before Gullfoss. I really do love looking back at our pics, really does make me want to go and book it again.

We also did Fontana as we booked last minute, the Blue Lagoon was booked out. A top tip if the Blue Lagoon is top of your list is to book early. Please also respect the cultural (and hygienic) advice to shower before entering the thermal pools. It was definitely one of the highlights as it was quiet when we were there, we had loads of time and space and the kids were made very welcome. And try the bread – drooling as I type. Quite  honestly the nicest I have ever tasted. It is known as  Geothermal bakery and the break is cooked in the ground for 24 hours!!

My kids are a bit older know and are really dying to go back, my oldest is obsessed with all things marine and whale watching is the top of his wish list not if but when we go back. Key requirement for him it must be eco friendly and sustainable and thankfully that option does exist.

If we were to go back to Iceland, I’d like to try renting a camper. I’ve heard about other bloggers’ camping adventures in Iceland, the kids would probably love it. I visited Cozy Campers website, which has a range of budget and premium campervans, and yes, I already have ideas for “things to do” on our next trip.

 

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