Because the last holiday was such a ‘success’….

Because the last holiday was such a ‘success’….

Readers may know that Mr Tammy and I do like a holiday, I have said before it is the one thing we will save and spend on. However readers may also know that our last holiday to Menorca was such a roaring…fail... That we feared we had stumbled upon the end of our holidaying career for the foreseeable…

Yet some three months after Menorca Gate we found ourselves with itchy feet booking a flight to sunnier climes. Because we are that stupid. After all getting up in the middle of the night to expect the two/one year old combo to sit quietly on a flight really is a great idea and what’s more we paid for the pleasure. I believe the term #winning would fit nicely eh.

In the interest of our sanity we only booked a week, two weeks in Menorca did after all feel like two years. We got off to a pretty successful start, we survived the flight, the two year old now had her own seat, which was a massive bonus. Neither were we lynched by the elder folk and beaten with walking sticks as we disembarked. We were however clearly not welcome on their flight and they did not look impressed as they saw our two little ones clamber on board. We did however ‘parent the shit’ out of the flight, for two hours thirty seven minutes the kids had our undivided attention. Reading, writing, stickers, colouring, singing, iPad, food, you name it they had it. We went to the toilet about 37 times and looked out the window just as much  but they were happy and quiet.

By 12.30 we had arrived, got the keys and unpacked. Having learnt the hard way we opted to hire a private apartment. Menorca gate saw us in a hotel complex in a small two bedroom apartment. The boy had to sleep in the living room and was up at 6 everyday and no one had any space to move. We rented a large three bedroom apartment that has a huge double terrace which leads onto the garden and the swimming pool, which is conveniety protected by fencing. These digs made all the difference.

  1. It was on one level and on the ground floor, so I was not scared the babies would climb the stairs and plummet to their death hitting every stone step on the way down.
  2. The pool was gated, so I was not scared the babies would decide swimming solo was a good idea and drown and die.
  3. More importantly though, yes more important than avoiding the potential death situation above, there was space, the babies could roam free around the length and breadth of the apartment both inside and out, no one had cabin fever and no one (me) was at risk of hanging from the shower curtain in despair.
  4. Noise levels are not an issue. I’m quite sure our neighbours on our last holiday asked to move… Here there is hardly anyone around, but it is October. It does mean however if my two are noisy, which they are, no one hears them! Apart from me.

Our viewOur terrace

If I had one tip for travelling with young kids it would definetly be do your research and book a private villa, apartment, etc. It doesn’t have to cost the earth, you wouldn’t believe what we paid for this beautiful modern and massive apartment.

Thus far other highlights include, eating out yes you heard correctly we have eaten out with both babies successfully! You may need to redefine successful but if you count actually eating your food (it was salad so there was no risk of it getting cold before you are able to eat it) without babies screaming, trying to get down, run away or throwing food then it has been a success.

I fear Mr Tammy and I are at risk of developing a Cava dependency. With our expert eye we have managed to find a €3 bottle of Cava that is actually nice. Needless to say what occupies our fridge, and glasses every night. But hey happy mumma happy babies right?!
Zara in swing

More importantly though, the babies are happy. Minus a little sick bug that resulted in curdled milk being projectile vomited all over myself curtesy of the girl. They are having a good time. They are smiling, laughing and enjoying the outdoors, the pool and the family time – and they’re not the only ones. A few days before we were due to leave we changed our flights, rebooked the apartment  and flew nanny and grandad out for a week. So at this, the half way point, the holiday has been a success. Thank the Lord for that.

This time has given me the opportunity to think about a few things though. It has fuelled my fire to extend our kitchen/diner/lounge. The open plan living space that leads onto the garden has made such a difference to our holiday. Everyone can see everyone but yet be doing their own thing. It is sociable, bright and spacious and I think re creating this space in our own home will add so much to our quality of life and the time we spend as a family.

Zara and daddy
Secondly it has furthered a suspicion I have always harboured, the U.K. May not be the right place for me and our family. I know we are on holiday so it is of course different to ‘life’ but the difference in all of us is notable. Mr Tammy is happier without the stresses and strains of work vs life in the U.K . He works incredibly hard and very long hours, some days he is lucky to see his kids for 30 minutes before bed, (ha I’m not sure he would always say lucky). Here he has spent some proper time with them and they have loved it. The girl especially has developed a lovely bond with him over the last week and they are without doubt loving their daddy time. We all are, we have all spent our days as a family, doing things together and it has been a refreshing change of pace. Coupled with the warm weather, light nights and €3 cava it has left me feeling, warm, content and at peace, which has rubbed off on the babies, and that is a life I want for my children.

Because the last holiday was such a, err, success. Ok massive fail. WE thought we would go on another one. Sounds like a really great idea huh?! Holidays sure are different with two toddlers in tow. #familyholiday #familylife #holiday #parenting #holidaywithbabies #holidaywithchildren #momlife #mumlife

44 thoughts on “Because the last holiday was such a ‘success’….”

  • It’s funny we live in house with stairs now that are really open and I think I am so glad I didn’t buy this house when my children were younger as I would be freaking out! Keeping abby safe makes us relax! I would love that sunshine right now, great pics #familyfun

  • I’m glad you are having a good time and all the plans are exciting. Sounds like the babies are changing your outlook on life! I just need to persuade my mr to book an apartment now😀

  • You’ve made me want a holiday! We’re attempting one next year and I’ve been telling my husband a private villa will be easier. I might show him this! #fanilyfun

    • Ha honestly if I have one bit of advice to pass on – it would definitely be that. We have done them all and having our own place wins hands down! X

  • Sounds like a lovely holiday. We took our little girl to Lanzarote earlier this year when she was 21 months. She actually behaved better than I thought she would on the plane but it was touch and go for a while. The flight was around 4 hours though so it was a bit long really. Oooh I really want to go away again now haha. #familyfun

  • I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed your holiday more this time. I definitely agree about renting an apartment. We tried an all-inclusive in Spain last year with the kids and it was not the best. You need lots of your own space and independence! We now tend to like caravan parks as you get your own space with multiple bedrooms but also all the facilities of a holiday park. May I ask what company you used to book your villa? It looks lovely! #familyfun

  • Looks like a slice of paradise. I know what you mean about starting to rethink your space in like. We vacationed in a tiny mountain town a few years ago and were so refreshed and content in the space we seriously thought about moving there.

    #familyfun

  • So pleased to hear that this trip has been a big success. The apartment sounds ideal. I can certainly vouch for open plan living. Most Dutch houses are open plan and open out onto the garden. Lifestyle wise. Couldn’t return to the rat race in the UK either. Maybe you need to relocate? #FamilyFun

  • Totally agree with you. We stayed in a B&B with one baby and never again. Apartments all the way! Hope you can work out a way to live overseas. Escaping the UK and the rat race really is the best decision we ever made! #familyfun

  • I’m so glad your holiday is going better this time around (tonnes better by the sounds of it!). I love the sunny weather – I always say that holidays abroad should come on the NHS because you just feel so much better once you’ve had a proper dose of sunlight! We’ve not attempted taking our little ones abroad yet, though… #FamilyFun

  • What a lovely post! It sounds like you’re having an amazing time and you’ve almost convinced me to risk a family holiday abroad. It’s a shame about the projectile vomiting, but in our family, a holiday’s not a holiday until someone has been splattered with sick! At least it’s over with now! Hope you enjoy the rest of your hols! #familyfun

  • Sounds like a big move is planned? I would love to spend 6 months somewhere in Southern Europe and 6 months in the UK. That would be perfect. Lovely pics of your family break. Oh and I laughed out loud at parenting the sh*t out of the flight – yep I’ve done too, I’m surprised I didn’t get some sort of award!! Mine are teens now so it’s much less stressful!! #FamilyFun

  • I want to know where you found this 3 euro bottle of amazing Cava, and if it’s available in the UK! Glad you had a lovely holiday and the villa looks fab. #FamilyFun

  • Wow, it sounds amazing and great that you are inspired to make your living space at home more open plan and sociable. Beautiful relaxing photos too, love it xx

  • The apartment looks amazing! Great that you are having a lovely time and decided to extend. I have a massive issue with work culture in the UK these days. So many people say, as you have, that the UK may not be the place for them. And I get that because a lot of the year it’s grey and cold! But so many people want to leave because of the stresses of work and actually that’s a culture that could change and make everyone in the UK happier. But it needs a large collective to want to do it and there are so many people now who work long hours just so they don’t put their jobs or progression at risk. I find it so sad and often wish I could opt out of that too! Hope you enjoy your second week. Tengo mucho celos! (Jealous 😉 )

  • Renting a private apartment/house is the way to go. We recently returned from our own vacation with a 2 year old and an almost 6-month old and we would have been driven to insanity had we rented even two hotel rooms. The place you picked and the surroundings look wonderful. Glad you had a good time. #familyfun

  • I’m glad this one really is a success. I’m with you, a villa is definitely the way ahead for young kids and with enough €3 cava knocking around I’m not sure I’d hear them making any noise anyway haha.
    Potty Adventures
    #familyfun

  • Your holiday villa looks gorgeous – I’d love to take the Popple to Spain. Sun and cheap cava – what’s not to like? Plus we’re trying to raise her bilingual, so it would be great for her to be immersed in Spanish for a few weeks

  • It’s lovely that Mr T is enjoying some lovely family time and you’re both enjoying the lush Cava! Love the pic of the pool and totallly agree things like fences and gates help you to be able to relax. Enjoy the rest of the time away x #FamilyFun x

  • Oh I am so happy that this holiday has been successful for you! I definitely will only stay in a self catering apartment with a baby\child. It is the only way to keep sane! However, we only ate in twice on our recent holiday as J is exceptionally well behaved in restaurants! Long may that continue!! The apartment looks fabulous, especially the pool and garden. If you find a secret way to make it work abroad, please let me know and we will be joining you! Enjoy the second week xxx

  • I’ve been perving on your holiday scenery from Instagram, I’m so glad you had a time good enough to match your view!

    #FamilyFun

  • We’ve done villa holidays before children and would definitely do it now we have our boy. Just need to persuade Mr S. Glad you’re having a lovely time #ablogginggoodtime

  • You had me in stitches with ‘parent the shit out of the flight’ that’s hillarious! If only everyone did that! Glad your having such a lovely break this time. Mr H is the same with late nights at work; it’s hard for him & Miss H as they miss that evening time – he used to get home at 4:45! Thank you so much for linking up to #HMcapturingmoments x

  • Sounds like a lovely time! We have just done our first holiday with Piglet at 7 months old, but also had 5 of his cousins too! we were in a hotel but wished we were in a villa. Some of the toddlers have kamakazee thoughts on the pool so we all developed eyes on the back of our heads! A gated pool like you have would have been much more peaceful. Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next Sunday

  • Aw that last picture with daddy is so sweet. I’m so glad I read this thank you as we are about to book our first family holiday with babba (7 months) and hadn’t thought of a private apartment. You loved it so much you stayed another week and flew out nanny & grandad that sounds awesome! #KCACOLS

  • Oh I am so glad this holiday was more successful than the last. It does sound perfect for small children, for the reasons you’ve mentioned. The UK really can be such a ratrace and holidays are often a time when you have a chance to reassess and think about what you want to do with your life…Let’s hope things become clear for you all and you can wheher make some changes to life in the UK or make plans to move elsewhere.

  • What a lovely post and a lovely looking villa. I am glad you had the time to relax. I hope all goes well if you decide to up sticks and leave the UK. It’s a bold move, but I totally get why it could be the right one. Let us know! Pen x #KCACOLS

  • Oh wow, this looks absolutely lovely! I’m so glad that it’s treating you better this go round <3 It looks like you all are really soaking it up, and you've totally made me want to take a trip! I really do appreciate the advice for staying in your own private place. We always talked about staying in a hotel, and I never really thought about the downfalls. Thanks so much for sharing! <3 #KCACOLS

  • That does sound like an amazing holiday! We’ve never been abroad before but I will definitely be taking your advice and getting a private villa/apartment when we do eventually mange a holiday! x #KCACOLS

  • You’re always on holiday! This looks lovely and I completely know what you mean about hiring a villa, so much easier with kids and more space too. You’re making me want a glass of cava now. Thanks so much for linking up at #fortheloveofBLOG. Claire x

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