Having enjoyed a great night’s sleep and superb breakfast at the NH Collection Hotel on Friedrichstrasse, our first port of call during our city break in Berlin was to visit the Berlin Wall. There’s no shortage of things to do in Germany’s capital, whether visiting as a group or a family, but the wall is an absolute must.
There have been some superb trips to Germany in the past, living south of Frankfurt in Heidelberg for a month probably the most memorable. Berlin is not somewhere I’d visited until recently and there is so much to see in Germany’s capital city. From the Fernsehturm, with its magnificent views, to the iconic Brandenburg Gate and of course the Berlin Wall with it’s open air gallery. Plus there’s an abundance of family attractions such as the planetarium, zoo and aquarium to be discovered too.
Germany is widely recognised for its historic Christmas markets and festive fairs with Berlin, Cologne and Munich among the largest. Although we’re a little biased (my father-in-law was stationed in Germany and I also lived there), their markets are like no other. They have that traditionally festive feel, an abundance of charm and truly captivate the magic of Christmas. You can expect to see hand-made gifts aplenty coupled with smells like deliciously warming Glühwein and mouth watering bratwurst.
It’s that time of year when we can’t help but think about Glühwein, bratwurst in crusty rolls and the smell of cinnamon. I don’t know about you but we love Christmas markets. In London there’s the Southbank Christmas market with Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland also a favourite. Outside the capital, Christmas markets can be found in the likes of Bath, Belfast, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Lincoln, Manchester, York and Winchester among other places. While each are wonderful in their own right, we have a penchant for Europe. There are some incredible Christmas markets to visit if you fancy a weekend away.
We’ve welcomed the return of autumn with open arms but there is a distinct chill in the mornings and the evenings are certainly becoming darker. What better time to think about a winter break! Here are our top ten suggestions for where to go in October. As with any holiday, research your trip before you book to ensure you get the most out of it. Some attractions may close earlier so plan your itinerary before you travel.
With its lagoons, beaches and coral reefs, the volcanic island of Mauritius offers lots to do from the Safari and Bird Park, the Giant Tortoise Park and Vallée des Couleurs to the Kids Adventure Park, Ile Aux Aigrettes Island and Château de Labourdonnais. Like many of the tropical islands, it has good weather all year round too with temperatures in October an average of 25°C.
As a couple we’d often book flights at short notice and escape for a European city break. We didn’t necessarily have an idea where we wanted to go either, we’d just booked whatever took our fancy. We were very much go with the flow types and being away was a great way to ensure the weekend felt even longer. We do research destinations more with a five year old in tow but as long as there’s enough to occupy her, everyone’s happy. So what are the top European city breaks for families with young children?
The most well renowned place for street art is around Brick Lane and Shoreditch. This part of East London is a mecca for talent with artists travelling there from all over the world. Banksy, Roa, Stik, Malarky, Dscreet, Jim Vision and D*Face are just a few of the names associated with the area. There are truly incredible pieces to be found and, while organised tours are available, I took to the streets with my camera with a view to capturing some of the creativity.
Sun, souk and snakes, three things you’re guaranteed from a trip to Marrakech. We travelled at the beginning of April on the search for pre-summer sun and discovered so much more. The average temperature at that time of year hovers around 18 degrees Celsius and rises steadily as summer approaches.
