If, like us, you love your hotels to have lashings of local flavour, consider The Warehouse Hotel the next time you’re passing through Singapore. A conversion of three adjacent Spice Trade warehouses, built in 1895, (known locally as ‘godowns’), the hotel combines its heritage quite brilliantly with contemporary interiors & an innovative, fresh & personal approach to hospitality; a unique offering in Singapore. A member of the Design Hotel group, the lobby will undoubtedly take your breath away, and the 37 rooms, impeccably designed, have wonderfully high ceilings and the cheekiest approach to room amenities we’ve ever seen! Intrigued? You should be…

Last but not least, the dining at in-house restaurant, ‘Po’, will make you want to return again & again; serving local Singaporean hawker classics and elevating them to refined, restaurant-worthy dishes is their USP, and they do it brilliantly.

Combine with Bawah Reserve in Indonesia, during our summer months, and Iniala Beach House in Thailand, during our winter months, for a unique South-East Asian experience.

Long-haul family travel has historically been reserved for the Summer and Easter holidays, and occasionally Christmas. With many schools now introducing a two-week October half-term, our wanderlust families should be rubbing their hands with glee…

Why? Well, firstly, October means lower hotel prices & airfares. It also means quieter beaches and, as long as you choose your destination well, a wonderful hit of sunshine just as the nights are drawing in and temperatures are beginning to drop at home. Worried about splurging on an Autumn 2020 holiday before Christmas? Don’t be. We are able to hold flights and accommodation for you now, secure your holiday, and your pennies won’t part from you until Summer 2020.

Over the coming days, we’ll be sharing our favourite October destinations and hotels with you. Stay tuned & ping us an email if you’d like prices.

First up is the Maldives; notoriously expensive at Christmas, and peak monsoon season during our summer months, October marks the end of the rainy season. Como Maalifushi is a spectacular 60-minute seaplane flight from Malé; for a truly remote setting with a wondrous house reef and uninterrupted horizons, you couldn’t ask for better. The activities on offer are equally as impressive; daily yoga, kayaking, paddle-boarding, night-snorkelling, and splash-net dolphin-spotting cruises (where you sit in the net of a dhoni and get dragged through the ocean!). Maalifushi is also one of the few Maldivian resorts to have a TropicSurf Guide at the resort who will escort you to three secluded surf swells on different atolls. For younger guests, Play by COMO offers 4-12 year olds a creative choice of high-energy and quieter activities to suit all characters. Their ‘Family Getaway’ offer for October half-term includes complimentary half board upgrade for adults, and complimentary full board upgrade for children below 12 years of age. Up to two children in the family will also receive complimentary return seaplane transfers; so quite a saving.

Starting where the sun rises, the Eastern Cape is home to Shamwari Game Reserve - the longest-running private reserve in the Cape, stretching across 25,000 hectares. It now not only boasts the Big Five (lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, Cape buffalo), but also has wild dog, cheetah, hyena, hippo, giraffe and zebra. At 22,000 hectares, Kwandwe Reserve is the second largest of the Eastern Cape reserves, known for excellent cheetah sightings. Ask us about Addo Elephant Park too….particularly as an introduction to African wildlife for young children. Two of our top lodge picks in the Eastern Cape are:

Riverdene Lodge, Shamwari

‘Overlooking the magnificent bushveld of the Eastern Cape, Riverdene Lodge is a beautifully restored original frontier home. With just nine spacious inter-leading rooms, there is a relaxed, calm vibe. The Kids on Safari Adventure Centre includes a rock-climbing wall, zip line, treehouse playground and maze.’

Kwandwe Ecca Lodge….

‘Included with each Family Suite at Kwandwe Ecca Lodge is a private vehicle, ranger and tracker.  This lodge sets the standard in offering innovative ‘live green’ activities including: planting Spekboom (a type of thick vegetation native to the Eastern Cape, and one of the top five carbon-storing plants on the planet!), or Kwandwe’s ‘Knit a Bit’ where kids are taught to knit squares to make blankets for the local communities.’

‘If you prefer to decide what time you go on your game drives each day, and for no minimum age restrictions, take one of the three private-hire lodges at Kwandwe - Fort House, Uplands Homestead and Melton Manor - and design your own safari!’

---

Madikwe Game Reserve at 75,000 hectares is one of South Africa’s largest reserves. It is a three-hour drive from Johannesburg and a non-malaria area making it very popular with families. On a 23,000 hectare private concession within the Big 5 Marakele National Park, Marataba is approximately four hours driving time from Johannesburg. Whether you decide to fly or drive, combining these two reserves makes for a varied, top-notch, family safari. Ask us about the brilliant FLYMORE packages which save you money on flights to both camps…

Madikwe and Marataba MORE Safari Lodges

‘Lelapa lodge at Madikwe Safari Lodge has four Family Suites; each includes a second children’s bunk bedroom, giving your kids (and you) their own space. For those wanting alternatives to Big Five excursions beyond vehicle drives, Marataba offers a walking safari and a must-do water safari, where guests navigate the Matlabas River in search of hippos, lions and much more while on the lodge’s pontoon, Miss Mara.’

---

Located to the west of Kruger National Park, Sabi Sands is widely considered to be South Africa’s finest reserve. For families who are unphased by taking anti-malarials, it is hard to beat, and is particularly famous for incredible leopard and lion sightings.

Chitwa Chitwa

‘In addition to the six one bedroom suites, the Charlsy suite has two inter-connecting rooms ideal for families. Chitwa House Villa has two exclusive en-suite bedrooms and includes a dedicated ranger, private vehicle, butler and large pool. Located on the largest lake within Sabi Sands private reserve, you may even spot hippos and crocodiles from the sunset deck pool!’

---

Grootbos

‘And for a chance to spot South Africa’s ‘Marine Big 5’, spend a few nights at Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, just outside of Hermanus and a short drive from Cape Town. Between June and December, hundreds of Southern Right Whales gather in the shallow waters of Walker’s Bay to mate and calve their young. The Garden Lodge suites and The Villa are brilliantly suited to families but they do book up early so you’ll need to plan ahead for this unique eco-property.’

There are so many beautiful hill-top hotels in Tuscany that it can be hard to distinguish between them. COMO Castello del Nero stands out from the crowd… and for all the right reasons. Firstly, their COMO Shambhala retreat offers daily complimentary yoga for residents, therapeutic massages and expert guidance in holistic wellness.. Secondly, the pared-back, sleek interiors - quite rare in Italian mansions - and the neutral colours provide an insanely relaxed vibe, and allow the scenic rolling Tuscan hills to do the talking. Food can be Michelin-starred in La Torre or more relaxed Tuscan cuisine. And last but not least, the service at COMO hotels is always warm, efficient & with an impeccable eye for detail. It’s a 15 minutes walk to the nearest village and the hotel runs a complimentary shuttle to Siena and Florence on a set day, so explore or sit back….

Whilst the hotel welcomes children with the usual Italian open-armed bear hug, COMO Castello Del Nero also works brilliantly for couples in search of some privacy, parents in need of a child-free weekend away and friends wanting a holistic break .

Contact us for their seasonal offers. We’d love to send you there…

There are some villas that speak for themselves, and this is one of them…

Semiramis is a 5-bedroom property split across a main villa & separate guesthouse - ideal for multi-generational family gatherings, or two or three families holidaying together. Open-plan living, air-con and Sonos sound system throughout. A few minutes walk to the beach and a short drive to the nearest town. Seaviews, privacy & breathtaking design in bucketfuls….

The island of Tinos itself is home to mesmerizing beaches and some of the most well-preserved villages in the Cyclades. Light a candle in one of its churches, swim in a secluded bay or weave a basket with the hospitable Tinian’s. The island has some wonderful treks and archeological sites, and if you go for May half-term, you may be fortunate enough to have a seat at Tinos’s annual Food Festival…

Prices from €6,500 per week…

These villas below work brilliantly for family holidays from May through September, and the southernmost properties with heated pools can also be considered for October half-term. Details of your home-from-home will be important to you, and are important to us, so ask us about floorplans, access to local shops & restaurants, whether the stairs are toddler-friendly, whether the swimming pool is fenced, and what temperature the pool is heated to in the cooler months…we never tire of the details.

GREECE

‘Villa L’ | Paros | 4 bedrooms | Private pool | Beachfront | from €6,200/week

‘Villa N’ | Crete | 4 bedrooms | Heated infinity pool & separate kids pool | Playground | 5-minute drive to beach & village | from €5,600/week

‘Villa M’ | Mykonos | 5 bedrooms | Walking distance to the beach & tavernas | from €15,150/week

---

IBIZA

‘Villa A’ | San Rafael, Ibiza | 6 bedrooms | Rural seclusion but easy drive to beaches & Ibiza town | from €10,000/week

‘Villa S’ | nr Sa Caleta, Ibiza | 6 bedrooms | Modern interiors | Tennis court | Separate guest house | Close to south coast | from €15,000/week

---

PUGLIA

‘Villa O’ | 6 bedrooms | nr Ostuni, Puglia | 17th century manor | Large pool, jacuzzi & turkish bath | 10 minute drive to beaches | from €30,000/week

‘Villa K’ | nr Ostuni | 8 bedrooms | Ideal for multiple family groups | Vast grounds | Easy drive to the beach | from €12,000/week

We're excited about this property in Brazil....and think it works particularly well for families with children who have outgrown the kids club. You'll sleep in stylish, beachfront bungalows - some with private pools, and if the kids are no longer kids and prefer to have their own space, there is even a separate 'bunk bedroom bungalow'...Kite-surfing, 4x4 dune riding, and dune lagoon swimming are popular past-times here; the cookery school, gym & spa are also sublime. Food is locally sourced and daily menus depend on the catch of the day and what's in season.

August is a brilliant month to be here so consider it for next summer...& if you have time, combine with Rio, Salvador & the Pantanal. 

---

Who doesn't love toes-in-the-sand-dining? We do! If this appeals, we know you'll want to try out this Indonesian private island family paradise. The resort supports a community-based foundation which, as guests of the property, you can actively participate in. There's a chocolate factory with cocoa-making courses, and for the most sublime swim, trek to Lake Weekuri - nature's saltwater pool - separated from the ocean by a rugged cliff. Stand-up paddle-boarding, fishing, diving & surf lessons are also on offer, and outdoor yoga if you're so inclined... You might even get lucky with a turtle release.

July and August are ideal months to be there…

---

Tried & tested…

“My family holiday in Jordan was an incredible adventure. I feel like I saw everything from north to south: walking through ruins, scuba diving in the red sea, fighting with crusaders in their castles, staying in hotels in the middle of nowhere – including camping in the desert. It took 2 hours to get there on a camel, which was sore but fun!! it was the best holiday ever. Petra was especially amazing - walking through the siq you turn a corner and the sight you see takes your breath away. I thought in Jordan there was going to be a few amazing things but actually you discover a whole new culture. It was outstanding!!”

Lucy, 9 years old | My Native Kids Easter holidays 2019

Contact us at info@my-native.com or on +44 (0)203 371 7203 for details on these destinations, and for more Summer 2020 inspiration…

Just as the shops are starting to think Autumn/Winter, so we’re thinking ski! A few of our clients are booking their Feb & Easter ski breaks now, and, knowing how busy those weeks are, we’re also making sure they have their ski lessons booked.

If you haven’t booked yet, there’s still some superb availability. We’re excited about the opening of Le Coucou in December in Meribel, and we’re marketing some fabulous chalets in Austria. Copperhill in Sweden also remains a firm favourite for young families and beginners looking for quiet slopes.

So, as much as we dislike seeing those Autumn shades in the high street windows in August….we’re actually big fans of forward planning :) What do you prefer….last-minute holiday planning, or booking ahead?

We’re busy writing departure documents this weekend for clients leaving on their August summer holidays. And surprise, surprise…the ‘What to eat & where to eat it’ section is taking up a lot of our time, love and attention.

Our clients travelling to Costa Rica later this month are in for a real foodie treat. Gallo Pinto, meaning spotted rooster, is one of the most common breakfast dishes in Costa Rica. It is a blend of rice, beans, onions, pepper, coriander, and sweet plaintains. Topped with a fried egg & cheese, add salsa lizano or lime. We’d be washing this down with a Naturales - a local term referring to the fruit & vegetable juice found on sale on most street corners & roadsides across the country, often sold by local farmers. Our faves are mango, pineapple & lychee.

Tell us, where’s your favourite place in the world for their local breakfast?

Gallo Pinto

Considering taking your children on their first safari? It's important to take them at the right age, book well in advance, carefully choose your reserve and lodge, and travel in the optimum season. So...lots to consider. We'd love to help you get it right. These photos were taken last month by lovely clients of ours; a family of 12 spanning three generations, celebrating a special anniversary in two malaria-free reserves in South Africa and a quick hop up to Vic Falls to boot. In their own words…

“We could not have had a more wonderful holiday! Everything went perfectly. We feel that we were able to expose our children and grandchildren to the magic of Africa that we were lucky enough to experience so many years ago. We think this was an adventure that they will always remember. We cannot give enough praise to our guides who, taught, protected, organized, and cared for all of us. They truly became our friends.”

Today is International Small Business Day so, as well as giving ourselves a pat on the back for being small, perfectly formed and in business, we also want to give a shout out to all the brilliant companies we partner with around the world for doing what they do to such exacting standards, and with such passion. We're fussy about who we work with and we just love what you do.

Tell us about a micro, small or medium-sized business that you’ve come across and admire…

We've been so busy booking Easter and Summer 2020 breaks (as well as the odd last-minute 2019 holiday), that we’ve forgotten to ‘stay social’ so apologies for the online silence. To make up for it, we thought you might like to know where we’ve been busily booking ...stay tuned for inspo from Vietnam, South Africa, Borneo, the Caribbean, Thailand…

First up...Petit St Vincent in the Grenadines. The journey there is part of the adventure. After arriving into Barbados, you'll hop on a 45-minute flight to Union Island, a golf cart will then whisk you across the island to the dock and a 20-minute speedboat ride will take you to your private island paradise. If you like feet-in-the-sand-dining and high-end but low-key service, PSV will suit you. Even more so if you're partial to a spot of sailing or diving...Their current 7-for-5-night offer makes it brilliant value for the Caribbean...

Booking ahead now for Easter 2020 makes a lot of sense. And we're thrilled that so many of our clients are doing exactly that.

Flights have just been released so fares are very competitively priced and you'll have the best choice of accommodation to choose from.

This family Costa Rica itinerary has given us itchy feet (again)...pristine beaches, waterfall and rainforest hikes, zip wires & Tarzan swings, world-class diving and snorkelling, and wildlife that will blow your mind. These photos are taken at the Four Seasons Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo...unquestionably the best place to finish off this Central American adventure.

Three-day weekends always make us smile. But receiving these comments this morning has had us grinning ear-to-ear all day :)

Scroll for a flavour of this family’s Asian Easter adventure… rooftop swims in KL’s finest pool, jungle treks & traditional longboats in Taman Negara (the world’s oldest rainforest), kicking-back in Malaysia’s unspoilt eastern beaches, and snorkelling off Tenggol Island.

We love South-East Asia for so many reasons; sublime service levels, excellent value-for-money, pristine beaches & rainforests, and cuisine that makes the 12-hour flight with kids totally worthwhile. It is important to know when to visit where though so do ask us which parts of the region are best when…we’d love to advise…

Occasionally the interiors of a hotel are so beautifully put together that our spirits soar from the choice and depth of colours, textures & fabrics. And we know that our clients will delight in their surroundings. This is definitely the case at this 18-room Tuscan retreat where old stone walls meet wonderfully-vivid splashes of colour and contemporary furnishings compliment the original features & architecture.

The perfect choice for a minimoon, or time away to recharge the batteries. There is also a 2-bedroom, 3-bedroom and 6-bedroom villa so families need not miss out…

Southern Europe is our favourite destination at May half-term...and Puglia tops the list. It'll be warm enough to swim but not yet blisteringly hot. Think blue skies framing olive groves, quiet beaches, charming towns and authentic, rustic Med cuisine.

The Masseria Torre Maizza opens May 1st and is offering 30% off its standard rates until 15th June. With Rocco Forte staff ensuring sublime service levels from dawn to dusk and complimentary aperitivo as the sun sets, this is the perfect place to kick-off summer 2019... Get in touch for competitive rates & our top local tips.

As we throw eggs & flour into a bowl this evening and deliberate on how many pancakes is too many, ‘carnival’ or ‘Mardi Gras’ celebrations are filling cities around the world with colour, music and lavishness. Across Ecuador, as a show of gluttony ahead of 40 days of fasting, the ‘carnaval’ festivities have traditionally involved people throwing eggs, flour and water at each other! What fun! In Colombia, Baranquilla’s colourful folkloric celebrations have been proclaimed by UNESCO to be a ‘Masterpiece of the Intangible Heritage of Humanity’…And the Venetian masked carnival celebrations are still on our bucket-list.

So back to Shrove Tuesday….how many is too many?

You’ve had multiple dress fittings and spent hours planning the big day itself, but with the endless to-do lists, it’s all too easy to just throw a motley collection of t-shirts and shorts into your suitcase. Make sure you have your holiday essentials covered with London stylist, Claire Lopez’s honeymoon check-list below, guaranteed to set you off on a stylish start to married life.

Jet Setting | Travelling long haul means comfort needs to be top of the list. But this doesn’t have to be at the expense of style. For the perfect airplane attire, Hush’s Jumpsuit £75 is just the ticket. And much more than a one trick pony, this will work perfectly for the evening dressed up with heels, sandals or espadrilles.

Beach to Bar | If you’re spending most of your days in a tropical paradise you want to look the part and, a lightweight, chiffon kaftan you can just throw on over your bikini is the answer. From long lunches to sundowners, bring some glamour to your sunbed with Aspiga’s Tara Chiffon Maxi Kaftan £75 which comes in several different colour options.

The Do-it-all Dress | If effortless is what you’re aiming for then you need a dress that hits the right note for the evening and something that is versatile enough to wear with flat sandals or heels alike depending on the vibe. This Satin Frill Sleeve Tea Dress £69 from Warehouse is a show-stopping colour (even better with a tan) and a super style. Another gorgeous bright is this Twist Knot Midi Dress £59 from &Other Stories. For a print try their Floral Printed Dress £79 . Or if it is super nonchalant that you are going for, then this Jamie T Shirt Dress £59 from Hush is for you.

Stylish Sandals | Nothing says holidays like an espadrille and Castaner is your go-to brand. Their classic Carina style £80-£100 comes in black, navy, white, yellow and metallic and will work perfectly with shorts, kaftans, sundresses and smarter evening-wear alike. But for lazy days you want to be able to feel the sand between your toes, so a pair of slip-on sandals is an absolute essential. You want to go for something that is versatile and will work with everything you’ve packed so a metallic is always a good bet. Accessorize has lots of options to choose from including its Athens Embellished Sandals £35. Or for something you can just slide your feet into then go for the Boston £35

Hats Off | Apart from being a super sensible part of your sun protection, a hat is often a very stylish topper to your holiday attire. Go classic with a Panama like this one £79 from Hush. Or make a statement with this C’est La Vie Hat £60 from Betsy & Floss.

Finishing Touches | The natural, handcrafted look is still big so make sure you’ve got yourself a straw bag to finish off your honeymoon outfits. Betsy & Floss have the classic round Palermo Basket Bag £55. Or for something large enough to fit in all your beach/poolside paraphernalia, go for their Large Ischia Basket £65.

The Ears have it | Statement earrings are set to continue, and Blessed London has a whole array of styles to choose from. From colourful silk tassels £10 to gorgeous fan shapes £22, these earrings will dial up your day and evening looks.

For daily fashion tips & inspiration, follow Claire on Instagram @stylebyclairelopez, and if you feel you would like more specific help with your honeymoon packing, or for any other wardrobe needs, contact Claire on info@stylebyclairelopez.co.uk.

Of the 100+ kids clubs I’ve inspected over the fifteen years I’ve worked in travel, Nikoi’s Scallywag club is, hands down, my absolute favourite.

Why? Well, the staff on Nikoi genuinely adore getting to know each child, bringing the quiet ones out of their shells and sharing a cheeky joke with the gregarious ones. And the creative activities on offer each day inspire kids of all ages to try something new…whether it be jetty jumping, snorkelling, catch-the-flag, flying dragon (code name for their zip wire), treasure hunts, or woodcraft. Paddle-boarding, kayaking and diving are popular past-times amongst the teenagers and as the sun sets over the South China Sea, a beach bonfire is lit, BFG-proportioned marshmallow sticks appear and a movie under the stars ensues. Add to this peanut-butter cookies & bananas on the bar for that essential morning snack on-the-go, a kids menu which brings local dishes to their radar without shocking young taste buds, and giant monitor lizards lazily sloping around the resort & you've got a pretty spectacular family holiday. 

April to July are our favourite months to be there so consider it for your Easter or Summer holiday. With prices starting from £2,850 for 7 nights in a 2-bedroom family beach villa in July, it offers great value for money and a brilliantly-authentic Asian escape.

We love a good chat…and there’s nothing we love more than chatting about travel. From Friday 1st to Sunday 3rd March, we’ll be exhibiting at the Most Curious Wedding Show at the Truman Brewery on Brick Lane, London E1, so why not come & see us there to talk through your honeymoon ideas ? We’d love to share our expertise, competitive pricing and local knowledge with you so book tickets to the show here, and secure a time slot with us so that we don’t miss you.

Tickets to the Saturday show are already sold out so we’d recommend grabbing your tickets now for Friday evening or Sunday after brunch. We have a complimentary pair of tickets to the show to the first couple that books an appointment with us…