A SPECIAL STAY AT THE BEDRUTHAN HOTEL & SPA CORNWALL

Just over a week ago I waved goodbye to Bristol and the kiddos, for a much needed night away and headed to the beautiful Bedruthen Hotel & Spa Cornwall. It’s not often us mamas take time to recuperate, let alone use the bathroom alone (*toddler alert! if you know, you know) so when I was invited to enjoy the Sensory Spa Garden experience sans children, I jumped at the chance to treat my mam to the beautiful beach views and the outdoor hot tubs Bedruthen Hotel & Spa has to offer.

MY TOP FIVE SPRING TRAVEL BUCKET LIST

Whoops after an unintentional break for half term, I'm back. Yep I'm back to the normal routine of being woken by a small excited face at silly o'clock and have to somehow organise ourselves to get out the door on time for the school run *this never happens* before trying to cram in as much of my to do list in before heading back out to pick up my boy and repeat, so it's no surprise I'm already lusting for a mini break to a destination off my top five travel bucket list.

I'm not really one for routine and although I can admit it certainly has its benefits, it really seems to be my Achilles heel, I even have 'be more organised' on my list of things to do *Ha* well I can dream ay!

As we've had a hint of spring, I am suddenly craving ALL the sunshine and vitamin D so I thought I'd share with you the places that I'm longing to visit/revisit for a mini break.

PARIS

Springtime in Paris *sigh* after all the song says it all. What's not to love about the city of lights, wandering along the Seine ready for an impromptu picnic, catching some culture at the Palais de Tokyo or checking out the hidden side streets of Marais for a crepe or two washed down by a coffee. You could always head to the Molitor for some champagne luxury and a swim, or if you fancy something more low key you can channel your inner Amelie and skim stones along the Canal St Martin *swoon* You can check out some of my favourite Parisian spots right here.

NYC

Oh the Big Apple! So many of my friends have been across the pond to the crazy delights this city has to offer, with its iconic yellow taxis, Brooklyn Bridge and oh so many things, this is definitely on my list of places to visit. I would love to stroll through Central Park, pick up a rainbow bagel or two, grab a slice of pizza in Greenwich Village. Just imagine sipping cocktails on a roof top pool with the city bustling below or heading out to the Lido on Staten Island, it would feel like you've stepped into a Sex in the City episode! 

PALM SPRINGS

Home of the iconic Modernist Architecture and THAT famous pink door, this corner of the desert has been on my wish list FOREVER! With the likes of the Ace Hotel or the colourful Saguaro Hotel to rest your head you know you'd be in for a good stay. I often wonder whether I would be suited to desert living, although I would have to decide between split and ducted air conditioning as I do not handle the heat well! I'm probably more suited to a relaxing vacay with a drive out into the Joshua Tree National Park or Salvation Mountain.

BERLIN

This city totally stole my heart with its cool coffee culture, laid back attitude and creative vibes. I spent a few days here in the spring and spent the entire time exploring the city on foot, tasting the culinary delights it had to offer, especially the best steamed dumplings I've ever had. I would head back in a heartbeat and could even imagine owning a flat here one day *a girl can dream ay* You can check out a few more pics from my Berlin trip here!

AMSTERDAM

Now here's a city who knows its way to a girls heart. Sunshine, endless canals, cute bicycles and cool architecture, Amsterdam in Spring is the perfect weekend getaway. We loved wandering off the beaten track, finding great places to eat and enjoyed the stylish design hotels the city had to offer. I would recommend a stay at the Loft in the Hotel V Fredericksplein.

Have you got a favourite place for Spring? What's on your bucket list?

* Image source 1 2 3/ 4

A EUROPEAN CITY BREAK // TRAVEL

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This week has flown by so quickly that I'd almost forgotten to share our exciting news! On Saturday morning I'll be setting our alarm super early and heading on a mini adventure to spend three days in Brussels with my boy and mum, to celebrate all things good and explore the fab city as invited by Accor Hotels.

We'll be travelling on the Eurostar, much to F's excitement, who can't wait to 'speed under the sea' and explore a new European city. While he's practising his train sounds I've jotted down some must see places and coffee hang outs to feed my addiction.

Image via I Love Yeti

I can't wait to head over to the cosy eclectic interior of I Love Yeti and taste their homemade flat naans and bowl breakfasts. Also I've been dying to lounge in the ultra chic Living Room, which oozes design, ceramics and beautifully presented teas *swoon*. Not to mention the infamous Change Your Lifestyle, otherwise know as CHYL. This cafe, meets beauty, meets shop is an oasis of green in the city and a hot spot for the cool and health conscious. My mum is already excited about the prospect of pampering and a potential reflexology session, while I'll happily hang out with F under their green draped ceiling.

Image via Living Room

I must admit I've visited Brussels once in my long gone university youth, but the city was a blur from  hazy nights out, hangovers and a slim student wallet. So I'm thrilled to be returning to this beautiful metropolis and rediscovering its style and charm!

If you have any recommendations then I will be using Instagram and Snapchat #wildandgrizzly during my stay and would love to hear your top travel tips of places to explore. 

Have a great weekend. 

x

COOL KIDS GUIDE TO PARIS // TRAVEL

Apart from welcoming March, today is also National Plan a Solo Vacation Day... I know right! As much as I'd love to jet off into the sunset for some quality me time by a pool, it's not quite the same with a kid in tow. Saying that travelling with little ones needn't be a chore if you know where to hang out.  

I love taking European city breaks with my boy, so instead of making solo travel plans I've pulled together a cool kids guide to Paris, where you can channel your inner glam while being surrounded by the smalls.

EAT 

When it comes to eating with kids we know that it’s never the easiest of undertakings, what with picky eaters and too many choices. So I’ve made it simple with these three perfect places to eat.

• Do you love pastries and cool ceramic tiled floors with children’s parks within arms reach? Then you'll love this little cafe attached to the Broken Arm store, with super friendly staff and a decent latte *yay* you’ll be happy to have found this pit stop.

• Did someone mention crepes? If you fancy dining in a chic modern wood panelled room in the middle of Marais then this is for you. Breizh Cafe is known as being one of the best Creperies in Paris. Located on 111 Rue Vieille du Temple, this is the perfect place to enjoy a vast range of crepes, savoury and sweet, and they're so delicious they've even popped up in Tokyo. 

• It's busy, it's loud and the kids will feel right at home! You'll see hoards of people queue outside this small and unassuming falafel house, but don't be fooled by its appearance, crowds flock to Rue des Rosiers in the heart of Le Marais to snap up lunch at the popular L'As du Fallafel. Seating is a bit of a squeeze but worth every bite, and if in doubt get take out and eat al fresco.

PLAY

When you think of Paris you don’t necessarily think playgrounds and parks, but this city has some secret gems hidden up its sleeve that are well worth finding.

• Does your child love adventure? Then they will LOVE this! Heading to the highest point in Paris, the superb parc de Belleville will blow your little ones minds. With awesome views of the city, a multi-faceted climbing wall and pirate ship, this is definitely top of my cool kids list. Just be sure you plan your route and head to one of these Métro stations for easy access: Pyrénées, Belleville and Couronnes. 

• If you fancy a gentler approach to the play, then why not take a relaxing stroll along the Jardin du Luxembourg and watch them push vintage sail boats across Grand Bassin duck pond, while you sit back and soak up the sun. Be sure to take €3.50 along for 30 minutes of sailing fun.

• Want to combine coffee and cake with a little play on the side? Then this cute little playground, Square de Temple, situated along Rue Perrée is the perfect picnic spot. 

SEE

Oh the culture! Do as the Parisians do and show your kids the creative side of Paris with these cool cultural spots that will keep your kiddo entertained for hours. 

• Want to impress your little one then head to the Palais de Tokyo where you can sip coffee to your hearts delight, let them run up and down concrete ramps – we know how much they love that sort of thing – and get stuck into some modern art at Little Palais. Just a hopskip and a jump from the Eiffel tower, the best approach to the building is from the bank of the Seine along Avenue du New York or jump off at Alma-Marceau Metro. When you've filled up on art you can ooh and ahh at cool timber structure in the kid’s area then take some snaps in the Foto Automat... say cheese!

• Want to see where the French hang on a Sunday afternoon? Well take a short stroll down Saint Martin Canal and make the most of the pedestrianised Sunday. Families spill onto the street and the tiny playgrounds dotted along the banks will entertain the littlest of people, while you eat ice cream and skim stones like Amelie. Also there’s a cute Park at the end of the canal where ladies meet to do Thai chi and kids can go wild. The nearest metro is Republique and will take you to the start of the canal walk.

• OK this one is a bit of a given but where else can you ride an escalator in what feels like a giant marble run, up the outside of a building? Not to mention the huge selection of art over several floors, a dedicated Children's art learning space, cool design shop and roof top restaurant. Yep the Centre Pompidou has it all, but the cafe is a little on the pricey side.

SHOP

We all know Paris is home to some of the best fashion houses and is steeped in design history, but these are the best stores for all your mini fashionista needs.

  

• Want a store with a difference then head over to Centre Commercial Kid’s over on 22 Rue Yves Toudic, a place that combines cool kids fashion with art and second hand bicycles. Offering the best of French, Danish and English design for all the family.

• If you love to shop and have kids then this is the place to be. Filled to the brim with the latest styles, cool accessories and colourful products you can spend hours browsing the shelves of Bonton located at 5 Boulevard des Filles du Calvaire. It even has its own Photo Booth and props for fun snaps with the kiddo. 

• Combining history and beloved books the  Shakespeare and Comapany Bookshop is situated at 37 Rue de la Bûcherieon on the left bank and is the most famous bookshop in Paris, plus it has the cutest kids section up the rickety stairscase. The whole of the interior screams Narnia meets Harry Potter and will delight curious small minds. Leave the pushchair outside if you want to take a good look round though. 

Image via The Hoxton

STAY

Whether you want to rent a flat and live like a local or relax in the comfort of a hotel, the city is full of hidden gems! We often use Airbnb when we travel as it's so much fun exploring different neighbourhoods and discovering local delights on our morning stroll, if your are using Airbnb you can use this link to get £25 off your first stay. Otherwise check out these super stylish hotel stays! 

• This minimalist apartment in the heart of Marais is slick as they come, compact and ultra modern with two beds suitable for three people. 

• This quirky and colourful apartment in Marais/Beaubourg is full of Parisian charm. Perfectly located next to the Centre Pompidou!

• The Hoxton is known for being one of the hippest hotel stays, whether it's London, Paris or Amsterdam, you know you're going to be sleeping in style! We love the gorgeous interior and outdoor space in the heart of the city. 

• Hotel Mareuil is a perfect family friendly hotel, clean, comfortable and in a fab location situated between Le Marais and Republique. The staff go out of their way to make your stay special and the adjoining rooms are perfect when travelling with more than one child. You can read about our stay here.  

So there we have it, our Wild & Grizzly cool kids guide to Paris. I can't wait to add to the collection as we take our next adventure in Berlin. I hope you've found this useful and don't forget you can pin the top image to your Pinterest to keep this handy guide.

Lori x

Want more? Check out this Gluten Free Guide to Paris or our latest family stay at an Airbnb

*This post contains affiliate links.

SUMMER IN SALCOMBE // 5 IRRESISTIBLE HOLIDAY TREATS

GUEST POST

Salcombe in beautiful South Devon is a hugely popular holiday location in the summer. Every year its winding sunlit streets fill with discerning holidaymakers, all making the most of the town’s boutique shops and renowned restaurants, sparkling waters and countless opportunities to revel in the great outdoors. Set within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Salcombe’s pristine beaches, undulating hills and craggy coastline mean that its visitors are treated to a breathtaking range of scenery within just a few short steps of the town.

On a summer day in Salcombe you’ll brush shoulders with keen sailors, romantic couples, active families, passionate foodies, hikers and shopaholics, all of whom share a love of this timeless getaway on Devon’s southernmost tip.

To provide just a taste of what Salcombe has to offer, we’ve picked out five of our favourite things to do in the town.

FIVE BOAT INSPIRED TRAVEL DESTINATIONS

 

If you said to me a few years ago that I would be kayaking 16km down the Dordogne River I would have laughed into my coffee cup – this is the girl who on taking a taxi boat on Lake Como screamed out loud as a wave nudged us to the shore – yep I've never been confident on water. So I've managed to avoid boats, dingies, ferries, canoes, kayaks and pretty much most water transportation, and on the odd occasion where you've found me on a boat I'm usually the one gripping on for dear life.

Then something happened, I became a mama. Yep it's crazy how much being in charge of a small person changes your outlook on life and where I would normally run for the hills, instead I'm channelling my inner daredevil and throwing caution to the wind. Slowly I've embraced the art of travel, and with an overnight ferry journey under my belt I was feeling quite confident to say yes to fun on the water.

So I thought I'd put together my top five boat inspired travel destinations that made me get on board ;)

Wild Kayak Adventures
This has to my all time favourite thing to do in the Dordogne. The light in this part of France is magical and there's no better way to soak up the honey coloured villas and crumbling chateaux than winding along the gentle current of the Dordogne river. In total we kayaked 16km and F loved it, we even stopped by the shore to enjoy a small picnic and go for a wild swim. There are plenty of places to hire canoes and kayaks along the length of the river but I would recommend leaving yourself 2-3 hours for this particular activity and be sure to grab a bite to eat at the beautiful Beynac.

Croatian Island Hopping
Still one of my favourite travel destinations, the Dalmatian coast is one of the most beautiful stretches of unspoilt Islands drenched in sun and crystal clear waters. With over 79 Islands and 500 islets the Adriatic sea welcomes you with open arms to explore all it has to offer. I backpacked down the Croatian coast and can honestly say it has some of the most welcoming people I've come across in my travels. We took a ferry from Split and stayed on Hvar – one of the largest Islands – and hired a small boat to explore the coves and beaches dotted around, making it a perfect romantic getaway like some of these other sailing destinations.

Cruising Lake Como
Right up there on my places to revisit is the breathtaking Lake Como. After staying here as part of my Honeymoon this stunning Italian lake captures the spectacular scenery with deep blue waters and rugged shores, dotted with luxury Mediterranean villas and formal gardens. We stayed in the charming village of Bellagio with its narrow winding streets brought to life with wine bars and restaurants that lead down to the waters edge, and it's a quick hop over to Villa del Balbianello, which featured in the blockbuster Star Wars film. Whether you use the local water buses and taxis to hop around the lake or treat yourself to a bit of luxury with your own water limousines, this is certainly the place to visit for any romantics at heart.

Parisian River Cruises at Night
Sometimes the best way to see a city is at night and by boat. Away from the traffic and bustling streets, I always try to make times to cruise along the river when visiting one of my favourite cities such as Paris. Although this oozes romance and is perfect for couples, a trip on an open top boat as night falls is one of the most fun ways to introduce your little ones to the Eiffel Tower. Imagine passing under floodlit bridges and illuminated riverbanks only to be greeted by a most spectacular sparkling light show from this iconic landmark. F loved this and I can't wait to go back and do this one again.

Exploring the Canals of Venice
From speedboats and water taxis, enter a world where roads are exchanged for narrow canals and boats for cars. Venice is a city like no other, the beautiful architecture, narrow puzzling streets and stunning piazzas makes it one of the worlds most popular travel destinations. Hire your own private gondola to see the floating city in all its glory, and don't forget to check out some of these Venetian hot spots.

Now that I'm embracing the water and even trying my hand at wild swimming, I can't wait to see what other adventures await. Do you like adventure or romance? Where are your favourite places to splash around?

** Images 3/4/5