Rosie Corriette

Notes from a retired blogger

Tag: holiday

  • A Very British Getaway to Cornwall – Part Two

    A Very British Getaway to Cornwall – Part Two

    This is part two of our mini break to Cornwall, be sure to read part one to find out what what we got up to on our first day.

    Wanting to pack as much in as possible in our mini break to Cornwall we opted for a rather early start to our last day leaving our Airbnb pre 7am meant that we were able to get ahead. We got the train to Liskeard, where we left the station (bear with me I know) and walked about 15 minutes down a exceedingly steep hill to what can only be described as one of the quietest train stations in England; Coombe junction Holt had less than 30 passengers last year – Yes you read that right I didn’t miss a zero, officially the least used station in Cornwall – so we decided to add two more to the tally for this year.

    open window looking out to train platform and tracks beyond

    It was a great fun way of breaking up some of the time on the train and getting in extra Cornwall sights arriving into Looe just before 9 am.

    Looe would have to wait until lunchtime for our attention as we were on the move straight away, to Talland Bay. It is most definitely not easy to get from Looe to Talland Bay it took a bus and a rather arduous walk however the effort is most definitely rewarded. Talland Bay is one of those tucked away destinations in Cornwall that is the ultimate nourishment for the soul.

    steep winding road down a coastal bay

    Its Jurassic coastline is both still and violent in its effect on you. It’s dark, it’s moody it’s a world away from the Golden Sands of Carbis Bay – but it’s Cornwall perhaps at its finest, most raw. The coastal path from Talland Bay to Polperro is robust and challenging to put it politely but again rewarding at every twist, turn and summit that you reach.

    Time wasn’t on our side and which meant unfortunately a quick pub pitstop was all we could spare in Polperro before we headed back to Looe.

    fishing harbour of small cornish town

    You can’t come to Cornwall without having a Cornish pasty I think there is a law somewhere that says so but where to go, for everybody has their favourite. We were recommended to try Sarah‘s Pasty Shop in Looe – we held out right until the end to go;  we joined the queue, we waited, we ordered a traditional Cornish pasty and steak and stilton we then proceeded to stand in the street and have what can only be described as an out of body Cornish experience; our only regret? not buying more to bring back with us, Sarah‘s pasties are the undisputed best Cornish pasty you could ever wish for and I would happily travel all the way back to Cornwall just to taste one all over again.

    Blue shop signage reading The Pasty Shop

    Quick train back to Liskeard to join the high-speed line and our Cornwall mini break adventure was over as we headed to Exeter for a final night where we stayed at the City Gate Hotel – review coming soon.

    I’ll be honest Cornwall before this trip seemed very far away, a lot of effort for not that much promise of sun. I’d even joked previously ‘any further west and I’ll be in New York’. This mini break was about finding the not so obvious and perhaps the obvious and seeing how you can make your own ‘just for you’. Cornwall it’s a destination that works for you, that speaks to you, that delights you that excites you, that fills your cup… and that’s exactly what our wonderful mini break in Cornwall did.

  • A Very British Getaway to Cornwall – Part One

    A Very British Getaway to Cornwall – Part One

    Cornwall: the quintessential destination for a British getaway but what if I told you that apart from dipping my toe in for a destination wedding a few years ago I’d never been?

    We decided to change that with a getaway to Cornwall last month. Decided upon, planned and booked the day before it really was a last-minute decision. Catching the train from London all the way down to Cornwall – will share more on Cornwall by train in a separate post – I have to admit I was somewhat naive (or perhaps just lazy to not look at the train times!) at just how long it took to venture past the first few fields of Cornwall in total it took us over five hours including changes.

    We chose to base ourselves in Hayle which may not seem the most obvious choice however it’s on the main London to Penzance line making getting about without a car convenient and quick. Plus it’s location on the north coast of Cornwall which is beautiful and very much undisturbed. Another factor unlike the more well-known destinations of Saint Ives and Carbis Bay Airbnbs were much more reasonable in comparison.

    When it came to picking somewhere to stay Airbnb was really the best way to go, we chose two nights in this great self-contained studio accommodation. The host was amazing even accommodating my rather bizarre request for a hairdryer with a nozzle to service Lé Bob while we were away. Just under 10 minute walk from the train station it was a great base for a stay and I wouldn’t just recommend it we would happily stay again.

    self contained studio apartment decorated in wood and dark blue

    With the first day being taken up with travel, it was off to the supermarket for supplies and a nice dinner cooked in the Airbnb before an early night ready for a full day of exploring.

    Our first full day saw us set off to Carbis Bay and it didn’t disappoint; it most certainly lived up to the hype. Breathtakingly beautiful, we lucked out on the morning sunshine and found ourselves the most perfect spot for coffee at the one and only Carbis Bay Hotel – that’s the one where the G7 summit was held last year. Yes the hotel is on the expensive side but there’s loads of eateries and outlets so you can enjoy a slice of the experience without being a resident.

    One thing I soon discovered about Cornwall is that there are more coastal paths than grains of sand so we walked from Carbis Bay to Saint Ives: take note it is rather steep but just like pretty much every twist and turn in Cornwall you are rewarded with outstanding views.

    View of beach bay, turquoise water, golden sand and blue sky

    A last-minute getaway meant that our plans were fluid which giving us flexibility, so we hadn’t decided where to have lunch. Saint Ives even though it was April was pretty packed. It’s beautiful, it’s quaint, it has the tiny streets, everything you’ve come to associate with Cornwall but also the crowds so we stopped for a quick pint and then we jumped on the train and headed to Lelant. Whilst lesser known, Lelant still has beautiful views over the Hayle estuary, directly from the train platform which is handy if you’re trying to squeeze as much of Cornwall in as possible. It’s a steep climb there’s that word again from the station to the village but we were rewarded by an absolute gem of a local pub for lunch; The Badger Inn is one of those pubs you remember from being a child, a real sign you’re far away from bug cities – no chains, no pretence just true Great British pubs. A simple yet exceedingly hearty and delicious lunch was just what we needed.

    vista view of grassy sandbank, beach and sea

    Refuelled we made our way to Penzance which fun fact is the end of the line for mainland British railway, you’ve literally run out of track. Straight out of the station is the coastal path that leads all the way to Marazion. It’s a little under 4 miles it’s no short stroll but the views as you approach Marazion and also Saint Michaels mount are worth any sore feet you might acquire.

    view of beach from stone walkway

    seagull stood on a wall with a sign below reading 'Do not feed the seagulls they are dangerous and a health hazard'

    We missed the low tide which would’ve allowed us to cross by foot to St Michaels mount and it’s probably for the best as we just didn’t have time but it looked beautiful even from the mainland. Top tip don’t think just because you’ve walked all the way there that you have to do the return journey by foot there are plenty of buses that would take you back into Penzance.

    view of St Michael's Mount from the mainland with beach

    Tired after an absolutely packed first day exploring Cornwall we jumped on the train back to Hayle and our Airbnb for a quick freshen up before dinner. We chose The Terrace after a quick Google and weren’t disappointed. Ordering from the special menu we both opted for hake in different ways and the fish was so fresh as you would expect in Cornwall –  it was sublime. Great wine list can highly recommend the Sauvignon blanc.

    It’s no surprise that we were early to bed, tired, happy and ready for day two.

  • 48 Hours In Ibiza… Without a Nightclub In Sight |AD

    48 Hours In Ibiza… Without a Nightclub In Sight |AD

    Ibiza is the destination of our generation, it’s the reference point of milestones for many of us; first adult holiday, boozy summer getaway with the girls. Sounds great yet they all invariably tend to lead to the tell-tell experience of hour-long queues and overpriced bottles of water – not forgetting the blurry snap from circa 2008 of you in a pair of Kanye sunnies, we all did it. But what’s it like to spend 48 hours in Ibiza, without a nightclub insight? 

    48 Hours In Ibiza… Without a Nightclub In Sight

    That’s exactly what I did last year when I joined a dear friend for her 40th birthday celebrations. I sadly couldn’t be there the whole time as I had a press cruise to get back for, so I settled on 48 hours in Ibiza. If you’re heading off with only hand luggage then check out my post and video all about how to pack hand luggage liquids and beauty. Seeing as we were all veterans of the White Isle there was no great pull to the clubs instead we opted to stay in Santa Eulalia. Situated approximately 20km from the airport Santa Eulalia is far enough from the bright lights and booming sound systems but close enough to make hoping in a taxi from arrivals easy. 

    Beach Vista at Santa Eulalia, Ibiza

    In true Rosie style, I booked last minute so there wasn’t much available, I stayed at an apartment-style hotel which has since closed. There are many comparable alternatives available that whist lacking in five-star amenities it was a perfect base and served my bed and shower requirements and had the bonus of a sea view for less than €100 per night. However, if I were to return again and had more time to plan I would take advantage of some of the brilliant hotels such as Aguas de Ibiza – it has a Clarins Spa (HELLO and take all my money please!) and is laid back luxury at its best, something the Spanish do way better than us. If the Aquas de Ibiza is out of your budget, their rooftop pool bar is open to non-guests and serves up drinks that rival the views even when the clouds are in town. Oh and as this snap suggests their cocktail menu is rather divine…

    Woman posing on rooftop pool bar

    If you make it as far around the bay to Aquas de Ibiza you’d be crazy not to visit Babylon Beach Bar – it is insane, it’s Ibiza personified in bar form. Booking is strongly advised especially for groups of six and more. And what’s best is that they not only accept children but openly welcome them which is great. Will definitely be heading there with Boo when we return; it has such a relaxed vibe.

    The W hotel has recently opened in Santa Eulalia offering I believe what will be the second rooftop pool in the town – it will be interesting to see how an internationally renowned brand settles in and how it’s offering elevates the visitor experience.

    Ibiza without the nightclubs is everything I love about Spain; the scenery, the people, the food, the atmosphere – there’s something about the microclimate that allows you to instantly shift gears to island life, meaning a 48 hour visit is enough (although in the next breath a month would never be enough!) Santa Eulalia isn’t as trendy as Ibiza Town or San Antonio but is still just as lovely all the while meaning you’re less likely to be stung with extortionate tourist prices. 

    48 Hours In Ibiza… Without a Nightclub In Sight

    It was a whistle-stop trip and there’s so much I wished I’d had time to see and do; this is by no means an exhaustive list of what Santa Eulalia has to offer, quite the contrary. I’d love to return again next year and perhaps introduce Boo to an Island that holds so many great memories. 

    This post is part of the #SpanishIslands campaign with the Spanish Tourist Office – proving there’s so much more to the Balearic and Canary Islands than you ever thought. Join the conversation on Twitter or Instagram and don’t forget to use the #SpanishIslands hashtag!

     

  • Family Friendly Long Haul Economy With Gulf Air | AD

    For our most recent multi-generational trip we headed to Abu Dhabi and were invited to review Gulf Air from London via Bahrain to Abu Dhabi. Gulf Air is the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain and was founded in 1950, making it one of the oldest airlines in the region and it synonymous with Middle Eastern hospitality. This was the first multi-generational long haul trip we’d taken so it was great to know we were in experienced, safe hands – I’ll be doing two separate posts on our Falcon Gold experience and multigenerational travel with Gulf Air.

    Long haul travel with children – get it right and it can be one of the best things you can do as a family; miss the mark and it’ll have you tearing your hair out before the seatbelt sign is off. Middle Eastern carriers have for a long time been the front runners when it comes to giving great service.

    Travel with Gulf Air requires an onward connection to your final destination in the Kingdom of Bahrain; transiting with children has its good and bad points but it all comes down to how comfortable you feel travelling and how well your experience is. I’m a big advocate for factoring ground time if you’re anticipating long flight being a challenge  – it’s definitely something to consider. The transit times can be as short as jumping off, grabbing a snack stretching your legs and marvelling at a few runway take-offs before it’s time to head to the gate or you can schedule a stopover in Bahrain for a night of two. Bahrain airport is compact and easy to navigate, they have a new terminal set to open later this month which looks from plans a great upgrade.

    Sky Nannies are where Gulf Air really come into their own when travelling with small children. On every long haul flight, there is a member of cabin crew dedicated to young travellers. The Sky Nanny service for the youngest of flyers begins at the gate where they can meet you and help you board the plane, which when I remember travelling with Boo on my own when she was one would have been a huge help, an experienced extra pair of hands when travelling with children are always welcome.

    All flights from London to Bahrain with Gulf Air are on the Boeing 787-Dreamliner and having flown on these a number of times I do have to say that when it comes to travelling with children they possess this magic about them that just seems to work (the part-time av geek knows it’s not ‘magic’ but instead a myriad of contributing factors).

    Boo wasted no time in checking out the in-flight entertainment; I was impressed and she loved ‘Just for Kids’ section perfect for letting them have free reign without having to approve everything they want to watch. In case you were wondering Boo settled on Aladdin on both the outbound and inbound making it now 5 times she’s watched it, just to be sure she hadn’t missed a millisecond!

    Whilst Boo is that bit older and doesn’t need much in the way of help it was great that her food was served first and without me having to ask; meaning that I could ensure she’d eaten enough and settle her for the night before it was my turn for dinner. It may seem like such a small thing but it’s the small touches and attention to detail that makes a big difference when traveling with children – Gulf Air don’t just think about children, they get children and it shows.

    Boo being 8 means she’s at that funny age where she thinks she’s far too old for things like a children’s meal but when it arrived she was glad that I’d pre ordered her one (remember like all other airlines, you need to pre-book a children’s’ meal as you would any other special dietary requirements at least 24 hours before you travel, they don’t just assume because of the child ticket). I think Gulf Air’s children’s’ meal has to be up there with one of the best in-flight meals Boo’s ever had: a mixture of great tasting, well cooked chicken that I would genuinely eaten (and did steal a cheeky mouthful of… all in the name of work!) and branded snacks that are perfect for little hands, and for saving for later on throughout the flight.

    As Gulf Air is a full-service carrier – meaning that they provide food and drink appropriate to the timing and duration on all flights I wanted to share the ‘snack’ that Boo was served on our 40-minute flight from Bahrain to Abu Dhabi – the same level of presentation and care and great value. It’s these touchpoints that make Gulf Air work for families. And she now has a renewed love for Kit-Kats, winner!

    Boo’s meal was being cleared as ours was being served and it meant that whilst I was a real life pillow for her, I did get to enjoy my delicious dinner of kebabs – a first at 39,000ft in peace. Night flights will always be my preferred choice, going to sleep in the clouds over Europe and waking up as the sun rises over Arabia is the stuff of dreams…  literally. The seat for economy class was surprisingly comfortable.

    Gulf Air’s long haul economy offering is not just family-friendly it has families at the heart of it and it shows not just in the service they offer but how you feel throughout your journey with them – they’re an obvious choice to trust to look after you and your family and my own regret is that we didn’t schedule a stopover in the Kingdom of Bahrain to explore – oh well, there’s always next time.

    We were guests of Gulf Air for the purpose of reviewing their family-friendly offering

  • Why We’ve Fallen In Love With Greece

    Why We’ve Fallen In Love With Greece

    Tell people what I do for a living and they’ll undoubtedly ask where my favourite place to visit is – and as corny as it sounds the truth is, I love everywhere… I really do! However, the last decade has seen me return to the same country time and time again; yet it wasn’t until I was sat at Chania airport waiting to return from our most recent multigenerational holiday and was scrolling for a last-minute holiday to return that I realised… we’d fallen in love with Greece.

    From a Babymoon in Cyprus to exploring Athens as a city break destination on a budget I like to think my experience of Greece has been varied and not just the typical package holiday – although I’ve done that and you can’t beat endless Greek salad and strawberry daiquiris.

    I’d never holidayed in Greece as a child instead we headed to Spain, a country where my mother was fluent in the language and we had a real affinity with the culture and still do – I spent a chunk of my teenage summers in Barcelona and Boo calls out Abuela as opposed to Grandma. I always just thought Spain would be ‘our place’ and we love visiting but Greece is us.

    It’s got an alphabet that I’ll never master – and I’m ok with that. Greece has all the culture you could ever need and more, so much so that you’ll never cover it all and in some ways, it’s instantly relaxing to know there’s no definitive ‘must-do’ list, instead I find a dip your toe in approach far more satisfying. The locals are welcoming and see (responsible) tourism as a positive contribution to their country.

    My first visit was to Cyprus when I was pregnant – who knew Nissi beach was super family friendly in the day to swimming in the waters of Aphrodite’s rock and enjoying Kataklysmos – The Flood Festival in Larnaca. I did so much, but still came back rested; which is how I feel every time I return from a trip to Greece… rested and recharged.

    Aphrodite's Rock Cyprus

    Athen’s was an assault on the senses in the best way possible – it was everything you could imagine and more. We managed to pack so much into our city break yet the soaring temperatures during May made us feel like we’d really got away.

    Look past the sunsets, the beautiful beaches and another attractive aspect is the affordability of the majority of Greece; in particular the islands. Apart from a couple of notable exceptions (I’m looking at you Mykonos and Santorini), the majority of islands have holidays for nearly every budget

    So will next year see our return to Greece specifically Crete for the third year in a row? Who knows; one thing for sure is Greece not only has our heart it’s home to so many of our family memories that Boo and I have made together – for which I am sure we will continue to add to for many more years to come.