emigrant · travel

Dealing with Homesickness as an Expat

[Collaborative post with Allianz Care] With St. Patrick’s Day just gone, I’ve been thinking of home a lot. Big occasions like that can bring on bouts of homesickness for all of us living abroad, whether we are new to the scene or here for almost 16 years, as I am. Equally, banal moments like hearing… Continue reading Dealing with Homesickness as an Expat

Parenting · travel

Our Huttopia Experience – Camping in Alsace, France

Last Tuesday I did something I  wouldn’t normally do. In a moment of boredom, scrolling through Instagram, I clicked on a sponsored ad and ended up booking a holiday. Three factors played a role – location, price and the photos on the website – but to be honest the main attraction was the photos. I… Continue reading Our Huttopia Experience – Camping in Alsace, France

Parenting · travel

4 Ski Holiday Essentials No One Tells You About

Skiing holiday packing is pretty handy really – salopettes, ski jacket, thermal underwear, goggles, sunglasses, gloves, a neck warmer and suncream. That’s your basics sorted. Then you need a few bits and pieces for the evenings – shoes and regular clothing. Having been on various ski breaks over the years I’ve come up with a… Continue reading 4 Ski Holiday Essentials No One Tells You About

emigrant · travel

A Snowy Break in the Black Forest

You hear Black Forest, you think gateau. It is the ultimate in word association. Far from being one of those cliches that the locals hate foreigners to connect with their home, the people of the Black Forest love their Schwarzwaldkirschtorte, Black Forest gateau. And their cukoo clocks for that matter. They are fiercely proud of both.… Continue reading A Snowy Break in the Black Forest

Home · Parenting · travel

Staying at Center Parcs Port Zelande, Part 1: Accommodation

A few weeks ago I wrote about the possible pitfalls of Center Parcs holidays and how we were preparing for our upcoming Center Parcs stay at  Post Zelande in Holland. The tone of the post might have come across to some readers as pessimistic but to me it was a realistic view based on our… Continue reading Staying at Center Parcs Port Zelande, Part 1: Accommodation

Parenting · travel

Center Parc Holidays – What to Expect & What to Bring

Later this year we’ll be going on another Center Parcs holiday. Looking at the Center Parcs brochure and website, you’d be forgiven for thinking that there is nothing less than top of the range accommodation, permanent sunshine and family-friendly catering. Spoiler alert – its not quite like that.  That said, we had a easy and… Continue reading Center Parc Holidays – What to Expect & What to Bring

Parenting · travel

Our Farm Holiday at Quinkenhof Farm

Back in May The Bavarian’s family held a family reunion in central Germany. We were to stay at Quinkenhof, a farm in the middle of nowhere. Normally one to love farm holidays, this time I was a bit apprehensive. I hadn’t booked it myself, some distant relation had. Work was madly busy and I hadn’t… Continue reading Our Farm Holiday at Quinkenhof Farm

emigrant · Parenting · travel

Oldbrige & The Battle of the Boyne Museum

Recently on Facebook some fellow Irish Parenting Bloggers and I got into a chat about places to visit around Drogheda and Dundalk. I’m not familiar with Dundalk at all but having been to school in Drogheda and being based in the area whenever we are home in Ireland on holiday, I have a few favourite… Continue reading Oldbrige & The Battle of the Boyne Museum

emigrant · Home · travel

Our Stay At The Old Dispensary, Donore, Ireland

I haven’t told you about our stay at The Old Dispensary yet, have I? When we returned from Ireland in May, my mind was buzzing with details of the the places and ideas I wanted to blog about. Recently I got round to writing about the wedding (here and here). I also managed to tell you… Continue reading Our Stay At The Old Dispensary, Donore, Ireland