Celebrate with The Three Little Pigs

DISNEYLAND Resort rings in the Year of the Pig this Lunar New Year at Disney California Adventure Park, Friday, January 25 to February 17. During the 24 days of celebration, live entertainment and musical performances, including an enhanced "Mulan's Lunar New Year Procession," can be enjoyed. Even the Three Little Pigs join in the fun with a rare appearance.

Experience Asian culture through inspired food, music and entertainment all to welcome another year of good fortune. Lunar New Year, traditionally celebrated within Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese cultures, commemorates the moment when both the sun and the moon begin their journey for another year.


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The NightGarden

THE first ever NightGarden makes its debut this holiday season to transform Miami's Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden into an illuminated wonderland at night. Locals, visitors and guests of all ages can journey through spectacular lighting displays, awe-inspiring special effects, motion-sensing technology, illuminated mazes, state-of-the-art outdoor holograms, sculptures and more unbelievable surprises around every corner. The experience opens to the public on Nov. 23 and runs through Jan. 6, 2019.

The captivating experience will span 23 acres at Fairchild, featuring a collection of highly-interactive landscapes augmented by spectacular 360-degree lighting, illusions and special effects. Highlights of The NightGarden include talking trees, illuminated mazes, engaging scavenger hunts, a whimsical fairyland and growing dandelion field, among other supernatural surprises.



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Get down with Dippy in Dorset

HAVE you ever spotted a dinosaur in a cathedral, a parliament building or a community centre? Dippy on Tour is kicking off its journey on the Jurassic Coast with a visit to #Dorset County Museum.

Never before on public display outside of London’s Natural History Museum, Dippy is travelling the length and breadth of the country from 10 February 2018 to late 2020. The British icon is on a mission to inspire five million people to experience nature, encouraging families and schools to explore nature on their doorstep.

#Dippy has delighted visitors since he arrived in London in 1905. In partnership with the Garfield Weston Foundation, it is hoped the tour will spark the imagination of the next generation of scientists and connect the nation with nature.


Dippy is at the Dorset County Museum until May 7, entry to see Dippy is free but be sure to book your space on the Musuems website.


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Picture Credit: Angela Suter

Santa's Lapland

EACH winter Santa’s Lapland offers families magical three- and four-day breaks to Santa’s home in Saariselkä. #Families can stay in one of Santa’s #Christmas Cabins or hotels with accommodation options to suit a range of budgets. 

Santa’s Lapland guests enjoy a private meeting with the real Santa; husky sled ride; reindeer sleigh rides at the Reindeer Centre; Elf & Igloo Fantasia; snowmobile sleigh rides plus much more. 

New for 2017, Santa Lapland has added more departure dates with a great value three-day ‘Post-Christmas Magic Break’ and a four-day ‘New Year Spectacular Break’. Flights are available from 19 UK regional airports and transfers to resort are included. 

SantasLapland.com

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Norwegian cabin crew and pilots reveal their top tips to stress-free family travel

WITH the main school summer holidays just around the corner, families are preparing to jet off into the sunshine for a well-deserved break. Parents can often worry about the ‘joys’ of flying with their young children so Norwegian’s cabin crew and pilots, who have a lot of experience of travelling with little ones, have shared their top tips to a stress-free journey – happy flying!

Liliana Chantre, Senior Cabin Crew: “Bring noise cancelling headphones for new-born babies and toddlers – it helps them to feel calm and relaxed as well as helping with the pressure change”
Robert Kennedy, Cabin Crew: “Pack lots of time consuming snacks for them to eat which will keep them occupied for as long as possible! I always bring dry alphabet cereal or cheerios”
Joost Smits, Pilot: “Write a contact phone number on their arm in case they wander off”
Meriel Taylor, Ground Instructor: “Invest in an inflatable booster seat that meets Norwegian’s regulations for child safety restraint systems – you can use it on the aircraft and in a hire car at your destinations. It looks no different when blown up to the real thing, apart from the fact you can deflate it and pop it in your handbag... fantastic!”
Lee Allen, Cabin Crew: “I always pack lavender balm. Just put a touch on the kid’s temple to keep them calm. On a night flight, the soothing smell helps induced sleep”
Andrew Huddleston, Relief Captain: “Take a compact backpack as hand luggage that enables you to store it under the seat in front – then you don't need to keep getting out of your seat to retrieve your items”
Anders Halvgaard, First Officer: “I always give my kids something to suck or chew on during take-off and landing. The distraction, as well as the chewing, can help prevent any problems with pain due to pressure changes. For small babies, a bottle helps a lot”
Christine Bergles, Chief Ground Instructor: “Don’t forget to bring some over the ear headphones – perfect for kid’s watching a movie or playing games on their tablet and it means they won’t pull them out or block their ears”
Sira Llorente, Senior Cabin Crew: “When travelling with my daughter I always pack her favourite things especially food, including a few treats and her favourite toys to make sure she is entertained the whole flight”

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Picture Credit: Norwegian Air

Theatrical Magic with Peter Rabbit this Summer

SMASH hit Beatrix Potter™ Musical Adventure Where is Peter Rabbit™? returns for more theatrical magic this summer in Bowness-on-Windermere.

Currently shortlisted for Cumbria Tourism Event of the Year, the performance which attracted rave reviews and over 20,000 visitors to the little Theatre in Bowness last summer, is anticipating another successful season with two additional weeks of performances.

Where Is Peter Rabbit? – at the Old Laundry Theatre at The World Of Beatrix Potter™ Attraction from Saturday 10 June – Sunday 3 September 2017. 

Tickets available online at  www.hop-skip-jump.com 

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Picture Credit: Pintrest

To All Those Dads . . .

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Quirks and Curiosities on the Railway

FOLLOWING its success in 2010 even more weird and wonderful railway oddities will be on display this year, ranging from vertical-boilered steam locomotives, through bizarre internal combustion powered locos, to the unique wind-powered Spooner's Boat.

According to FR General Manager Paul Lewin, "The first Quirks was one of the most popular events we've ever put on and this promises to be the fun event of 2017. We are lining up a large number of special trains in the way that only the Ffestiniog can and having more unusual stock on site will really add to the fun. This Bank Holiday promises to have something for everyone as we showcase all the little things that make the railway special.

The event runs from April 28 to May 1 over the Bank Holiday weekend and tickets are available from www.festrail.co.uk

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Picture Credit: By Peter Trimming from Croydon, England - Steam 150: '1863 and All That', CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=32059811

Dare to Bear?

THE Bear Trail opened in July 2016 in Cullompton, Devon and is the concept of an ex Officer in The Rifles Regiment who turned his dream into reality by building an outdoor adventure trail designed with children in mind.

Run, jump, crawl and climb your way over a series of obstacles and get covered with lots of mud. Don't think that because it was designed with children in mind that adults can't play too . . . my husband did and loved it!

There is also a cafe that provides hot food and drink at very reasonable prices including pizzas made in a traditional wood fired pizza oven which is lit everyday in the school holidays and on the weekend during term times.

So if you're looking for some fun in the Easter holidays head down to The Bear Trail open from April 3 - April 30 everyday from 10am-5pm but be sure to book your tickets in advance.

www.thebeartrail.co.uk

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Picture Credit: AJS

Christmas in Cornwall

PENZANCE, Cornwall's most south-westerly town, turns on its Christmas lights on November 26, and for the first time this year will include lighting up some of the town's landmark buildings and a town lights trail to see the elaborate Christmas window displays.

On December 17, the town also marks the birthday of Sir Humphry Davy, the local chemist who invented the miner's safety lamp. In his honour, the town centre is filled with the light of a lantern parade.

Closer to Christmas, the town hosts the annual Montol Festival on December 21. The event celebrates the 'coming of the light' and Winter Solstice, with a parade of lanterns through the streets and the lighting of the Midwinter Fire.

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Picture Credit: Maria Eklind flickr.com/photos/79123642@N04/23518499060 Christmas gifts via photopin.com

ABTA urges families to Swim Safe this summer

AS FAMILIES get ready to head away for their summer holidays, the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) is urging them to Swim Safe.

According to statistics published by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, 30 children under ten years old have drowned in holiday swimming pools abroad over a six-year period, with more than half of these victims under four years old. Last year, ABTA was made aware of 19 fatal drownings abroad of UK holidaymakers, 7 in swimming pools and 12 in the sea.

Families are urged to take care and always follow pool and beach rules and signs, check the pool lay-out to know where the deep and shallow ends are, and never leave children unsupervised. 

ABTA’s top tips for swimming safety:

• Brush up on your swimming skills before you go away 
• If you’ve got kids, get in the water with them 
• Always follow pool rules and local signs 
• Check the pool layout 
• Check warning flags and signage on the beach 
• Beware of dangerous currents 
• Beware of underwater hazards, such as reefs, rocks, sudden changes in depth 
• Don’t dive or jump from rocks, piers, breakwaters, or poolside furniture
• Never swim alone; buddy up’ with others in your party 
• Never swim at night or after drinking alcohol 
• Know how and where to get help if you see someone in difficulty 

Even if you swim regularly in a pool, remember that open water can be very different; cold water reduces significantly the distance that you can swim, even for strong swimmers

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Easter at Blenheim Palace

The Gruffalo & Tree Fu Tom at Blenheim Palace: Two very special visitors will be in Blenheim Palace's Pleasure Gardens this Easter. The Gruffalo will be appearing during meet and greet sessions at intervals while Tree Fu Tom will be performing a mini show. March 27-28.

Easter Holiday entertainment: There will be an abundance of themed fun in the Pleasure Gardens, with a Giant Easter Egg Hunt, vintage fun fair, Punch and Judy shows, and face painting. March 25-28.

Horse & Carriage rides: Enjoy the Blenheim Palace Parkland from a horse and carriage. Carriages hold up to four people and rides will last approximately 15 minutes.

Day in the life of a shepherd: As Blenheim Palace gets ready for its new lambs, shepherd Charles Gerring talks about looking after a flock of 5,000 ewes, living with four working collies, life as a modern-day shepherd, and managing a Capability Brown estate.

www.blenheimpalace.com

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Get the kids cooking on holiday

LOOKING for a way to learn new skills with your children when on holiday? The Manna from #Devon Cooking School runs courses that enable the whole family to get hands-on with fresh, local food.

Based in Kingswear in South Devon, the school runs four workshops: Family pasta; wood-fired cooking; bread; and pastry.

The family cooking days are for parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and god-parents to bring along one or more children. The kids get to do as much of the preparation and cooking as they like, with parents and instructors helping where necessary.  No experience on the part of either adults or children is necessary, and they’re suitable for children aged eight to 15.

Each course is limited to eight places to allow for maximum participation. The workshops start at 10am and finish between 3pm and 4pm.

www.mannafromdevon.com

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Get your skates on in Brighton

BRIGHTON’S winter ice rink on the Royal Pavilion’s Eastern lawns is open now, and will be until January 17. 

The rink – which has a bar and restaurant – has space for 260 skaters per session, with a beginners’ area, penguin skate aids, and skate sizes from ‘just walking’ to adult.

Skating tickets cost from £10 for adults (aged 12+), £7 for juniors (children under 12) and the one-hour skate times run from 10am to 10.15pm daily. There’s no charge for spectators.

Club Rinkidinks (10am-11am daily) offers children under five the chance to skate for free when accompanied on the ice by an adult paying full price. There are also season tickets for those who want to learn to skate, and great concessions for students.

www.ticketmaster.co.uk/royal-pavilion-ice-rink

www.royalpavilionicerink.co.uk

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Picture Credit: hwww.royalpavilionicerink.co.uk

The world in a book

NEW from The Lonely Planet publishing people is the Kids Travel Book, which covers every country on the planet with facts on sports, wildlife, how people live, food, and quirky insight, plus high calibre photographs and illustrations. 

UK £14.99/AUD $29.99/ USD $20.00

www.lonelyplanet.com/kids/books

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Picture Credit: www.lonelyplanet.com