Bluestone in Wales looks good

I'm already planning the O'Reilly summer escape for 2011. At the moment I'm looking around for ideas. As Dom and I are going on our first child free holiday for five years to California in June (Hurray!) we probably need something close to home. Last year's camping holiday with Thomson Al Fresco in the South of France was wonderful, but it did turn out to be expensive for four of us. Not so much the cost of the holiday itself, but the poor rate of exchange makes everything so much more pricy when you get there. I am quite excited about Bluestone in Wales - www.bluestonewales.com which a friend of mine told me about. Adventure park, stunningly designed lodges, gorgeous setting, fab swimming pools. Oh and a spa for mummy. Yippee! I will keep you posted on any special offers and other ideas I spot.

Gruffalo trunki is joining us on holiday

We are now the pround owners of a Gruffalo Trunki. What a superb thing it is. Hannah has it packed and ready for our holiday. She is excited about riding on it through the airport. Ever since they appeared on Dragon's Den I thought they were fab. Nobody invested though after Theo pulled the handle off. Now that seems to have been sorted out I wonder if Trunki might make a good investment opportunity for our travel friends at TUI as both brands appear to have the same logo - a smiley T with a dot!

money saving tips for family holidays

This year I've decided to take Hannah out of school for our trip to France. It was £1,000 cheaper to go a couple of weeks before the schools break up and that seemed as good a reason as any. But she's only in reception and not even five yet, so I don't think she'll be losing out. But in years to come it's bound to be a dilemma. According to Teletext Holidays almost half of parents will consider taking their kids away in term time to get a cheaper deal on their holiday. And more mums and dads are making up excuses to the school to try and dodge the charge. I think this is the last year we'll be able to do it as I'll feel too guilty! I love the top 30 money saving tips at www.teletextholidays.co.uk/moneysavingtips - a lot are common sense but it's always good to be reminded. When we went to Devon last year we spend an absolute fortune - minture pony farms, zoos, tourist trap cafes, fairground rides. Peak season prices will always be too high, but if you're clever there are still ways you can shave a few hundred quid off the holiday bill.

Go on holiday and spruce up your love life

Holidays with tots are not the holidays we once knew and loved. Oh no. No more lazing around in bed until lunchtime and loafing around the pool all day. Much as we love our dear little people, it's important to find time on our own being real grown up people as well. Alarmingly a new report from Kuoni today claims holidays are the only time couples really talk to each other. Talk properly that is, about life and hopes and dreams for the future. I felt very inspired by Kuoni's reserach and the comments from from Christine Webber, author and psychotherapist. Done properly holidays can potentially keep you sane, healthy and happy. My mission right now is to find a summer holiday which gives my bambinos plenty to do, some "us" time yet won't cost the equivalent of a small house extension. The Holy Grail? Hope not. This year I am making a pact. More holidays = even happier family.

More inspiration at Destinations

Just been to the Destinations holiday show at Earl's Court in the hope of finding some inspiration for family holidays...what a disappointment. At £12 to get into the show, it's pricy but at least I was hoping to come back with armfuls of goodies...and maybe even a holiday booked. Kids love getting involved in booking a holiday and a live show is the perfect way to bring countries and cultures to life. With a bit of imagination show organisers could have marketed this event to mums and dads as a family-friendly event. I think they should have created a "family destinations" area with fun, interactive exhibitors and plenty of people on hand to take bookings there and then. Centre Parcs, Holiday Cottages, Eurocamp, Club Med are just a few of the family brands I would have loved to see there. Maybe next year...

Thinking about skiing...

I spent the morning last week talking about ski holidays on the radio and it got me thinking....even though Dom thinks he'd be a danger to himself and everyone else on the slopes sliding down a mountain at high speed, maybe just maybe, I could persuade him to take an alpine break. I'm sure with sledging, skating, hiking, long lunches, swimming, afternoon tea and even cross country skiing there'd be enough to keep a non-skiing husband happy. Our four year old is already nifty on a pair of ice skates and she's itching to have a go on skis. Just read about a company called Chilly Powder www.chillypowder.com who do luxury ski to the door cabins which are completely child friendly. They look fab. And close to our friends who in Geneva. Better start saving and maybe next year....

Early booking

New year's resolutioin is to update my blog every week with thoughts and ideas about what makes the perfect family holiday. I got a very clever card through the post this week from Thomson Al Fresco - suggesting holiday ideas especially for the O'Reilly family. Clever marketing I thought. They knew we'd been with them before, where we'd stayed and had found three other holidays in France and Italy they thought we might like. And with a big discount if we booked before end of January. Much more inspired that the usual junk we get through the post. At least I kept the card and stuck it on the noticeboard. I've also been looking at Eurocamp online. Love the idea of skipping to the shop for fresh croissants and a paper, long lazy breakfast on the deck, reading my book, kids playing together....This week I am going to price it up so we have something to look forward to.