Michael and Michelle Faulkner, their daughter Laura (3) and son William (18 months).
The Plan
The Faulkners flew British Airways from Beijing to London. Upon arriving at their destination, they rented a car and drove four hours to the coastal city of Cornwall. Their three-bedroom apartment at White Acres Lodges was booked through online holiday guide Parkdeanholidays.co.uk.
After visiting family in the UK, the Faulkners hopped onto Thomascook.com to book an Instyle holiday to Corfu, Greece. The package included flights, a three-bedroom room at the Agios Stefanos villas and car rental. After a relaxing getaway, the family flew back to Beijing with a stopover in London.
Best Part
The highlight of the family’s trip to the UK was visiting The Eden Project, a kid-friendly park designed to get people back to nature. Filled with activity stations, greenhouses, and exhibits, kids can spend all day exploring. Lunch boxes with organic produce are available for kids. The Faulkner kids loved the homemade ice cream.
Corfu proved to be the ultimate spot for some R&R. After their daily sleep-in, the family swam in clear blue waters and feasted on delicious lunches of fresh feta, olive oil, ham and crispy bread. They spent their afternoons reading by the villa’s pool while the children napped. Dinner was usually a casual meal at a local tavern by the sea.
Weather Report
Don a light coat, as Britain’s summer days can be cool and cloudy. If you travel to Greece in the summer, the Faulkners recommend bringing insect repellent to ward off the many mosquitoes. Having repellent on hand allowed the family to enjoy alfresco dining without the bug bites.
Most Unexpected Moment
Celebrity chef Rick Stein’s Patisserie in Padstow, Cornwell is a great find for families and comes highly recommended. Bread and croissants are freshly baked, and there is a huge selection of homemade chutneys and pickles. Individual-sized cakes were the perfect treat for the kids.
While in Corfu the family took a one-hour boat cruise around Paleokastritsa, a beautiful village surrounded by beaches, cliffs and clear blue seas. The kids loved looking for fish and watching people dive off the high cliffs into the deep water.
Kid-Friendly Features
White Acres Lodges in Cornwell has a children’s paddling pool, playgrounds, and even a lake where little ones can feed the ducks. Children’s meals are available, as well as portable cots for sleeping.
Instyle Villas in Corfu come with full amenities, including a pool, a barbecue grill, a portable cot, a television, a DVD player, a washing machine, as well as a dishwasher. With all the comforts of home, it was great for a stay with children. Also, most of the tavernas had high chairs and a children’s play area.
While in Greece, the family had no problem communicating in English.
Travel Tips
Hiring a car is essential. In both Cornwell and Corfu, the attractions and amenities are spread out. Having a rental car gave the Faulkners the freedom to explore all of the different coastlines and sights.
