Thankfully this year our Travel Specialists weren’t restricted by Covid-19 restrictions. So with the world at their fingertips, and Chemmy’s brief of “short-haul, beach, family fun”, they chose…Hillside Beach Club, Turkey

“If I’m honest, the pictures of Hillside looked absolutely incredible before we even went,” said the former British Ladies Champion Skier on her return.

“We looked for flights for May next year before we’d even left!”

Chemmy’s holiday highlights:

• We had a date night at Pasha Restaurant at Hillside Beach Club and it was amazing; just the whole atmosphere, the food, the wine...just incredible. It felt like you were in a little bit of Ibiza on the beach in Turkey!
• The buffets were amazing, especially for a family. You want your children to try new things but you don’t want to order a whole plate of it. And in that environment they try so much more food than they would do at home.
• The staff and the people were amazingly welcoming, super friendly and super chatty.
• My husband and I learnt a new sport while at the resort. We’ve been wanting to learn to FlightBoard (Efoiling) for a long time. So we signed up straight away and learnt how to do that. The sports club was incredible.
• We did family waterskiing with both my sons aged five and three – who both managed to water ski!
• We did a La Chaise boating experience; so the boat is dragging a big chair behind it which all four of us sat on! It was one of the best family moments I’ve ever had in my life, just looking over at the boys and seeing them shouting ‘more more more’!

Chemmy's full experience

Thanks to her two-decade career, writing for magazines and newspapers like Elle, Vogue and The Times, journalist Rosie Green has been to more than her fair share of world class hotels and spas.  So, when she asked us to arrange a bonding trip with her daughter with some sun and sea, we knew we had to get it just right. We sent Rosie and her daughter to the AMARA in Cyprus.  An easy flight and quick journey from the airport, this chic but welcoming hotel has everything a swimming pool loving teen and her spa obsessed mother could want. 

"I was looking for a hotel that didn’t feel arduous to get to and that had a welcoming vibe with a full service spa and delicious healthy food options. And of course, “Instagrammable” views.  The AMARA ticked all the boxes. My daughter loved the mocktails and the fancy dining at Nobu and I loved the luxe, spacious, airy room with a bath that overlooked the sea."

Holiday Highlight

"Every hotel room has an ocean view and ours was nothing short of spectacular. The soft, luxe bedding deserves a mention too, as do the heavenly Bamford products in your bathroom. I loved going for a run along the sea front on the costal path. A trip to Limassol Marina was worth the 20-minute cab ride. And a good tip is to head to the outside spa pool if you crave some serenity."

Rosie's full experience

When TV presenter, podcast host and mum-of-one Charlotte Hawkins asked Travel Seen for a peaceful, relaxing family break, there was the perfect serene resort the team knew would be what Charlotte and her family were dreaming of. The Chedi, Muscat in Oman.

Charlotte adored The Chedi as it has “such welcoming people, beautiful scenery and amazing food”. Charlotte’s seven year daughter Ella-Rose made a firm friend in Silar at The Chedi who even taught her some Arabic! 

Holiday Highlight

“I loved being serenaded at an Opera Brunch, visiting the Grand Mosque and learning a lot about the culture. The real authenticity about Oman. And  not forgetting my new discovered love for a Lychee Martini.”

Charlotte's full experience

Ambassador for Mental Health, Presenter, and Author, Dr Alex George asked Travel Seen to organise a 5-star luxury stay with bucket list experiences included as he celebrated his birthday during his stay in Dubai.

As Dr Alex was after a luxurious, experience filled break and Travel Seen knew that the Jumeriah Beach Hotel in Dubai would be the perfect combination of luxury and excitement. Jumeriah Beach Hotel is a 5-star unique, luxury beach destination that seeks to redefine the holiday experience, offering a host of family activities and facilities for everyone.

During Dr. Alex’s stay in Dubai, he spoke about supporting Mental Health and the healing power of spending time in nature at the Dubai Expo 2020. The Expo is an immersive experience where you are able to lose yourself in incredible live performances and travel the world’s cultures and cuisines in one amazing place.

Holiday Highlight

"The tour inside the astonishing Burj Al Arab was a place I will never forget. Also, Jet Skiing was so much fun, I felt like a kid again."

Dr Alex's full experience

Singer, actress and presenter Kimberley Walsh has jam-packed plenty into her career in entertainment, and that’s as well as being a mum to three gorgeous boys with husband Justin Scott.   

When she got in touch to ask Travel Seen for an autumn half term family holiday recommendation with plenty of sunshine, our team knew exactly the place...  

With child-friendly amenities aplenty, 29 restaurants and even an onsite water park, Atlantis The Palm is an ideal resort for mid-haul winter sun. Plus with plenty of direct flights from the UK it’s a straightforward destination for parents with young kids.  

Kimberley and her family stayed in an Atlantis Club Suite which boasts additional space and extras as standard, including private transfers and Imperial Club Lounge access.   

“Atlantis The Palm, Dubai was absolutely perfect for us with a young family. It was such an easy flight and very doable with the boys, and having the water park next door was just amazing for the kids. Plus it had the balance of lovely restaurants on the complex to keep us parents happy too.”  

Holiday Highlight 

“The experience meeting the dolphins was so magical and it was really special to see how much the boys loved learning about marine life and what incredible creatures dolphins are.”  

Kimberley's full experience 

For the past few years, Sarah and her family have made it an annual tradition to visit a different European city every year during the October half term. When Sarah asked Travel Seen to come up with the perfect location for their 2021 cultural capital, we quickly realised that Rome was the perfect place for all the family.

 “Travel Seen listened to exactly what we wanted - asked me lots of questions - and found the perfect venue.”  

“The concierge at the Rome Cavalieri was absolutely superb and helped us plan our wonderful five day trip so we really got the most out of our stay. Did I mention they even have little stools for your handbag at breakfast?!  Living my best life!  The level of luxury is sublime.” 

Holiday Highlight

"Dining Highlights included the world famous "Heinz Beck La Pergola" three Michelin starred restaurant situated in the Rome Cavalieri Hotel and the wonderful “Al Moro” restaurant which serves sublime pasta close to the Trevi Fountain, a favourite of Valentino's."

Sarah's full experience

We all concluded that Cyprus is a must-see destination which has everything to offer travellers; a short flight, guaranteed good weather, amazing food, friendly locals and we couldn’t recommend Asimina Suites and Athena Beach Hotel enough, they made our stay one to remember!

“The trip to Asimina Suites was seamless from start to finish, the airport staff were helpful and queues were minimal. It restored our faith that travel was definitely back!"

Holiday Highlight

"It is hard to pick one favourite moment from our trip as there were so many; AMAZING sunsets; incredible food, both local and International; friendly locals; the weather was perfect, it was mid-to-late twenties making it the perfect weather for chilling by the pool or exploring the many historic sites."

Jordan, Ashlee and Jessica's full experience

Former British Ladies Champion skier Chemmy Alcott is better known for her supreme talent on the snow than for her sandcastle building skills. But when the mum-of-two asked Travel Seen for the perfect short-haul destination to take her two young boys to, there was a standout resort our team knew would tick all the boxes.

Delivering a high-end luxury experience including a Sisley Paris spa and two-Michelin-starred restaurant, the resort has lots to offer families as well, with its own kids’ park and crèche to name just two.

“It really did tick all the boxes for us. The kids loved the pools, the beach and there was lots for them to eat in the restaurants, the playground was fab and we had such a laugh at the mini-golf.”

Holiday Highlight
“The golf carts which the resort takes your around in - my boys loved them! And they were brilliant for getting around quickly in the shade during the August sun.”

Chemmy's full experience

The Travel Seen team scoured their little black book of top family hotels for the perfect retreat for Ronan and his family. With Portugal as their first choice for a short-haul holiday, there was a hotel we’d Been & Seen which we knew was the perfect fit: The Penha Longa Resort.

At the resort there’s plenty for both children and grown-ups, with the Keating family making the most of the facilities including the golf club, kids’ club, playground, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and the spa.

Ronan and Storm also experienced the resort’s Michelin-starred restaurant Midori during their stay, as well as some of the other eight restaurants including: the modern Portuguese fare of Arola; poolside Aqua; the elegant Italian dishes of Mercatto; and the Pan Asian delicacies of Spices.

“It really was the perfect first getaway for our family,” says Ronan.

Holiday Highlight
“We found the organised tour of Sintra fascinating, and the kids loved our day at the Guincho beach in Cascais.”

Ronan's full experience

Jane's full experience