Family holidays form some of my happiest childhood memories. With both parents working as teachers, we would often spend the entire summer away as a family. When I was little, it was my grandparents’ caravan in North Wales and then later, long summers in France camping and staying in rented cottages.

Thinking back to our summers in North Wales makes me smile, partly because of the nostalgia of it all and partly because I can picture my parents as I am now; going on the odd day trip to keep the kids happy. Even though it probably wouldn’t have been his first choice, my dad happily took us to the nearby Butlin’s where we would play for the entire day, ride rollercoasters as my mum watched and go swimming in the amazing outdoor water park. One time, we even bumped into the famous Walton sextuplets – incredibly exciting to find a gaggle of girls the same age as me to play with.

This year we’re not going on a family holiday of our own. With a house move on the cards and some big changes ahead, we need can’t really squeeze a holiday in as well. That said, it hasn’t stopped me checking out the wide range of cheap weekend breaks on offer online and *almost* booking somewhere, just because.

This will be the first year we haven’t been on a holiday. In 2011 we had a family break in Turkey and last year it was Cornwall. This year it will be Devon and, probably, a tour up north too. We’ll cram in daytrips and exciting visits, but it’s not quite the same as a holiday away, just the three of us.

In no particular order, these are the things I most love about our holidays away together as a family:

Swimming in the sea

Being able to swim in the sea without the weekend crowds of the local swimming pool or the rigid structure of the toddler swimming lesson. Instead, just running around, feeling the sand beneath your toes and the waves lap at your feet. Amazing.

Freedom from the routine

Lazy breakfasts and afternoon naps. Early evening snacks with a glass of wine under the stars. Reading a book, going for a swim, doing whatever takes your fancy, whenever you feel like it. THAT is the magic of the holiday clock.

Discovering new things

Whether it’s an undiscovered Cornish cove or a Cuban bar in deepest Havana, I love going to new places and stumbling across something completely fresh. And if a new food or drink is involved, so much the better.

Time

Time to sit, relax, think, ponder, read, chat, laugh, be together. Time really is the greatest gift a holiday can give.

What are your favourite things about holidays?

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