A road trip with not much road!

Last weekend, we went to visit my husband who is working in Porto on the Douro River.  From where we live, that is an almost 350 mile drive each way.  So on Saturday morning, me and the girls set off for our 'road trip', with a couple of stops it was supposed to take five and a half to six hours.  I was looking forward to it, to see my husband of course, and to do the drive was a challenge for me and gave me a change of scenery.  But travelling so long with two young children made me a little nervous. 

The drive up was fine, mostly motorway, was easy until we reached the city of Porto, where I proceeded to get lost, frustratingly I could see where I needed to be, but couldnt get there.  After driving up and down and round and round, crossing the river and back again, I got there.  After that we had to go to the hotel, which was about 3 miles away, this again took half an hour of being lost.  All this with directions, that apparently I was incapable to follow!!  We stayed for the weekend and on Monday heading back towards the south, getting out was easy. 

We decided to stop in Lisbon on the way to visit my inlaws for a night and continue onto home the next day, this was not to be.  As I was nearing the city, the car broke, would not go.  Here I was stuck on a very busy part of motorway about 15 miles from my inlaws, with two tired children.  Very lucky for me, with my brother and mother in law's help, we managed to get the car towed into the city.  So now what, what happened to the car, how would we get home, how long and how much would it cost?  I was very worried. And crazy to get home like never before, all I wanted was to go home.  No reflection on my inlaws, but I just wanted to be home.  

Luckily the work wasnt too major and was done in 48 hours, so we hit the road again and made it home, cautiously wondering if the car was going to make the 180 mile trip, but it did.  So our four day road trip turned into a six day road trip, but I have never been so happy to be home.

My Summer Mission

Maybe this should be called my 'late summer mission' as we are almost half way through summer already! 

I wanted to 'do something' this summer that I would enjoy and that I could share with others and maybe even provide some assistance.  At the moment, there are two things I am loving - going to the beach with my girls and the area I live in. 

With my husband's new job, we were considering to leave the area where we live and move to another and it suddenly made me realise what a beautiful place I live in and I wanted to capture that, for myself and also as a record of my children's childhood home.  When you live somewhere I think often you can under appreciate it, you see it everyday but you dont really 'see it'.  There are many beautiful places around where I live in the East Algarve, that I have never seen and I dont want to miss.  And what better time to do some sightseeing than in Summer.  So with my loved camera,  I am on a mission to capture some of the Algarve region.  I love photography but dont do it enough and need the practice ;-) 

My second mission is to visit as many beaches in the area, I want to try them and find a good beach for me and my children.  Until now, I have generally used the same beach but maybe there is a better one.  What I am looking for is, easy access with decent parking, good facilities on or near the beach and shallow, calm waters.  Watch this space....

My best birthday ever!

Today is my birthday. I am 33 today, I know still a chicken.  Age is not something that bothers me, I didnt dread 30, nor will I worry about the next decade.

But I would like to share with you my best birthday memory, it was on my 30th.  We had just moved to Portugal just a few weeks before and were living in the hotel my husband was managing.  Firstly I got a present of something I had always wanted, a digital SLR camera.  Then my husband had arranged a surprise day out, we got picked up and taken for a tour of Tavira, then we got a private boat tour along the coast which Sophie loved, it was really nice.  Then we got dropped at one of the Islands, where we had a really long, relaxing lunch, just the three of us!  Later we went back to the hotel where I had a big bunch of flowers and chocolates.

It may not sound like much, but Im not much of one for birthdays, so for me this was a lovely day of treats and relaxation in a lovely place, with my two most favourite people in the World!!

What more could I ask.

Sophie having her first Clams.

What is your favourite birthday memory?

Tavira Beaches

Tavira has some great beaches.  In the area of Tavira are at least six main beaches, some on main coast, some on the Ria Formosa islands. 

The Tavira coast is at the Eastern end of the Ria Formosa Natural Park, which is a series of barrier islands, some of which are inhabited. It is a beautiful area, with fantastic beaches which are flat and spread as far as the eye can see.

From West to East starting with:

Praia Barril - just on the edge of the village of Santa Luzia, near Pedras D'el Rei touristic complex.  It is situated on one of the Islands and can be acccessed by a small train or by walking the mile or so to the beach.  The beach facilities are located in a converted tuna fishing village.    It is quite picturesque beach with the unique addition of a 'anchor graveyard' a throwback from the golden and prosperous age of Tuna fishing.

Ilha Tavira - this is the main beach from Tavira town, huge numbers of people and campers visit this site daily from the town by boat.  There is a large, well-equipped campsite here just a couple of hundred metres from the beach and plenty of bars and restaurants.  The beach is large and stretches for miles, where you can walk from one beach to another along the expanse of the Island.

Ilha Cabanas - another island beach, accessible from Cabanas village by small boat.  This is another popular one but smaller than Ilha Tavira, they have a couple of restaurants and facilities on the beach with concessions.

Fabrica - this is a hidden treasure which I only found last year, quite by accident.  It is not one of the popular ones but is growing in popularity.  I think this was probably a 'locals beach' but now has been discovered. It is situated in a tiny 'village' off a country lane.  But this is a unique beach, it can be accessed by local boat but most people actually just wade across (at the right tide) to the beach.  There are no facilities but it is gorgeous, like something out of the caribbean.  There is a restaurant near the water, where they do great seafood, which again is not very advertised but very busy.

Manta Rota - my personal favourite and most frequented by us.  This is the first beach which can be accessed directly.  Situated in a small resort town with good facilities, it was given a facelift about 4 years ago and is very nice.

Last but not least

Praia Verde - this beach is situated at the bottom of a hill with good access.  Good beach for children with shallow waters and some facilities.  Lovely place to come for dinner as well!  Not overly crowded.

These are the main Tavira beaches, there are other small, local ones and of course, the 'Ria beaches', the beaches found on the banks of the interior of the 'Ria Islands.'

Would you like to run your own business with Tots to Travel?

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Do you want to make a change to get the life that YOU want?

We’re looking to grow our team of Holiday Property Experts across the UK and mainland Europe; our team of successful 'business mums' are out and about meeting owners, visiting properties and advising on the best possible ways to market to families.

There is a strong team behind Tots to Travel, all sharing in our exciting growth, of which you could be a part.

The latest additions to our team of Europe-wide Holiday Property Experts are now settled in and enjoying their new businesses with Tots, having completed their training programme in May this year.

Now, with the school holidays fast approaching, we're beginning the preparations for the next round of training in September 2011.

Could it be you joining our team?


Our proven 'Business In A Box' opportunity allows you to choose when you work, how hard you work, how much you earn...so that you can do the things that are most important to YOU.

Here's what one of our new Experts has to say about her experience with Tots so far...

"Joining a family run business is a refreshing change from my former corporate life! I love working with such motivated and creative people, and everyone supports each other in a way that you don't really find with a big corporation these days. The geographically widespread team shares a forum which is a very supportive place - I haven't yet felt daft for asking a question!


The biggest and most enjoyable learning curve for me has been all about online marketing and social media. I am finding it thoroughly fascinating...it is clearly the key to the success of the business. On a more hands-on level, I am finding loads of excuses to go and have a ´family day out´ in order to get some lovely photos and blog content, and am re-learning why I fell in love with Andalucia in the first place!

My goal is to build a successful portfolio of properties on the same scale as the´Tots Veterans´ in France who are a real inspiration to anyone starting out. I have wanted to start my own tourism based business here for a while, in order to be more in charge of my own destiny, and I want to help get Andalucia firmly on the map for good quality family friendly holidays, which is nothing less than it deserves!"


Lindsay, Holiday Property Expert, Andalucia

The May training also saw 3 fab new UK agents come on board, but we're still in need of more so if you're feeling motivated and ready to make a step change in your life, why not take action now and get in touch?

There are no geographical boundaries to our Experts; we are keen to bring on board more properties in:

■Wales

■Scotland

■North of England

■Cyprus

■Greek Islands (Corfu and Crete in particular)

■Italy

■The Balearics

■The Canaries

■The Alps

■The Cote d'Azur

■Croatia

So if you live in, can travel regularly to or know anyone who lives in those areas and might be interested, why not get in touch or pass this on?

Find out more...

Here's a link to a video about the Tots business opportunity, including a little more from our new team members....

EARN WHAT YOU WANT AND MAKE MORE TIME TO PLAY

Once you've watched the video, drop us a line any time on opportunities@totstotravel.co.uk and we'll be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Now's the time to make that leap to secure the new life that YOU want...before the school holiday season is upon us!


Original blog post and further details can be seen at Tots to Travel Blog

Mr Money and Me!

Mr money is a fickle friend


He comes and he goes

I would like to see Mr money more but he does not come around

Sometimes I expect to see mr money but he does not show up

Sometimes he does come but leaves soon after

He is illusive and complicated

One day I hope to be good friends with mr money and he will come and stay a while.

Portugal in tough times

Today I feel saddened by the news of Portugal's ratings slipping down to the lowest level.  I dont pretend to know or understand too much about this rating system and its affects, but one thing I do know is that these rating agencies have far too much affect and influence on these things. 

I feel sad because I have become protective of my adopted home of three years, and feel this is a low blow that it really didnt deserve as it tries to get back on its feet.  Portugal is a great country full of pride and tradition and it has had a long and impressive history.  It was once one of the strongest countries in the world, with the biggest empire and most discoveries.

They have asked for help and been given it, they have a new government who are already making changes and setting plans in motion to turn things around.  They havent even been in power two weeks and before they can even do anything, show even the smallest progress, they get this blow.  The measures being put in place are tough, very tough and no doubt will push Portugal to the limit, but they are backed by the other European leaders and the IMF, so why did this rating agency feel the need to push them more.  Surely they deserve a small chance, how can a rating agency make this decision so soon.  It almost seems they are trying to crash the Eurozone.  And what about Greece, surely they should be in this situation, after one attempt to sort themselves out they are needed more help!  Portugal deserves a chance before you condemn them.

Tots to Travel 'Just Go' Awards

Last week after several weeks of shortlisting and testing, Tots to Travel announced the winners of their inaugural 'Just Go!' awards.

Each category identified a product that help parents have a stress free holiday and travelling time.  All the products chosen are small, lightweight, easy to pack and value for money, and can be used throughout the year, not just on holiday. 

There were six categories of For the Journey, Fun & Games, Sleeping, Safety, Feeding and Special Commendation. 

The winners chosen were:

For the Journey - Bubblegum Inflatable Car Booster - what a fantastic idea!

Fun & Games - Fuzzoddles

Sleeping - Snoozeshade

Safety - Milton Sterilising Tablets

Feeding - Totseat (I have one of these, invaluable!)

Special Commendation - Morrck Splasher (a hooded towelling wrap)

For full details of the winners and the finalists, go over to the Tots to Travel Blog

Enjoy your travel time with less stress with Tots to Travel

Frustration of technology

I have had one of those weeks where I have felt like I have got nothing done, I end the day feeling like I am not producing everything, yet spend hours 'doing' stuff.  Today, I realised the reason for that feeling of 'unproductivity' was my computer.  Technology is wonderful when it works, but when it doesnt or is not doing what you want it can be the most frustrating thing and wears you out fighting with it.  That's what I feel like this week, like I am battling with my computer to get anything done and everything feels like a chore, even blogging! 

It is not really my computer's fault, my laptop is an old man, he is nearly 5, yes five years old, which as you know in laptop terms is very old and in the last two years has been used for thousands of hours of job searching, chatting, networking etc. He is just getting too tired, but at the moment I dont have the means to replace him and hope he will last until that time, which I hope to be very soon.  This week he has slowed down a lot and countless times overheats and switches off, (the hot weather not helping) only to take another 5-10minutes to start again once cooled, half an hour lost everytime this happens. Simple tasks take ages or get cut off midflow.  Loading webpages can take from 2 - 5 minutes, think about how any webpages you load in a day, all this becomes tiring and very frustrating.  Leaving me feeling like I am making no progress, I am but it is extremely slow.

I hope this week may be better, but Im prepared to be slow