A few weeks ago, bloggers up and down the land were eagerly awaiting news on Mark Warner’s Family Ambassador programme. Since starting blogging back in 2013, I have heard only glowing reports from people who have been on Mark Warner holidays. And last years Ambassadors showed us how to holiday, ski and sail…. Mark Warner style.
Mark Warner has been around since 1974, which coincidentally is the same time as me. Though I am sure Mark Warner has fewer wrinkles and grey hairs. In those 43 years the holiday company has grown and evolved, and it got me thinking of how much our family holidays have changed with time too. Soft play has been replaced with wifi, and kids entertainment has been swopped for sophisticated meals.
Having a teenager in the family, I am well aware that one day our family holidays will end. Family holidays that have seen us smile, laugh, explore, dance, relax and have fun together over the years. I want to hold on to those feelings for as long as I can, and treasure every single holiday moment we have together.
Mark Warner challenged us to come up with our Top 10 travel must haves.
Morgan
It came as no surprise that Morgan’s ‘must have’ is his phone. We all know that teenagers must never be a metre away from their phone at all times.
And when he has caught up with friends, checked in on facebook, and instagrammed his holiday pictures, it’s time for him to explore. Him and his dad are the explorers in the family.
Katie
It was only last year that Katie discovered kid’s clubs. She loved her little bit of independence, creating her own fun and making new friends.
Whilst her and her brother can bicker like cat and dog at home, during the holidays it’s about them coming together and sharing new experiences.
Hywel
There is something about holidays that inspire you to start a new book. This is definitely top of my husband’s travel must haves, and you will usually find him in WH Smiths at the airport.
Me
My travel essential would be time in the Spa. Whilst I love everything about family holidays, I do think it’s important to have some time to yourself.
We all agreed that whilst it’s important to give each other space on holiday, we have the most fun when we are together. If one piece of our family jigsaw is missing, it would make us incomplete. I know that this will eventually happen as the kids get older, but for the time being I want to keep our little jigsaw together.
This is our entry into the Mark Warner Family Ambassador programme for 2017. Thank you Mark Warner for a wonderful opportunity.
Sarah Christie
Aw I have been watching out for this all day, yes like s you are on borrowed time, a few years maybe? Its os precious isn’t it? But its just the most wonderful thing when you are all together somewhere fab, best of luck lovely lady, I love the mood board too, it shows how you are all so different yet have overlapping loves. xx
Tracey Williams
Aw thanks Sarah. I think with us having older kids you just appreciate every minute that you spend with them. And holidays become even more precious. I have learnt that we all need our own time on holiday, but ultimately the time we spend together is the best time x
lorraine
Great post, good luck you’d be the ideal family ambassadors for Mark Warner hols.
x
Tracey Williams
Thank you Lorraine, that is such a lovely thing to say x
Sarah MumofThree World
We’re getting to the stage with my eldest where our holidays aren’t enough for him and he always wants to be doing something different. It sounds like you’ve got the recipe for a perfect holiday with big kids there! My boys too must always be very close to their phones and the Wifi. My eldest in particular can’t sit still for five minutes and always wants to be off exploring something. I’m the reader in the family. My daughter is just happy to be with Mummy and Daddy – and long may that continue!
Tracey Williams
Morgan is always the first to make sure his devices are connected to the wifi, hence why he has the title of ‘chief wifi hunter’. I think over the years I have learnt that we all need our own space on holiday, yet there is plenty of time to do things as a family. Katie loved going in the kids clubs last year, which meant that hubby and I actually got some time to ourselves on holiday x
Hannah Spannah
What lovely pictures and great pics. It must be tricky to please everyone but Mark Warner do seem to have something for everyone. Good luck!
Tracey Williams
I totally agree Hannah. It seems they offer the perfect family holiday x
Alice
I’m totally with you on wanting time at the spa!! Lovely post x
Tracey Williams
Thank you Alice. I think all holidays should come with amazing spa experiences, or just relaxing on the beach for a few hours with a good book x
Lara jarvis
Ahhh the spa!! it’s so nice that MW have such great kids clubs and I love the thought of my own children making little friends at them! Good luck lovely x
Tracey Williams
Thank you so much Lisa. Kids clubs offer so much, and it was lovely to see my daughter enjoying herself last year. I have heard so many good things about the amazing kids clubs that Mark Warner offer x
Rachel @ The Ordinary Lovely
Love your Venn diagram, Tracey!! Such a lovely post. Good luck! Mark Warner holidays are brilliant.
Tracey Williams
Thank you so much Rachel. I have heard only amazing reviews about Mark Warner. The food, the activities, the beaches, the kids clubs…. everything looks brilliant for families x
HelpfulMum
I have books high up on my list too. Loved your post. Good luck!
Tracey Williams
Thank you Sian. It is the holiday law that you have to take at least one new book on holiday don’t you x
Notmyyearoff
Aww love your mood board and the photos. We only recently discovered kids clubs too and z loves them. Best of luck Tracey, I haven’t entered so am just cheerleading all my favourite people 🙂 xx
Tracey Williams
Aw thank you so much Tas. I trust you have a cheerleading costume and fluffy pom poms 🙂 x
Hayley @hayleyfromhome
What a lovely read Tracey, your holidays must be so different now that the kids are older but it’s so lovely to see you still enjoying them as a family. Such beautiful photos and would be lovely to see you as Mark Warner ambassadors, love seeing where you are off to on your travels xx
Tracey Williams
Thank you so much for your comment Hayley, that means a lot. Yes holidays are certainly different now they are older. Easier in many ways and it’s nice they have an opinion on where they want to travel to. Though Morgan’s list is Australia, Japan and Hawaii (hmmm maybe a little over ambitious) x