Family Friendly Travel Blog

As recommended by The Telegraph

We’re thrilled to bits to have been featured in The Telegraph as part of their Good Value Holiday Guide last Saturday.

That’s the second year running the Telegraph have selected Tots to Travel as a top tip for family friendly self catering holidays!

Tots to Travel is described by the Telegraph’s Fred Mawer as one “….of the best and most interesting travel companies specialising in holidays to France”.

This is because we...

• Provide peace of mind: We are the only family friendly holiday company that goes to such extreme lengths to give you safe, family friendly accommodation 
• Offer the largest choice: We have the largest collection of visited and approved family friendly holiday homes available 
• Save you time & stress: Our award winning ‘parent friendly’ customer service saves you stress and time.

Click here to read Fred’s recommendation in The Telegraph.

Or, cut to the chase and get on with finding your dream family holiday!

• Click and have a look: www.totstotravel.co.uk

• Phone and get help: 0845 269 4126

• Email for advice: enquiries@totstotravel.co.uk

Happy holiday hunting!

Look what we're unwrapping!

Just a quick note before I dive headlong into the Christmas festivities and get buried in a flurry of discarded wrapping paper!

My team and I are committed to delivering the very best (and safest) family friendly holiday homes around.  In our quest to ensure that you can find no better, we've been beavering away behind the scenes to burst into the new year with something that is even better! 

For the moment though our plans are under wraps but watch this space...I hope you like what's coming!

Merry Christmas!

Best month ever! More holiday homes added than ever before...

I am absolutely thrilled to announce that this month we will be adding more fantastic, family friendly holiday homes than ever before - all approved and visited by my team to give you peace of mind when you book.  

This means that families like yours now have a bigger choice than ever before and the best ever chance of finding just the right place in which to spend quality family time together on holiday.

...And because we visit every property and know every house owner, my team is well placed to save you time and stress by matching you to the holiday home that meets your requirements - that's something you won't find anywhere else.  

Click here to save you time and stress

We take our responsibility for finding you fabulous, safe, family friendly holiday homes incredibly seriously, which is why we go to extreme lengths and that we keep pushing forward to find you more and more magical places!

So do come and visit the site, coo over our new family friendly holiday homes and get in touch so that we can help you find the perfect venue for your next holiday!

Momymoo 'On the Go Changing Mat' Review

I’ve always been a fairly practical mum, often with practicality and value for money winning over style considerations.  

Third time round, and 7 years since having my first baby, I decided that I was going to take an altogether more chic and stylish approach to child rearing.  Moreover, the addition of a third child meant ‘hoiking’ our levels of household organisation to hither to unseen levels and a growing intolerance for products that just add unnecessary levels of clutter to our home.  

Add to that several years of helping families to achieve the most child friendly and stress-free holidays possible, and you get the picture...

...I’ve become a much more demanding customer.

So when I came across the Momymoo On The Go Changing Mat (www.momymoo.co.uk) I spotted a product that met both multiple requirements.  I opted for the Pink Flamingo design (although I struggled to choose as the patterns are all gorgeous) and I have to say that I’m thrilled.  

That’s my ‘stylish’ criteria sorted.

Now for the practicalities...

The changing mat is big enough for a wriggly two year old and there are just enough pockets to get the essentials in..nappy sacks, wet wipes and nappies.  I like the simplicity and efficiency of this, exactly what you need on your travels, nothing more nothing less...and no temptation to fill it up with odd socks and half eaten packs of Marmite rice cakes.  

It’s also easy to see when you need to restock, something that I have been hopeless about in the past.

On the downside, the front zipper pocket is quite small, probably big enough for your Oyster card, but I think it’s the paired down nature of this baby changing mat that lends itself to the greater levels of efficiency that I was striving for!  

I really love this ‘grab and go’ approach and for £28.00 I think you’ll have a stylish product that you are proud to use and fits the practical requirements.

Let me know what you think of this product and the designs, I’d be really interested to hear what you think!  Do comment below...

No more empty weeks: how to use social media to fill your holiday home

Holiday property owners - free training alert!

No More Empty Weeks: Discover how to harness the power of Social Media to fill your holiday home ... without wasting your time with stuff that doesn't work

The problem with using the likes of Facebook and Twitter in the same breath as marketing is that many of you probably switch off instantly.

Facebook is what the kids use, all day and all night it seems.  Merrily sharing photos of what they did last night and flirting with people they haven't even met (scary stuff for parents to get their head round .. and being one myself, I know this all too well!)

Twitter seems to be what celebs and famous footballers use to get themselves in trouble.  Newspapers are continually using tweets and making them into headlines, only to be caught up in some silly legal case.

So why on earth would you want to even consider using sites like Facebook and Twitter to promote your holiday home?

Surely social media is a waste of time?  And you just don't have time to spend tweeting, poking and sharing funny videos of cats!

This is why I am really excited to have persuaded Karen Skidmore to share some Social Media secrets with us all.

Karen Skidmore is a leading web tech marketing specialist based in the UK and I have spent time learning from her on how Social Media can make a difference to our own marketing here at Tots to Travel.

Karen is hosting a live session on Thursday 24th November where she will be teaching you how to use Social Media to help fill those dreaded empty weeks.

Click here to check out the details.

Even if you have been dabbling with various Social Media tools for the past few months (or even years), then I know you will learn stacks that will make a difference to your online marketing.

Marketing on the web allows you to reach out to new customers right around the globe.  And having spent time with Karen, I know that using the right Social Media tools in the right way, can make a big difference to your online marketing success.

If you can't make it live, then make sure you register so you can receive the recording and watch back at a time to suit you.

Here's the link and make sure you register - see you there!

Bag a T-Rex of a Deal on Christmas Presents from Trunki!

If your challenge is travelling with your tots this Christmas, or finding practical, fun Christmas presents that your kids will love is proving tricky... 

...then meet the Trunkisaurus pals, Rex and Rox! 

Complete with marbled scales and ferocious teeth, you’d better beware because these suitcases bite!

Whether it’s Christmas at Granny’s or a round the world trip, Trunki is the ideal companion.  This fab 3 in 1 ride on suitcase teaches children to take responsibility for their own belongings. They can pack up their toys and ride along, whilst parents can keep them in tow easily! 

Trunki was designed to beat the boredom so often suffered by families in transit. 

Check out these monstrous Christmas Trunki deals on the all new Tots to Travel Family Travel Shop!  

Ultimate T-Rex of a Deal!

Click here to bag Rex or Rox with all their accessories (Tote bag, Saddlebag, Stickers & the Travel Chums Set Washbag, Pencil Case & Purse) for £72.50 (normally £78.95) + P&P 


Bite-size T-Rex Deal!

Choose Rex or Rox with Tote and Stickers for £49.97 (normally £52.97) +P&P 

 

 

 

Rex or Rox all alone

Click here to bag your very own Rex or Rox for just £37.99 +P&P

 

 

Trunkisaurus features...

Locking catches ✔
Teddy bear seatbelts ✔
Bits pouch ✔
Two carry handles ✔
Secret compartments ✔
Multifunctional carry-tow strap ✔
Passport for downloadable activities ✔

Dimensions 46 x 20.5 x 31cm

PS. There are limited stocks available and orders need to be received by 8th December 2011 so 'snap' yours up now!

Early bird bookers reaping the benefits

If you want your next family holiday to be a relaxed and happy occasion (which doesn’t break the bank), it pays to plan ahead. Many months ahead, in fact.  

Last-minute holidays work best for singles or couples, not for those with children in tow. The last-minute crowd probably don’t mind paying a lot more for their airfares or having less choice about the time and day they travel, or where they stay.  But as a parent, you know these elements are crucial for a ‘family-friendly’ holiday – one where you get to stay in the accommodation you want and travel at a time that suits you all.

Here are our five reasons why booking early will ensure your family’s next holiday is a low-cost and happy one:

1. You get a bigger selection of accommodation to choose from 

The most popular places to stay get snapped up very early – some of Tots to Travel's family-friendly gites, villas and apartments are already fully booked to 2013! 

2. The further ahead you book, the cheaper the flights

Airline ticket prices tend to go up 21 days, 14 days, seven days and three days before flying. If you're travelling internationally, book three to six months in advance to grab the best deals. 

3. Booking flights earlier means more choice about time and date of travel 

By booking early, you have more flexibility about the time you travel. Late night flights can be ideal for a travelling family – your brood is ready for sleep - but this is a luxury normally reserved for those who are clever enough to plan ahead.  Leave it to the last moment and you could be travelling at the very time when your little ones are the most active - not much fun for you or the rest of the passengers! Demand for flights during school holidays is fierce, which means your choice of days and times to travel becomes even more limited. That’s why it makes sense to book your flights as early as possible – start looking the moment you receive school calendar dates and / or the schedules are released.

4. You can spread the cost of the holiday across many months 

Planning your holiday early means you can set aside money each month to cover the overall cost of such things as accommodation, flights, travel insurance, car hire, meals out and visits to local attractions. 

5. You have time to prepare essential documents

Planning ahead means you have time to ensure all your travel documents (passports, visas, etc.) are valid. Getting and renewing passports well before you plan to travel will save you a lot of money and stress!  

All children under the age of 16 need to have their own passport to travel abroad. It’s best to apply as early as possible for their passports - you can get them quicker between September and December. To renew or amend an existing adult passport takes at least three weeks and costs £77.50. A first child/baby passport also takes about three weeks and costs £49.00.  

Whatever your 2012 family holiday plans, now is the time to kick things off - drop us a line on enquiries@totstotravel.co.uk or call us on 0845 26 941 26 for help choosing the perfect child friendly holiday property for you and your family. 

Happy holiday planning!

We're recruiting a Marketing & PR Bod!

Location: Tots Towers, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire

Well it seems that the team is growing again here at Tots and we find ourselves looking for a PR and Marketing bod to join us here at Tots Towers.  For anybody with an iota of marketing prowess this is THE dream role, working within a family friendly environment (school hours if that’s what you want) within an exciting and dynamic company.  If this is you (or any of your friends) then we’d love to hear from you!

Here’s who we’re looking for...

You’re the type of person that gets a buzz from growing a consumer brand and from getting the word out there.  You’re likely to be someone who is brimful with great marketing ideas whilst being able to implement efficiently, write brilliantly and liaise effectively with the team, with journos and with a multitude of others.   You’re also someone who is passionate about family holidays and values the importance of quality family time.  BTW you’ll also need to “muck in” from time to time to help achieve what needs to be done.

In other words, we’re looking for a PR and marketing specialist who is passionate about family holidays and is looking for a dynamic role within a fast-growing family orientated travel company.  This role offers the right person the opportunity to fit work around family commitments.

If you were working with us, here are some of the things you would have done last week:

• Planned your time according to the Marketing Strategy (which you will have created)
• Planned and created content for a number of broadcasts and newsletters to the database
• Written a couple of blog posts
• Created SEO friendly web copy for a couple of property descriptions
• Managed our database
• Planned and managing our social networking plan
• Communicated with our European-wide team using Facebook
• Attended a sales and marketing meeting to plan future projects and create new ideas to drive business growth
• Approached key journalists with story ideas
• Responded to journalist requests, sent high res photos
• Liaised with other businesses with a view to joint venturing
• Conceived, written and distributed a press release
• Taken responsibility for product management and brand consistency

Here are some of the other things that may also crop up:

• Write and copy direct marketing material, possibly stuffing envelopes with the team
• Help to organise events
• Liaise with printers, magazines and distributors
• Used our database to find out statistical data
• Sought and created case studies

...and here’s what we’re working on at the moment

• The development and launch of a luxury brand
• The development and launch of a family travel shop
• Re-branding and launch of the current www.totstotravel.co.uk site

Experience is key, so we’re looking for a keen marketing bod with:

• Extreme confidence and efficiency within Windows and MS Office software
• Knowledge and experience of PR and journalist liaison
• Knowledge and experience of copy creation, particularly SEO friendly
• Knowledge and experience of on and off-line lead generation and the marketing funnel
• Knowledge and experience of online marketing, web-content, blog and newsletter creation
• Knowledge and experience of social networking for business
• Ability to work within a close-knit team
• You must live in the Peterborough area (or be prepared to move) to apply for this job

Desirable qualities include:

• Familiarity with a blogging platform such as WordPress
• Familiarity with a CRM database such as ACT! by Sage
• History of B2C marketing (not necessarily within the travel or parenting sector)
• Experience of permission based Email Marketing software such as Aweber/Infusionsoft

Technologies in use:
This role requires thorough, extremely confident and efficient use of Microsoft Office based packages (including Excel and Publisher), Email, Web Browsing software and the confident use of CRM databases such as ACT! by Sage.  In addition, experience of web-based CRM and email marketing packages (such as Aweber, Infusionsoft) would be preferable as would Word Press and social networking platforms including YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.

What next?
If this sounds like your dream job then we definitely want to hear from you.  Please get in touch by emailing karen@totstotravel.co.uk.  You’ll need to put “Marketing Bod” in the subject line.

Desperately seeking...parents to visit and approve holiday homes!

It’s a tough job...but someone’s gotta do it!  

Did you know that ever since day one, I or one of my fabulous team has visited and approved EVERY SINGLE family friendly holiday home on the Tots to Travel site?

And what a great job it has turned out to be! In fact, I very often talk to mums who say “oh I’d love to do that...” or “..next time you need a beautiful villa looking at you know where to come...” 

If visiting holiday homes on our behalf sounds like your dream business then this is your chance! 

Our team is growing...

We’re looking to grow our team quickly (we have work building up) so are now on the hunt for mums (or dads) to train to be Holiday Property Experts in the following areas... 

• Provence/Cote d’Azur (and other areas of France)
• The Alps
• Spain
• Cyprus
• The Greek Islands
• Italy

To whet your appetite, here's a story from one of our team in France...

"Oh how I love my business!  I have just returned from the most wonderful visit to a gorgeous cluster of gites in the Dordogne valley.  The house owners were lovely and the property - perfect....My day started by dropping the kids off at school and crèche, then on went the Sat nav, sunglasses and tunes, as I meandered through the most beautiful countryside.

I arrived at the property to be greeted by Sarah, the owner, and a steaming cup of coffee, which we sipped on the terrace in the dappled sunshine, whilst we got to know each other a bit better.

We started by Sarah briefly showing me around before leaving me to it for a while.  She then came to find me to invite me to join her, her husband and their pool builder for a lovely al fresco lunch - over which I announced/warned(!) that I will be bringing my family there next year!

After a long lunch, I cracked on with the rest of the inspection and we re-grouped for another coffee to go over my findings.  All in all, it was a great day and I know this property is going to be a popular one on the Tots site, so fingers crossed, a good earner for me too!

....Just got to get the kids bathed and in bed now, then I can get my teeth stuck into the marketing to families strategy report whilst the juices are flowing!"

Does that sound like the business for you??? Sounds amazing to me!

Work around the kids...

This is a brilliant business opportunity (think “business in a box”) for anybody based in these areas who wants to start their own business that fits around the children AND earn a decent, interesting income.

To find out more, click on this link to watch our short video 

Our training and induction package covers everything you’d need to know to get off the ground and start earning within weeks of completing our training (the next round is at the end of this month).

From the horse's mouth, here's what one of our newest Holiday Property Experts had to say about her training... 

"I just wanted to say a HUGE thank you for the last two days. I am on the train on the way home and feeling so excited, inspired and unbelievably, actually quite confident. It has been the best training I have ever attended, and this includes 5 years of medical school and 8 long weekends of Relate training!"  

If you or anybody you know fits this bill then we’d love to hear from you or them. And if you refer a friend, we’d like to say ‘thank you’ so we’ll be asking all applicants how they heard about this business opportunity!

Beautiful Babymule Changing Bag Giveaway!

This week, we've got a corker of a giveaway for you, from our friends at Babymule. 

I’m a sucker for anything that makes getting out and about en famille easier and one product that I have stumbled across recently that fits the bill is the Babymule Backpack, a finalist in our Just Go Awards earlier this year.  

As a mum with 3 children ranging from 9 to 2, I’m looking for a practical bag that serves me during the baby years but also caters for the stages beyond and the Babymule does just that.  

We’ve used it for picnics, as hand luggage on flights, on family cycle rides and even on a school trip my 9 year old.  The secret is that it is cleverly designed, carefully thought out, comfortable to wear and robust in its construction.  It feels like it is designed to do the job!

Practical... 

It’s a proper practical backpack, designed as much for a family that truly goes out walking, cycling or picnicking as it is for a quick trip to the shops or swimming at the leisure centre.  It is well designed and spacious, with lots of room for the day to day bits as well as the extra paraphernalia required for a longer day out or a trip to see friends.  

Easy to use... 

Clearly a lot of thought has gone into how the adult might use this bag.  There are easy access pockets at the front and the side for your keys, mobile, passports and paperwork as well as larger pockets for nappy bags, food and so on.  I’m keen on bags within bags so that everything has its place and this need is satisfied too.  So there is a baby changing bag and a large zippy bag and a bottle holder.

Comfortable... 

There is a choice of how to use this bag, so on a bike ride you might wear it as a back pack whilst a quick change of the straps means that it hangs off the back of the pram or you can wear it as a messenger bag.  Either way it’s comfortable, even withstanding the rigours of a long walk or a cycle ride.

Beautiful...

I like the simple yet pretty design, also acceptable to my husband and eldest son who did not feel that their masculinity was compromised! ...and critically it’s a bag that will outlive the baby years proving good value for money.  

If I was to make one criticism it would be that there are perhaps too many pockets - the more efficient amongst you will not find this an issue whilst those of you (like me) at the slightly scattier end of the spectrum, might find remembering where everything is a challenge!

Overall this is a fantastic baby changing and family bag, designed to last beyond the baby years.   

WIN A GORGEOUS BABYMULE BACKPACK OF YOUR VERY OWN! 

To get your hands on one of these beauties, drop us a line on competitions@totstotravel.co.uk by Monday 3 October 2011 and the first name out of the hat will be the winner! 

Just tell us...

1. Your name

2. Your email address

3. Whether you would like to sign up to the Babymule newsletter

Good luck! :-)