When I first started this blog the focus was our boy, Caspian, my birthday buddy, along with my new role as ‘mum’. Though the blog is also about culture. The different cultures, the meeting of cultures and most importantly, the mix of cultures. We share one world, we are one race. What makes us unique as humans is our cultural heritage and it is something that has always fascinated me. It should be celebrated. It should be shared.
In light of what is happening around the world travelling and exploring is more important than ever. Understanding and embracing other cultures. It teaches us valuable lessons, not only about other people but more importantly about ourselves. Plus it is one of the greatest gifts you can give your children.
The Danish fairytale writer Hans Christian Andersen is the man behind the beautiful quote to travel is to live. This is exactly it, travelling should make you come alive. Renowned British holiday company Mark Warner has issued bloggers with the challenge to design a mood board reflecting their top ten travel must-haves in a competition to become this year’s #MarkWarnerMum and #MarkWarnerDad. Those who win get to represent the company on exciting travels throughout Europe visiting their beautiful sun and ski resorts. This is my entry.
MY MOOD BOARD MOVIE
As a lover of all things fashion, beauty and technology putting together a mood board of my top choices in these categories would be a (summer) breeze. Though as much as modern comms are useful and might ease your travels especially if you are bringing your children, they are not what make a holiday. What makes a holiday is what I’ve tried to capture in this video. I’ve cut and edited my moving images mood board. I hope you like it?
SO MY TOP TEN TRAVEL MUST-HAVES ARE:
- A SENSE OF ADVENTURE
- BEING PRESENT
- AN APPETITE FOR LIFE (AND DELICIOUSÂ FOOD)
- CURIOSITY
- FOCUS ON FAMILY
- TIME TO RELAX
- COURAGE TO LEAVE YOUR COMFORT ZONE
- EAGERNESS TO LEARN
- AN OPEN MIND
- FUN
As a child I was fortunate that my parents were keen to show me and my siblings the world. I especially hold fond memories from our summer holidays near the Mediterranean visiting countries like Italy and Greece. The sunshine, the food, the people. It’s somewhere I’m excited to take Caspian.
Recently we have visited destinations within in the UK. We loved our winter trip to beautiful Winchester and more recently our fun filled adventures in Bristol. Though we hope to fill 2017 with some more exotic holiday destinations as well.
A few snaps from our family holiday to Gibraltar last February
My plan is to take Snappy places rather than give him presents. I want him to experience the world not just buy it. #kcacols
That sounds like a wonderful idea. I’m sure you’ll have great adventures xx
Loved your video!!! My toddler thought your son was him LOL same beautiful blond curls!!! Thanks for sharing. I hope you win! #kcacols
Oh, that’s so cute 🙂 Thank you. Fingers crossed. Would be an amazing experience x
This is such a lovely post, really enjoyed reading and watching the video. Good luck xx
Thank you, Alice x
What beautiful photo’s and I agree 100% – to travel IS to live. Your video is stunning. Good luck
Thank you, Hannah! There are so many amazing entries, tough call for Mark Warner 🙂
Lovely video Nadia. Your holiday must-haves are spot on. Good luck with the competition! #KCACOLS
Thank you so much, Claire x
Ahh holidays can mean so many different things to different people. We definitely need the time to relax but every holiday is still an learning opportunity for us too. Such a happy post to read. Thanks for linking it to #kcacols and hope to see you again there this Sunday.
It’s all about striking the right balance 🙂
Ah so sweet, such a beautiful vlog, and such beautiful photos wishing you the best of luck x
Thank you so much. Best of luck to you as well x
Kids love to travel, and you see the world differently through their eyes…tho the older they get, the cost becomes an issue
True, that’s why I feel finding the perfect family holiday is so important.
To travel really is to live! Such a beautiful post and vlog x
Thank you so much, Emma. It was such fun to make x
You’re so right. We should all teach our children how to be citizens of the world. I’m not that adventurous at the moment but I have big plans for when they are older! #KCACOLS
I’m sure you have great adventures to come x
Best of luck to you!
How wonderful it is to travel, I wish we had the time and money to do it a bit more often! #KCACOLS
Becky x
Me too, it is so nourishing for the sou. Thank you, Beckyl x
Wishing you the best of luck. Those photos are beautiful. #kcacols
Thank you so much, Kelly-Anne. It would be a dream to be chosen x
I love this list so much, what beautiful photos to go alongside it too x
Aw, thank you so much x
Completely agreed on the importance of travel for children and family. I feel so lucky my LO has family in other countries to make those places an extension of his home. We all share the same earth and who really owns it anyway?! xx
Exactly! xx
Ooh good luck! So true it’s great for them to experience different cultures xx
It is really is, isn’t it? x
What beautiful photos to go along with your entry. Best of luck!
Thank you x
Growing up in a big family we didn t have lots of opportunity to travel but I remember taking a few trips to Pakistan and living in my granddad s farm house. Â Days and weeks were spent running across the neighbour s roofs and running through my granddads vast fields.
What a lovely video. I love your choices for your holiday must haves I was agreeing with you through the video. Good luck lovely xx
Thank you lovely x
loving the mood board movie 🙂 good luck! #KCACOLS
Thank you, Emma xx
What a fabulous entry! Such a gorgeous take on the top ten travel must haves, good luck with the competition!
Thank you so much. Fingers crossed as it would be a dream x
What a fantastic (and unique) approach to travel must-haves! The video is wonderful and I couldn’t agree more with the points you have raised 🙂
Best of luck xx
Thank you so much, Hayley. Hoping MW feels the same 😀 xx
What a fabulous post. Good luck!!!
Thank you, Vicki xx
What a lovely video! Loved seeing Caspian – what a gorgeous little boy! Best of luck with your entry! They would be lucky to have you.
That’s very kind, Laura. Thank you. xx
Ooh what a great list and video!! I love the appetite for life (and delicious food) one! best of luck with the competition!
Thank you. Keeping fingers (and toes) crossed. It was great fun to do xx
Ah good luck lovely. I particularly like being present and relaxing. So important when spending time together as a family xx
Yes, it is and why holidays are important. Thanks hun xx
Lovely, inspiring list. Good luck! Xxx
Thank you x
What a lovely little video. A different take on the top ten travel must haves. Best of luck 🙂
Thank you, Kris. Tried to think outside the box 🙂
This is such a lovely post, all the best of luck xx
Thank you, Sarah. Fingers crossed x