Jones Editorial

Burgundy (“Bourgogne” in French) is home to world-famous vineyards, chateaux and abbeys, and many strong cheeses – the kinds of things that generally appeal to adults more than kids. The region is unlikely to be at the top of a family travel hit list, but that doesn’t mean that it’s lacking in things to do with children. Adults considering a wine-tasting holiday can easily factor in nonalcoholic activities that will keep younger members of the family happy.

Our Where Locals Go series features holiday destinations that are often overlooked by international visitors but cherished by locals. Here, we ask four England experts for their top ideas.

The summer holidays are in full swing. Your mission? To get across the Channel and hit the toll roads to wherever in France you are going. Well, when it is four hours from Calais to the mesmerising Mont-St Michel in Normandy, five hours to the wine villages of Burgundy, and a long old slog to the south, there is no time for hanging about.

Calais – former destination for booze cruise travellers and current home of displaced people – is not often the featured shot on a glossy tourism brochure. But things are changing in the city and around the beach; it’s time for lovers of art and culture to start factoring Calais in as part of their travel plans.

You may have heard the old expression “children should be seen and not heard.” Well, this dates back to 15th-century England, and unsurprisingly, some things have changed since then. Yes, of course there are still the occasional grumps who will turn up their noses at the sight of a child in a pub, or roll their eyes when a stroller laden with a babbling toddler is being pushed onto their train car, but for the most part, attitudes to kids in England are open and friendly.

Hiring a car and driving through gorgeous English landscapes, visiting quaint villages and epic castles is a highlight of a trip to England no matter the season. Roads are well maintained, although you may be caught out by the occasional pothole. Off the main roads you can meander down narrow lanes of hedgerows and stop to watch the sun set or a bird of prey gliding in the sky above.

Not everyone knows that Calais, a trade and transit hub on the north coast of France, is also a portal to an underground world—at least, that is, according to a larger-than-life local’s PR team. This gateway opened during expansion work a few years ago at the Port of Calais, and released a huge and powerful dragon that now patrols the city’s shoreline.

I was the proofreader of the third edition of Suffolk, part of Bradt's award-winning Slow Travel series of travel guides. Out September 2023.

Such is England’s reach on popular culture, you may think you already know the country before you visit. Though if you’re expecting to be surrounded by a bunch of well-heeled James Bonds or a gaggle of eccentric Monty Python characters, then think again.

Looking for a glorious country to explore with kids? Italy might be just what you need.
People are patient and accommodating and there’s no shortage of things to do, from treasure-hunting in Roman ruins to castle-building on sandy beaches. Add brilliant food to the mix and you’ve got the perfect recipe for an unforgettable family trip.

From the snow-dusted, ski-worthy Pyrenees to the glinting golden beaches of the south, Spain unfolds in a series of ever-changing landscapes, traditions, attractions, cuisines and even languages.

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I was the proofreader of the second edition of New Forest, part of Bradt's award-winning Slow Travel series of travel guides. Out July 2023.

All adults, children and babies experience illnesses. We become protected from infections by either catching them or through vaccination. Babies and young children get more colds than adults as their resistance to infections builds up over time. For babies born premature or sick, the risk of complications can be higher. Find out what you can do to help protect your baby against common infectious illnesses.

Studded with thousands of castles, old villages and vineyards, the Loire valley feels like a step back in time. In western France, this region blends history, nature and the French art de vivre (way of life) like no other. Crossed by the Loire, the last wild river in Europe, the area is a Unesco World Heritage Site for its landscapes and the richness of its monuments. Whether it be by foot, bike, boat or car you will experience life that pulses to the rhythm of the Loire.