Wish You Were Here

Three mummies tell us about their most memorable family vacations so far

Portrait of Tammy Strobel

Three mummies tell us about their most memorable family vacations so far

The magnificent Milford Sound
The magnificent Milford Sound
QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND

Rany and Colin Moran took their sons Nicholas, 10, and Christopher, 8, for a whizz around the slopes in Queenstown

Nicholas, Rany and Christopher
Nicholas, Rany and Christopher
My Reading Room
My Reading Room
My Reading Room
My Reading Room

From left: Scarf, Louis Vuitton. Jacket, Little Marc Jacobs at Kids21. B3-T Superfluid Sunscreen SPF 50+, Rationale. Boot, Stella McCartney Kids 

Showstopping views
Showstopping views
The Moran family on the slopes
The Moran family on the slopes
Matakauri Lodge
Matakauri Lodge

Our holiday hideaway:
We decided to fly to New Zealand as we wanted to try a new ski venue and our boys really wanted to see some of the countryside where Lord of the Rings was shot. We split our holiday between Millbrook Resort in Arrowtown and Matakauri Lodge in Queenstown. We chose Millbrook Resort so we could be close to the Cardrona slopes for the first four days of our holiday, and the relaxing Matakauri Lodge afterwards so we could book in for a massage and soothe our aching legs. We spent the day on the slopes, but at night time, you really don’t want to do anything else apart from have dinner. With all that exercise and fresh air, don’t be surprised if you’re in bed by 9pm. 

Three words that best describe New Zealand:
Peaceful, adventurous, free-spirited.

On our packing checklist:
Skiwear essentials, including thermal undergarments—a necessity on the slopes when the temperature is zero degrees!

When we weren’t on the slopes…
We took a scenic helicopter ride and a very cold, but beautiful, cruise through Milford Sound.

The best time of day is...
Sunrise. The grass is frozen and the bite of the wind chill on your face makes you feel alive. 

Holiday beauty essentials:
Clé de Peau Beauté’s Synactif range, Jane Iredale’s mineral makeup and Rationale’s sunblock. 

When in transit…
We make it compulsory that the children read a novel for the first 30 minutes of any trip, then we just talk. We don’t bring tablets, iPads or electronic games with us.  

Top tip for travelling with tots in New Zealand:
Keep your kids active in the day if you want to spend peaceful hours as a couple in the evening!

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM

Ginny Wiluan joined her son Ryan, 6, on a sports and culture break in Great Britain

Ginny and Ryan
Ginny and Ryan
There’s plenty to see in London
There’s plenty to see in London
The superfans at the match
The superfans at the match
Jacket, Litttle Marc Jacobs at Kids211
Jacket, Litttle Marc Jacobs at Kids211
Harry Potter Wand, Hamleys at Kids21
Harry Potter Wand, Hamleys at Kids21
Sneakers, Kenzo Kids at Kids21
Sneakers, Kenzo Kids at Kids21
Ryan having fun in Trafalgar Square
Ryan having fun in Trafalgar Square
Going wild at London Zoo
Going wild at London Zoo
Enjoying the sunshine at Hyde Park
Enjoying the sunshine at Hyde Park

Our holiday hideaway:
Ryan loves football and is a huge fan of Liverpool Football Club. He cheekily asked a friend of ours for tickets to a Liverpool game, then even more cheekily told me I had to take him to the UK since he had tickets for the match. We chose the W London hotel in Leicester Square as the base for our stay. The location was fabulous—we were surrounded by theatres and restaurants, and it was a great neighbourhood to explore. 

Three words that best describe London:
Culinary, cultural, cosmopolitan.

On our packing checklist:
I packed Liverpool sweatpants and jerseys for Ryan, and a cashmere shawl, leather jacket and gladiator sandals for me.

Our favourite moment of the trip:
The match was an experience that Ryan will always remember. He cheered and danced with the crowds, and said I was the world’s best mummy.

When we weren’t at the match…
We took a trip to London Zoo, went to see The Lion King, ran around Hyde Park and did a little shopping.

The best time of day is...
When the sun is out and it’s not raining.

Holiday beauty essentials:
Sunblock, moisturiser and lip balm.

When in transit…
There were many hours of Wild Kratts on the iPad. It got Ryan in the mood for his visit to London Zoo.

Our favourite restaurants:
Sexy Fish for seafood, Marcus Wareing’s Tredwells for British fare, Hawksmoor for delectable steak and Harrods Food Hall for a bit of everything.

Our favourite shops:
Harrods, Hamleys and Portobello Market.

Must-get souvenir:  
A Harry Potter wand from Hamleys—it contains real magic. 

Top tip for travelling with tots in London:
Dress them in layers because the temperature fluctuates throughout the day.

DANANG, VIETNAM

Stephanie Lee and Choo Ken-Yi took their son Max, 16 months, on a beach getaway in Vietnam

Interncontinental Danang Sun Peninsula resort
Interncontinental Danang Sun Peninsula resort

Our holiday hideaway:
We visited Danang a couple of years ago with friends and found it really relaxing. It was the perfect place to take Max, as it’s only a short flight from Singapore and not too overwhelming. We stayed at two resorts, both of which have a different feel. The Hyatt Regency Danang Resort and Spa has a beachy vibe and has five different swimming pools; while the Intercontinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort is set on the hillside. The Intercontinental was a real treat, but as Max was so tiny, we had to watch out for the monkeys who also liked our terrace. 

The Choo family at The Hyatt Regency Danang Resort and Spa
The Choo family at The Hyatt Regency Danang Resort and Spa
 Sunglasses, Illesteva at Net-a-Porter
Sunglasses, Illesteva at Net-a-Porter
Top, Seed Heritage
Top, Seed Heritage
Swimshorts, Tom & Teddy
Swimshorts, Tom & Teddy
UV Protective Emulsion for body SPF 30, Clé de Peau Beauté
UV Protective Emulsion for body SPF 30, Clé de Peau Beauté
Hoi An’s famous lanterns
Hoi An’s famous lanterns
The UNESCO city of Hoi An
The UNESCO city of Hoi An
A room with a view
A room with a view

Three words that best describe Vietnam:
Evolving, overlooked, charming.  

On Max’s packing checklist:
Sunblock, swimming gear and toys, as we visited the hotels’ pools every day.

Max in his suite
Max in his suite

When we weren’t relaxing at the hotel…
We visited the UNESCO city of Hoi An, which is famous for its picturesque winding streets, fantastic tailors and cosy coffee joints. We also loved visiting Danang’s seafood restaurants in the evening. 

The best time of day is...
Evening, as the weather gets cooler and I love the smell of the fresh sea breeze.

Holiday beauty essentials:
My Clé de Peau Beauté must-haves—including sunblock, serum and moisturiser, which I diligently apply to protect and hydrate my skin from the change in climate. Sunnies, which double up as a hairband too! 

Must-get souvenirs:  
Fedora hats and local roasted coffee beans. 

When in transit…
To keep Max occupied, we would feed him fresh-cut fruits or blueberries and read to him.

Top tip for travelling with tots in Vietnam:
If you decide to visit Hoi An, take a lightweight stroller as it’s a car-free zone. ■

COMPILED BY CLAIRE TURRELL. PHOTOGRAPHY: 123RF.COM