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A Year of Like Love Do Travel and love in 2018

A year of memories, travel and just what we have been up to in 2018

 

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This year has been a fantastic year for us and we have had so much fun!

Here is what I got up to this year some of the fantastic places we have visited and some of my most memorable days.

January 

My first weekend away was with some fabulous crafty friends on a Scrapagogo Relaxaway. Spending my time at fantastic hotel with inspiring friends cutting up bits of paper is of course my favourite thing to do. This time we were at the Devere hotel in Cheshunt and I am just one month away from doing it all again this jan.

 

Scrapagogo Dayaway Scrapbooking days in Essex

London has always been a massive part of my life and as Harry was still in School of Rock at this point I had plenty of trips to London!

Throughout the year I have enjoyed multiple musicals such as Everbodys talking about Jamie, the mousetrap and Hamilton.

I visited Leighton house in Kensington, Kensington palace, the war rooms and the Wallace collection to name but a few.

Hamilton the musical Lottery ticket win

 

February 

This was a very memorable Month for us as this was Harrys last show in School of Rock. After 3 years of My son performing in the West-end it was finally coming to an end. It was a very emotional time and I think I saw him perform about 6 times that month alone. It was one of the most amazing experiences for Harry and he met many life long friends on the way. 

Harry Vallance School Of Rock Playing Billy London

 

March 

Was an exciting month! Harry after thinking that his west-end turn was done he was invited back to the ITV for Ant and Decs Saturday night takeaway. Exicited was an understatement to see him perform on tv was a special thing. 

Harry Vallance ITV Studios ready for Ant and Dec

Mid March I took a flight to Pisa with 10 other fabulous bloggers. This was truly magnificent we stayed at the champ, and visited Volterra, Sienna and Florence. A weekend of the most amazing food, extraordinary sights and truly inspiring people.

Volterra in Tuscany the hills

April 

Off to Spain for another break away during the easter had term. First stop Marbella which is our go to place which we love. We had some amazing family time the boys both did Karaoke and we made the most of time together. We visited Malaga for the day and the with place of Picasso, ate tapas and laughed. Next stop was a flight to Barcelona to pick up the inaugural cruise of the Symphony of the Seas. This amazing cruise reinforced our love for cruising with the most magnificent ship we have ever set our eyes on. We visited Barcelona, Marseille and even Naples on this Mediterranean dream cruise ship. I even got to do my bucket list of finally going to the top of Pisa even though I was terrified!

Symphony of the Seas Central Park view

Before the month was out I took Harry over to out place in France for a few days break. We were actually going to pick up our dog Dolly who was staying with Nanny jean. We made the most of it and visited Hambye abbey which is a Benedictine medieval monastery located in the countryside of Normandy which is just 10 mins down the road.

Abbaye de Hambye France

 

May

May saw another Cruise first this time without the kids. We hopped on to the Independence of the Seas right after her refurb and were pleasently surprised. It only went over to Le Harve in France but we didn’t even get off. We enjoyed the ship and the cocktails and newly made friends.

The Independence of the seas

I also joined my Sister ( Little Miss Eden Rose ) for a Sherlock cream tea in essex at the Cardamon lounge. If you havemt checked out my sisters reviews on essex cream teas you really should!

Emma at Little Miss Eden Rose

 

June

June was exceptionally busy We hopped back across the Euro tunnel with all three dogs to have Halfterm break in our house in rural Percy. We took the liberty of visiting Chateau Falise and Chateau Vendeuvre with the boys which were both so historic and beautiful. We then hopped off to St Malo on our own and spent our day in the stunning walled town.

I might just of hopped over to scrap book again too!

Chateau Falaise in France Normandy

In June we also took a trip on the Belmont train. The was a trip that i have wanted to do. It was luxurious and so relaxing and we went with good friends

Ed Sheeran was at wembley this month did you know? we took the boys for an epic night.

Fathers day was a trip to China town at our favourite restaurant the Orient in Wardour street.

China Town day out

To finish off the month with a bang we the girls and I went to Marbella. We had days out in Marbella itself and nights out in puerto banus. My sister and her freinds joined us for an epic night with Craig David! what can get better than that?

July

July saw plenty of London with a trip to Hakkasan to try some gorgeous Louis Roederer champagne with Amex invites. Then Hyde Park to see Roger walters perform! I have to say that was pure magic even though I was slightly inebriated.

Next stop Wales! I haven’t spent much time in Wales before but Cardiff was pleasure! We visited Cardiff for filming Doctor Who with my son Harry. We were lucky enough to go with a friend who was also filming. It was an amazing experience visiting the BBC studios and Harry had a blast filming the BBC Christmas Doctor Who Resolution episode.

Harry Vallance with Jodie Whittaker in Doctor Who

End of the month we jetted off to Turks and Caicos!!

August

A whole month of sunshine, cocktails and Mickey mouse!

First stop Beaches Turks and Caicos. This amazing Caribbean resort location is top of my dream destinations. This was our 5th visit and we could not  of loved it more. Dreamy white beaches, Sunshine, Family time, new and old friends and tropical cocktails.

Turks and Caicos Islands Shell beach family photo

From here we went to Florida and stayed at the Swan and Dolphin Hotel. We love Disney and I could talk all day about Epcot and Disney characters.

From here we stayed at Hard Rock hotel at Universal Studios. I have to say this has to be one of my favourite hotels. The Harry Potter world is literally out of they world it is awesome! I also spent time here even on my own and was completley awestruck each time.

One of the funniest things though was recreating our wedding photos at the swan Hotel where we were married!

Recreate old photos

Once we came home I was back off to the french home for a few days with my friend Tanya and her son. We packed so much into two days including Le mont st Michel, The D Day beaches and even Alligator bay!

By the end of August I was well underway in my curly girl journey which has been life changing for me. I love being curly and although its been a challenge it is so much easier.

September

Well if thats not enough and I know that the whole year has been pretty spectacular and I am so grateful but september topped it off. We took a cruise to Norway, I have never been to Norway before and I was comlplety blown away. The scenery was stunning, beautiful, breathtaking and the ship perfect for cruising the fjords. I would love to explore more of the part of the world it is truly magnificent. We visited Geiranger fjord, Skjolden, Stavanger, Bergen and Alesund.

Skjolden Norway kids on beach

The end of the month I took a cheeky trip back with the girls to Marbella the closing partys of the beach clubs. It was an amazing experience and something we have done before. We went to ocean club.

 

October

Whoops Im still in Spain! My dad and my Auntie came to visit. My dads hi-light of the trip however was squeezing his own orange juice in the supermarket!

Squeezing juice in the supermarket Spain

We also Visited Ronda and Juzcar ( the village of the Surfs) on different day trips.

London was pretty in October and I saw pretty flowers In places I have never seen before. I also went to the London Film festival with a lovely friend Marion and we saw Kiera Knightly in Colette.

I had a weekend in Hopton holiday village with family for their birthday. Its been a long time since I have been to Yarmouth but it was a brilliant weekend. We laughed, sung and drunk far too much!

Oh and my hairs still curly!

Back to Spain! are you dizzy yet? I am!

Halfterm with the boys in Spain saw a meet up with friends we met in Turks and Caicos. We also took the opportunity to head off to Antequera in the hills. It was so lovely to find something so unique and a World Unesco site so close to our apartment in Marbella.

Another few trips to London including; End of the month we saw a friends wedding in which we were honoured to attend and a Gastronomic weekend with Amex. Lush!

Exploring London by means of a tour bus with my good friend Kelly who is also a blogger over at Life Love lavish was a fantastic day.

November

November was world travel market time, I guess I know why I go now!

And my beautiful boy turned 18!

18th Birthday

A stay at the Devonshire hotel, more audition for harry and my gorgeous Oldest son Owen Turned 18! Now that was shocker but I am so proud of him.

Magic Mike at the hippodrome was an eyeopener but thoroughly enjoyable.

December

Christmas Markets Galore only in Essex, We had great fun at the billericay market and the real German market in Wickford.

My mum made a Harry potter themed christmas tree! ( ok not travel but bloody brilliant)

I had my first ever visit to the Opera which was absolutely Magical and I went to Company the musical too.

I spent the night at the Clia Christmas ball with my dear friends and colleagues over at Cruising with kids as well.

Clia Winter ball 2018

Last but not least Christmas was spent in Normandy France with family and I feel so Blessed!

ST Malo

Phew! What a fabulous year but lets not forget those who have not had such great year. Goodbye to loved ones who’s will be missed, and a big fingers crossed to all those who deserve a better year.

Merry christmas to you all and a Happy new year!

Thanks for reading Like Love Do Travel

Dx

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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2 Comments

  1. Wow what an amazing year Donna. I can’t imagine how it must feel to see Harry performing in the West End and then being on DR Who !!! Turks and Caicos is very high up on my travel list. Can’t wait to see what you get up to during 2019 x

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