Candyfloss & Dreams

Tag: travel

Lockdown Staycation at Ruda Holiday Park, Croyde Bay – Review
Are you planning on a family holiday with parkdean resorts at Ruda holiday park? Here is everything you need to know before you go.A pardean holiday review of our recent staycation to Ruda, Croyde Bay during the Coronavirus pandemic. Reviewing the caravan and park facilities currently open with Covid-19 secure regulations.
Ruda Holiday Park Review

We paid £560 for a four night break in a 2 bed Mortehoe caravan at Ruda, (you can find a caravan tour below), in Croyde Bay, Devon, for 2 adults and 2 children. This included hiring a high chair and swimming pool tickets. I am hoping to get a refund for as the swimming pool was closed during our visit. This was booked for early July 2020; a week after holiday parks were allowed to open during the coronavirus pandemic. Below you will find a review of our experience at Ruda as frequent ParkDean Resorts holiday goers. I have also detailed how we found the covid regulations in place during our stay.

Ruda Holiday park is owned by Park Dean Resorts and has a mix of static caravans, lodges and a huge pitching for toring and camping with communal washing facilities, electrical hook up points and entertainment passes. The site is pet friendly, including having dog friendly caravans on site so you can bring your four legged friends too. Ruda holiday park has free on site wifi, with the option to pay for an upgrade on when in your caravan should there be a rainy day or you fancy watching Netflix in the evening – providing you bring a laptop or tablet with you!

Staying at Ruda Holiday Park, Croyde Bay, North Devon

We originally booked our trip to Devon last August before COVID-19 even entered our thoughts and loved the look of Ruda Caravan Park after searching for campsites in North Devon. We have stayed with ParkDean resorts many times with our last holiday with them being on the Isle of Wight at Thorness Bay campsite. Obviously, because of Coronavirus we were umming and ahhing about going but as holiday parks opened up the week before we were due to travel we were unable to cancel. This meant no refund. We also wanted to get out of our flat for a bit as not having access to a garden was starting to get tough.

The early morning mist coming down from the hills on Ruda caravan park in North Devon

We selected Ruda holiday park because it looked great. I loved the look of the water park and it was close to a beach. It also has other facilities such as soft play and plenty of choices for food onsite. I can’t say it wasn’t disappointing that the swimming pool and soft play areas were closed during our break. I understand why and we did not let that stop us having a great time. With swimming pools set to open in the coming weeks hopefully, Ruda holiday park soft play area will open again soon too. In the meantime though there are two play parks at each end of Ruda Holiday Park and a gorgeous local sandy surfing beach.

Ruda Holiday Park children’s playground with Croyde Bay in the background at the other side of the caravan park.

Ruda Holiday Park Accomodation

For our ParkDean holiday 2020 we booked an extra long, extra wide two bedroom Mortehoe Caravan which sleeps up to six people. Everything you need is included in the accomodation at Ruda including bed linen. Although we did have to request that these were changed when we arrived due to them smelling of vomit. Sadly, changing the sheets did not really do anything and it may be a cleaning product they are using. We sprayed our sheets with our own perfume and bought some fabreeze from a tesco in Barnstaple to freshen it up. Opening the windows really helps too.

Our living space during our time at ruda holiday park

The Mortehoe caravan is a great size for a family of four and there is plenty of room in the master bedroom, which included an ensuite, for a travel cot. You can lay down the second single bed mattress on the floor in the master bedroom room for a toddler to sleep on. Our toddler is little so a travel cot is ideal but we do not have one. You can hire these when booking. We did hire a high chair for him but didn’t order in a travel cot as we weren’t sure on the size of the main bedroom. The kitchen is fully equipped including a full size fridge and freezer. Seating is comfortable and we found it easy to cook our meals.

Ruda Holiday Park Coronavirus Regulations

Here are what’s changed at Ruda Holiday Park during the Coronavirus pandemic
- You will Check in online. The day before you arrive you will get your caravan number and location alongside a park map so you can familiarise yourself with how to get to your accomodation. When you arrive at Ruda Holiday Park someone will ask your name and accomodation number, give you directions and inform you if there is a red sign you can not enter and need to go to the overflow carpark to wait, if there is a green sign you are free to enter the caravan.
- One way systems in the main venue and limited people in shops and takeaways.
- Spacing out tables and chairs in resturaunts.
- A call and collect menu from the Coast resturaunt. The menu has starters, mains, desserts, snacks, alcoholic and soft drinks for you to call through, collect in around thirty minutes and eat back in your accomodation. The food is packed in takeaway boxes. It’s an excellent option and one we used on our first night. There is also a fish and chips takeaway and pizzas available to take away too.
- Keys and information inside the caravan when you arrive
- Virtual entertainment only – no disco, tabletop entertainment packs etc and various kids clubs which you must book in advance. Some are paid for.
Ruda Holiday Park Site Map

Ruda Holiday Park map

Restaurants at Ruda, Croyde Bay

Onsite at Ruda Holiday Park you will find the Coast resturant adjacent to the showbar and lounge as well as a fish and chips takeaway and an Italian which closes at 9pm. The food provided is varied and there are kids meals options available which is really handy. We tried the fish and chips takeaway one evening which was really nice and affordable. We also used the call and collect from the Coast restaurant which had loads of choices including alcohol. We tried the premixed cocktails alongside our baguettes and loaded chips as well as two delicious puddings. It was a great option for our first night onsite as we didn’t go food shopping until the next day.

There is a small Nisa shop on site too for essentials and sweets although it’s quite expensive but has lots of options should you forget anything or fancy cooking when you arrive. It’s also got some great sausages for breakfast if you fancy something hot before you start exploring the local area.

Our Holiday in North Devon

I’ve put together a little holiday vlog sharing some of the times we did on our trip to Ruda Holiday Park and other activities we did including visiting The Big Sheep & Exmoor Zoo which are both around 40 minutes away. We also did our food shopping at the Tesco Extra in Barnstaple but there is a smaller Tesco at Brauton around five miles or so away.

Spending a few hours down at the beach was really nice on the Thursday. From our caravan it was about a five or ten minute walk down to the beach which has lifeguards, a surf school, an ice cream shop and open toilets. Croyde Bay is a really beautiful beach and we saw some pretty awesome waves whilst there.

Felix enjoying a sandy ice cream at Croyde Bay, the beach closed to Ruda holiday park

I was surprised with Evie who has never really swam in the sea but she dove in and had loads of fun playing and building sandcastles. It was so nice just to let her play after so many weeks of being stuck inside. The beach alongside the park allowed her to play properly. It was nice and quiet and the park equipment was really spread out too so there was lots of space for families.

Evie after jumping through the waves at Croyde Bay at Ruda Holiday Park in North Devon

Should You Have A Staycation During Pandemic?

Ultimately, this is up to you. My advice would be to take masks, hand soap and hand gel. Practise good hygiene and stick to big open spaces. A staycation holiday during the coronavirus pandemic will not be the same as the holiday you are used to having. It will have more structure and regulations which you might find hard to deal with if you want to relax.

We feel we had a positive experience at Ruda holiday park and the staff worked really hard to keep everyone safe. I regularly saw cleaning and they had a track and trace system in place for everyone entering the main entertainment complex alongside the one way systems. Everyone was polite and friendly, helpful and whilst we didn’t get to use all of the facilities we came home feeling good.

A staycation is a great way to have a holiday as if you do feel unwell you can easily get tested locally and you can come home. Having self contained accomoation made me feel better too. Most importantly my kids still got their summer holiday. A chance to play at the beach, in the park and just let off a bit of steam. If you’re cautious and responsible, I don’t see why you wouldn’t have a nice holiday at Ruda holiday park.

If yuo found this helpful wh not check out our other ParkDean Resorts reviews.
Thorness Bay, Isle of Wight
Mullion, Cornwall
Landguard, Isle of Wight
July 18, 2020
When is the Right Time to Visit Austrailia with Kids #Ad

I think Austrailia is one of those places that seems to be on everyone’s travel bucket list. I’ve seen many family and friends visit this beautiful country and share their travel adventures for us. There seems to be a lot of things to consider when travelling to and visiting Australia from arranging an Australia visa, travel money, flight plans and where you want to visit. It’s a big place with a long haul flight and it’s unlikely you can see everything you want in just a couple of weeks.

Making Travel plans & arranging Visas

Planning a trip to Australia is not going to be a quick five minute job, unless you’ve got friends or family there it will require a bit of planning. Firstly what kind of holiday or trip are you going to have? If you’re planning a trip which see’s you out there for a long time and then perhaps wanting to earn money then looking for a working holiday visa Australia is going to be ideal. This allows you to work and travel around the country for a maximum of 12 months. It is an ideal visa for student’s looking to take gap years or someone eager to travel and work around a beautiful country.

When travelling as a family an eVisitor visa can work well for tourist trips and will be something to look into for many members of the family. A travel visa can usually be obtained quite simply online but make sure you fill in all of the details correctly so that your visa can be approved way before you travel.

Visiting Australia requires a visa so it’s best to check which one you need ahead of travelling

When should you travel to Australia as a family?

I don’t really think there is a best time to travel as there are so many variations of circumstances. Cost is usually a big factor for many families as the time flying and time needed to explore such a large country can make visiting Australia expensive. I think that’s why so many people opt for the working holiday visa because it allows them to earn as they travel. This isn’t usually something you need as a family or for shorter trips.

There are some great blogs on travelling long haul with a baby too which may make your decision easier if you have very young children, like me. You also want to consider the seasons being very different and the fact that it can get pretty hot down under. When you’ve got small children sometimes travelling in cooler months such as Spring or Autumn is a little easier on sensitive skin.

You also want to think about what you want to do and what you’re family are capable of as both sides of the country can offer completely different experiences. Another thing you might want to think about is how much time you can arrange of work so you can make the most of the trip and perhaps visiting this beautiful country before any children start school so that there are no issues or disruptions.

Australia is full of beautiful landscapes or all the family to enjoy

How long should you visit?

Again, visiting Australia is going to be a different experience for many people. I’ve known family and friends to visit for the full 12 months and I’ve also seen others visit for 4 weeks and still have the most amazing time. With a very long haul flight to consider, usually at least 24 hours, then you want to make the journey as memorable as possible as it’s likely to be a once in a lifetime thing for so many people, especially families.

If you’re visiting on your own then you really only have to think about how much time you have spare. Getting the right visa and arranging any work placements before you go might be advisable just so that you have a bit of a plan and then that can really help shape how long you visit for. Funds are again usually a big factor for both families and individuals visiting Australia.

For my family I think we would be looking to visit for around 4 weeks and we would probably want to stay on the east side of Australia. I think the best thing to do is book a week or so in each place you want to visit and make sure your flights accomodate this. There is so much to see in Australia that I know for my family it would be pretty tough to choose just a few things because it’s so big and there’s so much to see. I know it would be a once in a lifetime trip for us all though and I’d want to make it really special.

There is so much to see and do in Australia

Things you need for a family holiday to Australia

I think a good thing to do would be to pack fairly light and then find laundry services so that you can travel around the country a little lighter. You obviously need good travel insurance, passports, visas and any medication you need to take. Other than that a good plan and a prepaid credit card and you can have a wonderful trip.

Pin Image: Best time to visit Australia with Kids

October 1, 2019
Bophut: Travelling With Kids (AD)

This is a collaborative post.

Visiting Bophut as a Family for a beachfront holiday

I love travelling and there are so many beautiful places I want my children to see around the world. When it comes to travelling with children you feel like you sometimes have to compromise with beautiful places for family friendly however with a little digging and a bit of research I think you can find the best of both worlds. I know when it comes to travelling with my family I want to experience a bit of culture but I also want an area I can feel relaxed and safe. It’s been a long time since we’ve had a beach holiday abroad and I’m fully convinced to go self catering in a villa next time we do.

Villa Accomodation

One area I would love to visit and hadn’t thought about before was Thailand but digging a little further and finding some of the beautiful islands off the mainland you come across Koh Samui. An area I think my family would absolutely love exploring is Bophut. It looks like an ideal family friendly destination with plenty of beachfront accomodation. Villa accomodation in Bophut is very popular and an ideal way to get a bit of privacy during your holiday. There are some beautiful villas in Bophut on Koh Samui to choose from with a range of prices per night, room sizes and suitable for all sorts of family sizes. Many of these have a private or shared pool which is ideal for us as we all love to swim. There are lots of gorgeous villas in Bophut to choose from.

I think somewhere like this would be great to visit as a larger family group so that we can make the most of our stay. It’s great to see there are a range of options and most are very close to the beach. I know I’d love to have access to a pool as well as a comfortable place to sleep and of course some sort of air conditioning is a bit of a must for us. Some villas even come with staff so it’s worth having a good look and thinking about what you really need on your family friendly holiday to Bophut.

There are plenty of beautiful villas in Bophut to visit including many with a private or shared pool.

Visiting the beach in Bophut

We always love a trip to the beach and being so close is ideal for us. Bophut has so much beautiful scenery and a stunning coastline too which I think will enable those perfect holiday shots. For a bit of a change of beach there are plenty of others around the island that you can travel to aswell. One thing to note for families is that Thailand is a modest country and therefore children do need to be in swimwear when on the beach which is something worth considering. Considering the warm weather and tropical climate you will want to keep skin protected in the heat too so plenty of sun protection is a must. Bophut beach does experience a narrow coastline at high tide which is something to be wary of but makes it ideal for families with young children in Bophut to use during the day.

Bophut is situated on the beautiful island of Koh Samui close to the mainland of Thailand.

Fishermans Village

Fishermans Village in Bophut is one of the oldest parts on the island and is regarded as very well preserved and elegant. It is located in the middle part of Bophut beach and is very popular. This is an excellent place to take the kids for shopping amongst the boutiques and housing plenty of dining venues. Another must see location with children is Big Budda Temple. It’s an iconic desintation.

Dining Options

There are plenty of places to eat in Bophut including western staples for picky eaters – ideal for young children as well as plenty of options for those wanting to try some local cuisine. There are plenty of freshly picked fresh thai fruit including bananas and coconuts which is great to know and they’re favourites here in our house already. Trational thai food in Bophut is the most affordable in the local resturants and markets. If you’re self catering a good idea is to have things available for breakfast and then eat out for the rest of your meals. Alternatively there are two Tesco Lotus stores in Chaweng and Lamai for snacks and supplies should you need them.

Visiting Bophut, Koh Samui, Thailand with children and staying in a family friendly villa on a beach front location

August 26, 2019
Finance with Finesse – How to Finance Your Car for Your Road Trip

Imagine it – your next road trip has you traversing Australia’s outback in a rugged truck of your choice. Or better yet, hop into the speedster of your dreams to indulge in the many sights that Melbourne, Sydney, or any one of Australia’s great urban centres offer. Then there are the country’s numerous scenic beaches that beckon you to enjoy sand and surf at your leisure.

However, before taking off, you will need new wheels to get you to your destination in style. Financing a vehicle can be a one way ticket to your next road trip. In addition to the many other ways of financing a car today, Latitude can help finance your car in the most efficient, cost-effective way so in no time you can be in the driver’s seat pioneering new paths across the Australian landscape.

Continue reading to learn more about how you can finance a car to make your next road trip a memorable one.

Ascertain The Vehicle’s Purpose

While it is a small factor, knowing how you plan to use your vehicle is a factor you should consider before actually looking for a loan. By doing an assessment of your needs, you might find you can quickly and more accurately find a vehicle that is appropriate for your lifestyle choices, whether these choices include using the vehicle in rugged landscapes or for hanging out on the beach on weekends. Plus, there’s no point on taking in a massive amount of debt if you go on road trips infrequently.

Understand Credit And Your Credit History

By understanding how credit works, you have a better chance at seeking out appropriate financing and knowing how to leverage your credit to gain the advantage when settling on a loan. Factors to pay attention to include knowing your credit score, looking at your debt-to-income ratio, and understanding the remarks related to the accounts on the record. These factors all affect your ability to get financing, and more importantly, directly affect your interest rate.

The ability to get credit varies from individual to individual. Generally, speaking though, the more debt you have reduces the amount you can borrow, and in some cases, requires you make a sizable down payment to reduce the interest rate. Furthermore, derogatory, charge off, and slow payment remarks can hamper financing a car at a reasonable rate. Ultimately, you should check your credit report yearly to make sure that everything on the report reflects your history, as everyone is entitled to at least one free report through any of the major credit bureaus.

Look For Finance

Before settling on one loan, search through the many options available. Today, online technology has made it possible for consumers to finance just about anything through online institutions and options like Pentagon Ford 0%. Furthermore, their interest rates tend to be just as, or much, better than traditional banks and dealerships.

Another go-to are credit unions, which are also known to give consumers competitive rates. Credit unions typically offer their customers lower interest rates when compared to traditional financing options, including dealerships. The point is to do a comprehensive search before settling on a loan.

Get Pre-Approved

Another way to finance your road trip vehicle is to get pre-approved for an amount. This reduces the amount of time shopping for a car and limits your choices simply because it gives you a pre-set budget. Moreover, it streamlines the financing process while at the dealership.

A Vehicle To Your Road Trip

Financing a car has been simplified through the many avenues financial institutions have made available to consumers. The once complicated process, often lasting the entire day, can be transacted within a few hours. For the most part, accessing the financing that will place you in your new road trip car begins with being armed with the right information and being prepared to find the next great deal.

This is a collaborative post.

September 24, 2018
Luxury Adult Only Holidays
Luxury Adult Only holidays is the dream right? Despite having a child at home Adam and I have had a few adult only holidays. These have mostly been in the form of cruises or weekend city breaks. Now with a second child on the way it may be a little harder to get that luxury adult only holiday in however maybe in the future we will be able to take advantage of another trip. Destination to have a great range of holiday such as Luxury Adult Only Holidays 2018/2019 – Adult Only Holiday Deals and these showcase everything that I want in a luxury adult only trip.

Benefits of Luxury Adult Only Holidays
1. Child free! This doesn’t just mean your own children but it means avoiding a resort designed for families.
2. Focus on what you want to do. Lounging by the pool, an exploration excursion or just having a lay in and late lunch.
3. It doesn’t have to be just about the resort but the travel options as well, particularly if you’re going abroad. Consider starting a luxury adults only break away with your flights and experience elite travel by using a jet card program.
4. Wine o’clock. A chance to let your hair down and enjoy a cocktail or two without worrying about parenting and the possibility of a hangover.
5. Sleeping in. Kids wake up early on holiday and like to stay up late – often resulting in overtired kids which really isn’t a fun experience!
6. Going for luxurious experiences like hiring a nice car or using a luxury car service from ilimoww.com/
A holiday is for you as well and as parents we often forget that we are completely allowed to take a break too. There are so many beautiful destinations to explore and plenty of exclusive for adults resorts around the world. There are loads of great places I’d love to take my kids too but there will always be a part of me that wants to experience a holiday that is, actually, all about me. One thing I would love is a honeymoon in an exotic destination like the Bahamas or Cuba. Beautiful white sands, lots to see and explore, amazing food and it just speaks to me as the ultimate in luxury. Friends have also recommended Mexico as a perfect destination for a luxury break as a couple. Part of me wishes we had escaped one last time whilst I was pregnant to have that holiday together as our trip to Norway seems like forever ago now.

For me, luxury adult only holidays should include a big comfortable bed with fresh sheets and a pool side balcony. I’d love a big Jacuzzi style bathtub and stunning sea views. All inclusive is something I really want to take advantage of as my partner and I love to sample all sorts of food when away from home and that of course also means a view cocktails whilst taking in the sights. We love to get out and about and explore which can be quite hard to do with children in tow, so I’d love to take advantage of some interesting excursions like scuba diving. I have a feeling our luxury adults only holiday is quite a way yet but in the meantime I can totally dream about it!

What makes a luxury adults only holiday for you? Would you still go away as a couple after having children?

This is a collaborative post.
September 11, 2018