One of the things I think I miss most about pre-pandemic life is the little trips away. Unfortunately at the moment in the UK we are still subject to travel restrictions. Travel outside of the local area isn't allowed yet, but with the recent changes to the roadmap out of lockdown hopefully over the coming months things will look a little different although holidays abroad still seem like a distant dream.
With a toddler its a lot easier to plan a shorter stay-cation break in the UK. At the top of my list is revisiting London, Liverpool and Manchester as well as booking a lodge or two on a holiday park.
The last holiday we went on was to Blackpool in September 2020, it was nice and relaxing but definitely missed being able to plan proper holiday activities.
I've been making plans in my head for some of the places I'd like to visit as soon as its safer and we are allowed to travel. I'm really looking forward to actually having a night away in a hotel. I miss that lovely feeling of slipping on a cosy bathrobe and chilling on a king-size bed. I also can't wait to get back to a hotel spa and doing some serious relaxing.
My first ports of call are:
London
I can't wait to go back and visit the Warner Brothers, Harry Potter Studio Tour. We visited a few years ago for my birthday and I'm so excited to take Liam when he is old enough, he's only two just now so a little too young but I think he's still enjoy looking at all the magical items and seeing the vehicles from the movie. I know he'd absolutely love the Knight Bus and seeing the famous flying car.
I also really miss going to see shows in the West End. We saw Wicked last time and as soon as we are allowed I'll be booking up for Aladdin and Les Miserables.
Manchester
Manchester is such a big and vibrant city, I really miss having a proper wander around the shops and a visit to the Trafford Centre has been on my mind for a long time - my favorite part is probably the food court if I'm honest. If you haven't seen it its really quite interesting and was featured in some of the early Gok Wan tv shows. The centre is full of great shops and has the nearest Selfridges to me in Scotland, on my last trip there I picked up a new Vivienne Westwood bag and I'm definitely due an upgrade. As well as shopping Manchester has some of the UK's best nightlife, a trip to Canal Street or Deanston Locks is sure to be a night to remember.
Liverpool
I've only visited Liverpool once for a short trip as part of a hen weekend a few years ago. I really enjoyed the vibe of the city. I wasn't able to do all of the typical tourist-y things when I visited so I'd love to go back for the full city experience. On my last visit I took a trip on an open top bus which was a great way to see the city, the Beatles museum and taking a ferry across the Mersey are a must for my next trip
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| Photograph taken prior to covid-19 pandemic |
What are your post-pandemic travel plans? I'd love to hear more, if you do plan a trip away this year, remember to always follow the current Government guidelines on travel and social distancing.
In collaboration with Hotels.com, but all views are my own.
