After taking a sabbatical from international travelling, the opportunity to take my goddaughter on her very first holiday was enough for me to face my anxieties and get back on a plane.
My husband Pete and I, and my best friend Sophie, wanted a few nights away, somewhere with a short flight time, on the beach, all-inclusive and suitable for 17-month-old Grace.
The Occidental Cala Vinas in Majorca ticked all our boxes and was good value, with the bonus of a splash area for Grace to enjoy, plus I knew that it would be quiet and ideal for some downtime.
As the departure date approached, I apprehensively waited for the fear to kick in, but happily it didn’t, and I was thrilled that the build-up was an exciting one.
We flew with EasyJet from Bristol and had bought the bigger cabin allowance but didn’t really need it with the impressive free cabin allowance.
Having checked in online, all we had to do was print luggage labels at the bag drop and load our bags onto the conveyor belt before, as always happens, I was stopped at security. One day I will get straight through!
I had a window seat and was impressed with the seat width and that the arm went up, allowing Pete a little more “bum space”.
The coach transfer was a little longer than anticipated but with the team now feeling peckish, we fortunately arrived at the hotel just in time for lunch.
The food was great throughout our stay with a huge buffet selection, fresh food stations, fruit, salads, pastas, fish and meat, plus a good selection for vegetarians too. There was a different themed station each night and wonderful cakes and puddings for dessert.
Breakfast also had an impressive selection of both hot and cold items, so you could start the day with whatever you fancied.
The rooms were large and very clean with a fresh and modern décor, wonderful showers, decent size balconies and the most comfortable beds. The only minor disappointment was a lack of tea and coffee making facilities.
Being October, the weather was cooling down but still perfect for lazy days of sunbathing on the beach, with the sea a lovely temperature which Grace (and us!) enjoyed more than the colder pools.
Two sunbeds and a parasol could be hired for 12 euro a day, and we could walk back to the pool to refill drinks and bring food to the beach.
Water sports were available though we happily spent time playing in the sand or at the children’s park at the back of the beach instead. The beach gently shelved out at the water's edge, making walking with kids easy; and with the water so clear, you could see all the tiny fishes below.
The lengthy walk in Palma Airport on the outbound journey had caused my knee some tenderness so I did ask at the check-in desk for assistance through the airport on the return.
It was very helpful as we were whizzed through security, skipping the queues, and were quickly in the departure area which had an impressive range of shops, perfect for grabbing some last-minute presents.
We all had the best time, Grace included, who often needed a quick post-dinner nap with her head on my bag. She may not remember her first holiday abroad, but we have made lots of memories and taken enough photos that none of us will forget it.
I am looking forward to seeing what adventures we will get up to together over the years to come.
Occidental Cala Vinas was perfect for a short break, and I was equally impressed with the EasyJet service. Job done.
Flis x
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