This is where everyone will be going on holiday in 2018

Turismo Chile

By Olivia Blair for Harpers Bazaar

Summer is long gone and the final, wintry months of 2017 are in full swing, leaving us to think about one thing: Where shall we go on holiday next year?

This year saw places like Lisbon, Vietnam and the Amalfi coast soar in popularity, whereas 2016 was all about Copenhagen and Cuba. 

Harper's Bazaar asked a group of travel experts where everyone will be visiting in 2018. Prepare to be fully envious of your friends' Instagrams when the new year hits. 

Chile

The South American country topped the prestigious Lonely Planet best in travel list for 2018 meaning interest is already at a peak. 

Famed for being home to both dessert, the Patagonian fjords, the Andes and vibrant, cultural cities, the country also marks 200 years of independence next year.

Porto, Portugal

If 2017 belonged to Lisbon, 2018 belongs to Portugal's second largest city, Porto, according to researchers. 

Emily Cater, travel editor at research company WGSN, told Bazaar UK: "Portugal’s second-biggest metropolis fuses old and new, with its beautiful, colourful abandoned buildings, baroque churches as well as newer constructions springing up around the city. Undoubtedly, the food is a key draw here, with plentiful fresh fish, cheese and port of course, however the shopping measures up too."

Japan

Navigating Japan is being touted as one of the most likely adventures for travellers next year, especially among millennials. According to Topdeck travel, who provide travel holidays for 18 - 39 year olds, there are a number of reasons why the Asian country is in the spotlight.

"Japan is now more accessible than ever for UK tourists," Saul Burrows, global head of product at Topdeck, told Bazaar UK. "With airlines such as KLM/Air France launching direct flights from Western Europe in the last few years and Japan Airlines recently announcing flight increases from London to Tokyo, Brits can easily get to the Land of the Rising Sun in just over 11 hours.

"Visitors are now also taking advantage of the pound's strength against the Yen, meaning UK holiday makers can get more for their money than they did a year ago."

New Orleans, USA

Move over New York City and Los Angeles, as the state of Louisiana's largest city - and birthplace of jazz - is set to be a top US destination for 2018.

"Exciting new cajun and creole restaurants are popping up regularly, while its cocktail culture is unparalleled – with hotspots including Peche, Seaworthy and Bacchanal," Cater says.

"Meanwhile, new fashion labels are opening up shop here, and hotels like The Ace and Catahoula have opened up too – a sure sign it’s going to be a hot city for 2018."

Singapore

Singapore has previously trailed behind its neighbouring cities of Hong Kong and Tokyo but, in 2018, it will get the love it deserves. 

Cater says thanks to its cultural diversity, shopping scene, surprisingly green environment and Instagram-potential - we've all seen that infinity pool at Marina Bay Sands, right? - Singapore is a hot spot not to be missed.

Bulgaria

According to holiday company Thomas Cook, the black sea resorts in Bulgaria have witnessed a 25% growth this summer compared to last year. 

And this year, they don't expect the eastern European country's popularity to slow down. The non-Euro country offers good value for money and, while in the past it has been seen as a party resort, the company say there has been a recent shift towards families and couples choosing it for their holiday destination.

Mexico City, Mexico

"Mexico City is becoming an increasingly hot destination for travellers, thanks to its vibrant arts and music scene and strong sense of local culture," Cater says. 

For a broader travel experience, you're also never too far away to visit the countless beautiful beach resorts that the country has to offer either.

Hamburg, Germany

While Berlin enjoyed a huge renaissance as the German city break a few years ago, Cater calls Hamburg "Berlin's newer, cooler little sister".

Hamburg offers riverfront bars, restaurants, shopping and incredible architecture. Take the Elbphilharmonie concert hall which was completed this year and includes a plaza where visitors can look out at panoramic views of the city.

Seoul, South Korea

Seoul might already have a reputation for being super cool and fashionable but Cater emphasises its "buzzing nightlife, delicious cuisine, quirky themed cafes and beautiful Buddhist temples" as ultimate drawing points.

The newly opened Lotte World Tower (centre of the picture) is also now the country's tallest building. The fact it's surrounded by huge mountain peaks gives it a skyline to rival both Hong Kong and Singapore.

9 Lessons Older Mamas Want Young Moms to Know

By Kara Lawler for Parenting

I asked women around 60 years old with grown children what they wish they knew when they were my age. Here's what they want us younger moms to know.

I recently got a gift certificate for a massage for my birthday—one of the best presents ever!—and since I couldn't remember the last time I'd had one, I rushed to set up an appointment. But as I lay down on the massage table, my mind was racing with the million things I was supposed to be doing. I also felt exposed in my body that hasn't bounced back from my last pregnancy.

I glanced up at my massage therapist, whom I've known for about 10 years, and I couldn't help but notice how her hair had turned a complete silvery gray since the last time I had been in (which she informed me was two years ago). We started to catch up, and she asked me about work, my kids, and how my life was going in general. I answered, and she must've heard my stress and apprehension in the tone of my voice. She looked at me and said, "I'm going to turn 60 very soon, and there are so many things I wish I had known when I was your age."

She shared her advice with me—a mother 23 years her junior—and what she said really resonated with me. So much so, that I decided to ask other women around 60 years old for their advice. Here's what they want us younger moms to know:

1. Let it go.

One woman told me that she wishes she had known to let things go from time to time—in all areas of her life. Instead of obsessing over a clean house or getting in a daily workout, she wishes she had just relaxed and enjoyed the fleeting moments of her kid's childhood. She told me that eventually you have time again for the things you didn't before, so enjoy the moments that go by so quickly.

2. Don't compare.

A veteran mother and grandmother told me that she wishes younger mothers would realize that comparing themselves to each other isn't helpful. Every mother has her own unique gifts and talents. There's no need to feel "less than" when you notice that your friend is a better cook than you are or that your other friend is an amazing professional who juggles work and home life flawlessly. Everyone has her special talents and by banding together, moms can accomplish so much.

3. Stop trying to be the perfect mother.

A recovering perfectionist mom and grandma told me that mothers need to spend less time trying to be the "perfect" mommies. She advises us to remember that our instincts are usually right about how to parent our children, so we should use them to create safe, secure, comforted, and loved children who are ready for each new phase of their lives.

4. Give your children space.

Another mom told me that while being diligent, firm and protective with our children is important, it's even more important not to hover. She believes that kids really need enough space to figure things out for themselves. You can try to cushion the fall, but sometimes, your child will need to fall, literally or figuratively.

5. Just let your kids know you love them.

A mother who tried very hard to balance work and home life told me that she will never regret going the extra mile to spend quality time with her kids. It was hard, but she really tried to stop whatever she was doing to hold, soothe, listen, or play with her kids when they needed it. She suggests creating special moments when you can and remembering that the best memories are usually the simplest, like making popcorn together for family movie nights.

6. Try not to feel guilty for working.

A mother who had a full-time career outside of the home wants us to know that we shouldn't feel guilty for working, whether it's by choice or a necessity. Our children will know that we are providing for them and following a passion.

7. Be kind to yourself.

Maybe you haven't lost all of the baby weight and maybe you never will. Maybe you forgot to put gas in the car or you were late for work after a crazy morning wrangling the kids. Some days you might feel like a failure, but a mom of three told me that it's so important to be kind to ourselves and model self-love. If we don't, how can we expect our kids to love themselves?

8. Be active in the education of your children.

Another mom said that while most schools and teachers are great, a child's education is partially the responsibility of the parent. She knows life gets busy, but if you can, volunteer at the school or be present at activities because it makes a big difference for your kids.

9. Remember to take care of yourself, too.

All too often, moms put themselves dead last. A mom I talked to wants us to remember to take care of ourselves when we can. Go for a coffee with a friend or take an extra-long bath with a cup of tea. She reminds us if we don't take care of ourselves, we won't be able to take care of our families.

Top 5 Things To Do In Amsterdam With Kids

By Katie Ellison for Space in Your Case

Until recently I thought of Amsterdam as home to tulips and clogs, drunken stag and hen parties cruising down the canals on party boats and of course the infamous coffee shops.  It wasn’t somewhere I particularly thought of to take children, with other European cities being higher up my list of destinations to go as a family.

However a recent trip to this beautiful city has changed all that.  Flying in from Norwich airport took just 35 minutes (check out KLM for flights from 15 other regional destinations) and was quick and efficient.  My opinion has completely been changed and I would go as far as to say this is the most child friendly city I have been to.  A fabulous capital city, full of quaint crooked buildings, picturesque rows of canals and cosy cafes, restaurants and amazing shops, apparently the culture here is very much bring your children along.

We only spent just under three days in this gorgeous place, but here are some things you can do with your little ones if you are planning a short break in Amsterdam.

1. Hire a bike from one of the numerous bike hire shops and really explore.  

The beauty of Amsterdam is there is such a variety within the city landscape, from the crowded tourist area with its canals and umpteen eateries, to the peacefulness of wide open spaces such as Vondelpark, and the urban grit and creativeness of areas like the NDSM area of Amsterdam Noord.  At first glance cycling may seem scary as there are literally hundreds of them whizzing around in all different directions, but actually apparently it is one of the safest cities in Europe to cycle in.  Helmets are not the norm, in fact we didn’t see one person in one the whole time we were there, but do ask as they will supply them to you.  We used MacBike who were efficient and friendly.

2. Treat yourself to a naughty delicacy.  

What child doesn’t love pancakes?  And did you know that pancakes are a Dutch speciality?  There are numerous places to pick one up in the city centre but one of the best is Pancakes! Amsterdam.  A not so secret little restaurant tucked down one a side street, we queued outside for an hour to get a table.  But was it worth it?  Most definitely.  Share a savoury one and a sweet one, we had ham and cheese, followed by whipped cream, Nutella and ice cream.  Or perhaps try something more adventurous like chilli pepper, bacon and banana.   Delicious and a perfect family lunch.

3. Head over to Amsterdam Noord, an up and coming and super hip area of the city.  

You have to hop on a ferry which go from behind Centraal Station, but they are free and run every 20 minutes 24 hours a day.   Make sure you get the one going to NDSM, they take about 10 minutes.  It’s not for everyone but this area is very creative, with a real urban grittiness about it.  You will see talented street artists creating masterpieces on huge, old shipping buildings, graffiti everywhere you look, and lots of hipster types milling around.  Indeed MTV Europe refurbished an old building and now have one of their European headquarters here.  It’s totally worth the trip to get away from the overly busy tourist area and see where creative locals hang out.  It’s also perfect for letting little ones run about and let off some steam.

4. For all the occasional wanting to escape the typical tourist areas, you should also embrace it too.  

The canals area of Amsterdam is beautiful with quaint streets full of cool interior shops, fashionable cafes and well renowned restaurants.  Yes it gets busy, especially at the weekends but it is worth going to for picture perfect photos.  Visit Dam Square, head into one of the cafes or street vendors, buy a waffle or a Stroopwafel (another Dutch delicacy- a waffle made from two layers of baked dough with a caramel syrup centre) and sit and watch the world go by.

5. Head to one of the open spaces in the city to let your little ones run around and let off steam.  

The area behind the Rijksmuseum is home to the  Iamsterdam letters, which have fast become an iconic symbol of the city, and a fab photo opportunity.   Indeed if you sit and watch for a while you will see visitor contort themselves into all manner of positions in order to get a photo!  Vondelpark is also in the area, perfect for a more relaxing pace of life and some greenery.  There are other I amsterdam signs throughout the city, one at the airport and a scaled down one that travels around the city, popping up in different locations- indeed we found one in Amsterdam Noord in front of The Eye Institute.  A little bit silly, but fun for children.

3 must-have buggy accessories for mums on the go

from Mummy in the City

A few years ago I started writing a blog post about buggy accessories. At that time in my life I remember finding myself in Harrods on a Sunday–purely to look for another all important piece for the Bugaboo. Buggy accessories was a topic of discussion at dinner parties. It was something I wanted to write about. And here are the three I had written down as my three favourites:

Cupholder

For first-time parents living in London, I think a cupholder is pretty essential. It means it’s easier to go for long walks with the buggy and bring a bottle or pick up a hot drink. In fact, for our second buggy Daddy T and I bought two cupholders, so we could both have our drinks there when we went on long walks together on weekends. Excited first-time parents!

Parasol

To start with, I didn’t get a parasol for the buggy and couldn’t understand why I needed one. But when I started going for longer walks with a curious baby who wanted to look around and not have a view distracted by a sun cover the parasol was a practical addition. I also used it for rain protection if it was drizzling outside since the rain cover tended to have the same effect on the mood as the sunshade.

UV sun cover

We had our first holiday with baby when she was four months old, and before booking I hadn’t read the advice on sun cream on newborns. To prepare for the holiday, I bought a sun cover with UV protection, and it became one of our most frequently used buggy accessories. Perfect for nap time in the buggy!

9 Genius Tips to Make Flying with Kids a Breeze

By Corinne for The Pragmatic Parent

The first flight we took with our one-year-old twins was an absolute disaster. It’s painful even rehashing the experience.

Twenty minutes into the two-and-a-half-hour flight, my twins began to fuss. It wasn’t because of the pressure change because they had made it through take-off and settled into cruising speed with no problem and were comfortably sucking on their pacifiers.

At first, it started as fussing, and then changed to whining. I dug through my diaper bag grabbing snacks and toys.

The stewardess warmed bottles in two mugs of hot water and my husband and I tipped the kids back to settle into the crook of our arms for what we thought would be a milky, peaceful drifting off to sleep.

Instead, they drank their bottles and popped right back up. The whining started again and gradually moved to crying intermixed with bursts of screaming.

I rubbed my daughter on the back, I bounced her, patted her bottom, and held her pacifier in place. Nothing was working and at this point, her crying escalated to full-blown wailing.

I saw my husband dealing with the exact same thing. His face was red and the tight-lipped glare he shot me was all I needed to know he was in serious trouble too.

My son was squirming in his arms, throwing his head back, his arms spread to the side taking in air. A second of momentary silence gave way to a goliath-like scream.

Frantically plucking toys and snacks out of my diaper bag, we tried to distract them and grab their attention with something new. But nothing worked.

They wouldn’t go to the nice set of grandparents sitting behind us and the suckers a mom brought to us from the rear of the plane only did the trick for ten minutes until they were wailing again and this time with a little extra oomph.

I apologized over and over about the crying and then finally, I just stopped turning around. I even stopped checking on my husband who was shooting daggers at anyone who dare look at him handling our hulk-strong baby. I felt the glares burning a hole in the back of my head and I could hear the rude snickering about our overtired and incessently crying babies.

When we deplaned, my husband harsh-whispered that we were renting a car and making the 18-hour drive back from California to Colorado via minivan. From the look of the sweat on his forehead, he was not kidding around.

I tearfully dialed our pediatrician asking for tips on flying with babies and then as what felt was our best resort, we swung by the apple store and forked over a small fortune for the holy grail of child entertainment – an iPad.

Before you begin to judge me… It may have been our first flight with kids, but I wasn’t unprepared for the airplane ride. My diaper bag was so full it wouldn’t even close.

I had packed the snacks, I had brought the toys, I had even stashed away special treats laced with bribery. The problem? I brought all the WRONG things.

Thankfully, our trip was a one-time sucker punch and we’ve since taken a half-dozen more flights with our children and have not had any more horrendous in-flight experiences.

My preparation for air travel has evolved and involves pin-point precision that makes even the old me jealous by the time I hand over the first round of goodies.

These are my 9 tips that work like magic, especially on long flights. There is an art to the timing of delivering the goods, and your next flight will go smoothly if you follow the step-by-step tips to pulling out in-flight entertainment in this order.

1) PACK A BACKPACK FOR EACH KID

While Mom and Dad have handle their purses and carry-on luggage filled with cry-proof entertainment, your will be carrying their own. Children love to carry their own backpacks and delight in unzipping their own bags once they’re settled into the flight.

It’s exciting for kids to feel like grown-ups and they like to be in charge of carrying their own accessories.

When you first get on the plane, store the backpacks and your carry-ons and let your children get settled. Take in the surroundings, look out the window, socialize with other passengers and listen to the PA announcements.

Once the excitement of boarding the flight and getting settled has passed, THEN pull out backpacks.

Keep a few things in your child’s backpack, but the majority of snacks and entertainment in your own carry-on so that they don’t go through everything in five minutes flat and spend the rest of the flight searching for things to do.

2) ONLY PACK SUGAR-FREE SNACKS 

Bring a variety of healthy snacks for the kids to munch on during the flight. There is a time near the beginning, in the middle and at the end to hand out snacks, just don’t dish them all out before the flight has even begun.

Simple and easy to pack ideas:

• Snack pouches & Applesauce
• Raisins
• Crackers & Goldfish
• Cereal in premeasured bags
• Dried Fruit
• Fruit strips
• Granola Bars

Avoid sugary snacks like candy, lollipops, and sugar-packed fruit gummies which will only energize up your kids – something you want to avoid on an airplane at all costs.

Bring milk or water bottles that meet TSA guidelines but try your best to limit water intake for fewer bathroom trips – especially if you’re a single parent traveling with multiple children who are out of diapers.

3) SURPRISE THEM WITH SMALL TOYS & ACTIVITY SETS 

You can certainly bring things from home, but it’s a fact that kids will be enthralled with new items they haven’t seen before or played with at home.

If you chose to bring toys from home, several weeks before the flight, put these items away so they aren’t played with leading up to your trip. When it’s time to open-up the backpack, these will have a new feel to them too.

Travel Tip: Stay away from noise-making toys for everyone’s sake!

4) DECORATE THE WINDOW

If you happen to book a window seat (and you should because kids love looking outside during take-off and throughout the flight), bring a couple sets of inexpensive window clings and let your kids decorate the window.

They easily peel off and can be moved around. Encourage your kids to create story lines and scenes with their imagination.

5) HIDDEN PICTURE BOOKS WORK LIKE MAGIC 

I-Spy books are great for parents and kids to do together. I-Spy books and Where’s Waldo are our favorites for traveling.

Head to the local library or buy them here and here a couple days before your trip. If there is a chance the library books will get lost and you’ll have to pay to replace them, hidden picture books are inexpensive and will continue to be cherish for many years and are worth the purchase.

6) PLAY A GAME

A simple game like hang-man, tic-tac-toe and Would You Rather are fun for kids of all ages.

Popular games often come in travel-size such connect four, trouble and this mini magna-doodle. If your children are older, card games like Go Fish, Old Maid and UNO are great too.

7) ARTS & CRAFTS

Clear marker coloring books and Water WOW books don’t leave a mess. Sticker sets are fun to burn the time, just be sure to pack extra paper with you so the stickers don’t end up in a neighbor’s hair.

8) YOUR LAST RESORT: ELECTRONICS

Once you’ve gone through snacks, toys, books and games, then pull out the tablets and iPads which you pre-loaded before your trip with videos and age-appropriate apps.

Save the best for last but don’t pull them out too early if you can wait. Use electronics as a reward for good behavior and playing quietly on the flight.

Don’t forget to pack kid-friendly headphones so other passengers nearby don’t have to listen to the sounds of the latest Pixar movie or Frozen app on full-blast.

9) IF ALL ELSE FAILS…

If all else fails, ask the flight attendant for a stack of plastic cups for the kids to play with on the tray table. Sometimes it’s the simplest of things which work the best!

Wow Air is offering £99 flights from London to New York

By Katie Jones for Harpers Bazaar UK

This [month], Wow Air announced the start of a new service to New York's JFK Airport - and the Icelandic airline is celebrating by offering seats for just £99 one-way.

The first flights are scheduled for April 2018, but Wow Air is currently promoting the launch of its new route by offering fares that cost less than the taxes alone.

"To celebrate our new service to the Big Apple's JFK International Airport, we are offering flights from London to New York for less than the cost of taxes - essentially paying for our guests to fly," the air carrier said.

The discounted fares can be booked online now for flights departing from London Stansted between April and May next year, although it's worth noting that there is a catch.

The new route involves a stopover in Reykjavik and the budget airline's basic approach means passengers won't be treated to the usual long-haul perks, like complimentary food, drink and entertainment. Baggage fees also apply on all routes - a carry-on bag will cost you £29.99 and a checked bag is £44.99.

New York isn't the only option in the promotion, though. It also includes flights for under £130 one-way to Newark, Chicago, Cincinnati, Detroit and Cleveland, and if you're planning on visiting Iceland's capital next year, Wow Air's fares are particularly cheap, starting at £29.99 one-way.

The low-cost seats are only available for a limited period, so you'll need to be quick to make the most of this deal.

When dad needs a bit of pampering at The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park

From Mummy in the City

On a holiday before kids I was lying by the pool when Daddy T was headed to the spa. The last thing I told him was not to buy any products from his session, as we really didn’t need any more. He only came back with a bag full of detox cleanse tablets and a box with individually packed sachets with dried sea plants to use as bath soak.

Daddy T is a sucker for all things spa, so when I was given the opportunity to try a massage at The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park in Knightsbridge it was only right that he was the one who was sent out for some pampering. I booked him in for a 7.30pm massage on a weekday, allowing him to go after work and having a relaxing evening instead of coming home to the madness of bedtime routines.

While I was breastfeeding Baby Boy and reading Little Miss Bossy for Baby Girl, he arrived at the luxurious spa. He was there half an hour early, relaxing with a green tea and having time to use the sauna, steam room and vitality pool before having a 50-minute deep tissue massage by one of the expert therapists.

The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park has eight treatment rooms, all with private showers, as well as male and female sanariums, vitality pools, amethyst crystal steam rooms and a zen colour therapy relaxation area.

When living in London it’s easy to forget what we have on our doorstep, but sometimes it’s worth prioritising some true holiday-style pampering. I think Daddy T’s evening at The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park was well-deserved, and it’s worth doing something different to switch off in beautiful surroundings.

I’m not surprised he looked as balanced and happy after his spa experience as Baby Boy did after his day at The Baby Spa. I guess National Spa Week is the week it’s all about having a contented baby and a contented husband at the same time!

The Duchess of Cambridge's Pregnancy Has Sparked A Rise In Home Birth Enquiries

By Olivia Blair for Elle UK

The Duchess of Cambridge is reportedly considering a home birth for royal baby number three

The Duchess of Cambridge effect shows no sign of waning. Enquiries into home births are said to be on the rise since reports circulated to suggest that she plans to give birth to her third child at Kensington Palace.

Private Midwives, the UK's largest private provider of home birth services, says it has experienced a 44% increase in enquires following the royal pregnancy confirmation in September.

Shortly after the announcement from Kensington Palace, the Daily Mail claimed that Kate was considering a home birth this time around. According to the newspaper, she had planned to do the same with the birth of her daughter Charlotte but decided against it after taking medical advice.

Despite the reports not having been confirmed by the royal family themselves, they have nevertheless spiked interest amongst expectant parents, the private midwifery practice found.

Their survey of almost 1,600 UK adults revealed that nearly a third (29%) would prefer to give birth at home, while one in five (21%) admitted to looking to royals and celebrities for pregnancy inspiration.

Linda Bryceland, director of midwifery, quality and safety at the company, said: "We've seen a definite rise in interest surrounding home births [since reports about the Duchess]. With many of the services she and other A-listers utilise becoming more readily accessible and affordable, we're seeing expectant mothers being presented with more and more options.

"As well as a rise in awareness, there is also an increase in professional career-driven women who, in the current economic climate, do not want to take time off work for antenatal appointments. Their partners also frequently struggle to get time off to attend antenatal appointments."