AS children head back to school, our new columnist and travel expert Angela Perkins has been revealing when to start booking your summer 2020 holiday and why Lapland is a once-in-a-lifetime experience you really should do.

I absolutely love to travel and explore this amazing world we live in and most of all I love doing this with my family.

Family time on holiday is my favourite thing.

Making memories, having fun and being together.

I’m just back from two weeks island hopping in Greece, This was the first time we have done this with the children and it was an amazing success.

We went to a Paxos, Ant Paxos, Parga, Sivota and Corfu.

We moved between the destinations via ferry and speed boat and only had rucksacks with limited clothes which was more of a struggle for me than the rest of the family!

We played a million games of cards, uno and travel scrabble. We walked and talked.

We sat and ate breakfast, lunch and dinner together every single day.

We’ve travelled to new places and experienced new things. My son learnt to paddle board and my daughter learnt to jump off the jetty into the sea and they have both pretty much become card sharks!

We’ve danced, we’ve laughed and we’ve relaxed. Sometimes it’s the little things that are the big things.

These are our precious holiday memories we’ve made and for me that’s what a holiday is all about.

So..Greek island hopping with kids? Yes it can be done and everyone can enjoy it. No it isn’t hard work and yes it’s refreshing to travel with a rucksack and pack light.

Yes the kids loved the adventure and didn't moan once about packing up, moving on and having less stuff with them. It’s been one of our best ever family holidays.

Warrington Guardian:

Booking your summer 2020 holiday

So if you are just back from this year's holiday already thinking about next year's then the best way to cure those ‘holiday blues’ is to book the next one.

Next year's holidays are on sale and selling fast with peak school holiday dates also booking up quickly.

Easter and May Bank Holiday are the most popular selling dates at the moment for 2020 with the Canary Islands, Greece, Mexico and Thailand proving popular.

Why book early?

My clients often ask me this but the reasons are:

  • you get exactly what you want without compromising
  • peak dates, the best flights and the best room types book up quickly
  • some popular resorts are fully booked 12 months in advance
  • free child places and early booking discounts can save you a fortune
  • it allows you to budget for your holiday. Pay a deposit and then pay off as you go if you prefer

If you're looking for a once-in-a-lifetime trip next year....

I can highly recommend taking your little ones to Lapland. Next year's trips are now on sale to Lapland where there are more reindeers than people. We went three years ago and it was the most wonderful, magical, amazing holiday.

It's one of the most beautiful, authentic places I have ever had the pleasure of visiting.

We met Santa, sledged and skied as well as a fabulous snowmobile safari, husky rides, reindeer rides and a night time sleigh ride and swam in outdoor hot tubs at -10 which was brilliant.

Everywhere is lit by candles or twinkly fairy lights as it's dark most of the time but so festive.

We've even baked gingerbreads with Mrs Claus, played football with the elves and toasted marshmallows on open fires every day.

If you are thinking of Lapland... do it! Go while the kiddies are young and you'll never regret it. It really is what dreams are made of.

Warrington Guardian:

About our new columnist >

Angela is an award-winning travel agent with 25 years of experience and embarked on the journey of setting up her own business five years ago.

The mum-of-two and owner of Designer Travel by Angela Perkins was recently highly commended in our Warrington Guardian Customer Service Awards for being ‘always hands-on to help’ as well as being praised for her knowledge and enthusiasm.

The 41-year-old from Penketh will be available to answer your travel queries and holiday dilemmas in her upcoming columns.

You can email your questions to newsdesk@guardiangrp.co.uk