Anne and daughter on a Neilson holiday in Sivota, Greece. Image courtesy of Anne Dickins
Anne Dickins MBE is a Team GB paracanoeist and Olympic gold medallist. She has two teenage kids and as a family their favourite holidays are Neilson sailing holidays. I went to meet Anne to find out why these holidays work so well for them. This is what she told me:
I’d not considered this kind of holiday before but it sounds like it works really well for families with kids of all ages. I like the fact that it offers the chance for everyone in the family to try lots of different activities. What do you think? Has your family been on an activity holiday?
If you’d like to follow Anne’s story you can pop over to her blog. For more information about Neilson holidays click here.
Anne Dickins celebrating her gold medal win at the 2014 Canoe World Championships in Moscow. Image courtesy of Anne Dickins
Note: This isn’t a sponsored post – I just wanted to find out more about this type of holiday.
I’m a bit queazy on boats but lovely to hear about this type of trip! x
Fritha recently posted…Chatty Feet
This sounds like the sort of holiday my brother would love!
Bek Dillydrops recently posted…Project 365 Week 6
As far as I know I don’t get sea sickness and this sounds right up my street!
Thanks for sharing hun – I’ve never heard of Neilson, will have to look into it.
Charlotte x
Charlotte Braithwaite recently posted…Are the kids away? Then it’s time to get fit!
If you go please take me with you!
Otilia recently posted…Home Spring Inspiration – Shades of Blue
I find being on a boat quite relaxing, something about the way it rocks x
Our Mark Warner holiday on Rhodes was pretty active, and I LOVED it. The tennis, sailing and swimming was perfect for keeping the kids entertained. I would need a bit of downtime on a holiday, though!
Nell@PigeonPairandMe.com recently posted…15 cultural family treats for the Spring
Not really my cup of tea when it comes to holidays – much rather slob out on the beach! If you’re into this kind of thing though I’m sure it is fantastic!
Rachel @ Parenthood Highs and Lows recently posted…Teaching Good Manners
Hello!
How funny that so many of you are put off Neilson holidays because of sea sickness. I promis you that no one gets more sea sick than me! The first 2 neilson holidays I went on before I became a para kayaker I didn’t even go in the sea!! However I found later that the seas around Sivota and adakoy are as flat as a pankake so no issues for me there -hurrah! But there is sooooo much else to do away from the water ( tennis, yoga, volley ball, cycling, swimming pool, sunbathing, cocktails etc ) that I’m sure you won’t even realise it’s a sailing holiday!
Hi Anne, that’s good to know. I get seasick too and it does make me think twice before anything to do with boats but it sounds like Neilson have enough to offer everyone.
So exciting that you got to interview her. It always amazes me the varied holidays out there. So glad we get a break this year x
Liska @NewMumOnline recently posted…Saving for a Baby
It was lovely of Anne to spare the time to talk to me as she has a very busy training schedule.
I would love to try a sailing holiday when the kids are older
Kara recently posted…Toxic Fox Selfie Stick Review
I can’t swim so always stay away from any water related activities. But I am sure my children would love such a holiday.
Mina Joshi recently posted…Manchurian Balls in spicy tomato soup
Sounds fabulous and fun.
If definitely go
Clare Nicholas recently posted…How to make a Thank you card using stamp sets & Giveaway
Ooh I think I’m more of a land lover! Great interesting post though lovely xxx
Sounds fab. I would love to give it a try x
You Baby Me Mummy recently posted…Our Snowy Walk
this is something i would love to enjoy doing but unfortunatly my family are not great with sea sickness lol x
I don’t think I’d survive a sailing holiday, I feel queasy walking on my friend’s houseboat!
Em @ snowingindoors recently posted…10 Reasons I Could Confuse Our Toddler With Our Puppy
I’m not sure my stomach could cope with the dingy, I tend to get very sea sick
Boo Roo and Tigger Too recently posted…Make a splash with winter fashion #AldiChallenge
I’ve always wanted to do this but my eldest son took sailing lessons and was not a fan so we never did it unfortunately…maybe I can persuade my younger children 🙂
Cherished By Me recently posted…Blood Orange Syrup Pudding
“Relax as hard as you like” sounds like a great motto to me! I have never looked at a holiday such as this one but it sounds really good for the whole family 🙂
My Family Ties recently posted…Valentine’s Photobox Blogger Challenge – My Family Ties
I love your interviews Gretta – and so funny that Anne wasn’t initially looking for a sailing holiday but then got so much out of it. We aren’t the most active family and much more into our sightseeing so I’m not sure if it would be for us but it was interesting to find out about it. Maybe when my children are older and perhaps more into sporting activities we would give it a try. Good that there’s lots of opportunities to get off of the resort.
Globalmouse recently posted…Martinhal Resort (Garden Villa), nr Sagres, Algarve, Portugal
Thank you, I’m glad you like the interviews! I enjoy finding out about other people’s holidays and why they’ve worked for them. My family’s not that active either but I live in hope!
The husband would love to take the kids on this kind of holiday. I have to say it doesn’t appeal to me but I’m sure I could find something to amuse myself while they were off having fun!
Shell Louise recently posted…No more messy bedroom!
Maybe the spa? Or just sunbathing?
Hi Gretta
I enjoyed the interview with Anne. I have often contemplated a Neilson holiday and this made me keener than ever to do so. I like active holidays and they sound great fun. I am going to take a look at the website. Will my children participate though? That’s the dilemma.
Ginny
My thoughts exactly! But Anne reckons that they join in when there are other kids their own age to hang out with.
I have to admit, I’m not good on a boat lol. This type of holiday sounds great for adventurous families
The Diary Of A Jewellery Lover recently posted…A Very English Cheesecake
Thanks for this – I love finding out about different options for family holidays
Ruthy @ Minibreak Mummy recently posted…How to find nice clothes in charity shops
I really suffer with sea sickness, even on a dingy so this isn’t for me!
Jen aka Muminthemadhouse recently posted…Free valentines printables
Anne told me that she gets seasick too! I guess you could just avoid the boat activities and try some of the other things on offer.
So, are you going to try one out for your next trip then Gretta?!
Sarah Ebner recently posted…Winchester, Wolf Hall and more
I’d love to but I’m not sure about the rest of the family!