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Home / Type of trip / Active / Neilson sailing holidays: the lowdown

Neilson sailing holidays: the lowdown

February 9, 2015 by Gretta Schifano 33 Comments

Anne Dickins and her daughter on a Neilson holiday in Sivota, Greece. Image courtesy of Anne Dickins

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

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.

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Related

Categories: Active, Family travel interviews, Greece, Luxury, Turkey
Tags: Anne Dickins, Greece, Neilson, Turkey

About Gretta Schifano

I'm a freelance journalist and blogger specialising in family travel with teenagers, trips when parents manage to travel without their kids, and 50+ travel. I also write about vegetarian travel, parenting teenagers, adoption, SEN, ADHD and anxiety. My work's been published by the Financial Times, Guardian, Independent, National Geographic Traveller, Lonely Planet and others. I've lived and worked in Italy and Spain and am now based in rural south-east England with my husband, adoptive and birth kids and our dog. I previously worked as a social action radio producer for the BBC.

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Comments

  1. Fritha says

    February 15, 2015 at 3:18 pm

    I’m a bit queazy on boats but lovely to hear about this type of trip! x
    Fritha recently posted…Chatty FeetMy Profile

    Reply
  2. Bek Dillydrops says

    February 12, 2015 at 5:54 pm

    This sounds like the sort of holiday my brother would love!
    Bek Dillydrops recently posted…Project 365 Week 6My Profile

    Reply
  3. Charlotte Braithwaite says

    February 12, 2015 at 12:02 pm

    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!My Profile

    Reply
  4. Otilia says

    February 11, 2015 at 7:17 am

    If you go please take me with you!
    Otilia recently posted…Home Spring Inspiration – Shades of BlueMy Profile

    Reply
  5. Rachel says

    February 10, 2015 at 9:23 pm

    I find being on a boat quite relaxing, something about the way it rocks x

    Reply
  6. Nell@PigeonPairandMe.com says

    February 10, 2015 at 8:39 pm

    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 SpringMy Profile

    Reply
  7. Rachel @ Parenthood Highs and Lows says

    February 10, 2015 at 7:09 pm

    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 MannersMy Profile

    Reply
  8. Anne says

    February 10, 2015 at 6:37 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      February 11, 2015 at 8:42 am

      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.

      Reply
  9. Liska @NewMumOnline says

    February 10, 2015 at 6:04 pm

    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 BabyMy Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      February 11, 2015 at 8:43 am

      It was lovely of Anne to spare the time to talk to me as she has a very busy training schedule.

      Reply
  10. Kara says

    February 10, 2015 at 6:45 am

    I would love to try a sailing holiday when the kids are older
    Kara recently posted…Toxic Fox Selfie Stick ReviewMy Profile

    Reply
  11. Mina Joshi says

    February 9, 2015 at 10:49 pm

    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 soupMy Profile

    Reply
  12. Clare Nicholas says

    February 9, 2015 at 10:48 pm

    Sounds fabulous and fun.
    If definitely go
    Clare Nicholas recently posted…How to make a Thank you card using stamp sets & GiveawayMy Profile

    Reply
  13. Michelle says

    February 9, 2015 at 8:45 pm

    Ooh I think I’m more of a land lover! Great interesting post though lovely xxx

    Reply
  14. You Baby Me Mummy says

    February 9, 2015 at 8:27 pm

    Sounds fab. I would love to give it a try x
    You Baby Me Mummy recently posted…Our Snowy WalkMy Profile

    Reply
  15. lisa prince says

    February 9, 2015 at 7:47 pm

    this is something i would love to enjoy doing but unfortunatly my family are not great with sea sickness lol x

    Reply
  16. Em @ snowingindoors says

    February 9, 2015 at 7:18 pm

    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 PuppyMy Profile

    Reply
  17. Boo Roo and Tigger Too says

    February 9, 2015 at 7:03 pm

    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 #AldiChallengeMy Profile

    Reply
  18. Cherished By Me says

    February 9, 2015 at 6:40 pm

    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 PuddingMy Profile

    Reply
  19. My Family Ties says

    February 9, 2015 at 6:40 pm

    “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 TiesMy Profile

    Reply
  20. Globalmouse says

    February 9, 2015 at 5:31 pm

    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, PortugalMy Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      February 9, 2015 at 5:51 pm

      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!

      Reply
  21. Shell Louise says

    February 9, 2015 at 4:52 pm

    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!My Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      February 9, 2015 at 5:52 pm

      Maybe the spa? Or just sunbathing?

      Reply
  22. Ginny Millard says

    February 9, 2015 at 4:32 pm

    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

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      February 9, 2015 at 5:53 pm

      My thoughts exactly! But Anne reckons that they join in when there are other kids their own age to hang out with.

      Reply
  23. The Diary Of A Jewellery Lover says

    February 9, 2015 at 4:01 pm

    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 CheesecakeMy Profile

    Reply
  24. Ruthy @ Minibreak Mummy says

    February 9, 2015 at 3:28 pm

    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 shopsMy Profile

    Reply
  25. Jen aka Muminthemadhouse says

    February 9, 2015 at 2:59 pm

    I really suffer with sea sickness, even on a dingy so this isn’t for me!
    Jen aka Muminthemadhouse recently posted…Free valentines printablesMy Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      February 9, 2015 at 5:54 pm

      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.

      Reply
  26. Sarah Ebner says

    February 9, 2015 at 12:24 pm

    So, are you going to try one out for your next trip then Gretta?!
    Sarah Ebner recently posted…Winchester, Wolf Hall and moreMy Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      February 9, 2015 at 12:42 pm

      I’d love to but I’m not sure about the rest of the family!

      Reply

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This is a personal blog written and edited by me, Gretta Schifano. Sometimes I’m given products or sent on trips to review, but I always make this clear and give my honest opinion. See my About page for full details.

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