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.
Fritha says
February 15, 2015 at 3:18 pmI’m a bit queazy on boats but lovely to hear about this type of trip! x
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Bek Dillydrops says
February 12, 2015 at 5:54 pmThis sounds like the sort of holiday my brother would love!
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Charlotte Braithwaite says
February 12, 2015 at 12:02 pmAs 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
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Otilia says
February 11, 2015 at 7:17 amIf you go please take me with you!
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Rachel says
February 10, 2015 at 9:23 pmI find being on a boat quite relaxing, something about the way it rocks x
Nell@PigeonPairandMe.com says
February 10, 2015 at 8:39 pmOur 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!
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Rachel @ Parenthood Highs and Lows says
February 10, 2015 at 7:09 pmNot 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!
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Anne says
February 10, 2015 at 6:37 pmHello!
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!
Gretta Schifano says
February 11, 2015 at 8:42 amHi 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.
Liska @NewMumOnline says
February 10, 2015 at 6:04 pmSo 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
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Gretta Schifano says
February 11, 2015 at 8:43 amIt was lovely of Anne to spare the time to talk to me as she has a very busy training schedule.
Kara says
February 10, 2015 at 6:45 amI would love to try a sailing holiday when the kids are older
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Mina Joshi says
February 9, 2015 at 10:49 pmI can’t swim so always stay away from any water related activities. But I am sure my children would love such a holiday.
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Clare Nicholas says
February 9, 2015 at 10:48 pmSounds fabulous and fun.
If definitely go
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Michelle says
February 9, 2015 at 8:45 pmOoh I think I’m more of a land lover! Great interesting post though lovely xxx
You Baby Me Mummy says
February 9, 2015 at 8:27 pmSounds fab. I would love to give it a try x
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lisa prince says
February 9, 2015 at 7:47 pmthis is something i would love to enjoy doing but unfortunatly my family are not great with sea sickness lol x
Em @ snowingindoors says
February 9, 2015 at 7:18 pmI don’t think I’d survive a sailing holiday, I feel queasy walking on my friend’s houseboat!
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Boo Roo and Tigger Too says
February 9, 2015 at 7:03 pmI’m not sure my stomach could cope with the dingy, I tend to get very sea sick
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Cherished By Me says
February 9, 2015 at 6:40 pmI’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 🙂
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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 🙂
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Globalmouse says
February 9, 2015 at 5:31 pmI 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.
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Gretta Schifano says
February 9, 2015 at 5:51 pmThank 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!
Shell Louise says
February 9, 2015 at 4:52 pmThe 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!
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Gretta Schifano says
February 9, 2015 at 5:52 pmMaybe the spa? Or just sunbathing?
Ginny Millard says
February 9, 2015 at 4:32 pmHi 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
Gretta Schifano says
February 9, 2015 at 5:53 pmMy thoughts exactly! But Anne reckons that they join in when there are other kids their own age to hang out with.
The Diary Of A Jewellery Lover says
February 9, 2015 at 4:01 pmI have to admit, I’m not good on a boat lol. This type of holiday sounds great for adventurous families
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Ruthy @ Minibreak Mummy says
February 9, 2015 at 3:28 pmThanks for this – I love finding out about different options for family holidays
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Jen aka Muminthemadhouse says
February 9, 2015 at 2:59 pmI really suffer with sea sickness, even on a dingy so this isn’t for me!
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Gretta Schifano says
February 9, 2015 at 5:54 pmAnne 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.
Sarah Ebner says
February 9, 2015 at 12:24 pmSo, are you going to try one out for your next trip then Gretta?!
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Gretta Schifano says
February 9, 2015 at 12:42 pmI’d love to but I’m not sure about the rest of the family!