Gloria Molins founded trip4real in 2013 and it’s been a soaring success from day one. A site that allows users to book bespoke holiday experiences with locals in countries across Europe, the section for families is definitely worth checking out if you’re after something completely different. Gloria Molins chats to kodomo.com about the continuing growth of her business and why it’s proving to be such a success.

Can you please talk us through trip4real. How did the idea come about and how do users seem to be reacting to it?

I have always loved to travel, and I think the most magical moment when you go abroad is connecting with a local who can take you somewhere unknown; that’s when you really get to know a place and discover the culture. I’m also very entrepreneurial and wanted to set up my own business, so it made sense to combine that with my love of travel. I decided to create trip4real as a way for travellers and locals to have a community in which to connect and discover the true essence of a city together. It’s a much more intimate way to travel and see the world. If you try trip4real the next time you go exploring with your family, I promise the experience will change your perspective and introduce you to a local world you never would have expected. We have had an overwhelmingly positive reaction since launching in Barcelona in 2013, and earlier this year we expanded to London, Paris, Rome and Lisbon, and just recently we launched Edinburgh and Dublin. We now have over 30,000 users around the world, and more than 4,000 experiences available in seven different countries. It’s so amazing to see the growth of the business and hear the personal stories from people who have enjoyed trip4real experiences on their travels.

Where are the top three places that you would recommend for a family holiday?

I think Barcelona has something for everyone and I’m not just saying that because it’s my home town. Catalunya is so rich in culture, art and natural beauty. For families, it’s perfect because you have both the sea and the mountains. You can rent a holiday home up the coast in Cadaques, and your kids can go on a pirate themed treasure hunt with other kids and explore the local history together.

Pirates tour, Cadaques

Outside of Catalunya, I think Portugal is an amazing place for a family trip. The size of Lisbon is perfect for a weekend escape and it’s walkable, which is great for families with younger children. Plus, the coast is amazing for swimming, sailing, playing in the sand, hiking and renting bikes. It’s affordable and the locals are friendly, passionate and so full of life. The pastry and sweet culture doesn’t hurt either.

When I was a child I spent a lot of time on the Spanish island of Menorca. I suppose I’m especially attracted to the sea, and I like the idea of kids being able to really run about and be free on holiday. I think without the city stresses, there’s more bonding time and active time for families to have adventures together and get to know the spirit of the people who live there. Why not hang out at the local ice cream shop and listen to the story of the man who built it?

Hannah and her family enjoying a day out on the farm in Catalunya

What is your first childhood memory of travel?

The first family trip (or at least the first I can remember) was a trip to Paris. I was six and my sister was eight; we stayed there for four days, wandering around the city, dining out, we visited all the museums, the latin neighbourhood, ate Nutella crepes and I even got to “hold” the Eiffel Tower from Trocadero! I remember finding it so exotic. I couldn’t sit still.

Do families with children use trip4real regularly and, if so, what type of experiences do they book? What are the favourite experiences for kids?

Yes, families are loving trip4real. It’s a great way to find activities in a new place and the nice thing is that our tours are bespoke and personal, so there’s room to tailor most activities based on the needs of each individual family. One of my favourite experiences for kids is in Barcelona where you can spend the morning with a shepherd and his family on a farm, with local stories followed by brunch and time with the animals. Another fun one is a visit to a vineyard, where parents enjoy wine tasting while the kids are led by an actress who transforms the tour into a theatrical experience: it is so creative.  And in Rome, we have a hugely popular gelato-making experience, which kids and parents adore. It’s all about creating memories and unique experiences to share with locals and your family.

Can you talk us through a typical day in your life? Can you paint us a picture from start to finish?

I wake up at 7am, then I shower, drink tea and do my morning exercise. This is followed by reading emails and planning the day ahead of me. The morning is when I do the most important things of the day, such as calls, meetings, emails, planing and so on. After that, I walk to the office where I work with my team and have a quick lunch about 2pm. If I have meetings, I try doing them early in the morning or late in the afternoon from 5pm, so that I have the middle of the day to concentrate and get things done without interruptions and with maximum focus. At 8pm, I go swimming (water is one of my passions in life) and I eat dinner about 9pm. The evening is very much about reading, talking, laughing, exercising or relaxing. I don’t have a television at home.

We are big lovers of Rome at kodomo.com. The invigorating Roman sunshine that laps against all that stunning ancient architecture, delectable local cuisine and incredibly luxurious hotels? We’d go a million times if we could and never tire of the sensational Italian city. And when there, one of our favourite picks is the Rome Cavalieri as a stop to rest weary feet after a day of pounding the local pavements. This iconic hotel has it all – beautiful, large rooms with a fabulous three outdoor pools, great restaurants (it is the only hotel in all of Italy to hold three MIchelin stars) and an infamous Sunday Brunch. And now there even more reason to love it: The Rome Cavalieri is introducing a complimentary kids’ club for July and August this summer.

Your kids may love exploring the local sites of Rome. And if they do, this’ll be a fun pit stop at the end of each day. If they don’t (and let’s be honest, not all do), then you can relax by the pool while they make new friends while exploring the 15 acres of delightful parkland that encircles the hotel.

The new Kids Club, available for children aged 4 to 10, will be open seven days a week from 2:30pm to 7:00pm throughout July and August. With everything from art classes to table tennis, table football to badminton, mini-golf to magic tricks, race remote-control cars to pizza-making, they will love it. And the hotel even boasts its own on-site fairground.

So, while the kids are busy playing, you can work off the inevitable calories earned in those fabulous restaurants in the incredible Cavalieri Grand Spa Club. Considered by many to be the most luxurious spa and fitness facility in all of Italy, the 2200 meter squared space is an oasis of health and pampering. The La Prairie caviar facial is a must, but if you’re after activity, try the 800-meter fitness trail within the stunning grounds of this private Mediterranean park. Or, you can simply relax by the pool with a good book, which is exactly what we would be doing.

Book this hotel here.

For other ideas on where to eat, stay and play in Rome click here.

For other ideas on where to eat, stay and play in Italy click here.

Ok, so this we love. If you’re skiing during the upcoming half term or easter holidays and your destination falls anywhere in the French, Austrian, Swiss or Italian Alps, your life is about to get easier than ever. The days of lugging heavy suitcases, bulky skis and endless cold weather gear (not to mention controlling your children through airport security) are over. A clever company called Piste of Mind, the UK’s only bespoke ski and snowboard carriage specialist, will transport all your baggage, as well as your ski equipment, from your home directly to your Alpine destination, so all you need to do is take your carry on and your kids.

W Verbier

Aimed at taking all the stress and strain out of ski travel, they will collect everything from your home and take it directly to your resort. Genius, I know.

Prices are comparative to booking luggage ‘in the hold’ of most budget airlines so this won’t cost you the earth and, in some cases, luggage goes free (depending on weight) so you only pay for your equipment.

VIP Club Bellevarde, Val d’Isere

Booking is easy and orders only need to be confirmed eight days before departure; transportation is provided by a trusted specialist carrier ensuring full care and security with all luggage and equipment. What’s not to love?

For more information click here.

For family-friendly ski holidays click here.

It was while living in Barcelona – pre-babies – that I first discovered the joy that comes from plodding around a good European Christmas market. Originating in Germany and the Alsace region, Christmas markets spread to other parts of the continent and most European capital cities now boast squares, churches, cobbled lanes and parks dedicated to that glorious time of year. The size and quality of them does vary, but there are a few stand outs that are fabulous and will make for a wonderful winter getaway as a family in the coming months.

Lake Garda

This is a good three and a half hour drive from Lake Como but we suggest seeing both, with a stay in Como and a day trip to Garda. Set within magical wooden huts, the Lake Garda market offers a gorgeous array of high quality crafts, candles, lanterns, decorations and toys.  Expect lots of Christmas carols and and, on December 8th, an advent calendar will be projected on the buildings in the town centre, followed by an impressive firework display.

Need a family-friendly hotel in Lake Como? Click here.

Rome

A captivating city at any time of year, Christmas sees the Eternal City’s piazza swamped by a bustling multi-coloured market selling everything from trees to cribs, decorations to cakes and sweets. If you can visit over the New Year, make sure to visit on the the night of January 5th with children as that is when the “Befana” (The Good Witch) flies around Italy, delivering presents to well-behaved children and coal to the naughty ones.

Need a family-friendly hotel in Rome? Click here.

Amsterdam

Rather than having one key Christmas Market, Amsterdam has festive market stalls dotted throughout the city in various neighbourhoods. The largest of these is the Albert Cuypmarkt, which has no less than 300 stalls. After shopping, you can ice skate at Leidseplein, which offers gorgeous Christmas market stalls alongside an ice rink. In the centre of Amsterdam on the Beursplein, you can stay warm at the Winter Market with delicious mulled wine while shopping. This is a veritable winter wonderland and children will adore Amsterdam during the colder months as much as they would in warmer months.

Need a family-friendly hotel in Amsterdam? Click here.

Barcelona

Being a country of such religious zest, it’s no surprise that this Catalan capital comes alive with yuletide glitz in early December and stays in such a festive state well into the New Year. Again, this European gem boats a plethora of different Christmas markets but two stand out, from my memory, as being both wonderful and perfectly located. Firstly, there is the Fira de Santa Llúcia Christmas Market, which is outside the mesmerising Barcelona Cathedral.  There is an Artesania section (which sells things like jewellery and leather goods), and the stalls generally sell items of a higher quality, making them a little more expensive than the very touristy alternatives that neighbour this beautiful and very authentic market. Come evening time, the lights of the market twinkle in the dark against the backdrop of the Cathedral and the yuletide vibe is only enhanced by the endless rows of Christmas trees, decorations and mistletoe for sale.

Another noteworthy Christmas market is the Fira de Nadal at the iconic Sagrada Familia. The Sagrada Familia should be visited when in Barcelona, no matter what time of year you go, but at Christmas, it simply glows. Running around the edge of the gardens outside the Sagrada Familia, market sellers offer much of the same Christmas offerings as any other in the city, but it’s the location of this particular market that pops it to the top of my Barcelona list.

Need a family-friendly hotel in Barcelona? Click here.

Paris

Again, this is a city that should be visited by all and it’s not only for young lovers. There is so much for children to do in the City of Light, and Christmas is as wonderful a time as any to visit as a family. There are markets spread across every corner of this great city but two, in particular, stand out as much for their atmosphere as for their astonishing location. The christmas market on the Avenue des Champs-Elysée is the largest Christmas market in Paris. Along with the stunning illuminations on the world’s most beautiful avenue, there are no less than 160 authentic, Vosges-made chalets that line the Champs-Elysées between the Rond-point and Place de la Concorde from mid November to early January. And another not to be missed is the Saint Germain des Pres Village of Father Christmas, which resides temporarily on the boulevard Saint Germain. With about 30 chalets selling gorgeous Christmas wares, it is a bit smaller and less daunting than that on the Champs-Elysée (so maybe better with tiny tots), but it’s no less magical.

Need a family-friendly hotel in Paris? Click here.

It’s that time of year again. Department stores have had a Christmas floor since August, the jingle jangle of merry music is flooding my local supermarket and Lola is already planning her list for Santa. But the bit I really look forward to is the opening of London’s winter ice skating rinks which, for me, are the real barometer of Yuletide celebrations starting. Here are the ones we suggest you try if you’ve not been before….

Canary Wharf

Having opened just last week, Canary Wharf is ringing wiht skaters who are flocking to the financial district for ice, both on and off their skates. The rink is now in use, as is the pop- up bar, Q on Ice. Open until 28th of February 2015, this enchanting space has transformed Canada Square Park into a cosy, Christmas landscape. This particular rink features London’s only skate path, a passage through fairy-lit trees around Canada Square Park’s iconic ‘Big Blue’ sculpture by British designer, Ron Arad. At 1100m2, this is one of the capital’s largest ice rinks.

Canary Wharf rink welcomes those aged aged four and above, with doors opening every day except Christmas Day. And if a post-skate cocktail or seasonally-inspired snack beckons, check out Q on Ice. Following the success of their On the Roof with Q pop-up at Selfridges this summer, the menu at Q on Ice is packed with lots of locally sourced ingredients and secret seasonings. Canary Wharf also offers up the delights of Roka, Tom’s Kitchen Deli and Obika Mozzarella bar.

Adult: £14.50, Children (Under 13): £9.50
Family: £39.50 (2 adults + 2 children/ 1 adult + 3 children)

For further information click here.

The Natural History Museum

Now in its 10th year, the infamous rink right outside of London’s magnificent Natural History Museum will, this year, be perched in its usual spot beneath 80,000 twinkling fairy lights. Aside from the rink, there is an interactive Christmas chalet loaded with chocolate treats, giveaways and activities in partnership with chocolatiers Lindt. The Cafe Bar on-site is a lovely spot for hot chocolate, snacks and a few minutes off your feet.

Adults: From £12.65 per ticket and kids from £8.80 per ticket, from October 30th to January 4th 2015.

For further information click here.

Somerset House

Photo by  James Bryant

Somerset House is an iconic spot on the edge of London’s Strand, known by most for hosting the drama of London Fashion Week. However, come winter, it transforms into a veritable winter wonderland and houses one of the capital’s most beautiful, not to mention popular, skate rinks. Even better, this year sees Somerset House rink sponsored by the one and only Fortnum and Mason, meaning some heavenly food options, such as Skate & Classic Cream tea. This involves, unsurprisingly, a classic Fortnum’s cream tea after your skating session in the cosy Fortnum’s Lodge in The Christmas Arcade at Somerset House.

Ticket prices from £7.50 for skating. The Fortnum and Mason Skate & Classic cream tea costs £35 per person, plus booking fees. The ice rink is open from 11th November 2014 to 11th January 2014.

For further information click here.

Eyeskate