WORLD TOUR: Famille Summerbelle
LAST YEAR JULIE MARABELLE, creative director of children’s decor design company Famille Summerbelle did what we all talk about. She, her husband Simon, and their two year old daughter Ophelia, took off. A world tour followed - intended as an inspiring few months of non-work life - prior to settling down to develop their newly launched company, and relocating to Paris from London.
Here, she shares her highlights of the trip, and her family-friendly pointers for a smooth life on the road…
LittleBig: What was the country that surprised you most with its child friendliness?
Japan [pictured above left] was a really pleasant surprise. We didn’t know quite what to expect, but we were astonished by just how friendly people were. Men and women would go out of their way to engage with Ophelia. On one train journey to Kyoto a little old lady made an origami swan which she gave to Ophelia - it was just wonderful.
LittleBig: What was the country / region that was least child friendly. Did this surprise you?
There really wasn’t one!
LB: What was your best family-friendly hotel?
We often stayed in apartments throughout our trip (which we’d highly recommend to anyone) so we weren’t often in hotels. In Langkawi (Malaysia) we stayed in a place called BonTon Resort [pictured right] where all of the staff were just incredible - Ophelia would hang out with the waiters and waitresses while we ate, and they would always stop to play with her at the poolside.
LB: What was your most memorable family-friendly restaurant / eating experience?
Everywhere was great, but in Japan they would always always provide special packs (kids cutlery - including chopsticks if they wanted - drawing materials, colourful food and interesting menus). The single nicest family-friendly restaurant was in New Zealand, a place called The Store between Kaikoura and Blenheim in the South Island. A stunning setting next to the sea (with seals and whales) a fantastic wooden table with fabulous platters full of local produce. Extra special for us because we met with my husband’s family.
LB: What family-friendly experience would you like to import back to the UK?
As I mentioned above, we really liked the attention to detail in Japan - and the lovely environment that they created for children always made Ophelia feel so special.
LB: If you weren’t based in the UK, which of the countries you’ve visited could you live in, and why?
If it were not so far away from everything, we thought that life in New Zealand on the South Island would be just incredible. It is easily the most beautiful place that we have ever been: snowy mountains, turquoise lakes and no ones around…just sheep!
LB: What was your best city experience?
The best city experience was San Francisco [pictured left]. A beautiful city with so much to do - either in the city (shopping, eating, walking, lots of playgrounds and museums for kids etc), around the city visiting sites (like the awesome Alcatraz) and then being just minutes from incredible countryside and the stunning redwood forests. Incredible place.
LB: And your favourite beach experience?
Our favourite beach experience was unquestionably Fiji [pictured below]. It’s the first time we’ve ever been anywhere that looks exactly like it might on the postcard. Soft sand beach, warm turquoise water with colourful marine fish swimming around us. We were on a small island (with around 50 people), and we had a bure (small apartment) resting in the shade at the edge of the beach. Ophelia loved the freedom that we could allow. She loved playing in the sea- she was never going to be far away on such a small island.
LB: Where was best value for money?
The Bonton resort in Langkawi was perhaps the best value for money. We had a big house and a pool to ourselves. We also travelled through Australia and New Zealand with a camper van. We travelled, slept and ate in one place and this was incredible, especially with a toddler.
LB: Which country has left the biggest visual impact on you?
Japan as it is so different from our Western culture, for the kindness of the inhabitants, the incredible art and designs, the food… For the most wonderful and breathtaking landscapes [pictured top right] it will have to be New Zealand.
LB: If there was one place you would tell everyone with little ones to visit, where would it be?
Everywhere we went has been an amazing experience with our two-year-old-daughter. I think the hardest decision is to leave your home. Once on the move you discover that it is so easy to travel with kids.
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