Finding happiness and chasing rainbows.

Ever since Mr H and I started to try for a family, rainbows have been an emblem in my life. My pregnancy with Little Mister H was filled with anxiety. I was terrified of losing another baby. Yet every time I feared the worst a rainbow would appear in the sky to give me hope. A rainbow to shine the way for our second rainbow baby. Our son, Little Mister H, who appeared in our lives after years of storms. And on the day after he was born, on the day when our little girl met her baby brother for the first time, a double rainbow appeared in the sky over Tunbridge Wells.

Since then I’ve been chasing rainbows. Our two gorgeous rainbow babies are wild and bright and I spend most of my time running after them. I aim to fill our lives with colour and happiness. I take more chances and I embrace new opportunities. But sometimes the days are dark and cold and there are storms. And on these days I look to the skies and I try to spy a rainbow shining through the darkness.

Yet, I’ve only ever seen rainbows in the skies above the UK. So, I’m taking a chance. I’m embracing an exciting opportunity. And I’m chasing that rainbow and entering a competition to become the Simpson Travel Ambassador for 2018.

When Simpson Travel arranges a holiday they make sure that every detail is taken care of. They’ve spent months looking for villas, hotels and apartments so they know that their accommodation is perfect. They visit every one of their properties in person and know their destinations inside out. Which means, where possible, they will create your perfect holiday.

However, even with almost 40 years of holiday experience (2018 is a great year to be 40), I think it is a bit much to expect Simpson Travel to produce a rainbow in the sky for me. But thanks to Simpson Travel choosing the most beautiful destinations in Turkey, Greece, Spain, Italy, Mallorca, France and Corsica, they can promise me the opportunity to see all the colours of the rainbow.

Chasing Rainbows with Simpson Travel

Red – Alhambra Palace in Andalusía

Mr H and I have always longed to go to Andalusía in Spain and go and see the Alhambra Palace. We both love history and are particularly interested in Moorish history. We were fascinated when we visited Istanbul and saw the amazing Islamic architecture of the Topkapi Palace.

So I was thrilled to discover that Simpson Travel has a stunning villa in Andalusía. And not just any villa, but a luxurious villa with all the amenities you would need for a perfect family holiday. With five rooms, Casa Flamenca, sleeps 10 people and has views of Gibraltar and Tangier. It is also the perfect base to explore the history, culture and beauty of Andalusía, which of course includes the Alhambra Palace, ‘the red fortress’.

Orange – A Sunset in Mallorca

One of my favourite things to do when on holiday is to sit and watch the sunset over the ocean. I will always remember being on honeymoon in the Maldives and watching the sky turn an array of colours as the sun disappeared into the horizon.

And although, I may not see a rainbow, I can almost guarantee that a holiday abroad would include at least one beautiful sunset. And it would be wonderful to be with my family and watch the sky turn a fiery orange as the sun sets over the stunning Puerto Pollença in Mallorca.

Yellow – The Sandy Beaches of Corsica

As a family, we have been to many beaches in the United Kingdom. The seaside is my happy place and I leap at the chance to go to a beach whenever I can. We are blessed to have some beautiful beaches. Yet, there is nothing quite like the feeling of walking barefoot along a sandy beach in the Mediterranean. I long to bury my toes in the golden sand and watch the children build sand castles on the beautiful family friendly beaches of Corsica.

Green – The Olive groves in Italy

As much as I love visiting the beach, I also adore losing myself in rich rolling hills, lush woods and beautiful green fields. Just imagining the green and verdant Italian countryside makes me feel peaceful. I can close my eyes and see the olive groves and vineyards. This beautiful countryside has led to Umbria being called ‘the green heart of Italy’.

I have to admit that I’ve fallen in love with a particularly luxurious Simpson Travel villa that can be found nestled in the Tuscan Countryside. Villa Castrum is set on a hilltop on the site of a 1,000-year-old castle. And the property has a secluded swimming pool and private gardens. But I was enchanted by the fact that Villa Castrum has its own walled garden. A tranquil green oasis with my name on it.

Blue – The Ionian Sea

There is something so magical about the sea. It can wash all your cares and worries away. Even as a child, I loved splashing in the sea and watching the waves lap against the shore.

Years ago, Mr H and I were lucky enough to spend a blissful week on the Greek island of Rhodes. One day we took a trip to the citadel of Lindos. There were the most amazing views from the Acropolis. And I yearned to swim in the beautiful crystal blue water in the bays that surrounded Lindos. Ever since that day, I have desperately wanted to visit another Greek Island and paddle in the stunning blue water.

Simpson Travel has a variety of villas, apartments, boutique hotels and adult only hotels in Greece. I was particularly drawn to the turquoise waters off the beaches in Lefkada. Lefkada is also the home of one of the two Simpson Travel crechés, which are run by fully qualified British Nannies. Mr H and I might just get a chance to enjoy one of the awarding beaches surrounded by translucent turquoise water in peace, while the kids have an amazing time at the creché.

Indigo – Lavender Fields in Provence

As a child, I went on a family holiday to France every summer. Sadly, I can’t remember much of those holidays. But I can remember the scent of the lavender fields as we drove through Provence. Now that I’m older I would love to visit those lavender fields again. And I would love to see them at dusk, as the light fades and the lavender fields become an inky indigo colour.

Simpson Travel has a number of stunning villas in Provence. And the Villa Rose has a breathtaking view of the Luberon lavender region. Which means I could be smelling and seeing lavender fields while going for a swim in the private pool.

Violet – Football in Florence

One of my first holidays with Mr H was to Florence. We went for a long weekend and fell in love with this magical city. Both Mr H and I adore Renaissance art and we spent many a happy hour wandering around the amazing art galleries and museums of Florence.

I’ve always wanted to go back to this beautiful city, as there is still so much to see there. Simpson Travel has some amazing villas and boutique hotels that are a drive or train journey away from Florence. 

This year we celebrate our tenth wedding anniversary. And I would be the most awesome wife in the world if my present to Mr H could be for him to see ACF Fiorentina at their home ground in Florence. ACF Fiorentina is also known as viola after their distinctive purple football strip. And while at the football, Mr H needn’t worry about the children and I. We will be having lots of fun playing games in the sunshine and splashing about in the swimming pool of our Simpson Travel villa.

There is so much to see and experience on a Simpson Travel holiday. There are wonderful memories to be made and beautiful rainbow colours to see. History, culture, natural beauty and luxury all collide on a Simpson Travel holiday. Why wouldn’t you want to chase rainbows with Simpson Travel?

Thanks to Simpson Travel for allowing me the opportunity to chase more rainbows and to become Simpson Travel Ambassador.

Hugs

Lucy

xxxx

Disclosure:

This is my entry into a competition to become one of the 2018 Simpson Travel Ambassadors.