Does the idea of cosying up and hunkering down in an idyllic cottage retreat sound pretty tempting right now?

Or, equally, something lovely to look forward to in the new year, after the non-stop pace of the festive season?

If so, here’s a wonderful online cottage holiday company well worth checking out, both for its expertise in UK cottage rentals and some of the great deals currently on offer: Sykes Cottages.

With over 3, 500 cottages to choose from (but, thankfully, a super-easy way to search for the location and accommodation that’s perfect for you), there’s something for everyone and all budgets – winter holidays start at as little as £134 per break!

Sykes Cottages has over 25 years experience in family-friendly holiday cottage rentals, of which many allow pets (who wouldn’t want to miss out on those brisk country walks, after all!).

Check out their blog, too, which has just posted insider tips on packing for a ‘hassle-free’ winter holiday break (sound good?!), along with advice on how to prepare for a winter retreat (walking boots, waterproofs and de-icer all feature!).

Browse the gorgeous cottages – of all styles and sizes - online and you can almost feel the fresh air and hear the crackling fire!

For more info on prices, locations and to book a fantastic cottage family break online, get your virtual wellies on and head over to sykescottages.co.uk!

You can also follow Sykes Cottages on Facebook and Twitter.

This is a sponsored post.

This is a great year to visit  Disneyland Paris, as the all-singing, dancing and sparkling celebrations are in full swing for their 20th anniversary!

Disneyland Paris 20th Anniversary highlights

We dropped in at the end of the summer break and had a wonderful time enjoying the party atmosphere, catching the new main parades and great ‘mini’-parade that happens throughout the day, with Mickey, Pluto, Goofy and others making little ones’ holidays by waving and blowing kisses from their fun, 20th anniversary floats!

After dark, the Disneyland Park lights up prettily and the illuminated evening parade draws a huge crowd (people were taking their places ‘Main Street’-side up to two hours before it started when we visited!).

This is followed by the Disney Dreams show, where the famous Sleeping Beauty Castle takes centre stage with a pull-out-all-the-stops, special effects, Disney music and lights show. We missed this one as, being high summer, it started quite late and the younger members of our group were a bit overwhelmed by it all and ready for their beds by then. And the finalé of the night? A full-on firework display to remember (to get an idea of what to expect, check out the video clip here!).

Add in fabulous rides to appeal across the age ranges, photo opportunities with characters (the recently opened Princess Pavilion offers the opportunity to queue for a meet-and-greet with one of the Disney princesses) and the 20th anniversary experience makes for LOTS of fun and memories to treasure.

Travelling by Eurostar to Disneyland Paris

We travelled to Paris by Eurostar - highly recommended for families travelling with overexcited little ones, especially with the daily Direct Service to Disneyland Paris which runs from London, Ebbsfleet and Ashford, Kent (full timetable details and to book here).

If you’re staying at one of the Disney hotels, the Direct Eurostar Service to Disneyland Resort Paris is the quickest and easiest way of getting from A to B, as there are free shuttle buses to and from the station (fares are from £69 standard class adult return and £49 for a child (4- 11 years old, children under 4 travel free as they’re not allocated a seat).

If you’re not planning to do anything other than the Parks, if possible, finding a family package to suit your budget with a Disneyland Paris hotel is ideal. Alternatively, the many hotels and self-catering apartments serving the immediate surrounding area, in Val d’Europe, are just one stop – literally a few minutes – away by RER train (or by car, if you’re taking the ferry and driving).

Sightseeing in Paris

The same RER train from Marne-la-Vallée at Disneyland Paris or Val d’Europe also takes you into the centre of Paris if you want to do some sightseeing, but the journey time is about 45 minutes to an hour at busier times and can get quite hectic during rush hour. This is worth bearing in mind if you’ve got smaller children.

If you’ve got very little ones and aren’t restricted by school hols, it goes without saying (but I will, anyway!) that going outside of these times, when possible, is a good idea in that it won’t be so hectic queuing time will be reduced and things will be less busy in general.

Oh, and the Minnie Ears HAD to be done (when in Disneyland! …). And in sparkly, nonstopmama pink – irresistible!!

Disneyland Paris and Eurostar travel information

For more info on Disneyland Paris and to make bookings, visit disneylandparis.com.

For more info on Eurostar trains, hotels and train/hotel packages to Disneyland Paris (and there are some FAB deals to be found!), go to eurostar.com or tel: 08432 186 186.

I’m thinking this is DEFINITELY going to be a waterproof mascara moment …

Due to make its debut at Center Parcs, Elveden Forest, in late November 2012, the world-first Tropical Cyclone ride is designed to recreate the experience of rafting down three of the world’s fastest rivers (25, 000 litres of water a minute, to be precise!). And with many a tummy-turning twist, turn and dramatic drop along the way.

Squeal factor? Off the scale, I think!

Nonstopmamas with smaller ones, meanwhile, will be pleased to know that The Lagoon, a new child-friendly, family pool, will also open at Elveden at the same time.

For more info and to make a booking, ride the virtual rapids over to centerparcs.co.uk!

This giveaway has now closed and the winner is Debbie Davis. BIG congrats to her and HUGE thanks to all who entered and for lovely comments, Decodelire were overwhelmed and THRILLED by all the lovely comments and words about the bag, and we hope to do more with them in the near future at nonstopmama! PLUS, there are LOTS more lovely giveaways still open at nonstopmama!!

How gorgeous and fun is this travel bag by French label Decodelire, Paris?

It’s just one of a wide range of bags in shapes, sizes and designs, all featuring trés cute illustrated scenes of French girls in Paris by an artist living in the city, Gus Gyurgyevic.

Made from recyclable polypropylene, the super-light and very durable bags are imported from France by a Dorset-based nonstopmama and available at selected shops and online.

Right now and until the end of August, nonstopmamas can get a 10 % discount at decobags.co.uk - just enter the special voucher code “NSM” at checkout! 

The bag pictured above, in the Camel Collection, retails at £23.99 and is roomy enough for a short break yet is still cabin size. Magnifique!

What better choice for a weekend giveaway?!

We have one of these bags to give away to a nonstopmaman!

To enter the giveaway, it couldn’t be easier! Simply:

1. ‘Like’ the NEW nonstopmama Facebook page!

2.  Leave a comment below this post to let me know you’ve done the above!

That’s it!

The winner will be chosen at random by computer (we will ask them to email us with the address to which their Decodelire bag should be sent). Please take a moment to read the giveaway rules here!

This giveaway closes at midnight on Friday 3 August 2012.

For more info and to order, visit decobags.co.uk. You can also follow Deco Bags on Facebook!

This giveaway has been promoted on the following websites:

• Loquax Competitions
• ThePrizeFinder – UK Competitions

Beauty distractions never go amiss when you’re flying – always fun, and they help you arrive feeling less frazzled!

Just up at Goop, Gwyneth Paltrow’s newly-madeover site, the actress reveals the contents of her in-flight health and beauty bag (along with her on-board playlist!). She always uses a ‘really good facial cream to keep my skin moisturised’ and spritzes stuffy plane air with a naturally anti-bacterial spray, adding ‘It’s worth the few odd looks’!

Meanwhile, in a recent video about her in-flight beauty routine, the lovely Lisa Eldridge says that she asks for mini skincare samples when she’s shopping or having a facial and uses them when flying.  Read more.