Our 1st Holiday As A Family Of Four | Torremolinos, Spain ♥

Last Wednesday Jacek, myself and our two boys jetted off on our first holiday as a family of four, to the wonderful Torremolinos in Spain. Torremolinos is a place that Jacek and myself had both been to separately and we were really looking forward to enjoying a getaway there with our two boys - even if we were very nervous about the prospect of managing two young children in the heat!

We coped really well though and even managed to go on two little day trips with them in tow - one to Molino de Inca Botanical Gardens and the other to La Batería Park, the latter involving a rather pleasant train journey back, but it really was worth the trip.

Molino de Inca Botanical Gardens aren't buggy friendly but we managed to carry the buggy up all the steps and terraces. They had lots of beautiful plants and fountains there - which Tyler Lee loved to splash about with and the Japanese Garden was especially lovely. They also have a little maze there which Tyler Lee had a ball running around in, there were little water features amongst it too. When Beau needed feeding I sat with him down by the big water feature and fountains in the shade. It was so calming there, I could have sat there for the day. Entry was only €1 each and the children were free so it was a great. cheap day out for us all.

La Batería Park is a huge park with walkways, cycle lanes and lots of lovely scenery. It features an amazing playground for the little ones (which Tyler Lee didn't want to leave!), a large lake which you can paddle-boat on, cannons, a little round tower to climb and see views over the park and the sea and lots of lovely places to sit and admire the views. Tyler Lee was very taken with the fairy and angel statues there - as you can tell from the pictures! There was even a 'dodie tree' as I call it, a tree where children can leave their dodies, presumably for the fairies - if it's the same tradition as here in Ireland. If only we knew beforehand that it was there and we could have persuaded Tyler Lee to give up his beloved dodie.

We stayed in in the Bluesea Hotel Cervantes which is right in the heart of Torremolinos, close to restaurants, pubs and the shopping district. It's also quite close to the beach, but you have to maneuver your way down steep winding steps, which despite quite rugged ramps, are very buggy unfriendly, or you can catch the lift up and down if you don't mind the wait or the fifty cent charge. The hotel is classed as four star but in my opinion it really isn't and the staff (bar the cleaners) were really rude, a customer service course wouldn't go amiss. We wouldn't stay there again but made the most of it while we were there and Jacek and Tyler Lee really enjoyed the pool there, having a swim every afternoon while I went to the room to feed Beau and catch a bit of shade.

The beach is gorgeous and we were happy out there having rented out two sun beds, which are only €4.50 each for the day. The water was warm too and Jacek and myself took it in turns to go in with Tyler Lee whilst the other stayed with Beau on dry land - we wanted to dip his feet in the sea but I didn't wanted him exposed to the sun as it was so hot - next time Beau, promise! He had his big 'Alf Stewart'-esque sun hat on to shield his little head from the sun though and he was happy out laying in his buggy in the shade.

Holidaying with two little ones in tow was actually a lot easier than we thought. The boys have such a strong routine that even they didn't want to break from it whilst we were on holiday and that suited us fine. We stayed at the hotel on a half-board basis so we dined there every morning and evening, meaning that after dinner we could just retire to the room and have some drinks, etc. while the boys slept.

We loved Torremolinos and although our goal as a family is to visit a new country each year, I'm sure one day in the future we'll be back to soak up the sun on Spain's gorgeous beaches again.

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