Sitting here this morning in sunny Antigua I’ve been reflecting on what makes a good break for us. It’s a game of two halves really. The best breaks being road trips and a chance to move on every day. Then there are the short week long chill out breaks that provide that much needed catch up on chill out time and sleep. But I think over the years we are narrowing down what’s important while away:

1. Peace and quiet – preferably seclusion and no having to share spaces with other irritating holidaymakers -although people watching is very entertaining

2. Our own pool/plunge pool and deck/sitting area. With plenty of seating options and shade.

3. When in the tropics then plenty of greenery – birds, lizards, flowers – ha ha but not very loud tree frogs that chirp at a high pitch all night eh Craig??

4. Good food, access to chilled drinks

5. A place to walk/stroll daily – beach, path, anywhere we can womble (not hike)

6. Wi-Fi – for various reasons

7. A pool to swim in

What’s not important:

1. A Bali beach bed on a beach with other people- this place has one, sounded a great idea but in reality it’s plonked directly behind another Bali beach bed so no view of the sea – boo. We’ll probably never use it

2. Dodgy folk music – are Beatles really folk?? Either way the duo playing music last night in the restaurant murdered the tunes pretty well

3. 08:30 welcome meetings from the holiday rep. Really?? Nope. Ain’t doing it! He finally tracked us down today to check we were “safe”

The ultimate challenge now is that having set the bar so high in the Maldives, nothing comes even close so far! But still, lovely relaxing break and good company (even if someone wants to not listen to me chattering away)