Helen Earley

Helen is an award-winning contributor to the Family Fun Canada network, and the former City Editor of Family Fun Halifax. With a degree in New Media Journalism and Photography, she worked as a flight attendant for a major British Airline for 11 years before returning to Nova Scotia to teach, write and be a mum. Stay in touch at helenearley.com or on Twitter @hfxhelen.

Exploring Britain with the YHA: A Family Road Trip Through England and Wales

Helen Earley England, Europe, Ireland, News & Reviews, Travel Tips April 6, 2018

It is early evening as we drive toward YHA Wilderhope, an imposing Elizabethan manor house in the middle of the Shropshire countryside, close to the historic towns of Ironbridge, and Bridgnorth. The clouds are from a Constable painting, and each rolling hill is a different ...Read More

Taking the Night Train in England – An Atmospheric Family Adventure

Helen Earley England, Europe, News & Reviews January 26, 2018

Despite many threats to cancel or restrict services over the years, two sleeper trains remain in Britain. Recent refurbishments to both suggest that these marvellous rail journeys are here to stay. The best-known overnight train service in Britain is the Caledonian Sleeper, an overnight service ...Read More

Stay in Palm Springs…Play Everywhere! 5 Places to Explore from California’s Coolest Desert City

Helen Earley California, News & Reviews, USA January 12, 2018

Families who really want to explore Southern California are taking a new approach to the road trip. Rather than go on an epic journey from A to B, they are renting vacation homes in Palm Springs and taking short day excursions or overnight trips ...Read More

Poshtels, Flytographers and Wadi Rum: 8 Family Travel Trends for 2018

Helen Earley Asia, Caribbean, News & Reviews, Travel Tips January 1, 2018

As the United Nations’ World Tourism Organization brings the year of sustainable tourism to a close, adventurous Canadian families are looking forward to a new year of exciting new trends and emerging destinations. Here’s a list of 8 family travel trends for 2018: 1. Poshtels ...Read More

Post-Irma, The Island of Anguilla is Back in Business for the Holiday Season

Helen Earley Caribbean, News & Reviews, Travel Tips December 21, 2017

Tucked away in the northern Caribbean, Anguilla is a slim length of coral and limestone with 33 beaches, considered by many travellers to be the most beautiful island in the world. Formerly a playground for the rich and famous, the British overseas territory has, ...Read More

Visit a Rainforest this Winter at the Eden Project in Cornwall, England

Helen Earley England, Europe, News & Reviews December 8, 2017

Surrounded by other sweaty travellers, my 4-year old son and I ascend into the lush tropical rainforest. We walk past a banana tree, a bed of pineapples, a rubber tree. Small, tropical birds swoop overhead. At a small cabana with a palm-leafed roof, a friendly ...Read More

Little Venice to Camden on the Regent’s Canal: A Peaceful Day Out in a London We Never Knew Existed

Helen Earley England, News & Reviews, Travel Tips November 10, 2017

The water laps up against the hull of our canal boat, which is puttering along at its maximum permitted speed of 4 miles per hour. Noses pressed against flat glass windows, my family watches the world go by: gentle weeping willows, stone bridges, grand ...Read More

9 Ways to Explore Charming Charlevoix, Quebec

Helen Earley Canada, News & Reviews, Quebec, Ski Hills, Spas October 13, 2017

Whale watching, cycling, shopping, golfing, eating…breathing the mountain air. This is how to explore Charlevoix, Quebec. If you’re from the province of Quebec, you already know the lush, mountainous Charlevoix Region as a place of summer cottages, good food and leisurely weekends away. If you’re from ...Read More

Family Fun at the Headland Hotel and Spa in Newquay, Cornwall UK

Helen Earley England, Europe, News & Reviews, Spas September 29, 2017

A focus on Cornish tradition, a “five bubble” spa… and a passion for its canine guests makes The Headland Hotel and Spa in Newquay, Cornwall, a Victorian seaside landmark that no visitor to South West England should miss. But despite its grandeur, The Headland ...Read More

Keep Calm and Save Money: 9 Ways to Pinch the Pennies in England this Summer

Helen Earley England, Europe, News & Reviews, Travel Tips July 21, 2017

Some say that travelling to England for a family vacation is expensive, but that doesn’t mean that you should dump it from your bucket list! Using a few of these money-saving tips and tricks will allow you to make the best of your next UK ...Read More