Top of the Hocks - Friday 3rd April

Welcome to this weeks edition of our favourite things, namely, Top of the Hocks.

We hope you are enjoying this serious and love people getting in touch to let us know their thoughts.,

So, let's crack on with our 10 things.

1) Website of the Week

This weeks Hocks Website of the Week is going to go to +Zoopla

Zoopla is a website that looks at properties that are to rent and for sale. It also shows the prices that properties have sold for in the past and gives estimates as to property prices today.

 

2) Song of the Week

This Weeks song of the week is another RETRO button one. Its by Queen and its called I want to break free

3) Image of the Week

 

This weeks image  is of Rosie who insisted she had her pasta in the cool pan!

 

 

4) YouTube Video of theWeek

 

This video shows you the 15 coolest water slides in the world

5) Quote of the Week

 

 

 

 

 

6) Funniest Hock Moment of the Week 

 

This was what happened this week when Rosie was in the bath.

 

7) App of the Week

This weeks App of the Week is called Wazasound. it is just like another app called SuperBuzzer. SuperBuzzer is a quiz where you play against other people and the quicker you buzz and type the right answer the more points you get. Well Wazasound  is exactly the same but is all songs that you listen to and have to name. Its a bit like Song Pop but much much more addictive!

 

 

8) TV Programme of the week

 

This Week is going to be like Marmite. Some people will agree and some others wont. In 34 Days time the UK will go out and vote in the General Election. On Thursday evening (02/04/15) the leaders of 7 of the main political parties took part in a live debate on +ITV1 Present were +The Green Party , +Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales , +Scottish National Party (SNP) , +UKIP Campaign Office , +Liberal Democrats , +Conservatives and +Labour Party 

 

People say "Im not interested in politics at all" but then moan about whoever is in power. The whole idea of a democracy is that you can vote and you can make your voice heard!

 

Now I no the politicians don't make it easy to vote as most of the time they act like spoilt brats and all they do is say it wasn't us it was them, but as a country we need to say enough is enough and get the system changed!

 

 

  

9) Film of the Week

 

This weeks film of the week has to be Pocahontas as Rosie loves it

 

 

 

10) Hock's memory of the week

 

This week I have been thinking all about when Allan first told me (Colin) about Anna and them going out. We were both sat at home and Anna phoned him and he was like all sweet which is not allan and he put me on and I cracked a joke that Anna really didn't like. All I said is "oh you 2 are just like Charlotte Church and Gavin Henson"

 

 

 

 

Hocks Summer Holidays!- First Choice All Inclusive!

Hello everyone and welcome to this weeks Hocks Summer Holidays! Firstly we would just like to say how pleased we are that you seem to be loving this series, particularly our +Haven Holidays  and +Alton Towers posts! It is wonderful to see so many views on these posts as it shows that you guys are enjoying reading them just as much as we are enjoying writing them!
 

Now, on with this weeks post!



This week we have decided to tell you all about holidays with +First Choice! First choice specialise in all inclusive holidays abroad. We know that lots of families, particularly with young children like all inclusive holidays because everything you need such as food and drinks are all included in the price of your holiday, meaning that you don't have to fork out money for all your food and drinks every day whilst you are on holiday. The majority of the time, all inclusive holidays are the cheapest option.

First Choice have lots of holidays to choose from. They have everything from Budget Holidays to Luxury Five Star Holidays.

We thought we would tell you the details and prices of a holiday from each of their collections. We will as always be basing our holidays on a family of 4 consisting of 2 adults and 2 children ages 12 and 4 and will be basing it on 7 nights in August.



The first and probably most popular choice in the First Choice collection are their Holiday Villages. These are the most popular choice for families because there is just so much to do! There are holiday clubs, themed restaurants, holiday clubs, spas, daytime and evening entertainment and endless amounts of activities for both adults and children! First Choice have lots of Holiday Villages, their top 5 being in Rhodes, Turkey, Manar, Majorca and Kos. With all Holiday Village holidays you also get a bigger luggage allowance (20kg luggage and up to 7kg hand luggage), towels and free Wi-Fi.

As it is First Choices #1 Holiday Village and has a very good Trip Advisor rating (86% thumbs up) we have decided to tell you about the Holiday Village in Rhodes, Greece.



This Holiday Village is located in the peaceful Kolymbia on the Northeast Coast of Rhodes. It takes 55 minutes to get to by coach from Rhodes Airport, is a 5 minute walk from the beach, is a short walk to bars and cafes in Kolymbia and has a regular bus service to Rhodes Town. You also have Faliraki nearby if you fancy a bit more action!



First Choice say "You can expect non-stop activities, loads of pools and an adventure splash park at this 5-star hotel".

There are endless things to do in Holiday Village Rhodes and they are very well known for their amazing pools. There are 4 outdoor pools, an indoor pool and a fantastic kids pool that includes waterslides and an adventure park.



If you don't fancy swimming there are lots of activities including football, volleyball, aerial adventure, archery and a daytime activity programme to keep the whole family entertained!



There are children's clubs throughout the day not only giving children a chance to make new friends and have fun, but also giving adults a chance to spend quality time together either at the bar, in the spa or just chilling around the pool.



In the evenings there is an evening entertainment running from 8pm until 12am. This consists of a group of trained entertainers who offer a diverse range of shows an activities, themed night, kids entertainment, bingo and cabaret. There are also live sport screenings in the hotel Sports Bar.



Included in your 7 night all inclusive package-

1) Food-
Food includes 3 buffet meals a day, 1 visit to the Mediterranean a la carte restaurant, 1 visit to the Tex Mex a la carte restaurant,  snacks and ice cream.

2) Drink-
Unlimited local alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks including beer, wine, spirits, soft drinks, tea and coffee are served 10am until 11pm.

3) Sports and Activities-
All sports and activities are included in your package unless indicated.

There is also a mini supermarket on site where you can purchase any essentials you may need.



There are lots of different rooms to choose from in Holiday Village Rhodes but we think that a family room is the best choice for a family with young children. Family rooms sleep up to 4 and include a hairdryer, balcony or terrace, tea and coffee facilities, air conditioning, satellite TV, shower and bath.



For a family of 4 consisting of 2 adults and 2 children aged 4 and 12 in a Family Room for 7 nights in August 2015, the total cost of your holiday would be £4493*.

This price includes Flights (from Manchester to Rhodes and back), Coach Transfers and all Food and Drink. Total price also includes all taxes.



The second choice in the First Choice collections are their SplashWorld hotels! Just like their Holiday Villages, this collection offers you a fantastic all inclusive hotel with lots of activities, but they come with the added benefit of free, unlimited access to a first-rate water park! All SplashWorld hotels come with free Wi-Fi.

Again, First Choice have lots of SplashWorld hotels to choose from. We have chosen to tell you about a holiday in their 5 star "Aqua Fantasy Aquapark Hotel and Spa", we have chosen to tell you about this one as is has a very good Trip Advisor rating (85% thumbs up).



SplashWorld Aqua Fantasy Aquapark Hotel and Spa is located in Kusadasi on Turkey's West Coast. Kusadasi used to be a quiet fishing village but over the years has become a buzzing holiday resort with beautiful bars, cafes, restaurants, shops and a very impressive marina. The old town is still very much around, just with a modern twist! One thing that has never changed is the collection of stunning beaches. Aqua Fantasy Aquapark Hotel and Spa is 9km from the centre of Kusadasi and a 55 minute coach journey from Adnan Menderes Airport.

First Choice say "Take pine-clad hills, the Aegean coast and the supersized Aqua Fantasy hotel and you’ve got a winning combo. The waterpark here’s a winner, lining up pools, a lazy river, and more than 30 slides. The hotel’s got 7 restaurants, 11 bars and comfy rooms with TVs and Wi-Fi. And when it comes to location, you’re right on the beach and around 15 minutes’ taxi ride from Kusadasi’s centre".



Obviously, with it being a SplashWorld hotel, the main attraction is the fantastic on-site Water Park. The park is packed with slides, flumes and chutes. There is a treasure island for younger children with lots of little slides and water rides. If you fancy being more daring there are plenty of big, fast water rides to choose from! There are also family favourites such as a lazy river and a wave pool!





If you fancy a break from the water, there are also lots of other activities to choose from such as football, volleyball, basketball, mini golf, a games room, a day time activity programme and lots more to keep you entertained during the day! Again, there are kids clubs for the children to go to and lots of bars and of course, the spa for the adults to enjoy!

Just like the Holiday Villages, there is an evening entertainment programme to keep you all busy before bedtime!



Included in your all inclusive package-

1) Food-
3 buffet meals a day, afternoon snacks, afternoon tea and cakes, midnight soup and ice cream with lunch. One free visit to an a la carte restaurant per stay. Choose from Turkish, Chinese, Italian or Seafood.

2) Drinks-
Unlimited alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks by the glass including beers, spirits, wine, soft drinks , tea and coffee.

3) Sports and Activities-
All sports, activities, entertainment and the waterpark are included unless indicated.

There are lots of bars to choose from including a beach bar and a disco bar. The hotel also offers 24 hour money exchange at reception.



Again, there are lots of different room types to choose from at this hotel. We found that the best room was the Double Family Room. These rooms sleep up to 4 and have a either a step down to the children's area or a glass sliding door separating the lounge and bedroom areas. Rooms include daily maid service with towels and linen changed 3 times a week. All rooms have a balcony or terrace, satellite TV, air conditioning, a hairdryer, a lounge area, a garden view, a shower and bath and tea and coffee making facilities.



For a family of 4 consisting of 2 adults and 2 children aged 12 and 4, in a double family room for 7 nights departing on Saturday 8th August 2015, the total price of your holiday would be £3226*.

This price is all inclusive and includes all taxes, flights and coach transfers.



The third choice in the First Choice collections are their Club Magic Life hotels.

First Choice say. After 20 years in the All Inclusive business, Club Magic Life has got its formula nailed. And the proof is in the pudding – guests come back to these international beachfront hotels year after year..

First Choice have 6 Club Magic Life hotels, we have chosen to tell you all about a holiday in their Club Magic Life Sharm El Sheikh hotel. We have chosen this hotel because again it has a fantastic Trip Advisor rating (91% Thumbs up!).



Club Magic Life Sharm El Sheikh is a 5 star hotel located in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. It is located right on the beach, is a 30 minute coach journey from Sharm El Sheikh airport and has a direct shuttle bus service from the hotel to Naama Bay where you will find lots of shops, bars and restaurants.



Club Magic Life Sharm El Sheikh is well known for its huge list of sporty activities, including activities such as water polo, tennis, table tennis, volleyball, boules, darts, scuba diving, dance classes, aerobics and lots more.

There are a number of pools including an activity pool, a relax pool dotted with sunbeds and parasols and a separate area in the activity pool especially for children.



There are kids clubs for the children to play and make new friends and a spa, gym, bars and a beautiful beach for adults to unwind.



The hotel has shops, free Wi-Fi and a fantastic evening entertainment programme including a disco to keep everyone happy during the evenings!



Included in your all inclusive package (24 hours all inclusive)-

1) Food-
Full board buffet meals, one visit per week to each of the a la carte restaurants (Egyptian, Italian and Asian) , afternoon tea and coffee, midnight soups and sandwiches.

2) Drinks-
Unlimited local alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks.

3) Sports and Activities-
All sports and activities are included unless stated.



There are a number of rooms to choose from in this hotel, the best option for families with young children being a Junior Suite. These rooms sleep up to 4 and include a balcony or terrace, satellite TV, a mini fridge stocked with drinks, a telephone, a shower and a hairdryer.

For a family of 4 consisting of 2 adults and 2 children aged 12 and 4, for 7 nights departing on Friday 7th August 2015 in a junior suite, the total price of your holiday would be £2935.*

This price is all inclusive and includes flights, taxes and coach transfers.

The last choice in the First Choice Collections are their Suneo Club hotels!

Suneo Club hotels are First Choices hotels for any families on a budget (like us!). These hotels promise to be easier on the wallet but still offer all the things you need to have a perfect holiday! First Choice have lots of Suneo Club hotels to choose from but we are going to tell you all about a holiday in their Suneo Club Sirenis Cala Llonga Resort in Ibiza. We have chosen this one because it has a decent trip advisor rating (79% thumbs up) and we have been to Ibiza on holiday before and love it!

Suneo Club Sirenis Cala Llonga is located on a hillside overlooking the beach and sea. It is 25 minutes by coach from Ibiza Airport, 7km to the beautiful Santa Eulalia where you will find lots of gorgeous bars, restaurants and shops, 12km to Ibiza town and there is a bus stop right outside the hotel.



There are lots of things to keep you busy at this hotel including sports, a daytime activity programme, daytime entertainment programme, 2 sea view pools including a childrens section, a baby pool and a playhouse. There is an entertainment bar which is open from 12pm-11pm daily. There is also a small gym.



The Hotel has free Wi-Fi and an evening entertainment programme including a different show every evening.

Included in your all inclusive package-

1) Food-
3 buffet meals a day, snacks and ice cream served between 10am and 6.30pm daily.

2) Drinks-
Unlimited alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks.

3) Sports and Activities-
All included unless indicated.



The best room for a family with children in this hotel would be a family room. These rooms sleep up to 4 people and have twin beds plus extra beds or bunkbeds. Rooms include air conditioning, hairdryer, telephone, satellite TV, cot space, balcony, sea view and a shower.

For a family of 4 in a family room, for 7 nights departing Friday 7th August 2015, the total price of your holiday would be £3902*. (Just goes to show that just because it is their "budget" collection, it is still worth looking at the others as Club Magic Life and SplashWorld are both cheaper!).

Price includes flights, taxes and coach transfers.

First Choice also do a Premier Collection of hotels. These hotels are the top hotels they do in places such as the Caribbean and Mauritius. However, we decided not to look into these hotels as most of them only have rooms for 2 meaning you would have to book 2 rooms and have 1 adult and 1 child in each room. We feel that this defeats the object of a family holiday as you all have to separate in the evening once it is time for the children to go to bed!

We hope you have enjoyed reading all about First Choice holidays. You can book any of these holidays or search for your own here!

Do let us know if we have inspired you to book a summer holiday and do remember you can find us on Facebook and Twitter!

See You Next Time!

The Hocks
xx
*Prices Correct On 1st April 2015