So recently (in a manner of speaking), my family was able to take a trip south, fleeing from the Winter That Will Not Die, right around what turned out to be pretty much the half-way point (although at the time we thought it was surely almost over – how young we were then…).

We stayed at the Occidental Grand Excaret, a short drive from Playa Del Carmen. Although travelling with youngsters is a fair bit more limiting than doing solo or couple outings, we were still able to soak up the tropical air, warmth, sunshine and some incredible sights – new, old, man-made and natural.

Here’s a selection.