There’s a particular kind of stress that comes with booking a family holiday. The endless browser tabs. The comparisons. Seat selections. Transfers. That feeling you’ve booked the wrong date or the wrong number of children!
This year, for the first time ever, I avoided all of that. Because I finally practiced what I’ve been preaching and booked through Rock My World, the egg-owned, Edinburgh-based travel agency run by the brilliant (and extremely trusted) Isobel McCardie.
Having now experienced it first-hand, I completely understand why so many of you already rely on her. Think of Isobel as your personal travel concierge, quietly creating bespoke trips behind the scenes while you get on with your life.
How It Started
We actually found XO Cape Arnna Turkey ourselves. I’d researched it, read the reviews, watched far too many TikToks and became completely convinced it was the one. It seemed liked the perfect mix of luxury and family-friendly fun.
Then I checked the price… and reality hit. It was more than I wanted to spend, and we were just about to scrap the idea altogether. Enter: Isobel from Rock My World.
I messaged her saying, “We’ve found this place but I think it’s out of budget” and within no time at all she came back with a price we genuinely couldn’t believe. It was significantly better than anything we’d found ourselves. I realised I should have involved Isobel from the start.
All the Joy, None of the Admin
Once we said yes, everything moved effortlessly. Flights were organised, seats arranged, transfers booked, and hotel check-in handled long before long we’d even left the house.
She even organised airport lounge access, a small detail that felt huge on the day. A calm, comfy space, kids fuelled by unlimited free snacks, and us enjoying a glass of fizz before take-off. A holiday win already.
A few days before departure, a beautifully put-together travel pack arrived through the door, complete with all our documents and games to keep the kids entertained on the plane. Thoughtful, organised and genuinely helpful.
And when we arrived at the hotel to find wine and chocolate waiting in our room? It confirmed what we already knew. Isobel doesn’t miss a single detail. It was, without question, the easiest start to a holiday we’ve ever had.
The Hotel: XO Cape Arnna
XO only opened around ten months ago, and it already feels like one of those resorts that’s going to become very hard to book once word truly gets out.
It’s huge, over 500 rooms, multiple pools, restaurants, cafés, boutiques, a patisserie, a coffee bar and even a little ‘high street’ running through the centre. Everything is modern, beautifully designed (the coffee shop had full Gleneagles Townhouse energy) and seriously high-spec.
If you’ve ever stayed at Ikos, XO sits firmly in the same territory, just with a slightly more relaxed Turkish feel and, crucially, not quite the same price tag (especially when Isobel’s negotiating on your behalf).
What We Loved...
The Kids’ Clubs
The kids and teens clubs were exceptional. Reformer Pilates, beach volleyball, padel, gaming zones, creative workshops and even trapeze lessons. Add in two water parks (one gentle, one adrenaline-fuelled) and it quickly became clear we weren’t going to see much of the children. Which, in family-holiday terms, is the highest endorsement possible.
The Food
The all-inclusive buffet was outstanding; fresh, colourful and constantly changing. You could eat virtuously… or you could lose all self-control at the patisserie. We chose balance (by which I mean both).The coffee shop became a daily ritual. The cocktails weren’t quite Ikos-level, but they absolutely did the job.
The Spa
A personal highlight. Two saunas, a Turkish hammam, cold plunge, stunning indoor pool and treatment rooms that felt genuinely luxurious. I had a facial that was eye-wateringly painful but the glow afterwards proved no pain, no gain very much applies here.
The Boat Trip
The standout moment of the holiday. We hired a speedboat and spent the day exploring hidden lagoons and diving into turquoise water. It was unforgettable. October temperatures in the mid-20s were perfect: warm enough to swim, not overwhelmingly hot.
What We Didn't Love So Much...
There’s a 24-hour bar called The Goat that attracts a lively British crowd late into the night. It feels a little out of place in such a family-focused resort, with around 90% of guests with small children. If your room faces it (ours did), you might hear some late-night singing drifting across the courtyard. It didn’t spoil the trip for us but it’s worth knowing. I’d suggest requesting a room far away from it.
Would I Go Back?
Absolutely, especially if Rock My World handled the booking again. XO delivers everything you want from a family holiday: space, activities, great food, a beautiful spa and never-ending entertainment for the kids. But the biggest difference for us wasn’t just the resort, it was the ease of the whole experience. Not having to think about anything beyond packing? The actual dream.
If you’re starting to think about your 2026 holiday, XO Cape Arnna deserves a place on your list. But more importantly, I’d recommend letting Isobel book it for you.
She secured us a deal we simply couldn’t have found ourselves, handled every detail with care, and made the entire experience feel effortless from start to finish.
For busy families, or anyone who wants their holiday to feel like a holiday from the moment they book it, she really is worth her weight in gold.
Ready to plan your next adventure? Call Edinburgh-based Rock My World Travel on 0800 368 9664 or email [email protected]. You can also check out their updated website at rockmyworld.co.uk.
Isobel McCardie is Co-Founder of Rock My World Travel and ready to craft your bespoke itinerary inspired by who you are, how you live, and how you want to feel. Every journey is personally designed and concierge-supported, from your first call to your flight home.
