Finding holiday destinations suitable for all the family can be tricky. We give you some great options that will be rewarding for you and loads of fun for your children...

1 Bliss in the Caribbean

The warm sand and the friendly welcome of island life in the Caribbean is hard to beat. There are some wonderful holidays to be found whether you plan to travel with babies, toddlers, youngsters or teenagers!

The Half Moon Resort
One of Jamaica’s premier resorts, the prestigious Half Moon has won many awards, not least for its environmental initiatives and family-oriented holidays. It is set across a spectacular 400 acres of beachfront, golf greens and a nature reserve but retains an intimacy that belies its size.

It’s hard to think of a luxury resort that can offer more. Located 7 miles east of Montego Bay, just 15 minutes from Sangster International Airport, the facilities are nothing short of extraordinary. They include a choice of 6 restaurants, 8 bars, several swimming pools including an Olympic-size lap pool, 13 lit tennis courts,

18-hole Robert Trent Jones championship golf course, David Leadbetter Golf Academy, 18-hole putting course, watersports, Equestrian centre, squash courts, excellent gym and spa, croquet lawns, nightly entertainment and boutiques.

There is also the celebrated, Anancy Children’s village, offering a supervised children’s centre for kids aged between
three and 10 years old.

The resort’s Dolphin Cove is exclusive to guests, enabling you and your children to enjoy the unique and once-in-a-lifetime experience of swimming and interacting with Half Moon’s resident dolphins!

How much does it cost?

A Junior Suite at the Half Moon costs from £1,539 for an adult and £517 for a child aged between two and 11 years old. Prices include economy return flights with Virgin Atlantic or Air Jamaica, private, air-conditioned transfers, and complimentary lounge passes for departures. For more details, contact Caribtours: 020 7751 0660; www.caribtours.co.uk

2 Skiing in Switzerland and France

There are few holidays that are more fun and rewarding than a week on the ski slopes with your kids. And if you book with a company that specialises in catering for children, the whole family will be in for a treat

All of Esprit Ski chalets are equipped with children very much in mind. There are separate meals available, free use of cots, highchairs, and toys.
Chalet staff are recruited and trained to care for children and included within the price of your holiday is one evening’s babysitting per week. There are evening clubs too – ideal for children aged between six and 12 years old.

English-speaking instructors run the ski schools and the teacher-to-pupil ratio is closely controlled so that each child receives attention and learns to ski at a pace that suits him.

There are ski classes for beginners, improvers, intermediates and intermediate–plus skiers and, although the classes are generally arranged by age, instructors will move children around according to their ability. These instructors are fully experienced and very used to teaching children so you needn’t worry!

Once the ski lessons finish in the morning, your child can go to the Snow Club, where he will have a great energy-boosting lunch and be entertained until 5pm with activities such as tobogganing, nature trails and picnics, leaving you and the rest of the family to continue skiing, safe in the knowledge that your youngster is being well-looked after – and having fun!

Esprit Ski can also offer one-to-one care for children with special needs, but the availability of this depends on the time of year, so it’s best to check it out early.

How much does it cost?

With 17 different resorts in Austria, Italy, Switzerland and France available, you’ll be spoilt for choice when deciding where to go for your skiing holiday.

Prices start at £369 per adult for one week, with discounts for children aged between two and 17. Infants under two – from £90 per week. Prices for the children’s clubs vary but, as a guide, it would cost £139 for five half-day ski lessons for children aged between three and 12. Six half-days in the Snow Club costs from £159 with lunch. Esprit Ski provides cots, highchairs, steam sterilisers and baby alarms. Prices for ski hire and lift passes vary from resort to resort and are best confirmed at the time of booking your vacation. Prices include flights from Stansted airport in the UK to Geneva in Switzerland, transfers, all resort accommodation, breakfast, tea and a four-course meal with wine – plus one night’s babysitting per week. There is a further supplement payable if you choose to fly from another UK airport.

For more details, contact Esprit Ski: 01252 618300; www.esprit-holidays.co.uk

3 Sailing in Minorca

You really want to take it easy but the kids just won’t let you. They just have too much energy! So why not try a sailing trip to Minorca?

While your children are busy in one of the fun clubs on offer at Minorca Sailing, you can get on with your own sailing experience – you might opt for a leisurely sail to an unspoilt beach, or take your own skill levels from beginner to intermediate stage.

Minorca Sailing is expert at catering for children aged between four and 12 who want to enjoy a challenging sailing holiday that will teach them real skills, build confidence and leave lasting memories.

The under-fours are cared for by nannies in the crèche and there’s a club for teenagers too – so no one will feel left out.

The Sailing For Juniors club, for children aged from eight or nine, has structured sessions and games to help improve sailing and windsurfing skills.
It also offers a different activity every day, such as sailing to a nearby island or taking part in a boat race.

Best of all, Minorca is over two hours away from the UK, so depending on flight times, you can be sailing on the day you arrive! The sailing centre is based in Ses Salinos, a small Minorcan fishing village. During peak seasons when the harbour is packed with visiting yachts, there’s a lively, cosmopolitan buzz about the place.

For a family holiday filled with lots of excitement, you really can’t beat this!

How much does it cost?

Accommodation varies from a small, privately-owned hotel to self-catering in villas or apartments. Prices start from £795 per person for seven nights at the Hotel Port Fornells, with a reduction varying from 10% to 33% for children under 11 depending on the time of year. Self-catering apartments can be hired from £577 for seven nights for up to four people. Included in the price are return flights from Gatwick, airport security charges and air passenger duty, transfers, accommodation, breakfast for hotel guests, sailing tuition and the use of boats and windsurfers. Highchairs and cots are provided, and attendance at the junior sailing clubs and crèche are free.

For details, contact Minorca Sailing: 020 8948 2106; www.minorcasailing.co.uk