Please Miss

Why not think about Africa specifically, South Africa? It's not all safaris, but miles of beaches and fascinating culture. Our personal recommendation would be Cape Town. It's beautiful, varied, good value, child-friendly, full of culture, everyone speaks English, the food is fabulous and there is only an hour or two time difference so no jet lag! The flights are overnight so you can just go to sleep and wake up in Africa.

The food is fabulous, the prices are good, the people are great and the flora and fauna are unbeatable:

penguins in the sun

Imagine being able to walk among wild penguins - these guys live near Simon's Town, about 30 minutes outside of Cape Town!

South African Airways are excellent and have flights every day. You would be advised to fly direct with children to avoid waiting around a hot airport for a connecting flight. See www.flysaa.com.

Also see this site for comprehensive options: www.holidays-exposed.com.

You can buy a package or book flights and accommodation direct this will probably be cheaper and you won't be tied to somebody else's itinerary. However, if you're looking for a package, try: www.timeforafrica.com

For other destinations:

www.kidsclubholidays.com? helpful and informative website with lots of flight information

www.virginholidays.co.uk

and www.hotfootholidays.co.uk also use Virgin Airways flights.

Let's go camping (including holiday parks)

Equipment

Try Millets: ww w.millets.co.uk? for everything from tents (5 man roomed tent for ?99!) to clothing.

Also, www.lxdirect.com (search 'camping') supply all camping equipment online.

Where to go

www.ukcampsite.co.uk? UK campsites

www.camp-sites.co.uk? UK campsites

www.westarholidays.co.uk? south west England

www.primrosevalleycaravans.co.uk? Yorkshire and UK

www.centerparcs.com? Europe including UK

www.eurocamp.co.uk -Europe

www.eurocampindependent.co.uk -Europe

www.drive-alive.com- Europe

www.leisuredirection.co.uk- Europe

Let's go on safari

A once in a lifetime experience and thrilling for children. Things to check out before you book:

Make sure that it's the best season for animal spotting at your chosen resort
Double-check vaccination and Malaria requirements
Think about whether your children are old enough to really make the most of it
Consider combining a safari with a beach holiday in the same country

See: www.timeforafrica.com

Let's go skiing

Skiing may be a little more expensive and awkward to arrange on the shorter winter term breaks, but it's an unforgettable holiday for everyone if you buy a well-organised and catered holiday. We recommend Esprit ' you can book as a family or group and they will arrange everything ' and provide childcare and children's ski school. You can drop your children off at 9am for ski school, Esprit will then give them lunch and entertain them until tea time then they will feed them while you sit and enjoy a well-earned glass of wine. And if that isn't enough, the Esprit team then make and serve your dinner?

Check out Esprit: www.esprit-holidays.co.uk. Also, www.familyski.co.uk looks interesting they pride themselves in the quality of childcare.

Something a little different

www.3d.co.uk ? family activity holidays

Tips for surviving the journey

By Air

By car:

Keep a bag of spare clothing in the car at all times
Invest in a small first aid kit to keep in the car
Make sure all the children can see well out of the car (and that they all have the appropriate safety seating)
Have cartons of drink and snacks available within reach and not in the boot
Keep two plastic bags to hand one for rubbish and one for car sickness
Introduce a seat rota so you don't have arguments at every stop about who sits where
Make or buy a couple of cassettes/cds to play in the car individual players for each child are a sound investment
Magnetic games are great for most trips
Start games before trouble starts. Try this site for games, activities and songs to sing along the way www.momsminivan.com
Encourage each child to use the loo whenever you stop
Plan your route and build in stops we recommend looking out for Moto service stations as they have become very child friendly recently, with play areas in the restaurant, pretty good food and reasonable process. Baby food is free. See what they have to offer: www.moto.co.uk
Give the older children a copy of the map with landmarks highlighted so they can share the 'driving? with you
If you anticipate trouble, introduce a star chart system and award points for good behaviour, singing or being quiet
Avoid egg sandwiches you will undoubtedly see them return

By air:

Check the passport requirements for your destination country well ahead of time
Check immunisation requirements and see if your GP can do them for free (allow plenty of time ahead of your holiday)
Double-check your insurance cover
Reserve your seats when booking and re-confirm them before the journey to make sure you're sitting as a family
Check the airline's policy on baby cots if you think you need one - the age limits are different
Book children's meals ahead of time
Try and book an evening or overnight flight so your child can sleep
Take a buggy for your child if you think it will help
Snuggle sacks (lightweight sleeing bags) are a great idea on a plane as it can get chilly at night - they are about '25-'30 and very useful at home too
Most airlines give out child entertainment packs - make up your own as well to keep them busy
Save something to entertain them for the morning if it's an overnight flight - these can be the most stressful hours
Make use of the airline staff - especially on scheduled flights - they are there to help you
If you need assistance at the other end, ask for it when you check-in - airlines are usually happy to help families (South African Airways and BA are very helpful in our opinion)
Take changes of clothes for spillages, accidents etc. and maybe use a nappy when you wouldn't normally?
Don't forget the wet wipes
Consider the climate when you arrive and have sun cream and hats to hand
And have fun!

For more information, try searching on http://www.tellmeabout.co.uk/directory/t/travel/holidays/readme.htm http://www.tellmeabout.co.uk/directory/t/travel/holidays/readme.htm .

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