Morocco: kasbahs and camels
The action: A journey in a 4x4 vehicle around Morocco, suitable for children aged eight and over. Starting in a desert outpost in the Atlas mountains, you are driven to Zagora, the gateway to the Sahara, from where the route fringes the desert, following the oasis trail. Spend a night in a Berber village house , then head for the laid-back beach resort of Essaouira followed by two nights in Marrakech.
The highlights: Camping under the stars in the desert; trekking on the dunes by camel; exploring the kasbahs and ancient mud forts.
Where to book: Explore Worldwide (01252 760177). Adults £645-£725, children 8-11 £575-£655, including flights. There will be a tour leader plus drivers, and the group size will be between 12 and 16.
Egypt: feluccas and pharaohs
The action: Spend two days in Cairo, visiting the pyramids and museums. Catch the overnight train journey to Aswan for a day exploring the bazaars and join a Nubian family for a traditional evening meal. Take a two-day trip up the Nile to Luxor on a felucca, visiting the Valley of Kings and Karnak temple before driving to the Red Sea for a boat trip to the reef.
The highlights: Sleeping on the felucca on the banks of the Nile; snorkelling in the Red Sea.
Where to book: Travelbag Family Adventures (01420 541007). From £839 for adults, children from £709 for the 10-day journey, including flights from London. The minimum age is five, maximum group size 20 (three to six families).
Thailand: jungles and cities
The action: A 15-day escorted journey with some adventurous side-trips. Two days in Bangkok are followed by two days on a jungle raft on the river Kwai -you'll take a slow train to the famous bridge and war cemetery. Travel to Chiang Mai in the north by overnight train, hike through the mountains to spend a night in a Palong village; there will be elephant rides and bamboo rafting. Then, relax for two days by a pool at Chiang Mai. The final two days will be spent at Hua Hin, a royal beach resort.
The highlights: Two nights on a floating bungalow deep in the jungle; riding an elephant in the mountains.
Where to book: The Imaginative Traveller (01473 667337). The 15-day trip costs £520; flights from £610 for adults, from £431 for under-12s. Children must be six years or older and the maximum group size is 20.
Switzerland: height of fashion
The setting: A four-star mountain hotel in the fashionable resort of Gstaad, a rustic village surrounded by wooded mountains.
The action: Pick and choose from a menu of activities. For older children (and adults), the choices include climbing, river rafting, mountain biking, and walking (guided or independent). Younger children have their own club. The hotel has an indoor swimming pool, sauna, solarium and gym.
The highlights: A mountain barbecue for the whole family; pony trekking for the younger children.
Where to book: Headwater Holidays (01606 720033). Adults from £568 for self-drive, or £699 including flights; children £235 for the driving option and £239 by air.
France: mountain adventures
The setting: A three-star chalet hotel near the centre of Chamonix, the adventure capital of the French Alps.
The action: The village has indoor and outdoor swimming pools, an ice-skating rink, bowling alley, adventure park and a summer toboggan run. Cable-cars, chairlifts and pathways open up a host of mountain activities, including walking, climbing, mountain biking and river rafting.
The highlights: White-water rafting on a course suited to beginners (children of 10 and older); a ride to the glacier on a rack-and-pinion train.
Where to book: Esprit Alpine Sun (01252 618300). Seven nights' half-board from £275 for adults (child discounts 20%-50%) including ferry crossings, nursery and children's clubs.
France: family seaside
The setting: Camping Les Ecureuils, a seaside campsite on the French Atlantic coast near St Hilaire-de-Riez.
The beach: A long, wide stretch of gently shelving golden sand, backed by dunes.
The action: Harry's Garden is a play area for babies and toddlers, while Keycamp has its own fun station with children's clubs for the four-plus and seven-plus age groups. The Atlantic toboggan water park is nearby, and there is cycling through the pine woods.
Where to book: Keycamp (0870 7000750). The price for a family starts at £623 for 12 nights in a tent (£943 in a mobile home), including ferry crossings.
Greece
The setting: Mark Warner's new beach resort at San Agostino on the mainland.
The beach: One of the Aegean's best - soft, white sand with calm waters in the morning and afternoon breezes ideal for sailing.
The action: As much as you can handle. Watersports include windsurfing, wakeboarding and sailing. A baby club cares for children from four months. Sensible parents will take a good book and find a quiet corner of the beach.
Where to book: Mark Warner (0870 7704222). From £633 for adults (£394 for children aged 2-6) for one week's full-board with flights.
Sicily
The setting: A Club Med family resort at Karamina on the south-west of the island.
The beach: A strip of gently sloping sand bordered by a rocky headland.
The action: The usual Club Med cocktail, with children's clubs from two years and older. They can choose from an endless variety of sporting activities: sailing, tennis, football, beach volleyball, rollerblading, archery, bodyboarding etc. Parents can windsurf, sail, kayak or have a treatment at the spa. Most likely, they will lie on the beach and contemplate the lunch buffet.
Where to book: Club Med (08453 676767). A week costs from £605 for an adult (£443 for children from 4-11, £390 for 2-3s) including flights, full board and most activities.
Corsica
The setting: The three-bedroom Villa Chavaz on the corner of a quiet bay on the south-west coast.
The beach: A small sandy cove at the bottom of the garden.
The action: The perfect place for the family that enjoys its own company while lazing on the beach. The villa package includes a car with which to explore the gulf of Valinco.
Where to book: Corsican Places (01903 748180). Villa Chavaz costs from £366 (£331 for children) based on six sharing, including flights and car.
France
The setting: Cap Esterel, a Pierre et Vacances resort five miles from St Raphael on the French Riviera.
The beach: A classic Riviera stretch of white sand.
Anything to do? Several swimming pools, waterchutes, tennis courts, a multi-sports ground and skate-boarding. Plus a magic course, dance classes and art workshops. The village is on a wooded hillside; a petit train transports guests to and from the beach.
Where to book: French Life (08704 292188). Seven nights from £450 for a family of four, including ferry crossings
