Activity and culture can be combined at Club Ruza, Sunsail's (02392 222222) holiday centre on the Croatian coast, nestling among pine forests on the Elafiti island of Kolocep and 30 minutes' speedboat ride from Dubrovnik. Kolocep has only 200 inhabitants and no cars, so it is ideal for exploring by mountain bike. It has dinghy sailing, diving, windsurfing, waterskiing, canoeing and volleyball and kids' clubs for all ages. A week for a family of four sharing an apartment costs from £1,800, including flights, transfers, half-board and use of sailing equipment.

For a first-time activity holiday, Erna Low (020 7584 2841) offers Sardinia. Porto Cervo is a cosmopolitan resort in the bay of Liscia di Vacca with shopping, nightlife and beautiful coastline. The Giardini resort has swimming pools, beach volleyball, pedalos, canoeing, windsurfing, tennis, sailing, diving, jetskiing and an 18-hole golf course. A weekly Teresa Card, costing £24 per person, covers all activities bar golf. An apartment sleeping four costs from £279 per week. Ryanair (0871 246 0000) offers flights from Stansted to Alghero from £24 one way, including taxes. Car hire in Alghero costs from £199 per week.

New for 2003, Neilson (0870 333 3358) has The Retreat in Sivota, Greece, on the mainland's beautiful north-west coast. The Retreat offers a creche, kids' activities, tennis, mountain biking, dinghy sailing, windsurfing, waterskiing, kayaking and diving. A week's stay for two adults and two children (under 12) costs from £1,800, including flights, transfers, club board (all breakfasts, elevenses and lunches and four evening meals), and all activities bar diving (£1,940 if both children are over 12).