Trains and boats and planes, as the song says. But which is best for families? As regular readers will be aware, we go every half term to Achill Island (achilltourism.com) in County Mayo. As the closest airport is Knock, we're forced to rely upon Ryanair to take us there. But this time - for the first time - we decided to go by sea.

It was a very long journey: it took us seven hours to drive from London to Holyhead to catch the Stena Line (stenaline.co.uk) fast ferry to Dun Laoghaire (without kids, it would have taken five.) Then it was another six hours on the other side to reach Achill.

The voyage across the Irish Sea was the best bit. For 99 minutes, we felt fully human. We ate a proper hot meal at a table, the kids ran about, there were even children's entertainers on board who made swords from balloons for the two-year-old twins. It's surprising how beneficial such a real break can be. There's no such brief relief when you fly short haul; it's all getting on and off and trying to keep the kids under control in a confined space.

There's also the cattle herding element. It seems that when we travel on low-cost airlines, Ryanair in particular, our family is considered an inconvenience. It's all set up for adults who can manoeuvre themselves up the aisle in time to get the best unallocated seats. Despite the "families first" announcement at the gate, women with babes in arms still struggle to get close enough to the toilets to change their child easily. If I were travelling alone with the twins, I'd find the ferry more accommodating. And, big bonus, it can also be cheaper. Ryanair has no child discount; even the twins pay full price.

So, train or boat or plane? I'd have to say, if I'm in no hurry, I'd sail.

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