Fancy a gap fortnight?

Family life is all about compromise. You fancy a career break where you can give something back; the kids fancy playing on the beach.

The answer? A gap year experience squeezed into a two-week holiday.

The Leap's new Mini Leaps in Mozambique, India and Ecuador enable parents to work on a community project in the morning while their children play with local kids - then everyone can relax in the afternoons.

Two weeks' full board cost from £1,705 per adult (half price for children under 12 - not recommended for children under eight) including a £150 donation to the projects, watersports, park fees and airport transfers. Excluding flights.

· 01672 519922, theleap.co.uk.

French surf

Surf's up. A short break with Crystal Active costs £169, including Gatwick flights to Biarritz or Bordeaux, transfers to Messanges, three surfing lessons and three or four nights in a mobile home in Le Vieux Port campsite, five minutes' walk from the beach. Book before March 28 for travel any time this year.

· 0870 1650136, crystalactive.co.uk.

Spanish flights

GB Airways (gbairways.com) has an offer on flights from Gatwick to Menorca, Alicante and Palma for £58 rtn inc tax, available until March 20 for travel March 17-28 and April 8-July 19.