Egypt

Average December high: 20C
Explore's 10-day Egyptian Adventure will have you ticking off several Places To See Before You Die: the Great Pyramids, the Valley of the Kings, the Nile and the Red Sea. There's plenty of pool time too, and chances to explore on your own.
• The group trip costs from £1,040 adults and £970 children, including flights, departing 24 December. 0844 499 0901, explore.co.uk

Tanzania

Average December high: 31C
The family-friendly Kilimanjaro Trek and Safari for children aged eight and above begins on the lower slopes of the mountain with a visit to a traditional Chagga village. Then it's on to the Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti for three days of game drives (a good chance of spotting the "big five") and safari-style camping. There are no long hikes, but plenty of travelling on bumpy roads.
• KE Adventure Travel offers a nine-day trip for £2,145 (adults) and £1,775 (children), including flights, transport, hotel accommodation and meals. Departs 20 December from Heathrow. 017687 73966, keadventure.com

Galapagos Islands

Average December high: 22C
The Galapagos Family Adventure starts and finishes in Quito, Ecuador, with three nights on the islands. Kids will be wowed by the giant turtles, of course, but there are also flamingos, sea lions and masked and blue-footed boobies (no sniggering). The Darwin research station will interest older ones.
• Gap Adventures has a six-day trip for £870 (was £1,159), including accommodation in simple lodges and flights from Quito to the islands, but excluding international flights. 0844 272 0000, gapadventures.com