If you and your brood are planning a trip away with plenty to keep everyone entertained, here are some suggestions for a fun and fabulous family holiday to the beautiful region of Puglia.

Stay in a villa

A top tip is to skip booking a hotel and stay in a villa. With your own private pool, garden and indoor space, little ones will be free to run around and make noise without troubling other guests. You can also save money by cooking your own meals and enjoy eating them in a private and intimate setting. You will have all the necessary facilities at hand for creating packed lunches for fun days out and can relax with a film if you need to wind down.

Trulli Spotting

A highlight for all the family is sure to be a trip to Alberobello to see the hundreds of fairy-tale-like trulli that cover the area. These white, stone, conical-roofed houses are characteristic of the area and a truly iconic feature of Puglia. Dating back hundreds of years, they were originally constructed as temporary shelters, storehouses and homes.

Alberobello has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site because of these quirky buildings, and the winding streets and quiet lanes provide plenty of opportunities for buying souvenirs and tasting local produce. The Museo del Territorio (town museum) is formed by over ten trulli and is the perfect way to teach your little ones about the history of these distinctive buildings.

You can even stay in your very own family-friendly trullo, Trullo del Sale, near Fasano, which is beautifully restored with its own private pool, sleeping up to 12 people. Think Puglia offers a range of Puglia villas, many of which are ideal for families with children of all ages. Visit www.thinkgpuglia.com for more information or to book.

Exploring caves

Head to the Grotte di Castellana (Grottoes of Castellana), just north of Alberobello, to treat your family to an exploration of the fascinating cave systems – the largest and most famous show caves in Italy.  This impressive limestone cave complex runs for miles and visitors can take either a one-hour or a two-hour tour to discover these extraordinary rock formations, which have taken millions of years to form.

Children can swot up on their geography as they learn about the ancient caves and the ways in which they developed.

Claustrophobics need not worry, the cavern passages and vaults are quite large, each vault is well-lit and walking is not difficult– there’s even a lift to take you back to the top!

Entry costs €8 per adult and €6 per child aged 6 to 14 and the grottoes are open all year.

Zoo safari and Fasanolandia amusement park

Family members of all ages will have plenty to keep them entertained at Zoo Safari and Fasanolandia amusement park, which is spread over some 150 acres outside the town of Fasano.

The Zoo Safari houses over 1,700 specimens of 200 species of animals. The whole family will love spotting the giraffes, monkeys, gorillas, bears, lions, tigers, elephants and more – whether from your car, on foot or from the exciting electric train. Entry costs €22 per adult and €19.50 per child under 1.40 metres, although shows and exhibits will cost extra.

The Fasanolandia amusement park includes a range of over 25 rides, including giant log flumes, roller coasters, 4D cinemas and a dinosaur exhibition – a great day out for exuberant little-ones and thrill seeking adults. Entry costs €8 per person for entry and admission to six attractions, although additional rides will cost extra.

Torre Guaceto nature reserve

Home to one of the best beaches in Puglia, Torre Guaceto, just north of Brindisi, covers about 1,200 hectares and is a nature reserve and protected area. This means it remains undeveloped and offers a wealth of opportunities to spot plant and animal species. Nature lovers of all ages will enjoy clambering among the beautiful pools, beaches, reefs, dunes and olive groves to find fish, amphibians, land creatures and beautiful flowers.

Head to the visitor centre at Serranova, which organises nature walks, or pack some lunches and take part in cycle trekking or guided snorkelling trips. There’s also a museum at the visitor centre with information on all the wildlife in the area. If you’d rather not take your own food then there’s a snack bar within the reserve and the visitor centre has an informal barbeque restaurant.

If this all sounds overly active for your taste, simply take some towels and you and your family can enjoy relaxing on the beautiful beaches – there’s a small train to reach them that little ones will love.

You don’t need to wait too long to take your little ones to the slopes. Getting kids out on skis as soon as they can walk, or have enough leg strength to maintain balance is great and the more familiar they become with equipment, the better.

Children often pick skiing up faster than adults, leaving parents racing to keep up with them. Learning couldn’t be easier, with a wealth of fantastic ski schools available to safely tutor youngsters in the best way to ride the slopes.

If you’re considering a family ski trip with kids of any age, here are ten top tips to make your holiday fun and easy:

1. Ski, don’t trek

Location is vital when choosing your holiday accommodation. Pick a chalet near the slopes so that you and your family don’t have to travel too far with all your gear. For example, the Chalethotel Le Val d’Isere in the French Alps is a great family-friendly option that is central to both the town and the slopes, meaning everything you need is simply a short walk away.

1. Organisation not commiseration

Whether you’re hiring or bringing your own, ensure that you have all of your family’s clothes and equipment well organised before the day you start skiing. If you’ve brought your own, then label all easily removable items of gear, such as skis, boots and helmets. If you’re hiring, perhaps try taping hidden temporary labels so that you don’t end up paying out for lost or misplaced equipment.

1. Driving and easy

Getting to the airport with all your family and ski gear can be stressful, so consider driving and parking at the airport to avoid any unnecessary hassle on public transport. It’s also easier to drive if you have lots of bulky ski gear with you. Save money by using an external airport parking specialist such as Purple Parking, which offers meet and greet services, allowing you to drive straight to your terminal and one of their drivers will park your car for you.

1. Never too cool for school

Ski schools are a great way for kids from the age of four or five to learn confidence and skills on their own, and they can enjoy socialising with others their age at the same time. Generally, most children learn better when interacting with their peers, rather than one-on-one with their parents. Having a break from the little ones also gives you an opportunity to enjoy tackling the slopes at you own leisure.

1. Reign them in

For very young children who are still familiarising themselves with the slopes, it’s best to keep them on the very gentle bunny slopes.  It’s likely that they’ll love it, and many take to skiing easily and enthusiastically. However, don’t try to push them to get on the higher slopes until their skills are developed – let them learn at their own pace, not yours. Consider investing in a Nipper Grip, a harness with long reigns and handles on the front and back – great for guiding little ones down slopes or helping them up if they fall.

1. Property of…

Make sure that all youngsters have your phone number and chalet details on their person at all times. It will be worth making sure that your mobile phone can be contacted overseas, and keeping it in a watertight pocket when you’re out and about.  Also, pick clear landmarks for meeting your children in case you become separated.

1. Stay protected

Ensure your family has plenty of high factor sun cream on at all times, even if it’s not sunny when you leave the chalet. Once you break through the clouds the sun can be bright, and, even when overcast, the snow can still reflect the light and cause sunburn.

1. Dine in

Eating out with your whole family each day can prove expensive over the week. Either arrange for self-catered accommodation, or choose a chalethotel which includes meals so that you don’t need to concern yourself with shopping and cooking.

1. Entertaining the kids

Don’t expect little ones to ski all day every day – it’s quite possible that they may get tired or simply need a change of pace. Forcing them onto the slopes is likely to put them off skiing for life, so be aware that you may need to factor in other activities for afternoons or days off. Chalets with pools can provide a welcome, and free, alternative activity that is both relaxing and fun for all the family.

Consider booking your holiday with Mark Warner, as they specialise in family holidays and offer a variety of childcare and kids club options for little ones from 4 months to 12 years.

1. Entertaining the parents

A holiday on the slopes can be tiring for the whole family, not just the kids. It’s important to take time out for yourselves to relax and unwind during your trip. Pick a chalethotel with a spa so you enjoy relaxing and soaking away the aches from the day’s skiing. Mark Warner also runs free evening crèches from 7.30pm to 11pm, leaving parents free to enjoy their dinner together at leisure. Their expert childcare specialists even take children to ski schools and pick them up afterwards if you’re busy out on the slopes. Visit www.markwarner.co.uk/ski for more information.

History lesson ideas include a visit to one of Sicily’s many Greek sites with one of Think Sicily’s recommended guides. The ancient Greeks first settled in Sicily over 2,700 years ago and there are dozens of temples and theatres dotted all over the island. Science and Geography are catered for with a field trip: just let Think Sicily organise one of their 4×4 off-road trips up Europe’s highest active volcano, Mount Etna. A volcanologist guide will help you explore and understand the mountain and the kids can take home a piece of lava as a memento! If you’re really lucky you might even see an eruption!

For a rainy day, a Food and Nutrition lesson at your villa could be the answer. A local cook will teach the kids how to make pizza, pasta or, for those with a sweet tooth, one of Sicily’s speciality cakes! Parents can join in or just sit back and enjoy the results! Art and Culture are also on the curriculum with ideas including ceramic or papyrus-making classes, a visit to one of the island’s traditional puppet theatres or watching the Carnival processions in Acireale or Sciacca.  PE lessons include racing down deserted beaches, kite or wind-surfing, skiing on Mount Etna, horseriding or, if you book one of Think Sicily’s villas with heated pools, swimming galore.

Choose as many or as few ‘lessons’ as you think best… Any trip to Sicily will be a positive learning experience!

Think Sicily, voted the world’s favourite villa rental company by readers of Condé Nast Traveller in 2011, has a wide variety of family-friendly villas in Sicily and over ten years’ experience organising family breaks on the Mediterranean’s largest and most fascinating island.

A week’s stay at Baia dei Turchi, with heated pool, spa, gym, Jacuzzi, sauna and Hammam, costs from £4,720 per week and sleeps 9 (why not bring the cousins or some family friends?).

A week’s stay at Casa Nuvola, a villa with heated pool near Cefalu, costs £2,940 per week in February and sleeps up to 10.

www.thinksicily.com or call 020 7377 8518

Sofas and Chairs

If you have a fabric sofa , you can keep it clean by vacuuming and brushing, though you may find it difficult to remove stubborn stains. When considering buying a new fabric sofa, it’s worth choosing one with machine washable covers.

For older children, who might treat your three piece suite as a climbing frame, selecting the right style of sofa can prevent your front room looking like a bomb site. Sofas and chairs with cushioned backs can look crumpled just from ordinary use and need a lot of tidying.

Coffee and Dining Tables

For small children, a table can be one of the most dangerous obstacles in the home. The hard surface and pointed edges are just asking to be walked into by children who are unsteady on their feet, or over-eager to get from A to B. Tables have the added problem of being just the right height for little heads to bump into.

Buying a round dining or coffee table could help to avoid scrapes, as this eliminates pointy corners. Alternatively, if you want to child-proof furniture you already own ‘corner cushions’ can help to protect little ones from sharp edges in the home. These cushions are made of light-weight foam and fit easily onto tables, shelves or cupboards. They can be attached to the top or bottom corners using double sided sticky tape and only cost around £3 or £4 pounds.

Rugs and Carpets

Rugs and carpets can be a tripping hazard for little feet if not secured down properly. Rug grips are a simple solution and can be bought for as little as £10. If you’re not precious about your flooring another alternative is to apply double-sided sticky tape to the edges of your rug.

Keeping rugs and carpets clean can also be a problem if you have small children. Dark colours and patterns can help to disguise stains and marks, whilst regular vacuuming and shampooing can help to prevent carpeting harboring germs that may be dangerous for children playing on the floor.

Cupboards and Drawers

The contents of you cupboards and drawers are probably stowed away for a reason. Keep sharp objects and dangerous chemicals in high cupboards, out of the reach of your child if possible. Cupboards and drawers themselves can be tempting for little hand to try and grab hold of.

Younger children, who are just finding their feet, may use low doors to pull themselves up on or may get fingers trapped. Child safety catches can prevent a multitude of accidents like these and are cheap to buy and easy to fit to the insides of cupboards. They also make doors nearly impossible for children to open, to give you extra piece of mind.

If you’re looking for child friendly furniture visit: www.furniturevillage.co.uk

Peter Pan, Central Theatre, Chatham

This year Captain Hook in classic pantomime, Peter Pan, will be a bit more pop star than pirate, as 90s rapper Vanilla Ica is set to play the swash buckling baddy. No doubt younger parents can expect a taste of their teenage years with the obligatory performance of Ice Ice Baby, plus all the usual traditional fun for the kids.

Cinderella, Watersmeet Theatre, Rickmansworth

The Watersmeet Theatre is home to a classic family pantomime this Christmas. G4’s Jonathon Amstell stars as Prince Charming alongside Suzanne David’s Cinderella. This is a great traditional pantomime for younger children who might not have been before to experience the “it’s behind you”s and oh no “it isn’t”s for the first time.  There is an extra magical twist to this panto in the form of Buttons played by illusionist Michael Otton. This is sure to add an extra sprinkle of magic to the mix.

Cinderella, the Opera House, Manchester

In complete contrast to Rickmansworth’s classic fairytale take on Cinderella, Manchester’s Opera House is ruling on Louis Spence to draw in the crowds. Following his performance as the camp cabin boy in Peter Pan in Wimbledon last year, Spence stars as Dandini. This is a role typically reserved for an actress but the Pineapple Dance Studio diva will no doubt pull it off with hilarious results.

Jedward and the Beanstalk, Olympia Theatre, Dublin

Other reality TV stars making a return to the panto stage this year are X Factor’s John and Edward. Following last year’s appearance as the Fairy Godbrothers in Cinderella, they are bringing double trouble to another family favourite, Jack and the Beanstalk. Not only have they landed the lead roles but the Olympia Theatre has really rolled out the barrel by renaming the panto after the duo. Perhaps the Dublin institution is attempting to beat last year’s record €1 million ticket sales?

Robin Hood and Babes in the Wood, New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich

In an alternative to the classic family pantomime, the New Wolsey Theatre’s famous rock ‘n’ roll panto is back for another year. Robin Hood and Babes in the Wood features classic rock ‘n’ roll songs such as The Hippy Hippy Shake, I Shot the Sheriff, Girls Just Want To Have Fun,Born to Run and Signed, Sealed, Delivered among others. This is sure to have the audience dancing in the aisles well into the New Year.

Snow White , The Orchard, Dartford

Ann Widdicombe has embraced the fact the she was named ‘the pantomime act’ in last year’s Strictly Come Dancing and is starring as Widdy in Waiting in Snow White in Dartford. As if this wasn’t enough for fans of the BBC ballroom show, she will be reunited with her on-screen nemesis Craig Revel Horwood, who will be starring opposite her as the evil, yet glamorous, Wicked Queen.

These are just a few of the fantastic selection of pantomimes, traditional and otherwise, that are going on up and down the country. Why not check out what’s happening at your local theatre? For regional theatre tickets visit www.getmein.com

The game is downloadable from http://uk.westfield.com/stratfordcity/christmas/2011/christmas-alphabet-hunt/and challenges kids to see how many festive-themed items they can spot at the centre, from Christmas trees to mince pies. Children are then invited to exchange their completed game sheet atone of the concierge desksfor a surprise gift! To help families navigate around the centre (and for extra game clues), there is also a Christmas-inspired map, allowing families to detour straight to the outdoor real-ice rink for some outdoor ice skating.

The outdoor ice rink sits against a stunningback drop of the East London skyline and the Olympic Stadium and is open every day up until 8^th January (excluding Christmas Day).  With over 100,000 skaters expected to take to the ice shoppers are urged to purchase tickets now to avoid missing out!

During the festive shopping period record numbers are expected to visit Westfield Stratford City – many with children in tow. With over four million people living within a 45-minute drive time of the centre, which spans 1.9 million square feet, it’s the ideal one-stop-Christmas-shop. For children however, being taken on a lengthy trek around the shops isn’t exactly a fun filled day out. So with their interests in mind, the centre has ensured there is plenty on offer for the little ones – which will help make the Christmas shopping less stressful too!

TheChristmas Alphabet Hunt is available for parents, children, carers and guardians to download,print off and use on their shopping trip from today. To download the game and map please visit: http://uk.westfield.com/stratfordcity/christmas/2011/christmas-alphabet-hunt/

Packing for a holiday can be stressful enough – without the added hassle of tightened airport security.  To help make getting to and through the airport as stress free as possible, Heathrow parking specialist, Purple Parking has summed up the main restrictions faced when taking your family and hand luggage through security.

Liquids:

Liquids need to be carried in containers which hold 100ml or less.  These containers need to be placed in a transparent and resealable bag that is no bigger than 20cm x 20cm.  This includes creams, gels, pastes and aerosols.

Puréed food and baby milk are allowed on the flight in larger quantities, but you should only carry the amount you need for the flight. Prepare to be asked to taste the contents to prove they are not harmful. If you don’t like the thought of this, you can buy cartons of formula milk in the shops after security and you can even reserve milk by emailing genres-collect@baa.com.

Liquid medicines are also allowed in larger quantities.  Any liquid medicines over 100ml will need prior approval from both the airline and departure airport and for this you will need documents from a qualified medical professional.  Again security may ask you to prove it is your medicine by tasting it.

Sharp or dangerous items:

Anything considered sharp or dangerous is banned from being carried in hand luggage, most of which are common sense and include anything that can cause harm.  While you may think that you have no items which fall into the sharp or dangerous section, it is easy to forget scissors with blades longer than 6cm and toys such as replica weapons which can be mistaken as projectile-firing weapons.

If you are travelling with gifts, don’t wrap them until you get to your destination as staff may need to unwrap them to check the contents.  Also open any gifts given to you prior to packing them –remember you will be asked if you have been given anything to carry on board the aircraft and gifts fall neatly in this category!

Large and special items

How many bags you can carry and the restrictions on their size are set by your airline, rather than airport security.  Always phone in advance to see how many bags they will let you on with if you are carrying children.

• You may want to bring solid food items if your child doesn’t like plane food.  The good news is food items are allowed though security as long as they are solid, however only bring what you want to eat on board as there may be customs restrictions at your destination
• Baby seats and buggies can be brought through security, but will need to be screened. It is best to check with your airline if they have any other restrictions around bringing buggies on board
• Baby bags are allowed through security but make sure they contain no liquids.  Also check the hand luggage restrictions of your airline

Preparing children for security:

• As all buggies and baby seats need to be screened, you will need to take your child out when you reach security.  This can be a pain if you have just got them off to sleep, so depending on how your children cope with being woken up, you may prefer to keep them awake until you have passed security
• You could be asked to remove your children’s shoes at security, so slip on or Velcro shoes will save hassle when taking them off and putting them back on again
• Remember not to pack any toys that resemble weapons, such as toy guns, as they may be confiscated and you’ll be left with an upset and bored child
• Children that can walk unaided will be asked to walk through the metal detection arch alone.  Airports can be scary places with all the strict rules so prepare younger children who may feel intimidated

Packing tips:

• Most of what is allowed and not allowed is common sense – if it can be used in an offensive way, it is unlikely to be permitted
• Remember to also check with your airline about what you can bring in with your hand luggage. This is especially important when it comes to the quantity and sizes of your bags as well as additional items such as buggies
• If you would prefer to travel with pre-wrapped gifts so the family cannot see them – keep them opened at one end so you can show security if asked
• While there is advice about what not to bring, consider putting a change of clothes, or at least underwear and a spare shirt for each of your family, into your hand baggage. It can mean a little extra comfort at the end of a long-haul flight, or if hold baggage is delayed
• Don’t forget that most creams and medicines that you may want for the flight can easily be bought in larger quantities from stores such as Boots after security

If you would like more information, the Purple Parking website has more information about getting through Heathrow security

Your time away also gives you the chance to get active both under and on the water – and there a wide range of sporting options on offer for families looking to get wet and wild on holiday.

Thanks to its warm climate and ideal water conditions, Greece is the perfect setting for a water-sports holiday. Long, wide, sandy beaches provide the perfect backdrop for water-based activities that the whole family will love.

Here are some examples of the best water-sporting activities on offer in picture-perfect Greece:

Sailing

Kids will love the feel-good factor of sailing and the sport offers many great opportunities for socialising. Children as young as 6 can sail small boats and there are many craft suitable for a family with tiny children too. Sailing has a good safety record and even when racing the fastest boats, injuries are rare.

The Grecian coastline provides some stunning sailing opportunities that will appeal to children and adults alike and the Lakitira Beach Resort in Kardamena is a superb RYA recognised sailing resort which ticks all the boxes for sailors of every level. With light winds most mornings that are ideal for beginners, conditions build in the afternoon to force 3-5 for the more advanced sailors.

Free group sailing clinics are spread over six days of the week and are for beginners through to intermediate level or you and your family can gain qualifications through one of the ten RYA courses on offer.

Scuba diving and snorkelling

It’s great to encourage children to enjoy interacting with the ocean from an early age, and the perfect way to build their confidence is to take them snorkelling through rock pools or, for older kids, experience the exhilaration of scuba diving.

At the San Augostino Beach Resort in Peloponnese There are a team of qualified PADI diving instructors on hand to teach and encourage scuba divers of all levels from the age of eight and up. Children are taught breathing techniques, how to swim underwater, hand signal use and other vital scuba diving lessons to give them the confidence they need to progress into sea dives.

For younger children there are a range of snorkelling programs to introduce little ones ages four and up to useful underwater techniques in both the swimming pool and the sea.  Lessons include how to identifying hazards, clearing masks of water and equalising ear pressure.
For adults, there are free ‘discover scuba diving’ sessions which take place in the swimming pool and are a gentle introduction to the underwater world. Once you’ve learnt the basics you can progress to courses and further qualifications. For experienced divers there are a range of fantastic open water trips.

Windsurfing

This thrilling sport is a fantastic option for families and, given proper instruction and the right water conditions, is quite safe. Combining surfing and sailing, windsurfing is an exhilarating experience, and will make for an exciting holiday activity. It’s also a great way of keeping fit, so parents and children alike will enjoy the health benefits that this fun sport has to offer.

The luxury Helona Hotel in Kardamena is situated on a beach with ideas conditions for windsurfers of all skill levels, and provides a lavish setting for parents looking to relax while the children get behind the sail.

Sharing a beach with the Lakitira Beach Resort, guests at the Helona are free to enjoy the free group tuition and RYA courses on offer there. Children can take part in the RYA Youth scheme Starting Point course and Moving On courses to learn the basics and develop their skills using specially designed children’s boards and rigs.

The Helona also provides an extensive range of kid’s clubs and childcare for ages four months to seventeen years.

If you are looking for a holiday for your extended family, you may find that catering for the different generations can sometimes be tough, so CV Travel has found some great destinations and luxury villas that the whole family will love.

Tuscany – for relaxed days and long lunches

While similar destinations which are only a short flight from the UK can feel a bit rugged and desolate, Tuscany’s thriving green rolling hills never fail to disappoint.

Tuscany’s year-round mild and sunny climate, mixed with glorious countryside makes for a region-sized children’s playground. In almost every town and village in Tuscany there is a children’s play area right in the middle with climbing frames swings and slides. Children will also love the numerous horse riding and cookery classes that are available.

For a perfect family get-together, Tuscany also has all the perfect ingredients to help catch up with loved ones over long meals. At local markets you can pick up some of the region’s finest ingredients; from truffles and olives to fresh vegetables, cheeses and bread, for a mouthwatering picnic which everyone will enjoy.  The perfect accompaniment is a good bottle of wine and the region is packed with vineyards that produce it. Some of the world’s most famous wine regions are located here, such as Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, Carmignano, Vernaccia di San Gimignano and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.

Tuscany is not short of villas either.  The Casa Simona , near Siena, are a perfect choice for families up to 12 who are looking for adjacent villas that share entertaining areas to eat, drink and relax together yet enjoy some private time in their own house. The villas are situated  in 60 hectares of land; with olive and walnut groves, vineyards and gardens, which adults can wander and kids can run through. There is also a magnificent pool to swim, play and relax by. A group of 12 guests can share Casa Simona from £2,920 per week, excluding flights.

Mallorca – for sun, sea and sand mixed with old towns and mountains

Families who are looking for a sunshine filled beachside retreat will love the beautiful Mediterranean island of Mallorca which is a paradise of diverse dramatic scenery from mountain ranges to golden sandy beaches. The Bay of Pollensa is considered to be one of the most beautiful areas of Mallorca. Situated on a south-facing bay with sandy beaches and warm shallow water, it is a great choice for families as children can be entertained with activities including sailing, wind surfing, snorkeling or scuba diving.

As a contrast, behind the bay are the rocky cliffs of the Sierra de Tramuntana which can be explored by the more energetic members of the family.  Those who prefer meandering round old towns will love the nearby town of Pollensa which is an impressive maze of cobbled streets and ochre sandstone houses, In addition, the traditional village of Campanet and old town of Alcúdia, are both only 15km away.

Alternatively days can be spent wandering along the waterfront promenade, stopping at the colourful cafés and restaurants which offer some of the finest food on the island, including fresh seafood and local specialties. Later in the evening, teenagers and young adults can enjoy the vibrant nightlife on offer.

A good place to stay is the La Felucca which is situated in the stunning Bay of Pollensa and has striking views across the groves to the mountains and the monastery on Puig de Maria. Sleeping six in the three bedroom main house and four more in the adjacent cottage, it is great for families who have teenagers or grandparents who may prefer their own space. The villa has terraces which are perfect for communal dining and there are lots of activities to keep kids and adults entertained, such as a private pool, table tennis and a children’s play area.

A week’s stay can be booked from £2,025 based on 10 guests sharing, or £1,460 based on 6 guests sharing.

Wales – for somewhere a little closer to home:

You don’t have to go abroad to have a luxury family retreat and with children and grandparents to organise, sometimes the flights are more hassle creating stress before you arrive.  The UK has a lot on offer for family holidays. For example, the Lleyn Peninsula in North Wales is spectacular with multicoloured beach huts providing a backdrop to the sandy beach of Llanbedrog.

Mynydd Mawr in Lleyn Pensu, boasts the best views in Wales. Parents, grandparents and children alike will enjoy pointing out dolphins swimming in the bay and seals basking in the sun. During the spring and summer, numerous birds, including the rare chough can be spotted nesting on the most inaccessible ledges of the high cliffs. The area also prides itself with having the best expanse of coastal heath in Europe, where heather and western gorse are dominant species and create spectacular colours in July and August. Members of the family who enjoy long walks, can take the coastal path which has recently been opened around the whole peninsula.

If you are after a traditional summer holiday, you will enjoy the simple fishing village of Porthdinllaen, where children build saAndcastles and adults enjoy a drink at the pub on the beach.

There isn’t any shortage of activities for children either; with many museums and railways, the opportunity to paint pottery at Mynytho Pottery, or if your kids are more of the outdoors type, Lleyn Adventure Activities centre offers outdoor activities such as rock climbing, coasteering and kayaking.

With no flights to fork out for, more money can be put towards finding the most luxurious villa. Beach Farm, situated on the Welsh Lleyn Peninsula, is in its own private nature reserve.  With a private beach and five acres of grounds, there is plenty of space for the kids to play. The greener members of the family will approve of the barn’s conversion which used only locally sourced materials and houses its own heat pumps which provides the hot water and energy for the household appliances.

The farm is made up of three individual buildings, a restored farm cottage, barn and dairy. This  gives the different generations their own retreats, yet the cottages are set up for families to easily get-together, with a large enough table for all in the main cottage to gather round and a stone circle and fire pit, which is great for sitting out during the long summer evenings.

A 4 night mid-week stay at Beach Farm costs from £1,050, and a week’s stay from £1,400, based on 14 guests sharing.

For more information on contact CV Travel on 020 7401 1086 or visit www.cvtravel.co.uk

With that in mind, we’ve gathered together some tips and inspiration on hosting the ultimate baby shower. Bearing in mind that it should be a nice relaxing day for you and your bump, you may want to slyly print a copy, leave it at your best friend’s house, and leave the organising to someone else!

Credit: Svadilfari Flickr

Firstly, you need a venue!

• Keep it simple and low-key, and have the shower at home. No one should have any trouble finding the venue and you’ll be sure to keep costs down. Your loved ones are bound to help with the clean up too!
• Or, make like a celeb and head to a classy hotel. Mariah Carey held hers at the Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, while Eva Longoria hired out the Butterfly Bar at West Hollywood’s Petit L’Ermitage hotel for Victoria Beckham’s shower before she gave birth to Harper

You’ll need to decide on how to entertain the guests too. Here are our top suggestions:

• As with many things in life, the most traditional baby shower games are often best! Sweepstakes on baby’s name, date of arrival and weight go down a treat, and if your guests are happy to put some money in for their guesses, you can set up a nice little savings account for when baby grows up
• Or, go hi-tech! Download iPhone app ‘Kick to Pick’ and have fun letting your bump make suggestions as to its own name! All you need to do is lie back, place your iPhone on your tummy and wait for baby to kick. You can give it a selection of your favourites, or simply let it choose from a very extensive list which can be narrowed down by gender
• You could take inspiration from Jessica Alba, who had a ‘DIY’ baby shower in March 2011. She and her guests spent an afternoon creating homemade decorations including butterfly paper lanterns, flower baskets and dragonflies. She says it was a ‘more personal and fun’ shower, and it’s bound to keep costs down

Your friends and family may be struggling with what to buy. We’ve had a little think:

• If you’re keen to get your pre-baby figure back, follow WAG Abby Clancy’s lead. Her stylist gave her a pair of red leather hotpants at her baby shower and they helped her regain her pre-baby figure after Sophia Ruby’s birth. We can’t all be blessed with a model figure, so you might like to ask for a pretty dress instead of hotpants!
• Think about charm bracelets for baby (if it’s a girl) or for mum. Both Thomas Sabo and Pandora have special charms with a pregnancy theme such as bootees, little boys & girls and birthstones, so you’re bound to have a really memorable gift for the mum-to-be. Or, buy for baby and add to the charm collection on each birthday as she grows up- think how lovely it’ll be by the time she’s at school! Visit John Greed Jewellery for some charm inspiration
• Or, opt form traditional gifts: baby clothes, accessories or frozen meals so that post-birth stress is kept to a minimum. You can order special maternity food boxes online from stores such as Chef on Board and The Food Stork. Baby showers are a wonderful opportunity for loved ones to help out with the costs the come along with a baby

And, we’ve even covered the little odds and ends you might have forgotten:

• Don’t forget Daddy! Dads can sometimes feel a little left out of fun events such as baby showers. Consider inviting him along to share the fun and include him in the gifts- you can buy items such as custom medical scrubs for the delivery room
• Add a special element to the event by deciding on a theme. Pink and/or blue are the obvious ones, but what about princesses, animals or a story such as Winnie the Pooh for a little girl? For a boy, think about comics, superheroes or cars and select or design your invites and decorations accordingly
• Baby showers don’t have to be expensive- set a price limit if you’re worried friends will be embarrassed about spending too much or too little. You could even challenge them to get creative and make their own gifts!