Sandra O'Connellgives a run-down of the top family resorts abroad
The UK
Center Parks - Longleat Forest. Warminster, Wiltshire, England, 00-44-8448-267723, www.centerparcs.co.uk. This resort features characters such as Brum and Rupert Bear, familiar to CBeebiesviewers, and is renowned for outdoor pursuits (including abseiling, kayaking and paintballing) in a purpose-built arena. There's a playground for grown-ups in the form of spa facilities.
Butlins. Skegness, Lincolnshire, England, 00-44-845-070-4734, www.butlins.co.uk. The daddy of them all. With a Fantasy Island theme park, nature reserve and seal sanctuary, there's something to keep most children happy. A celebrity might even drop in - previous entertainers have included McFly, Shayne Ward and Westlife.
Bluestone. The Grange, Canaston Wood, Narberth, Pembrokeshire, Wales, 00-44-1834-862400, www.bluestonewales.com. For a more tranquil break, check out this all-year-round family holiday resort, which has 186 lodges spread over 500 acres of countryside, with shops, restaurants and spa facilities. When you've got your energy back you can head for the nearby Blue Lagoon Water Park for wave machines and rapid river rides.
France
Le Domaine des Orme. Dol de Bretagne, Brittany, 00-33-299-735300, www.lesormes.com. Located in northwest Brittany, this resort centres on a beautiful French manor house with hectares of immaculate grounds. There's a terrific swimming pool complex, horse riding, boating, golf, playgrounds for kids and outdoor pursuits for teens. Highlights include a biweekly visiting circus and fabulous Swiss Family Robinson-style forest tree houses.
The Netherlands
Duinrell Holiday and Amusement Park. Duinrell, Wassenaar, 00-31-70-5155255, www.duinrell.com. This is one of the best-known holiday camps in Europe, and what it can't guarantee in good weather it makes up for in activities, including indoor water parks with spaghetti junction water chutes, its very own theme park and good-quality evening entertainment.