Make a splash in Kusadasi
Find the children a decent pool and they'll play all day and then sleep all night. At the Aqua Fantasy Aquapark in Kusadasi, Turkey, there are wave pools, waterfalls, water rides and water sports.
No water shortage here so. From €4,103 all-inclusive, for a week's stay for two adults and two kids in July.
falconholidays.ie
Coast to Croatia
Take advantage of Aer Lingus's new schedule to Pula to explore Croatia's stunning Istrian Riviera. Bound by beaches and backed by pine forests and nature reserves, with loads of unspoiled islands for picnicking, it's an ideal spot for families. A week's half board at the Hotel & Casa Sanfior Valamar, in the harbour town of Rabac, in April or May, when the weather's perfect for little ones, costs from €555 per person sharing, including flights.
clickandgo.com
Swap school for slopes
Make the most of peak powder season over the February mid-term break with a week on the slopes. Stay half-board in the three-star Hotel de les Pistes, a minute's walk from the ski lifts in the nicely tax-free resort of Pas de la Casa in Andorra, for two adults and two children for €3,851.
crystalski.ie
Early on the Algarve
Save money and have your summer holiday at Easter, which falls late this year – April 20th. Head to Portugal for family-friendly fun at the three-star Club Praia da Rocha in Portimao. Departing Easter Saturday, stay seven nights all-inclusive for two adults and two children including flights and transfers from €1,124.
abbeytravel.ie
Siren call for France
Soak up some sun in the laid-back Languedoc in southwest France. Keep it relaxed at La Sirène, a five-star campsite in Argelès Sur Mer with great pools – and a new waterpark this summer – perfect for exploring towns from Carcassonne to Colliour.
Book direct and get a three-bedroom mobile home for €1,328 for the first two weeks in June. camping-lasirene.fr
Home from home near Nice
If Nice sounds nice, give the family more breathing space in a private villa. Villa Riviera, situated in a private domain close to the village of Trinite, sleeps four and has its own pool. Just 8km from Nice it's perfectly situated for railing it up and down the Cote d'Azur from St Tropez to Monte Carlo. From €2,063 a week in July.
jamesvillas.ie
Van-tastic in France
Why limit yourself to one of France's great campsites when you can enjoy the best of them with a free range camper van holiday. Pack your maps and pick up your five-berthed behemoth at Paris Beauvais airport for the two-week drive of your life, from €1,905 in June.
worldwide-motorhome-hire.com
All inclusive at Club Med
At Club Med Punta Cana, a palm-fringed beach idyll in the Dominican Republic, the children can enjoy everything from tennis lessons to circus school. Being Club Med, there's an ocean of water sports too. At time of writing a week's all inclusive stay at the end of August, getting you back just in time for school, costs from stg£1,085 per person, including UK flights.
clubmedsunway.ie
Go wild in Africa
Safari holidays are perfect for families, mainly because everyone becomes a big kid in the presence of the Big Five. Swap cries of "I'm bored" for the call of the wild at the Inyati Game Lodge in Sabi Sand, a private reserve adjoining South Africa's famous Kruger National Park. Stay in luxury air-conditioned chalets from €252 a night per person sharing including daily and nightly game drives.
responsibletravel.com
Themepark thrills in France
Disneyland Paris has an early bird deal giving those who book before January 30th two free hotel nights, B&B, plus two days' free theme park tickets, when you stay four, five or six nights. Go in low season and it means a family of two adults and two under sevens can bag five hotel nights plus six days theme park tickets, in a two-star Disney hotel, for less than a grand (€924).
breakaway.ie