adopting an elephant for a day and learning about Thai boxing and yoga. There’s also an opportunity to go on a night safari for families into the jungle and join a hands-on cooking class with the executive chef. Tel: 0066 53 888 888, ext 8827, www.mandarinoriental.com

this and leaping off filled an entire afternoon. By the end of the week, we’d all begun to master the art of body-boarding in the gentle surf. On the last day, Virgin’s genius ‘Check in and chill out’ service dispensed completely with airport misery. The Virgin

.Most companies charge for childcare, but family specialist Ski Famille includes five days a week for children of all ages in its holiday price. Because it is included, parents can use the service as little or as often as they wish, which is invaluable if you need

the majority of cruises are in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, new routes are always opening up. Italian line Costa Cruises has adventurous itineraries on family-friendly ships, with cruises out of Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mauritius – great

-year-old twins Theo and Mimi. Antonia’s condition prevented her from carrying anything heavier than a boarding pass so I assumed the role of husband, father and mule. I managed to get the whole family onto the plane together with 16 Barbies (one for each day

their own definition. The problem is, theseare rarely compatible with families and children. However, there arehip hotels that are family-friendly. Here’s Junior’s selection of 10hip hotels that not only welcome families, but are uber-cool too… Amanjena