bespoke bed and custom-made cars, track sets, games and gadgets – has been added, along with a second Barbie Fashion Icon room for older girls. The Hotel Plaza Athénée Barbie and Hot Wheels offer includes one of the three themed rooms along with one

sports club. Children are well catered for with the Raposinhos children’s club, which provides daily care and activities for children from six months to ten years, plus a high-tech games room to keep older children amused. While the children are being

Soft-as-sugar golden bays, glittering sapphire waters, stunning landscapes and star-sprinkled skies characterise much of Europe’s coastland. Croatia’s glimmering necklace of Adriatic islands boasts a string of delightful beaches. The Split region

, Portugal is a very special place indeed. Located in an unspoilt, idyllic area in the western Algarve, just steps from the beach and a protected national park, it is perfect for a relaxing family holiday. Martinhal aims to become Europe’s finest family

in an elaborate game of charades. There was some debate about whether we should dine inside or out: we liked the romance of dining under the stars, while Velma (more practical and obviously used to the hazards) thought we were mad, since as soon as any sign

. Tastings, games and competitions take place as the town literally paints itself red with banners and bunting in strawberry colours. Book your stay in a three-bedroom mobile home in the four-star Les Peneyrals camping parc, available through Eurocamp. Tel

-size towelling robe, a pair of fluffy dog slippers and a Pistache soft toy – the hotel’s mascot. There was also a bag with a little Paris passport, a spinning Eiffel Tower and a board game, plus – the best prize of all – a Nabaztag bunny to take home! The Happy

museum in Figueras. The Alva Park Resort And Spa is a chic hideaway with the first Molton Brown Spa in continental Europe, and funky features like submerged sunbeds, an ice fountain, a children’s club with a cinema and courtesy Smart cars. Seven nights’ B