The idyllic L’Hôtel de Toiras is located on the Île de Ré, just off France’s Atlantic coast. Bustling in the summer, if you visit in the cooler months, there’s a more relaxed vibe to this World Heritage Site. Take bracing walks, cycle, and ride

in accommodation where there are only showers. Try the Disnesy Nemo Inflatable Bath, from £16.99, ages 0–6 months, from Tomy (www.tomy.co.uk). Flexibath is also an award-winning baby bath that folds after use, £30, ages 0–4 years, from JoJo Maman Bébé (www

views of the area while they enjoy a luxury picnic or three-course dinner.   For where to go in Europe in every month of the year, see Your Continental Year, and if a trip to the mountains in summertime appeals, see Awesome Austria. Both in our brilliant

month of the year, read Your Continental Year.

! Also keeping your child wet will be the Splashpad aquatic play area and children’s pool. Back on dry land, there’s an indoor Adventure Zone, children’s club and, during the summer months, you can watch turtles at a breeding reserve. From £3,980 for a

• Start early – a six-month-old baby is likely to be a lot more compliant than a one-year-old.• Create a new bedtime routine full of comforting features such as soothing music in the bedroom, cuddles, a story and a cup of milk before teeth cleaning

day of rain during your stay, the hotel will reimburse you with acomplimentary night’s stay on the same board basis (totake within six months).   Sleep amongst Saatchi Gallery art in the Limited Edition Saatchi Gallery Suite at the Hyatt Regency London

Most children start talking between about nine and 15 months, starting to enunciate clearly at about two years. However, not all children find language so simple and still haven’t produced their first words when all around them are already nattering