IT WAS A race against time to get across town from the Fendi show back to the Fortezza da Basso to catch the shuttle coach out of Florence and up into the hills for the Il Gufo event. With major amounts of traffic slowing our route for over an hour, we were beginning to wonder...

with nibbles of sausage rolls and goujons, the evening ended with delicate slices of birthday cake for all. Happy Birthday, Puffin! And watch this space for details of more party events throughout the year.

performance for David Hasslehoff, and performs his favourite party trick: he poops Jelly Beans!The drama (and comedy) is provided by the evil Chick Carlos, who is plotting a revolution against the Easter bunny, and the antics of the ninja royal guards, who

you can get breakfast in bed. What it costs Adult weekend with camping £97.50; children 6–17 years £36; under-fives free. Day tickets also available. Extend your stay If you’re festivalling with friends, continue the party at the Old Rectory, a ten

Dublin may be known as a party city but it's also fabulously fun with children, whether it's a visit to an interactive museum or a family-friendly festival.Dublin Zoo Phoenix Park, Dublin 8. Tel: 00 353 1 474 8900; www.dublinzoo.ie. Set in the vast

and Papillon, a few doors away. The children in our party were amused by the waitress using the paper tablecloth rather than a notepad to sketch out a noughts-and-crosses drawing of our order. After our salad starters, our steak-frites arrived: thin slices

the Tomato Soup!).As patience was wearing thin, it was the perfect time for Joe to be escorted to the balcony to admire the skyline and see if he could spot the resident pink flamingos (sadly, as there was a wedding party downstairs the gardens were out

of Lulworth Cove in Dorset. The ambiance is party-party anything goes, with the highlight of the Saturday being a fancy-dress pararde throughout the Kid’s Garden and Circus Field. Of course, there’s the extensive programme of bands on various stages (last year

and carrying a Cath Kidston bag of tricks, introduced herself as Silly Milly, the resident children’s entertainer who tips up at weekends and parties to divert and amuse. Joe was happy to lend a hand with an “Abracadabra” here and there; Grace and I were happy

was their first), Wilderness Festival is a celebration of the arts and outdoors in the wild meadows, lakes and trees of the ancient Wychwood Forest. Curated by the trendy creators of Lovebox and Secret Garden Party, Wildnerness brings together music, fireside