DESTINATIONS

THE BEST FOR...FAMILIES
KORCULA, CROATIA
Getting there Three hours by ferry from Dubrovnik.
All ashore Safe, sandy beaches, harbour-front tavernas selling just-caught fish and atmospheric villages and towns with beautiful Venetian architecture make Korcula a fine choice. Stroll through olive groves and vineyards, potter around the medieval streets of Korcula town, or hire a motorboat in the village of Grscica and explore the isolated bays nearby.
Where to stay A week at the Leda House Apartments, sleeping four, costs from £896 in August, including car hire, through Inntravel (+44 (0)1753 617 000, inntravel.co.uk).

SARDINIA
Getting there A two-hour direct flight from the UK.
All ashore With over 1,800km of coastline — much of it long sandy beaches — Sardinia is ideal for a family beach break. Hire a boat and pootle between the sandy coves on the Costa Smeralda, or go snorkelling in the national marine park around the Arcipelago di La Maddalena. Take the scenic train, Il Trenino Verde, through the dramatic interior, or barter in the markets in the capital Cagliari.
Where to stay British Airways offers a week at the Forte Village II Villaggio, sleeping four, half-board, from £2,809 in September, including flights (+44 (0)844 493 0758, ba.com/italy).

SKOPELOS, GREECE
Getting there Three hours by hydrofoil from Thessaloniki.
All ashore This pine-forested island shot to fame as the location for Mamma Mia!, but it has retained its tranquil feel. Ideal for younger families, there are gentle beaches at Milia and Kastani, and Skopelos town is great for a relaxed supper by the waterfront. Don't miss Agios Ioannis, a church perched high on a rocky outcrop — the location of the film's climactic wedding scene.
Where to stay A week at Monastiri Villas, sleeping four, costs from £2,392 in August through Greek Islands Club (+44 (0)20 8232 9780, gicthevillacollection.com).

CYPRUS
Getting there A four-and-a-half-hour direct flight from the UK.
All ashore Cyprus's British heritage makes it an accessible place for a family holiday. Island dwellers drive on the left and the big resorts offer familiar shops and restaurants. Beaches offer an array of water sports and a lively atmosphere that suits teenagers, while inland is the island's more traditional side.
Where to stay British Airways offers a week at the St Raphael Resort for a family of four from £2,535 in September, including flights and all-inclusive accommodation (+44 (0)844 493 0758, ba.com/cyprus).

MENORCA
Getting there Two and a half hours by ferry from Mallorca.
All ashore The quietest of the Balearics, Menorca is wonderful for families. There are sandy beaches, such as Cala Galdana and Punta Prima, plus the child-friendly towns of Ciutadella and Mahon, which offer bustling markets and picturesque streets, and family attractions including water parks. The north of the island offers windsurfing and watersports.
Where to stay A week at Casa Piedra in Alaior, sleeping 4/5, costs from £1,495 in August through Vintage Travel (+44 (0)1954 261431, vintagetravel.co.uk).

• Tweet