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THE first holiday abroad with a young child is a milestone in early parenthood, where the frantic packing and the boarding of the plane can fill you with a sense of panic.

And as you take your seat, you can’t avoid the fact that your lively 22-month-old son has to sit still for four hours.

The flight was interesting, particular as little Harry insisted on trying to make friends with as many of the passengers as possible.

But watching his eyes light up when, having arrived in Tenerife, he saw our hotel’s play areas, outdoor pools and a giant bear called Bernie, it was all worth it.

My wife Nicola and I soon realised that we were in for seven days of non-stop fun. Our home for the week was Thomas Cook’s Sunwing Resort Fanabe, at Costa Adeje, on the south of the island.

It ticks every box for families, and Tenerife itself it is a perfect destination if you are looking for a holiday in the sun with little ones in tow.

One advantage of Sunwing Fanabe is that while providing an all-inclusive hotel service, the rooms are spacious self-catering apartments.

Their kitchen facilities, including a microwave and a large fridge, are a big bonus when you are with a child.

There are three outdoor pools to cater for all ages. The smallest pool is perfect if your little one isn’t walking yet but still likes to splash around.

The next size up is good for toddlers who have mastered moving in the water and the big pool is ideal for older kids who want to swim with their mums and dads. There is always a lifeguard present, but Sunwing Fanabe is far more than just a hotel with pools and loungers.

There are so many activities the children will never get bored. Next to the smallest pool is Mini-Land, packed with toys and play equipment to keep the kids entertained for hours.

It is a little paradise with an outdoor area complete with slide, rocking horses and a playhouse, all ● From Glasgow, March 1-22, seven nights at four-star Atlantica Oasis, Limassol, Cyprus, all inclusive from £329pp. ●From Glasgow on March 28, three nights at four-star Ivbergs Premium, Berlin, room only from £179pp. ●From Glasgow, April 15-30, seven nights at three-star Catalonia Oro Negro, Playa de las Americas, Tenerife, half board from £369pp. ●From Glasgow on April 26, seven nights at five-star Mitsis Grand, Rhodes Town, Rhodes, all Inclusive from £449pp, ●Visit www. stewarttravel.co.uk or call 0800 091 2757. RESORT Sunwing Fanabe has everything a young family would want on holiday carpeted with artificial grass. The would reach a peak with the indoor room has a well-equipped emergence of Lollo and Bernie, the nursery with supervised activities giraffe and bear mascots of the such as face painting, drawing and Thomas Cook kids’ club. dressing-up performances on a Dwarfed by the cuddly duo, stage complete with curtains and Harry was apprehensive at first spotlights. but he soon got into the swing of

Another popular area is the the action as they led the children sandpit where Harry got full use of on a conga around the resort. his bucket and spade as well as There are some pleasures for the enjoying hurtling down the slide. adults if you are able to take some

For the older ones who want time out from the kids, including a some space away from their spa treatment centre. parents, there is the Teen Lounge, a There is also a gym – although I large chill-out area with snooker got more than my daily cardio tables, air hockey and computers. exercise chasing after Harry.

Back outside, the decibel level The buffet restaurant did not