Thrills chills & park frills
Park Siam Tenerife
THRILL FACTORS: Park Siam was voted the world’s top water park in last year’s TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards – and you will soon realise why.
The Tower of Power waterslide features a nearvertical drop. And the 240-metre long Singha boat slide, launched last summer, has 14 tum-wrenching changes of direction so is best done before lunch.
For a slower pace you will find a huge lazy river ride, plus a white sand beach and an aquarium. MORE INFO: siampark.net STAY FOR THE RIDE: First Choice has seven nights’ all-inclusive at the Parque Cristobal Bungalows & Siam Park from £884 per adult, £383 for the first child and £463 for a second. Flights leave Gatwick on July 31 (firstchoice.co.uk, 0871 200 7799).
Gardaland Italy
THRILL FACTORS: On the south-eastern shore of Lake Garda, adrenaline fans have over 30 rides to get their fix. There is Oblivion – The Black Hole, Italy’s first dive coaster, and the Magic Mountain rollercoaster – a breathtaking descent of side tailspins. For water fans there is the Colorado Boat ride – a drenching river journey in a floating log. New this year, Kung Fu Panda Academy, a themed Chinese village, will entertain all the family. In the Pagoda kids can meet giant panda Po and learn how to throw kung-fu moves in a mini-show. The Italians have even tried to make queuing up fun. While waiting for the park’s 320-metre long rollercoaster Kung Fung Master, you will face challenges from a crocodile-shaped totem and a moving bridge. MORE INFO: gardaland.it/resort-en STAY FOR THE RIDE: The Bella Italia campsite offers excursions to Gardaland which is an 10-minute drive away. Eurocamp has seven nights’ selffcatering for a family of four staying in a two-bedroom Classic mobile home starting at £1,120 in July. Travel is extra but can be booked through the tour operator (eurocamp.co.uk, 0844 406 0552).
Efteling Holland
THRILL FACTORS: You will be away with the fairies at Efteling – Europe’s third-biggest theme park, 60 miles from Amsterdam. Its fairytale/fantasy theme is showcased on the dark ride Droomvlucht – which passes through caves of mystical people. The Raveleijn theatre stars a five-headed firebreathing dragon, while Carnival Festival ride takes you into the puppet world of Jokie and Jet. Joris en de Draak is a traditional wooden coaster, while Baron 1898, with its 123ft plunge into a mineshaft, provides the biggest scares. Then as light fades watch Aquanura, Europe’s biggestbigges water fountain show. MOR MORE INFO: efteling.com/en STAYST FOR THE RIDE: Take the car by ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam and stay threeth nights at Efteling’s Bosrijk Village withw DFDS. The five-night trip starts at £246pp£2 including four-day park entry and two nights on board in a cabin (dfds.co.uk,(dfds 0871 522 9955).