WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

We are a family of four, with children who will be 18 and 14 next summer. We anticipate that next year will be our last long family holiday all together and would like to spend a bit more than usual. We have all selected Greece – please can you suggest a destination that mixes my memories of island-hopping as a student with a self-catering villa near the sea, and sufficient life for two teenagers without being horrendous for us (the eldest is a boy and not one who would go out clubbing). We like a good choice of restaurants and bars. CHARLOTTE SHAW, SUTTON COLDFIELD

Dear Charlotte

I’d recommend either Paros or Naxos, as they lie in the centre of the Cyclades, meaning you can make trips to several surrounding islands, including Mykonos. Both have typical Cycladic architecture – whitewashed cubic buildings draped in bougainvillea.

Paros is famous for its long sandy beaches and ideal conditions for windsurfing. The main towns are hip Naoussa with its vibrant nightlife, and Parikia, home to the fourthcentury Byzantine Panagia Ekatontapiliani (Church of 100 Doors) and a host of bars and restaurants. From Pounta, regular boats cross to lovely Antiparos ( journey time 10 minutes), much loved by celebrities in search of a low-profile escape, with some decent beaches, and a cave filled with stalagmites and stalactites.

East of Paros, Naxos, the biggest island in the Cyclades, is green and mountainous, with yet more sandy beaches, and farming villages. You might hike to the summit of Mount Zas (3,290ft) for fantastic views. Note that Naxos offers better connections to the islands of the Lesser Cyclades, such as Koufonissi, with its turquoise sea.

For ferries see Greekferries ( greekferries.gr). For villas, try HomeAway (homeaway.co.uk), or Greek Villas (thegreekvillas.com).

Sea resort of Eilat; Wizz Air (wizzair. com) started direct flights there from Luton a couple of weeks ago.