JUNIORS (5-9)

The skies may be endlessly blue, but there is snow on the mountains of the Sierra Nevada in southern Spain during February half term. If you are keen that your kids learn to ski, this is the perfect age – and this diminutive resort just an hour and a half ’s drive from Malaga airport is the perfect place to do it.

For years, Sierra Nevada was a rather scruffy secret, incomparable to the chic resorts of other European countries. But while it is true that the grey, 1970s centre can’t compare with the snowtopped chalets of Méribel or Val d’Isère, it has two fantastic things going for it: value for money and a very friendly British ski school (skisierranevada.co. uk) that will put novice downhillers at their ease.

Kids will also love the creperie, chocolate shop and snow park (where, should the novelty of skiing wear off, you can slide along in a giant donut).

Meanwhile, beginner and intermediate adults will enjoy the wide pistes.

With so much going for Sierra Nevada, the luxury market was bound to take notice: now the hoteliers behind Marbella’s renowned Puente Romano hotel are colonising the resort. Already managers of the boutique hotel El Lodge, they opened chic chalet hotel Maribel (00 34 958 481155; maribels. com) last season. With duplex suites costing £900 per night in February half term, it is the priciest option in the area. For better value, try the Meliá (0808 239 1206; melia.com) at the centre of town with its sprawling indoor pool.

Elsewhere…

IN SUMMER

Craving the long-haul vibe but scared of the flight? Whaka Lodge (00 33 5 6266 2794; whakalodge.com) in Gascony, France, has overwater villas decked out like safari tents. From £250 per night for up to five people.

IN OCTOBER HALF TERM

The Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo is finally set to open its doors in 2024, packed full of mummies, cats and pharaoh statues. Stubborn Mule (01728 752751; stubbornmuletravel.com) offers an eight-night Highlights of Egypt trip that includes a night on a felucca, from £9,750 B&B for a family of four; excludes flights.

EASY ESCAPE

Got a wild child? Then get them axe-throwing and fire-lighting during half-day bushcraft sessions at Glen Dye Cabins and Cottages (01330 850689; glendyecabinsandcottages.com) in the Scottish Highlands. It costs from £900 for a three-night break.