100 holiday ideas for 2010: Family

May I be so bold as to suggest something truly different this year? Don't go thinking you'll get away with a fortnight on the beach, for the new decade is ushering in the chance to try all sorts of novel experiences with the kids. I bet you've never taken them on a hunt for komodo dragons and flying foxes on an Indonesian family adventure aboard a schooner. Book this new 16-day family trip with

Click here or on the image to see family holiday ideas in pictures

Explore (explore.co.uk) and you could be sailing around tropical islands, clambering over volcanic craters and checking out rare species.

Then there's the latest surfing trend to arrive in the UK, the Dually; designed to fit two people. Be among the first to learn this new family sport at the Extreme Academy, Watergate Bay, in Cornwall (water gatebay.co.uk).

Energetic types may also be interested in a new action-packed adventure in the Cairngorms with Wilderness Scotland (wilderness scotland.com), which incorporates climbing and rafting. You'll see everything from birds of prey to the elusive wildcat on this four-day family break. Mini adventurers might also enjoy the new Cycling in Austria trip with the Adventure Company (adventure company.co.uk), a week of Alpine bliss on wheels, which also offers the chance to try llama trekking and summer skiing.

If your kids have a penchant for theme parks, here's a new one: Europe's first "edutainment" amusement park is to launch in the Pays de la Loire, in France, in April. Terra Botanica (terrabotanica.fr) is dedicated to the exploration of plantlife, with attractions including simulated journeys to far-off lands such as the bamboo plantations of Asia. Little boat trips and rides, workshops, films and activities are all laid on.

Talking of amusement parks, Eurocamp and Keycamp (eurocamp.co.uk; keycamp.co.uk) have just announced a new destination for 2010: Denmark. Their resort at Lalandia is right next door to Legoland, and, best of all, you can stay in a fancy new bungalow.

Gap Adventures (gapadventures .com) is to feature 13 new volunteer holiday programmes for 2010, including a week-long Family Adventure in Ecuador. Through this hands-on project become part of a local community, helping on an organic farm, cutting sugar cane, fishing and even helping at a primary school.

If you have a difficult tween- or teenagers to please, Trek America (trekamerica.co.uk) may have the solution. The Twilight Family Adventure tour of Oregon and Washington states is a novel experience: you'll visit all the stunning locations in Stephenie Meyer's bestselling work of fiction, exploring the stunning landscape with hiking tours, moonlight kayaking and horse riding.

Sporty teens should leg it to Puglia, where the new tennis camp and football school at Pugnochiuso Resort (pugnochiuso.com) are run by former professional athletes.

But if you really just want a family beach holiday this year there's a very affordable family trip to the Maldives on offer from Hayes & Jarvis (hayesandjarvis.com). With a brand new kids' programme and watersports centre (as well as the country's first licensed kite-surfing school), the kids will be well looked after while parents can do what we do best – flop on that beach.