How to improve holidays with children

'I've found out how to please everyone'

Choosing A family holiday is tricky when you've got children old enough to have opinions of their own. Stanley is only interested in thrill-seeking adventures while Patrick desires kids' clubs, entertainment on tap and kids' karaoke. And all I crave is a quiet life, preferably with maid service and a private pool. While I can't please all of the family all of the time, I've discovered three new holidays that should keep at least one of us happy at a time.

For me, there's a picturesque villa to hire from Hidden Croatia (0871 2080075; hiddencroatia.com). Set in its own vineyard near Istria, the Helianthus has been luxuriously refurbished with families in mind.

Patrick, meanwhile, will be delighted with the newest addition to Thomson's Superfamily programme. The Alykanas village on Zakynthos is a hive of activity in an otherwise peaceful Greek village.

For Stanley, there's aZambian adventure from Families Worldwide (0845 051 4567; families worldwide.co.uk). Highlights include croc-watching, leopard-spotting and lessons in bush skills, as well as the chance to learn Nyanja, the local language.

But before we start drawing straws, there's one hotel that might meet all our needs. The refurbished Galtenberg, (0043 5336 5610; galtenberg.com) in the Austrian Tyrol, is a retreat with a spa, kids' clubs and plenty of risky mountain activities near by. As long as there's nothing too dangerous (that includes karaoke) we might just manage a happy holiday.