How to improve holidays with children

Hey mum, let's dare to be different

How are your kids enjoying 2007 so far? Stanley's feeling disappointed, because according to him it's not any different from 2006. He woke up full of hope and excitement on 1 January and was very cross to discover that everything seemed exactly the same; the only way I could cheer him up was to point out that we were one day nearer to Christmas (he's already composed his "Letter to Santa, 2007").

But things are different this year - quite noticeably. The family travel industry is pulling out all the stops, with tons of new and exciting things to do, just to prove Stan wrong. Parents and their intrepid offspring are being presented with more holiday choices than ever before, many of them in surprising places.

Take skiing. How many of us have snowploughed down the slopes in Serbia? Not many, but that is set to change, because for the first time Thomson Ski (0870- 606 1470; thomson-ski.co .uk) is featuring the family resort of Kopaonik, which offers 36 miles of easy skiing terrain, stunning scenery and low prices.

For more pioneering adventures, Japan is another new destination for kids. Check out Explore! (0870- 333 4001; explore.co.uk), which launches its Travels in the Shadow of Fuji family programme in August.

Take in modern cities and ancient temples, as well as Mount Fuji itself, travel on the famous "Shinkansen" bullet train to Kyoto, go on boat trips among canyons.

If it's a beach holiday you're after, I bet you haven't even considered the Latvian resort of Jurmala.

But you should. Virtually unknown to UK tourists, this little gem is now being featured by Baltic Holidays (0845-070 5711; balticholi days.com). Stay in the Baltic Beach Hotel and you'll be right on the white sand, just a stone's throw away from the gently lapping sea.

With any luck, one or two of these new offerings might even convince Stanley to get excited. But if not, it's only 352 days until Christmas ... and counting.

Katy's top tip

Do France differently this year with Eurocamp Independent (0870-366 7572; eurocamp independent.co.uk) which is launching its Fly-Hire motorhome holiday service. Fly to one of seven locations in France, pick up a motorhome, and explore the country at your leisure.