Travel: Friendly advice

MRS P H of Fife asks for advice on taking a family holiday in France with friends. 'I've known people go away with another family thinking they were the best of friends but returned the worst of enemies. Under normal circumstances I would never consider the idea but our children are keen to go on holiday with the other family because they have children the same ages which means they have guaranteed playmates.'

Since this summer will be the first time she and her husband have ever done anything of this sort, she wonders whether anybody has useful experiences they can pass on.

'We are sharing a large gite. Will it be a good idea to eat together? Should we organise separate days and meet up only in the evenings? I find the whole thing a bit daunting: can anybody provide reassurance that it won't turn out to be a nightmare?'