THE Easter holidays are our first real chance of escaping chilly Britain for warmer shores across the Med and beyond.
While the break is earlier than normal this year, there are still plenty of places where you can soak up some spring sunshine and clear-blue skies.
Lisa Minot has a host of suggestions based on average temperatures in each destination over the Easter holidays.
TURKEY: With a water park and beach within walking distance, the great-value 5* Senza The Inn Resort and Spa in Alanya near Antalya has a huge pool, mini-club, playground, gym and spa with Turkish bath.
The spacious Family Doublex duplex rooms feature two double or twin bedrooms, as well as separate bathrooms with shower or bath.
A week all-inclusive is from £473pp, based on four sharing, flying from Manchester on March 31. See thomascook.com.
MAJORCA: Technicolour slides, sprinklers and tipping buckets will provide young children with hours of fun at the Fergus Club Europa’s splash pool.
There are kids’ clubs with plenty of fun activities.
As well as a large pool with slides, the 4* hotel in the beach resort of Paguera also features a tennis court and fitness centre, plus buffet restaurant, snack corner and bar.
Seven nights’ all-inclusive is from £600 per adult, with a free kid’s place, flying from Liverpool on April 3. See easyjet.com/en/holidays.
TENERIFE: The 5* Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife is perfect for families looking to kick back and relax in style.
The walls of this hotel are decked out with music memorabilia and little rockers can try their hand at music production in the kids’ club.
The music theme extends to the new Rock Spa, where parents can indulge in a rhythm massage.
Seven-night stays from April 2 start at £1,028pp for flights and B&B in a Premium Rock Gold Suite based on four sharing. See easyjet.com/en/holidays.
TUNISIA: Enjoy luxury for less at the Seabel Alhambra Beach, Golf and Spa.
The private beach serves up everything from banana boat rides and jet-skiing to pedal boats and scuba diving, while there are three pools to splash about in, plus another three just for kids.
Refuel in the buffet restaurant or two speciality dining venues, as well as pool and snack bars.
The hotel is a 20-minute stroll to the centre of Port El Kantaoui.
A week all-inclusive is from £492pp, based on four sharing, and including flights from Manchester on April 5. See tui.co.uk.
MOROCCO: Soak up the sunshine and explore the souks of Marrakech with a stay at the 4* Pickalbatros Aqua Fun Club.
The kids will adore the water park, while parents will love the sweeping views of the nearby Atlas Mountains and the fact it is a 30-minute drive to the bustling centre of Marrakech.
But it will be hard to tear the children away from all the aquatic adventures.
The largest water park in Marrakech features 58 slides, including a free-fall tube slide and multi-lane racer.
There are three restaurants and six bars plus children’s clubs.
Seven nights’ all-inclusive is from £770pp, based on four sharing a family room with pool view and balcony, and including flights from Birmingham on April 5, 15kg luggage and transfers. See tui.co.uk.
CYPRUS: For great value, the Golden Star Beach apartments in Protaras are well equipped so you can get creative in the kitchen.
There is also an a la carte restaurant.
Sip on cocktails at one of the two bars. Close to the beach, there are two large pools with children’s sections. Rooms are spacious and many have great sea views.
Seven nights’ self-catering is from £539pp including flights from Manchester on April 5, 22kg luggage and transfers. See jet2holidays.com.
BARBADOS: Get Caribbean sunshine for a great price at the 3* Sunbay Hotel on Barbados’ south coast.
Close to Oistins, which is renowned worldwide for its Friday Fish Fry, the family-friendly hotel is across the road from a small beach and five minutes from Maxwell Beach, with its watersports and lifeguard.
There are two outdoor pools and a pool for kids, as well as a gym, restaurant and bar.
Seven nights’ B&B is from £1,377pp based on four sharing and including Virgin Atlantic flights on April 6.
See virginholidays.co.uk or call 0344 557 3978.
MEXICO: Set on the white sand beach of Cancun, the Hard Rock Hotel Cancun has three pools, three whirlpools and a pool just for kids.
Children can visit the resort’s Music Lab for expert instruction or play along with their music idols in the new Jammit recording studio.
There are five bars and five dining venues including Mexican, Asian, Italian and a steakhouse.
Seven nights’ all-inclusive is from £1,861pp based on four sharing and including flights from Heathrow on April 1 and transfers. See tui.co.uk.
