top activities

Cycling and kayaking on Sanibel Island, Florida, USA.

Sanibel Island is a small island with bike paths throughout, making it easy to manage without a car and perfect for families. We spent our time at Ding Darling wildlife reserve, kayaking and fishing on the shoreline where you can catch marlin. We cycled everywhere and breakfasted at RC Otters on the tiny island of Captiva. You can do most water sports and take leisurely boat tours. Collecting shells on the beach after a low tide sets you up with wonderful souvenirs. Our children swam with porpoises near the shore and fished off the pier. With plenty of good American style restaurants and fabulous fish dishes, there's no shortage of places to eat as a family. Stay at Sundial condos, eat at Island Cow and don’t miss Ding Darling Wildlife reserve.

Check www.sanibel-captiva.org for details.

For flights to Tampa click here.

Posted by Kate, Berkshire. June 2009

Mountain biking, Glentress Forest, Scotland.

If you want to try your hand at mountain biking, the 7stanes in southern Scotland are eight centres (Glentress and Innerleithen share one) with some of the best riding in the world. From gentle coastal rides to seriously technical trails for the experienced rider, it’s all here. Glentress is one of the centres and professionals regularly come to train here as the tracks are so well designed. Situated a short drive from Edinburgh, wind your way up through pine forests to try plenty of singletrack with berms, jumps and some surprises. People of all abilities and families can join in and children love the Freeride Park for learning a new stunt. You can also pick up equipment and some much-needed calories at the Hub in the Forest, the café and shop at the bottom.

Check www.7stanes.gov.uk for details.

For flights to Edinburgh click here.

Canyoning, Tignes, France.

If your children are nine years old or more canyoning is one of the most exhilarating experiences you can try as a family. Fathers encourage sons, sons help their mothers and daughters just scream with excitement. Our route involved coming down the side of a mountain and over a waterfall while abseiling, swimming, jumping and climbing. The instructors were brilliant and they will always have an easy option if you need it. We did ours with Evolution 2 and are going back again this year.

Check www.evolution2.com/tignes for details.

For flights to Grenoble click here.

Posted by Suse, June 2009

Skydiving, Zephyr Hills, Florida, USA.

Hurtle earthwards from 13,500 feet on a tandem skydive - there is simply nothing else like it. Florida is also a great place to skydive as the weather is good year-round. After a brief safety talk, ascend in the plane and out you go, strapped to an instructor and full of hope it all goes smoothly. There’s an impossibly exciting moment just after you exit when your brain is saying “get back on the plane!” but your body knows you must assume ‘the banana’ (the position you are trained to freefall in), while your instructor throws a small drogue parachute to slow you to a much calmer 120mph. Like being caught in a sun-filled storm of wind and noise, the patchwork of Florida’s woods and fields seems permanently far below as you freefall for 60 seconds and marvel at how crazy this sport really is. Finally the instructor pulls the rip-cord and you gently work your way back to the drop zone, where you will be grinning from ear to ear.

Check www.skydivecity.com for details.

For flights to Miami click here.