Family-friendly vacations: beach holidays, farm stays & more

JASSMIN PETER unearths family-friendly holidays sure to keep kids entertained - and give mum and dad plenty of time for romance. 

BALI, INDONESIA

Fully-staffed luxury villa Kemah Tinggi (www.kemahtinggi.com) is the epitome of chic, yet child-friendly - well equipped with cots, a steriliser, car seats, baby monitors, single beds and highchairs. Spacious lawns with bamboo football goals and cricket stumps offer endless sporty fun plus there's an air-conditioned TV room stocked with age-appropriate DVDs, cable channels and games to entertain when "down time" is needed. Fully child-proof, this villa is equipped with a pool fence, stair gates and a protected water feature. Teens can take part in white-water rafting, an elephant safari or private surf lessons. Full-time chefs are at hand to create nutritious and delicious meals and if you fancy some couple time, experienced nannies and babysitters are available, so you can enjoy world-class golf, surfing, tennis or the gym facilities at the exclusive Canggu Club nearby. Shopping, dining and Seminyak nightlife is just a 20-minute drive away, courtesy of your personal chauffeur. Tel: 9871 0334, www.kemahtinggi.com, Email: info@bali-kemahtinggi.com THE FINDER SPECIAL OFFER Book your 2011 journey by September 15 2010 to enjoy low season rates from US$525 to US$950!
            Villa Uma Nina (www.exotic-hideaways.com) is a newly-constructed private villa located at Jimbaran and offering spectacular panoramic views of Bali. Offering full facilities and a team of well-trained staff, each room in this five-bedroom villa comes with air conditioning and ensuite bathrooms. The private swimming pool is perfect for water games with the children during the day and a
private dip in the evenings. Kids can run freely through the spacious gardens, or play games on the full size Pétanque pitch. Villa Uma Nina also provides a croquet set, Wii games and a wide selection of toys - ensuring round-the-clock entertainment.
Tel: +62 361 766 835, www.exotic-hideaways.com, Email: reservation@exotic-hideaways.com THE FINDER SPECIAL OFFER Book a minimum five-night stay and be treated to a complimentary Indonesian dinner, plus a bottle of wine! You'll also enjoy a private car with chauffeur for eight hours each day, free. Quote "The Finder Magazine: Child Friendly Destinations" when making your reservation.

MALDIVES  
Book a minimum of seven nights for two adults at the award-winning One&Only Reethi Rah and two children aged up to 11 years stay free! This exclusive family package also covers children's' meals and a slew of activities, including the KidsOnly club. Children aged seven to 15 years also get the chance to participate in the new Junior Lifeguard Experience - spending a day as a lifeguard, steering the rescue boat, assisting with lookout duties at sea and assembling the water cannon. Qualified lifeguards will also teach basic lifesaving techniques and your child will be presented with a certificate, t-shirt and hat upon completing the course.
            One&Only Reethi Rah is home to 130 luxurious villas with sunbathing platforms and ocean hammocks offering direct ocean access. While the kids are kept busy, be pampered at the One&Only Spa by ESPA and enjoy a relaxing Thai massage or European aromatherapy treatment. Explore the Indian Ocean as you scuba dive and snorkel, or do your part for the environment and join the National Geographic Aquatic Discovery Dive programme - the resort's environmental initiative to conserve the coral reef surrounding the resort. Tel: +960 664 8800, www.oneandonlyresorts.com, Email: reservations@oneandonlyresorts.com.mv

JAPAN 
Club Med Kabira, located on the peninsula of Ishigaki in the archipelago of Okinawa, at Japan's southern tip, provides supervised, tailor-made, age-appropriate activities for kids and plenty of freedom for adults. Considered one of the most beautiful dive spots in Japan, Kabira beach offers endless opportunities to observe the prolific marine life while snorkelling or scuba diving. Other activities include windsurfing, a flying trapeze and the indulgent Club Med Spa. In the evenings, wind down at the bar with a drink and enjoy the Pacific Ocean views. Tel: 1800 CLUB MED (258 2633), www.clubmed.com.sg

Kid's Programmes
Club Med Baby Welcome (babies up to 23 months) Bed, bath, changing table, high chairs and bottle warmers. Baby corners are well-stocked with all the necessary utensils you need to prepare meals. Strollers are available on request.
Petit Club Med (two to four years) Stimulating games arouse toddlers' curiosity. The itinerary includes meals and rest time.
Mini Club Med (four to 11 years) Discovery workshops, plus land and water sports classes, and evening entertainment. 
Juniors' Club Med (11 to 18 years) Teens gather and pursue their interests - may they be creative, sporty, artistic, or to simply "hang out". Join a sports competition or try wakeboarding and the flying trapeze.
Pyjamas Club This baby-sitting service ensures your child is well taken care of as you enjoy a romantic night out. Includes beds, seats and a movie area.

PHUKET, THAILAND  
The five-star Sari Pacific Hotel, Resort & Spa sits between the natural preserved coastal wetlands and Mai Khao Beach, a short distance from Phuket airport. Renowned for its family-friendly offerings, programmes and facilities include:

KidzSole Circus Programme

• Children of all ages are taught to work the trapeze at the Learn to Fly programme - a one-hour class held daily, which covers an introduction and time to perfect the "Catch and Run" technique.
• The Circus programme is held each day from 10am to 11am (four to seven years) and 11am to 12pm (eight to 12 years) and provides instruction on the swinging trapeze, single trapeze, Spanish web, trampoline, juggling, pyramid building, tumbling, vaulting and clowning.

Children's Pavillion - located on the ground floor - is divided into three separate supervised zones: Mini Maze (up to four years); Kid Maze (four to 12 years) and Teen Maze (13 to 18 years). Expect educational fun, arts and crafts, sports, plus cultural activities. Kids are free to use the computers and Play Station games, watch DVDs, play with toys, read books or get busy with arts and crafts materials. Older kids will appreciate the pool table and can also play table tennis. 
Ginja Cooking School Organise a private cooking class as a family and learn the intricacies of authentic Thai cooking. You'll visit the local market to choose produce, then enjoy breakfast and a cooking class - savouring the fruits of your labour for lunch.
            For adults, watch traditional Thai dancing, take a nature tour, or jump on an All Terrain Vehicle and explore villages, farms, plantations, waterfalls and the unspoilt countryside of hidden Phuket. A sunset mountain bike tour leaves the resort daily to visit Pru Je San lake and the local temple. Tel: +66 (0) 7633 8000, www.jwmarriottphuketresort.com, Email: bookmarriott@marriotthotels.com

SIBU, MALAYSIA  
Sari Pacifica Hotel, Resort & Spa is fast gaining praise. Located on the island of Sibu, part of a string of islands forming the beautifully preserved Johor Marine Park, this boutique resort is relatively new and just two hours easy driving distance - plus a quick boat ride - from Singapore.
            Expect friendly service and the promise of a very laidback vacation, with hot water and air conditioning - unique for the traditionally rustic resorts located on this island. Spend quality, uninterrupted time with your family as the kids run amok on the soft sands in a private bay - building sand castles, collecting plentiful seashells and swimming in crystal clear waters. Go on a family fishing trip, jungle trek, island hop, or play a friendly game of beach volleyball. The only in-ground pool on Sibu is another ideal place to spend family time. While the kids swim, you can kick back with a chilled beer on the comfy chairs strewn under big umbrellas. And each room features a Jacuzzi big enough to fit an entire family - sure to be a hit with the kids! Tel: 02 07 7989 105/4, sibu.saripacifica.com, Email: reservationssibu@saripacifica.com

WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Australian farmstays allow you and your family to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and revel in a peaceful pastoral existence. An ideal family adventure holiday, you'll experience country hospitality and contribute to daily outback life. Stay in charming, self-contained cottages, a bed and breakfast, or at a homestead with a host family. Sleep under a clear, starry sky and wake to stunning views of untouched landscapes. Take advantage of the misty mornings with an unhurried family bushwalk.
            The endless animal interaction is always a highlight with kids. They'll never get bored of pony rides or feeding calves and baby kangaroos, goats, donkeys, sheep, cattle, chickens and turkeys. Immerse yourself in farm culture with duties including milking cows and collecting fresh eggs from the chicken coop. And don't forget to end your day with a visit to the local pub, where locals are usually eager to share colourful stories over a couple of "coldies".
            For a reasonably-priced authentic outback experience try Boshack Outback. Simple accommodation uses solar power and you'll be feasting on organic produce, fresh from the garden. boshackoutback.com
            Bindoon's Windmill Farm offers self-contained chalets with ensuite bathrooms, air conditioning and heater facilities. There's also a communal lounge where you can prepare simple drinks. Meals can be provided upon request. www.ausbusiness.net/windmill

Posted Aug 2010