Headwater's Top 10 Choices for Adventurous Families!

    BRIGHTON, ENGLAND, May 22, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Choosing a holiday to suit all family members can be remarkably challenging! Teenagers may find the thrill of white-water rafting exciting, but toddlers will have more fun splashing in the pool; parents might enjoy the quiet atmosphere of a museum or art gallery, but young children are likely to find them dull and boring.

For many, an activity holiday offers the perfect balance: it breaks down barriers, gives you the chance to learn new skills together, and can provide more laughs and family fun than you'd ever expect on a traditional holiday

Activities at Annecy
This is an extremely popular choice for families of mixed ages. Toddlers have their own exclusive club (pony rides, nature trails, etc) whilst older children can try their hand at swimming, horse riding, tennis and scuba diving. There are guided walks and cycling for mum and dad, as well as a whole range of water sports - canoing, sailing, water-skiing - on beautiful Lake Annecy, the cleanest lake in Europe and just 10 miles away.

Ardeche Activities
Based in the southern part of the Ardeche National Park, this stay put multi activity week is a great choice for families with adventurous teenagers! It's an area rich in natural beauty, and offers arguably the best range of water-based "thrills and spills" experiences in France. Caving, canyoning and mountain biking are all popular.

Lake Constance Cycling
If you've got 10 days to spare, then this pancake-flat, totally flexible cycling holiday offers masses of scope to explore gently, and as a family. The routes we've chosen take you along impeccable lakeside paths, through postcard-pretty villages, and past fairytale palaces with stunning mountain views. If, at any point, you wish to shorten or extend your cycling, simply hop on the local train or boat - taking your bike with you - and tailor your day to suit. Perfect!

Coast Cycling
How about taking the car over to France before exploring Brittany's spectacular Emerald Coast by bike? The cycling stretches are fairly short, and mostly flat, with lots of free time to discover the wonderful white beaches, deserted coves and colourful sailing harbours. Other highlights include the beautifully preserved walled towns of Dinard and Dinan that feel barely changed since the Middle Ages.

Canoing on the Dordogne
The Dordogne is one of France's most popular rivers - it's wide, calm and flat, and is an excellent choice for families who've never tried this sort of holiday before. Typically, you'll paddle for about 4hrs every other day, leaving lots of free time to explore the region's majestic chateaux, picturesque perched villages and troglodyte cave dwellings that have fascinated children for centuries!

Contrasts of Catalunya Cycling
A cracking holiday for families wanting to combine time by the sea with off-the-beaten-track inland discoveries. The places you'll stay in are as varied as the cycling routes, and include a magnificently restored C14 gothic castle with private chapel! All hotels have swimming pools, and 4 nights out of 8 you're by the sea too.

Austrian Lakes Activity
Families opting for this multi activity holiday will also be given a complimentary Headwater bike each for the week, ideal for cycling in Austria, together will fully researched circular cycling and walking route notes, meaning you can be as active, or not, as you choose! Staying at the lovely **** Bergrose Hotel, set just back from the river and less than 5 mins' cycle from the lake, you also have a wealth of water sports, boat trips and lake cruises right on your doorstep. There's also a natural wide beach for sunbathing, and an excellent local transport system links the local lakes and villages if you fancy exploring further afield.

Chateaux of the Loire Cycling
This holiday will appeal most to families with older children, who perhaps have an interest in history, and/or are keen on learning more about France. But there are lots of lighter touches too, such as Houdini's House of Magic in Blois and getting lost in the warren of cobbled streets in Amboise's lively old town! Meals throughout are of a very high standard as should be the case in a region world-famous for its fine wines and gastronomy!

Walking in Gstaad
We don't always recommend walking holidays to families, however the elegant **** Hotel Steigenberger, where this holiday is based, is in a class of its own! Adults will appreciate the high levels of service, the gastronomic cuisine and the 300kms+ of impeccably marked walking trails. Children can hop in and out of the kids' club, choosing from arts/ crafts and outdoor activities - as well as being entitled to unlimited soft drinks throughout the day. Everyone enjoys unlimited travel on the local buses, trains and mountain lifts meaning that you can explore the region at your own pace - without spending a single Swiss franc!

Passau to Vienna Cycling
A lovely flat, highly flexible, cycling route along the banks of the Danube, arguably the most beautiful river in Europe. Masses of cultural highlights along your way: hilltop castles, Baroque palaces, medieval towns and villages. Optional extra nights in Vienna can be arranged on request.

Order our NEW 2010 brochures to find out more about our extensive range of holidays.
Call us today on 01606 720199 or visit our website at www.headwater.com.

# # #