Make this Christmas one to remember. Head off for a last-minute Christmas break and experience festive fun the whole family can enjoy

• Family fun in the Magic Kingdom
• A special encounter in the frozen North
• Head for the hills in Bulgaria
• Sun with Santa in Tenerife
• Fresh air and festivities in the Lakes
• Family-friendly luxury in Cornwall

Family fun in the Magic Kingdom

For a fairytale Christmas break with the minimum of hassle, there is nowhere quite like Disneyland Resort Paris in late November and December. On Main Street USA, which looks like a traditional small town in America, there's guaranteed snow every day and carol singers to add to the magical atmosphere. The Town Square is home to a giant Christmas tree, where you'll also find Santa, as well as Mickey and Minnie in their special festive outfits. The daily parade features everyone's favourite Disney characters, along with Father Christmas and his reindeer. In the evening, there are more parades and shows. Even the grown-ups will be swept along by the whole experience.
For details:
Disneyland Resort Paris www.disneylandparis.com

Where to stay
There are seven themed Disney hotels to suit all budgets and tastes, from the rustic Davy Crockett's Ranch to the swish Disneyland Hotel at the entrance to the park itself. Among the more affordable is the Hotel Santa Fe, inspired by the American South West.

Younger visitors have a video games room and indoor children's area, as well as the Totem Circle outdoor playground, and there is a children's menu at the Mexican-style restaurant. Fancy dinner with Donald Duck or breakfast with Pluto? The Disney characters pay house calls to the hotel.

A three-night stay between now and 19 December at Disney's Hotel Santa Fe, including continental breakfast, direct return travel on Eurostar's new high-speed link and four days unlimited access to both Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park, costs from £243 per adult and £152 per child (two adults and two children aged 3-11 years inclusive sharing a family room).
For details:
Leger Holidays www.legerholidays.co.uk
Disneyland Resort Paris www.disneylandparis.com

What to do around and about
Paris is just 20 miles away, with speedy train connections to the centre. The French capital has plenty to keep children amused, especially at Christmas. The decorative lights in the Champs-Elysees, a broad avenue nearly a mile long, are quite something. There's more festive fun at Father Christmas's Village - or rather Villages - there are two this year in different parts of the city.

Enjoy the atmosphere and burn off some energy at the outdoor rink by the elegant town hall (2 December-4 January). Want a break from the lights and tinsel? Gaze at Egyptian mummies in the Louvre, be amazed at the Magic Museum, or visit the animals at Vincennes Zoo. If the sun's out, head to the Luxembourg Gardens, a beautiful park with a kids playground, pony rides and roundabouts.

For young nature-lovers, the huge Sea Life Aquarium at Marne la Vallee - just five minutes from the resort - has everything from scary sharks to serene sea turtles and delicate sea horses (open daily 10am-5pm).
For details:
Paris Tourist Office en.parisinfo.com
Sea Life Paris www.sealifeeurope.com

A special Christmas encounter in the frozen North

Take a few days out from the frantic run-up to Christmas with a trip to see Santa in his Lapland hideaway deep inside the Arctic Circle. Swap home for a snug hotel or log cabin - maybe even an igloo - in a traditional village surrounded by peaceful forests and snow-covered hills. By day, the children will be busy playing in the snow, listening to fireside stories in a cosy tepee, making decorations and exploring a magical village made of ice.

Everyone will enjoy trying the local transport: sledges pulled by friendly huskies, sleighs pulled by reindeer and zippy snowmobiles. And, of course, there is the all-important meeting with the great man himself. After dark, keep a look out for the mysterious Northern Lights that flicker through the night sky.
For details:
Finnish tourist board www.visitfinland.com/winter
Lapland tourist board www.laplandfinland.com

Where to stay
Yllas is one of Finland's biggest winter holiday resort areas, but remains gloriously unspoiled. The stylish Yllas Saaga hotel is outside the traditional village of Yllasjarvi, close to the ski school and slopes. Its 84 spacious rooms have all mod cons, including a clothes drier (perfect after energetic snowball fights), and many have panoramic windows with views over countryside or towards the village. There is also a spa area with indoor pools, including one for children.

Alternatively, the Hotel Yllasrinne offers simpler accommodation in a tranquil spot outside Yllasjarvi, with lots of winter activities available. There are 50 rooms, including 20 four-bed family rooms with a gallery sleeping area. In the evening, the grown-ups can relax in the sauna while the children are busy in their own play area.

Transun's all-inclusive Spellbound short break to Yllas in December costs from £549 per person. This includes return flights from Gatwick, Stansted or eight regional airports, transfers, accommodation, all meals, scheduled activities including a festive dinner with a guest appearance by Father Christmas and children's disco, hire of thermal suit and boots, guides and a small gift for the under 15s.

If you are short of time, there are also action-packed day trips (from £399 per adult, £299 per child).
For details:
Transun www.transun.co.uk
Hotel Yllas Saaga www.lomaliitto.fi
Hotel Yllasrinne www.yllasrinne.com

What to do around and about
Spending a night in an igloo hotel is an extraordinary experience. The SnowHotel - in the Snow Village, naturally - is made entirely of ice. But don't worry about being cold, as there is plenty of warm bedding to snuggle down in, and warm clothing is also provided for when you're not in bed.

Another snowy activity is cross-country skiing: Yllas has more than 200 miles of marked trails and it only takes an hour or so to get the hang of it. If that sounds too energetic (it burns off more calories than downhill skiing), relax with a Finnish sauna at the Hotel Ylass Saaga's spa, and treat yourself to a muscle-soothing massage.
For details:
SnowHotel www.snowhotel.fi
Yllas tourist board www.yllas.fi
Hotel Yllas Saaga www.lomaliitto.fi

Head for the hills in Bulgaria

Bansko is a picturesque alpine town that's fast becoming one of Bulgaria's best-known ski resorts. Sporty types looking for a good-value pre or post-Christmas getaway (Christmas week itself has been booked up for months already) will love the ski school and the network of tree-lined runs for beginners and the more experienced.

The under-sevens even have their own ski kindergarten, where they can make new friends while hitting the nursery slopes. If you have any energy left after a day in the fresh air, Bansko village is crammed with snug tavernas where you may well catch a local folk dance group in action.

Where to stay
The Katarino is a well-equipped, modern hotel in a quiet location on the edge of Bansko. There are 136 bedrooms, including large ones for families of four. Children will appreciate the supervised playroom with plenty of toys; parents will also like the evening babysitting service. Unwind after a hard day with a swim in the indoor pool, or head to the Wellness Centre for a sauna or Jacuzzi.

Seven nights at the Katarino with Crystal Ski Holidays costs from £528 per person, based on two sharing. This includes return flights from Gatwick, transfers and half-board accommodation. Flexible ski packs (boot and ski hire, lift passes and tuition) are extra; book in advance as it is not only cheaper but much easier to pay in the UK when you book your holiday.

The children's ski school and kindergarten can only be booked locally, and costs around £15 a day; however, if two adults pre-book any 'ski/board' or 'large ski packs', then one child will receive either free kindergarten or free ski school.
For details:
Crystal Ski Holidays www.crystalski.co.uk

What to do around and about
Arrange to spend the last night of your trip in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, giving you most of the following day to explore. Start at the National History Museum, which has an inspiring collection of ancient gold and silver, icons paintings and frescoes from the country's many monasteries.

Other highlights include the magnificent Aleksandar Nevski memorial church, whose domes glitter in the winter sun. The crypt houses another collection of icons and wood carvings, including one showing St George, the patron saint of England. Don't miss the city's bustling markets, great for picking up crafts and local foods at bargain prices.

Bansko is on the fringe of Pirin National Park, a wonderful setting for wintry walks. Otherwise, Bansko itself has an ice rink and bowling alley, or you can arrange a ride in a horse-drawn sleigh or a snowmobile expedition.

Several traditional Bansko buildings are worth exploring, including the Rila Nunnery with its collection of icons, the Church of the Holy Trinity and the richly decorated Velyanov's House.
For details:
Bulgarian tourist board www.bulgariatravel.org
Bansko tourist board www.bansko.bg

Sun with Santa in Tenerife

Spend Christmas Day on the beach soaking up the sun, then enjoy a quick snowball fight. In Tenerife, this strange combination is perfectly possible. Just off the coast of Africa, this charming Canary Island has an enviable year-round climate for sun lovers.

Don't forget to pack a jumper though, for a trip up Mount Teide, an imposing dormant volcano whose peak is permanently draped in snow. Christmas is celebrated in style on the island, with the main meal on Christmas Eve night featuring dishes such as sweet-potato pie and nutty sweetmeats. New Year's Eve means fireworks and all-night street parties, and traditions that include wearing new clothes for good luck and eating 12 grapes at midnight.

Where to stay
The five-star Mare Nostrum Resort is right on the beach just outside Los Cristianos and has all the facilities you would expect. It is actually made up of five separate hotels, with 13 restaurants in total and a full complement of swimming pools. Mums will love the Mare Nostrum spa, especially when the kids are being looked after at the special Christmas workshops.

Four nights at the Mare Nostrum Resort over the Christmas period costs from around £350 per adult and £320 per child on a B&B basis. The price includes either a free foot massage or a stress relief massage per adult, free access to the Mare Nostrum Spa Marine Park, a complimentary whale-watching excursion on the Lady Shelley catamaran plus various special activities and seasonal workshops for children.

You will need to book the gala Christmas dinner separately, however. Flights are not included. Low-cost airline Monarch operates scheduled flights from Birmingham, London Gatwick, London Luton and Manchester to Tenerife. Fares, including taxes, start from £61.99 one way (£109.99 return).
For details:
Mare Nostrum Resort www.expogrupo.com
Monarch www.flymonarch.com

The town itself is great for shopping, but major sights are few and far between. Children of a certain age will enjoy the gruesome skulls and mummies at the Archaeological Museum, while the rest will probably prefer the simpler delights of the municipal park with its playground and petting zoo.

Mount Teide is a must-see - if only for the snow - and fortunately there are roads almost to the summit and a cable car to take you even further. Stop in one of the bars on the way down for a grown-up lumumba - hot chocolate with brandy - for the over 18s only, of course!

Nature-lovers can go to sea to spot orcas, pilot whales and dolphins from the comfort of the Lady Shelley catamaran, or get really close to the marine life by learning to scuba dive (over 12s only). Loro Parque, originally a sanctuary for parrots near Puerto de la Cruz, now boasts everything from Bengali tigers to penguins in spacious enclosures.
For details:
Tenerife tourist board www.webtenerife.com
Loro Parque www.loroparque.com

Fresh air and festivities in the Lakes

If you crave peace, amazing scenery and a country cottage with log-burning fires to curl up by, the Lake District ticks all the right boxes. There is no need to worry about the children getting bored either. They will be too busy meeting Santa, making decorations, going on boat trips, watching parades, trying fresh local foods, walking in the hills, shouting 'he's behind you' at the pantomime and playing in the snow.

Where to stay
Burnside Park is a collection of 14 attractive cottages and apartments within strolling distance of Lake Windermere.

The self-catering units, sleeping 2 to 6, come fully equipped, so you can leave the towels at home. Bring basic foodstuffs and anything the kids cannot live without. Otherwise, there are fabulous food shops and farmers markets selling local specialties, such as Cumberland sausages and sticky toffee pudding, nearby. Weekly rentals start at £650.

Get more information about Burnside Park and hundreds of other family-friendly cottages, hotels and B&Bs from the Cumbrian tourist board. Cumbrian Cottages also has a good range of properties throughout the Lake District, with availability over the Christmas holidays.
For details:
Cumbrian tourist board www.golakes.co.uk
Cumbrian Cottages www.cumbrian-cottages.co.uk

Things to do around and about
Visit the birthplace of Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddleduck and Tom Kitten at the World of Beatrix Potter, a popular attraction for younger children. Among the sights inspired by the books are Peter's garden, Jemima's woodland glade and Mr McGregor's greenhouse.

A recent visitor was Renee Zellweger, who plays Potter in the film about the author's life, coming out early in 2007. Older kids will find more to amuse them at the Aquarium of the Lakes, where as well as seeing otters, sharks and diving ducks, they can decorate a bauble to add to the centre's 'Fish-mas' tree.

Avoid the washing up and soak up the scenery of Lake Windermere at the same time with Christmas lunch on a traditional lake steamer, with a jazz band providing the musical entertainment. Or opt for one of the shorter Santa Special Cruises (9-10 December & 16-17 December). England's first narrow-gauge railway, the Ravenglass and Eskdale in the northern Lakes, runs Santa Experience at weekends in December (up to 23 December). Parents get to enjoy the scenery and the romance of steam, while the children visit Father Christmas's grotto and unwrap a special present from him.

Closer to Lake Windermere is another heritage line, the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway. Their Santa Specials run three times a day on December weekends (up to 17 December), with Christmas carols, elves and personalised presents and a visit from Santa to keep everyone entertained.
For details:
World of Beatrix Potter www.hop-skip-jump.com
Aquarium of the Lakes www.aquariumofthelakes.co.uk
Windermere Lake Cruises www.windermere-lakecruises.co.uk
Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway www.ravenglass-railway.co.uk
Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway www.lakesiderailway.co.uk

Family-friendly luxury in Cornwall

With its mild climate, superb scenery and sandy beaches, Cornwall is a real favourite for family holidays at any time of year. Make it more memorable and relaxing by treating yourselves to a stay in a luxury hotel, where the kids will be entertained royally and the most tiring thing you'll have to do is decide where to go for your Boxing Day stroll.

Where to stay
Luxury hotels are often far from family-friendly, but Fowey Hall Hotel prides itself on pampering all of its guests, no matter how young they are. Christmas is no exception, with a thoughtful balance of separate activities for children and grown-ups and quality time together.

The fun starts on 23 December with afternoon tea and fortune tellers for the adults and supervised playtime and supper for the young. Later, the parents can relax over a candlelit dinner while their children watch films with the hotel's resident nannies.

There's plenty more to keep everyone happy during their stay at Fowey: a family breakfast in bed on Christmas Day for private present opening, a Boxing Day treasure hunt around Fowey, lots of organised games and activities for the children and romantic meals for the adults, plus free time for walks on the beach or enjoying local attractions. The four-night Christmas break costs from £885 per person, all-inclusive; children under 12, £250, with reductions for older children depending on whether they have their own room or share with their parents.

If your budget won't stretch that far, the Cornish Tourist Board can give information on other family-friendly hotels running special festive breaks.
For details:
Fowey Hall Hotel www.foweyhallhotel.co.uk
Cornwall Tourist Board www.cornwalltouristboard.co.uk

What to do around and about
Finding somewhere scenic for a Boxing Day stroll is no problem when you have the South West Coast Path on your doorstep. There are fabulous sea views to soak up, and you might even spot some of Cornwall's resident dolphins. The coast is dotted with sheltered beaches, great for playing games and building sandcastles. Gardens can be fun, too, even at this time of year.

The famous Lost Gardens of Heligan near St Austell are open all year (apart from 24-25 December) and there's always plenty to see. Thanks to Cornwall's mild climate and the garden's sheltered position, subtropical plants such as banana palms and giant rhubarb thrive outdoors in the 22-acre 'Jungle', and there are more sights, including a sparkling grotto, in the rest of the grounds.

There are more exotic plants at the nearby Eden Project, one of the area's newest attractions. Its distinctive bubble-shaped greenhouses - a snug retreat on colder days - contain plants from the world's tropical rainforests and Mediterranean countries. Admire the orange groves and cocoa plants, then head for the huge ice-skating rink or the outdoor garden, which is magically lit in winter with flaming torches and strings of lanterns.
For details:
South West Coast Path www.nationaltrail.co.uk
Fowey Tourist Information Centre www.fowey.co.uk
Lost Gardens of Heligan www.heligan.com
Eden Project www.edenproject.com