A 6 - any age activity so great for a family including a mix of teenagers, children and young adults. Explore the coastline - rock climbing, making different jumps from the rocks, learn about the fauna, caving, great views - a totally new 'shared' experience.

Google map: bit.ly/WkaQMr

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As we arrived in Vienna on 22 Dec the snow started to fall. We walked through the city to the Christkindl Market, Christmas lights everywhere. Roast chestnuts and gluhwein. Each window of the town hall decorated as an Advent Calendar and each day a window is opened, to reveal a painting which will be sold later in aid of a children's charity.
Christmas Eve, frosty cold under a blue sky, we drove an hour south of Vienna with friends and their children high into the mountains for sleighing - with much falling around in the deep snow. Oh such fun!
Christmas day we went to St. Barbara, a small Ukranian orthodox Catholic church - beautiful voices in harmony - magical. Afterwards we ate close by at the Hotel Post: goose with all the trimmings and chocolate gateaux. In the afternoon we walked in the snow in the enchanting Schoennbrunn gardens, then coffee and kuchen in Cafe Gloriette.
A Christmas we'll remember always.

BA from Heathrow to Vienna
Train from Vienna to Semmering for day trip - one hour
Google map: bit.ly/SQe8LT

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While in Toronto during the winter months, enjoy one of Canada’s oldest and most popular recreational activities: ice skating.
While there are about 51 outdoor skating rinks in Toronto, the Natrel Rink located at the Harbourfront Centre is a really pretty place to skate. The trees surrounding it are lit, and you get a great view of Lake Ontario. Open until March, the rink offers skate rentals and heated indoor changing rooms with lockers and washrooms. The rink-side restaurant, Lakeside EATS offers hot chocolate and other goodies as well. And back by popular demand, DJ Saturday nights begins in December and runs until the end of February: depending on the DJ, you can skate to Top 40 pop tunes, rock, old school hip hop and Latin, among others.

Admission is free. Skate rentals are CDN $8 for adults and CDN $6 for children.

www.harbourfrontcentre.com/thenatrelrink/
235 Queens Quay West Harbourfront Centre Toronto, Canada
+1 416 973 4000
Google map: bit.ly/TS4of6

* Giulia is our Been there local for Toronto. You can see her profile here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/places/canada/toronto/index.jsp and follow her tips here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/travellers/GiuliaFalsetti

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It's a safari park in Puncak. The animals are well treated and you are able to get close up to the Indonesian wildlife. It's a very good place to take children - mine are seven and five and it's a good day out.
You can have mixed feelings about zoos but I thought its animal welfare was similar to western zoos. I suggest you buy the bananas and carrots before you get to the park from the street vendors and maybe take the free safari bus.

www.tamansafari.com/
+62 251 250000
Google map: bit.ly/12psm89

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They do many events throughout the year and most people would say go in autumn when the leaves are changing colour. I suggest go in winter as they do an Enchanted Christmas walk through a mile of trees illuminated in the winter night sky. A fantastic time to walk the grounds wrapped up warm with your family and dogs. An absolute must.

www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt
Tetbury, Gloucestershire GL8 8QS
+44(0)1666 880220
Google map: bit.ly/R6Oz8H

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A fitting tribute to the worlds greatest story-teller Roald Dahl who lived and wrote his stories in the heart of the Chilterns. He used everyday locations around his village, Great Missenden to great effect in many of his wonderful stories. There is a family-friendly walking trail to spot local literary landmarks that is worth exploring after a visit to the Museum and Story Centre on the High Street.

www.roalddahlmuseum.org/
81-83 High Street, Great Missenden,, Buckinghamshire, HP16 0AL
+44(0)1494 892192
Google map: bit.ly/WGgqcf

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The Punch House is an atmospheric pub-hotel right in the heart of Monmouth - a perfect place for exploring Wales and the Wye Valley. Stay in a room and enjoy live music at the weekend where the locals come to let off steam. My nine-year- old daughter loved the Lady Gaga show. The Punch House is a grade 11 listed building and an old coaching inn dating from the 12th century with oak beams everywhere, friendly staff and customers and and rooms from £45 a night.

4 Agincourt Square, Monmouth NP25 3BT
+44(0)1600 713855
Google map: bit.ly/UBgoku

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Jacques & Evelyne run the most idyllic camp site at the end of a quietest valley of the quiet Cantal region of France's Auvergne. I have kept it a secret for a while because i don't ever want to be told that there isn't a space for my family each summer, but this year is time to share the secret.

www.coldelegal.com/aire.html

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All three of my children have learned to ski in the Cairngorms. It's a good place to start with them young as the funicular railway takes them to the beginners slopes at the top of the mountain which usually has some snow and there is a cafe/restaurant for hot chocolate and food when they get cold. If the snow is poor or wind up the mountain prevents the lifts operating then there are lots of other things to do in or near Aviemore such as walking (Roithemurchas estate), mountain biking (Bothy Bikes), dog sledging, seeing the reindeer herd, visiting the Scottish wildlife park, swimming (at the Holiday Inn) or going for a tree top walk through an elevated pathway, so it's not all full on skiing. My son broke his arm snowboarding there and he was treated at the GP's surgery as they have X-ray scanning facilities on site rather than having to trek to Inverness to discover if anything is broken. The children got a taste for skiing there and now want to venture elsewhere and can ski/board all day but it's a great place to start with kids who may not want to ski all day everyday and want a range of other things to do as well.

Cairngorm Mountain Railway: www.cairngormmoutain.org
Roithemurchas estate:
www.roithemurchas.net
Bothy Bikes:
www.bothybikes.co.uk
Highland Wildlife Park:
www.highlandwildlifepark.org
Landmark Park:
www.landmarkpark.co.uk
Google map: bit.ly/Q7chkp

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We went to this Italian restaurant with our seven-year-old, efficient German and Italian-speaking waiter, calm atmosphere, generous helpings, good pizza and just as good pasta dishes, would definitely go again. Child got lollipop at the end!

Sendlinger Str. 28, 80331 Munich
+49 89 2609377
Google map: bit.ly/TnSLPy

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Café/restaurant. We went there with kids for a lovely Sunday brunch. It had a peaceful and colourful atmosphere, delicious pancakes and perfect cappuccinos.

www.playa-cafe-restaurant.de
Kreuzstr 3 b, im Asamhof, 80331 München
+49 89 23232669
Google map: bit.ly/VTLAlK

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Mt Norquay is a 15-minute drive from the town of Banff in the Canadian Rockies in Alberta. Unlike the other two closest hills, Sunshine Village and Lake Louise, Norquay offers very affordable day passes and discount packages. There are plenty of mid-range runs, which makes it perfect for intermediate-level skiers and snowboarders. With views of the town and the surrounding mountains, it is a spectacular place to spend an adrenalin-packed day. Tubing is also available.

banffnorquay.com/
2 Mt Norquay Road, Banff, AB, ABT1L1B4, Canada
+1 403 762 4421
Google map:

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It's a small but very down to earth ski resort just south of Munich. Has a few famous Olympic stars such as Michi Gerg who incidentally runs a fantastic ski school for kids. My kids learned there and now ski black runs.

www.lenggries.de/en/
Has its own railway station accessible from Munich. Autobahn A93 Garmisch out of Munich then off at Wolfratshausen.
Google map: bit.ly/PHQBLJ

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A little way out of Whistler - about five minutes in the car if that - is a complex of accommodation called Whiskey Jack. It's pretty quiet and wooded so great for people wanting a bit more of a chilled time or with families. We were a couple and the apartment we had was massive. It was like flat sitting for a mate. Set over two floors, balcony, two double bedrooms, huge lounge with TV and a great kitchen and all for so much cheaper than we were being quoted for Whistler Village itself. The one downside is the drive to the slopes (although there's loads of parking in Whistler) and home from a night out which can limit your hedonism somewhat but for the money you save you can easily treat yourself to the odd cab.

Head office (where you need to go to pick up your keys: 4314 Main Street Whistler, BC V0N 1B4, Canada
+1 (604) 932 6599
Actual apartment complex: 2400 Cavendish Way
Whistler, BC
+1 (604) 932 6500
Google map: bit.ly/SixGn5

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A-Basin (as it is known locally) rocks the rockies for so many reasons. It has one of the longest ski seasons in the USA (already open for winter 2012/13) and has some of the highest terrain in North America so gets dumped with snow when other resorts miss out. It has a new high speed quad, but also has some old school lifts that give the resort a more local and relaxed feel. And the terrain at the end of the lifts is some of the best around. At the end of the day when your legs are too tired to take anymore, head to 'the beach' for some beers, bbq and afternoon sun. And with all of this it still doesn't have the crowds that other Colorado resorts have. You can head there from Denver just for the day or use your Vail resorts ski pass (and free shuttle service) to get some turns in at one of the coolest resorts stateside.

www.arapahoebasin.com
28194 U.S. 6, Keystone, CO, United States
+1 888 272 7246
Google map: bit.ly/RRDTW7

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Park City is a former winter Olympics venue in Utah. It has three ski parks - Deer Valley, Canyons and Park City with all the other activities associated with a well developed winter resort. Snow is usually good and snow cannons help lay down an early base. Nightlife is not up to the hedonistic excesses of some European destinations given Utah's Mormon background, but this makes it an ideal family destination as facilities tend to be better than in Europe and there are bars and a microbrewery on the main street.

www.visitparkcity.com/
Google map: bit.ly/UoXZfL

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The Chilterns are famous for the beech woodlands and this has to be one of the best places to enjoy the autumn colour splash. This time of year, you can get into the leafy canopy at the GoApe centre, or perhaps something at ground level with amazing mountain-biking on the nearby Aston Hill for those who crave a greater downhill adrenaline rush.
And if this isn't enough, there are walks including the popular firecrest trail, and for families, a busy adventure playground.
It may sound busy, but the woods are big enough to quickly absorb everyone, so a walk or just somewhere to sit and enjoy the views is possible.
Often seen circling overhead are the gliders and red kites, maybe enjoying the lovely views across the vale to Hale Wood.
What's not to like?

Aston Clinton, Halton, Wendover and Aylesbury are the nearest towns or villages.
From Wendover, take the B4009 towards Tring, take the right hand turn approximately 1 mile north of RAF Halton, signposted Wendover Woods and St Leonards. The main entrance to the woods is found on the right.

From the A41, take the Wendover exit (also signed Dunstable) and take the B4009 towards Aston Clinton. Take the first left towards Wendover. After approx 1/2 mile, take a left signposted Wendover Woods and St Leonards. The main entrance to the woods is found on the right.

OS Grid Reference: SP890090
www.VisitChilterns.co.uk
www.forestry.gov.uk/website/recreation.nsf/LUWebDocsByKey/EnglandBuckinghamshireNoForestWendoverWoods
Google map: bit.ly/RAO3KN

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Like the larger and more popular Barton Springs pool, Deep Eddy pool is a beautiful natural water swimming pool providing an ideal place to wallow or swim in cold water during the intense heat of summer. Formally a natural swimming area in the Colorado River, Deep Eddy is now a stand-alone swimming though it is still fed
by natural spring water. The riverside location means that it is ideally located for anyone seeking a cool down while on the Lady Bird Lake trail, that follows the river on both sides. The pool is a twenty-minute stroll from the part of the trail starting at South Congress Bridge, Downtown.
The pool is as a paradise for fitness fanatics, families and those seeking cool relaxation. It is divided in half with about six lanes for swimming lengths in one half, and in the other half there is a blissful open water space for kids and adults to wade, play and lounge. There is also a lush grass area around the pool to soak up
some rays, while pecan trees provide perfect natural shade. The best activity on offer at Deep Eddy, however, is the Splash Party Movie Nights, with films shown on a floating movie screen at night as people sit in the cool water or swim lengths. Wow!
The pool is cheap at $3 entrance during the summer months, and the swimming lanes are free for swimmers during the winter months.

www.deepeddy.org/
Google map: bit.ly/R2cZOf

* Mark Sheaves is our Been there local for Austin. You can read his profile and about Austin here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/articles/austin-local-mark-sheaves.jsp and you can follow his tips here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/travellers/MarkSheaves. Check out other locals here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/trails/been-there-locals.jsp

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This is a beautiful apartment on a farm estate in Tuscany that is ideal for families. The apartment is big enough for four and has a decent-sized shared pool with stunning views down the valley. It's about half an hour from Arezzo and there are shops at nearby Anghiari.

www.invitationtotuscany.com/properties/property-detail?property_id=205

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This amazing forest park is one of our favourite spots and brilliant for families. There's a mile-long play trail through the forest passing a series of wooden playgrounds themed like an ants nest, a snake pit, towers and tunnels, a crocdile crossing and pond maze. Adults get a proper walk and the children just adore it. On top of this there's a five-metre-high tree top trail, a steam railway, two more traditional playgrounds, walking and cycling trails, a visitor centre and cafe. And it's free - you only pay for parking.

www.moors-valley.co.uk
Horton Road, Ashley Heath, Nr Ringwood, Dorset, BH24 2ET
Google map: bit.ly/RtCmFR

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