Fab Mag

“This looks like a picture from a fairy tale!” shouts my eight-year-old daughter Molly as we cycle through the incredibly pretty Dutch town of Vlodrop.

With its wooden houses and gardens filled with pink and red blooms, it’s an easy 16-minute ride from De Meinweg National Park, where we’re staying.

Huttopia De Meinweg, four hours’ drive from Calais, is set in 27 hectares of woods, and our two-bed cabin is small but perfectly formed, with a terrace, loo and shower room.

There are two swimming pools, including an indoor heated one, and Molly and Elliot, 11, spend hours challenging each other to pétanque and table-tennis competitions.

Toasting marshmallows over the communal firepit by the lake also goes down a treat. Daily bike hire costs from £12.50 for adults, £8.20 for children

Guten tag, Germany!

A 15-minute walk through the woods reveals brasserie De Boshut, where we snaffle crispy chicken burgers, £16, followed by poffertjes (Dutch pancakes), £5.65, before the kids scamper around the eatery’s beautiful wooden playground (Deboshut.nl).

HOLY COW

I stayed at glam farm resort from Made in Chelsea with huge roasts & ‘pig’ pods

CLASS ACT

European train to launch business class style plane seats with £55 tickets

Meanwhile, a 10-minute cycle takes us over into Germany and the chic lakeside beach club Amici Beach (Amicibeach.com).

Another easy find on two wheels is Speeltuin Kitskensberg, full of top-rate play equipment, including a fully operational mini town featuring traffic lights and pedestrian crossings so little ones can practise navigating across town on their bikes.

It’s kiddie heaven and unbelievably costs less than £3 for both children and adults, because it’s run by volunteers (Speeltuinkitskensberg.nl).

Magical Maastricht

One day, we head to the city of Maastricht, 45 minutes’ drive away, where we grab crunchy croissant ice cream at Qrème By Darq, £3.60 a cone (Qreme.nl), before popping into stunning medieval church, the Basilica of Our Lady, which once attracted millions of pilgrims.

Locals and visitors continue the centuries-old tradition of lighting hundreds of devotional candles daily in the serene chapel dedicated to Sterre der Zee (Star of the Sea).

Afterwards, the kids spy the perfect spot to spend their pocket money – toy and lifestyle shop Jouw Marktkraam, which is full of both new and vintage finds (@Jouwmarktkraammaastricht), before we grab a late lunch at trendy Preps.

It takes a long time to arrive, but my Hangover Brekkie Mix of banana bread with peanut butter, lemon crumble and lavender, plus smashed avocado, a poached egg, beet houmous, tomatoes and bread, £16.20, is totally worth the wait (Prepsmaastricht.com).

As we make the drive to Calais for our trip home, the kids can’t believe it – they’ve travelled through three countries and boarded an under-the-sea train, AKA LeShuttle. Maybe fairy tales really can come true. . .

THE sound of bugles, trumpets and tubas fills the street as a parade of horses trot towards The Royal Palace.

I always thought Buckingham Palace’s changing of the guard was impressive, but shiny silver helmets off to the Swedish Army who, decked out in pristine blue uniforms, have us completely captivated for a full 45 minutes.

“It’s like being in a movie!” my five-year-old son Raffy shouts above the beat of kettle drums halfway through.

And he’s right. In the picturesque setting of Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s historic old town, it is an incredible spectacle. And even better – it doesn’t cost a penny. Or krona, rather.

I like big buns

Your wallets will, however, take a hit in Gamla Stan’s winding, cobbled streets, which are brimming with gift shops, such as Liten Amanda with its Nordic home decor (Litenamanda.se), plus bistros like Petit Pastis (Pastis.se) and confectioner Konfektyr & Glass offering an eye-boggling array of treats.

We search for the tiny Iron Boy statue hidden in a courtyard, before ordering a sizeable cinnamon bun, coffees and hot chocolates with lashings of cream for £28, at Kaffekoppen in Stortorget Square (Cafekaffekoppen.se), then chancing upon vintage H&M and antique glassware at charity shop Stockholms Stadsmissions nearby (Stadsmissionen.se).

GOAT & BOAT

See Lionel Messi with Inter Miami ticket and Caribbean cruise from just £1,799

CRUISE NEWS

See Monaco Grand Prix in 2027 during all-inclusive cruise for £2,299 per person

Stockholm city consists of 14 islands connected by bridges. On Djurgården, we all stand in awe as we first set eyes on Vasa, a 17th-century warship that sank on its maiden voyage, its intricate carvings painstakingly restored.

A bonus for my teen self (in the temporary exhibition) is seeing Rose’s dress and Heart of the Ocean necklace from the film Titanic, while learning about director James Cameron’s 2012 deep-sea expedition 10,000 feet down to the ocean floor, and squeezing into a replica capsule. Adult entry costs £18.50, under-18s are free (Vasamuseet.se).

Mamma Mia!

The kids’ favourite outing is the neighbouring ABBA Museum. Poppy, seven, adores the greatest hits album (thanks to her Yoto music player), and despite being a tad overpriced, it’s undoubtedly a super-fun interactive space with lots of opportunities to dress up and perform like – and even alongside – the band (in hologram form), pose for an album cover, rock out in a silent disco and ogle the showstopping stage costumes.

Adult entry costs from £20.50, kids over seven from £8.50 (Abbathemuseum.com).

On one of our days on Djurgården, we tuck into shrimps piled atop egg mayo and syrup bread, £18, while the kids scoff pancakes with cream and jam, £7.50, bathed in sunshine on cafe Skroten’s terrace.

There’s free bread, butter and lingonberry juice on offer, too (Skrotens.se). Later, we hit Skansen, home to a farm, zoo, funfair and a historic town with glassblowers, pottery studio and bakery.

The children are wide-eyed at both the playful bears and the molten glass being transformed into chic confetti lampshades. Adult entry costs £23.50, under-12s are free (Skansen.se).

Viking vibes

At dinner that night, a roar fills the dining hall as our host announces the arrival of more guests – this time from the US – with a horn and a bellow.

I pause devouring my crawfish and prawn soup, £13.50, to join in the hollering.

We’re at Viking restaurant Aifur, and while it may be touristy, Raffy again gets all the film-set feels when he’s declared a “baby Viking” and presented with a giant sword to look after.

Thinking his night couldn’t get any better, and just as a musician begins playing the hurdy-gurdy (Google it!), the waitress presses souvenir coins into both his and Poppy’s palms (Aifur.se).

Continuing the theme, the next morning we learn how to fight and write like a warrior at the Viking Museum, which is worth a stop, even if it’s just to lunch at its restaurant Eld.

Highlights include Ukrainian gnocchi with smoked feta, £22, deer medallions with black garlic and potato gratin, £22.50, and the pretty harbour views (Thevikingmuseum.com).

Isle be back

The sweet spot for visiting Sweden with kids is balmy mid-August, just after the Swedes return to school. Keen to get a taste of the Stockholm Archipelago, home to more than 30,000 islands, we take the 43X train from Stockholm City station to Västerhaninge, catch the 846 bus to Årsta Brygga and then hop on the 21 boat to Utö.

Although it sounds complicated, it’s super-simple, and for our transport-mad kids, the hour-and-a-half journey in itself is thrilling.

But Utö, all rugged landscapes, pine forests and sparkling sea, is the real thrill. Photos really don’t capture its beauty.

We kip in one of hotel Utö Värdshus’ sweet self-catering cottages, which cost from £101 per night, and at the restaurant that evening, we dine on buttered kingfish with potato, leek and cheese pie and crayfish broth, £29, while the kids wolf down steak with Béarnaise sauce and fries, £10.50 (Utovardshus.se).

Holidaying on the island is all about hiking, biking and the wonderfully wild beaches.

One afternoon is spent picnicking at Barnens Bad beach, not far from our cottage – its crystal-clear shallow water is perfect for kids, and we’re joined by only one other family, who stylishly arrive and depart by kayak.

The next day, we set off on a 11km bike ride (daily hire costs £15 per adult, £11 per child).

We pass colourful wooden houses and breathtaking vistas to Stora Sand, a wide expanse of white beach, which again we only have to share with one other couple.

Sandcastle building and chasing waves makes for a blissful few hours, topped off only by a wild moose deciding to clumsily gallop across our path on our ride home.

I fear that the kids’ tales of this trip may sound a little far-fetched when they get back home and share them with friends. But Sweden really has proved super (trouper).

A DREAMY cottage in the highlands is a perfect destination to escape for a retreat.

It can also be a base for an action-packed family adventure break – with dolphin spotting among the highlights. Janice Hopper reveals all…

With our feet strapped into boots atop skis with wheels, coach Logan advises us to glide just like him.

Our wobbly attempts at roller-skiing aren’t great, so we soon move on to cross-country skiing on the dry-slope matting instead, where my husband Eamon and our sons Samuel, 12, and Joseph, 11, and I do actually glide.

We’ve booked a family session at Huntly Nordic And Outdoor Centre, which ends with us all flinging ourselves, whooping and screaming, down a slope on rubber rings.

It’s a fun way to experience the Scottish hills. Three-hour activity sessions cost £18.15 per adult, £12.15 per child (Livelifeaberdeenshire.org.uk).

PUMPED UP

I visited Europe’s biggest pumpkin patch right here in England & was shocked

PLANT IT

Closed Victorian attraction finally reopens after five years & £23million upgrade

ESTATE OF MIND

After all the exhilaration, it’s time to check into our two-bedroom cottage on the elegant Mayen Estate.

With a classy colour palette, the cosiest stove and a beautiful ”box bed” in the master, plus a fire pit and hot tub in the garden, Butlers Cottage is a gorgeous hideaway.

We task the boys with rolling out dough and sprinkling on the cheese and salami from our pre-ordered pizza kit, from £21, before popping it in the outdoor pizza oven as the sun starts to wane.

The next morning, we wake to the sound of Highland cows nearby, before taking a peaceful riverside stroll along the Deveron and exploring Mayen’s stunning two-acre Walled Gardens, open exclusively to holiday guests for £20 per cottage.

It’s August, so everything is in full bloom as we wander through walkways of lavender, white lilies and glorious glasshouses.

Huntly is also home to a cinema, castle, shortbread factory and swimming pool, but we head to scenic Greenmyres Lochan for Canadian canoeing and standup paddleboarding, £28 per person for an hour and a half.

Jumping in and swimming is a valid option, too, as my youngest discovers (Huntlydt.org/what-we-do/greenmyres).

After peeling off our wetsuits, we reward ourselves with a Sunday roast at The Bank Cafe & Restaurant.

Here, choose your carvery meat and three sides, such as sticky red cabbage and macaroni cheese, for just £15, or seven sides for £21 (Thebankrestauranthuntly.com).

Buttery orange biscuits from Dean’s Shortbread, £2.49 (Deans.co.uk) and Irn Bru ice cream, £3 a scoop, from long-standing Rizza’s wrap up our day nicely (Rizzas.co.uk).

While Butlers Cottage is set amid rolling hills, the golden sands of Banff Bay are only half an hour away.

After wandering along the shoreline, we warm up with hot chocolate, £4.50, and a dainty Victoria sponge tower, £3.40, at Annie’s Cakery (Facebook.com/anniescakery7).

Housed in the town’s former railway station, AKA The Platform, there’s a lovely homeware and fashion shop, too (Theplatform-macduff.co.uk).

Also close by is Portsoy, famous for its salmon. After learning more about the local catch at the free Salmon Bothy museum (Salmonbothy.org), we buy flavoursome smoked fillets, £4 each, from Messrs J Smith at the historic harbour to cook later, before hitting Spey Bay’s free Scottish Dolphin Centre, half an hour away (Dolphincentre.whales.org).

There are binoculars for trying to spot the bay’s resident 200 bottlenose dolphins and the chance to listen to recordings of their calls.

The local dolphins are considered the world’s “chubbiest”, thanks to their extra layers for keeping warm in the chilly waters.

We’re alright though, we have a hot tub to return to. . .

PADDLING kayaks through the serene 8,000-year-old bog, we’re about to enter the “second maze”, according to our guide Elina.

Locals call it this because the small islands of shrubs, moss and reeds we’re navigating are constantly shifting above the mineral-rich water, making the route through ever-changing.

If you want a moment to really pause, Latvia’s the place.

Over half of the country, which is a quarter of the UK’s size, is covered in forest, and with a population of fewer than 2 million, it’s not hard to find a stunning spot all to yourself – even in the height of summer.

We return to the shore to find Elina’s mother-in-law cooking up a feast on a portable stove.

Slices of ham and bread are served alongside a huge flask of coffee, helpings of traditional grey pea and bacon broth, and piles of fresh pancakes, both savoury potato and apple, which are demolished by my kids Poppy, seven, and Raffy, five.

WAIL OF A TIME

I drove Irish Route 66 with deserted golden beaches and pirate-like islands

TEMPTED?

Tiny ‘Bali of Europe’ town with stunning beaches, €3 cocktails and £20 flights

It’s a brunch made from simple ingredients, but it is utterly delicious, especially when devoured in the vivid green landscape of Kemeri National Park.

Kayaking tours cost from £21.50 per person (Boardsyou.lv).

Ravishing Riga

The starting point for our trip is the cobbled streets and colourful art nouveau buildings of Latvia’s capital.

Riga sits little more than half an hour from the white sandy beaches of the Baltic coast (with a sea warmer than Cornwall’s come summer, FYI) and an abundance of nature, like those ancient bogs.

We arrive during celebrations for the city’s 825th anniversary and to streets alive with brass bands and artistic performances.

Even at its busiest, though, Riga still feels gloriously uncrowded, despite striking architecture and sculptures at every turn – the black felines perched on the turrets of Cat House and the Bremmen Town Musicians Statue of four animals balancing upon each other (said to bring luck if you rub their noses) our favourites.

Hotel Grand Poet By Semarah, with its flamboyant interiors, lies opposite pretty Bastejkalna Park, just a short stroll from the beautifully kept Old Town.

Its spa – where kids are welcome throughout the day – is home to a swimming pool, whirlpool, steam room and two saunas, and we even spot TV chef Prue Leith at the breakfast buffet one morning.

Family rooms cost from £280 B&B (Grandpoet.semarahhotels.com).

Lots to lake

One of Riga’s most popular weekend spots, Mežaparks, is set on alluring Lake Kišezers, where pedalos, rowing boats and SUPs are for hire, and swimming from its sandy shore is a breeze.

Cabo, with its hammocks and swinging seats, is an idyllic spot for sipping a rhubarb spritz, £7.70, while the kids splash about, and we hire a four-seater pedal kart to whizz around the forest trails, £17 per hour (Cabo.lv).

It would be easy to while away a whole day shoreside, but with Riga Zoo also here, we soon find ourselves giggling at the swaggering chief gelada (similar to a baboon), then wide-eyed at the glow-in-the-dark scorpions in the tropical house.

A family ticket costs £35 (Rigazoo.lv).

Another morning well spent is at Marupe Wake Park – its inflatable water obstacle course is one of Europe’s largest, with slides, swings, zip wires and climbing challenges.

As we hop across a giant panda and unicorn, the kids’ confidence grows with each leap, before we all revive ourselves in the sauna overlooking the lake, chuckling about our most spectacular splash landings.

Sessions cost from £16 per person (Udensatrakcijuparks.lv).

Later, among vibrant Mediterranean-inspired wall murals, we find a meal worthy of any great city.

We’re at Italissimo, where the little ones tuck into proper lasagne, £4, and pasta in butter broth with parmesan, £3, glugging down home-made berry lemonades, £3.70, while I dig into sublime truffled burrata with parma ham and wine-poached pear, £13.50, and tiger prawn ravioli with asparagus and a creamy bisque sauce, £14.50.

Cocktails, such as the Malfy Sour – a limoncello and citrus gin blend, £9 – are also excellent.

We soon clock children disappearing downstairs and discover a pastel playroom with a giant ball pit and interactive games screen, much to the kids’ glee (Facebook.com/restaurant.italissimo).

Going medieval

Restaurant Rozengrals, meanwhile, is a celebration of Riga’s medieval roots.

One lunchtime, we descend the steep steps and follow torch-lit tunnels to an underground dining hall for a huge platter of oven-baked duck with cherry-onion jam on a bed of pulses, £25, and pastry parcels stuffed with spinach and cheese, £7.20.

Sea buckthorn with honey, £4, is quickly declared a hit by all and we finish off by sharing Countess Amelia’s Caprice – tiny iced cakes encased in filo pastry, made from another 15th-century recipe, £6 (Rozengrals.lv).

Nearby, we discover GunsnLasers, an entertainment arcade tucked away in Galerija Centrs shopping centre, where e-karting proves to be a blast for kids and we all tear around the interactive Pixels Room, trying to avoid stepping on the ever-moving red squares of a giant light-up grid.

Donning VR headsets for family challenges is also a lot of fun for everyone.

Three activities cost £24 per person (Gunsnlasers.lv).

Tree-rific times

Still, we’re here to explore Latvia’s stunning landscapes, and an hour’s drive from Riga is Gauja National Park, the home of Turaida Castle – a reconstructed medieval fortress in lush grounds dotted with sculptures.

The kids love spotting ancient weapons and climbing the main tower with its views of the Gauja river.

Later, after venison stew with figs, £17.50, at quaint Kungu Riga (Kungurija.lv), we check out adventure park Tarzans.

Here, alongside the thrills of high-rope obstacle courses, tubing and bungee trampolining, there are activities such as a downhill hamster wheel, giant catapult and a toboggan track that hurtles us through the trees.

Packages cost £26 per child, £30 per adult (Tarzans.lv).

It all makes for a cracking afternoon – just as Latvia makes for a cracking summer adventure.

AZERBAIJAN is nicknamed the Land of Fire and is a fascinating mix of Eastern and Western culture.

Antoinette Cumberbatch shares her account of discovering the country’s delicacies, hot weather, rich history, plus a party scene reminiscent of Miami.

Watching US rapper Busta Rhymes work the screaming crowd in the balmy 32ºC heat, I feel like I’m in Miami.

In fact, I’m actually dancing the night away beside the Caspian Sea at Azerbaijan’s lively Dream Fest, held each July.

It takes place 35 minutes’ drive from the enthralling capital, Baku, at Sea Breeze Resort on the golden coast, also home to a huge array of sports activities and buzzing beach clubs.

Fish Box serves up excellent sushi, from £13.50 a platter, and with my spacious one-bed pad at White Villas, I get a private garden. Villas sleeping two start from £110 a night (Seabreeze.az).

ON TRACK

‘Skip the centre for traditional brown bars’ European city with direct UK trains

WINE NOT

I visited one of Europe’s best budget seaside cities – now 32C with cheap drinks

Fire Starter

Hours earlier, I’d explored another side of Azerbaijan, which straddles Europe and Asia, discovering why it’s nicknamed the Land of Fire.

On the outskirts of Baku, the Ateshgah Fire Temple vividly brings this to life.

Here, history isn’t tucked behind glass – instead, fire flashes red-hot between ancient stones from an altar in the middle, and I duck through low doorways to learn how merchants stopped here while travelling along the Silk Road. Entry costs £6.50 (Ateshgahtemple.az).

Another eternal flame is Yanar Dagh, a hillside of natural gas where fire burns continuously at a scorching 1,000ºC.

I finish my fiery sightseeing with a visit to Baku’s Bar19 at Flame Towers, an imposing structure by day and a dazzling sight at night, serving up city views alongside Flame cocktails – a sweet mix of Bacardi, Passoã, amaretto and lime juice, £13 (Fairmont.com).

Come morning, I stroll along the city’s waterfront, Baku Boulevard, to take in more futuristic landmarks, such as Deniz Mall and indoor arena Crystal Hall, plus the world’s largest flying flag in State Flag Square.

Then I explore Icherisherer, the official name for the Old City and a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2000.

I wander the labyrinth of passageways, where cats sleep in doorways and locals sell goods including carpets and pillbox sheepskin hats, haggling to nab one of the latter for £12. In other corners, I find locals offering home-made Turkish delight and playing draughts.

A few minutes’ walk from Icherisherer and an array of designer shops, is Art Gallery Hotel, set in a grand Art Deco building with walls adorned with striking pieces.

Luxurious rooms feature quirky headboards, gold lamps and large showers, and stays start from £85 per night (Arthotelbaku.com).

Dumpling Day

Sitting among retro ornaments and mismatched furniture at restaurant Ryumochnaya By Beerbasha, I feast on delicious pasztet – a chicken pâté with jam – £2.20, and moreish chicken Kyiv, £5.65.

The most surprising but incredible dish is a sweet tomato salad with cherry sauce, £5.25 (@Ryumochnaya_beerbasha).

At the more traditional Novbahar, I fill up on dushbara – tiny dumplings in a savoury broth, £2.60 – gutab flatbread filled with pumpkin, £1.30, and succulent grilled beef saj, £17.50. The local pinot grigio pairs nicely, too (Novbahar.az).

As my trip draws to a close, I climb the 12th-century Maiden Tower – 28m high and one of Baku’s most recognisable landmarks – for the sea views.

Entry costs £6.50. But for vistas of the entire city, I find Highland Park unbeatable.

The funicular up to its beautiful gardens costs less than 50p and, as I soak up the panoramic view of Baku, it leaves me awestruck. Just like Azerbaijan itself.