One suggestion I would seriously ask you to consider for the perfect family holiday in 2007 is Keycamp's site at Cypsela, near Pals on the Catalonian Costa Brava.

The European self-catering specialist site is perfectly placed for a sunshine 'sangria-la'.

This Catalan hotspot is not only treasured by visitors from the UK but locals as well.

We travelled in August and flew direct from Belfast to Barcelona, where we hired a Zafira.

With a 13-year-old daughter, the vehicle was big enough to take all her new tops and the rest of our luggage as well!

Heading north towards Girona and the French border, Cypsela is a leisurely two-and-a-half-hour drive where most of the journey was spent on motorway.

Arriving after 10pm, we were met by Keycamp staff and the site's office and security staff, all of whom were very pleasant and helpful.

A trip to the site's well-stocked supermarket the following morning meant we could begin our two-week break in earnest.

The site offers a range of activities to entertain children of all age groups, such as table-tennis, football, crazy golf, a games room and internet suite, but with temperatures of 30 degrees centigrade, the large pool with diving boards proved to be most popular.

For the more energetic there is a fitness suite, squash and tennis courts. All are in close proximity to the entertainment complex that includes a take-away, bar and restaurant terrace.

There were nightly shows to entertain families, while the teens congregated at a separate café/bar adjoining the fitness suite.

Out and about, a trip to nearby Palafrugell's bustling Sunday market in the old town is well worth it, but beware, the market, packed into its very narrow streets, closes at 2pm, as do the shops in the town.

The market offers a range of fresh food, meat and fish and the usual knick-knacks for pressie-buying.

As many of you know, trailing teens away from new-found friends to go on a sightseeing tour with mum and dad can be a nightmare. So, to avoid huffy fits and teen angst, we limited ourselves to short drives to try and experience what the Catalan countryside had to offer.

Close to Cypsela is the town of Pals. The old quarter of Pals, a medieval town destroyed and abandoned during the Spanish Civil War, has been lovingly restored.

Nestling atop a hill you can spend a few hours wandering around the narrow streets and explore the castle's clock tower and Gothic church.

You can also wile away the time in the 'not-in-your-face' art and craft boutiques, which are situated in former homes chiselled out of the rock face.

Other areas of interest to visit nearby are the historic towns of Torroella de Montgri and Palamos.

If you're interested in local history or photography then a full-day excursion to Girona, the former capital of Catalonia, 25km from Cypsela, should not be missed.

Take a stroll through its labyrinth of lanes and alleyways and soak up the historical treasures before relax in the city's bars and cafes along the Rambla.

Trips to the beach are a must and the Cypsela site offers a free bus ride every half hour to nearby Playa de Pals - a 10-minute journey away.

To avoid the heartache of trying to find a parking space (virtually impossible at the weekends, because the Catalans love their free time on the Costa Brava too), then this bus ride is a necessity.

The beach itself runs from Pals along the shoreline of the bay to Estartit 15km away.

There are beach bars and restaurants within easy reach and lifeguards on patrol.

At the right edge of the beach is a rocky incline with a pathway that leads to a secluded cove. So, if you a not perturbed by the dingle-dongle of dangles on the shingle, then this naturist spot is the place for you!

For the more adventurous Cypsela offers a bus trip to the Aquabrava waterpark, while there are also centres for scuba diving, wind-surfing/parascending, horse-riding, golf and go-karting.

So, if your idea of a perfect holiday is wistful laziness, intellectual stimuli, savouring of the local food, or an adventure-filled break, then Keycamp's Cypsela site is the perfect starting point for 2007.