Umbria is home to some stunning scenery with rolling hills, lush valleys and picturesque medieval towns. Perfect scenery for learning to ride...
THE DEAL: Real Holidays has a week at La Casella, in Ficulle, a sprawling 200-acre, luxury country estate with a riding school with a Pony Club (ages four-10), from £769pp or £3,074 half-board for a family of four including return flights with EasyJet from Gatwick to Rome, car hire and three pony lessons. Selected August departure dates (and throughout the year).
BOOK IN: Real Holidays

The Alentejo region opened up this summer with new direct flights from the UK. Set on a peninsula overlooking the south bank of river Sado, has a number of important Roman remains. The Tróia peninsula is fringed by sweeping, sandy beaches facing the Atlantic Ocean.
THE DEAL: The contemporary, four-star Aqualuz Resort, Troia Peninsula, has seven nights from £1,999 B&B for a family of four staying in a family suite with direct BMI flights from Heathrow to Beja and transfers. Departs 14 or 21 August (and throughout the year).
BOOK IN: Sunvil

For a classic summer sailing jaunt around the far-flung Aegean islands, jump aboard a traditional, wooden caique. Stop at picturesque villages, sample mezes in local tavernas and discovering ancient ruins too.
THE DEAL: Explore has seven-nights aboard a caique in private en-suite cabinsfrom £766pp bed and breakfast (£3,064 for a family of four), including return flights from Heathrow, all transport and guiding. Minimum age five. Departing 13 August 2011 and other selected dates (bookings for next year available).
BOOK IN: Explore

Summer in the city? New York empties out a little in the summer so make the most of Central Park. Acres of greenery in the heart of Manhattan means lawns, boating lakes, ponds, horse-drawn carriages, merry-go-rounds, playgrounds and a zoo, with free music concerts and open-air theatre throughout the summer. And at this time of year an ice rink even turns into an outdoor swimming pool.
THE DEAL: A room Mate Grace, a seventies-inspired no-frills boutique hotel, just off Times Square with a pool and funky swim-up bar, costs from £146 room only (plus 14.75 per cent tax) per room per night (10 per cent discount for bookings made seven or more days in advance until December, excluding select peak dates).
BOOK IN: i-escape

Famed for its endless sunshine, beaches and attractions such as Walt Disney World, Universal Studios Florida and SeaWorld Orlando, you'll score top parentlng marks if you take your kids here this summer.
THE DEAL: 14 Nights at the three-star Econolodge Inn & Suites, minutes away from the attractions above costs from £835pp room only (two adults and two children, aged two – 11 years) sharing a room, and includes return indirect flights from Manchester with American Airlines departing on selected dates August (and throughout the year). Car hire is available from £19 per day. A free scheduled shuttle service to Universal Studios Florida, SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica water park and Wet n' Wild.
BOOK IN: Complete Orlando

The archipelago of nine volcanic islands marooned in the middle of the Atlantic may be part of Europe but culturally and geographically is a world away with lush vegetation and marine wildlife including whales, sharks, manta rays and sea turtles.
THE DEAL: Free child places for families staying at the Hotel Sao Miguel Park with ocean views and outdoor pool are available when booking seven nights from £408pp bed and breakfast including return flights from Gatwick or Manchester and transfers. Departs August and throughout the year.
BOOK IN: Sunvil Discovery

Glitzy, glam and the favourite holiday destination of footballers and their wives, Dubai also has culture - the wooden dhows that go up and down the creek, the shisha and local festivals – beyond the shopping malls and international hotels.
THE DEAL: Five nights at the five-star Amwaj Rotana Jumeirah costs £569pp bed and breakfast including flights with Qatar from Heathrow (children stay free, return flights from £599pp). For travel between August and  November 2011.
BOOK IN: travelbag

Don't miss our guide to Dubai!

A varied landscape including desert, mountains and green scenery makes the third largest Canary island worth heading for.
THE DEAL: Seven nights at the four-star Hotel in Playa del Ingles set amongst tropical gardens, with activities including archery to cycling, a fresh-water pool and a Spa and Wellness Centre costs from £715pp all inclusive with return flights from Birmingham with Monarch airlines, departing on the 22nd August 2011 (and throughout the year).
BOOK IN: Monarch

See more Canary Island holidays!

Montego Bay in Jamaica is a popular spot for locals and tourists and home to Round Hill, a luxurious, sprawling villa hotel set on a secluded peninsula eight miles west. Ralph Lauren designed the hotel rooms as well as owning a villa here, while Demi Moore and Paul Newman have also stayed.
THE DEAL: Fourteen nights for the price of eight in an ocean front room at the four-star Round Hill Hotel and Villas from £1,799pp room only including return flights from Gatwick with British Airways and transfers. Book a second room half price for up to three children under the age of 12 and three hours of nanny service per day. Book before 15 August for travel until 31st October 2011.
BOOK IN: Prestige Caribbean

This tiny island nation, comprising the islands of Malta, Gozo and Comino has beaches, prehistoric temples, baroque architecture in Valetta and aunique charm of its own.
THE DEAL: seven nights at the five-star Corinthia Palace Hotel in San Anton, within easy striking distance of Malta's major historical sites, costs from £559pp bed and breakfast (child prices from £189pp) bed and breakfast including return flights from Gatwick, transfers, taxes, a mini guide and complimentary entrance to an attraction. Departing 31 August 2011 (and throughout the year).
BOOK IN: Malta Direct