I’TS not often I get on a bicycle and go for a pedal, but it’s true what they say: you never forget how to ride. As I wobble about trying to find my balance, a flash of green whizzes by. It’s my fouryear- old, on her bike, wearing the biggest smile you’ve ever seen.

Travelling around on two wheels is popular at Center Parcs, especially at Elveden Forest in Suffolk, as nothing’s especially far away and it’s all lovely and flat, so whether you’re new to cycling, or simply out of practice, it’s fun for all the family.

If you fancy a getaway for a big group of people, which also includes kids, Center Parcs is a sure-fire hit.

Whether it’s a generational gathering , or a couple of clans clubbing together to splash out on some of the higher-end accommodation (a twostorey treehouse complete with games den, Physiotherm infrared room and outdoor hot tub, perhaps?), there’s something to suit everyone.

Every lodge comes with its own kitchen, so you can cook for yourselves or dine out in one of the many family-friendly restaurants in the village.

Children (and adults) can join a host of activities, from quad biking or creating cupcakes, to aerial tree trekking and wildlife walks.

  • Lodgings from £229 (sleeps six) for a mid-week four-night break.

For more information, visit centerparcs.co.uk

Friendly apartment

A FRIENDLY apartment is a great choice for a weekend break with mates to Berlin.

‘‘If you arrive after 6pm, you’ll need to collect the keys from our bar, Red Rabbit, in Friedrichshain.’’ That’s the message I receive from my Berlin host, Lisa, who has rented her apartment to myself and four friends for the weekend.

When we reach the bar, it’s well beyond midnight, but for the trendy crowd sinking beers, the evening is only beginning. An envelope is waiting for me behind the bar, with keys and a clutch of flyers inside, and I know my trip is off to a good start.

Booking an apartment is often the most comfortable and fun choice for a group of friends going on holiday, but so many properties end up being empty shells, devoid of personality.

Airbnb, however, pose the appealing proposition of staying at a “friend’s” place while they’re out of town. And sure enough, when we turn the lock in Lisa’s door, we find the radiators on full blast, coffee percolator stacked with filters, and an overflowing fruit bowl.

The position of the flat is also excellent – overlooking the East Side gallery, where remnants of the Berlin Wall remain, and close to the bars and creative hubbub of Kreuzberg.

Of course, every flat registered with Airbnb is different, with more than 34,000 properties to peruse in 192 countries. And half the fun is choosing the right property and personality to match your needs.

Owners are often, as in Lisa’s case, plugged into the local social scene and can recommend the best cafes, bars, galleries and shops in the area.

Best of all, this accommodation option is more comfortable than a hostel and cheaper than staying in a hotel. Our stay works out less than £25 each per night.

  • Book this apartment from £221 for minimum two-night stay (sleeps five) at airbnb.co.uk/rooms/115345
  • Cheapflights.co.uk offers the best online deals, with return flights from London to Berlin from £89.

Regional departures available.

Roman holiday

WHEN your base for a long weekend in Rome is the seriously chic Villa Nocetta, only ten minutes from the centre, you may consider taking up permanent residence.

This beautifully renovated villa has been in the owners’ family for three generations and sits in landscaped gardens. Original marble floors and a grand piano bring a sense of classic elegance to the space, and 17th Century heirloom wall coverings hang alongside portraits of Angelina Jolie and Al Pacino, taken by celebrated Rome-based photographer Angela Lopriore.

It’s certainly enough to impress my three generations of relatives, who are here for a family gathering.

While my boyfriend and I spend evenings enjoying sundowners on the tower-top terrace made for two, other family members head to the basement gym or relax by the pool under the shade of Mediterranean pine trees. Each of the five guest suites has been individually styled, featuring classic design pieces, artworks and fine Italian linens.

Villa Nocetta feels like a luxury home rather than a hotel. All the major sights are within walking distance of each other. It’s quite possible to peer at the Pantheon, shop in the designer stores along Via Condotti, walk up and down the Spanish Steps, or surround yourself with papal pomp in St Peter’s Square at the Vatican – all in a day.

My boyfriend and I even take a tour on vintage Vespas, riding along the cobbled streets lined with candycoloured houses and cafes, weaving through traffic while marvelling at ancient sites.

My parents opt for the more leisurely Roman approach, taking it all in via pit stops in the piazza. We all end up at the Trevi fountain, where we each throw a coin into the water and make a wish. If the legends are true, next year, we’ll be back for more of la dolce vita.

  • Villa Nocetta (villanocetta.com; +39-06-663-7119) sleeps up to 12 people and is available from 2,900 euros per night (approx £200 per person per night). Minimum stay of three nights.
  • easyJet (easyjet.com) fly from London Gatwick to Rome from £28.74 per person (one-way).